ANNUAL BASS NUMBER

JUNE ,1941 TEN CENTS & ***2N/ OFFICIAL STATE VOL. 10—NO. 6 PUBLICATION ^ANGLER* JUNE, 1941

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ARTHUR H. JAMES PUBLISHED MONTHLY GOVERNOR by the COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS

Publication Office: Telegraph Press, Cameron & Kclker Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. Executive and Editorial Offices: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commis­ sioners, Harrisburg, Pa. CHARLES A. FRENCH Commissioner of Fisheries Ten cents a copy—50 cents a year MEMBERS OF BOARD • CHARLES A. FRENCH, Chairman ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor EUwood City MILTON L. PEEK South Office Bldg.. Harrisburg, Pa. Radnor HARRY E. WEBER Philipsburg NOTE Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER EDGAR W. NICHOLSON should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee either Philadelphia by check or money order payable to the Common­ J. FRED MCKEAN wealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. New Kensington Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk JOHN L. NEIGER Scranton PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contribu­ JOSEPH M. CRITCHFIELD tions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper Confluence credit will be given to contributors. CLIFFORD J. WELSH AH contributions returned if accompanied by first Eric £lass postage. H. R. STACKHOUSE Secretary to Board Entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office of Harrisburg, Pa. under act of March 3, 18T3. C. R. BULLER Chief Fish Culturist, Belief onte

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IMPORTANT—The Editor should be notified immediately of change in subscriber's address Please give old and new addresses Permission to reprint will be granted provided proper credit notice is given Vol. 10. No. 6 ^ANGLER^^J^J VLCIV / JUNE, 1941

EDITORIAL

The serious lack of Spring rainfall plus mid-June weather in April has served to bring about a rather serious situation. Streams which should be running full are really nearer the low levels of the August season and the watersnake is swiftly becoming a menace to the trout fishermen. Ordinarily, April is a month of colder days and heavy rainfall and the watersnake is more sluggish as he returns from his state of Winter hiber­ nation. Not so true this year, with an extremely premature season the predator of our streams came back into circulation too soon for comfort and his active presence is of much concern to the fisherman. If unmolested, the watersnake assisted by present low water levels, will cut deep into the supply of fish life. Capable of remaining under water for long periods, many are the numbers of fine trout which fall prey to his vicious jaws. A quick grab and the snake returns to the shore with the struggling trout where he finally devours it. Most welcome are the fine reports coming to the Board. Reports which recite of organized campaigns to exterminate this marauder. Some of the clubs, I understand, have enlisted the help of Boy Scout Troops and are really and truly doing a fine job. The watersnake must be checked. Heavy stocked streams providing a plentiful supply of food certainly serves to multiply snakes in large numbers. Boy Scouts and others cooperating with sportsmen and sportsmen's groups can certainly accomplish much in preserving our fish life if they will con­ tinue to stamp this nuisance from our streams.

Commissioner of Fisheries 2 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUN* BASSING WITH THE FLY ROD By WILLIAM R. WALTON

the limitations surrounding the average angler The mad black bass is just an ass; in this country, among which group I con­ He'll bite at brass, his wit is crass. sider myself. I work at a desk too darn much As game he's class, we'll let that pass. of the time, and the rest of us do likewise at But, is he smart?—That's apple sass. some kind of a job. Unlike the professional, Walton (not Izaak) we do not fish continually, day upon day, and for this reason our tackle including rods is HEN is a bass not a bass? The answer seldom put to the severe test imposed by con­ W is, when he is a sunfish because that stant use. really is what our black basses are—just Now, what I am driving at is this, some overgrown sunfish. However, folks insist on professionals in discussing rod requirements calling them bass and maybe that is what leave their readers with the impression that makes the fish crazy? Well, anyhow if they the possession of an expensive fly rod is ab­ ain't crazy, what makes them strike at the solutely essential to good, practical fly cast­ outre monstrosities thrown continually at ing which is all just so much h-o-o-e-y. The them by fishermen? Just you answer me that truth is that some low priced, modern, ma­ if you can. chine-made rods approximate closely in dur­ A kid whom I knew, went bathing au ability and action many of the most expensive naturel, in a back channel of Plummer's Is­ rods made. The differences are chiefly in the land in the Potomac, one hot July day, when finish, ferrules and other things although darned if a nutty bass did not swim up and better wood and balance should be found in bit him on the—Ouch! it hurt, and bathing the more expensive rods. was all finished for that day. Now, this is For example, in my own collection of a a gospel true tale and is related as proof posi­ dozen or more rods, (among which is a beau­ The black bass is a savage guy. tive that the black bass is afflicted with de­ tiful old Orvis stick which I rescued, years He'll steal your bait before your eye; mentia whatchamacallit. But every so often agone, from the irreverent hands of a Wash­ the bass have lucid intervals and then you He dines of birds, or boys, or frogs, ington, D. C, pawnbroker) I have a six ounce might as well do a Simple Simon in your And lurks behind great rocks .and logsf rod that cost new, some 8 years ago, less than wife's washtub or washing machine. To gulp what e 'er his jaws will pass; ten bucks. This rod has cast flies, bugs, spin­ Oh! Do beware the bad black bass! You know, fishing just comes natural to ners, small spoons (and sometimes big ones) some folks, it's like playing the fiddle. Some and I have landed many good heavy fish on play the fiddle entrancingly; others play it not it. Nevertheless, it is still straight and supple Now, by all this I do not mean to ii»P~ so entrancingly. Yet others, who think they as ever, and its ferrules are firm as when new. that a fine, high priced rod is not a desira* , play it well—but why drag unpleasantness This cheap rod has serrated nickel silver possession, but my argument is in favor into a pleasant subject? Then there are some ferrules as in Fig. 2, a feature supposedly found the fellow who cannot afford it—to insist tH folks who could not learn to play Yankee only in more expensive rods. It is possible good fly casting and satisfactory service I*1 Doodle to save themselves from a Nazi con­ of course, that in this case I may have been be had with a low priced rod bought fro"1 centration camp. Now, I claim angling is fortunate in getting an unusually good piece reliable dealer. One does not have to h? , something like that, one's natural aptitude, of wood, but this rod was purchased from a millionaire or plutocrat to enjoy fly fish1.. plus practice, determines his proficiency in dealer whose reputation for furnishing ex­ especially if he ties his own flies—but that the sport. But this fact should not deter any­ traordinary values is well known to his cus­ another story. I one from essaying the fly rod for bass be­ tomers, and I should be glad to give his name Fly rod lures—look at current sporting "jj cause he may be among the lucky few who to any interested brother of the angle. other magazines to be convinced that there ^ can become a virtuoso of the rod. The question of ferrules for a fly rod is an not a fish that swims which has as great* My personal addiction to the fly rod dates important one because these should fit both variety of weird lures tossed at it as the b*a back many years and may be due to the the rod and each other perfectly. Now, it has bass. Flies great and small, spinners, sp°° e liking for the delicate and artistic things of been argued by experts that only hand-made bugs and plugs, of all sizes and sorts, in 1° ,j life. That whippy old stick in my opinion has ferrules (Fig. 4), can be made to fit each colors than ever disported in any celes, < them all faded to a pale pink, and I don't mean other perfectly, but the truth is that modern rainbow. However, there are certain old, t* . maybe. I used to prefer it to fish bait, even machine-made ferules are as near perfect in and accepted patterns of conventional *r,t e for catfish, and I still do. fit as can be desired. The hand-made, or more that constantly inhabit the fly boxes of .e Not to cast any aspersions on the casting expensive, rod is fitted with female ferrules perienced bass anglers Among these are , or bait rod. It is a wonderful tool in the which have hand swaged rims or lips, as in following: Colonel Fuller, (Fig. 5), B*j hands of a Bill Vogt or Tony Accetta. But Figs. 3 and 4. In the lower priced rods these Doctor, McGinty, (Fig. 7) Red Ibis, W when I occasionally change over from the are rolled, as shown in Fig. 2. The swaged Baltimore (Fig. 6), Parmachene Belle, M°^e fly rod to the casting stick, it always reminds ferrule is expensive to make because a real Yellow and Silver, and of course 1& me of the time I forgot and left my fly tips ring of metal is turned, brazed or silver- hackle flies brown, and gray in several s1 .] at home, and tried to fish with the butt and soldered around its edge by hand. It is, how­ For years I fished bass with Walter P°*jj- middle joints. Yes, yes, the casting rod is a ever, not necessarily any stronger or better and the only fly he put any faith in for si*1 g wonderful thing and if I were forced to the than a good rolled edge (Fig. 2), although it mouth was the Colonel Fuller—yellow * e< choice of fishing with it for the rest of my mav be handsomer. The cheapest and least and body with red shoulders. Furthen*1 . hfe or going to jail—we-e-11, there's no fishing desirable of all ferrules, Fig. 1, is that without I have seen him entice them from w"e.jji$ in any of the jails that I—that is to say, there a reinforced rim. However, ferrules usually they' ain't, more times than many, with is no fishing in jail. fail near their centers and not at the rim. fly. Walter lives now at Waynesboro, Pe p e Regarding fly rods, there is a vast amount Of course, if one insists on waterproofed sylvania, and he is still the fishingest few J of bunk written about these for the use of the ferrules, Fig. 4, and other luxuries he must all that section. After he once locates a °\A average fisherman, and much of this emanates pay for them, but if intelligent care is given fish, he will have him that fish by any a rod, not to allow it to become water soaked, uS from professional angling writers. Not that I all lawful means and that fish might 3 »P have anything against these mostly very fine such refinements are not necessary. Recent well capitulate instanter, like Davy Croc*• $ men, whose opportunities I envy deeply. By- improvements in the glues used in assembling coon. I once made the mistake of te A and-large, they are vastly beneficial to the fly rod sticks have increased their waterproof Walter about a big trout I had raised^, sport, but I think they sometimes lose sight of qualities considerably. failed to hang, and the next time I met 19« PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

'r3 embonpoint had visibly increased—but Parmachene Beau and other red and white depth, having hideouts on its border, you "at trout had ceased to be. lures. Then come Montreal Yellow and Sil­ should lick your lips and say to yourself: out to return to bass flies, there is one thing ver, Wickham's Fancy, Lord Baltimore and "Lo! There is a bass in that hole", and then gainst which the beginner in fly fishing the Silver Doctor. Although the latter has a doggedly keep casting time after time, and °uld be warned. Many dealers stock bass little red in it, I think the silver body is the presently you are very likely to discover j fis that are tied on hooks of much too main lethal agency in this fly. During July, suddenly, a bass which is trying his best to r%e size. Some of the flies they exhibit I have found the bumble bee colors, present yank your arm off. °°k like birds that had fallen into a dye in the McGinty, Western Bee and similar Now, I have never been able to identify |P" I never tie a bass fly on any hook larger patterns, very deadly to the smallmouth on "Lo" but the poets seem, judging by the an number 1, model perfect, and many of some days. But at best, he is a very fickle frequency with which they apostrophise him, ^em are on numbers 2, 4, and 6. The smaller fly fish and subsequent to August, at least in to think he is a being of some potency. es are often more effective with the small- these Eastern States, lures other than surface Casting the fly for bass does not differ ma­ °uth bass than the larger. These sizes are flies do the executioner's job much more terially from the similar operation in trout j^ty strong enough to hold any fish, if the efficiently. Not so, however, with his cousin fishing except that, since the leader and fly erl n* Properties of the fly rod are prop- the largemouth, for this fellow will rise to used in the former are heavier, it is easier E ^,.exercised. Another important thing re- the acceptable fly from early spring until late to get out a long line than with the lighter rdmg flies, often overlooked, is the con- fall—if he is feeding. His taste as to colors tackle. In very clear water it sometimes be­ *on of hook points. Keep them sharpened too, is far more catholic than that of the comes necessary to do this in order to rise to J^P^t them often while fishing. A mere smallmouth, for in addition to the flies men­ the fish, but oftener only short or moderately i ch of the point on a rock may turn or tioned for that fish, the largemouth will often long casts are necessary to execution. The eak this with resulting grief in the loss of take the dark, dull colored flies equally well. important thing to achieve is to have the Prize fish. For sharpening purposes, a fine In a favorite pond, I fished a guinea fowl wing, fiy strike the water in advance of the line. r Q °onundum stone is good but a lily-white green chenille bodied fly for this gormand With the smallmouth, often a shy striker, . stone of small size, such as those made for for years with excellent success, although I the practice of simply allowing the fly to float ^arPening wood carving tools, is better yet. also had fine luck with the western bee, and with the current will frequently kill, when Br J' even new ones, are too coarse to red and white hair streamer flies. For bass, dragging the fly about is not effective. Gen­ ^5Uce the best points. as with trout, I favor dressing my hair stream­ erally speaking, however, my experience is tj. ere is good scientific evidence now that ers in longitudinal stripes mostly black and that, as with the largemouth, a small spinner, 0o white, yellow-red-yellow and white-red- So l°r of flies and other lures does make gold or brass finish for clear water, in com­ e white, and these flies are easier to cast in a fQ difference in the results of bass fishing, bination with the fly or other lure, is pretty j, ^cording to an investigation of the matter wind than are the conventionally tied broad nearly what the doctor ordered. In the case her Walter Powell was right in his ad- wing flies. However, I make it a rule never of the largemouth, movement in the lure is ce to fish very long with a pattern that I do not rey to the Colonel Fuller. The evidence most often the thing that induces the strike, ealed showed that red and next, yellow, have confidence in as a bass killer, because and furthermore, less care in casting is re­ lj e tne colors perceived best by the black lack of faith in one's lure is almost as fatal quired with this voracious fellow. It must a as absence of faith in his ability to rise a 0f • This accounts also for the popularity be said, however, that in heavily fished ponds, Uch favorites as Parmachene Belle and fish. When you approach a fine riffle, of nice (•Continued on page 22)

Non-reinforced Rolled rim,machine- Machine-made ferule Hand-made ferule, rim,weakest and made ferule. of good quality. with waterproofing least desirable ferule. and reinforcement, rolled rim swaged ornamented ^plarn swaged rim. rim. Jsually of brass of brass or nickel Usually of nickel reinforcing band nickel plated. silver silver

waterproof bottom coarsely serrated serrated sleeve -slotted wrapping sleeve for wrapping _£JI sleeve 4.

mallard white-tip3 scarlet-

brown

?if.?r-^/. 4 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUN*

WIIXGS of ETERniTY

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T is said by commentators of authority the assorted outings have offered a bit more and wiser? Or perhaps did you conclude •* that more fishermen pursue the black bass action? Were there as many bass as in past fish were not actually available? If the la- ^ I 3 in the United States and Canada than any years and did the size satisfactorily parallel did you indulge in any serious effort to f **.^ 1 competing species of game fish. The same other seasons? If your luck did rate up to or the why of your disillusionment? One tfr ^ sources naively opine not one per cent of better than par, were you personally just a certain, considering the boundless effort , these fishermen know from whence Microp- mite more fortunate than neighbors—if it fell the Commission to keep up with the stocK[. terus originated, his present range of distribu­ short of moderately reasonable expectations programs, at first glance it would seem tion and approximate number, his habits, did you or your pals arrive at a satisfactory might be getting more abundant rather needs, his promise or chance for long con­ theory as to why? Did you find the bass less. tinued survival, his diseases; enemies, wild actually lurking about their oldtime haunts— All in all the writer believes he heard B1 life or human contributed, his omnipotent yelling the blues last summer and since-'*) colossal food requirements, just what may be bass fishermen—than ever before . • • \J the ideal conditions counted most likely to whether justified or no he is not altoge^ encourage his material increase and well-be­ certain. Certainly extraordinary condit' I ing, what the trials and problems of artificial did crop up—terrific heat waves, too A1 .( development, culture, breeding so quietly rain, then low water, etc., etc. Fish are , borne by those charged with the responsibility different than humans and react some^ of maintaining and providing fishing for the similarly under abnormal conditions. * jj masses, and just about in like percentage not haps some of us simply were not smart en" « m giving a hang for all of that. to follow the bronze back's various tef Succeeding abnormal atmospheric and * . , What most licensees know is there are two fluctuation, wave after wave, might have common branches of the bass family—the un fluenced an already too generally little ej) smallmouth, Micropterus dolomieu, and the e stood and tempermental fellow to be \ largemouth, Micropterus salmoides. And some 0 more so. In view of the perhaps two tc>fl*., insist dolomieu is the gamest; others swear by s mammoth bass purchased by private , salmoides. Personally after following one or scription and dumped into waters most plug with equal 1 a fiv or six pound giant now and the* ,^ t abandon. Cousin salmoides likes sluggish flat e c at more or less regular intervals. And wi jji pools, lakes, slow streams, warm water, and after viewing all those big babies amass , frequents the weed patches and lily beds- the tanks at one time, the job appeared ^ he smashes topwater plugs and surface bugs sonably simple—one visioned a lunkei" J, with reckless tigerish ferocity. ing behind every rock, darting about in ^t Anyway it must be apparent to any chance eddies, snapping up fly, plug or minnoW f- reader, this thesis is being written before the to mention rod, line and even unwary jj^e1" opening gun inaugurating the 1941 season and men—here, there everywhere. How m in most part, therefore, needs be based on men will dream! »t conclusions and evidences obtaining prior to Juniata smallmouth bass, male and female, 0 that date. In any event how was the bass fish­ taken on same plug within fifty minutes of each Personally this fisherman's experien * ^ other and at identical spot, Juniata River, 8 ing last summer? Were you satisfied or might August 25, 1940. least were both disappointing and rea 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 5

'8—if anyone knows what may be intended such conflicting statement. Aggregating S.S1*% thirty visits to the waterways, using uficials exclusively, but one occasion re­ nted in a total blank. Bluntly with one ssible exception none of the six pounders . 6tl so much as sniffed at my choicest offer- Ss; nonetheless the old landing net scooped P several smallmouths larger than any in sJn precetnnS half dozen years, but at the e Sg time the average run of the lot catch ^ttied smaller in size than ever before. „ atislated into waterway jargon it all means g 6 n'pe ones ran bigger, the flyers more in- g 'tesimally smaller than in bygone years, in i0Us'v * never saw nine, ten and eleven srn bass so racy—so blamed pathetically th • ^ean> emaciated, hungry looking. Even girth of a 12-inch bass belied its length— e th 0l. °ught the fish to be only about ten Cajvf • en *ncnes until the measuring stick for k into p^av- •^•n<^ ** au has an ominous }j e^oding—perhaps the millennium is at c ' maybe the inroads of the live bait seeker w Walleyes from the blue Juniata. The smaller is only a few inches shorter in length but there's flo S ith adverse weather conditions, a whale of a difference in girth. aqu '. bought, ice, the staggering loss of at c gQ. ' vegetation, in recent years has finally pounds—laugh that off will you? Personally dated the white man by many millions of this dub would half fear to wade about at­ years and from time immemorial down tec in the fatal blow and the constantly fi tired in his scanty barelegged shorts where through the dark and misty ages he has sur­ gP ated warning of the ultimate decline is the waters are infested with such critters, % being translated into cold hard fact. vived, successfully challenging varied and Ust especially were they angry or hungry. Sunny, t, as a modest suggestion as to what a changing conditions, his pugnacious rugged a drawling Dixieland, Georgia to be exact, also versatility adapting itself to each in turn, all lu f fisherman may possible expect if he is v spawned, nurtured and surrendered the king f , and operates where sunlight, cover, of which makes any threatening or possible 0 of the largemouths, a really gigantic monster and water combine to offer the Utopian scarcity the more alarming. In retrospect we tipping the beams at a startling, sizzling 22 can not wholly ignore the lesson of those other ou' 'Perhaps it might be interesting to point e lbs. 4 oz. And the natives honestly opine vanished or vanishing Americans. Once the can Prodigious size to which a bronze back Concerv perhaps Montgomery Lake hides another or tea ably grow. According to some bison, eminently fitted for his particular mode na so like him. Honey Chile, pack yo' bags—• t ° bly authentic and passably up to date of life, roamed the prairies, even the Key­ e bless mah heart and pon yo' soul, Kunnel, stone State, in countless millions. Once too suniata walleyes taken on plug, September spectful proportions and has been on this 19, 1940. Tmtfnent a long time. His ancestors pre­ (Continued on page 23) PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER jutf Natural Insects and Their Imitations PART FIVE By CHAS. M. WETZEL Copyright 1941 by Chas. M. Wetzel

