OCTOBER—1978 kENNSYLVAMA He tSel Keystone State's I Official BOATING nglerMagazine*.* ^s 304 Single Cop\ Autumn's Challenge —

x his is the time of year when those of us fortunate enough to live in a land of four seasons should really be grateful just to be alive. This is the end of the vegetable gardens. If we have to think about weeds and hoeing for more than six months, the bugs that climb into your ears and eyes while you enjoy the rewards of the summer growing season, we are always, I think, grateful that the tomato/zucchini season is over (even those of us who do not grow them are offered surplus fruits of another successful Pennsylvanian and take them — one way or another they'll get them into you!). By October there's no question that the autumn solstice is upon us. Leaves have changed colors ... from the brilliant scarlets of the red maples, the yellows of sugar maples and aspens, to the ashes — purplish green to rusty brown. You are able to see the hills in their own contours, fields and forests take on a rugged, unkempt look. Man — successful man — has taken on a "neatness conscience" but nature does not have time to be neat and tidy. Fields that have not been mowed recently are splashed with brilliant colors while spewing forth millions of seeds for the future. While late dawns and early dusks make us think that there's not as much time available to humans for enjoyment as in the long days of the hot, hazy and humid summer, we soon realize that these days, though shorter, are filled with broader horizons, cleaner smells, the ability to adjust to temperatures with corduroys, flannels and wools. And, that sport to which we in the Commission are dedicated is truly making its best offerings of the year. Smallmouth bass, walleyes, , — even the great salmonid family that so many tie only to madhouse April opening days. There are millions of out there in our Commonwealth's streams, monuments to your inability to catch them ... outright contradictions to the feelings of many who believe that fishing enjoyment is following a white truck in April and May. Our inventory surveys with qualified and dedicated biologists and technicians have proven to thousands of Pennsylvania sportsmen that they have not begun to touch the populations of trout in Pennsylvania streams by the beginning of June and extending throughout the summer. They are out there — right now - in clear and cooling water. They're smart and wary, and offer a wonderful challenge to those who have now begun to feel a stir of cool weather oriented blood. While autumn portends sleep of the earth and the rest of its resources ... waiting for a new birth next spring ... I challenge you to get out and find out what there is available right now in enjoyment in Pennsylvania.

Ralph W. Abele, Executive Director Pennsylvania Angler Pennsylvania's Official Fishing & Boating Magazine Published Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Milton J. Shapp, Governor

MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION

Sam Guaglianone Johnsonburg Walter F. Gibbs Reno William 0. Hill Calvin J. Kern Whitehall James J. Stumpf

Volume 47 — No. 10 October, 1978

CONTENTS

Nature's Miracle by Marty Marcinko 8

Waxwork/Bittersweet Mix-Up by Carsten Ahrens 11

One for the Wall by Leonard C. Young 12

Escape by Water by Michael K. Simmons 14

Man Overboard by George E. Dolnack, Jr 16

Firewood Is Where You Find It by Larry Servais 18

Law Enforcement Division News 22

ON THE COVERS

The Keystone State is blessed with unsurpassed flaming foliage each October and outdoorsmen, above all people, have great opportunity to "take it in," especially while Ashing. Our covers this month feature a typical trout stream, on the front; the mighty Susquehanna River photographed from high atop a Perry County hill, near Liverpool, on the back. Photographs by the editor.

MONTHLY COLUMNS LEAKY BOOTS 2 ANGLER S NOTEBOOK 20 MEALS FROM THE 4 ASHORE & AFLOAT 24 BAIT UP 6 TYING 26 STREAM NOTES 28

James F. Yoder, Editor

£?STM ASTER: All 3579 forms to be returned to the office of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120. he Pennsylvania Angler, Publication #874880, Copyright 1978, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, ijarrisburg, Pennsylvania. Second Class postage paid at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at additional mailing offices. Subscription rates: ne year—$3.00; —$7.50; 30 cents per single copy. Send check or money order payable to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Do °t Send Cash. Changes of address should reach us promptly giving both old and new addresses, including both zip codes. Subscriptions ece v r ' ed and processed by the end of the month will begin with the second month following. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission will not assume ^sponsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or illustrations while in their possession or in transit. Communications pertaining to the lja8azine should be addressed to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. "solicited materials, manuscripts, or photos will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope for their return. their canoe sideways and upset. They lost driver's side, sticks his 9 ft. rod through f a full tackle box and two rods with reels the window opening, places his reel on the intact. These items were not lashed down ledge by the back window, then gets in the because we had intended to do some trout car and shuts the door. Do this carefully fishing if possible in Sandy Creek. If it or you're liable to break your rod when isn't against the magazine policy could you you shut the door. Bend the tip of the rod please print the following in the "Leaky so that it fits behind the radio antenna Boots" section of the Angler. sticking up from the front fender. After LOST —REWARD —Tackle Box you're set you drive the car down creek and two fishing rods complete with reels. about the same distance and park it wher£ Approx. one mile from the Allegheny it can be seen from the creek, you start River on Sandy Creek, Venango County. fishing down creek again and your buddy SURPRISE! If found please contact address below: picks up the car when he sees it and moves it down creek, parks it, and starts fishing DAVE FLYNN We received our April Pennsylvania An­ again. Sometimes after dinner we meet at Kittanning Pike, O'Hara Twp. Loysburg, there is a section of creek gler and when I got to the back I saw my Pittsburgh, Pa. 15215 picture on the back page. I'm the one next through the fields about a half mile that to the tree (I'm left-handed). We have a can be seen from the road. We don't have trailer at Hammersley Fork. I've been to walk back to the car so we make up out fishing a good many years and that was HOW ITS DONE... mind to go or else "spot fish" of the first time I ever had my picture taken Potter Creek or Three Spring, both about A little more information on the glass, 15 minutes' drive from where we leave when fishing. Thanks again. Maybe I'll see 5 you there this year. I just love fishing. pint-sized whiskey bottle (0.473 liter, Beaver Creek. I hope someone enjoy thanks to Pennsylvania Angler . . . now I reading this article as much as I enjoy' ISABEL MINARCHICK know what size bottle I use for carrying reading many articles and stories in the Philipsburg my minnows in). Pennsylvania Angler. Yes, the glass bottle is breakable and RAY REININGEH has to be handled with care. I've been Johnstown "OUT OF THE MOUTHS looking for a clear, plastic bottle of this OF BABES" size that can be seen through; so far, no results. I've carried minnows this way for Being cautious parents we had 40 some years and so far I've broken only frequently warned our not to talk one. This happened when I jumped on a to strangers. On the other hand, their small cement bridge with the lid, or cover, grandfather often had related stories to of my fish basket open. I've remembered them about receiving help in one form or this error ever since cause it meant I had another from sportsmen whom he did not to stop fishing, walk down stream about a know. mile where my buddie had the car parked Several years ago, when they were 5, 7, so I could get a new bottle and a new sup­ and 8 years old, they went fishing at a ply of minnows, and then walk back pond within viewing distance from our upstream — the same mile I just walked home. In a short period of time, they came down — so I could start fishing again. home carrying two stringers full of blue- Most times only two of us fish together. gills that a man had given them. After my Take a typical day on Beaver Creek. lecture was repeated again about "not This is the first creek that empties into talking to strangers," my one child re­ Yellow Creek below Loysburg, Bedford plied, "But, Mom, he wasn't a 'stranger,' County. We each carry a set of car keys so he was a ." Now that they are one guy drops off at Ditwilers' Dairy all teenagers and avid sportsmen, I know (that's about as far up on the headwaters they, too, are never "strangers" to of Beaver Creek as we care to go), and anyone. starts fishing down. The second guy drives the car down and parks it at the hump­ JANICE L. PARCELL back bridge at Salemville, then he starts BOW FIN CATCH — Orangeville fishing downstream. About an hour and a Enclosed is a picture of my son', JoeJ' N half or two hours later the first guy will Ranieli, 7 years old, with the 19-ind1- OVERBOARD! reach the humpback bridge. He changes 3 the water in the breather type minnow 3-pound bowfin he caught on a Indian Mountain Lakes. As a subscriber to the Angler magazine bucket, because the heat will cause the If it were not for the Pennsylvania AK for many years, I wonder if a plea to some minnows to die. When it gets hot we take gler we would not have known what kit1 ' unsuspecting fisherman making a surprise short, pint plastic bottles, fill them full of offish he had caught. ; catch would be of some help? Prior to bass water and put them in the freezer so that None of our fisherman friends kne < season June 10th, the following accident when we go we have 4 to 6 pints of ice to what it was but my nephew, Edd1' occurred. keep the water temperature in the minnow Herbert, remembered reading in the Ji"1 ' Planning a canoe float trip on the Alle­ bucket cool. Seems like a heck of a lot of issue of the rare catch of bowfins in tn gheny River, a fellow fisherman and his work but if you want to travel all day on a same area. We are now telling our friend , canoe partner had the misfortune of trying small creek and fish it with minnows, the what kind of information can be found ' J to avoid an overhanging tree in Sandy way we do, then the bait has to be taken your fine magazine. Creek where we entered the water to care of. After the water is changed, he begin our trip. The water was a little high puts his in the back of the MR. & MRS. JOSEPH RANI^ X and fast from previous rain and turned car and opens the car window on the Pittston

2 P E N N SYLVANIA ANGLE11 Spring Creek Epitaph by ]ean Smith Bellefonte

J-J ate Friday night I answered a knock at my door and found a bewildered man. "Where," he asked, "are all the fishermen? The place is deserted! There are no people, no cars, no campers, no campfires . . . everyone is gone!" He had driven from Pittsburgh to spend "first day" of fishing season along the banks of his favorite stream, Spring Creek. His sad, bitter reply to my explanation was, "So they got this one too! This was the best stream in the state!" All day Saturday his words haunted me as I remembered "first day" of fishing season in years past. I've lived along Spring Creek for 20 years and have never cast a line into her waters but "first day" was somewhat akin to carnival time and even a casual bystander was caught up in the excitement of the day. I remembered the predawn enthusiasm of my now 82-year-old father-in-law who, with his brothers, had fished Spring Creek as long as they could remember. He would recall the days when they had their legal limit by breakfast time, then wonder if perhaps this year he could repeat the feat. My 40-plus-year-old husband's eyes still light up when he relives the nights he and his teenage bud­ dies camped along her banks to insure their being the first to that famous fishing hole. I remember the times when my own daughters could hardly sleep—lest they not hear the alarm that sent them sneaking out of the house at 4:00 a.m. to join the colorful army of fishermen lining her banks shoulder-to-shoulder. Driving down the road to town on opening day was more challenging than navigating any skill­ fully designed obstacle course as one slowly crawled between cars and campers that were parked on both sides of the road and carefully dodged fishermen, small one-day-to-be fishermen, dogs and families. Yet just driving through the crowd one could capture the joy of being outdoors and the ur­ gency to "get to that hole before the other fella gets all the fish." But this "first day" was different. No, it wasn't the cool, windy weather. I've seen fishermen line her banks on days so cold icicles formed on lines drawn from the water. No, this quiet and stillness was different, all that lined her banks were bold posters blaring "FISHERMEN BEWARE." By afternoon I realized this was like waiting at the hospital for news of a terminally ill loved one. Spring Creek had suffered a heavy blow ten years earlier but the words of the fishermen were, "She is coming back." Could her fragile ecology stand the effect of this newly detected poison in her bed? Suddenly I wanted to cry—cry for all the young fathers who would never share with their child the joy of that first fish netted from her waters, for all the hurried people who suddenly had no reason to find a quiet hour or two on a warm summer's eve in her cool refreshing waters, and for all those like me who were a part of the spirit of Spring Creek just because we lived along her banks.

(Editor's note: Spring Creek, to which the writer refers, has suffered past degradations detrimental to fish life. The sad commentary above refers to the pollution of the stream by discharges of Mirex from the Nease Chemical Company. The "Fishermen Beware" posters are meant to alert anglers to the public health implications because of the accumulations of this hazardous substance in fish flesh.)

