The Keystone State's Official Fishing and Boating Magazine PROTECT • CONSERVE • ENHANCE , RESOURCE FIRST CONSERVE 2000

The Fish and Boat Commission recently adopted a new strate­ to our resource stewardship activities. The Conserve 2000 pro­ gic plan entitled, "Enhancing Fishing and Boating in Penn­ gram provides this new mechanism. The Commission is op­ sylvania - Strategies for the 21st Century." I hope you took timistic that the program will be well-supported. Clearly, the opportunity to review and comment on the plan in its conservation of the Commonwealth's natural resources is im­ draft form. If you did not, the final printed version will be portant to all Pennsylvanians. As part of the Conserve 2000 available very soon. If you reviewed the plan, you undoubt­ effort, proceeds from sales of voluntary water conservation edly noticed that the cornerstone theme for the Commission stamps and related promotional and commemorative items in the 21st century is resource stewardship. This focus is not will be deposited in a restricted receipt account. These funds new for the Commission. We have long recognized that quality will be used exclusively to support Commission resource stew­ fishing and boating opportunities depend on clean water and ardship activities including watershed protection, manage­ effective conservation of the Commonwealth's aquatic re­ ment, and enhancement efforts. sources. Indeed, conservation has been the hallmark of Com­ The Commission's new strategic plan emphasizes cooperative mission programs since our founding in 1866 to address efforts as a key to achieving the Commission's mission and declining American shad runs in the state's waters. How we legislative mandates. These partnerships are at the core of hope to increase funding for some of those conservation pro­ the Conserve 2000 program. We hope the Conserve 2000 grams will take us into new territory, though. program will energize a new wave of partnerships to enhance Currently, angler and boater dollars are the sole dedicated Pennsylvania's bountiful aquatic resources. The Commission funding source for the Commission's protection and conser­ will be seeking new partnerships with conservation-minded vation responsibilities. As you most likely know by now, the clubs, schools, and any other entities interested in selling the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission receives no General voluntary water conservation stamps as a fund-raising tool. Fund tax dollars, but instead relies primarily on income gen­ We will also seek partnerships to maximize the effect of wa­ erated from the sale of fishing licenses and boat registrations. tershed projects funded by the Conserve 2000 program. Clearly, This revenue provides for water quality protection, manage­ this new program will serve internally to focus staff efforts ment of Pennsylvania's fisheries, and conservation of the fish, on partnerships and the Commission's watershed protection, aquatic insects, reptiles, and amphibians that call our waters management, and enhancement efforts. home. Angler and boater dollars also contribute to ensur­ I think you will agree that the Conserve 2000 logo, which ing public access for the enjoyment of the state's many wa­ appears on this page, shows the Commission's resource con­ ters and the wildlife found there. Yet, many more servation focus in a modern and forward-looking manner. We Pennsylvanians who do not fish or boat benefit from and enjoy will feature this logo and the Conserve 2000 theme on all the state's waterways and aquatic wildlife. Commission displays and programs from January 1999 through Fortunately, these people, including your friends and neigh­ December 2000. The logo is also featured on Conserve 2000 bors, have expressed an interest in contributing to programs merchandise, which includes a pewter stocking truck, two types that support clean water and habitat conservation. A 1995 of knives, mugs, a letter opener, pin, watch, and wearing ap­ survey of all Pennsylvania citizens (not just sportsmen) in­ parel (see pages 41-42 in this issue). Sales of these items will dicated that over SO percent of persons in the state support support the program directly by returning a commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's water protection providing another source of exposure for the program. and conservation efforts. Of these people, a large number You'll be hearing a lot more about Conserve 2000 in the expressed a willingness to contribute to Commission programs months ahead. When you do, I hope that you'll take pride by purchasing a voluntary waterways/watersheds conserva­ in knowing that anglers and boaters have been long-time sup­ tion stamp or decal. porters of clean water and aquatic habitat. I encourage you This year, the Commission is introducing a program that to continue taking the lead by investing in Conserve 2000 and creates a new mechanism enabling these conservation-minded inspiring others to do so. individuals to partner with the Commission and contribute