"WHITE MILLER" Order—Lepidoptera Family—Geometridae Genus—Physostagenia Species—pustularia Description: Length of wings, W; wings, white, clothed with fine scaly hair, and often with small rusty spots; abdomen, white; legs, white. Remarks: This fly is the well known white v moth that appears along the streams just at dark. It is not an aquatic insect, but since so many of them fly back and forth over the water, no fly book is complete without it's imi­ tation. Imitation: Hook, No. 12; wings, white duck; body, white chenille, ribbed with yellow silk; hackle, white. "THE GREEN MIDGE" Order—Diptera Family—Chironomidae Genus—Chironomus mi Species—modestus Description: Length, Vs" to 3/16"; wings, glassy; antennae, brownish; abdomen, bright green; legs, yellowish green. Remarks: This fly is found over the water in early May, and again reappears around July, when it's imitation will be found most successful. The larva is yellow in color, and is found in tubes on the stream bed. Chirono­ mus plumosus, the Golden Dun Midge, de­ scribed by Ronalds in his Fly Fishers Ento­ mology, is also native to our waters, and the angler might find it profitable to have imita­ tions of both species readily available. J Imitation, C. modestus: Hook, No. 20; wings, pale starling; body, bright green floss silk, ribbed with fine gold wire; hackle, dyed yel­ sen Mldpte lowish preen. Imitation, C. plumosus, (after Ronalds): Hook, No. 14; wings, pale starling; body, olive floss silk, ribbed with gold twist; hackle, dun. "WHITE GLOVED HOWDY" Order—Ephemeroptera Family—Baetidae «s Genus—Isonychia Species—albomanicata 9 imago Description: Length of wings, 9/16" to %"; wings, glassy; abdomen, reddish brown; front legs, brown with white tarsi; middle and hind © JrlAlOet legs, yellowish white; tails, white, reddish brown at base. Remarks: Around the end of June this fly Imitation: Hook, No. 12; wings, mallard but it does not bite. It is commonly fQl1 , may be seen flying back and forth over the quills; body, red brown wool; hackle, badger or slow moving streams and shallow la riffles, especially at dusk on the mountain with brown center; tail, white fibres from the where it usually appears in great swal_ i streams. The male apparently flies after dark, base of a Lady Amherst tippet. At night, I have seen them so plentiful * i j for he is seldom" seen over the water. The first "THE BLACK MIDGE" the globe of our camp lantern was coa , artificial I ever tied was a rather bungling Order—Diptera with a thick scum. It appears sporadic* . attempt to imitate this insect. I have taken Family—Chironomidae throughout the season, from May until •> L i many trout on it and have changed its dress­ Genus—Chironomus tember, and when it is over the water, , ing very little since that day years ago in the v Kettle Creek country. Its prototype is con­ Species—lobiferus imitation described below will prove j spicuous by its white front feet; and when S successful. The larvae of these midges, sp j these are extended at rest, it gives the im­ Description: Length, Vi" to 5/16"; wings, their lives in gelatinous cases attache"* pression as if ready to shake hands. For that greyish white; antennae, dark brown; abdo­ stones on the stream bed, and due to ™. 0 reason, Dr. Needham has aptly named it the men, black; legs, yellowish brown. bright red color, they are commonly kf White Gloved Howdy. Remarks: This fly resembles a mosquito, as blood worms. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

iaitation: Hook No. 16; wings, starling; ribbed with thread of the same color; hackle, Imitation: Hook No. 6, long shank; wings, °dy, quill, dyed black; hackle, ginger. green (dyed). turkey quill feathers; body, dubbing of black "MIDGE PUPA" "FISH FLY" and brown wool tied with yellow silk; hackle, Order—Diptera Order—Megaloptera dark dun. Family—Chironomidae Family—Corydalidae "DEER FLY" Genus—Chironomus Genus—Chauliodes Order—Diptera Species—modestus Species—serricornis Family—Tabanidae description: Length, 3/16" to Vt'; general Description: Length of wings, %"; wings, Genus—Chrysops °lor, green; respiratory filaments white. black and sprinkled with numerous white Species—vittatus Remarks: The pupal stage of the midge is dots; conspicuous white patch in middle of Description: Length to tip of wings, W to Passed within the larval case on the stream front wing; body, black; legs, greyish brown; 5/16"; wings, glassy and spotted with brown; ed, but near the end of the period, it rises antennae, black and saw-toothed. eyes, bright gold; thorax, blackish brown; ,? the surface and floats vertically for a short Remarks: This fly loves the bright sun­ abdomen, tan, the end segments, blackish e waiting for its transformation. Among shine, and if the weather is propitious, it may brown; legs, ginger. th,e genus a wide variety of color is found, be noticed in good numbers, flying sluggishly Remarks: This fly appearing around the J^n as grey, yellow, green, brown and black. here and there among the willows bordering latter part of June is in season throughout yourself with imitations of these colors, the stream. During the latter part of May the summer, and if the truth must be told, 0r the midge pupa, when fished near the sur- and early June, it appears over the water, much to the annoyance of the fly fisher. ^e is a most killing fly. and its imitation is rated as a killing fly on Only the females bite, and consequently males „ Citation: Hook, No. 20; body, pale green large brown trout. When I originally con­ are not found about animals or man. Both °ss silk, with a green chenille collar; hackle, structed this pattern, it was tied dry, but in sexes however rest on the brush bordering oite-very small and fine. more recent years I have changed it over to the stream, and are quite often seen dipping ,/he appearance of this fly deviates con- a wet fly, in which state (no doubt due to down into the surface of the water, where tferably from the usual run, and a few words its large size) it has proven far more success­ they are caught by trout. The imitation of 11 its evolution, might prove of interest. The ful. (Continued on page 19) . Uar of green chenille, simulates the en- ^ged thorax of the pupa with its rapidly de- : ,°Ping wings; the hackle in a general way tates the bristle like respiratory filaments, d H is wound on near the bend of the hook, Position, which will cause the fly to float ^tically, when using a submerged leader. "GOLDEN SPINNER" Order—Ephemeroptera Family—Ephemeridae Genus—Potomanthus :, Species—distinctus 9 imago g inscription: Length of wings, %"; wings, Qen yellow; abdomen, pale yellowish; pro- U tn' with a red dorsal stripe; front legs, ;JJJUr and tibia red, tarsus yellow; middle j. ?hind legs, yellow; tails, yellowish, with ^dish brown joinings. , Remarks: On warm evenings, this fly may ris n ac,. °ticed over the water but it is most j, 1Ve from nightfall until early morning. On Kettle Creek in Pennsylvania, it is quite ^Tt ^"lon, and I have taken some nice trout ^ 71 its imitation fishing after dark. The e fe is about three-fourths as large as the U-JW A* a e 6n, * , and his wings are clear and transpar- L except near the front border, where a e u_j? °f golden yellow exists. This fly is us- u v found in large fast flowing streams and ^aair y be noticed emerging from the quieter .e

°asi able WARM WATER ACES able Wo A Discussion of Pennsylvania's Peerless Game Fish, the Small mouth Bass kot Vat like By ALEX P. SWEIGART ofs- fish inju E HEREBY nominate (and probably little warm water feeder streams, fisherrni 0, in doing so stick out the neck consider­ were prodding about with their minnow net*j W elea able for a tap by ardent trout fishermen) the trying to secure live bait, helgramites, mi^l ficia smallmouth bass as the gamest fish that flaunts nows, stone catfish, crayfish, an already pifl a fin in Pennsylvania's inland waters today. fully depleted supply of forage in too mai^ It is further maintained, and vehemently, waters, the staff of life, if you care to call I 'ora that when taken on regulation trout tackle, that, for the game fish you were hoping fl «M Ulou this spike finned gamester will outfight any catch? Finally, in how many instances <9 brook, brown or rainbow trout, or for that you talk to fishermen who were frank in say'i arid matter, pickerel or walleyed pike of equal ing that they were out for the "limit"? He1*! weight. To one who, years ago, extolled the *he, are just a few of the trends which must VI 4 virtues of the smallmouth, the late Dr. James taken into account in any attempt to bett^j e A. Henshall, the ANGLER expresses gratitude conditions. Perhaps even more vital than aWj }*ga for the following tribute to a gallant fish. of those mentioned is the tendency of a ieI «ooe ate "He is plucky, game, brave and unyielding to self-termed sportsmen to fish in bass wate15! the last when hooked. He has the arrowy rush during spawning season, when the male ba» that of the trout, the untiring strength and bold are over the nests. They may use the excuS^j leap of the salmon, while he has a system in fishing with live bait or artificial lures * of fighting tactics peculiarly his own. He different types, that they are fishing for ro^ % * will rise to the artificial fly as readily as the bass but that flimsy excuse doesn't regii th salmon or the brook trout, under the same Saving of shiners and other types of bass forage with the bass fisherman who knows tfre e conditions; and will take the live minnow will be accomplished as more fishermen turn score. One of the best things that could haf We£ or other live bait, under any and all circum­ to use of artificials. •%! pen to improve bass fishing prospects in o^ a stances favorable to the taking of any other come bass season, there's a strong inclination hard fished waters would be the banning

than fishing for this dynamic frequenter of helgramites and stone catfish? How was yo* *hicl ledgy pockets and long rock-strewn flats of bass fishing in waters where these complaii^* our creeks and rivers. It carries suspense of were frequent? Of the bass taken, how ma« f°ds a quality seldom encountered by the light lure were heavy girthed, well conditioned fill hiee caster, that split-second interval from the Perhaps you have noted in the records corf' moment when the baby plug splats lightly to 5 piled by the ANGLER how often record ba * able the surface in a rock ledge pocket until, often both smallmouth and largemouth, have bef in the first few feet of the retrieve, there comes taken in recent years in Lake Gordon, Be"', a vicious, lunging strike. To us there is ford County. It is interesting to observe th* something definitely hair-raising on occasion the taking of bait from this lake, due of coitf5 when this heavy girthed, brassy green fighter to natural barriers, is reduced to a minimi"! exposes for a brief instant his spiked dorsal The number of crayfish to be observed J* fin and perhaps a little of his back above the flashlight off rock ledges in this deep la*, v/ater surface in the strike at the lure. Com­ is amazing. Certainly, if an example is need6 pare it, if you care to, and you're a hunter as of just what abundant forage can mean i*1 well as a fisherman, to that moment when body of water containing bass, Lake Gord^ a ruffed grouse, king of American game birds, should answer admirably. bursts like a feathered meteor from a thicket in front of your pointing dog, or that sim­ Granting then that bass and the food supp'J ilar moment of unforgettable suspense when are closely linked, what can we as fisherM a magnificent rainbow trout rises at the base do about it? The history of the smallmo^ of white water to your jauntily floating dry bass in Pennsylvania waters offers a c9 fly; this bass fishing episode will lose not a perhaps that should be considered. Ov/i"! whit of color or appeal in the comparison. to lack of suitable tackle for its taking 4t To preserve this peerless sport of bass fishing the presence of few fishermen on bass streai*] during the '80's and '90's, the increase in nu^ and better it wherever possible in suitable a waters should,be of primary concern to every ber of this game fish may be said to h ^. dyed-in-wool fisherman. And, as a group, been regulated on a natural basis. It «• we fishermen may be in a position to aid in found at that time by Stelwagon and otim bringing this about. competent observers that definite cycles °H curred, the bass increasing for periods I Inevitably, in talk of conservation of fish from 7 to 9 years, then, after thinning do^ or game we drift back to those cardinal prin­ the supply of available forage, decreasing , ciples so vital to both, food and cover. De­ number through cannibalism and perhaPj plorably, there is too much "conversation" other factors for 5 years or longer, until I in conservation and not enough putting prac­ suitable balance of forage to the supply of b9 J Plugging accounted for this fine smallmouth tices agreed upon into operation. Our motives bass last season for A. J. Sopko of Coaldale. could again be restored. Today, however, "i may be swell and we may very often be all Weighing over five pounds, it was 19% inches in vast army of fishermen cut annually, throw, length. The catch was scored in October, a hepped up about carrying them through but banner plugging month. their catches, into any possible surplus 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

bass, and a clinching factor against any not- aWe increase rests in the fact that the avail­ able food supply is drastically reduced through i^oads of fishermen as well as game fish. So 0llg as intensive netting of the public fishing waters for bait fish continues, there is strong "telihood that even effective heavy stocking ?* suitable forage such as minnows and cray- r8" from the hatcheries would be drastically by the practice. 0ur alternative then, as fishermen, appears ^ar. We can, through boosting use of arti- pials and selling the idea to the fishing pub- .lc> directly curtail the taking of vital bass j^rage from our waters. A major obstacle jjj the way to accomplishing this is the ridic- jjjous impression existing with many fisher- T161! that use of artificials, both on the fly rod J?d bait casting rod, is difficult to master. «L?eni too, there is a false impression that *e cost of such equipment is prohibitive. As ,fcgards these arguments, they are strictly °°ey. Many of our largest tackle concerns °*e specializing today in light weight quad- J?Ple multiplying reels with controlled spools J1a t Permit effective casting after a little prac- J* by the veriest novice. Good automatic . e« at reasonable cost are readily available Smallmouth bass are peerless quarry for the light plug fishermen. „r the fly rod fisherman who prefers use of j 6 % and spinner and floating deer hair nated by the beginner when ordering his rod. the tackle assembly for light lure casting will ?*. while some of the best fly rod fisher- Finally, there is the matter of a line. Granted be discussed. It is our purpose now to secure eJ» We know still pin their faith on the single that the rest of the outfit is suitably balanced, the cooperation of other artificial lure fisher­ t°tion reel. Then there is the matter of the to use a line testing 18 pounds or heavier is men in promoting the cause of the artificals to e "• It would be ridiculous to say that any certain to court discouragement at the start. affect a great saving of the supply of bass j^erman could handle the light lures weigh- The line (waterproofed) should not be over forage in our waters. Mother Nature, in her i 8 from one-quarter of an ounce to one- 15 pounds test and 12 pounds test is better. all-wise plan, has decreed that the forage W* ounce on a stiff, 4Y2 or 5 foot casting rod. Some of the best light lures retail for as fishes, such as the silver shiner, be extremely 'Qi our smallmouth bass, the light lures little as sixty cents apiece, and for a modest prolific and if a fair supply of brood minnows ^e. effective while those hefty bruiser plugs outlay a suitable selection to meet varying is available in our bass streams each spring ^, IShing from %A to over an ounce in weight, conditions while astream can be secured. for spawning there is some assurance of im­ I'ort1 can °* course ke hattdled on the short When the cost of these lures is compared with proved forage conditions for our bass. That M^8 mentioned, are perfect medicine with the cost of live bait such as stone catfish, slogan originated by one of our subscribers, Ca J?h to discourage the beginner at plug helgramites, minnows and crayfish purchased a veteran bass fisherman, several years ago, in r0j g. Very reasonably priced tubular steel during a season, the real saving to be affected "Use a Plug and Spare a Chub" merits real p.. °f 5% foot length and equally reasonably through artificial fishing is readily realized. consideration. a l ni°e,° nd idea6 fool fot rbambo castinog modelbaby slure wits har lighe availt tip- In future issues of this magazine, tackle sug­ In common with other members of the »bj,6 and the action desired should be desig­ gestions and more detailed descriptions of great family of sunfishes, the smallmouth bass is an extremely hardy fish, capable of holding its own even under adverse conditions in many of our waters. Spawning usually takes place during that period from May 15 to June 15, depending chiefly upon prevailing water temperatures and the stage to which the sea­ son has advanced. It has been found on occa­ sion, when bass were observed on the nest that the prevailing water temperature was 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Spawners in their third year, the smallmouth bass display what we might term exceptional parental devotion. The male fish, it is believed, stands guard over the eggs during the hatching period and later, the young fish until after they have absorbed the yolk sac and the swarm has broken. With the possible exception of the sunfish, few forms of aquatic life seem to im­ peril the bass nest while the adult fish is its guardian. Notably school fish, five or six sunfish may circle a nest, one of their num­ ber edging in to draw the male bass away from its position while the others in the brief interval of time afforded by his absence dart in to seize eggs or hapless young. However, it may be said in all fairness that the greatest threat to bass during this most crucial period of their reproduction is man. To the true sportsman it is almost inconceivable that any fisherman would wilfully destroy, through taking the adult bass from its nest, thou- (Continued on page 19) Young smallmouths are exceedingly hardy fish. Let's give them the break they deserve. L 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JTJNtf Catch CUpurith Qf&wi Coating by (WMuatn J.em, SA.

In Circle, Bill Durr; Centre, left, Members casting at the Dover Club Tournament; Lower, Members of Dover Club at practice.

F YOU want to create a sensation in the neighborhood and don't mind having a feI w uncomplimentary remarks passed at your expense, take your favorite bait casting rod up to that lot on the corner, toss an old bicycle tire in a convenient spot, stand about fifteen or twenty paces away and try placing a five-eighths ounce plug inside the space bounded by the tire. You'll soon become fas­ cinated in what you are doing that you won't notice the shades being pulled a little to one side while the inquisitive Smiths and Jones T&°\ "Monkeys are the funniest animals." Start sociation of Casting Clubs and the spo: ,{ suspect that you're paying off that bet you something different and keep it up for a while of many local tournaments, was in charge made on Wendell Willkie last November. and soon the whole neighborhood is doing the events. John was in excellent spirits jy*. Soon a gang of kids collects (probably sent the same thing . . . whether they want to or then for these casting events were pr°VJ?; out by oldsters to find out what it's all about), not. to be one of the most popular features of " then one young hopeful, with a remarkable Yes, you've gotta take it on the chin if you show. Every seat in the gallery was taK display of intelligence says, "You're fishing, want to be a bait caster unless you have a and the crowd stood twenty deep around

ply in the negative and explain that you're just in case. But, all the joshing and side complexioned young man of rather slight " just giving the rod a workout. A little later remarks are worth taking. At least, that's athletic stature. After making a few pradtic " the now informed heir to the Smith curiosity what Bill Durr of Holmesburg thought when casts he heard the referee call out, "All re? $ runs back into the house and passes his knowl­ he decided that if he wanted to get the full to start. Cast for target number five." P*jjj edge on to the spectators who just shake their enjoyment out of his fishing he'd have to learn The five-eighth ounce plug landed plump - heads and smile. That night when you and to cast a little better. the middle of the 36-inch ring at a dista*L the missus stop* in the neighborhood store Bill stuck to it, working on the principle of thirty-five feet. The crowd roared as ^ for a few groceries the other customers all that in order to become a good caster he'd referee's voice came over the amplifier, "*e turn and look you over, then mumble to each have to do a lot of casting. He did. Seldom feet." ^ other in low voices. did a day pass that Bill didn't get in a dozen The second cast was called for number tn» I've been through it all, and brother, if 01 two practice casts. target at a distance of eighty feet. Again ^ you have never tried any back lot casting, On Saturday night, March 8, of this year, caster made a bull's eye. The other targ^ oS you've got a real experience coming to you. the Sportsmen's Show in the Philadelphia were called in rapid succession and alm .e But don't let it discourage you, for, if you Commercial Museum was just starting the fast as the announcer could call them & persist in repeating the performance at regu­ final performance of a very successful and would be a splash within the circle oi lar intervals, you'll soon have old man Smith thrilling week. The amateur competitive bait number called. „t and even Jonesey himself out there with you. easting events were about to start. John "Perfect, perfect, perfect." The voice % People are like that. Some wit once said, Michel, founder of the Middle Atlantic As­ repeating until nearly everybody had 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 11