"Q«EAT BUY. Fish Commission does an excellent job of Morgantown, West Virginia, I had little TV rearing and stocking all kinds offish for all much more to catch than a few bluegills f ls 's my first time writing to the kinds of purposes. I think $7.50 is a great and bass in some farm ponds, a few chubs 4s I s^Vanio Angler, which I read as soon buy at today's prices. Also, these same in the creek near where I lived. The anj „8et it, especially the "Leaky Boots" people that oppose higher fees will go to Monongahela was almost barren offish at .Notes from the Streams." Canada and spend $6.00 for a three-day, that time so I really appreciate what the , what I'm writing about is our license or $10.75 for a season license, and think Pennsylvania Fish Commission does here $7 5n cn> at the present time, is only nothing of it, not to say anything about so keep up the good work. Thanks again. what they might spend for a place to stay, ty0u, ' w persons who oppose higher fees JIM POE wou H 8° south t0 ^est virg'nia' they boat, motor and guide, etc., when they $5 nd fees of $600 resident 1US have just as good fishing here in Pennsyl­ Oakmont -oof > P r a trou vania if they would put their minds and the are t stamp. Also, the streams More Leaky Boots... with a lot fewer fisn r so time into it. liide (° ' When I was a boy back home in (please turn to page 30.) rstand) but here the Pennsylvania 0 T T ^TOBER— 1978 1. A fresh fish has a shiny eye, with scallops. Fresh ones are shiny an1* no clouding or fogging. T F firm to the touch like . Scallop* 2. A fresh salt water fish at the fish that are slightly orange or yellowish market has a mild, ocean-like around the edges are also fresl1 smell. T F (false) 3. Fresh shrimp are pungent and 5. Most meat cuts average abou1 soft to the touch. T F thirty percent fat, and some meat* 4. Fresh scallops at the (ham, for instance) are fifty percefl1 are gray and milky. T F fat. Fish often have as little as one 5. Most fish have about three times percent fat. MEALS fewer calories than an equivalent por­ These fat differences are importafl1 tion of other meats. T F for two reasons. First, fish and oth^' 6. Fish should be cooked at high meats are equal in nutrition and this'* from the temperatures, between 350° and the most important reason wltf 500°. T F dieters should eat more fish tha1] 7. Fish, cooking in your oven, is meat — less fat than meat but equ*' CREEL done when you can smell it. T F in nutrition. Secondly, in buying ^ 8. Boiling fish robs it of vitamins equal amount of nutrition, but less fa1' by Arthur J. Michaels and minerals more than any other your supermarket shopping dolls' cooking method. T F goes farther at the thai1 9. Frozen fish should be thawed at the meat display (true). before cooking. T F 6. These higher temperatures ma) 10. Canned white or chunk light be suitable for cooking other meats tuna contain far fewer vitamins and but they spell disaster for cooki^ minerals than fresh hamburger. T F fish. The connective tissues of musd' Testing Your 11. You can store cleaned fresh fiber in other meats are much thick^ Fish Cookery Know-How fish in your refrigerator but they must than that of fish. In fact, the thin cm be kept well-covered. T F nective tissues in most fish begin iC Oc"ctobe r means Columbus Day, break down with very little hea^ Veterans Day, Halloween, and When the meat proteins are cooke" autumn getting into high gear. there is a longer period of time befo1^ October also means that you and your ANSWERS the connective tissues in the me* family have made the transition break down, robbing it of taste afl" between summer and the back-to- 1. When you buy fish at the nutrition. The opposite is true in coo*' school activities of new notebooks, market, always look at the eyes. Steer ing fish. Since the connective tissue 9 pens, pencils, lockers and tests. clear of a fish with clouded, gray, or most fish is so thin, very soon after W Luckily, this fish cookery test won't fogged eyes. This test for freshness is fish protein is cooked in the musd£ determine your college aptitude, read­ the most discreet — you don't have to fiber, the connective tissues begin | ing level, or your class standing. But handle the fish to judge its freshness break down. So, you have to cook & you will stand in a class by yourself as (true). at a lower temperature if you expeC a knowledgeable fish chef, if you do 2. And don't be afraid to stick your the fish to hold its flavor and nutf well on this test. nose right down close to the chopped tional value. Are you a gourmet guru? Or are ice for a whiff of a fish you might buy. High heat in any cooking meth0' you a kitchen catastrophe? To find Close your eyes as you sniff away. If causes fish to lose vitamins, miner3'' out, sit back, take out a pen or pencil, you hear the pounding surf and taste and flavor quickly because high h<$| and in the settled, back-to-school the salty air in your imagination, buy dries up the juices in your cookie spirit of October, answer these eleven the fish. It's fresh. But if your smell fish. Believe it or not, your fish . true/false items as best you can. test conjures other, unpleasant vi­ cooked when the muscle fiber reacfrc Circle the correct answer for each sions, move on to the next fish (true). a temperatureof about 150° (false) item, and then check your responses 3. Fresh shrimp at the fish market 7. You've overcooked your quaffj with the explanations that follow. have very little odor and are firm to if your kitchen smells "fishy." To V Keep your eyes on your own paper. the touch (false). the doneness of any fish, with a"- Now, no talking and get busy. 4. Pass by those gray and milky cookin.1.1 g method.i . , poki e th.. e fish/- . wO:thT >

PENNSYLVANIA A N G L £ zoV °rk at its thickest spot, separating you cook them directly from the quickly turn your tuna-loving family ltd *« fish meat slightly. If it's white, freezer, they'll taste very much like into a brood of tuna-haters (false). eat ;jaky and juicy, it's done. If it's white, shriveled pink pencil erasers! 11. Your stored fish will hold its ,ke<> rv and rubbery-tough, it's very much Let small, cleaned, whole fish and nutrition and flavor for two or three for* Overcooked (false). fillets thaw in your refrigerator for at days in the refrigerator, only if it's ieaj °- In boiling, nutritive juices and least twelve hours. If you're going to well-covered. If stored uncovered in and Hiavoa r soak out of your fish quickly, cook thick fish steaks, or a large your refrigerator, fish steaks or fillets °ecause the wet heat of boiling quantity of frozen fish, let them thaw will dry out quickly, within a matter of iei" Permeates the fish faster than the dry at least twenty-four hours in your re­ hours, and everything else in your re­ eat of other cooking methods, like frigerator (true). frigerator will smell "fishy." Wrap scV roiling or baking. Instead of boiling 10. Canned tuna is just as nutri­ large fish in foil and waxed paper, and Sn nt > it would be better, nutritive-wise, tionally wholesome, if not more so, put smaller fillets in a bowl covered ; ,.° steam the fish above the boiling than equal amounts of hamburger. tightly with a plastic bag or plastic %id and consume both the fish and You shouldn't frown on serving food wrap (true). 0 lhe liquid (true). canned tuna often! Proportionately, 9- If you plop a frozen fillet in your calories and proteins are the same in SCORING jtri' „ er>, it will cook unevenly. After a beef and canned tuna; but, canned ew minutes, the outside will be over- tuna contains much more vitamin A, If you had only five or fewer correct h<>d °°ked and the inside will still be raw iron, iodine and calcium than beef, answers, leave the cooking to n i$ . d slushy. This is especially so with and canned tuna also contains vitamin someone else and bone up on your T h* „ &s fish steaks like , sword- D — beef has none. practices and procedures. If you had nsh> striped bass and bluefish. Nevertheless, let the tuna buyer six to eight correct responses, con­ *n addition, fish cooked right out of beware. Chunk light or white tuna gratulations. You have quite credible fte freezer just don't taste as good as tastes much better than the less command of your kitchen. If you have u s 1 n thawed before cooking. And expensive dark grated stuff. Always nine to eleven correct answers, you're te* ri ! buy white or chunk light canned tuna. a gourmet guru for sure . . . we'll all ar>) " mp and other shellfish must be "oroughly thawed before cooking. If If you buy the dark tuna, you may be over for dinner tomorrow night!

%i CTOBER— 1978 5 the grasshoppers towards it. Those cannibalistic. To prevent this, give that land on the blanket will become them a little bone meal. Bait Up entangled in the fuzz and can be When fished on the surface, grass­ picked off at your leisure. Still hoppers and crickets live longest if by Don Kingery another trick (although I never had hooked under the collar or tied to the the courage to try it) is to put on an hook. Take a longshank hook that fits old pair of your wife's nylons and walk the hopper, tie two pieces of thread or illustrated by through high weeds. The grasshop­ rubber bands on the hook, and then Ray Piccolin pers that collide with you get tangled tie the hopper to the hook. Hook dead in the nylons and can be captured by hoppers through the collar or through hand. (Ed. note: Mercy sakes!) the body and fish them near or on the GRASSHOPPERS & CRICKETS Like grasshoppers, crickets also bottom. To fish under brush or other frequent fields and gardens, but, un­ areas difficult to cast to, pass the o rthoptera is a large order of like grasshoppers, crickets are point of the hook through the edge of including the grasshoppers, nocturnal, preferring to spend the day a leaf and let the leaf drift into the crickets and katydids. These insects hiding under rocks, logs and boards. area. A sharp tug frees the hook, will be treated together due to the These are the most productive places making it look like the hopper jumped similarity in their habitats and tech­ to seek them. Turn over flat rocks and off. Don't be afraid of using the niques used in fishing them. catch crickets by hand before they largest grasshoppers you can find; Everyone is familiar with grasshop­ scurry away. Crickets may be lunkers like a mouthful! pers. In the fall every field, meadow purchased live, dried, or packed in oil, For winter use, grasshoppers and and weed patch is literally crawling from many bait shops. Katydids and other Orthopterans can be preserved with them. On cool evenings and other Orthoptera, in addition to being by drying, freezing, or packing in al­ mornings before the air warms up, found in meadows, will be found on cohol. Dried insects are very brittle grasshoppers will be torpid and can shrubbery, tree branches and bushes and tend to break apart at the easily be hand-picked from the plant where they can easily be netted. slightest touch. To prevent this, place stems they are resting on. After the All Orthopterans will keep for the insects in a jar with some damp air warms up, grasshoppers can be several days in a container with grass rags or damp sand the night before captured with the aid of a butterfly or leaves, provided it is kept cool. To you go fishing. Cap the jar and put it net. Instead of pursuing individual keep them alive for longer periods, re­ in a warm place and by morning the specimens, you will often find it more frigerate them; or, put them in a ter- insects will be soft and "fresh." productive to sweep the net back and rarium. Grasshoppers prefer fresh forth as you walk through tall weeds. grass or lettuce as food. These are Some fishermen collect "hoppers" by also acceptable to crickets, but, in ad­ DRAGONFLIES and DA MS EL taping flypaper to the front bumper of dition, they will eat slices of raw car­ their cars and then driving through a rot, potato, apple and bread. If you With the exception of Blackflies field (with permission, of course!) or want to start a colony and raise and Mosquitoes, the Odonates, down a weed-lined country road. crickets year-round, slightly moist (Dragonflies and Damselflies) are Another unusual but highly effec­ soil or sand must be provided for the probably the aquatic insects best tive technique is to spread a fuzzy females to lay eggs in. When known to fishermen. The adults are blanket on the ground and then drive overcrowded, crickets will become seen from daylight to dusk flying over streams, lakes and ponds, greedily devouring mosquitoes, gnats and other small flying insects. Although carnivores, they cannot bite men, have no stingers, and neither administer to the medicinal needs of reptiles, nor spend their time sewing up the ears of bad . Such names as Devil's Darning Needle, Snake Doctors, and Horse Stingers, are totally unjustified for such an attrac­ tive and beneficial . The larval stages of all species are aquatic, some growing to over three inches in length and taking four years to mature. Dragonfly nymphs are found in all types of fresh water: from small ponds to large lakes, to roadside ditches, and in both swift and slo^ streams. The nymphs or naiads, as they are also known, are collected with a long-handled net made of wire or strong nylon. The long handle (fouf

PENNSYLVANIA A N G L E P J. Top left: adult dragonfly; nymphs, above, are sometimes called "perch bugs" or "mud bugs." Bottom left: adult damselfly; below: a damselfly nymph.

jjj six feet) is recommended because in wire cages in a stream or pool. Damselfly nymphs will have three "e larger species tend to favor deep Make the cages out of quarter-inch blade-shaped gills at the tip of the j|u'et pools and ponds. A wire net is hardware cloth and leave them half abdomen. Fishing with Damselfly est because there is less chance of its out of the water so the adult can nymphs is pretty much restricted to 'Pping on a snag. Scoop along the emerge. If you choose to raise them in fly-rodding or cane-poling. They re­ °'tom, picking up algae, vegetation, an aquarium, you will have to have a quire the lightest possible tackle and ^ud and debris, and dump the whole constant supply of smaller aquatic very fine wire hooks. Drift them ?ess in a shallow pan or on the shore. organisms for them to eat. They are through pools with floating line, or a e sure to scoop up an inch or two of predators and will only eat . small bobber, and set the hook the ^ud as some species are burrowers. If They can also be kept for up to a week instant you feel a fish. Fish tend to ™u don't have a net, use a garden in a bait box filled with wet moss, but hold small larvae in their mouths and ,*»e to bring vegetation and debris up it must be kept cool. chew them, and will soon feel the ,r°m the bottom. Sort through the de- Dragonfly nymphs have an irresist­ hook. Damselfly nymphs should be r,s and you will soon discover the ible appeal to trout, bass and all pan- kept in jars of water under refrigera­ °ut-bodied nymphs squirming and fish. Hook them through the collar or tion. Jawling awkwardly around. In swift abdomen and fish them on the bot­ Adult Damselflies are easily cap­ „ reams, most of the nymphs will be tom. Let them sit for a minute and tured with a butterfly net but climbers;" collect them by holding a then retrieve them with slow, short Dragonflies are another matter. They ,e'ne downstream and shaking un- twitches, mimicking the natural are fast, strong fliers and incredibly , rwater branches and trash to dis- movement of the insect. If that fails, skillful at dodging. However they are • age the larvae. Dragonfly larvae can put on a small bobber or use a fly rod easily gathered by going to a pond- e collected year-round and are ex­ with floating line and fish them just off side meadow early in the morning tent bait. the bottom. In streams, let them drift while it's still cool and hand-picking rhese nymphs can be kept in an along the bottom until you feel the them from the grass stalks and cat­ u t^ arium or minnow bucket, but as bump that signals a fish. tails they rest on during the night. „ eV are inclined toward cannibalism, Damselfly nymphs, also called Live Dragonflies should be hooked „ eY are best kept in jars of water in "wigglers," will be found in the same through the thorax, between the e re fr frigerator. If kept cold (but not waters as Dragonfly nymphs but are wings; or, put on a two-hook harness Ze 0° n) they will live for two months easily distinguished by being smaller ^ore. The best way to raise them is and slimmer. In addition, all (continued on page 32.) 0 CTOBER— 197 8 Nature's Miracle by Marty Marcinko Management Section