CONSERVE Peter A. Colangelo Executive Director Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission I'ROIRT PENNSYLVANIA'S WATERS

Pennsylvania An§er& Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime January/February 1999 Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Volume 68/Number 1 Enoch S. "Inky" Moore, Jr. President Newville Donald K. Anderson Vice President Meyersdale Samuel M. Concilia North East The Keystone State's Official Fishing and Boating Magazine Ross J. Huhn Saltsburg Ted R. Keir Athens Donald N. Lacy Protect • Conserve • Enhance by Peter A. Colangelo 2 Reading Mail 4 Paul J. Mahon Clarks Green Top Fishing Prospects for 1999 by Mike Bleecb 6 Howard E. Pflugfelder New Cumberland Nockamixon: Best It's Ever Been by Vic Attardo 10 Leon Reed Progress with Paddlefish Restoration by Dudley Parr 13 Honesdale William J. Sabatose Reclaiming Schuylkill County Streams by Robert L. Petri 17 Brockport Modern Walleye Patterns byJeffKnapp 20 Boating Advisory Board Steven M. Ketterer SMART Angler's Notebook by Carl Richardson 23 Chairman Harrisburg Which Fly Should I Use Today? by Charles R Meek 24 Richard W. Czop All About Gasoline by Alex Zidockjr. 28 Collegeville G. Edwin Matheny "Fishing & Boating Memories Last a Lifetime" Contest Greensburg Gary Miles Winning Entries 30 North East Casting Lines with Dave Wolf. 32 Thaddeus Piotrowski Bloomsburg Winter PLAY Newsletter 33 Ex Officio Members: Conserve 2000 Promotional Items 41 Peter A. Colangelo, Executive Director; John F. Simmons, Director, "The Day I Didn't Catch a Shad" by Terry Brady 43 Bureau of Boating and Education; Outboard Engine Maintenance by John P. Kaufman 44 Gary Smith, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources The Black Ghost by Chauncy K. Lively 46 Magazine Staff Cast & Caught 48 Editor—Art Michaels Art Director-Ted Walke Aquatic Insects 49 Circulation—Eleanor Mutch Circulation—Sandy Patrick Trials and Tribulations of a Rookie by WCOR. Vance Dunbar S3 Regular Contributors Notes from the Streams 55 Vic Attardo Charles R. Meek Karl Blankenship Robert L. Petri Seeing Spots: The Northern Leopard Frog by Andrew L. Shiels 58 Mike Bleech Mike Sajna Currents 62 Terry Brady Linda Steiner Seth Cassell Dave Wolf Fishin' from the Kitchen by Wayne Phillips 62 Cliffjacobson Walt Young Angler's Notebook by Seth Cassell 63

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater (ISSN 1093-0574) is published bimonthly by the Pennsylvania l;ish & Boat Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, pA 17109. ©1999PAFish6:BoatCommission. Nothing in this magazine may be reprinted without the written permission of the PA Fish & Boat Commission. Subscription rates: oneyear, S9; three years, S25; single copies areS3.00each. Periodicals postage is paid at Harrisburg, PA. POSTMASTER; The cover Send address changes to: I'eimiylvatiiaAnglererfoaterCirriilaaon, Pennsylvania Steve Kepler takes a pH measurement in Centre Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. For subscription and change of address, use above addtess. Please allow six weeks County's Lick Run. Kepler is a Fisheries Biologist for processing. Send all other correspondence to: The Editor, Pennsylvania in the Commission Division of Environmental Ser­ Ane/erOBOB,er,P.O.Box67000,Harrisburg,PA 17106-7000. Editona] queries and contributions are welcome, hut must be accompanied by self-addressed, vices. Taking measurements like these is a small part stamped envelopes. Material accepted forpublication is subject to Pennsylvania of the effort to stop the acid mine drainage that taints isn & BoatC.ommission standards and requirements for ediringand revising. • ubmissions arc handled carefully,butthe publishetassumes no responsibility some Pennsylvania streams. Please turn to page 17 for the return or safety of submissions in his possession or in transit. The to read about the successes in combating acid mine uthors' views, ideas and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily "flea rhe opinion or official position of the Pennsylwmia Fish & Boat Commission drainage in Schuylkill County. Cover photo by Art its staff. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission receives federal aid Michaels. m sport fish restoration. Under appropriate federal acts, the U. S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national Note: Your March/April 1999 issue will arrive a °ngin, age, sex or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated little late so that we can include in that issue the 1999 in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire more information, please write to: The Office of Equal Opportunity, Inseason Trout Stocking Schedule. De,partmen t of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