thing more—the right equipment and the abil­ c°unt of the casts. Finally, the caster reeled ity to profit from the experience of others. p his line and walked calmly to his seat At I'll try anything once . . . don't believe in east, he appeared calm, but I doubt it. You condemning any piece of equipment or method Could have heard a pin drop, then—a burst of casting until I've convinced myself that it's °? applause came from the spectators that no good." j"ivaled the old grads in the Yale Bowl at a harvard game. We then got into a rather detailed discus­ sion on the kind of equipment used by the J°hn Michel was trying in vain to make acknowledged authorities on bait casting, ^ announcement above the roar of the crowd. which is really not bait casting at all for you ^ter several attempts he succeeded in telling don't use any bait. The casting is done with ™at vast audience that they had just wit­ an imitation fish, frog, or some other aquatic nessed a most remarkable performance. The monstrosity, generally made of wood and Cotltestant who had just finished casting had catalogued as a lure. So this form of casting "V^e the remarkable score of one hundred should, more truthfully, be called lure casting. *hich is—Perfect. That caster was William For practice work or in tournament east­ **• t>urr of the Holmesburg Fish and Game ing a % ounce wood plug is used. This is Relation. l generally finished in white enamel with a . hear some old timer exclaim "Huh! Per- red head and can be easily followed in its f°t scores have been made before in competi- flight. This same plug may be obtained with U^ casting. Why all the ballyhoo?" e a metal cap which, being of the same weight, ^ s, it's true. Other casters have shot a can be made more slightly streamlined and ^ect 100 at the scattered targets on the u thus eliminate some wind resistance. Where ?, g casting courts; but they are as scarce, conditions necessitate indoor casting, on a hard „, lot scarcer, than the 300 bowlers and the h surface, a rubber plug can be obtained that °le in one" golfers. Furthermore, after con­ is quite satisfactory. ing the record, I find that this is the first ,n^ only perfect score made in competition The average cost of these plugs is around ,n the State of Pennsylvania by a Pennsyl- twenty-five cents, but if cost is no object, V:a>ian. there is on the market a hollow bakelite plug. ,, And don't let me hear you mumble any- This, in the long run, is the most economical plug to buy. It is weighed to precision; will not only float on water but has such a hard j05^, listen to this: The % ounce accuracy surface that it will not become scratched or .uS event was held on three separate eve- ft otherwise disfigured. Unless lost, this plug QlnSs and Caster Durr competed in each one. is practically everlasting. {" the first two evenings he shot seven per- C The rod used for this kind of casting is one ah ! targets each and was given a score of 96 „?? 97 respectively. The third and final eve- of the shortest used in angling, but it should g?JS he executed the perfect score described not be too short. In making a selection, the v prospective caster should first try out sev­ j,o° e. Twenty-four perfect targets out of a s eral different lengths and then select the one , sible thirty is certainly an enviable record, U' that's not all— which he feels is just long enough to give him the proper control of the plug in its flight. My ^ few days later he went up to Allentown, 6r own preference is one about six feet long that §i e every year they have a Sportsmen's weighs about four and one half ounces al­ Wv u f ^heir entered the same event a 0 own> though most casters use one about six inches a there on two different evenings and scored 6ac shorter. If you can obtain a one piece rod tw h time. The first night he shot seven 6c with the cane extending down through the to; t out of ten and on the second he only grip, you have something. However, if you "*sed twice. must have a rod that breaks in two pieces, get Sec . ty-nine perfect targets out of fifty con- the kind with a one piece tip and detachable u )tti tive casts, aimed at targets placed at un- butt. A rod with ferrules part way up the Vn eiJ? distances ranging from thirty-five to tip has only one advantage . . . convenience of v^hty feet Tjjg eieven targets that he missed transportation. This is generally offset by S0 c ose «ftf ^ ' that his average score for the the unevenness of action which should be uni­ JJM*« fifty casts was 97. That may have been form from the butt to the tip. jji *> but it was never caused by horseshoes. Don't waste too much time worrying about S(ati kind of luck one achieves through con- pra rod-balance. If you purchase from a repu­ *>w! ctice, steady nerves, and sound judg- table manufacturer and follow the few hints given above, the balance will take care of °< hrother, the element of luck had very "t«e itself. If you learn to cast this summer, the *

HE leaden water reflected pallid, scudding T clouds. Trees groaned and twisted and swayed in the heavy offshore wind. Beyond the Peninsula Lake Erie was a galloping mael­ strom. Burr sank lower into the front seat of the car and in the growing light gloomily sur­ veyed the anguished landscape. "What a day," he dismally muttered. "Aw, if you had phoned like 1 suggested we'd now be home in a nice warm bed," growled Bill from the depths of the rear seat. "Stop your beefing and let's go down and see Ray," returned Burr. "If Ray has any sense he'll be in bed," I put in. "Let's go anyway," said Bill. "At least we can stretch our legs." And stretch our legs we did. Indeed, the hundred and some odd steps leading from the end of Lincoln Avenue in Erie and thence down to Ray Heidt's boat house on the bay are more than stretchers. If the strained hearts of all the heavily ladened, corpulent fishermen who have negotiated those steps, could be enumerated they would produce some fantastic figures. Ray was up and about. Further, he was vehemently cussing the weather. "What do you think Ray?" asked Bill. Ray whirled about and glared at Bill un­ believingly. "Huh?" he finally exploded. "I mean," said Bill entirely unabashed, "what are the chances of our going out?" Ray deliberately scrutinized the barometer before answering. Then, in dead earnestness he said: "That glass is skidding down like a sailor on a greased mast. If I were to let you have a boat the coast guard would put me in irons. And say," he added, "you ain't seen nothing yet. Wait'll that wind shifts around out there," he enthused. "If the wind changes "Maybe so," Burr came back, and with ^l to the west and starts cutting up the bay." like Ray says it'll be calm inside of the out­ started down toward the sandy beach sk^ "Oh, oh, 'when the wind blows west the fish side wall. Let's go." ing the cove. We followed. bite best,'" cracked Burr. "Let's go," he The water off of the outer wall was far from The water was shallow. However, the added as he pointed his snout toward the calm. It was fishable tho' as attested by the was nothing to prevent us from tossing "i fishermen's ladder. Bill and I docilely fol­ dozen or more anglers crowding the end of live baits the forty or so feet required to rea lowed, conserving our wind which we knew the high wall. They were catching fish too. fishable water. . we'd need before reaching the top. Several already had some fine smallmouths. It might be well to explain that a day S" "What's the idea?" gasped Bill after we had I might add that landing a fish was an awk­ as we had is considered well-nigh hopel% again mounted to street level. ward procedure as we soon witnessed. When for fishing Erie Bay. But then, there is "Where do you expect to fish?" I puffed. some one hooked a fish both wings of fisher­ reason for the fish not biting if one fin^ "I didn't say anything about fishing any­ men flanking the lucky one would give way quiet enough spot. Again, a high percent^ where," returned Burr. so as to give him enough room to play the of the bay devotees will not consider we1 "Why, you spavined so-and-so, you did too. fish. After tiring the battler a willing volun­ a line unless they are out in a boat. You definitely said something about the fish teer was always ready to man the long (P biting best," meaningly growled Bill. handled landing net. viously, no boat could live in a sea such & usually kicked up by a rampaging wind "Now, wait a minute," began Burr, "let me "No room here unless we fish the wind­ think." Almost immediately he cried: "I have other words, those anglers coming from j; ward side," I observed. C it. Let's go out on the Peninsula and fish in will consider it a day lost unless they i those ponds that are out there. They'll be "Let's go back to Misery Bay," suggested use a boat or find a spot that's not kic^ calm enough." Bill. up too much. We found most of Misery Bay adjacent to "Wait a minute, you fellas—just give me a Some years ago my wife and I were otf1 <. the Perry monument to be as calm as a mill minute," excitedly babbled Burr. the Peninsula watching the lake going thr01™,) pond. Bill beamed his approval. But be­ "What ails you now?" This from Bill. some of its rough stuff. From our V^ * fore we could dump any of the duffle with "Why isn't some one fishing down there?" car we saw a lad cross the road carryi"»i which we were loaded, Burr had another idea. r "Say, you guys, remember the fine fish we A quivering finger indicated a small cove string of fish that literally swept the g ° J: caught off the cement wall at the harbor en­ nestling against the wall, albeit a couple of My wife turned to me and sarcastically as^ trance?" score feet from its end. Its surface was per­ "Didn't I understand you to say that it ^ "So what?" I queried in exasperation. fectly calm. too rough to catch fish?" But Bill remembered. "Gosh yes, let's go "Probably too shallow," I pointed out. "What are you driving at?" I countered. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER IS

'Didn't you see the string of fish carried fay that boy?" "Oh that? That was a danged lie," I re­ marked, altho' I have often wondered where 'he boy had corralled such a magnificent string. But to return to our story. A few minutes after we had carefully thrown out our craws fftd settled back on the sand, Bill's reel handle "egan to slowly turn. For some seconds all three of us looked on fascinated. Then the Ucky one grabbed up the rod and waited. "That couldn't be a fish," Bill said won- ^eringly. "I mean it could be, but it's too So°n," he amended. Bill is an orthodox bait fisherman. He fol­ lows all the rules. Accordingly he waited for ^e fish to go through the traditional proced­ ure executed by all black bass when taking a craw. You know—the bite, the run, the Pause, etc. Well, this bass was one of those ^gged individualists; so with all the vehe­ mence at his command he jerked at the soft Crab and encountered the hook. This, under­ stand, without the usual pause which all live >ait fishermen expect. This unprecedented action caused Bill to sfab his flyrod more securely and at the Bass caught off Crystal Point. j?*Us time utter a loud "Wow!" All through "^ critical period that totally aroused fish- sconced in the cool recesses of a grass lined will follow its penciled wake through the rnian executed a series of intricate dance basket. water. Suddenly it stops. You look at your s teps. This starter had us on our toes for some companions and your delighted grin is re­ . *n the meanwhile the smallmouth swung little time after we had settled down to serious turned. Then you count ten and set the ."to action. First, he stripped considerable fishing. Gradually however, our nerves re­ hook. ootage from the reel by a probing plunge. laxed and our muscles slumped. It wasn't As in a dream I heard Bill call to Burr. ,long, upward surge accounted for more, long before we were puffing at our pipes and My half-closed eyes popped open in time to hese two well executed maneuvers were idly watching the circling gulls. Ours was a see Burr's head nod into consciousness. What ,6rminated by a beautifully timed leap, a peace that has no peer. was more stimulating was his rapidly disap­ ®rocious, quivering leap that only a fighting If I had but one choice of the many types of pearing line. "ad smallmouth can complete with finesse. fishing I believe that still fishing would be my Quickly shaking off his lethargy Bun- j Let it be said that Bill handled the job pick. Lolling about with genial companions, grabbed his rod and snubbed the fish. The j^e the veteran he is. After doing his stuff in fte arguing about this and that, soaking up sun­ fish, another smallmouth, catapulted into the deep water the fish was led into the com­ shine or just sitting are but a part of the air. Upon returning to its element it at­ paratively shallow cove. Burr and I were things which one may experience. Then, as tempted to dive to the bottom. But the fish­ ,° carried away by it all that we forgot to av your mood becomes as carefree as the fleecy erman grimly gripped the reel handle and let , e the net in readiness. Bill had to call clouds above you, you will perceive a slight the fighter expend its strength on the rod. .' it before either of us awakened to the movement of the line stretching out before In another minute the gallant creature flapped fJation. Soon the three-pounder was en- you. In a moment every eye in the group its tail for the last time. Soon after Bill tied into his second fish, incidentally, a much smaller specimen than his first, I felt a tremendous tug at my outfit. Several feet of line went rolling from my reel before I could stop the fish. Upon feeling resistance it started for the bottom and there was not much I could do but give it line. Suddenly, the line went limp and I began to dejectedly wind the reel. I had recovered about half of the line when I again felt that electrifying pressure of a heavy fish. Soon we landed a big, fresh-water drum or sheepshead as they are locally known. To this day I'm not certain but what I lost my original fish and hooked the second as I reeled the line. In the meanwhile the wind shifted and we found it increasingly difficult to get our baits out. In a little while we were forced to re­ linquish our positions to the lashing waves. Forthwith we gathered up our duffle and made a dash for Misery Bay before the anticipated rush got underway. We found the small boat landing just north of the old U. S. (gunboat), Wolverine, still unoccupied altho' nearly a dozen bait casters were already plying the nearby shoreline. In a matter of minutes we were settled on the end of the dock. The fishing at this spot was slow so we Lake Erie "cutting up" off Presque Isle Peninsula. moved over to Crystal Point on the other side 14 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUNE of the monument a stones throw away. There we fared better. In a few minutes Bill ac­ counted for a chunky smallmouth and I con­ nected with a big sunfish. Long before noon dozens of anglers driven from more exposed parts of the Peninsula sought the sheltered waters of Misery Bay or of the several ponds in the interior. In passing, it may be well to mention that the ponds have picturesque names if nothing more. Trump this list: Dead, Graveyard, Fox, Horseshoe, Long, Big, Yellow Bass and Pond Niagara. The names are imposing even tho' some of them are but little more than puddles. As for the fishing—well, I have often won­ dered if that boy couldn't have snagged that Question: Am planning to go in for light South Bend's Black Oreno, Shakespeare's prodigious string of fish from out of one of plug casting this year and would appreciate Wexford, Pflueger's Nonpareil and Ashaway's the above named ponds. Frankly, we have any suggestions on assembling a suitable out­ Extra Strength. While on this subject of line, never fished any of them altho' one or two fit. What type of rod, reel, line and lures don't forget the advantage to be obtained look good. would fit in? H.C.W. through use of 10 or 15 pound test artificial Our total catch at Crystal Point consisted Answer: Selecting a light lure casting out­ gut leaders, from 6 to 12 feet in length or even of two bass, three immense sunfish and scads fit with an eye to proper balance is a mighty longer. Attached to the line with the com­ of yellow perch. long stride toward satisfaction in plugging pact double fisherman's or double barrel knot, a leader definitely increases the deceptivenesS To the historically inclined angler Presque with the light lures. First, let us consider the rod. Since the lures you will in all prob­ of the lure, particularly when the water is Isle Peninsula is doubly interesting. A few low and clear. Use of a small snap swivel, facts may prove interesting. In 1841 Erie Bay ability be using will not exceed a half ounce in weight and some of them will run as light size 10 or 12 swivel and 2 or 0 snap at the end was the site of the launching of the first iron- of the leader is also a good stunt. It facili­ hulled vessel, christened the Michigan. Un- as quarter ounce, a rod with an extremely light tip action is a requisite. If it's to be a tates rapid changing of lures and insures scarred by battle and its name later changed against twist in the line, which is particularly to the Wolverine, it is now moored alongside bamboo, it should be at least six feet in length and have extremely light action. If it's tubu­ liable to occur when spoons are used. There the Perry monument in Misery Bay. Perry's is now a wide selection of "baby lures" on the brig, the Niagara, was sunk in the latter. lar steel, the 5% foot length would just about fill the bill. Should the bamboo be selected, market from which to choose. Personally The Peninsula was originally claimed by heavier lures than one half ounce should not tops with us is the Midg-Oreno by South Virginia, New York, Massachusetts and Con­ be used. Now, as to the reel, a good level wind Bend in the pike, yellow perch and shiner necticut. The French and British flags have model, running smooth and free and hav­ finishes. Other fine bets for the light lure flown over it at different times. ing an aluminum spool, should be the ticket rod are Shakespeare's Midget Spinner, John­ In addition to the above, excellent roads Many reels of this type are very reason­ son's Silver Minnow, a fine spoon for weedy traverse its entire length of some seven miles. ably priced, well under ten dollars. To men­ waters, Al Eppinger's spoons in scale finishes, As for its botanical and zoological features, it tion some of the models coming under this Shakespeare's Dopey and Grumpy, Heddon's is claimed authoritatively that no place any­ category, there are South Bend's No. 60, No. Midget River Runt, and Creek Chub's Midge* where of a like area affords an equal variety. 65, No. 100L, and No. 760 Perfectoreno, and Plunker. A biological laboratory is maintained there Pflueger's No. 1963 Nobby, No. 1953 Skilkast, Question: Is it true that the smallmouth by the University of Pittsburgh. Fronting the No. 1922 Prokast, and No. 1894L Akron. A bass changes color rapidly when a stream lake are stretches of fine sand beaches fre­ cork arbor is preferred by many light lure becomes muddy? R. D. I* quented in season by huge crowds. Conclu­ fishermen. The line, waterproof, should not Answer: Definitely. The change in colora­ sively, Presque Isle Peninsula is a most un­ test more than 12 pounds and 9 pounds test tion in a smallmouth bass when a stream be­ usual feature on Pennsylvania's limited stretch is not too light. Some good lines to consider comes muddy might almost be termed chame- of lake shoreline. are Gladdings Blue Ribbon and Invincible, leonlike. Its greenish bronze, usually asso­ ciated with clear water, becomes strikingly yellowish at such times. Question: How is the torpedo-head or buf? taper line for casting the hair frog and other floating fly rod bass lures? J. *| Answer: One of the best. The heavy f°r' ward belly of this type of line makes it ex­ ceptionally good for use on a powerful P$ rod of the type usually favored for bass nsb' ing. It helps against a stiff wind in casting floating lures having notable wind resistance. Question: Is it advisable to use tapered leaders in fly rod fishing for bass? B. 6' Answer: Not necessary and some of »*? best fly fishermen we know favor artificja gut. Plenty of strength and perfectly suit' able for fly and spinner or floating lures.

SPEARING FISH COSTLY FOR TWO Charged with spearing fish, Samuel Co*' neschine and Valte Maretti, of Jessup, P81 fines and costs following a hearing bef"re Justice of the Peace N. C. Farnham, ~3.on.eS' dale. Corneschine paid a fine of $53 °" charges of spearing fish as well as fishi** without a license, and Maretti paid a fine ° Perch like these and larger are frequently caught in Erie Bay. $24. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 15

hold his rod high in the air, and allow the fly to alight gently on the water down­ wind. A light line and leader are necessary so the wind can hold them above the water. Fished in such a manner, the fly has all the appearances of being a natural insect just alighting on the surface.

When evening hatches of insects appear on the water is the time to fish for trout with grasshoppers or artificial flies. Tiny flies are good even when the light fails, but when large natural insects are in evidence artificials of a size as large as No. 8 are Wear heavy woolen socks in rubber boots, To fish a narrow stream where the banks effective. even in the summer. They absorb perspira­ furnish the principal protection for fish, use tion from the feet. Light silk or cotton hose a long rod and stay well back from the edge Trout have the ability to see bait or a lure 'Hay be worn under the woolens if you of the water. Poke out the rod and drop 15 to 20 feet distant from them in clear choose. the lure carefully into the water along the water. So the wise angler is not too swift bank on which you are standing—and if the to lift his lure from the stream to try an­ It isn't necessary to strike hard the in­ rod is long enough, reach the opposite side other cast. Wait at least a minute before fant a trout takes a dry fly. A keen ob­ as well. In a stream such as this, fish are deciding you are not going to have a strike. server of fish life reports that he actually seldom found in the middle of the course, has seen a trout take a fly and carry it to except possibly when they are feeding at Live bait and heavy artificial lures make *ke bottom of a stream before expelling it night. disturbing splashes when they land on the ^oni its mouth. The idea is, the angler has water, no matter how delicately the angler sB&e to set the hook if he reacts reasonably Don't drown the dry fly in oil in an at­ may handle his tackle. But this splash will *ast to the rise. At the same time, too tempt to make it float, for too much oil not spoil the fishing if the bait or lure is al­ luick a strike may result in a lip hook or will cause the fly to sink more rapidly than lowed to lie quietly for a moment until a % jerked out of reach. if it were not treated at all. Blot off the the fish get over their fright. Invariably surplus dressing and make a couple of false they will then approach to investigate. casts to shake the fly dry. Remember, too, Worms are good bait for yellow perch, that a well-oiled fly requires a floating line, Fish a bass bug on fairly deep riffles, I?ut if you want to keep the smaller fish so apply dressing to the line as well. A pulling it across the current with a series *fom annoying you, use small minnows on sinking line will drag any fly under water. of uneven jerks. 'jght wire hooks, with a cork or bobber on ">e line to keep the bait just off bottom. Heavy, six-foot leaders and hooks that are Every time a hook becomes snagged, ex­ needle sharp are proper "weapons" for big amine its point carefully. See that it has Let the dry fly float even if you are not trout. not been bent down or dulled or even broken Satisfied with the cast. It is far better to off. Also, the pressure necessary to release jet a dragging fly run its course than to lift Every angler who fishes with dry flies the hook may have bent it out of shape. lt off the water and thus create a disturb- comes upon a day when the wind is blowing Usually it can be bent back into position, a^ce that may frighten the trout into their in his face and good casting is impossible. but if it is beyond repair or broken off a hiding places. Then he may turn his back to the wind, new hook is obviously necessary.