F,isherie s programs in Pennsylvania include the annual production and allocation of over 4.5 million trout. This is conducted with the guidance of professional fish culturists and Area Fisheries Managers. Law Enforce­ ment personnel annually supervise stocking of these fish with valuable assistance from sportsmen. These trout are primarily brook, brown, and rainbow — products from hatcheries across the state. Such an undertaking requires careful maintenance of brood stocks: skilled selection, a good diet, and continuous upgrading of these brood fish are necessary to achieve fast-growing hearty offspring capable of enduring a completely new environ­ ment. Presently, the Fisheries Manage­ ment Section is in the third year of an inventory program in which physical, chemical, biological and social data are being gathered for every stocked trout stream in Pennsylvania. The ul­ "Because the eye is clearly visible, embryos at this stage are termed 'eyed'. timate goal is to provide sound scientific management on a watershed realize the same goal: production of a a small depression called a redd. A basis, thereby eliminating the present fertilized egg. Research and observa­ brief courting procedure ends with quota system. Although the first stage tion have enabled us to follow nature's egg and sperm uniting to provide th6 of this inventory will not be completed miracle. seed for perpetuation of the species- until 1980, one important fact has be­ As temperatures drop and days Stones and gravel loosened by come apparent: despite plantings of shorten, nature prepares for winter as upstream digging cover the eggs, thus several million trout, many of the signaled by autumn's display. Within affording some protection agains' trout in our streams are the product the stream wild brook and brown flooding and predators. It is though' of natural reproduction. trout are beginning a spawning ritual that this slight mound of stones may Direct evidence of natural re­ that has occurred every fall for even aid in circulating freshly production is found through electro- centuries. The shortening of daylight oxygenated water to the developing fishing. These operations frequently hours is critically important in trig­ eggs. reveal sublegal size trout. A gering spawning for these two species. Eggs (called ova or ) develop ifl knowledge of these early life stages of The exact time and setting varies, but the ovaries of the female trout. They trout is important to the fisheries essentially begins with migration to begin as microscopic cells which uffj biologist, therefore the subject has riffle crests or eddies where water dergo structural, functional and been carefully studied. From these may barely cover their backs. Both physiological changes during ripening' studies we know a great deal about orook and brown trout require clean One of the most important changes | hereditary factors, changes in me­ gravel with a good vertical flow of the synthesis and storage of yolk and tabolism, distinct relationships among water. Gravel within the streambed oil droplets — the source of nutrition coexisting species, and the effects of which is clogged with fine soil, silt, or for the future embryo. CarbO' environmental factors on form and vegetation will be avoided. Brook hydrates, fats, proteins and water wi'1 structure. Further, nature's methods trout will utilize coarse sand or fine comprise over 95% of the total z$ have been modified and applied to gravel if available, otherwise the re­ content. Further development result artificial techniques of brood stock quirements for substrate selection are in the formation of an egg capsin^ handling in the hatchery. Spawning by quite similar among the trout species. which provides protection an" wild fish and artificial spawning At her chosen site the female creates facilitates respiration for the futufe

8 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE*1 delicate embryo. Once these events The female will begin upstream dig­ "ringer." This characteristic is useful °ccur, the next step is fertilization. As ging immediately upon release of her for identifying and sorting dead eggs this time approaches both the female eggs. This digging serves to cover the from those still viable. and her eggs are termed "ripe." Fish open redd and its living cargo with The body of the embryo gradually culturists use the term "green" for gravel. The entire spawning process takes on a fish-like appearance; those eggs which are not ready for may last several days or until the fe­ however, it remains attached to the 'ertilization, or for females not ready male has expended all her eggs. Dur­ life-giving yolk mass. During the last to release eggs. ing the first 48 hours after fertiliza­ three-quarters of the incubation pe­ Fertilization is external, that is, it tion, nature allows the egg to be jos­ riod the brain becomes defined and Occurs outside the female's body. The tled about by current as it settles into the eye pigments become visible. Be­ newly ejected egg is semibuoyant, its permanent location within the cause the eye is clearly visible, dropping slowly in the water. As the gravel; subsequently, the egg enters a embryos at this stage are termed e8g is released, the male releases a period of sensitive development dur­ "eyed." Upon reaching this eyed cloud of sperm or milt, thus initiating ing which movement will harm or kill stage, eggs can be moved without the process of fertilization. The actual the developing embryo. Externally, causing any damage to the embryo. union of sperm and egg is governed by the egg color varies from a pale yellow Prior to hatching definite movement is chance encounter. When a sperm to a deep orange depending on the detectable as the embryo rotates c°rnes in contact with a ripe, amount of cartenoid pigments within the egg shell. The embryo is unfertilized egg the sperm enters a present. Internally, many changes are now larger than the greatest circum­ Sniall opening in the egg termed the occurring which are unnoticeable ference of the yolk sac. When hatch­ j^icropyle. In quick succession the without the aid of a microscope. ing time arrives the embryo secretes 'ollowing events occur: 1.) changes Cellular division is creating millions of enzymes that slowly dissolve the within the egg bar the entry of addi- cells which organize into tissues, tough outer shell. Shell dissolution is t'onal sperm, 2.) the sperm and egg organs, and the systems, which collec­ accompanied by other metabolic cells unite to create a zygote, 3.) tively form the organism itself. Excep­ changes in preparation for emergence ^tream water seeps into the space tionally high water during the months of the organism now known as a sac "etween the outer egg covering and of December through February, an­ fry. he membrane surrounding the yolk chor ice, or even low. flow may disrupt The newly hatched sac fry derives ^here the zygote is attached. After or smother the eggs. Dead or its name from the heavy yolk sac this space is filled, the egg cover unfertilized eggs may become infected located in the abdominal region. Eyes changes from a soft permeable with Saprolegnia, a fungus which can and brain are still developing while Membrane to a tough covering. This lead to infection and destruction of mouth and gut are as yet incomplete. Process is called water-hardening. living eggs. In the hatchery, dead eggs The heart remains little more than a Minerals within the water, such as can be detected by a whitening of the minute pulsating tube. Sporadic wrig­ a'cium, are necessary for it. germ cell ring, hence the term gling is the only evidence of controlled movement during this period of development. The sac fry is hardly an Below: newly hatched sac fry ". . . eyes and brain are still developing independent animal; the magnificence and beauty of the mature fish is not yet evident. In a short time, however, the yolk is absorbed, black mel- anophore pigments coalesce to form parr marks, internal organs complete development, and the young fish struggles to free itself from the gravel which has protected its development throughout the winter. Reaching the stream, the small trout becomes an integral part of its environment, ready to prey or be preyed upon as it competes for sur­ vival. How many will survive is not known. By fall, roughly one year after fertilization, those which do survive will have attained fingerling size. Possibly in two to three years hence these new additions will migrate to a shallow pool and the miracle will begin anew. Many obstacles lie along the path to survival, but that's na­ ture's way for wild trout — the beau­ tiful creatures of Pennsylvania's cool, sparkling mountain waters.

CTOBER — 1978 Aside from being red, the berries of the waxwork, above, and those of the bittersweet, right, are extremely different. The leaves and the stems of these two plants are most unlike.

10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE* long before America was discovered. "That's the trouble with using com­ mon names for plant and animal WAXWORK/BITTERSWEET MIX-UP species," he continued. "Here are two plants, completely unrelated, and both called bittersweet. There would by Carsten Ahrens be no argument if we used scientific names." "But those scientific names are such jawbreakers!" I protested. He shrugged his shoulders. Well, I looked it up in Grey's -I here are so many factors that give add cheer to my mantel. The vines are Botany. The botanist was right. Those enjoyment to a fishing trip other than still growing in the same places where vines in the treetops were waxwork or the number of lunkers you may bring I harvested several scores of years false bittersweet; but anyway, the home. This is especially true in ago. I am careful each autumn to up­ plant is a fine vine and one of the most autumn where streamside trees, root any wildgrape, woodbine, poison colorful ornaments for outdoor or in­ shrubs and their attendant vines seem ivy, or other vine that might crowd it door winter decorations. almost delirious with leaf color. Even out. I go early enough so that I don't There is only one species of false after the leaves have fallen many of have to compete with the creatures bittersweet in America. It is known to these plants hold on to their fruits in that enjoy the berries as food. The science as Celastrus scandens, a the form of seed cases, boxes, vessels, birdman, Peterson, wrote that the member of a small genus of the staff- Pods, capsules, acorns, berries, haws, fruit is eaten by many songbirds, as tree family. It has only two relatives: hips, etc., and the landscape continues well as by ruffed grouse, pheasants, a Japanese cousin with small round to be varied and interesting. bob whites, and the fox squirrel. Plant a couple vines for the birds. leaves and a Chinese cousin with One of the most attractive of these large, round leaves. Our species bears Plants is a vine that entwines itself ovate-oblong foliage. around anything it meets, even itself: ... // takes two ... the false bittersweet. It's a woody climber that can be found from This vine, however is like the Quebec to Manitoba and from North gingko, osage-orange, or the tree of ... the real thing ... Carolina to New Mexico. It clambers heaven in that each plant produces to the tops of trees, twining counter­ only male or female flowers. That Now if there is a false bittersweet, clockwise about the limbs and its own means both plants must be present so there must be a genuine bittersweet. rUnners, and, when it reaches the that cross-pollination is possible or Science knows it as Solanum treetop, spills downward. there will be no fruit. A giant walnut dulcamara, but I had known it all my The inconspicuous greenish flowers in the yard where I used to play was life as the common nightshade. My of spring become yellow-orange ball in festooned with false bittersweet but it folks always called it the deadly 'all and after a frost its leaves yellow never bore a berry. We tried to shock nightshade and warned us against and drop; the balls split open in three it into bloom by stripping off its touching it. It's a Johnny-come-lately ways, displaying crimson fruit. The leaves, severe pruning, fertilizing it that has long been known from Asia, dried gold and crimson arrangement heavily . . .it was all in vain. Both Africa and Europe. It found its way to fakes a most colorful display by itself sexes must be present for fruit. our shores with the early settlers and °r mixed in with other plant materials is about as unlike waxwork or false ln winter bouquets. ... I stand corrected... bittersweet as two plants can be. The true bittersweet, alias ... extra cash ... Until a few years ago, I had called nightshade, is a member of the potato this vine bittersweet . . . now I must family with alternate, lanceolate As a boy, I made pocket money by call it false bittersweet. That autumn, leaves, each characterized by two fathering branches bearing the an amateur botanist and I were lobes at the base. Its clusters of §leaming berries and selling them returning from a hike down a wooded flowers resemble those of the potato each year to regular customers who hillside. Our steep path, at one point, plant, having bluish, turned-back °oked forward to brightening their was level with the tops of trees on our petals each marked with a green spot Mantels for the holidays. Later, when right. The upper branches of several and yellow anthers that form a beak ,'eft for college, a neighbor grew the were hung with an abundance of the in the center of the flower. The . lne as a commercial venture and heavily fruited vines. flowers develop into a cluster of green °ok over my old customers. Once "Look," I cried, "bittersweet!" berries, each a half-inch; they change Plants that bear fruit are established "Bittersweet?" he echoed. "That's to yellow and then to red as they ma­ /•e berries can be harvested each fall waxwork . . . although it is sometimes ture. In all stages the berries are 'th judicious selection; actually, the called pseudo- or false bittersweet." glossy, sleek, even lacquered in ap­ ^ality of both plant and harvest can "It's a native American," I pearance. Both leaves and fruit are e improved by proper trimming. protested, "what's/aAse about it?" poisonous and the latter are said to Each fall through the years I have He explained that another plant taste first bitter, then sweet eturned to our old farm for berries to was also called bittersweet in Europe . . . hence, bittersweet!

CTOBER— 1978 11 The author, above, poses with his "one for the wall" — heaviest largemouth reported from Hartstown Swamp. One for the Wall

l\ fter hurriedly piling our gear into Greensburg, Pa., where I spend much the car and tying down the 14-foot of my time as an elementary school flat-bottomed boat to the roof, we teacher and the remainder thinking pulled out of the driveway at 5:00 p.m. about fishing. All too little of that We had all been looking forward to time is actually spent on the water this day because it was to be the boys' due to the many demands of family by Leonard C. Young first overnight fishing trip. I was feel­ and profession; but, each year gets a ing especially optimistic because it little better. Little did I know that, in was a fine fall Friday, and I had read less than 24 hrs., things would be get­ many, many times that this is one of ting much better. the best times of the year to set a I have been fishing for bass fof hook into Mr. Bass. about five years and have had success We headed north from our home in on only two or three occasions, almost