vith soy-based inks Pennsylvania Angler & Boater too many illegal fish are taken just for the to this area, and public agreement is nec­ sake of bragging rights. I personally know essary for a successful program. I do be­ of a fisherman who brags about taking 200 lieve that anglers would support an 18-inch walleyes out of Pymatuning each year. Yes, size limit for some portion of the year. This he probably is an expert fisherman, but I obviously would result in a catch-and-re- could almost guarantee that not all those lease situation the first year it was imple­ fish met the 15-inch limit. mented. However, a 2 fish/day creel limit The way Pymatuning is now controlled would not be tolerated by most anglers. is a disaster, and left to the whims of the Some modification of your idea may be same type of person who must kill four or needed to strike a happy medium, which, five deer a year to satisfy an inner urge to as I said, would be a must. Something like MHHHHHHIHBHMHIHHHHHHHHHIBBHBHMIHMHi catch or kill as much as possible. The fun changing the size limit to 14 to 17 inches is catching and releasing the fish, un­ from March 1 to May 31 with a 4 fish/day harmed, and not fishing to provide food creel limit with harvest of one fish in ex­ Pymatuning concerns for the table. If the Commission were as cess of 20 inches may have potential to I have some novel and I guess radical zealous about providing "quality" fishing improve the situation (just an idea). We ideas about fishing Pymatuning Reservoir as it is about restricting alcohol from the hope the results of our tagging study will after spending the month of May fishing park, we might have decent fishing!-Tom lead to even better management of this that impoundment with my brother. We Callagban, via email. fishery in the near future.-Craig W. rented a cottage and a pontoon boat slip Billingsley, Area Fisheries Manager. at Linesville and fished almost every day. You raise some interesting points re­ This was not our first experience with garding the walleye population in Manatawny Creek Pymatuning, and we are not novice fish­ Pymatuning Lake. Based on past perfor­ Throughout the months of April and ermen, albeit not very successful, either. mance, anglers indicate to me that this has May, I have a fair amount of success fishing First, we never saw one Commission of­ been the best year for walleye fishing in a local trout stream, Manatawny Creek. ficial on the water during the entire recent times. Our Law Enforcement per­ Honestly, I don't have a fondness for eating month! We saw or heard of one 26-inch sonnel spend much time on Pymatuning the fish, so usually I keep the ones that and one 28-inch walleye caught (and we Lake and shorelines doing their job. I have swallowed the hook and release the caught one 21-inch fish), but most were (Fisheries Management) also spend a lot rest. This little stream is reduced to a too small. Even at 16,17 and 18 inches, of time monitoring this fishery. trickle by the time August rolls around, the walleyes are so thin that release is The Commission manages the walleye and I just can't see any trout surviving be­ mandator)' and a matter of conscience. We fishery through annual fry stocking. These cause of adverse weather conditions. So did see some fish kept that were probably fry are stocked in the early spring, which can would it be better to keep the trout I catch legal, but a crime to take from the water. lead to boom or bust situations depending in this particular stream, or let them go? Pymatuning needs a respite from zeal­ on the weather. So far, the success of this I have many friends who love trout fillets ous fishermen who use it as a food source program has exceeded our expectations. and I have no objections to giving my entire for their families, or who catch the limit There are now several very large year classes catch to my comrades. However, I prefer every day. Almost every knowledgeable out there in the lake, which has caused con­ to release them in the hopes that I could person we talked to said the same thing. cern on the part of some anglers regarding catch them in the fall. I have had very little Taking 15-inch fish destroys the chance overpopulation and poor growth. luck fishing the Manatawny in the au­ for fish to mature into a real sport fish, Walleyes do grow quite well in Pymatun­ tumn, but that does not mean there isn't and the ice fishing effectively removes any ing Lake, but as you suggest, harvest can be any trout. I welcome your suggestions.- fish to winter over and grow into a rea­ a problem. We have been engaged in a tag­ Eric Carvalbo, Fleetwood, PA. sonable size. I am convinced that year- ging study for the past four years to deter­ round fishing pressure on Pymatuning mine the extent to which anglers affect this As a conservation agency, the Fish and results in a very mediocre place for real fishery. You are correct in that angler har­ Boat Commission's approach to the ques­ sportsmen to enjoy fishing with their chil­ vest appears to have a severe effect on the tion of how many hatchery trout anglers dren and grandchildren. structure of this population. Tag returns should creel has always been that anglers I believe there should be a moratorium indicate that 90 percent ofall walleyes har­ should follow the creel limits established on ice fishing for at least a year; a strong vested are harvested between April 12 and through regulations, and within those lim­ mandatory catch-and-release-only pro­ June 16 of any given year. Ice fishing accounts its keep only the number offish that can gram for however long it takes for the lake for less than 2 percent ofall walleyes returned reasonably be used over a given period to produce real full-grown fish; a creel limit by anglers. For this reason, curtailing the without creating waste. Allowing friends of two fish after that; and at least an 18- ice fishing season would have little or no and family to share in the catch is one of inch minimum size on all walleyes. effect on the population. the pleasures of fishing. Catch-and-release Real sportsmen will accept catch-and- The idea of reducing the creel limit and fishing is also appropriate when anglers release and allow the fish to mature. If elevating the size limit has not been over­ have met their needs with the trout that there are those who must feed their fami­ looked. You must understand that the wall­ they've harvested. lies, let them fish Lake Erie. I also think eye fishery is economically very important

4- Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime PROTECT PENNSYLVANIA'S WATERS Whether or not it's generally appropri­ interested in stocked trout, much of ate to practice catch-and-release fishing for Antietam and Hay creeks support trout hatchery trout in streams with the idea that throughout the summer, as does Sacony the fish will be available later in the sum­ Creek in Bowers and Kutztown.-MkW/ L. the palm of my hand. To my surprise, the mer or fall depends on each stream's nor­ Kaufmann, Area 6 Fisheries Manager. orange-bodied fly fell out of my hand and mal summer temperature characteristics. onto the stone and grass parking lot. I Many stocked trout waters in southeastern Dead snakes don't lie! spent the next 10 to 15 minutes on my Pennsylvania and across the state, includ­ This letter is in support of Philip hands and knees looking for the fly to no ing Delayed-Harvest areas, become too Chapman of McMurray, PA, who wrote a avail. Darn, gone forever, I thought. So warm in the summer to support trout into letter to the editor in the July/August 1998 I tied on the beetle imitation and headed the fall. Usually, these streams have sub­ PA&B. His story was about finding a snake for the stream. stantial natural fish populations comprised on the banks of East Hickory Creek's De­ I went to the part of the stream where of sunfish species, such as redbreast sun- layed-Harvest section, in Forest County. I I had done well the evening before, and fish, smallmouth bass, bullheads, fallfish, was there, I believe, the same day he was. I began to fish. Soon I noticed a young and shiners. These species thrive in warm The snake measured 10 '/2 feet long and the osprey standing at the edge of the water water temperatures and are good indicators markings on the snake indicated that it may on a gravel bar about 20 yards from me that summer water temperatures will allow have been an anaconda, not a python. I had at the head of the pool I was fishing. I few, if any, hatchery trout to survive. Con­ a picture of an anaconda to compare the fished the tail of the pool for maybe 30 sistently catching these species as you fish markings. minutes, all the while watching the osprey, for trout can be an indication that you may My buddy and I came out of the stream which stood without moving a feather want to keep the trout that you catch within and did not see the snake as we were talk­ when I hooked a trout on the beetle imi­ the limits of your ability to use them ap­ ing. You can imagine our surprise when tation. I played the trout for a few min­ propriately. we looked down and saw the snake's head utes until it tired. It turned out to be a Of course, there are occasional cool, wet a foot or so from where we were standing. brown trout of about 11 inches. summers, such as the summer of 1996, when Although I now live in the Dayton, Ohio, As I lifted the trout from the water to an unusual number of normally warm, area, I grew up in Tionesta and have been remove my beetle fly, I noticed something stocked streams allow trout to survive until able to return to fish for trout in the spring orange in the corner of the trout's mouth. fall. There are also cool tributaries along for many seasons. To my surprise and amazement, there was some streams that have the same very lo­ If Mr. Chapman would like a copy of my my orange-bodied fly I had lost in that calized effect on the main stream. As a rule, computer photo of the snake, please have trout's