One of the most successful of all lures for ^e rainbow trout is a small Colorado spin- ner and a hookful of worms.

Live minnows are deadly bait for the big rf°Ut that lie in deep pools. Still fishing is . e best method when minnows are used °r bait under such conditions.

Ch;ang e ends of a fly line occasionally du rWg the season, so that the whole line ,. ears evenly. It pays, also, to wash the 1116 two or three times during the season ,5$ to see that it always is thoroughly dry ore it is stored away after a trip.

*ven if you are in a great hurry to soften 'eader for use, do not do it by immersing in hot water. That will make it pliable y^kly, but it also will take the life out of e t, gut. Better take time enough to soak e leader in cold water.

*0r brook trout, fish wet flies fairly deep jj* slowly. The brighter colors are best in J/3' flies. Minnows are fine live bait. Worms th °* ^e exceHed *or brookies early in col Season> when the water is high and dis- re Since they live within a few Mocks of each other in Williamsport, these young people have had th ° ^' A tiny spinner often will make a lot of fun this winter in fly-tying sessions about the living room table. In the group, from worms more attractive. left to right are: Richard F. Williamson, Mrs. C. Robert Snyder, Edward H. Livingston, Mrs. Edward H. Livingston, C. Robert Snyder, and Howard T. Weaver. The picture was taken while the tyers were evening guests of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder. 16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER jntf ON MOST ANY BASS** is« PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 17 lf^EAM OPENING PAY 18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER jvrf

Catch Up With Your Casting Your thumb now rests naturally with the tip centive to bring out the very best that's *" exerting a slight pressure against the side of you. The unattached angler seldom gets * (Continued from page 11) the spool. The palm of the hand should now much enjoyment out of his fishing as

* bearing in mind the fact that he is mastering form a large arc, this is permissible later on 39% inches long. I took the men's names 8* the fundamentals of casting to get the maxi­ when you want to cast for distance, but jorget addresses, they were from Pittston, and tf mum of sport out of his fishing . . . not to distance until you have mastered accuracy. lucky one promised to give me a picture V> think of casting as an end in itself. Perfection comes with practice; start with the the ANGLER, but I never heard from b*j\j target about twenty-five feet away then, and I mislaid the slip with their names. ^| Level winding devices are made today with when you can't miss at this distance, move e8 such ease of action that they do not hinder big fellow was taken on a jointed plug H back about five feet; and so on, until you have Mehoopany. .the cast, at least, not for the short distance increased the distance to seventy-five feet or necessary on the accuracy courts. In prac­ eighty feet. Be persistent in practicing always "Did I ever tell you about the chap I intf* tical fishing, where a quick retrieve is often keeping the thought in mind that it will pay viewed on a patrol a couple of years ago? **. necessary, they are undoubtedly a distinct ad­ you dividends in the form of much added was sitting on a big rock a few feet fr"1! vantage, but don't, by any means, get so you pleasure to your now favorite recreation. shore, about half asleep. In answer to $" have to depend on a level-winder. The angler query he replied that he didn't believe the j who has learned to lay his line properly on There is one other thing that I think every bait caster should know, and the best time was a fish in the d river. Said he ^ :his reel without any mechanical aid possesses sat there three hours and never had a bi a fundamental that is invaluable to any bait to learn is right at the beginning. Many au­ t He was using a frog for bait, and his c^( -caster. thorities on this subject tell you that, while t0 the lure is still in the air, the rod should be pole was lying in the water with a big s ";t You now have all the equipment and are changed from the right to the left hand to have on the butt of it. I suggested maybe his H; ready to start casting. At this point I want it in readiness for retrieving. They are right. was gone. To prove I was wrong he lifted v to emphasize the importance of a competent Although not a requisite of tournament cast­ pole—and the frog sat on the rock bes»" instructor, if one is available. Most fishing ing, in practical fishing, nothing is more im­ him." clubs include among their members one or portant than being ready to retrieve the in­ more expert bait casters who are always glad stant the lure strikes the water, by why change to help the novice. You can learn the funda­ hands? If you had made that cast with the mentals yourself and probably put them into SCOUTS START SNAKE left hand you would be all set to retrieve as CAMPAIGN practice but booklearning of any kind is al­ soon as the lure started on its forward flight. ways preferable when supplemented by per­ Saturday morning, May 10, l.avrre" sonal instructions. You're initial progress will The technique of left-handed bait casting is exactly the same as that of right-handed cast­ County Boy Scouts opened a general "h^t also be much faster, for a good critic will dis­ krieg" on water snakes in district *"*", cover at a glance faults that you might never ing except that, of course, the handle of the eI reel must point toward the ground instead streams. The scouts are working in co-op Tj -find yourself. tion with the Lawrence County Sportsm60. of skyward. Naturally the person who is e All right, let's go. As you assume a natural otherwise right-handed will start out with Council, in an effort to exterminate th position facing «the target, reel the line all some very awkward attempts, but with per­ snakes. on the spool so that the plug is right up at sistent practice anyone should be able to cast According to "Rosy" White, local fish ^ the tip of the rod. Grasp the hand grip of the equally well with both hands and the added den, one pair of water snakes can devoUf „ .rod placing the four fingers of the casting convenience will be well worth the effort. But, many as 1,100 trout a season. Warden W1'^ hand underneath keeping them close together. start it now, or you probably never will. believes that this is the answer to so TO^\ The heel of the hand should be resting on fishermen's questions as to why there a^ Club affiliations are a great help to the 8 top . . . the heel, of course, is the marginal novice as well as the veteran caster. If Bill not more trout caught if nearly 20,000 part of the palm next to the wrist and below Durr hadn't been a member of a first class placed in nearby streams each season. the joint of the little finger; not the fleshy fishing club, I doubt if he ever would have The scouts will work under the sup* | pad at the base of the thumb. made that perfect record at the Philadelphia vision of their scoutmaster, and will P8'.^ Turn the rod so that the spool of the reel is Sportsmen's Show. Constant association with the trout streams nearest their respect in a vertical position with the handle on top. other casters and anglers supplies that in­ homes. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 19 Natural Insects and Their Imitations (Continued from page 7) ^ insect deviates considerably from the ®U known Deer Fly pattern.* t ^itation: Hook, No. 14, short shank; wings, .'. -£.'* 25V-fi-,v rikky krown an<* white; body, tan floss silk, k bed with black thread and tipped with ck; hackle, ginger, i The green and white artificial, so long °*n as the Deer Fly, was incorrectly named, ^ Was without doubt patterned after Lep- g. e"a exquisita, one of our common caddis j,,6s- Mary Orvis Marbury, in her "Favorite k 6s>" also questioned the authenticity of Prototype, but volunteered no explanation v to its identity, except by saying; "it is J y like one of the little millers or moths, often see in the summertime." When we f. .^er that caddis flies are known as water tos in many localities, it is reasonable to *"i<\.>" res to Ume that she was referring either to Lep- The Allegheny River between Tionesta and West Hickory. Good water for smallmouth bass. eua equisita, or L. albida. "WHITE CADDIS" FISHING CONTEST IN YORK, Warm Water Aces Order—Trichoptera ADAMS Family—Leptocerinae (Continued from page 9) Genus—Leptocella Prizes for the largest trout, bass and blue sands of eggs or young fish. A practice of Species—equisita gill caught in Adams, Franklin, Cumberland or York County waters during the fishing sea­ this type smacks too much of those bygone days when the supply of fish and game was be­ ta ^ription: Length to tip of wings, 7/16" son will be given by the Women's Auxiliary Veil w'nSs> white; abdomen, green; legs, of the Adams County Fish and Game Associa­ lieved inexhaustible and it was common pro­ cedure to use thousands of pounds of netted °wish white; antennae, yellowish, tion, it has been announced by Mrs. Monroe j^toarks: Without doubt this insect is the fish as fertilizer for farm lands. Certainly it Dellinger, president. A prize of $2 each will has no place in the conservation picture to­ H^totype of that old favorite, erroneously be awarded for the biggest bass and trout fj/^ed the Deer Fly. It is commonly found day when every effort is being made to meet while a $1 award will be given for the largest the demands of a rapidly growing army of ta? Canada to Florida, and is over the water w blue gill. The fish it was stated, must be re­ fishermen. WorT * ^^Sht until early morning. Its imita­ ported to Sheely's store, Stevens Street Now let us turn to natural factors which te i wrongly named the Deer Fly, has stood Gettysburg, where the fish will be weighed es undoubtedly have strongly influenced the for­ tjij t of time, and will always remain a and measured. Together with the fish, the >~,and true favorite. age picture in our bass waters, particularly tation: fisherman must present satisfactory proof as during the past ten years. Flood, violent Sj Hook, No. 12; wings, white duck; to the person catching the fish and the place ^> green floss silk; hackle, white. enough to have, in the instance of some high- where the catch took place. The award for banked streams, gouged out entire stream bed (To be continued) the largest trout will be given following the sections, and drought, reducing water levels close of the season July 31, while the prizes drastically and exposing to air and sun vital CQJJ r"aPs democracy is an unscientifically for the largest bass and largest blue gill will riffle food producing areas in many streams, tlw°cted patent medicine, but it's better be given following the close of the bass sea­ have had direct bearing on the forage supply. a totalitarian autopsy. son, November 30. These unfavorable influences have served to emphasize the need for stronger conservation practices on bass waters. In many respects, last year was highly detri­ mental to bass in a wild state. An unusually cold and late spring is believed to have dras­ tically set back the normal hatch of spawners. Time and again reports were received of the catching of female bass, as late as August and September, which were found to be egg- bound. It has been claimed that, while egg- bound females may survive, there is strong probability that sterility may result and, if such is the case, it is possible that some of our potentially best spawners may have been lost for future reproduction. A more cheerful side to the picture is presented in the instance of fish in the yearling stage last year which should, this season, be on the spawning beds. At any rate, comparatively few young bass were observed on bass waters in the central counties last year. So many factors enter into the bass fishing situation as it appears today that, it may truthfully be said, the surface has barely been scratched. Here is a rich field for com­ prehensive research, for study not only of food but also of cover requirements. Just what types of forage are most vital to the Ace water for the smallmouth bass, the headwaters of the Delaware River. smallmouth bass and what environmental so PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JV& factors are most necessary in increasing the Run; brook and rainbow trout, Furnace Creek; gomery Creek, Moshannon Cheek, Mountain supply of such forage is only one of the in­ rainbow trout, Manatawney Creek; brown and Run, Sawmill Run, Upper Three Runs, Tro«' tricate problems facing the conservationist. rainbow trout, N. Br. Perkiomen Creek, and Run, Whiskey Run and Wilson Run; bro**1 From the time when a fertile egg hatches into brown trout, Hay Creek. trout, Bell Run, Lick Run, Mosquito Creek a black tadpolish appearing sliver of life, Blair County Sugar Camp Run, N. Wilmer Run and Sou* through the stages of its growth as fingerling Wilmer Run; brown and rainbow troU" and adult, the smallmouth bass constitutes Brook trout, Bells Gap Run, Blair Gap Run, Laurel Run. one of nature's enigmas. It is to our interest Bobs Creek, Sinking Creek and Van Scoyoc Clinton County as sportsmen, however, that every possible Run; brown trout, Bald Eagle Creek, Canoe Creek, Clover Creek, and Piney Creek. Brook trout, Antes Creek, Beaverdam R°f' aid be rendered to a program that may eventu­ Big Run, M. Br. Big Run, Swamp Br. M ally mean more and bigger, better condi­ Bradford County Run, Birch Island Run, Cedar Run, Coo& tioned bass in our waters. To that end, every Brook, brown and rainbow trout, Schrader Run, Hammersley Forks, Hyner Run, Ratt^ effort should be made. Apparently, our most Creek. Snake Run, Sandy Creek, and Trout Fo>*' logical method of approach in accomplishing Bucks County brown trout, Lick Run, Paddys Run, Ta"' this is to help Mother Nature do the job for Brown and rainbow trout, Mill Creek; and gascootack Creek, N. Br. Tangacoosta* us. The hardiness of the smallmouth bass brook trout, Cooks Creek. Creek, Young Woman's Creek, R. Br. Youw seems to be a fairly well established fact. Af­ Woman's Creek and W. Br. Young Womal>S forded protection during its spawning period, Butler County Creek; brook and rainbow trout, Ket (*j and an abundance of natural forage in streams Brown trout, N. Br. Slippery Rock Creek Creek, and Baker Run; brook, brown wl not continually being gutted of their normal and Little Connoquenessing Creek; brown rainbow trout, Big Fishing Creek. supply of forage fishes and other suitable and rainbow trout, Bear Creek, Silver Creek, Columbia County food organisms, the comeback of this grand and Thorn Creek. game fish might surprise many of us. At Brook trout, Alexandra Run; brown efl* Cambria County West Creek; brown trout, Mugser Run; bro«* least that's the way it appears from this hum­ aI1 ble corner. Tight lines to you. Brook trout, Beaverdam Run, Bender Run, and brown trout, Roaring Creek; brown Bens Creek, S. Br. Blacklick Creek, Cedar rainbow trout, Fishing Creek. Run, Beaverdam Run, Duclos Run, S. Fork Crawford County * The Book of the Black Bass. Lt. Conemaugh River, Big Laurel Run, and 1 Noels Creek; brown trout, N. Br. Blacklick Brook trout, McKaughlin Run; brown troU* Creek, Chest Creek, Clearfield Creek and Lt. Sugar Creek and Thompson Run. Slatelick Run; rainbow trout, Curtis Run and Cumberland County Ebensburg Water Co. Dam. Brook trout, Alexandra Run; brown an"* Cameron County rainbow trout; Big Spring, LeTort Spring & Yellow Breeches, brook and brown trow Brook trout, Brooks Run, Clear Creek, Mountain Creek; brook and rainbow trot** Hicks Run, E. Br. Hicks Run, Hunts Run, Trindle Spring; rainbow trout Furnace Bu Upper Jerry Run, Lick Island Run, Lush- Dam. In answer to numerous requests, the baugh Run, Mix Run, Portage Creek, Sterl­ Dauphin County ANGLER lists the following streams in Penn­ ing Run and Wykoff Run; brown trout, Drift­ Brown trout, Manada Creek, N. Fk. PoW^ sylvania stocked with legal size trout for the wood Br. Sinnemahoning, Portage Creek. present season. This covers only major waters Creek, and S. Fk. Powells Creek; brook aH° Carbon County rainbow trout, Stoney Creek; brown and ra>p in the various counties. Other smaller streams Brook trout, Aquashicola Creek, Drakes are also scheduled for stocking. bow trout, W. Branch Rattling Creek. Creek, Fawn Creek, Hunter Run, James Run, Delaware County Adams County Lesley Run, Mauch Chunk Creek, Pine Run, Brown trout, Ridley Creek. Brook trout: Carbaugh Run, Toms Run, and Stoney Creek; brown and rainbow trout, Elk County Little Marsh Creek; rainbow trout, Chambers- Mud Run, and Pohopoco Creek; brook and uft burg Reservoir; brown trout, Conewago rainbow trout, Big Bear Creek and Quakake Brook trout, Belmuth Run, Big B Creek, Middle Creek and Conococheague Creek; brook and brown trout, Hayes Creek. Crooked Creek, Hicks Run, E. Br. Hicks B^"' Island Run, Kersey Run, W. Br. Kersey B^1' Creek. Centre County Laurel Run, Maxwell Run, Medix Run, Wt Forest, Warren, Elk and McKean Brook trout, Benner Run, W. Br. Big Run, Run, Paige Run, Spring Creek, Strait (Allegheny National Forest) Black Bear Run, Fields Run, Lt Fishing Creek, S. Br. Straight Creek, Vineyard B"i Brook and Rainbow trout, Bear Creek and Creek, Laurel Run, Big Sandy Run, Lt. Sandy and Wolf Lick Run; brown trout, DriftwO? Run, and White Deer Creek; brown trout, S. Branch; brown and rainbow trout, E. *vj Big Mill Creek; brook trout, Beaver Run, J Blue Jay Creek, Brown Run, Little Coon Fk. Beech Creek, Cold Stream, Marsh Creek, Clarion River, W. Clarion Creek and Tr"' Creek, Farnsworth Creek, Four Mile Creek, Poe Creek, Sinking Creek, and Six Mile Run. Minister Creek, Ross Run, Six Mile Run, N. Run; rainbow trout, Poe Valley Dam; brook, Erie County Br. Sugar Run, Two Mile Run and Wilson brown and rainbow trout, Elk Creek, Lt. Brown and rainbow trout, Beaverdam B^j Run; brown trout, East Hickory Creek, E. Moshannon Creek, Penns Creek and Spring Conneautee Creek, Lt. Conneautee Creek &, Br. Tionesta Creek, S. Br. Tionesta Creek, Creek; brook and brown trout, Pine Creek; S. Br. French Creek; rainbow trout, Pleasa" W. Br. Tionesta Creek, W. Br. Tunenegwant brown and rainbow trout, Bald Eagle Creek, Lake. Creek; brown and rainbow trout Salmon and Logan Branch. Fayette County ^ Creek; rainbow trout, Chappell Fork, Mill­ Chester County Brook trout, Back Creek, Beaver Run, Bu stone Creek, and Spring Creek. Brook trout, Beaver Run, Lt Broad Run, Run, Laurel Run, Mill Run, Morgan B^! e Beaver Comity Doe Run, Indian Run, Mathews Run, and Mountain Creek and S. Fk. Mountain Cre *j West Valley Creek; brown trout French a Rainbow trout, Brady Run; and Brown and brown and rainbow trout, Dunbar Creek, u Creek, and M. Br. White Clay Creek; brook Big Meadow Run; brown trout, Big SaO" Rainbow Trout, Big Traverse Creek. and rainbow trout, Birch Run, and Valley Run. Bedford County Creek; brook and brown trout, White Clay Forest County Brook trout, * Beaver Creek, Deaner Gap Creek; brown and rainbow trout, Officers Brook trout, Lt. Hickory Creek, and ^ ± Run, Flintstone Creek, Maple Run, Potter Run. Run; brook and rainbow trout, Coon &? 4 Clarion County 3 Creek, and Beaver Run; rainbow trout Koon and Hemlock Creek; brown and rain" Lake; brown trout, Bobs Creek, Cove Creek, Brook trout, Canoe Creek, Lt. Piney Creek, trout, W. Hickory Creek and Maple Creek Cumberland Valley Run, Imlertown Run, and Lt. Toby Creek; brook and rainbow Franklin County Raystown Br. of Juniata River, Shermans trout, Deer Creek and Toms Run; brown Valley Run, Yellow Creek and Wills Creek. and rainbow trout, Mill Creek. Brook trout, Bear Valley Run, Broad B*j Dennis Creek, Red Run, Trout Run, Berks County Clearfield County Trout Run; brown trout, E. Br. Lt. Antie Brook trout, Back Creek, Mill Creek, Mos­ Brook trout, Anderson Creek, Bilger Creek, Creek, Conococheague Creek, W. Br. C% lem Creek. Mill Creek, Northkill Creek, W. Curry Run, Deer Creek, Gifford Run, Hock- ococheague Creek and Muddy Run; ratf1JX C Br. Pine Creek, Swamp Creek and Furnace enberry Run, Hazelett Run, Mix Run, Mont­ trout, W. Br. Antietam Creek. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 21