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE? a'ways on small lakes in other states. , I had a solid hit, the first was that had caused this ruckus. As I % sons and companions on this trip, of the day for any of us. After a lively peeled away the "garden," it soon be­ '^elve-year-old Lenny and ten-year- tug-of-war, Lenny brought the net came apparent that it was, indeed, a j>W Ric, had each caught three or four under a 15-inch bass. I released him fish. Soon something else became ob­ 'egal-sized bass. In the past two years (which is usually our policy), and we vious, and my heart began to race. I 'hey had gradually shown me that continued fishing the area. Lenny and quickly tore away the rest of the Bey were able to fish "all day," so I Ric both got ready; now it was their covering and found myself staring into Voided they were ready for some- turn. what seemed like a cave. I was look­ 'hing special. That's why the three of At this point, we were fishing off ing directly into the throat of the big­ us were headed toward the Pymatun- one of the three islands to be found in gest bass I had ever seen in . It i !ng Waterfowl Area in northwestern the Swamp. In the water nearby were was the kind of fish I had seen pic­ I rennsylvania. two different rows of submerged tures of in the outdoor magazines. Ex­ S After a pleasant, leisurely three- brush. We were fishing the water cept that it was lying at my feet, in my I hour drive, we found a motel about between the brushlines and the shore. boat, with my lure imbedded in its • ten miles from our destination and put A few minutes after releasing the jaw. I held up the net to get a better U : P for the night. We awoke around bass, Ric and I happened to be look­ look, and then yelled at the top of my | ^:00 a.m., had breakfast and made a ing toward the bow end of the boat lungs. I don't know what I yelled; I : feline down Pa. Route 322 toward when suddenly the water 30 feet away just yelled. I toWard the southern end of the Propa- exploded and a fish came hurtling into Two men in a nearby canoe began | Nation Area. We found and entered the air. I couldn't believe what I had paddling over as I began to shakily •we area which I hoped would provide seen. Ric and I looked at each other remove the hook and string this We boys with their most exciting bass with eyes wide. It was the kind offish monster. I put him onto our De-liar "shing yet — a place called Harts- that I just knew looked much bigger just as they arrived. The scale stopped l°wn Swamp. than it really was. After all, we all at 734 lbs. The boys and I just grinned About four years earlier I had read know how fishermen exaggerate. at each other. We then used a De-liar an article about this region in the For the next few minutes, we belonging to one of the men. It, too, Pennsylvania Angler. A few years continued to fish toward the spot showed 7J4- Congratulations were !ater, while enjoying a family weekend where we had seen the bass jump, ap­ offered by the men and pictures taken 111 the Pymatuning area, we stopped parently in pursuit of baitfish. I told by the boys. Here was a fish to break at)d checked out the Swamp. It looked both of the boys to be extra quiet and our policy. He was going on the wall! ar*d smelled like bass. Now it was careful as we moved because "you Unfortunately, the rest of the day's ePtember, and we were only minutes never know when things will start fishing was a repeat of what had gone a*ay from "splashdown." happening." And happen they did. before. There was no more activity for We pulled into the small parking I cast the same white spinnerbait the next four hours and then we were area around 8:00 a.m. While unload- about 20 feet beyond where we had chased off the water by approaching ng and rigging up, I couldn't help but seen the water erupt earlier and storm clouds. ®tice how quiet everything was. The allowed it to sink to the bottom. I On the way home, we stopped at a j'ence was broken only by the occa- raised my rod to begin the retrieve, sporting goods store in Conneaut. The lQnal honking of many geese feeding and, almost immediately, the lure attendant also weighed the fish, and earby. Our spirits were high as we stopped. Before I had time to even when the needle stopped moving at Pushed off, for everything seemed just think "snag," my line began to move l\i lbs., he said that, to his j?8ht. It was a comfortable, overcast and I knew I was into something. I knowledge, it was the biggest bass to .av and I was sure that we were in the heaved hard to set the hook. Then the come out of Hartstown Swamp. How •ght place, at the right time. line began moving again, this time about that! , Using reasonably heavy equipment away from the boat, so I just held on. The fish now occupies a large sec­ ecause of the thick vegetation and Almost immediately, it reversed di­ tion of wall in our family room. I often J^any submerged stumps and trees, rection back toward the boat. There look at it and think back to that day. I ^ boys and I began tossing plastic was a sudden, violent pull and my rod have often thought it strange that the °rrns, weedless spoons, and spin- tip went down into the water, but then fish fought for only a few minutes and erbaits. An hour passed without a I began to gain control of the situa­ then gave up. I also have wondered rike. Another hour went by, still tion. After only a few minutes, it was whether what I caught was what Ric . ot"ing. After three hours of steady, on the surface but completely hidden and I had seen only minutes before. It tense fishing, we had not gotten under a huge mass of rotted vegeta­ had to be. If it wasn't, then .... Strike One," and the boys were tion. Lenny expertly dipped the net The trip didn't really turn out the jj lckly losing their enthusiasm. I was under this mess and heaved, but I way I had planned it. Lenny and Ric egmning to think that this was going could see that he was going to need caught no bass that day. But there will • be one of those days when I would assistance, so I helped him lift what be other trips, as many as I can ar­ eP saying, "Don't give up; you seemed like a ton of garbage over the range. My sons are "average" fish­ • Ver know when things will start side and onto the floor of the boat. We ermen, just as I am, just as you are. If aPPening." could see nothing but weeds, but the I can catch a fish like that in Pennsyl­ ^nd so it went. All of us were tired weeds were moving. vania, then why not they (or you). it « n8ry as '* drew near noon. Then I began to gingerly remove the "After all, you never know when nnally happened. Using a white greenery, for we had yet to see what it things will start happening."

B CTOBER— 1978 13 The access area below Kinzua is small but more than adequate for launching small craft for a float trip. ESCAPE BY WATER

by Michael K. Simmons Erfvery, resident of Pennsylvania not prove attractive to you, there is a tent. This poses no real problem sine' knows the autumn season provides a way to fully appreciate autumn's there are commercially run summef time of colorful splendor, particularly colors in uncrowded bliss: try floating cabins and lodges along the river. Like in the northern mountain regions. the Allegheny. If done properly, it's the private campgrounds, these Certainly one of the most scenic areas fun; it's rewarding; and, it's safe. tourist facilities are primarily utilized of the state is the valley formed by the Overnight stops may be accom­ by highway travelers. But, there is; Allegheny River from a point just plished in a number of ways. The really no reason why river explorers below the Kunzua Dam downstream Buckaloons is a National Forest could not easily patronize them as to Tionesta. The beauty of the land­ campground. Various private camp­ well. There is one important hint 1 scape does not end there, of course, grounds may also be found along the remember regardless of the mode £ but the stretch between these points is river. While these facilities cater camping chosen. The boat should be just about right for a pleasant sight­ mainly to highway travelers, their ac­ hauled well out of the water at the seeing tour. On almost any nice cess by boat is relatively easy. For close of day and preferably be tied 1 weekend from the beginning of those who prefer more privacy and something. As stated before, th6l October until a week or so after who are accustomed to primitive operation of the outflow gates at the Halloween, the roads which follow the camping, numerous islands along the Kinzua Dam makes the river level uf river (Rts. 6 & 62) are often jammed route offer ample opportunity to predictable and more than ofl6 with traffic and frequent delays, short really get away from it all. Care camper has awakened in the morning tempers, and minor fender-benders should be taken, of course, when to find the water higher than the even' are not uncommon as hundreds of camping on these islands, or ing before and his boat gone. This 's sightseers pay homage to Jack Frost's anywhere else, to carry away all gar­ doubly embarrassing if the campef artistry. bage and litter so that later floaters has chosen an island for his overnight' While bucking traffic, eating in may enjoy the natural setting also. Equipment for a floating excursiC crowded roadside rests and taking Perhaps not all who may wish to in the autumn ranges from Vm necessary to the "nice-to-have." pictures through small openings in the float the Allegheny have the equip­ e dense forest along the highway may ment or the inclination to rough it in a personal flotation device is requir

14 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE* by law for each person in the craft, to the woodlands, it's quite possible vorite. For those not owning a boat, with nonswimmers and children under that a family float trip amidst there are a number of outfitters in the nine years of age wearing them. If the breathtaking scenery and peaceful area willing and anxious to provide for boat is a canoe, it is a good idea for all solitude could be the memorable your needs. Nothing really remains °ccupants to wear PFD's. The depth experience of the year. but to embark. °f the Allegheny changes dra­ Actually, a float trip on the river The overall distance from the boat matically and quickly as it follows its may be accomplished almost anytime, access area below Kinzua to Tionesta course. To be deceived by a calm, from ice-out to freeze-up, but autumn is approximately 55 miles and should shallow stretch of water into thinking provides the most ideal conditions not be attempted, in any leisurely 'he river is never deep or choppy both in terms of water and beauty. fashion, in less than three days. At an could be a fatal mistake. An extra Any trip in the spring should be at­ average speed of 4 mph, fourteen full Paddle is also an excellent piece of tempted only by experienced boaters, hours of travel will be necessary. equipment to have on board. Trying to using caution, as the waters are Combine these hours with time fashion one from a tree limb after los- frequently high and always cold. spent fishing, picnicking, setting up lng or breaking the original is a futile While this stretch of river has been and breaking camp, and a two-day Sesture. Insect repellent can save classified as "intermediate" in re­ trip is a bit of a rush. For those not much discomfort as October can be a quired proficiency level, there are able to afford three days, an easy al­ Prime month for mosquitoes. Fishing rapids at certain points along the ternative is to embark at any of the Sear could provide the evening meal route that would prove challenging in access areas downriver from Kinzua. Since usually picks up early spring to the most advanced A good one is near Irvine at the 'n the autumn and the bass and pan- boater. In contrast, the summer Buckaloons campground. It might be hshing are always good. Fresh fillets months often find the river relatively added that, for those starting at 0ver an open fire are a great way to low, necessitating extra care in avoid­ Kinzua, the Buckaloons is an ex­ end the day. Last, but certainly not ing the bottom in many shallow areas cellent first night stopping place. The 'east, a camera provides a great way and making progress downriver a bit campground is right along the river to record the entire experience, slow in the larger eddies. The Kinzua just north of the mouth of Broken- damping gear will depend upon the Dam has made this less of a problem straw Creek and provides all type of overnight facility desired; in recent years but it has also made necessary facilities plus spacious and 'hose sleeping in the open should re­ the river level more unpredictable. private campsites. Other access areas member the cool temperatures and Autumn, on the other hand, usually along the route may be found at 'he increased possibility of precipita­ finds the river sufficiently high and Starbrick (upstream from the tion. relatively warm — a winning com­ Buckaloons), Tidioute, and West Think about it this fall. When you bination. Hickory. Upon reaching Tionesta, 8row tired of football ... the leaves Almost any smallboat may be boaters should paddle to the access need raking and the approaching utilized for making the journey, but area along the left shore at the second season draws your thoughts the canoe is probably the all-time fa­ bridge (Rt. 62) to disembark.

The Buckaloons camping area combines privacy and the necessary "conveniences" for Allegheny River boaters. "Man Overboard!"

It could happen to you!

by George E. Dolnack, Jr. photos by the author

At was early October of last year and weather, the natural force that makes or breaks fishing, was unkind to the anglers for salmon on Lake Erie. The wind churned the lake into a froth and chased the boats into a safe haven at Walnut Creek. Small runabouts, almost obscured by the "Looks like we made it in, Mike. waves at times, came in first. As I took some photos from my vantage point on the fishing pier, I sin­ Right, Mike?. . . think so, Mike.. . ?" gled out one boat for a series of shots. k Three-foot waves threatened it as it eased into Walnut Creek and safety. Then suddenly, an incoming wave picked up the stern and set it back down. Quicker than a wink, the man at the outboard flipped out of the boat and into the water. The angler sitting in the center was unaware that he had lost his partner until the cry "Man Overboard" went up from the pier. After he saw his pal in the water, he carefully transferred to the stern and turned the boat around for the retrieve. When he killed the outboard, the overpowering wind and waves drove the boat towards the rip-rap. Franctically, he worked at starting the motor. Meanwhile, his friend in the water discovered that his feet were on bot­ tom and that the water was only chest deep. What a lucky break! Fishermen on shore encouraged him to wade over to the pier where they formed a human chain and pulled the cold, wet angler on to dry land. And, fortu­ nately, the other fisherman got the outboard started in time to avoid the rip-rap.

16 P E N N S Y L "Mike, are you OK? What happened. . . ?"

"Keep cool, Mike. . . I'll get you. . .!

•^fSft

B E R — 1 9 7 8 17 Firewood Is Where You Find It by Larry Servais

X he easiest outdoor cooking fire to fairly angular rocks are available, two We pulled onto shore after dark, ate 3 make is one on a propane or gasoline will do. If not, a third will be needed to cold lunch and climbed into our sleep' stove. And it is hard to beat for properly balance a frying pan or ket­ ing bags. The next morning we were steady, dependable heat in the tle. Usually rocks that will elevate a ravenous for a real meal. But I had amount desired. utensil from four to six inches above never seen such a wet, sodden piece of I'll usually take that kind of fire for the ground are right. The proper woods as the morning light exposed- preparing a meal, instead of rustling procedure is to get the rocks arranged Even old stumps were rotting and wet- firewood. But on a backpack or horse first and the utensil properly leveled, There wasn't a piece of wood trip, or on a canoe or a float trip, the then build your fire. anywhere that one could ignite with » extra hardware is just too much. And A separate rest and a separate fire blowtorch. sometimes in a leisurely camp one en­ for each utensil is usually the best ar­ Finally I found a large downed joys the companionship of a fire, espe­ rangement. For example, if one is fry­ birch tree. The inside was wet pulp- cially on a chilly morning. ing eggs you want a rather low, easy But I hacked off several large sheets I have been building cooking and fire. For the fire heating the coffee of bark, lugged it to camp and campfires for 60 years. I have read water, you can give it the gun. chopped and tore it into small pieces- everything I've come across on the When choosing rocks, try to find With this for fuel, we cooked a very subject for about the same length of dry ones, not those resting in a muddy hearty breakfast but it was the time. Many of these articles leave me or damp place, and never out of a sootiest fire I ever cooked over! with the impression that some of the stream or lake. Rocks resting in a On another occasion, my son and I writers copy from one another. They place exposed to the sun are were camped at a place on the Big also arouse the suspicion that many of practically sure to be safe. The Hole River in Montana, where the these writers build most of their fires danger, of course, is dampness inside only wood anywhere nearby was sage sitting at a desk with a typewriter, of the rock that would cause it to brush. On occasion we had used sage rather than in the great outdoors. explode on being heated. brush along with larger wood. But this For example, whenever I read the Where rocks are scarce, use three time the diet for the fire was entirely advice to cut two green logs about six empty tin cans of the same size to sun-baked, dead sage brush, or eight inches in diameter and about balance any cooking utensil. This is a worked fine. five feet long and lay them parallel somewhat more delicate arrangement Usually the advice is given not to about 10 inches apart as a fireplace than with rocks, but in more than 30 use woods that throw sparks. Listed rest for cooking utensils, I usually years I can remember having only one among the offenders are red and white look to see just when the book was upset. Beer cans are the ones I usually cedar, hemlock, tamarack, spruce copyrighted. With possibly rare ex­ use. If you don't have your own, you and balsam. It is well to know this. ceptions, today one just doesn't cut can, however sad to say, usually kick but there should be no hesitation down live trees eight inches in a half-dozen out of the brush about using these woods if they are diameter unless he owns the land on wherever people have been camping. the most easily available. Any fire which they are growing. On a week-long musky fishing trip should be built only in a safe place, of Almost every second article has in sandy lake country in Northern a place that has been made safe, and neat pictures of forked stakes driven Wisconsin, we did all the cooking over should not be left unattended. into the ground with a pole laid across nine charred beer cans, three sets. We One time on a cross-country SM for hanging kettles. I gave that up way just kept them in our cardboard trash hike a friend and I stopped in a thick back when I was a Boy Scout. By the box when not in use. cedar swamp for lunch. We picked the time you scrounge around and find the The rhetoric on what kind of wood place because it offered protection right wood for these, and get them to use for a fire usually lists hickory, from the wind. We could have fashioned, you can have the meal half oak and maple, in that order. These hiked cooked. Besides, the ground is often are all excellent for a steady fire. But or skied up to a nearby ridge for oak too rocky to get a stake down far in camping, or stopping to cook a or pine for firewood, but here within enough to hold. I've cooked in places meal, one may be hundreds of miles reach was a plentitude of cedar. W* where one couldn't drive a railroad from the nearest of any of these three melted some snow in a kettle an" spike into the terrain. fine trees. One uses whatever kind of tossed in a few bouillon cubes for a Over the years I have found that wood is at hand. hot drink with our sandwiches. After the simplest, quickest and most An extreme example of this oc­ the kettle was off we built up the firf efficient rest for cooking utensils is curred to me several years ago on a It snapped and cracked and thre^ two or three rocks properly spaced. If fishing trip in northern lake country. sparks in the snow. It was a rathef cheerful sound in the quiet woods. We 18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE* birchbark is hard to beat if things are a little damp. However, one doesn't just strip this stuff off the nearest tree and disfigure it. On the larger birch trees there is usually a bit of shaggy outer bark hanging loose, which one can gather with no harm. One can also gather bark from any dead piece of birch. Cones from any of the pines are easy to light. The outer dead bark of a cedar tree also makes an excellent starter, but shred it a bit before using. If you are low on matches, shred two or three handfuls of this bark by grinding it between two rocks. If things are pretty well soaked from a prolonged wet spell, one may The coffee brews atop a trio of have to chop up a log or stump for his discarded "brew" cans left tinder as well as the rest of the fire­ behind by litterbugs. wood. Even after a hard rain, one can usually find dry stuff close to the base Using stones for a dual cooking of a big evergreen tree or a clump of W&, the author, above, flips them. But when things are damp all a breakfast flapjack. Soup, too, can be heated this way. over, one has to take an ax and go But, when you're finished, scouting. In such cases I am always take them with you! There is no limit to the variety surprised how dry the wood is just °ne can enjoy while afield — under the surface of a piece of dead even sizzling sausage. pine or other resinous soft wood. nd 1 In picking a stump or log for fire­ wood, try to find one that is in a spot exposed to the sun, rather than a nor­ mally shady place. It will be drier, better seasoned and less punky. One good stump gave us a com­ fortable camp one evening on a canoe trip in the Superior National Forest about 40 years ago. Four of us had paddled all day in a steady drizzle. As we landed at dusk on an island in Basswood Lake, one of the members opined that we were in for cold beans and a cold camp. I told him I wouldn't bet my life on it, but I thought I could come up with a fire. While they were pitching the tent, I took an ax and aa White pine is the best, if it happens to d our packsacks hung out of range. went looking. I found a big, old pine be handy. These are about the Starting and handling cooking fires stump, and we were in business. 0r diameter of a match stick or a little even heat in the right amount is I very seldom find a need for an ax s larger. Just break them into about °rnewhat of an art. For most cooking when gathering wood for a cooking s three-inch lengths, pile them loosely j* ks, one wants a small fire rather fire. Usually there is enough small a and light. Then put on gradually " n an eyebrow singer. For broiling, stuff lying around that can easily be larger sticks until the fire is the right poking in foil, or using a reflector broken by hand or by coming down on , aker, one needs a fair-sized fire, with size. ar it with a foot. Even the larger pieces dwood, if any is available. Some fire builders put a lot of wood snap off when whacked over a rock or • For most camp cooking with a fry- over the tinder before lighting. I never n log. Most of the time, one can get a § Pan, small kettle or coffee pot, a do. It usually results in quite a cloud supply of wood more quickly and with ^U properly controlled fire does the of smoke before all the wood is blaz­ nea less work without an ax. If one is a testjob. ing. It also sometimes results in a day or more from civilization, possibly , To start the fire, almost any small larger fire than you want to start your the less he uses an ax the better. „^v wood will do. I have started most cooking. • my cooking fires by grabbing a A small handful of birchbark is a andful of small outer twigs from very dependable starter with small ead branches of evergreen trees. sticks piled on top. In fact, a bit of (continued on page 21.) 0 CTOBER— 1978 19 THE ANGLER'S NOTEBOOK by Richard F. Williamson