mouth the evening before! I re­ however, the idea of catch-and-release fish­ him contact me. At least he could show his moved the orange fly and the fly on my ing for hatchery trout in these eventually friends he wasn't out of his mind\-John R. line and released the trout. I stood there warm waters is a wonderful philosophy that Smith, Kettering, OH. in shock for a moment until I heard a is misplaced in its application, because few, splash. I turned in time to see the osprey if any, of the released trout will survive the Amazing experience at the head of the pool emerge from the summer. If they do survive in these streams, on Clarks Creek water with a trout. they're usually in very poor physical con­ I had been fishing the Delayed-Harvest, After checking the orange fly, I discov­ dition by fall. Fly-Fishing-Only (DHFFO) section of ered it was still in good shape. I washed Manatawny Creek provides variable con­ Clark's Creek in Dauphin County regularly, it off in the stream and applied some fly ditions along the 12.6 miles that we stock. and as it got into July I found it more dif­ dressing to it. It bounced right back into In general, however, this is not a stream that ficult to fool the trout as the major may­ shape. I then removed the beetle and tied readily maintains a stocked trout popula­ fly hatches faded. So I started trying on the orange-bodied fly. In the next tion throughout the summer. If the south­ different home-tied flies of no particular 1 '/2 hours I caught and released six trout east region experiences a slightly cool or wet pattern. One evening I tied a small size 18 on the recovered orange fly. summer, then the Manatawny carries its orange-bodied fly, and when I began using In 34 years of fly fishing, I have never trout through July, at least in the long, it, I started catching trout. I caught and once recovered a fly from a trout's mouth, shaded stretches around Earlville and be­ released five or six trout in a couple of hours let alone one that I had lost! I'd like to low Pleasantville. You may even occasionally until I snapped it off in a trout's mouth. thank the Fish and Boat Commission for catch wild brown trout in these areas, but I didn't hook another trout the rest of the creating areas such as the DHFFO area they originate from nearby tributaries. evening. where I can enjoy fishing for trout year- Finally, because you have indicated that When I got home that evening, I decided round. I reside very close to the DHFFO you fish for trout in the summer and fall, I tie another one of these orange-bodied area on Clark's and fish 12 months of the I can recommend a few streams that main­ flies. I tied only one and also tied a small year. I have fished it without catching tain wild brown trout populations that are beetle imitation. I placed the flies in a small anything, but I have never gone there as close to your home as is the Manatawny. plastic container to transfer to my main fly without spotting trout to fish for. This These streams are Bieber Creek, down­ box the next day. When I arrived at the stream section always seems to hold a stream from Boyers Junction; Pine Creek, stream the next evening and began rigging good population of trout. Thanks again near Lobachsville; and Sacony Creek, up­ up my fly rod, I opened the small plastic for the great management job on this and stream from Bowers. Ifyo u are particularly container and dumped the two flies into other streams.-John Mimnall, Dauphin.