Fulton County Rock Run; brown trout, Blockhouse Creek, E. Fk. of the First Fk. of Sinnemahoning Brook trout, Brush Creek, Lt. Brush Creek, Grays Run, Larrys Creek, Loyalsock Creek, Creek, Trout Run, and S. Fk. of the First S°uth Brush Creek, Oregon Creek and Wood­ Lycoming Creek, Muncy Creek, Lt. Pine Fk. of Sinnemahoning Creek; brown trout, sy Bridge Creek; rainbow trout, Cowans Gap Creek, Roaring Branch, Spring Creek, Wallis Cowanesque River, Cross Forks Creek, Kettle °am; brown trout, Lt. Augwick Creek. Run and White Deer Hole Creek. Creek, Mill Creek, Pine Creek, W. Br. Pine McKean County Creek and First Fk. Sinnemahoning Creek; Huntingdon County Brook trout, Bell Run, W. Clarion Creek, brown and rainbow trout, N. Br. Genesee Brook trout, Laurel Run, West Licking Comes Creek, Five Mile Run, Seven Mile River and W. Br. Genesee River. j^eek, Nine Mile Creek and Saddler Creek; r Run; brown trout, Marvin Creek and Potato Schuylkill County ° own trout, Black Log Creek, and E. Br. Creek; brown and rainbow trout, Portage standing Stone Creek; brook and brown Brook trout, Bear Creek, Beaver Creek, r Creek. Black Creek, Neifert Creek, Pine Creek; °ut, Spruce Creek; brown and rainbow Mercer County ^°ut, Standing Stone Creek; rainbow trout, brown trout, Evening Branch, Fishing Creek, Whipple Dam. Brown trout, Lackawanna Creek, Mill W. Br. Fishing Creek and Locust Creek; Creek; E. Br. Wolf Creek, N. Br. Wolf brown and rainbow trout, Lt. Catawissa Indiana County Creek, and W. Br. Wolf Creek; brown Creek, Deep Creek and Lt. Swatara Creek. Brook trout, S. Br. Twolock Creek and Lt. ?nd rainbow trout, Deer Creek, Lt. Neshan- ^How Creek; brook and rainbow trout, nock Creek and W. Br. Lt. Neshannock Creek. Snyder County j-aurel Run; brown and rainbow trout, Yel­ Brook trout, Aigler Run, Brickhart Run, low creek. Mifflin County Krepp Gap Run, Kuhn-Hooven Run and Jefferson County Brook trout, Havice Run, Laurel Run, Lin- Swift Run; brown trout, N. Br. Middle Creek; gle Run, and Treaster Valley Creek; brown Brook trout, Callen Run, Camp Run, Coder brook and rainbow trout, N. Br. Mahantango u trout, New Lancaster Creek, Honey Creek ^ *i, Horam Run, and Mill Creek; brown Creek. £°Ut, Big Run, N. Fk. Red Bank Creek, S. and Licking Creek; brook, brown and rain­ Somerset County lk- of N. Br. Red Bank Creek and Lt. Sandy bow trout, W. Br. Kishacoquillas Creek. Brook trout, Beaverdam Run, S. Fk. Bens ~reek; brook, brown and rainbow trout Monroe County Creek, Blue Hole Run, Brush Creek, Clear *ear Run; brown and rainbow trout, Mill Brook trout, Acquashicola Creek, Buckwa Run, Shafer Run, Iser Run, Jones Mill Run, Lreek and Lt. Mill Creek. Creek, Cherry Creek, Dotter Creek, Forest McClintock Run, Sandy Run and Tub Mill Run; brook and rainbow trout", Drakes Run; Juniata County Hill Creek, Kettle Creek, Lake Creek, Mc- Michaels Creek, Middle Creek, Mixsel Creek, brown trout, Beaverdam Run, Piney Creek; . Brook trout, Homing Run and Liberty Val- e Pensyl Creek, and Scott Run; brook and Deeter Run, Flaugherty Creek, Raystown j. y Run; brown trout, Horse Valley Run, brown trout, Big Bushkill Creek and Poho- Br. Juniata River, Big Piney Creek, Stoney Peking Creek, Lost Creek and Willow Run. poco Creek; brown trout, Middle Brodheads Creek and Wills Creek; rainbow trout, Lackawanna County Creek, Pocono Creek and Tunkhannock Kooser's Lake; brown and rainbow trout, . Brook trout, Choke Creek and W. Br. Wal- Creek; brown and rainbow trout, Brodheads Clear Shade Creek, Laurel Hill Creek, and j frpaupqck Creek; brown and rainbow trout, Creek, Tobyhanna Creek and Lehigh River; Whites Creek. ^«ugh River and S. Br. Tunhannock Creek; rainbow trout, Snow Hill Dam and Weir Sullivan County ainbow trout, Roaring Brook. Lake. Montgomery County Brook trout, Black Creek, Double Run, Elk- Lancaster County lick Run, Glass Creek, Lewis Creek, Lick «, Brook trout, Lt. Conestoga Creek, Donegal Brown trout, Deep Creek and Mill Creek. Creek, N. Br. Mehoopany Creek, Mill Creek, j^ek, Hammer Creek, Middle Creek, Long Pigeon Creek, Pole Bridge Run, and Rock U Northampton County ' H, Muddy Run, Pequea Creek, Rock Run, Brook trout, Bertsch Creek, Coffeetown Run; brown trout, Elk Creek, E. Br. Fishing nd Trout Run; brown trout, Big Chickies Creek, W. Br. Fishing Creek, Hogland Branch, re R.un, Greenawalts Creek, Indian Creek, Jaca- , ek and Fishing Creek; brown and rain- bus Creek and Waltz Creek; brook and brown Kettle Creek, Lopez Creek, Loyalsock Creek, °* trout, W. Br. Octoraro Creek. trout, Monocacy Creek; brook, brown and Lt. Loyalsock Creek, Muncy Creek, Ogdonia Creek and Sullivan Branch. Lawrence County rainbow trout, Sucon Creek; brown and rain­ bow trout, Bushkill Creek and Catasauqua Susquehanna County Brown an(j rainbow trout, Big Run, Deer re Creek; brown trout, Lt. Bushkill Creek, Hok- t, ek and Hickory Run; brown trout, Taylor Brook trout, Mitchell Creek, Nine Partners endauqua Creek, Martins Creek and Lt. Creek and Riley Creek; brook, brown and Lebanon County Martins Creek. rainbow trout, Starrucca Creek; brown trout, a - Broor k trout, Bachman Run, Indiantown Perry County Butler Creek, Gaylord Creek, Gibson Creek, T, 6ek and Snitz Creek; brown trout, Evening Brook trout, Browns Run, Green Valley Harding Creek, Harmony Creek, W. Br. ^"anch, Gold Mine Run, Hammer Creek, and Run, Laurel Run, Liberty Valley Run, Mon­ Lackawanna Creek, E. Br. Lackawanna • Br. Hammer Creek. tour Run, McCabe Run, Shaffer Run and Creek, and E. Br. Tunkhannock Creek; brown and rainbow trout, Tunkhannock Creek. Lehigh County Shermans Creek; brown trout, Horse Valley Creek, and Lt. Juniata Creek. » Brook trout, Big Trout Run, Cedar Creek, Tioga County otl c' Run, S. Br. Saucon Creek and Swabia Pike County Brook trout, Elk Run, Fall Brook, Long j,.eek; brook and brown trout, Lt. Lehigh Brook trout, Lt. Bushkill Creek, Middle Run, Mill Creek, W. Br. Mill Creek, Phoenix r,Ver; brown and rainbow trout, Jordan Bushkill Creek, Dingmans Creek, Dwarfkill Run, Sand Run, Straight Run, Left Br. u 6ek; rainbow trout, Mountain Creek; Creek, Indian Ladder Creek, Kellam Creek, Straight Run and Right Br. Straight Run; r°wn trout, Trout Creek. Middle Branch Creek, Millrift Creek, Panther brook and brown trout, Tioga River, and Asaph Run; brown and rainbow trout, Pine Luzerne County Brook, Raymondskill Creek, Sanvantine Creek and Twin Lake Creek; brook and Creek; brown trout, Blacks Creek, Block­ gBfook trout, Arnolds Creek, Balward Run, % brown trout, Big Bushkill Creek; brown house Run and Stoney Fork Creek. c *3n's Creek, Maple Creek, Phillips 6 trout, Big Bushkill Creek; brown trout, Sho- Union County j*" ek, Pine Creek and Shade Creek; brook, hola Creek, Wallenpaupaek Creek and E. Br. rj °^n and rainbow trout, Wapwallopen Wallenpaupack Creek. Brook trout, Bear Run, Beaver Run, Half­ jj.6ek; brown and rainbow trout, Lehigh way Run, Sand Spring Run, and Spruce Run; ^lVer, and Lt. Wapwallopen Creek; brown Potter County brown trout, Buffalo Creek, Lt. Buffalo ut jj? , Harveys Creek, Huntingdon Creek, Brook trout, Bailey Run, Cushing Creek, Creek, N. Br. Buffalo Creek, Laurel Run, ^ 'Chen Run, Linesville Creek, Lt. Nescopeck Rapid Run, Spring Creek, Weiker Run, and ee Dingman Run, Left Hand Br. Dingman Run, Cr k, Lt. Shickshinny Creek and Wrights Dodge Brook, Dry Run, Eleven Mile Run, White Deer Creek; rainbow trout, Halfway Fishing Creek, E. Br. Fishing Creek, W. Br. Dam; brown and rainbow trout, Penns Lycoming County Fishing Creek, Genesee River, Lt. Kettle Creek. cBrook trout, Lt. Bear Creek, Black Hole Creek, Lyman Run, Big Moore Run, Nelson Venango County laJ\ek' English Run, Fourth Gap Run, Hog- Run, Nine Mile Run, S. Br. Oswayo Creek, Brook trout, Cherry Run, Hemlock Creek, ^ d Run, McMurrin Run, West Mill Creek, Oswayo Creek, Genesee Fk. of Pine Creek, Horse Creek, Mill Creek, Porkey Creek, j,.' Muncy Creek, Upper Pine Bottom Run, E. Fk. Portage Creek, W. Fk. of Portage Prather Run, Tarr Kill Creek, and Stewart iu*ketts Run, Trout Run; rainbow trout, Creek, Sartwell Creek, Reynoldstown Creek, (Continued on page 31) 23 JUNE

himself strike so hard as to break his leader at the lure. It takes experience and steady nerves to refrain from doing this, when yield­ ing to the impulse means a lost fish and lure-' although the bug will sometimes come bob­ bing to the surface later. When a leader longer than about 7 feet & used for this sport, it is good practice to splice it smoothly to the line in order that it may not produce friction or stoppage on the ro<* guides. Cork is one of the most satisfactory of materials for bass bugs and, in case y°u do not make your own as described in rny article published in this periodical, issue for September, 1940, bugs of this kind are pro­ curable commercially in many shapes an" colors. They have the virtue of not absorb­ ing water and are reasonably sure of alightino on the water topside up, which cannot be said of some bugs made of other material. If you have not tried this sport, on a lily padded thickly weeded pond, where the basS insist on feeding among the thick weeds, yo$ are missing some delicious fishing experiences- PITE o' how clear an' low the water's Do tell! I want to know! If you have eve'' Sbin, hed a gude nite's eel fishin' one nite been down east these seemingly inane ex­ in the dark o' the moon recent. Uster be us pressions will be familiar to you. However* fellers ud ketch us a scad o' run chubs an' they are not by any means as pointless w shiners, let 'em ripen in the sun of a hot day they may sound. In fact that spirit expressed an' string 'em on the hooks erbout sundown. in them is the well-spring of all huma*1 Thet wuz back in the days when outlines an7 There goes another bucketful of brownies into knowledge. Curiosity—that urge to know >* one of the favorite fishing pools of Montgomery set lines wuz legal but I shure wuz glad ter County's Hill Creek! Ernest Jenkins of Nar- the foundation of all progress in spite of the see the law made what it is today. Ennyhow, berth, president of the Lower Merion Rod and story about the resulting demise of the feli"e Gun Club, helped Fish Commission employes us boys in this neck o' the woods is figgerin on this occasion to stock this creek just outside animal. The application of the principle above now thet there ain't no sense in taikin' minnies, of Narberth. referred to, as regards fly fishing may seen1 needed so all fired bad fer our bass feed, ter remote but it is not so. The fellow who keeps fish fer eels an' we're hevin' rite gude fun E truthful fishing diary in a truly observant taikin' the critters on nitecrawlers. Ketched fashion, may really be adding to the sum °* Bassing With the Fly Rod scientific knowledge in an important way. Am four whoppin' big eels, the biggest wayin' (Continued from page 3) better*n 4 pounds, an' taik it frum me, the example of what is meant may be seen J* way thet critter tore up wuz a site. the largemouth often becomes so sophisticated the article "Notes From a Fisherman's Diary that only dogged persistence and (or) fishing by Charles M. Wetzel (issue of April, 1940) ot Bin watchin' our bass crick purty close at dawn or twilight will do the trick. In such the story "Of Other Days" by your Editor lately an' I'm rite here ter say thet its a circumstances, one must know both his water Alex Sweigart (issue of February, 1941)- dratted crime the way sum few fellers fishes There is meat in these articles that will ke and the fish to achieve success. Even in such e when they know the bass is on the next. Way places, however, there occur occasional crazy of value for all time, and which, in good tirfl ' I got them dam meat hogs figgered is thet they intervals, such as are referred to in the be­ may help in solving some of the angling prob­ ain't gude enuf ter ketch a bass fare an' lems which so puzzle us at present. ginning of this screed, when anyone can catch 1 square when the seezum's in but they got bass if he is so fortunate as to be at hand Ever so seldom, there appears on earS ter taik advantage o' hookin' 'em when they're when such a carnival begins. After a bass is an individual gifted with the power of trans­ pretectin' eggs er yung. Enny feller thet ud securely hooked with the fly rod, in open lating such morsels of apparently unimportau* do a thing like thet ain't fit ter assoshiate with water, all that is required to land him is to decent fishermen. Jest 2 er 3 outlaws like keep a tight line with the rod directed upward, thet kin do more damage ter our bass fishin' and the rod will do the rest. But in coarse than a scad o' fishin' when the seezun's in. weeds, or among rocks, the case may be far Danged ef I wuden't like ter see our bass different, for that seemingly insane fish, too cricks closed ter fishin' from the middle o' darn well knows how to rub loose the hook May ter the first day o' July when the seezun against the weed stems or rocks—and does he opens. It ud help old lady nature ter bring do it! In this situation I recommend that back a gude crop o' bass an' I'm all fer givin' the fisherman resort to prayer, as only Divine assistance will be of avail. her a break. Trout fishin's jest gittin' gude erbout thet time an' our boys figger ez how Fishing the artificial bug for bass is, in my they'd rather fish fer fish in seezun. It shure opinion, the ne plus ultra of angling fun. Only does give a feller a belly laff ter hear sum o' the dry fly for trout approaches it and even these fellers using flies an' spinners on our that, except where heavy fish are prevalent, bass water when the bass is on the nest say can not vie with bugging for bass. The ex­ ez how they're fishin' fer rock bass. Mite be, plosion that occurs when a bass hits a bug if they ketch a bass by accident thet they is unequalled in thrill by anything I know throw him back all rite, back inter the bushes. on water or on earth. The floating bug is cast When a feller figgers thet thru the hoggish- on a long, light greased leader and then al­ ness o' 1 er 2 guys like thet a whole stretch lowed to remain quiescent for some seconds. o' bass water kin be ruint fer the gude sports It is then twitched slightly and again allowed it's enuf ter maik the blood boil. I'm all fer to float undisturbed for an interval. In the soakin' enny feller the limit fer taikin' a bass absence of a strike, this operation is repeated off the nest an' destroyin' mebbe 2000 eggs er until the lure must be retrieved. The strike, yung fish. when it comes, is usually so violent that un­ less the angler has extra good control, he may 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 23

"formation into a unity of knowledge enor- dad, Billy King of Gettysburg, and your cor­ earth these many years past. In an article ^susly useful to mankind. We know these respondent, then only a little shaver, fished some months ago, I noted a comment with re­ ^6n as famous inventors, scientists or phil­ old Rock Creek in Adams County on the gard to the bait seeker, the author going on osophers but most of them are principally warmer, sunnier midwinter days, a roaring to say the greatest damage to the forage sup­ ^Tithesizers of facts frequently already at fire at our back, and when ice free. White ply is occurring in the creeks and smaller aand, but often added to importantly by such Rock and Benner's Pond are only a mile or streams, offering the thought rivers are too ^niuses. Erasmus, Copernicus, Newton, so north, "The Point" directly on the Mason large to feel the full extent of the inroads. ^ertz, Edison, Marconi, and DeForrest and & Dixon Line. Largemouth bass will and did Not so generally, perhaps at places, but far r^rnistrong of our own day are names that take the worm baited sucker hook upon oc­ from a criterion. Since reading the afore­ ^.*ve been milestones in scientific progress. casion and mostly the fish were big husky mentioned comment, the writer has been a ishing may seem a trivial thing in com­ rascals. Of course, we released the fish, but bit more observant, a mite more inquisitive, parison but remember that its millions of experience, first hand, thirty and more years and feels he has secured a better picture of devotees have countless opportunities of ago, properly explodes the fallacy that a bass the river situation, at least locally. Last taking and accumulating observations in might not inconceivably feed a bit now and summer I witnessed innumerable men work­ Mature that may one day prove of greatest then during the colder months, especially in ing the river weed patches, the tiny coves and alue t0 natural science. One does not have some of the more favorable southern counties. shore lines in twos and threes with long *° be a college graduate either to make Food problems become even more acute in handled seines, square umbrella nets infested Suable observations and records. All that wall-eye territory. The smallest reasonable parts of the Juniata and Susquehanna. Lines * required is that the facts be set down estimate of the forage necessary to bring a tipped off with tiny hooks and red worms, b ° servantly, honestly and faithfully. wall-eye to maturity is set at between 1800 and without an active attendant, were not and 3000 fishes, and the salmon is not espe­ exactly uncommon—helgramite hunters cially a slow grower. Incidentally and some­ turned over stones in the shallows, wooden Wings of Eternity how or other I have little sympathy with this boxes rode at anchor wherever there were fellow, seldom fish him, and generally kill boat landings. The rivers are taking their (Continued from page 5) the big ones. And for some reason it seemed kick in the pants too, maybe not everywhere, Urging waters, just as surely as you and I almost impossible to escape nice wall-eyes but certainly adjacent to heavy population tand there watching windfalls floating along, during the tail end of the 1940 season, big centers and at such spots as depth permits. passes uprotted or buried with silt and twenty inch to two feet long babies apparently And in like proportion fish anil fishing are /lannels scoured as clean as a polished table following this fisherman around the rivers doomed to suffer; heavy population centers P- Denuded bottoms indicate an arid food wherever he might venture a cast, depending may least of all spare even the tiniest frac­ u tion of available forage. Somehow—sometime Pply, a granary washed away, and fish can of course upon whether or not the proper °t exist any longer merely by swallowing plug happened to be in use at the moment. —and the sooner the better, we must stop the , ater than man. Every time a helgramite Several nice specimens are pictured with this human competition with game fishes for for­ Ulter turns over rocks—even when we wade article. If I could only make up the mind age to use as bait. Man must turn to artificials e and to those with vision enough to foresee stream, considerable damage is done, a that the ravenous wall-eye did not constitute the ultimate needs fall the earlier thankless °und inflicted on the food producing bottom, a threat to the welfare of old bronze back, odium of fathering the crusade. , °* deep but most certain, not unlike the brush it would be possible to tolerate Stizostedion iht occurring when bare human skin comes vitreum even if he does sometimes cause one In common with the forage leak, fishermen 1*0 violent contact with some resisting abras­ to doubt his gameness. However and at the in general should give a little more thought ive surface same time reassuring the same deep ledge to the possible depredations of the human Prought, the arch fiend to good angling, pocket which produced the two nice bass also fish pirate. By merely turning the pages of Bes water temperatures and promotes pictured herewith likewise yielded up a dozen the ANGLER, one can easily see the waterway sb r s ° eline shrinkage, destroying much aquatic smashing salmon, one a 26-incher and biggest gangster is still with us, not nice to admit, u^all iife an^ at the same time obliterating of the lot taken by the Better Half. but what are a few facts among friends. e , hish protective and food producing grasses, Food, food, food . . . generous forage, Netting, gigging, dynamiting, outlines, big also making the task of the predator all the abundant forage, always forage, is what old fines, small fish, prison sentences, licenses re­ j!'°re simple. Food—food—lood and pure Micropterus most needs to thrive and with­ voked and the like. Thus I wonder whether j. able water is the modern problem of the out which he would have perished from the it may be heretical to ponder the "probability j^ack bass—when he was first introduced into of old Micropterus all too often finding the 6t»nsylvania way back in the 19th century end of his life span dangling at the point of an earns abounded in suckers, catties, min- illegal right of the season line? "s, frogs, and the like. In a few short Right now and for some time this fisher­ jvars the waters teemed with bronze backs. man has been just a mite chary of some so- « ally the bass population caught up with called sucker, eel, carp and catfish angling. j,6 food supply and the ratio balanced off. By so-called he fears the more common food ^ er afterward big bass in large numbers fishes may at times be employed merely as a ( ecl hand in hand with abundant food, any front or excuse behind which to raid game ,. Porary scarcity in forage witnessing a cor- species water in both pre and sub-seasonal u bonding decline in the Micropterus popula- fishing. Permit me to indulge several second­ n a - Incidentally the black bass is said to hand eye-witness accounts of actual or pos­ era s , ge approximately two goodly size mor- sible depredations; also one among three or n * of f00,j daily, but this statement should four personal observations that are decidedly be misunderstood. Just as stated it is suspicious at best. >ne :re ly a theoretically average; he may go Let us consider only the hard headed view <>n a feeding spree and gorge five or six of the picture—for instance the aim toward •no^ ^el: s as rapidly as readily available, then better bass fishing and the possible relation 0* look at anything for two or three days. thereto of the dozens upon dozens of boats that . ^r the course of the active season from bob around on the Juniata, Susquehanna, an April to mid-October or November 1st other rivers and corresponding watersheds ^ adult bronze back probably eats some- throughout the state—before July 1st and on ere t0 in the neighborhood of between 450 nice days in December subsequent to No­ 5 f(, 10 assorted nice sized organisms, running vember 30th. The majority of the local terri­ bs}!*1 ^ree or f°ur incrl l°ng chubs, hapless tory is as an open book to your correspondent, v tu bass, small watersnakes, newly hatched and he can not appreciate the practicability un 1\P1 • wary mice, crawfish to crippled or of fishing from a boat in mid-river for suckers th P'?ss half drowned baby birds, and at that or catfish, and frequently doubtful for carp. (j , Ust only scratches the surface. And do The fly or plug fisherman who wades the mid- a 0i. ssume a mid-January snack is altogether river channels knows only too well there is 3e Oscar Barnett of New Brighton submitted this little or no mud bank or silt deposit out Of ^ionable to friend Micropterus in some photo of Lula Joy with two fine Allegheny River "^ Warmer streams. Many the time old smallmouth hass, 17 and 17 }£ inches in length. there, little fine gravel, mostly ortly clean U PENNSYLVANIA ANGLES JUN6