FISH FACT: Muskies are loners in the An old bamboo fishing pole is a good water. They do not travel in schools or fishing tool. Tie 10 to 12 feet of line to roam very far from their favorite hiding the end of the pole and use a short leader and feeding places. This fish needs a lot to attach a baited hook or lure to the line. of food and it will not tolerate others of Then, reach out with the long pole and its species in its territory. fish those little open spaces in lily pads and weed beds that often are hard to October is a fine month for shoreline reach with modern fishing rods. fishing for bass. Fewer fishermen are pre­ senting lures and the water has cooled to Spoons and spinners should be fished more comfortable temperatures. Besides, deep most of the time, often right down the bass are feeding heavily to store up on the bottom, to catch fish in high and fat for the winter season. roily water.

If you are not attracting fish with a Use lines no heavier than four- or six- minnow hooked through the lips, or un­ pound-test in fishing midget plugs, jigs der the back fin, try a minnow hooked and spoons. Heavier line will act as a There is no need to wait for a bass to through the tail. drag on the lure and spoil its action. move off before setting the hook when fishing with a . Observations "Bottom" in a weedy lake, so far as the show that a bass attacks the worm from Plastic four to six inches long fish is concerned, may not be the bed of the middle or at the tail, rarely at the are better than the bigger models in fish­ the lake, but rather the tops of weeds in a head and that the fish takes the worm ing creeks, rivers and comparatively thick bed. A bait or lure fished in such a into its mouth immediately. So, set the small lakes. Use them with very light situation should be worked just above hook at the first "tap" signal of a strike. casting or spinning gear, or even a stout the weed tops, just under the surface of fly rod, and retrieve them gently. the water, where it will be seen by fish hiding in the weeds. If allowed to sink Six-pound-test nylon makes an ex­ cellent flyro d leader in . Plugs sink at the rate of about one foot too deep, the bait or lure may become so per second, if they are of average size. hidden in the weeds that the fish will not So a countdown after the enters the be aware of it. Don't fish on the bottom for ; they are not bottom feeders like water gives you a pretty good idea of how bullheads. deep it will run. Five seconds means An old line is always suspect, even roughly five feet, ten seconds ten feet, though it is made from modern syn­ Vary the speed in deep for and so on. thetics. It can develop frays and other muskies and pike. At times move the weak spots which are not noticed in a boat no faster than absolutely necessary casual inspection. Best bet is to discard Banana-shaped jigs are the least likely to bring out the action of the lure, but a line after it has been used a number of to snag on rocky bottoms. from time to time double that speed for seasons, especially if a lot of fishing has short distances. But always troll at least been done with it. Rubber are somewhat fragile but at a speed that enables you to feel the vi­ bration of the lure. they are good bass lures. They are ex­ In this age of plastics, plugs made of cellent floaters and their thin rubber legs balsa wood are making a comeback. can be made to work realistically. The Row slowly and quietly when fishing Most of them are floaters but some have best models have hooks that ride with from a boat. Oars that splash the water metal lips that make them deep runners. the points up, making them virtually and clank in their locks send vibrations All are available in a good range of sizes, weedless when they are retrieved gently shapes and colors. into the water and make fish extremely wary. on the surface.

Keeping records is helpful, particularly of those times and places where the fish­ ing has been good. A chart of weather and stream conditions, the types and sizes of baits or lures used and the results of the fishing can sketch a picture of con­ ditions under which another good fishing trip can be reasonably expected.

Bass take refuge in deep, cool water during the warmest part of the summer, but when autumn temperatures cool the water, particularly in the shallows, bass do a lot of feeding along the shorelines and other shallow areas.

20 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE? Trout feeding in the midst of a hatch of Too much slack line on the surface Properly filling a spinning or casting "sects quite often literally turn up their makes it hard to set the hook in a fish reel makes it easier to cast a lure ac­ °ses even at what you might regard as a taking a floating lure. Some slack in the curately. Also, more line will be re­ imitation of the natural. Change line is necessary to permit the lure to trieved with each turn of the reel handle. °a wet fly or nymph in such a situation, float naturally but the slack portion The line should fill the reel spool to within i change of pace in the offerings coming should be no longer than can be lifted about a quarter inch of the top. °the fish may be just the thing needed to off the water surface (setting the hook) iri gger a rise and take. with a firm lift of the tip of the rod. Take care in putting new hooks on a plug to replace ones that are rusted or Paste floatants for dry flies do a good Convert a dry fly into a makeshift wet j0 bent out of shape. Unless the new hooks ° but must be applied sparingly to fly by oiling it. It will not float as well as are the same size and weight as the v°id matting the hackles and actually a dry fly, of course, but it will remain just Oy originals, the balance of the plug and its erloading the fly. below the surface film and can interest action will be changed. trout feeding on floating insects. Short-shank hooks are tops for use with "ch baits as hellgrammites, grasshop- What do you do when a wet fly or A night crawler or minnow on the hook 5^8, crickets and very small minnows. nymph completes its downward swing and of a jig makes the lure a better fish "ese hooks will do very little damage to hangs in the current below you? One catcher, no matter what kind of dressing ,he bait but will be strong enough to good tactic is to retrieve the fly a short is on the jig. "°ok and hold a fish. distance, then let it drop back down in the flow of the water. Repeat this kind A fly rod eight feet long is better than a Avoid excessive false casting. The re­ of retrieve until the fly is close and it is midget of seven feet for fishing streams lated flash of a rod over the surface of time for another cast. Rarely are aquatic that have a variety of currents. The Jje water can put a fish down. Mopping insects able to swim directly into even a longer rod can reach farther across cur­ fte fly vvith a tissue or with a soft cotton very moderate current. They struggle rents and keep more of the line off the ar r *dkerchief will absorb a lot of water against the water or allow themselves water, reducing the extent to which the ,r°m it. to drift downstream. floating line causes the fly to drag. firewood... if it is spring or midsummer, and the frying pan. There was enough even in what part of the country you ground litter so that I didn't bother to Continued from page 19.) are gathering your firewood. It de­ gather any firewood. I just stacked a pends on where the wood is lying, if on few dried pine cones to start the fire, At a public campground in Wis- low, moist ground, or on sandy or and then put on pieces of bark, wood c°nsin I got onto a way to get firewood rocky soil, and if the area is exposed chips and small sticks. I cooked bacon Jjfth a pole. We had pulled in just in to the sun. I have gathered as much and eggs and coffee without even get­ tuHe to cook supper. The only supply good, dry firewood from the ground as ting off my haunches. When I needed °f wood provided was some half green I have snapped off trees, and with less fuel, I just reached out for some. asPen logs. The place was otherwise expenditure of energy. The trickiest part of cooking over a Picked clean. There was a lot of white One time at the public Campground small wood fire is keeping it burning P'ne there, but the dead lower at Fiddler's Lake in the Wind River steadily at the rate desired. Amateurs inches were removed up to a height Mountains in Wyoming we wanted a usually pile on too much wood at one of about eight feet. Above that there supply of firewood for an evening time, resulting in too much flame, *ere plenty of small dead limbs for a campfire. There were some very large then let it die down to where they are ^u'ck fire. But trying to climb up after logs around that one could chew at fanning it to get it started again. Un­ ..•Jerri was a rough job that would with an ax, but that was a lot of work less there is plenty of fuel within easy P e|y get one's hands and clothes full for a small amount of firewood. We reach, one should gather an ample J.Pitch. Standing there looking up at took the Jeep down the road a half supply before starting a meal. Once 's nice dry wood reminded me of the mile to where a high bank overlooked the fire is well started, anticipate its j,°ry of the fox and the grapes. the road. On top there was a bonanza needs, and add one or two sticks at a °wever, lying nearby was a slim log of dry wood lying on the ground. We time. This will keep it going at a , °OUt eight feet long that the rangers tossed it down onto the road and steady pace. One good method is to d not cut up, probably because it loaded it onto the Jeep. In five use sticks a foot or more in length and as too green. But with this I swung minutes we had more firewood than keep pushing them into the fire as the P at the dead branches and snapped we could chop from a log in an hour. ends burn. If the fire gets too hot, pull . a shower of good firewood. I have And gathering it was actually fun a few of them out. However, it is easy u thi«i m**thnH Qf»vpral ttmpQ sin rather than work. to get distracted, and occasionally I r this method several times since, ath One time after a bit of early morn­ have found myself blowing at the w er than go for a long hike after ood" ing trout fishing I stopped to cook coals under the coffee pot, and putting 0 ne comes across the advice not to breakfast beside the stream at a place on a handful of twigs to get the fire h a wood lying on the ground because that had been used a number of times started again. at wood will be damp. From my by campers. There was a ring of Cooking with a camp stove is lik i'ence' such wood is far more stones where campfires had been easier, but cooking over a wood fire, if if tu to be drv tnan damp. It depends built. I used two of the stones to sup­ you have a little know-how, is more th e recent weather has been wet or, port the coffee pot, and two more for fun.

CT O B E R 19 7 8 21 LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION —

Waterways Patrolmen Retirements, Promotions, Reassignments and New Assignments —

Clarence W. Shearer, a veteran of 37 Wilbur Williams reported for Fish Com­ O. Lee Tilton, Delaware County years of service in a number of assign­ mission duty in July of 1950 and served in Transferred by legislation from th* ments, retired in 1978. Shearer served McKean County throughout his entire 28 former Delaware River Navigation Com' from 1941 to 1951 in Armstrong County, years of service. mission to the Pennsylvania Fish Cort' became the Northeast Region's first mission. supervisor (51-53), served in the same ca­ pacity in the Northcentral Region (53-57), and served as Venango County Wa­ terways Patrolman from 1957 until his retirement.

William F. Hartle, formerly waterways Jay B. Johnston, formerly assigned to George Jones, formerly assigned | patrolman for southern York County, was Bucks County, reassigned to Clinton Warren County, reassigned to VenanfS promoted to Assistant Regional Super­ County, replacing the late Lloyd Wilson. County, replacing Shearer. visor, filling an existing vacancy in the Northcentral Region.

22 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE s,

Barry Mechling, formerly assigned to Donald Parrish, formerly assigned to Stanley Plevyak, formerly assigned to Allegheny County, reassigned to Beaver Beaver County, reassigned to McKean Washington County, reassigned to Bucks County, replacing Parrish. County, replacing Williams. County, replacing Johnston.

mnty n th'j Com- "

. Guy A. Bowersox, newly assigned to Ronald L. Hoffman, newly assigned to Wayne Lee Imler, newly assigned to ^°ntgomery County replacing the late southern York County, replacing Hartle. southern Bucks County, a new district. rancis Rotchford.