""& <* Boating Memories List A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater IPs op Fishing Prospects

by Mike Bleech

Most of the great fishing we hear about is over before we can very good survival. Anglers are starting to pick up a few more get there. In fact, it is usually over before we hear about it. every year, and 1999 should be a good year." Fluctuations in fish populations are normal. Peaks seldom A few lakes in the northwest corner of the state have had last for more than a few years, often much less. The first an­ good panfishing that should continue into 1999. glers to discover peaks usually try to keep them secret. When "Shenango has been doing well this year (1998) for crappies. word does spread, it takes a long time for it to get out of the There's no reason it shouldn't keep going. If somebody wants immediate area. Fortunately, fishing peaks can often be pre­ to catch big bluegills, Pymatuning would be my choice, in the dicted. north end." No one has a handle on the fish populations of all Pennsyl­ Sampling nets turned up a lot of northern pike during 1998 vania waterways. But the eight area fisheries managers come at Presque Isle Bay. They are spread through several year- as close as anyone, collectively. Area fisheries managers and classes, with an abundance in the 25-inch and 26-inch range their staffs manage and monitor areas divided generally by wa­ and a few approaching 40 inches. "They're completely ig­ tersheds. Few other people have such intimate knowledge of nored," Billingsley says. our fishing resources. Pay close attention to their suggestions Neshannock Creek, he says, is a "real sleeper" for pike to 35 about the hottest fishing prospects for 1999. inches, at least. Shenango Lake, Lake Arthur and Pymatuning Reservoir look Area 1 good for channel catfish. In addition, fishing for striped bass Area 1, managed by Craig Billingsley, covers the Lake Erie hybrids should be good at Lake Arthur and Shenango Lake. drainage and the Beaver River drainage up through Pymatuning Reservoir. Area 2 "At Pymatuning, the muskellunge population is doing well. Area 2 covers the Allegheny River above Lock and Dam 6, in The year 1999 should be a very good year," Billingsley says. Armstrong County, and its tributaries. This includes the "We're getting fish anywhere from about 22 inches to 46 inches. Clarion River, French Creek, Crooked Creek, Mahoning Creek "We're getting very good year-classes of walleyes at and several others. Area Fisheries Manager Ron Lee anticipates Shenango now, too. From about the last four years we've had several bright spots.

The walleye fisheries have really kicked in at Edinboro Lake, Eaton Reservoir, Canadohta Lake, and the Allegheny Reservoir. A strong 1993 Delaware River striped bass year class should produce stripers of 25 to 30 inches in 1999.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime "It appears brookie fishing will probably be really good. of Piney Dam. Largemouth bass fishing should be good at We're seeing a couple of good year classes out there with some Lake Wilhelm. legal fish present, and a real strong year class at about five "Kahle Lake, in Clarion and Venango counties, which has inches. So it looks like the brookie fishing may be really ex­ big bass regulations, is an excellent largemouth fishery and a ceptional in '99." tremendous panfish fishery," Lee says. Lee suggests that floods during 1996 might have scoured Kahle Lake has good bluegills, big black crappies, and a lot the streams, removing silt. This might have led to good of big yellow perch, some of which are as long as 14 inches. spawns in the falls of 1996 and '97. But for some reason, anglers there have not had much success "It's probably the best population I've seen for quality-size with perch. Lake Wilhelm is another good bet for bluegills brookies," Lee says. and crappies, especially through the ice. New all-tackle trout regulations at the Allegheny River be­ "There is a tremendous year-class of crappies coming on at tween Kinzua Dam and the mouth of Conewango Creek Wilhelm," Lee says. "Theyll be four-year-old fish running should result in more larger trout. Lee looks for new special around 11 to 13 inches. I expect you'll be seeing big crappies regulations on the Clarion River to improve trout fishing be­ in there for the next three or four years." tween Johnsonburg and Ridgway. Good trout fishing contin­ Based on observations made during 1997, muskellunge ues downstream to the Hallton area. Like the Allegheny fishing should be good at Woodcock Lake, Tamarack Lake, River, this is supported by a fingerling stocking program. Lake Wilhelm and Sugar Lake. The East Branch Tunungwant Creek from Pigeon Run to the Main Street Bridge at Lewis Run continues to provide excel­ Area 3 lent brown trout fishing. Area 3 consists of the drainage of the West Branch "The walleye fisheries have really kicked in at Edinboro Susquehanna River, which covers a large portion of the Al­ Lake, Eaton Reservoir, Canadohta Lake, and the Allegheny legheny Highlands. This is some of the most beautiful, most Reservoir. The walleye fishing has been coming on in the last remote country in Pennsylvania. Except for a few small few years," Lee says. manmade reservoirs, this is trout stream country, and Area Lee attributes good walleye fishing throughout the north­ Fisheries Manager Bruce Hollender has good news for trout west to good conditions after stocking. There is only rela­ anglers. tively insignificant natural reproduction of walleyes in these "The reports we're getting both from anglers and from waterways. A recently introduced fingerling stocking pro­ electrofishing surveys indicate that the wild brook trout are gram might also be at least partially responsible. Before, only doing really well here," he says. walleye fry were stocked. Brook trout had taken a nose dive, as he explains it, a few Bass fishing is also on the upswing in several waterways. years ago, but they have rebounded well. During 1998, big smallmouths were abundant at East Branch Anglers in this part of the state will also have a relatively Lake, Conneaut Lake, and in the Allegheny River from Kinzua new opportunity in 1999. Dam to Franklin. Previously, the big smallmouths had been "We've noticed an increase in channel cats in the West more abundant below Franklin. Branch. We're getting a fairly good number from Avis down­ Also look for improving smallmouth fishing in the Clarion stream that we never had before," Hollender says. River from the Cooksburg area down to Millcreek, at the head