scarred rock. Catfish, suckers or carp do not But the following is not theory. It is merely to get set and increase. While at first glancft feed nor thrive on bare rock—mud and gravel maddening futility, and can be cured by only such proposals may seem to rate consideration are their dish. So why do boat riding sucker one means to be discussed a few paragraphs further thought will decree quite the con' and catfish anglers haunt the mid-river chan­ later. On the writer's first trip for bass last trary. If we wish to husband brood fish and nels prior to July 1st; just what are these season, he worked a rocky, brushy shoreline such an aim might not be altogether out "» fishermen seeking anyway, of course, barring at a much frequented spot in the Juniata, a line, it is not necessary to demand that angler8 fresh air and a beautiful view? If sincerely favorite with sucker or shall we say pre­ surrender their enjoyable hours on the streafl* after suckers, why aren't these fellows fish­ season boat fishermen, and where bassing —likewise it would be pure folly to sacrifice ing the shore line where creeks and smaller sport has been on a decline for several years. the license revenue, which after all is the streamlets enter the bigger water; why aren't Anyway while wading along, fishing flies, a lubricant which keeps the wheels turning, fl the catfish anglers working the mud banks? brown bobbing something attracted my at­ modified and better adaption of the though' Frankly I am fretfully impatient, openly sus­ tention. It looked like a net fish bag and ap­ might be to permit fishermen to angle to the*1- picious and assume only the worst. parently was either snagged or tied to a fairly hearts content, but absolutely prohibit the Perhaps this fisherman has a suspicious good size branch, which in turn lodged between killing of any or all fish in such water for a nature; perhaps he has just been disillusioned several outcropping stones. Though difficult twelve-month period, catties, eels, suckei* by knocking about the world pretty much to reach, this optimist shook hands with Old carp, walleyes, bass and forage fishes. Thus on his own for a good many years; perhaps Saint Peter and slithered out there on that anglers could enjoy their sport without the it has just been his lot in a professional way rocky slimy dangerous ledge. Sure enough loss of aquatic life. If impossible of enforce­ my suspicions were confirmed. I found a ment or patrol as suspected at times on the to see a bit more of the seamy, ugly, selfish e side of life than many another—anyway I cheap cotton fish bag, the kind ordinarily present sucker and catfish angling, then cloS wondered whether water so recently stocked selling for about 19 cents or a bit more at the alternating breeding areas, properly posted with giant fish, accompanied by a fanfare of cut rate store, and securely tied to a green, to all fishing and not unlike the plan no* publicity, might not receive a bit of prompt cut, sharped pointed branch, which likely employed in the scattered local game sanctU' tho sly attention at the more convenient spots. had drifted downstream. In the bag were ary, this bordering somewhat on the idea eX' On the first Sunday after completion of the two dead bass, badly decomposed, one perhaps pressed in the preceding paragraph. stocking, a bright warm December day and seven or eight inches long, the other all of But the writer leans strongly to the ide* after the close of the legal bass season as thirteen or fourteen inches. And mind you of open fishing during the legal season an<* you should know, the writer and his immedi­ again, all this the very second day of the the killing of no bass—and for a very definite ate family made a careful, slow, inspecting season. The bag could not have been legally purpose. Perhaps the greatest net benefit °* journey along the Susquehanna a distance of lost—by their very condition those fish were any such revolutionary plan might not be the some eighteen miles. Now as just explained dead several days prior to July 1st. And fish life conserved . . . it is not to be doubted bass season had closed, but we counted no should any of you local fellows wonder and but that a lot of fellows for the first time S less than sixteen active fishermen in that wish to do a little personal patrolling now their life would become acquainted with tha* eighteen miles stretch. No doubt trees, is­ and then, this incident occurred midway be­ deep down within feeling of warm satisfac lands, rocks, balky topography and failings tween the twin rocky outcroppings across tion, the genuine non-definable pleasure J? of eyesight hid many another. Some were in the river three or four miles above Amity be attained in the releasing of a fish, UB" boats; some were wading the fast water, Hall. How far down river the bag may have harmed, alive, happy and wiggling to coD" mostly neighboring hamlet or settlement, no drifted before lodging is problematic, possibly tinue the life cycle. And it is a pleasure^ doubt local dwellers in goodly part. At the three, four or a dozen miles, maybe not a half nothing else just like—and after once expert' famous Rockville Falls, two fellows were hundred feet; perhaps it was placed where encing the feeling one finds it difficult to few standing about a quarter mile out in the river, found by human hand. But you all should re­ with the old reckless abandon; in short, tb* fishing fast, surging rocky water; several other member, the river had been a little high and fisherman is never quite up to the job without places anglers worked almost equally rough greeted the season opening in a condition cal­ a genuine tinge of shamefaced remorse. Do*" current. What kind of catfish or suckers culated to encourage promiscuous drifting of lars to doughnuts some such program mig*1 grow in such water? Since when have sucker buoyant objects. prove popular once fishermen in general aP' and catfish anglers adopted the practice of With our present over-crowded conditions predated the merit of the idea, and one coul^ wading, standing in mid-stream? As a boy on the streams, highways paralleling the last perhaps expect a possible ten to twenty V** many years ago, I fished for suckers and remote fastness, a serious, nay tragic wide­ cent net increase in anglers releasing fish •* catfish many the time; blamed if I ever found spread shortage of forage, it is a matter of a confirmed practice rather than a novelty. the latter on fast riffles, and the former in grave collective misfortunate that licensees in And finally this fisherman wishes to heart' such water only a brief hour or so now and general do not unite in decreeing the time then during the spring spawning run up­ ily commend Mr. French and his CommiS' has come when serious consideration is to be sion for their avowed intent to stock few** stream. given to the declaration of all fish life "game" but larger fish, sometimes misunderstood ai»<* and with an open and closed season governing Late May of the past summer, some fisher­ bitterly Criticized. It is certainly unlikely all species, the period no longer than the e men may have heard the talk of a local radio average and running co-currently with the many true sportsmen will disagree with th sports commentator . . . twenty-six boats time prevailing on trout, walleyes and bass. wisdom of the plan—so let's make it wo** counted in a brief few miles on the Susque­ Or if there is to be twelve month fishing for True the angler who practices only slip-shod hanna and just when the awakening bass careless indifferent technique may find the catties, suckers, carp, sunnies, eels, rock bass r might have been expected to be ravenous and the like, why not declare certain streams going a bit difficult, especially when the wate after the long winter fast. Sucker and cat­ or certain alternating sections thereof food becomes low and clear. Big fish are hard** fish fishing again? Our radio friend, just like to fool than the little fellows. But once the fish water, plant no trout nor bass therein; 1 your correspondent, wondered just a mite— and then positively and without exception fisherman tastes-the thrill of connecting W* * in fact he even became so unkind as to ex­ restrict stocked waters to game fish angling one or two big babies, he would not aga*" pose and explain a nefarious practice—in along with no open season on food fishes at swap the experience for the doubtful pleasure short, the old trick of two fish bags or stringers, such places. On such restricted areas, all and of easily overpowering a dozen or more 1W* one for bass to conveniently cut loose should any angling or searching for forage of any nine or ten inch flyers. And with the *k°fi any strange individual draw too close and kind in any manner and at any time out of the oughly worthwhile ideal of bigger bass shou»tt give evidence of becoming inquisitive, the game fish season would be a criminal offense, go a further refinement in creel limits. BaS* other in which to cache any crazy and doubt­ punishable with a fine, imprisonment or revo­ will still pair off and breed in the wild sta*e ful cattie, sunnie or rock bass that might In­ cation of license for a goodly period. Strictly as heretofore, maybe more so and qufckej habit the rough water infested by these craft and rigidly enforced the last named punish­ with larger stock fish, consequently there sha** Just theory—sure it is—but nonetheless a ment might be the most feared of the trio. always be nine inchers cruising around a warden even in a motorboat could not get Certainly fines and imprisonment have not our favorite haunts. Nine inch bass are t0 close enough to these fellows to have a proven a cure-all deterrent. small to kill, too infinitesimal in bulk to offe chance at inspection; one quick slash of a any sport to either flyman, bait caster or 1WJ; sharp knife against the retaining cord of Late last season and through the columns bait man, too insignificant sans head, g*118' either bag or stringer and all evidence goes of a newspaper, an anxious fisherman ad­ tail and innards to be of any consequence >*j downstream a mile the minute in the rough vanced the suggestion all fishing be banned the frying pan. The ten inch limit as tri<*j water. for a period of one year to give bass a chance several seasons ago might be considere" 19« PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 25

^odest, eleven or twelve the ultimate goal. for fish or fisher alike, especially those finny Counties have been well stocked, and one of j* is unnecessary for a fisherman to kill six warriors we put to death long before they the best places to try your luck, if you care to ,ass on any one day to enjoy himself or to have a chance to grow to the true magnifi­ travel a little farther than usual, is the West ^lve an average family a taste of the deli- cence attained by the Honor Roll champs Branch of the Octoraro. A late stocking last °ey. Were the size limit ten or eleven inches mentioned earlier in this discussion. year of fairly large trout seems to make this even meat seekers should be satisfied with stream advisable to put on your later season l Man the destroyer. We have Dolomieu and °t more than four fish, perhaps three. At Salmoides pretty much on the spot at places, list. With the crowd now wading up and down SBy rate let us give a lot of thought to hiking he needs cover, food, purer water, watchful the stream, the trout must be pretty well that length upward to ten pretty pronto in husbanding—unless we suddenly become distributed and scared, and very reluctant to Mnpany with a creel adjustment to five, take any sort of bait or artificial lure. This Ur more charitable than at present the pot of ° , or three . . . just as an experimental gold at the rainbow's end may hide only a particular reason is why your correspondent starter. And such refinement is hardly to favors early morning fishing, rather than even­ be lot of potential discouragement—or don't we shifted blithely to the broad shoulders of want better and bigger bass fishing after all? ing fishing on nearby streams, so close to "e Commission—we the fishermen must edu- metropolitan areas where the crowds are most ,ate and teach, we must convince backward likely to go. A mountain stream, or streams ''others of our fraternity first, the rest will heavily thicketed, where most anglers shy e tut a mere matter of form. GOOD TROUT CATCHES IN away from, usually produce good fishing most , Once we had the ten inch limit, but I have SOUTHEAST STREAMS of the day, particularly where the stream is een informed, perhaps erroneously, it became hard to wade, or when some distance from pessary to compromise on account of con­ Observed Bill Everman in his fine column a convenient parking place. Unlike hunting, ations in certain northern sections of the "Trigger and Reel" in the Sharon Hill Chester most good trout fishermen dislike long walks, a*e, thereby to compensate for smaller fish Pike Bulletin: and can be found within easy reach of a road. "d slower growth due avowedly to colder One reason for such a reluctance to walk any a er The opening week of trout season for this >. * , less food, longer dormant periods, etc. year of 1941 will go down on record as the distance is the burden of heavy hip boots, such theory indeed be correct, how do its best week nearby anglers ever experienced. and also the anxiety of getting the rod to­ T^herents explain the truly giant three, four, gether and getting started fishing. But enough Ve One week of fishing, without one drop of ^ , six pound bass to be found one, two rain to muddy the streams, and temperatures of the explanations; just try fishing the places /^ftdred miles further north in the still colder, which nev&r went below 50 degrees, even dur­ where the other fellow usually Valks around °re winter bound, shorter summered Ca- next time you are out and see if you have s ing the night. For the ardent fly fisherman dian waters? Hundred of Pennsylvania conditions were made to order. As early as more luck. J'glers, the more affluent, spend one, two, opening day, rainbow trout were being taken *^e, four weeks each summer in Canada pur- on dry flies. And these scrappy trout have ojJ*g these big bass and it is said the taking continued to rise to dry flies every after­ WATERSNAKE CONTEST YIELDS half a dozen three pounders in one after- noon since opening day. Reports received or RESULTS s° > is not considered a difficult feat. But from those who have been fishing Ridley to be expected there's a fly in the ointment Creek do not have very promising stories of Outstanding success attended the vermin at some of the more famous resorts licensed contest conducted by the Turkeyfoot Game v any unusual catches made on this stream. ° ernment guides do not permit the killing But it must be remembered Ridley only re­ and Fish Association Junior Sportsmen, under ^ anything but big fish and only in a most the auspices of the Senior organization in c ceived 800 trout to date this year, and these j idedly reasonable number. Bass are bom were all brown. And, for some reason, brown Somerset County. The senior club awarded v get big and the same practice in Pennsyl- trout do not seem any too anxious to be prizes to the boys who killed the most water- nia would just as surely work wonders in caught. This is particularly true along Chester snakes. 6w short years; if not why? We assassinate a Creek, and the West Branch of Chester Creek, First prize winner was Carl Ream, who , " bass because Pennsylvanians collectively where a total of 3000 brown trout were stocked won a 22 calibre repeating rifle, and second e?jand the right to do so. St fellows feel it; is one week before 3000 rainbows were placed prize a 22 calibre single shot rifle was won bah ° wrong to kill the along these same two streams. The average by Max Critchfield, son of Fish Commissioner tt . ^k' *>ut too many suffer a lapse in de­ catch on these creeks show only one brown Joseph M. Critchfield of Confluence. Six stination when the going gets tough, being taken for every four rainbows caught. other boys were awarded Junior Conserva­ a» l 6r t'le 'itt*e ^e^ows and then become 6t Q an< con usec The catches reported from Valley Creek have tionists badges issued by the Board of Fish cat u * ^ ^ ^ ^ someone looks the been only fair, even though Valley received Commissioners. The sum total of watersnakes iti . over- Caught in such a predicament, ar more than its usual early consignment of trout killed exceeded 350. A number of crows and ot, 'ably the offenders wonder what the All the streams in Lancaster and Chester weasels were also accounted for. °th6r fellow thinks of the act—and what the 6r 0ut fellow actually does think but not say CU1 °* po^teness *s probably just as bad as the Prit fears, likely starting out with a sub- ^cious "Well I'll be . . ." and the rest un- a "table. And that other fellow remembers a i"}? time. Kill your big ones, eat them as „, elicacy, a rare and priceless treat, some- £ ng old money bags can not buy with all ^j ,^°ld, and perhaps the water is better off w.fJPut too many lunking cannibals living th ? a crowded feeding range. But leave te . Uttle fellows alone, those puny infini- iiin ?X '

SPRING CREEK PROJECT OPENED; 567 TROUT TAKEN MIDDLE ATLANTIC Despite chill weather this year's opening on May 9 of the Spring Creek ASSOCIATION OF CASTING CLUBS Project popularly known as "Fisher­ man's Paradise" on Spring Creek near JAXI association of sporismens clubs formed to promote Bellefonte, Centre County, was one of the most outstanding first days on rec­ tournament casting.encourage organization aroonq anqhrs ar $\ jt ja ord according to an announcement conservation;and support all moves toward true sportsmanship. madei by the Fish Commission. The Commission announced that on Friday 1350 men, women and children regis­ tered to fish in the mile and one- For weeks, plug casting teams of the of the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FEDER­ quarter of specially regulated water. MIDDLE ATLANTIC ASSOCIATION OF ATION OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS, and hi* This number included 1115 men, 136 CASTING CLUBS have vied with each other, Committee assembled a splendid assortme11' women and 99 children. Fish caught sometimes winning and sometimes losing of fine prizes, consisting of a plaque, loving totaled 1230 for the first day of which their respective Interclub Casting Matches. cups, medals and merchandise prizes. An 567 were killed. This number included 23 brook trout, 195 rainbow trout and "It's all in fun," the fellows aver. "And a number of others of the fellows just didn' 349 brown trout. we've been having a darned good time!" take "time out" to eat on one occasion re' The largest trout taken was a brown Some of the casters have surprised them­ cently 'cause of this casting business! B"' trout 22 inches in length and weighing selves by noticeably improving their own they said they'd "rather cast than eat, any 5 pounds 12 ounces. casting technique. At the same time, they way!" So we suppose 'twas all right. On the second day, according to C. agree that they've also profited by exchang­ Bolder Valley Sportsmen's Association A. French, Commissioner of Fisheries, ing with their opponents Casting Views and "Ham and Eggs" shoots, fishing and pra^' 1268 men and women registered to fish Reviews. in the Project. Of this number 1162 tice for participation in the 1941 M.A.A.C-C- were men and 106 women. They caught Prior to this writing, in addition to "keep­ Tournament have kept members of this live' a total of 815 fish and killed 467 trout. ing up" with the M.A.A.C.G. Inter*club Cast­ wire association more than usually active ing schedule, the boys have been so busy as since we heard from them in the May isst*e to put to shame the proverbial "one-armed- of the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER. paperhanger-with-the-itch"—all in prepara­ 4 SEEKS TO RECLASSIFY President Harry Wolford and Charlie Klin tion for the 1941 TOURNAMENT. both of Sumneytown, tell us that the bo? BUFFALO CREEK President Willard Bowman, of Bywood, and 'have had things poppin' around the Meado* Tournament Committee Chairman Joe Van- District sportsmen are continuing their cam­ View Inn at Sumneytown and around tl> degrift, of Willow Grove, have once more paign to have Buffalo Creek's classification Marlborough Inn near Hoppenville. been "head over heels" in work on arrange­ changed from bass to trout. "Pull!" someone yelled. ,, ments for the comfort, convenience and enter­ u They declare that the stream is not large Off they were again on a recent "bang- P tainment of FLY, PLUG and SURF casters, n enough to give bass ample protection, but that shoot, in which John Sowers of SumneytoW ' as well as their families, on the Turnament 5 it will be fine for trout, and passed a resolu­ Clarence Cope of Salfordville, M. D. Re* * day. Prize Committee Chairman Bill Stone- e tion at Worthington urging the state to so and Frank Fogel of Hoppenville, as ~^ back, of Lansdale, who is also President 11 classify the stream, and stock it. as the Zieglersville Hunting and Fishing Cl won HAMS while John Breyer of Sumner Sportsmen from almost every club in the 5 town; William Fogel and Bill Myers of Penn ' Allegheny-Kiski and Butler areas were pres­ 5 burg; John Mutter of Zieglersville, and KraU ^ ent for the meeting, held in the Worthington e and Clayberger of Pottstown each won thr High school. They plan to have water analy­ dozen of EGGS. (Good ones, too, they S» ses and temperature tests made. 1 those eggs were—not the kind that indiv* :' uals throw at other individuals occasionally' Delaware County Field and Stream FISHERMEN FINED FOR Association i POSSESSING NETS WHY, this Association asks, must dviB*? people tolerate an annually increasing nUD!1 Three Blanchard men were sentenced to ber of field fires, which are not only dangero 130 days in jail by Justice of the Peace N. I. to human life and property but which ta> Harter, Blanchard, for having in their pos­ a huge toll of wildlife, as well? session set nets for fish. At a recent meeting, the Delaware Coun- They were Vance Kunes, Francis Gunsallus Field and Stream Association unanimous" and Walter Davy. Kunes and Davy were passed a resolution to draw- up and place charged with having three nets apiece; Gun­ the hands of borough and township cound sallus with having two. legislation which will reduce, if not entirei. The original sentence was $100 fine and eliminate, field fires in Delaware County- 30 days in jail. The additional jail sentence is intended not only that a fine or impris0l\ was added in default of payment of the fine. ment, or both, be imposed on anyone fou11 The three were arrested by George W. Cross, guilty of setting fire to fields, but that a *e fish warden from Hammersley Fork, and ward be paid to the person who will supP « David Dahlgren, Philipsburg fish warden. information which will lead to the arrest a" conviction of anyone who starts a field Bxe- :, Veteran angler» Harry Withrow of Ligonier, In order to complete such a program 75 years old, won a bet from his wife when any county, of course, it will be exceeding he caught two big brown trout in Lynn Run, helpful if the General Public is brought j Westmoreland County, 23% and 20 inches in the realization that it is to the interests of length respectively. Both trout, having a of us to be ever on the lookout for th" combined weight of 7V4 pounds, were taken careless or sometimes criminal-minded Pe j on barbless artificials. Raymond Neirle of Berlin, New Jersey, a mem­ 1 ber of the Pennsylvania State Fish and Game sons who disregard human as well as anin ^ Association as well as the Gloucester County safety when they start field fires. For, if slI.jj One of the nicest brook trout taken from Game and Fish Association. Ray, one of the outstanding freshwater casters of the M. A. A. a program is effective, the General Public f Monocacy Creek this season was the 15% C. C. is also an accomplished surf caster whose benefit by it. fl inch fish caught by George Kitzhoffer of best 1939 channel bass, weighing 58 pounds 3 a ounces, won the 1939 Field and Stream Channel We have learned that young Bill Everrr> ' Bethlehem. Bass first prize. son of the President of the Delaware Coun 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 27