-d *" h Keith E. Small, newly assigned to Wash­ William F. Snyder, newly assigned to ' nl?'1 D rv "'• Pollock, newly assigned to that ington County, replacing Plevyak. the Lebanon/S. Dauphin County district, Ortion of Allegheny County formerly filling a vacancy created by the resignation erved by Mechling. of Paul Hornberger.

CTOBER— 1978 23 slowly being squeezed out of the pic­ allows you to move indoors more com­ ture, a matter of ecomonics. New fortably. In addition to V-bunks, it safety and construction demands often sports a convertible dinette fof from the public and governmental additional sleeping capacity, a sink, agencies are making the cost of icebox, and sometimes an alcohol Ashore production vs. sales too unbalanced. stove for onboard cooking. The The Inflatable is a "boat" whose Sportfishennan usually is a more ex­ time has just about come. Large, tensive and expensive expansion of the & professional type inflatables (and just Day Cruiser and Weekender. It is as big in price) are becoming more most popular in the 30-35 foot range practical for private ownership, espe­ and really runs the gauntlet when it Afloat cially under selected water, wind, and comes to appointments and fittings. It sheltered conditions. Let me hasten to may be sparsely furnished or outfitted add I'm referring to tested, "ap­ with the ultimate in fishing and cruis­ by Gene Winters proved" type inflatables, not your or­ ing accommodations, a fiybridge dinary backyard pool variety or the (perhaps complete with "tuna" rubber tire tube type we used to float tower), a cockpit with one or more the Swatara Creek many years ago. fighting chairs, bait and fish lockers, The Deck or Pontoon boat is very trolling and rod storage, etc. J\ s the boating season draws to a popular in many areas of the country. The true Motor Yacht Cruiser is close, many folks will begin "window From my backyard, I can almost see hard to define by size. Since each shopping" the dealers and marinas. the countless pontoon boats plying the person's outlook is different depend­ Those looking for their first boat and Susquehanna River. They are used for ing whether you're seated in the those ready and anxious to trade up. general boating, picnics, shoreline helmsman's chair or waving goodbye With the great selection of boats out cookouts, or ferrying the family back from the dock, let's just say it tends to there, finding one should not be too and forth to a vacation cottage on a be big and prestige is its middle name- much of a problem. Finding the right river island. Deluxe models are even Generally, these stately yachts fall W boat may, however, be more difficult. available with a camper cabin to the 50 to 65 foot (and more) range- A little thought beforehand about afford shelter from rain, wind, and They usually offer a mastef intended use, capacity requirements, sun. Usually outboard powered, they stateroom, one or two smaller state­ and waters in which you intend to boat seem to exist in certain pockets of the rooms, crew's quarters, bar and colof may help you make a wiser choice. As state more than others. Like all boats, tv, generator for full-time power, a a possible guide to aid you, let's take a it's important to know their ca­ huge living room (salon, if you will)- look at powerboats this month. For pabilities and their limitations. radiotelephone, radar, and much reasons of space and their general The Houseboat has really grown in more. In fact, the list of standard and simplicity, let's bypass the powered popularity in recent years. Early option features available would rowboat or jonboat this time. models lacked power and often could probably fill this column in itself. No' The Runabout is still the most only plough and push their way only is the motor yacht ofl popular type around, especially on in­ through the water, often carrying Lake Erie on almost any given day, it land waters. Usually about 14 to 20 more water inside the living room is in reality a small ocean liner, idea' feet in length, the runabout is often an than was under the boat. Modern ver­ for travel around the world if you've open boat although it may have a sions not only offer sufficient power, got the time and inclination. (It goes decked-over bow and often a folding but are often built on the same deep-V without saying we assume you have canvas (or even hard) top. It is hull as the manufacturer's deep water the money.) extremely popular to boaters because cruisers. The houseboat is ideal as a The Funabout. Ah, the Funabout- of its relatively low to moderate cost floating vacation retreat and is often I've saved it for last, probably be­ and versatility. It is not only useful for used for full-time living on the water, cause I'm not quite sure what to make boating but for fishing, diving, swim­ particularly in warmer climates. of it and mostly because I haven't ming, and often skiing. It is most When it comes to Cruisers, we been too impressed with the quality often outboard powered although it really get around to variety. Depend­ and attitude of most of the operators may be sterndrive or inboard ing on whom you talk to, cruisers I've run into so far. Early models wefe powered, even jet drive. Remote con­ range in length from 18 to 50 feet or primarily outboard powered; the ne^ trol steering wheel, single gear/throt­ more. The most popular type today, generation features an inboard power- tle control, lounge seat, and other because of lower initial cost, is the plant. Newer versions approach a si^ convenience items increase its appeal. Day Cruiser or Weekender version. down version of skiing. To be honest From time to time, boat manufac­ The Day Cruiser, as the name implies, have not gotten too close to them —• I turers will include a Utility boat in is intended for day-long excursions. wish I could say the same about them- their line. This is often a stripped- While it usually offers at least To date, the few I've encountered down version of one of their minimal cabin shelter, it is more often seemed to be operated by brash, arro' runabouts. Hull design and resultant a somewhat fancied-up fishing ma­ gant, senseless nitwits. (Apologies W stability and handling characteristics chine. It often comes with built-in bait all the sane and responsible operators (or lack of same) are identical to the and fish lockers. It may have V-bunk to whom I have not had the goo" runabout. Utility boats are, however, sleeping facilities. The Weekender fortune of yet being introduced.) The

24 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE1 A number of types of boats sit at rest in this marina; perhaps one strikes your fancy. Chances are someone who berths his boat here has one for sale. Is it what you've had in mind?

andful I've encountered took great minutes till the thing shut off; in the make your first (or second) choice the e,1ght in buzzing the boat, seeing how meantime it kept circling closer and right choice. Surveys show the °se they could run across my bow, closer to our hull. average first-time boat owner re­ c- And I certainly hope at least one There are still other varieties of places that boat within two years, anufacturer improves on his "dead watercraft: All-terrain Vehicles, usually the result of making the wrong J^an's switch" (intended to auto- Camper Boats, Amphibious Boats, initial selection. So if you don't find atically kill the engine if the opera- and what have you. You pays your your dream boat this fall, don't fret r d° falls off, etc). During one money and takes your choice. But, too much. A winter spent studying the e at "ionstration of how to buzz a boat since money, particularly if you're us­ market may make you that much ., anchor at meal preparation time, ing someone else's money, is getting smarter when it comes to boat buying ne operator fell off and it took 3-5 more expensive every day, try to time next spring.

C/,uiser or yacht? Owners are often the only ones who can pin it down; since it's their money, it's a right they cannot be denied. One thing is certain: you do not tug one behind your car!

CTOBER— 1978 25 the feathers between two shaped , correlating each to its metal plates while the excess fibres proper hook size. are burned away. I haven't had an op­ Most feathers have a natural curva­ portunity to use the latter but it is said ture which causes the tips of matched to produce well-shaped wings. One of pairs to bend away from each othef the simplest and most effective meth­ when held back-to-back. For this ods of shaping cut wings is one reason it is more feasible to shape the developed by Poul Jorgensen, utilizing wings individually. Just remember to an ordinary toenail clipper as the cut­ make a right and left wing for each ting tool. These clippers are widely pair, one the mirror image of the available in drugstores and cutlery de­ other. Fly partments, generally at reasonable The shape of the cross-section of prices. When selecting clippers be the center rib should determine the sure to ascertain that the cutting method of setting the wings. Close Tying edges meet, when closed, along the examination will show that the ribs of entire arcs of the blades. If they are many body and shoulder feathers are even slightly askew they will not cut oval or flattish in profile. With these it I by Chauncy K. Lively thin materials uniformly. is easiest to set the wings in their up­ Cut wings may be fashioned from a right position with the ribs straddling photos by the author variety of feathers but generally, the hook. On the other hand, hen neck those with webby fibres hold their hackles generally have round ribs of shape best. Feathers with fibres which smaller diameter and wings of these extend out from the center rib at an feathers are better set by holding the angle of forty-five degrees or greater wings parallel to the hook and binding will permit forming a broader wing the stems along the top of the shank. (Author's preface: Our past columns than those with fibres lying along the Then the wings are pulled upright and have dealt mainly with the dressing of indi­ rib at a lesser angle. The mottled set with turns of thread. In either case vidual fly patterns. While many of the flies feathers from the back of a ringneck a bit of bare stems should show above have been fairly simple in construction, pheasant are ideal for wings the shank to allow room for thorax requiring more or less conventional representing some of the darker dubbing. A drop of hard-drying ce­ procedures, there have been a few patterns Stenonema species, while wood duck ment (Duco, Ambroid, etc.) applied to the stems at the base of the wings wi A which strayed from beaten paths, incor­ flank or breast feathers are fine for porating techniques deserving of greater the Cahills and light Stenonemas. The hold them in position. explanatory detail than I was able to give in small shoulder feathers from mallard Because of their broad surface, it i s J the two-page spread kindly allotted me by and coot wings furnish delicate shades essential that cut wings be set our good editor. So it is my intention, at of dun which match the wings of many perfectly straight; otherwise, the fly least for a few columns in this new series, to mayflies. The large hackles from hen will spin and twist the leader. But it's backtrack a bit and explore in depth some necks are available in many colors really not difficult to achieve good rather unique facets of the process. and shades to meet almost any re­ alignment if care is exercised. The These columns may be used as reference in quirement. Most feathers are slightly trick is to keep checking the align' dressing future patterns embodying these concave on their dull sides; this is Na­ ment from the front of the hook, mak­ techniques and, hopefully, will help to ture's way of ensuring that the ing necessary adjustments as the ce­ facilitate the tying of some of some of our feathers cling close to the bird. ment sets. Simply sight along the past patterns which may have been trou­ However, if feathers show any degree hook, from front to rear, until the blesome.) of twist they should be avoided be­ bend appears in the eye; then if the cause they are certain to cause leader wings appear as thin slivers you may PART I — WINGS SHAPED twist in casting. be assured they are straight. FROM RIBBED FEATHERS Since most feathers have fibres ex­ Despite their fragile appearance, tending beyond the tip of the center cut wings are quite durable and will M. he use of center-ribbed feathers, rib, the first step in fashioning clipper- withstand a great deal of trout abuse- cut to shape, has come into promi­ cut wings should be to squarely cut off After extracting the fly from a trout £ nence in recent years as perhaps the the tips of the feathers with straight jaw I use my bandana as a blotter to most realistic representation of scissors. Then the effective wing remove most of the moisture from th6 wings, particularly in the size height is measured along the length of wings. Then I blow on the fly to fluff'' range of #8 to #18. There are several the hook and the excess bottom fibres out. Finally, I check the wing alig0' methods for cutting wings and the are stripped off. The wing height ment by sighting along the hook and most obvious — shaping with scis­ should equal the overall length of the make any corrections necessary W sors — is the most difficult, due to the appropriate regular-shank hook, from twisting or pulling the wings into the soft, unstable character of the feather the end of the eye to the outside of the proper posture. Then the fly is ready fibres. The Bennett Wing Cutter bend. Fly Fisherman's Bookcase of for new conquests. (more of this next month) makes a Eugene, Oregon markets a handy Next month we'll discuss shaped neat job and the Orvis Company has Mayfly Proportion Chart which shows wings of quill sections and an interest' an unusual wing former which holds actual wing sizes for all the major ing synthetic wing material.

26 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL E* SHAPING & SETTING CUT WINGS:

Left — Webby feathers are best for cut wings.

Right — Select a pair of feathers larger than required for wings. (Pheasant back feathers are shown here.) Match feathers together and cut off tips with straight scissors.

Left — Wing length should be equiv­ alent to overall length of regular shank \ hook. Measure paired feathers against U«£ hook and strip off excessive lower fibres. Right — Hold one feather by its stem, with concave side toward you, and make a shallow cut with nail clippers. A second cut may be required if wing is longer than the width of the clipper blades.

Left — Turn the feather around with cut edge to the left; then make an angled cut to form wing's trailing edge. Next hold the other feather with convex side toward you and repeat steps 4 and 5. You should now have a perfectly matched left and right wing.

Right — Hold wings upright in position, back to back, with stems straddling shank. About 1/16" of bare stems should show above shank to permit thorax dubbing. Secure with several fig­ ure-8 turns of thread around stems. Then bend stems back under shank and bind. Apply a drop of cement to stems •-... '**%. at base of wings.

Left — Check wing alignment by sight­ ing from eye of hook to bend. Make any necessary corrections while cement is setting. Now you are ready to complete your fly.

Right — A few examples of cut wing dry flies.