Fnbmg & Boating Memories last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater / COMMISSION AREA FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREAS

CRAWFORD

MERCEfl

AREA1 AREA 2 AREA 3 AREA 4 AREA 5 AREA 6 AREA 7 AREA 8

Channel cats have been slowly increasing over the past According to Moase, last winter a WCO measured a 38-inch decade. In 1998, there were quite a few in the 16-inch to 20- walleye that was caught in the Susquehanna River. Good wall­ inch range. eye fishing extends from the New York border downstream to "People keep overlooking the fact that some of the best and the mouth of the West Branch. most exciting fishing is carp fishing," Hollender says. "They The best bets for panfish in this area are probably at really fight, they're strong, and they're plenty sporting. In­ Cowanesque Lake and Hammond Lake for black crappies. stead of'rough fish' that people have been calling them, we Though trapnets and electrofishing did not reveal an excep­ call them 'non-traditional sport fish.'" tional number of crappies at Cowanesque Lake, anglers had very Hollender likes carp because anglers can still catch them good results last spring. Crappies are not abundant at during summer when warm water slows trout fishing. Some Hammond Lake, but there are some in the two-pound class, and of the better waterways for carp fishing are the West Branch fishing pressure is light. Susquehanna River below Lock Haven and above Clearfield Creek, and Sayers Lake. Area 5 Area 5 includes the Lehigh River drainage down to the Area 4 Delaware River, and up the Delaware to the New York border. Everything that drains into the Susquehanna River from Area Fisheries Manager Dave Arnold has a real hot tip for Sunbury north is in Area 4. Lakes in the area, Area Fisheries catfish anglers. Manager Robert Moase explains, have been consistent. He Channel cats have been stocked at Lake Wallenpaupack for does not expect any to be hot, but neither does he expect any about eight years. Most year-classes have been successful, pro­ to decline. High water early last summer delayed sampling, so viding a good range of sizes, from the smaller fish that most based on previous work, Moase has encouraging news for an­ anglers prefer to eat, to the jumbos we all prefer to catch. They glers on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. grow fast on a rich diet of alewives. "Based on last year's work, I think the walleyes are going to "I'm sure they're bigger than 20 pounds in there," Arnold continue to be good for the next several years. We have a real says. "We didn't have trouble getting them anywhere in the strong 1995 year-class coming through right now." lake." Those 1995 walleyes should be in the 17-inch to 20-inch Lake Wallenpaupack also looks really promising for small- class for 1999. The best fishing is generally during November mouth bass. and December, but it can last longer when the weather per­ "We trapnetted, with 38 trapnets set, and got 151 smallmouth mits. If this winter is relatively mild, fishing will be good bass, and bass are trapnet-shy," Arnold says. We did get some through January and February. largemouths, too, but the numbers were not as great." "Last year was phenomenal for them because people could There is a good mix of smallmouth year-classes. The largest fish right through the winter. I heard of a number of 30-inch were almost 18 inches long. Smallmouths in the 12-inch to 16- and larger fish," Moase says. inch class are very abundant.