le * ld and Stream Association, showed his Dad out a new umbrella. The annual intraclub standing coming event to which members of ft °w he, too, can catch fish, when he captured casting tournament combined with the good this club are looking forward. Shooting, cast­ a twelve-inch "Brownie" in the West Branch weather drew out a large number of Dover- ing events, a dog show, as well as a number °f Chester Creek shortly after the opening of ites and nearly everybody participated in the of novelty events and "plenty of eats and "^ 1941 trout season. casting. It was such a swell day that Art drinks," will feature this affair, says R. yne day recently, also, another member of Hankinson decided to pass up the tournament Edward Klaisz, of Woodbury, New Jersey, ^'s club, George Trout—true to his name— and take some of the members out fishing. President of this Association. ^Ught seven large trout in Chester Creek. They knew that they'd never win anything National Defense work has been "tying up" When he reached home, we are told, he could casting so established a "fishing trip" alibi just the evenings of most of the Gloucester cast­ loc ate only six of the "Brownies." in case. Seventeen members went on the trip ers, but they have still found an odd moment ^ s funny," he perplexedly confided in Mrs. and brought back 49 winter flounders. They here and there in which to throw out the lr out. "I'm quite certain I caught seven!" sailed from Forked River and fished in Bar- plugs and keep the wrists limber for the 1941 Three days later he was entirely certain; for negat Bay. MIDDLE ATLANTIC ASSOCIATION OF l he peculiar odor that filled the Trout home Back home at the tournament, the novices CASTING CLUBS TOURNAMENT. **J3 finally traced to the pocket of George's had their day. Everybody had to have a hook When this Association recently met in the Ashing coat, where the seventh fish still lay, and cork on his line in addition to the usual Franklin House in Glassboro, New Jersey, one Ruite warm by that time, but no doubt grate- 4-ounce lead. This was a disadvantage to the of the organizers of the New Jersey State ^ for having escaped the much higher tem- experts and tended to equalize the different Guard gave an enlightening account of the t^rature of the Trout frying pan. (Note: grades of casters. As an example Ralph Bow­ r organization, duties, etc., of the Guard; while • ~ s. Trout now insists that Papa Trout hang man who generally cleans up in the distance s at another recent meeting, the club was en­ V* fishing coat in the garage when he returns surf events was forced to bow to his brother tertained by moving pictures in technicolor, ^om a fishing trip. And there are those of who bettered his score by a number of feet. s showing how local sportsmen fish for trout who judge that another occurrence similar and hunt deer, rabbits and quail. t0 the one related above would be sufficient |r°Unds for insistence that he hang the of- Holmesbnrg Fish and Game Protective 6nding coat in the dog house, where he could Association atch it more closely.) These boys can boast of "Keeping Kool" Dover Fishing: Club of Philadelphia during the months when Ole Sol takes the temperature of Mother Earth and finds it sends With the month of June now well under the mercury to the "gay nineties." The Holme *y We are reminded that salt water fishing Library in Philadelphia provides a comfort­ ^ along the Jersey Coast really starts in able meeting place for them for the remain­ ^fnest. Sea bass and porgies are plentiful ing months of the year; but throughout the tshore while several smaller schools have heat wave season their regular monthly sen reported in the bays and inlets. Weak- meetings are held at their Clubhouse, located *", croakers, kingfish, and summer flounders? e at Pennypack Street and the Delaware River • * already appearing in the surf and channel in Philadelphia. While awaiting the com­ ass will be available any day now. Striped a mencement of their business meetings, mem­ ss are legal this month but measure them bers usually practice trap, rifle and pistol ^be sure they are over 18 inches long. shooting on the range which is adjacent to tli ^hur Hankinson is now arranging for the clubhouse. e annual trip down along the Eastern Shore i the Del-Mar-Va Peninsula for channel Lansdale Sportsmen's Club ss. Members should get in on this trip for Among the "Band of Muskrateers" that re­ °ttie real sport. Reports received from that cently assembled with Fish Warden Harry ^ritory as well as North Carolina indicate Cole in Norristown, were Fred Eurich of Line . at they are plentiful. A Delaware Bay Lexington and Lester Shiffert of Kulpsville, lP for croakers and weakfish is also sched- both members of the Lansdale Sportsmen's 6d for the latter part of this month. Make Club. Reports had reached the Fish Commit­ , °YT boat reservation early for the number tee of the Montgomery County Federation of s limited. Lloyd E. Walters of Trappe who, while fishing Sportsmen's Clubs that the dams on the two at the Areola Bridge near Yerkes on the Perkio- feT, onS the fresh water fishermen Al Freck men Creek, caught the above-pictured four carp Federation's propagating ponds of the Beidler a having a total weight of 22 pounds. (Note to Farm at Abrams were having "Muskrat I Lew Rebuck are running a race for the reader: Don't become unseasy. That's not , gest catfish. At this writing we don't Lloyd's best rod on which the carp are hanging.) Trouble." Several leaks in these dams had °w who's ahead but some of the reports been repaired, following winter antics of a family of muskrats; but almost immediately e ^Pare favorably with Mazzoni's eel . . . 6 r In the plug casting courts the fresh water upon completion of the repair work, said Si.. . hear that story? Reports on trout are s men gave each other some pretty keen com­ ba l°w although a number of pre-season muskrat family again commenced its under­ Ss petition; Al Freck, Stanley Juanisz, Lew Re- a^ have been taken on worms. This is ground mischief to renew the "leaks in the K, ut the beginning of the real fly season for buck, John Wetzel, and Bob Mills all hitting dykes." around the same mark. In the cast-off Al an< we ex ect see some >ti «T ^ P *° entries come Freck came out the winner with a score of The war was on! Members of the Federa­ tor the Prize Fish Contest that are large 86. The distance event was won by John tion's Fish Committee, armed with rifles and T»gh to talk about. Wetzel with 156 feet. A new fresh water flashlights, guided their motorized unit toward j^ "e outstanding feature of the Aoril club caster was discovered in the person of Presi­ the scene of battle! Quietly, they took their eting was Mr. Kaufmann's report of Penn- dent Robinson whose distance casting was one places at advantageous locations around the an w ia legislation affecting sportsmen. It of the features of the day. ponds. Silently, they waited and waited— jjjj the finest report of its kind ever read waited for the moon in the light of which they bill°re t'le C'U'D an<^ outlined every important No records were made and the rules made hoped to catch a glimpse of Papa or Mamma n seme of the experts look like novices, but who c0 , °w before the assembly. There was Muskrat, emerging from a subterranean pas­ stri rahle discussion on the bill to make cared about that? Everybody had a wonder­ sageway or "poking a nose-between-a-pair- Pe< ful time and even the caterpillars were out stat * bass a non-marketable fish in this of-ears" out of the Muskrat Family submarine. 6- in full force to enjoy the party. {jas Mr. Kaufmann reported that this had Suddenly, in the stillness of the night, from For information about the Dover Fishing *he ^ tne -^ouse an^ was now being held in the corner of the dam where Fred Eurich had Club or any of its activities address the sec­ Q 7enate Committee on Forests and Waters, taken his place came the exclamation: an retary, Mr. Robert Morris, 2728 West Mont­ de - ? ana Fish. H suggested that members s e gomery Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., Phone "Why, I believe there's a confounded musk- m^ln,s action on this bill write to the chair- STEvnsn—7679. rat trying to crawl up my leg!" Igg -?* that committee, Montgomery F. Crowe, Within a "split second," Fred had to decide s Washington Street, E. Stroudsburg, Pa. Gloucester County Game and Fish the weighty question as to whether it would thihUntfc>y' May 4, was a perfect day for any- Association »>ng be more advantageous to shoot his own right you wanted to do, except maybe, try A PICNIC to be held in July is the out­ leg while winning the first lap of this man- 28 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUNE

versus-muskrat war, or whether he should allow Mr. Muskrat to drop back into the water in the hope that he would reappear against a more "shootable" background. Evidently discovering that Fred's leg was not of wood, as it might at first have appeared, and at the same time apparently sensing Fred's indecision, Mr. Muskrat decided. As quickly as he had appeared, he disappeared into the microscopic-plant-covered pond, no doubt to warn the remainder of his fighting unit that the enemy was at hand. For the watchers watched and waited in vain. No other muskrat made its appearance that night. Fred's fellow "Muskrateers" unanimously agreed, however, that it was probably just as well that Fred had saved his right leg; for there'd be many subsequent opportunities during the Summer to watch and wait for muskrats on the banks of the Beidler ponds, where all hands as well as legs would be needed! (Budd Marter, Arctic explorer and big game hunter, added another group of pleased — —" •EH ••••—•i sportsmen to the list of those to whom he has Many of the trout stocked by the Fish Commission throughout the State during the past season1 shown moving pictures of his unusual ex­ were "whoppers" which have been providing much fun for enthusiastic anglers. Above, left Fish Warden Harry Cole, holding one of the large brownies placed in a Montgomery County periences, when he recently showed members stream. Above, right: Charles Spencer of Upper Darby who helped to stock a load of trout sen* of the Lansdale Sportsmen's Club his inter­ out from a State fish hatchery. esting "camera shots" taken in the Arctic Circle.) met quarterly, will henceforth meet monthly, farmers about hunters who fell down in t" Lower Merion Rod and Gun Club we've learned, in the City Hall in Norristown. same manner in their duty to LANDOWNER? and others possessing PROPERTY RIGHT5' Despite the lure of the Summer's Out-of- This Association has secured the use of a We have ascertained that the complaints ha^e Doors, indoor intraclub rifle matches are still large room in Norristown where its casters not been caused by members of the Mont' popular with members of this group. The may practice every Monday night; and it looks gomery Federation. However, members °. Lower Merion High School in Ardmore last as though this Norristown club will provide the Federation have recently decided that J Fall made available to the Lower Merion Rod some stiff opposition for its opponents in all of the Federation's members will be ' ° and Gun Club its rifle range, in which High future tournaments of the MIDDLE ATLAN­ the lookout' for such violations, not oW School students were accustomed to shoot TIC ASSOCIATION OF CASTING CLUBS. while fishing at or near the new Montgomery only from prone position. Upon installation Charles Hughes, of Norristown, who repre­ County Park, but as they enjoy fishing a11 of a higher metal backing and necessary sented the MONTGOMERY COUNTY hunting on any property, they can be e3T lights, this range was conditioned for shoot­ FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS ceedingly helpful in discouraging this ug" ing from all four of the usual positions. as it cooperated with the County Com­ practice among others throughout the Count*' Prior to the installation of the above-men­ missioners while they planned the lovely thereby increasing the feeling of FRIENP' tioned improvements, the shooters of this new Montgomery County Park at Green SHIP between LANDOWNER and SPORTS­ Club, who had shot only from standing posi­ Lane, tells us that there have been ad­ MAN. tion in the Club's old indoor range, found ditional complaints from the Park about fish­ they could make surprisingly high scores ermen who have strewn cans, papers, boxes Pennsylvania State Fish and Game when shooting from prone position. The five and other RUBBISH here and there while Protective Association highest scorers during a ten-weeks' period fishing above the large dam in the Park. Last "Father and Son Night" is an eagerly of prone shooting were: Bill Shaw and B. H. Fall there were similar complaints from awaited annual get-together meeting *" Jacobs, of Philadelphia; Jack DuBois, of Merion (Chairman of the Club's Small Bore Committee); Skeets Anderson, of Cynwyd, and Charles Herbert, of Merion. Immediately after making it possible to compete from four positions in the High School range, the rifle team of the Lower Merion Rod and Gun Club scheduled and won a match with the New York Shipbuilding Company of Camden, and was at this writing planning to schedule additional outside matches. Trapshooting, too, has come in for its share of popularity in Narberth. Among winners of recent trap shoots held by this Club on the Nash Farm have been: William Burgess, George Floyd, Sr. (Chairman of the Club's Trap Committee), and Charles Latch, all of Narberth; John Munro, of Wilmington, Dela­ ware; and Walter Benner, of Philadelphia. Chairman George Floyd announced at a re­ cent meeting of this Club that on July 1st the trapshooters would suspend their activities until September. Montgomery County Fish, Game and Forestry Association The Montgomery County Fish, Game and Members of the Montgomery County Federation of Sportsmen's Club, as they helped BuckS' Montgomery Counties' Fish Warden Harry Cole to stock a stream with brown trout provided »' Forestry Association, which heretofore has the Fish Commission. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 29

"lumbers of the Pennsylvania State Fish and Time and time again I proved to my own Carrie Protective Association and their young- satisfaction that artificials will take more and ters. This year, on this occasion, John Quinn, larger bass than minnows. Unfortunately 2 American League umpire, talked on most minnow fishermen fail to spend any­ sportsmanship" to the fathers and their chil- thing like the same amount of time and aren present, giving them examples of the energy on plugging, when they try it, as they °iany rewards in store for a good sportsman. do when they fish minnows. I must admit that Thirty-four members of the Stetson Troop I was not convinced that you and your fellow No. 134 of the Boy Scouts of America put on fishermen were entirely correct in your argu­ ^eir ritual, which was enjoyed by "young- ments frequently published in the ANGLER. I sters and oldsters" alike, had to try it for myself. Well, you have the results of my efforts and I am more than will­ during the evening, reels, a Chesapeake fi ing to concede that you fellows are 100 per­ triever puppy, American League bats cent right. Next year just for the fun of it autographed by Joe DiMaggio, Hank Green- I will try out the light fly rod. I hope to obtain "^"g and Jimmie Fox), and baseballs (auto- equally satisfactory results. I^Phed by Connie Mack, Earl Mack and At the beginning of the season I was alone °hn Quinn) were distributed to the boys in the use of the light plug outfit—that is Present; while pictures entitled "Grey Own alone among my own friends—good fisher­ Z^d his Little Brother, the Beaver", "Chesa- men all. The very first day of the season ^ake Retriever" and "Boy Scouts of luck helped me to begin a convincing process /^erica", completed an already full program n which, as I write this, resulted in six con­ d sent every-one home happy following verts. Any fisherman hates to have good Mother pleasant "Father and Son Night". fish caught right over his lines when he is un­ *wkiomen Valley Sportsmen's Association able to get so much as a single strike. This •"i an earnest endeavor to exterminate as very thing happened so often this past season j^aiiy foxes as possible and thus save the that, toward the end of the season none of us 5*ual toll which these sly killers take of even thought of getting minnows. T^all game, the Perkiomen Valley Sports- e I don't claim much knowledge of plugging n's Association at a recent meeting an- after only a year of trial but of one thing I °Unced that thereafter 100 points would be 6ri am convinced. That is—the left-handed plug- j'^ for each fox turned in during the Club's ger has it all over the right-hander. I speak , *1 Vermin Contest. Originally, it was be- form personal experience since I am ambidex­ j6.ved that 25 points should be allowed in Philip Seaholm of Vandergrift with the 18% Inch ,s smallmouth bass he took on flyrod last season trous and have tried both methods. After a , Contest for a fox; but the increased num- in the Allegheny River. short trial I stopped the right-handed foolish­ r of points was decided upon following dis- ness and concentrated on becoming proficient ssion bearing on the great amount of de­ out. Before he was able to discern in the as a southpaw. The advantages are many; letion wrought by this cunning marauder. semi-darkness the unmistakable outlines of it is not necessary to change hands with each War has also been declared by this club cows, he said, he wondered if it might not cast, the plug can easily be kept moving even n n the hawk, "the raider of the air". It is have been a band of buffalo instead of musk- before it hits the water (an exceedingly im­ noteworthy that during the month preceding rats for which they had waited! portant factor, by the way), it is less tiresome, „ * above-mentioned meeting, 343 crows and it increases the number of casts possible in a hawks had been captured by members of given time and it leaves the right hand, the g*8 club. Fred Eurich had turned in 2 hawks LIGHT LURE FISHING YIELDS most useful hand for many people, free for any necessary activity. On the other side of g« 50 crows; Norman Fretz—1 crow; W. O. 250 BASS gy~4i crows; E. W. Kehs—118 crows; Ross the argument I can see only one disadvantage °°ns—21 crows; and Raymond Landis—112 Just how effective light lure plugging for for the left-hander, that of slightly increased tr of Trappe, was also one the best of which seems to be the South Bend Fish and Game Protective Association met ~*e famous band of "Muskrateers' 'that re- Midg-Oreno in almost any color. in the Odd Fellows Hall for an interesting n t tly accompanied Fish Warden Harry Cole The total catch for the season was in the program which included the election of offi­ th "* Norristown to Abrams—en route to rout neighborhood of 250 bass of legal size, the cers, a brief talk by John J. Wopart, superin­ jj * 'rooters", those muskrats, from the two largest being a 21 incher, weighing 4 pounds 2 tendent of the Torresdale Fish Hatcheries, and c!>aler ponds, in which the MONTGOMERY ounces, caught in the Conewago Creek. Need­ the showing of several reels of "movies" on UUNTY FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN'S less to say, I did not keep that many fish. Imnting and fishing by Clarence Winter. g annually raises fingerlings food and Donald Moyer was elected to the presidency, e Two dozen would more than cover my total st fish for distribution among the fishing succeeding Robert Sutton. Nicholas Rubino tre keep. Next year I'll keep less than that since ams of this County. a bass on light tackle ceases to be food and, was elected vice-president; Guy Nonini, jj*« Was "quiet on the Western Front" from instead, becomes a worthy opponent and the treasurer; and John Johnson was re-elected S 0j Position, Lloyd reported, until that herd only way to justify his efforts and your own to the post of secretary. °attle began its stampede toward his hide- is to return him for future reference. As a result of invitations from the Edgely 30 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUN*