CTOBER— 1978 27 little problem. The deputies, using th( tank and Deputy Verner's pickup truc^i stocked Patterson Run and Glade RU'1 before the fish truck was repaired. -u^f Considering the fact that the deputtf'i had no fish truck followers that day, bofl NOTES ink the shim. streams were stocked in the 2Yi hours 1 took to repair the fish truck. But it woii!' have taken a normal 4 hours for the fisfl truck to stock the same fish. With the cooperation of the Pine Cre^ Sportsmen's Club and the Armstrong TRY TOPPING THIS ONE! BONANZA County Deputies I personally feel that <#! may have prevented a disaster with dew On a recent three-day fishing trip my It was about a half hour before the fish and I want to say "thanks" to the m6' wife, my teenage fishing buddy and I opening time of 8:00 a.m. on the first day and Pine Creek Sportsmen's Club m caught and released in excess of 150 fish, of trout season and Deputy Ralph Gam­ their help. eight inches or larger. Species included a bler was keeping an eye on an area of few sunfish, bluegills, rock bass, fallfish, Jordan Creek in Allentown. A couple of Jim Smith smallmouth bass, walleye, suckers, carp anglers approached him, pointed to a man Waterways Patrolm^ and catfish, as well as a healthy share of upstream and said that they had seen him Armstrong County trout for each. We used spinners, some fishing. According to these witnesses, the minnows, and eleven dozen night crawlers. man had caught a trout but had released Fished in the middle of the day for about it. ". . HAVE EYES AND eight hours each day and fished one of Deputy Gambler approached the man SEE NOT " Pennsylvania's scenic mid-state rivers. with this information, asked if he had been Most of the fish were caught under a fishing and if he had caught a trout. The I met one of those fishing and huntW bridge in one hole. If I would have had fisherman said that he had caught a trout. slobs the other day! You know, the gu' more time, I feel certain I could have But, it was an accident. whose utter disregard for everything en"', proved that every hole in each of the It seems that he had his rod strung up up costing you and me. He happened to % northcentral's major rivers could produce and baited, rested it on a forked stick with fishing in a Fish-For-Fun area with sp'l' equally well. To do this I would have to the bait dangling over the water. Wouldn't ning rod and bait, which is prohibited. H|! retire now at 29 and live to be 1000, fishing you know it, a trout saw the bait and automobile was parked only four feet fro''' everyday! jumped out of the water, hooking himself the sign stating the regulations, so I ask^" Every day, while patrolling I have to on the man's line. him if he had read it. He stated he had n° listen to tales of how good the fishing is When this same gentleman called me to read it because he thought it was only s "here" or "there." You'll never convince explain the circumstances, he had another "farmer sign!" I asked, "What's a 'farm?1 me it is any better than in "our own back­ story. He told me that his buddy said that sign'?" He said, "you know, one of thos yard." they should not fish in that particular area 'No trespass signs'!" since the water was too shallow. So, to de­ Robert L ynn Steiner termine what the water depth was, he Terry Hannold Waterways Patrolman threw in his hook and sinker — but the Waterways Patrolffl* S/Luzerne County hook was not baited. A trout took it Northampton Counti anyway! We had stocked a lot of trout in that area; but, not so many that they PROFICIENT! would be jumping through the air for a "KNOW-IT-ALLS"? worm or biting on bare hooks! Apparently our trout stocking program People call my residence asking for a' Fred Mussel in Greene County is benefiting more than type of information and most of the qu^8' Waterways Patrolman just our local anglers. A pair of Ospreys tions can be answered. Sometim65' Lehigh County was sighted around Ryerson Lake prior to however, we just don't have the inform3 the opening of trout season and I have tion the caller wants and you would be sur been keeping a close watch on them. prised how irritated they get when *ffl COOPERATION COUNTS Recently, while on a routine patrol on don't know: the cost of a nonresident fis'1 Enlow Fork, which is only a couple of ing license in-Alaska; when the salm0 Last spring, before an inseason stocking miles from Ryerson Lake, I spotted one of season starts in Nova Scotia; or, how tf of Patterson Run, Glade Run, and the the Ospreys perched in a dead tree over­ fishing is for lake trout on the Fing'e ' South Fork of Pine Creek could get looking the creek. I was admiring the Lakes in New York State! started, the power steering unit on the fish beauty of this fish-eating predator, when it truck broke and the truck returned to Kit- James T. Valentine suddenly dove from the tree into the tanning for repairs. Waterways Patrolrta stream and came up with a fish clasped in l Huntingdon Counti its talons. Through my binoculars I could During the 2 /z hours the truck was be­ make out the white underside and olive ing repaired, a prearranged plan was sides of about a nine-inch rainbow trout. I placed into effect that covered such an wonder if our local anglers are aware of emergency. Deputies Bowser, Hetrick, "... START YOUR FISH"! the fish-catching ability of some of their Rearick and Verner loaded a 300-gallon natural competition. stainless steel tank built by Al Boyer, Secretary of Lycoming Cr^, the Pine Creek Sportsmen's Club for Anglers COOP Nursery related this stor> Gary E. Dieger stocking their Cooperative Nursery fish in to me the other day. Seems he had a vi» Waterways Patrolman local streams. The tank holds about 500 from a gentleman who stopped at his pla | Greene County fish, if weather conditions are cool, with of business and said, "I heard the club h"

2H PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE "uilt three new fish raceways and was (while waiting for Assistant Supervisor the class. We started with the demonstra­ '"terested in knowing when the club would Hollen to arrive with the display unit) tion of the electroshocker then did a little ho'd their first fish race" Al took the when an individual drove by and shouted fishing, filleting and cooking of part of the gentleman's name and phone number and from his car, "It's about time you did catch. Promised to phone him when the first this — tow them all away!" I looked Total catch for about three hours' fish­ race" was to take place. around to see who he was talking to but / ing was: was the only one there, except the 7 bluegills James H. Lauer wrecker driver, who was out of sight under 16 perch Waterways Patrolman the car! Why me Lord? I'm one of the 1 chub L ycoming County good guys. 3 bass — returned 1 walleye \9XA" Larry V. Boor 237 crappies Waterways Patrolman NATIONALLY KNOWN VISITOR The class contained 10 students, Mr. Mercer County Nilson and me. Mike Mewes, a foreign ex­ Earlier this year while patrolling the change student from Germany, caught the shore of the Shenango Lake, I noticed a ar most fish along with the walleye. Mike ge object on a stump at water's edge, "LETS EAT. . . t" told me he has caught several walleyes in having never seen this on patrol in this ar Germany but never a crappie or bluegill. ea before I was curious. As I watched, Last month our son Ronald wanted to [he object moved several times. Wanting a go with his dad to a sportsmen's club Cloyd W. Hollen °etter look I used my binoculars to find meeting. Being he is now 10 years old, Jim Assistant Supervisor ut ° just what this object was. To my sur­ decided it would be alright. Jim was the Northwest Region prise the object turned out to be a bald guest speaker, so at the end of his talk the ea 8le, the movement was caused when the men there asked numerous questions. Fi­ eagle would take another bite of the fish it nally, after about 45 minutes Jim asked if ADIOS AMIGO *as holding in its talons. While reflecting there were anymore questions. In the °n this scene I wondered if the fish had back of the room a hand shot up, "No At 3:55 a.m., I received a telephone call been caught or found on shore. Oh well, it more questions — let's eat chili," came that woke the entire family, from a man really doesn't matter. All God's creatures the reply — it was Ronald. who stated his name was Bill Wilson. Mr. W'H be provided for — they all have a Wilson wanted to know if I was going to P'ace in nature's plan. Kathryn Ansell stock trout that day. I asked him why he Deputy Waterways Patrolman had called me at 3:55 a.m. for that kind of Larry V. Boor Fayette County information, and he stated he didn't even Waterways Patrolman know it was nighttime or even dark out­ Mercer County side. After I "politely" told him where he could go to find a fish truck at that hour of STRONG ECONOMICS the morning, he gingerly said, "Adios TOSS UP! A study made by the U.S. Fish & Amigo" and hung up. Don't think for a Wildlife Service reveals that hunters and minute I didn't look for a -eyed While on patrol along an area stream I Mexican named Bill Wilson all day after n fishermen are spending more than 20 °ted four persons dressed in "jungle" billion annually to pursue the two sports. that! ^stumes, complete with khaki shorts, The study, made in 1975 but only recently P'th helmets and butterfly nets. After a J. R. Smith s released, shows that hunters spent 478.6 Waterways Patrolman nort period of observation I addressed million days and 5.8 billion dollars, and, hem and asked just what it was they were Armstrong County aft hold on to your hat, anglers laid out 15.2 er. I was told that they were running a billion dollars to fish 1.3 billion days. Periodic entomological survey for the New That's a total for the two of 21 billion Joi'k Museum of Natural History. They dollars for 1975. FISHED OUT? ^o reciprocated and asked what my As an economics major in college in my °Jncial function was. I explained that I During the Spring of 1977, Long Run early years, I can appreciate the contribu­ Creek received its very first trout stock­ SjjQ hunted and identified "insect pests." tion these monies make to the total Gross "at is, I was conducting a foot patrol in ing. Initially, there was a great flurry of a National Product of these United States activity along the stream, resulting in * rch of "Litterbugs." I am not sure who in any given year. It is also easy to see that "°ught who was the "buggiest." some fine catches. Then, as the season this "economic clout" is a must to wore on, the nibbles dwindled and the Robert Lynn Steiner consider in any environmental study interest began to fade. All summer long particularly to those projects that are Waterways Patrolman comments such as the following were termed "in the name of progress. . . ." S/Luzerne County heard: Bernie Ambrose "There's no trout left" Waterways Patrolman "They all swam down to the river" *'GHT PLACE — WRONG TIME Elk County "The water gets too low in the summer" "Raccoons got 'em all" While about to set up a display at the % Needless to say, I was skeptical. So, in •enango Valley Mall, I became the late October I walked quietly along this c ! tim of circumstances by being in the BIG DAY — "fished-out creek" and counted eighteen 8ht place at the wrong time. feeding trout. o This particular day had been chosen by On 5/17/78 I had the opportunity of he mall as the day to start towing vehicles working in the field with Richard Nilson Bob Johnston J°m the "No PARKING" zones. I was and his Ecology Class from Valley Grove Deputy Waterways Patrolman ,'anding on the curb watching a wrecker High School. The day was wet, rainy and Allegheny County driv er hook up a car to be towed away windy but it did not dampen the spirits of (continued on page 31.)

0 CTOBER— 1978 29 "REAL LUCKY..." real good "killer" for . U More Leaky Boots... takes a lot of patience for a strike; but, (continued from page 3.) The picture shows me at my height of when one does hit he's at least fourteen glory. I haven't a care in the world when I inches. Just recently a bass I would guess am fishing if I catch anything or not but I to be about sixteen or eighteen inches BIG OPENING DAY! have been real lucky at fishing and hunt­ really engulfed my Cooper , dove ing. My son tells me he takes me along down and snagged my line on a limb of While fishing Lake Arthur on the open­ just for luck. I love to ice fish as well when rock and broke the line. I have not seen of ing day of bass season, I had the the weather gets a little nice. heard of a Cooper Frog for sale anywhere experience of a lifetime. for many years. So if anyone has one of My uncle, Daren Conroy, and I arrived BETTY GHANER more to sell, I would be glad to buy. Of State College on the lake at 5:30. He caught three very any leads or information would be ap­ nice-sized bass and I caught a smaller bass preciated. So, check your old rusty and and a 26-inch northern — all by 10:30. At dusty fishing lures, fellas, and write to me. 11:00 we decided to do a little drifting with shiners. As we were drifting, we got an oc­ FRANK MIHALICIK casional snag here and there, but a simple 6 Brown Street pull would free them. A half-hour passed Ashley, Pa. 18706 without any action and I was fading, when my rod started to bend. I figured it was LAB PAL— another snag and started pulling; but, what I didn't expect was for it to pull Enclosed please find a check for 3 back. The fish stayed under for a while, three-year subscription to the. Angler. suddenly exploding with gills flared, and I read with great interest the article in shaking violently before returning to the the May issue about "Widgeon" by Do" water. When we saw that, my uncle yelled Shiner. I, too, am familiar to many people "musky," which I thought, too, because of on Western Pennsylvania streams with my the size of the fish. When we finally netted MORE ON THOSE "DOGS" — old Lab, "Mr. Cid." We go back almost the fish my uncle turned to me and said, "I 13 years. I must confess that on two can't believe it — it's a bass!" He went to In answer to George Grice on dogfish, I separate occasions on two different tribu­ take the hook out and the shank broke on used to visit Gun Lake, Michigan, around taries to Lake Erie, old Mr. Cid, (C.I.D- the hook. He then handed it to me and it 1912. One day a man at the hotel brought means "The Lord") ran down and caught broke again. After that, I had to sit down. in six of them . . . speared them in shallow two salmon and happily retrieved them My uncle kept kidding me, threatening water and bulrushes. I asked him what from the shallow riffles. I'm sure that if to throw me off the boat because I caught they were and he said dogfish. Mr. Ely were around, I'd still be in jail. I a bigger fish than he did, twice! Later in hope Cid and I can be forgiven. the day though I think he was satisfied R. H. LA FOUNTAIN Upper Darby Like Don Shiner, it sure is a great when he caught two more bass (including a pleasure to see a faithful companion out three-pounder!) and a 27-inch tiger musky on the Slippery Rock, Neshannock, Ket­ which he returned for next year. tle, Caldwell and the Sinnemahoning. I am very proud of my bass which came DISQUALIFY THEM? in at 2134". 534 Lbs., but I feel most of KENT MILLER the credit should go to my uncle whose I enjoy reading the Pennsylvania An­ Canfield, Ohio boat and bait we used, and obviously to the gler. There is one comment I would like to make concerning the FISH-FOR-FUN and Pennsylvania Fish Commission. the FLY-FISHING-ONLY sections in the "BESTSPINNING REELS"? GEORGE RAGAN state. White Oak I think that streamers should not be Some friends from my school and I are used in these waters as a streamer always waiting for a new Angler at the end represents a minnow and does not belong of the month because we always read the LOSE SOMETHING? in any of these waters. Ask any real fly new one in about two or three days. We fisherman and he will tell you they are not wish you would send some tips on spinning I recently was on a camping trip in related to flies. If they are used they and the best spinning reels to buy. Sullivan County. To make this letter should not be tied on hooks larger than a Usually you have someone on the covef short, a few friends and I went up to High No. 12 or 10. with a fly rod in his hand and in the whole Knob Lookout above Worlds End State magazine nothing about spinning — we Park. On our way up to the lookout I MILLARD W. WOLFE Weissport could use it. found a tackle box full of lures. I consider myself a sportsman and would be upset by KEVIN NEWELL And the ... it losing just one of my few trout lures. So I Philadelphia represents and is related to what"! Ed. am writing to see if I can return the tackle box to the owner. We found it on the road. We have never made a specific effort to So, I picked it up and we asked around but feature fly rods or exclude spinning rods o" no one lost one. COOPER SPINNING FROG? our covers, Kevin, although it might have appeared that way. There have been If he will write me and describe some of About twenty years ago I bought just spin casters galore in our photos over the the tackle that was in the box, I'll gladly one "Cooper Spinning Frog." The plastic years. We cannot, understandably, endorse send it to him. Thank you. body is one inch long and painted white, "the best spinning reels to buy." Such i"' JOHN NEWPHER yellow and green. A triple hook hangs formation can be gotten from a reputable R. D.#l,Box262-A from the belly and four real deer hair legs tackle shop or from a fisherman of many Fleetwood, Pa. 19522 protrude from the body. This lure is not a seasons. Ed.