and Newport Clubs to participate in a trap shoot, a committee was named to make ar­ rangements for the Bristol Club. The com­ mittee will be headed by Harry Ratcliffe. The new board of governors includes: John Ritter, Morris Delker, Robert Sutton and Harry Rat­ cliffe. Superintendent Wopart stated that if a run of fish at the Silver Lake occurs again this year that his office will be glad to send men and equipment to see that the fish are placed over the dam into the lake. He also stated that the erection of a fish ladder may follow another run of fish similar to that of last year. Although no game fish have been placed in Silver Lake as yet Wopart said that some will be planted there this year. At the time the Lake was drained for the purpose of widen­ ing and deepening for the Silver Lake project the officials from the Torresdale Hatchery took out five trucks of game fish, with the promise that a like number would be returned as soon as Silver Lake was filled with water. A discussion on the possibility of local sporting goods stores giving prizes for largest fish taken in this vicinity was also held. A preliminary investigation by members indi­ This excellent view of the famous smallmouth bass stream, the North Branch of the Susaue- cates that the stores will co-operate in this hanna was snapped by our ace North Branch correspondent Harry Smith of Tiinkhannock, R V-2- program. A contest for fishing among the children of the section was also discussed. reel of color movies used in his Columbia CENTRE CLUBS VOTE DOWN fishing classes, showing correct methods of Mr. Winter, well-known local sportsman, LICENSE showed movies on lion hunting in California; flying-casting and stream conduct. The Centre County Federation of Sport?' big game fishing, with the taking of the larg­ Fred' Everett of Monroe, N. Y., artist in men's Clubs went on record as being del*' est of the salt water fish; and trout fishing. charge of PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER covers; Harris 5 Breth, member of the State House of Repre­ nitely opposed to the proposed increase of sentatives, outdoor radio commentator, and cents in the fishing license beginning next ye* rod and gun writer; Charles French, executive for the purpose of buying lakes and ad*' tional fishing rights in the state. The vo* head of fish commissioners, and George Har­ ue ANNUAL TROUT DINNER vey, director of athletics at the Mont Alto was taken at the annual Fisherman's banq forestry school, also spoke briefly. All were held at Logan Grange Hall, Pleasant GaP* OUTSTANDING SUCCESS under the sponsorship of the county organic8' A record crowd of nearly 200 trout enthu­ principal speakers at trout dinners of other years. tion and attended by 200 enthusiastic spor^ siasts from every part of the state turned men. The state federation has favored &' out to get themselves in a "trputy" mood for Group singing, led by Cecil Walker, Belle­ creasing the fishing license fee to $2 proV>0' today's opening of Fisherman's Paradise at fonte, was interspersed between parts of the ing the additional 50 cents in revenue is esX' the fifth annual Bellefonte Kiwanis Club's program and dinner. The affair closed with a marked for the purchase of additional la^e Trout Dinner at the Penn-Belle Hotel in pledge of allegiance to the flag and the sing­ and fishing rights for public use. Bellefonte. ing of the "Star Spangled Banner." A delicious Lake Erie blue pike di«ne Members of the Pennsylvania Fish Com­ Among the well-known guests were Fish was served in the banquet hall in the base' mission, representatives from the Game Com­ Commissioners Fred McKean, J. C. Neiger, ment by the women of the Pleasant G?\ mission, U of the 250 members of the Out­ Joseph Critchfield and Clifford Welsh; H. R. Methodist Church. Invocation was asked• to door Writers' Association of America, fishing Stackhouse, secretary to the Board of Fish Dr. J. W. Claudy, superintendent of Rockvtf experts from all parts of the East, a number Commissioners; C. Ross BuUer, supervisor of penitentiary. Following the dinner, tb« of anglerettes, and a record-breaking number all state fish hatcheries; OUie Deibler, for­ group moved to the meeting room upstaiifr of "just fishermen" were present at the affair, mer fish commissioner and the man who be­ for the program. Charles W. Stoddart, pre?1' held approximately only a few feet from the gan the Paradise; and Alex Sweigart, editor dent of the county federation, introduced ". waters of Spring Creek. of the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER. Logan Bennett, director of wildlife researc The meal, preceded by a blessing by Rev. Others were Seth Gordon, executive direc­ work at Penn State, who performed the du^ Clarence E. Arnold, pastor of the Bellefonte tor of the Game Commission; Game Commis­ of toastmaster in a clever manner, introd"^ Lutheran Church, was novel this year in that sioners O. Ben Gipple and G. I. Phillips; James ing each of the speakers and a number of d58,' it did not consist of fish. Martin of the division of land management; tinguished guests by using a large "reminde/ A welcome on behalf of the Bellefonte William J. Davis of Division D of the Game book as his own version of a "Who's Who- Kiwanians by their president, Samuel M. Commission; Randolph Thompson of the game Dr. Ralph L. Watts, the dean of State C° ) Shallcross, opened the program. Veteran publicity service; State Senator A. H. Letzler; lege fishermen, discussed the importance "^ Toastmaster Dr. Richards H. Hoffman, Belle­ R. P. Tanner, superintendent of the federal practicing sportsmanship not only in fish'1?* fonte, presided. hatchery at Lamar; C. W. Ward, treasurer of and hunting and on the athletic field, butj^ Letters of regret from various fishing not­ the Casting and Fly-rod Club of America; our everyday lives as well. In order to "''it ables unable to be present were read, and Merrill Merritts, president of the state Sports­ all that he can out of life, a man sh°^ \0(if introductions of the long list of well-known men's Federation; Harold Corbin, president of learn to play and in a sportsmanlike man° guests followed. Entertainment was provided the Huntingdon County Sportsmen's Asso­ he declared. by the Three Stooges of Penn State College. ciation; Morris Banker, chairman of the south- Oliver M. Deibler, of Greensburg, fori***' 1 Principal speaker was John Alden Knight central district of the Federated Sportsmen's Commissioner of Fisheries of Pennsylva" ' of Williamsport, compiler of the famous Solu- Clubs; David Dahlgren, Centre County fish defined the different types of fishermen to j nar Tables, contributor to sporting magazines, warden; Dewey Sorenson, director of the found on the streams after opening day a ^ 1 1 and former professor of fishing at Columbia Pleasant Gap hatchery; Thomas O'Hara, state suggested that the sport would be made H " ] University. hatchery construction engineer; and Thomas enjoyable for all if every angler obser^ the rules of common courtesy while astrea"1', His topic, "Fishing," was illustrated by a Mosier, Centre County game protector. No sport, be it baseball, prize-fighting, &° I9U PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 31

r any other can compete with fishing, he said. CHESTER CONTEST WINNERS donated by Coatesville Hardware store, Sec­ ou ching on the conservation question, he LISTED ond, Roy Brownback, Valley Township; four rSed his audience to fish for the sport of it pounds, two ounces; caught in Beaver Dam; a£d let a few of the trout go back into the Announcement of winners in the 1940 fish­ prize, casting line, donated by Devitt's Hard­ *eam again once the angler has had the joy ing contest conducted by the Chester County ware store. 'hooking, playing and landing them. Rod and Gun Club was made recently. declaring that Pennsylvania is the great- Charles W. Allison, 40 South Fourth Avenue, SMALL MOUTH BASS—First, James Rob­ *• fishermen's paradise in the country, Mer- Coatesville, was a double winner. He won ertson, Coatesville; two pounds, 12 ounces; J" C. Merritts, of Altoona, president of the first prize in the sunfish division and second caught with helgramite in Brandywine Creek; prize in the carp division. His sunfish, caught prize, plug, donated by East End Hardware Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's store. Second, Arthur N. Pratt, Coatesville ubs, pointed out that hunting and fishing in one of the brickyard pools at Downingtown, measured eight and seven-eighth inches and R. D.; two pounds, four ounces; caught with ^Presented the largest sports activities in this helgramite in Brandywine Creek; prize, land­ jjtate. There are about 100,000 organized weighed nine and one-half ounces. The carp he caught in the same lake measured 26% ing net, donated by Coatesville Hardware ~P°rtsmen in the state today, as compared store. ?«h more than 500,000 fishermen and hunters, inches and weighed 10% pounds. .e stated, and added that there is a real need Inasmuch as this is trout season, fishermen 0 SUNFISH-^Charles W. Allison, Coatesville; increase the membership in sportsmen's in the county may be interested to learn that length, eight and seven-eighths inches; weight, ,-ganizations. He suggested that one way of the biggest brown trout caught in the county nine and one-half ounces; caught with dough Elding up the organization is to have fathers last year was that hooked by L. J. Rubincam, ac bait in Downingtown mill lake; prize, steel rod, n their sons to hunt and fish. of Coatesville. The trout was taken from donated by Sears Roebuck and Company. Brandywine Creek, near Wagontown. It measured 22% inches and weighed three FALL FISH—William McCarty, Parkers- Trout Streams Stocked pounds all but one ounce. burg; length, 17y2 inches; caught with white (Continued from page 21) The largest rainbow trout was caught by grub worm in Octorara Creek; prize, fish bag, Un George Reymos, Jr., 207 Union Street, Coates­ donated by Griffith and Son, Downingtown. c ; brown trout, Sugar Creek, E. Br. Sugar re ville. The fish measured 12% inches and a ek, East Sandy Creek, S. Br. Sandy Creek BROWN TROUT—First, L. J. Rubincam, ."d Lt. Sandy Creek; brown and rainbow weighed seven and one-half ounces. It was ut taken from Brandywine Creek. Coatesville; length, 22% inches;" weight, two S° > Upper Two Mile Run, Pithole Creek, pounds, 15 ounces; caught in Brandywine §est Pithole Creek, Scrubgrass Creek, Lt. A Honey Brook angler, Paul C. Helms, won first prize in the large mouth bass division. Creek, near Wagontown; lure, angleworm; erubgrass Creek, N. Fk. of Lt. Scrubgrass prize, trout reel, donated by Schaul's, Coates­ reek and S. Fk. of Lt. Scrubgrass Creek. He caught a bass in Brandywine Creek, near Brandamore, weighing five pounds and eight ville. Second, Feliciana A. Valeri, Avondale; Warren County ounces. length 19% inches; weight, two pounds, 15 Brook trout, Ben Jeorge Creek, Blue Eye James Robertson, Coatesville, caught the ounces; caught in White Clay Creek; prize, hreek. Coffee Creek, Hemlock Run, Lamb trout line, donated by Chester County Rod and 11 biggest small mouth bass in Brandywine J *, perry McGee Run, McGuire Run, Phelps Gun Club. refi Creek. The fish weighed two pounds and p k, Rock Hollow Run, N. W. Br. Spring 12 ounces. reek, Tidioute Creek, and Wilson Run; RAINBOW TROUT—George Reymos, Jr., J. Arthur Clark, Oxford, caught the larg­ Coatesville; length, 12% inches; weight, 7% j?*jn trout, West Hickory Creek, W. Br. est crappie bass in Octorara Creek. It weighed aldwell Creek and Caldwell Creek; brown ounces; caught with angleworm in Brandy­ 1 one pound and five ounces and measured 14V2 if- wine Creek; prize, fish basket, donated by * rainbow trout, Lt. Brokenstraw Creek, inches. fok-^enstrae w Creek and E. Br. Spring Creek; Chester County Rod and Gun Club. r John Lamb, Jr., hooked the largest sucker, °°k, brown and rainbow trout, Pine Creek. while William McCarty, Parkesburg, pulled CRAPPIE BASS—J. Arthur Clark, Oxford; ft Wayne County the biggest fall fish from county waters. length, 14% inches; weight, one pound, five p8rook trout, Babitville Creek, Beaverdam George McDonaker, Coatesville R D 4, ounces; caught with with live minnow in Octo­ s^k, Calkins Creek, N. Br. Calkins Creek, caught the biggest carp. It was taken from the rara Creek; prize, casting line, donated by jj £r- Calkins Creek, Big Br. Dybery Creek, Brandywine and weighed 21 'pounds, Itwo Chester County Rod and Gun Club. r ^ 2 - Equinunk Creek, Shad Pond Creek and ounces. It measured 36y2 inches in length. Br. Starrucca Creek; brown trout, Butter- It is interesting to note, in checking over SUCKER—John Lamb, Jr., Coatesville, R. D.; g,' Creek, Lackawaxen River, Middle Creek, length, 16 inches; weight, one and three-quar­ aw the list of entries, that practically all of the b>. ken Creek and Wallenpaupack Creek; "big ones" were caught with natural lures. ter pounds; caught with angleworm in Q, °°k and rainbow trout, W. Br. Dybery The largest trout was caught with angle­ Erandywine Creek; prize, casting line, do­ r, eek; brook and brown trout, Lt. Equinunk nated by Chester County Rod and Gun Club. ee worms. Some of the largest bass were taken f k, and Lehigh River; brook, brown and with helgramites. One of the big fish was taken ^'nbow trout, Johnson Creek, W. Br. Lacka- with a live minnow. Others were caught CARP—First, George McDonaker, Coates­ ^axen River and W. Br. Wallenpaupack ville, R D 4; length, 36V2 inches; weight, 21 e with dough bait and white potatoes. A white j ^ k; brook, brown and rainbow trout grub worm, of the apple variety, tempted the pounds, two ounces; caught with white potato Prison Creek. biggest fall fish. in Brandywine Creek; prize, steel rod, do­ nated by Chester County Rod and Gun Club. Westmoreland County Summary of the winners: j,Brook trout, Baldwin Run, Camp Run Second, Charles W. Allison, Coatesville; length, Urnace Run, Mill Creek, Middle Fk. Mill LARGE MOUTH BASS—First, Paul C. 26% inches; weight, 10% pounds; caught with e Helms, Honey Brook; five pounds, eight oun­ potato in Downingtown mill lake; prize, steel c^ k, North Fk. Mill Creek, S. Fk. Mill j*6ek, Pike Run, Powder Mill Run, Roaring ces; caught in Brandywine Creek near rod, donated by Chester County Rod and Gun Club. ^ ft and Shannon Run; brown trout, Indian Brandamore, with plug; prize Shakespere reel, Ifn^ ' Jacobs Creek, Loyalhanna Creek, Tub 1 Run and Linn Run. Wyoming County r BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS K ook trout, Leonards Creek and Beaver HABRISBURG, FA. 6aj?' kro°k and rainbow trout, N. Br. Mehoo- v y Creek; brown and rainbow trout, Bow- SUBSCRIPTION BLANK ns tf Creek; brook, brown and rainbow Enclosed find fifty cents ($.50) for one year's subscription to the "t, Mehoopany Creek. "Pennsylvania Angler." York County Please Check Name Sr j. rook trout, Beaver Run, Fishing Creek, (Print Name) J{ Riders Creek, Leibs Creek, Orson Run, j. "loo Run, Rehmayer Hollow Run and Toms • New Street and Number. K- ' brown trout, Furnace Run; brown and k.!\ °w trout, Otter Creek; rainbow trout, • Renewal City aldeman Pond. S3 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUN*

HERE X THERE 'N ANGLER DOM

OMMENTS J. Scott Eiler of Pittsburgh: brownie measuring 25% inches in length and C"Having read Mr. King's article in the weighing 5% pounds. A 24 inch brownie April issue concerning season and creel limits weighing 4 pound, 7 ounces was taken by on trout, I offer the following radical sug­ Floyd Gumbler. Bert McElroy and party of gestion. Since small trout persist in getting three from Nyack, N. Y., caught four brown hooked and some fishermen will keep them, trout ranging in length from 21 to 23 inches. why not eliminate the limit as to size entirely and reduce the limit as to number in any From Warden Dave Dahlgren of Philips- one's possession to four fish of any size. Four, burg comes the following report of opening three to five inch trout in any frying pan day catches of trout in the Centre County would be a sorry sight and would not be of section. James Callahan scored a fine catch interest to the meat fisherman or the 'Limit of browns and rainbows, ranging in length Catcher.' Imagine a mature person boasting from 9 to 12 inches, in the Black Moshannon. of having caught "The Limit" of four baby In addition to catching 8 brown and rain­ fish. 'The Limit' under such a law would bow trout from 10 to 13 inches in length, be a joke. The State cannot fairly discrim­ Frank Agan caught three 12 inch bullhead inate against the bait fisherman but it can catfish in the Black Moshannon. Eleven year decree that it raises trout for sport and not old Thomas Stevens caught four brook trout for meat and that four fish per day per person from 8 to 9 inches in length in Black Bear caught by bait or artificial lure is fair to all Run, and Elmer Pillings, Game Refuge and ample sport for a day's outing. Anyone Keeper scored a fine catch of brook and not satisfied with four small fish can keep rainbows on Cold Stream. These fishermen returning them until he catches four of a size are all from Philipsburg and vicinity. Robert to suit him. Delaying opening day until May and Raymond Larson of Lanse each scored 1 also seems to be a logical step." beautiful catches of brown, brook and rain­ bow trout, 8 to 13 inches in length, in the A number of big brown trout were caught Black Moshannon. Bill Fenton of Pleasant in Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike and Wayne Hill scored a fine catch of browns and rain­ Counties on opening day of the season, ac­ bows in the same stream. Fishing in Bald Mrs. Reeves C. Duff with a fine catch of sro^Ke cording to a report received from Warden Eagle Creek, T. Ruppert of Beach Creek, mouth bass taken last season on the VpV e Frank Brink of Milford, Pike County. Fred Allegheny on a 7% foot fly rod. Three of tlje=, caught four suckers from 14 to 16 inches in smallmouths ranged in length from 7J4 to W? "Pep" Singer, who lives at the Lake, caught a length and John Wert of Madisonburg took inches. five suckers from 11 to 14 inches, in the same 5 stream. Four carp from 16 to 26 inches in above Highspire. The walleye, weighing length were caught in Spring Creek by W. pounds 2 ounces, was caught by Clarenc L. Goodman of Altoona. Shaffner, Jr., of Highspire.

Geary and Harold Critchfield, sons of J-_*T Word comes from Warden L. E. Close of 5 Emporium that Bill Munsell scored a fine Critchfield, Somerset County taxidenni *! catch of five trout on Driftwood Branch, the have been scoring some excellent catches o largest measuring 14% inches in length. This rainbow trout in Lake Gordon, Bedfo*~ County, this season. Five rainbows rangiw catch was made on wet fly. Bill Welsh of eP Emporium, also fishing wet flies in that stream, in length from 16 to 26 inches have be made one of the best catches in recent years. caught. His catch ranged in length from 11 to 21 1 inches, the largest fish, a brown trout, weigh­ A fine rainbow trout was taken in Poe Va ' ing four pounds. ley Dam by Dr. Amos Smith of Lewisbui# It measured 17 inches in length. Few trout limit catches were scored on trout waters in Warren County on opening Minnow fishing in Penn's Creek yield^ day, in spite of good weather prevailing, ac­ a fine brace of trout to William Sprenger ° cording to Warden R. C. Bailey of Youngs- Tamaqua. One was a 16% inch rainbow, & ville. Most anglers contacted had from one other a 15 inch brownie. to three fish and exceedingly low, clear water eP was believed responsible for the difficulty One of the youngest Pennsylvania angl encountered in taking trout. Anglers co­ to be astream on opening day of trout se8, operated splendidly in regard to forest fires. son was six-year-old Paul Harmony ° The woods were extremely dry and had fires Friedensville. He caught a nine inch broV gotten started they would have spread trout in the Saucon Creek. rapidly, Bailey said. Top trout reported taken from the Mon°^ Charles Gettings of Beaver Falls with a big el smallmouth bass, 23 inches in length, taken last An exceptionally heavy walleyed pike for cacy Creek in Northampton County on °P L season on the Upper Allegheny River. The other its length of 24 inches was taken last season ing day was the 23% inch brown trout caUS bass in the photo were taken by the party of which he was a member. in the Susquehanna River near Hawk Rock by Frank Eckley of Bethlehem. Eight boys who participated in the vermin control contest conducted by the Turkeyfoot Game and Fish Association Junior Sportsmen's Club of Somerset County. Carl Ream, front row right, won first prize, a .22 calibre repeating rifle, and Max Critchfield, front row left, second prize, a single shot .22 rifle. Other boys won Junior Conservationist medals awarded by the Fish Commission. Over 350 watersnakes were killed, according to word received from Fish Commis­ sioner Joseph Critchfield of Confluence. Qo* &e£t&i Ball QuUUuj. . USE A PLUG AND SAVE A CHUB/

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