30 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE" CHARGE! How many people . On July 5th, when we were fishing in do you know who should Lake Nockamixon, our boat was be reading the Pennsylvania Angler? tactically attacked. At first it appeared to be a very big and Make a friend for life — send a gift subscription ! Sly snapping turtle, or a huge snake, but ' " got closer we realized it was a musky °' about 3-feet, swimming with its head °ut of the water straight for us! We were Name (please print) 00 surprised to try to throw our lures in 's °pen mouth and it dove back into the dePths. Street or RD#—Include Box Number i^ 'd this fish have too much to drink? as somebody feeding it or what? Any City State Zipcode Su8gestions? D New Use Check or Money Order for Remittance a $3.00—1 year DAN VERNON D Renewal (DO NOT SEND CASH!) n $7.50—3 years Havertown MAIL TO: Pennsylvania Fish Commission . '*'s doubtful the musky had too much to Angler Circulation r,nk, Dan, but before making any "sug­ P.O. Box 1673 gestions," suppose we take a sniff of your Harrisburg, Pa. 17120 he«-nios? Ed.

bream Notes ... We assisted him in the search but didn't Lake. Scuba divers attached the cables find it either. Several days later I received and a tow truck winched the vehicle from («.°»>tinue d from page 29.) a letter from Mr. Jones who informed me the water. Immediately officials began that he went back the following day, in the searching through the vehicle to see what

TA daylight hours, and found it tangled in the clues might be found inside. They found a KIN G NO CHANCES! brush, freed it and it flew away. Too bad variety of things including two crappies the bass were not as hungry as the owl! which had taken up living quarters inside , While on patrol along the Juniata River the cab. The fish were quickly transported oov Lewistown one evening I came upon Stephen A. Shabbick e back down to the water and released to ree fishermen fishing from shore for Waterways Patrolman search for a new home. arP and catfish. As I approached the trio Wyoming County .j^'fg together on the shore I noticed in James T. Valentine "e darkness that each had heavy ropes Waterways Patrolman '.**i to stakes driven in the ground at their WILD GOOSE CHASE! Huntingdon County 'des. The ropes appeared to lead into the at e er. I thought I would see three string- Vandalism not only costs us all a lot of rs f of fish as I came up to check them. I money but also can cause embarrassment FINE EXAMPLE! ^nd out that the ropes were tied not to and frustration to others. The embarrass­ J" but to each of their rods. It appears ment was caused to a Federal Agent This past spring I had an unusual case at they had been fishing a few nights patrolling East Bangor Dam during duck concerning a fish law violation. The reason ar'ier and had lost one rod and almost season. He was patrolling with a 50 HP it is so unusual is that a concerned n°ther one when fish had struck and outboard motor on his boat and didn't sportsman dared to become involved. e t ". d the gear into the water. They were know it was "Electric-Motors-Only" be­ Once in a while I'll have someone come to 'alt ln 8 no chances this time, firmly an- cause some slob removed the entire me and give information in regard to a vio­ * 0l"ing their tackle to terra firma! bulletin board during the night! Frustation lation they observed. When I tell them came in the form of one Waterways Pa­ that they might have to appear as a ma­ Larry R. Baker trolman who didn't know who he was and terial witness, that's generally where Waterways Patrolman chased him around a few hours in a row everything comes to a halt because they Mifflin/Juniata Counties boat! don't want to get that involved. Well, this sportsman I'm talking about observed an Terry Hannold >/S individual with a largemouth bass, ap­ E(?)OWL Waterways Patrolman proximately 18" long, in closed season. He Northampton County was able to provide me with the necessary 9u^h'le on patrol of Lake Winola at information needed in prosecuting a viola­ Q ut 11:00 p.m., accompanied by Deputy r tor and in this case the violator paid for his 0p l® houte, we came upon an Ivor Jones MOVED RIGHT IN! illegal act — thanks to the concerned Ij. "Unmore who told us an owl had picked sportsman! jt J'Uerbug off the water and flew off with Deputy Waterways Patrolman Ed ^and part 0f the line. He said he had Dixon and I assisted the State Police in Robert L. Kish (w Jd it thrashing around in the trees but the recovery of a stolen vehicle that was Waterways Patrolman Uld n't find it. driven off the roadway into Raystown Cambria County 0 cTOBER — 1978 31 Bait Up... They live in almost every conceiv­ It is difficult to simulate natural able habitat and are most common conditions well enough to raise grubs (continued from page 7.) and easily collected in the spring. artificially on a small scale. Manure Search for them in decaying wood, feeding species can be encouraged to with one hook in the thorax and one in excrement, under cow pies and under­ start a colony by transplanting wild the tip of the abdomen. They are best ground. Many live just under the sod grubs into a box of fresh manure and where they feed on grass roots and, if keeping it warm year-round so that fished on the surface around stumps s or drifted over underwater snags. numerous enough, can completely the insects will mature and breed. It i They are also very effective (alive or ruin a lawn. Collect them by digging much easier to pick up a large numbef dead) when used with a long pole and up a trowelful of dirt where you see of them in the spring (any good paS' small brown patches in the sod. ture will yield a couple of hundred) lightly skittered or dabbed across the a surface. This imitates the female lay­ The best way to hook grubs is to and store them in moist peatmoss in take the size hook that fits the grub, cold refrigerator. They will keep all ing eggs and is a killer for big bass. e Dead Dragonflies should be drifted on run the hook through the ventral side summer. If you don't want to take th the surface and retrieved slowly while with the curve of the body and then time to gather or dig your own grubs, rapidly vibrating the rod tip to simu­ push the shank of the hook into the they should be available from any late an insect that is trapped and jaws. The grub will immediately large scale bait dealer. Grubs can be struggling in the water. Float them on quiet pools, gently setting them on the surface and letting the current carry them downstream, then retrieve them with the rod tip up using short, rapid twitches. B0l Adult Damselfhes are too delicate

to cast and must be fished on very BE light tackle. From shore or a boat, ID simply dance the insect (alive or dead) 8E across the surface around logs and *D brush. You will pick up a lot of Bl( and an occasional bass. If this type of Bo, CO fishing appeals to you, collect Co, Damselfhes and dry them for future >A use. They require no special handling *0| and, if left in the open air, will dry in one to three days depending on the temperature and humidity. These dried specimens are quite brittle. To soften them and make them stay on the hook longer, place them in a jar with some damp rags or paper for about twelve hours. Don't leave them in this softening jar for over twenty- four hours or they will start to mold. Ed,

TERRESTRIAL clamp onto the shank, and be almost preserved indefinitely by freezing The insects anglers commonly refer impossible to get off. For best results them. to as "grubs" are usually the larval fish grubs deep! Keep them just off All adult beetles are suitable faf stages of beetles belonging to the the bottom, or on the bottom, occa­ bait. They can be caught with a but' K family Scarabaeidae. This large group sionally raising them a foot and letting terfly net, or collected by hand around i contains over twenty thousand species them settle back down. Grubs also lights on early summer nights. During N( including the June bugs, May beetles, produce when fished from a bobber. the fall months, many species °' | % Japanese beetles, Dung beetles, and For serious panfishing, use two hooks beetles will be found congregating °Jj the sacred scarabs of Egypt. The twelve to eighteen inches apart with a specific plants like goldenrod and K larvae are usually white or yellowish- grub on each hook. You'll be sur­ milkweed. Keep them alive by re' white, with a soft body and a brown or prised how often you bring in doubles. frigerating them, or let them dry f°r j black head bearing strong jaws. The When digging grubs in late spring future use. Hook adult beetle5 body generally has a fat, wrinkled ap­ and early summer, you will find many through the back between the wings. pearance and the larvae will most pupae (the resting stage of develop­ While they will produce when fishe" often be found lying on their sides, ment between larvae and adult with a bobber, they are much mofe curled around so that the hind end is beetles), hook them through the body effective when drifted on the surface almost touching the legs. and fish them just like grubs. or bottom.

32 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION DIRECTORY State Headquarters: 3532 Walnut Street, Progress, Pa. (Mailing Address: PO Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120) EXECUTIVE OFFICE Ralph W. Abele, Executive Director s,stant Attorney General Administrative Assistant Comptroller Dennis T. Guise Howard T. Hardie Edward T. Durkin Office of Information Willard T. Johns, Director 717-787-2579 °nservation Education. Stephen B Ulsh 717 787-7394 Pennsylvania Angler. James F Yoder, Editor 717-787 241 1

De°'al Publications. Larry Shaffer 717 787-7394 Angler Circulation. Eleanor Mulch 717-787 2363 BUREAU OF FISHERIES & ENGINEERING Edward R. Miller, P.E., Assistant Executive Director Robinson Lane, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 Tel. 814-359-2754* (*Unlessotherwise indicated, all offices within this bureau may be reached at this same address and telephone number.) Fred W. Johnson, Water Resources Coordinator 717-783-2808 (Office at State Headquarters, 3532 Walnut Street, Progress, Pa.) Dennis Ricker, Administrative Officer' FISHERIES DIVISION' Delano Graff, Chief 0ut Production Section. Ken Corl. Chief Section. Robert Hesser. Chief I armwater Production Section. Shyrl Hood. Chief 814 683 4451 Research Section, Vincent Mudrak, Chief 814 355 4837 "" '27. Linesville, Pa 16424 Benner Spring Fish Research Station. Box 200-C. Bellefonte. Pa 16823 Cooperative Nursery Branch. Paul Byers, Acting Chief FISH CULTURAL STATIONS . LLEFONTE. William Hoover. Superintendent 814-355-4159 LINESVILLE. Charles Sanderson. Superintendent 814 683-4451 *• Box 230. Bellefonte. Pa. 16823 Box 1 27. Linesville. Pa 16424 o^NER SPRING. William Kennedy. Superintendent 8143554837 OSWAYO, D Ray Mernman, Superintendent 8146982001 '•Box 200-C Bellefonte Pa 16823 RD 2. Box 84. Coudersport. Pa 16915 Bin ,, ^SPR|NG, Wayne Weigle .Superintendent 717 776 3170 PLEASANT GAP, John Bait, Superintendent 814 359-2754 0l<34l. RD4. Newville. Pa 17241 Robinson Lane, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 Rf c IY-UNION CITY. Tom L Clark. Superintendent 8146642122 PLEASANT MOUNT. Zenas Bean. Superintendent 7174482101 0rr f V. Pa 16407 Pleasant Mount, Pa 18453 "VIEW. Neil Shea. Superintendent 814-474-1514 REYNOLDS DALE. Ralph Berkey. Superintendent 814 839-221 1 °°Lohrer Road. P.O. Box 531. Fairview, Pa. 16415 New Pans, Pa 15554 j TSDALE, Ted Dingle. Superintendent 717 486-3419 TIONESTA, Charles Mann, Superintendent 814 7 55 3524 0<393. RD 5. Carlisle, Pa 17013 Tionesta. Pa 16353 ENGINEERING DIVISION* Wilhert F. Hobbs, P.E., Chief Construction & Maintenance Section. Eugene Smith. Chief' Architectural & Engineering Section, K Ronald Weis, Chief' Fisheries Environmental Services Branch, Jack Miller, Chief' BUREAU OF WATERWAYS Gene Sporl, Acting Assistant Executive Director 717-787-2192

LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION BOAT REGISTRATION/MARINE SERVICES DIVISION r.°hn I. Buck, Chief 717-787-2350 Paul Martin, Chief 717-787-3042 Wa'dW Mannart. Deputy Chief 717-787-2350 John Simmons. Marine Services 717-787-3042 Betty Stroud. Boat Registrations 7 1 7-787 4480

Management Support/Boating Education Branch

an Kegerise, Boating Education 717-787-7684 Alan MacKay, Boating Information 717-787 7684

N REGIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES ^ "THVVEST, Walter G Lazusky. Supervisor 814-437-5774 SOUTHWEST. Thomas F Qualters. Supervisor 814-445 8974 ln J |_0 ' 9 Address: 1281 Otter St.. Franklin. Pa 16323 Mailing Address RD 2. Somerset. Pa 15501 T rjj"'0" 1281 Otter St, Franklin, Pa 16323 Location: On Lake Somerset. Somerset. Pa, HCE f Ma. NTRAL, Paul F Swanson. Supervisor 717-748-5396 SOUTHCENTRAL. Richard Owens, Supervisoi 717-436 21 17 ln L0' 9 Address: Box 688, Lock Haven. Pa 17745 Mailing Address: RD3. Box 109, Mifflintown, Pa 17059 • ' Nn °n 129 Woodward Ave (Dunnstown) Lock Haven. Pa Location On Route 22. 3 miles west of Mifflintown. Pa ' H| TIHEAST. Clair Fleeger. Supervisor 71 7-47 7 57 1 7 SOUTHEAST. Norman W Sickles, Supervisor 7 1 7 626 0228 LTM. 'n9 Address: Box 88. Sweet Valley. Pa 1 8656 Mailing Address: Box 6, Elm. Pa 1 752 1 cati 0n On Harris Pond. Sweet Valley. Pa Location On Speedwell Forge Lake, on Brubaker Valley Road BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES (State Headquarters) „e Paul F. O'Brien, Director Cnne & SUtj ' Employment. Leon D Boncarosky 717 787-7057 License Section, Mary Stine 717787-6237 9 H6a| '' Analyst. Vincent Rollant 71 7-787-2599 Federal Aid Coordinator, Glen C Reed 71 7 787 6391 •W a,e- John Hoffman 71 7 787-6376 Office Services Supervisor. Chester Peyton 7 1 7 787-2363 asir>9 (Harrisburg) Avynl Richardson 71 7 787 2732' Purchasing (Bellefonte) Dennis Shultz 814 359 2754 p.

.

^k