8 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime "For trout fishing we have Black Creek, in Carbon County. dominantly catch-and-release fishing helps maintain a good It's a wild trout stream. It's a fairly solid, strong stream from population of larger smallmouths. year to year. There's a lot of nice size distribution," Arnold says. "I think there is a combination of things at work there. Prob­ Black Creek is north of Hickory Run State Park, flowing ably the regulations, also the fact that through the Susquehanna through State Gamelands 40. Most of its trout are stream- in the Harrisburg area, and the Duncannon and Marysville area, borne browns. you have very exceptional smallmouth bass flowing-water habitat with rock outcrops and rocky shelves, and you have a river that is Area 6 virtually a mile wide that you can wade across if you're careful. Even though each of the fisheries management areas has its It's that kind of smallmouth bass habitat," Jackson says. own characteristics, Area 6, the Delaware River drainage below Conewago Lake, in Gifford Pinchot State Park, is responding the Lehigh River and the eastern side of the Susquehanna River favorably to Conservation Lake regulations, which went into drainage below the York Haven Dam, is the most different, the effect in 1987. Jackson found good numbers of big bass during most out of character with the rest of the state. It includes the a survey in May 1998. The largest was six pounds. Large- most heavily populated area and the most intensely farmed area. mouths from 12 to 18 inches are abundant. This is a 340-acre Even the climate is different with about two more months frost- lake where only electric motors may be used. free than some parts of the state, and average daily temperatures At Raystown Lake, where we would hardly expect to find about eight degrees warmer. Fishing pressure is very heavy, underexploited fishing, there is a good population of walleyes which tends to moderate fishing peaks. that anglers have not been able to master. "Each year we're going to see more improvement at Lake Marburg in its rainbow trout fishery," says Area Fisheries Man­ Area 8 ager Michael Kaufmann. "Rainbow trout are stocked there, Area 8 encompasses the southwest corner of the state. It in­ 4,200 adult trout each spring. The purpose of that program is cludes the Ohio River, excluding the Beaver River drainage, the not to provide an instantaneous fishery. Instead of stocking lower Allegheny River and its feeders, and the Monongahela them pre-season for opening day, they're stocked after opening River drainage. day." Good fishing has continued since fall 1997 in the Three Riv- Marburg is a two-story lake. This means that there is ad­ ers-the lower Allegheny, Monongahela and the Ohio-for wall­ equate cold water at greater depths, which is ideal trout habi­ eyes, sauger and smallmouth bass. Strong 1995 and 1993 tat. Forage is good. Trout stocked at 10 inches during spring year-classes for all three should be an important part of the grow to about 13 l/i to 15 inches by fall. Since the stocking 1999 catch. White bass in the 9-inch to 14-inch range were also program was switched from fingerlings to adults four years abundant last spring. ago, anglers have been catching rainbows to about 23 inches Lorson predicts improving trout fishing in the Youghiogheny in length. River from the mouth of the Casselman River down to South "Most people who are using downriggers have a successful Connellsville. Last year was the fourth year of improved water outing," Kaufmann says. "The typical size that they're catch­ conditions. "That means there should be more four-year-old ing is around 15 to 17 inches. Because it's a relatively new trout available in there," Lorson says. fishery and the sky is somewhat the limit here, people will Trout fingerlings are stocked throughout a 27-mile stretch. continue to catch larger and larger fish." He expects a 3 '/:>-mile stretch starting at Ramcat Run to be des­ Codorus Creek, which flows out of Lake Marburg, has a ignated for All-Tackle Trophy Trout regulations. very good and improving fishery for wild brown trout. There Walleyes looked good at Youghiogheny Lake last year, is a Selective-Harvest area on this creek. which should continue with plenty of 16-inch to 19-inch fish Kaufmann also expects good striper fishing on the Dela­ during 1999. ware River. A strong 1993 year-class contributes heavily. Crappies, bullheads, yellow perch, bluegills and pumpkin- Those stripers will be 25 to 30 inches long in 1999. seeds should provide fine sport at Yellow Creek Lake. Cross Creek Lake is an excellent bet for redear sunfish up to 14 Area 7 inches, bluegills and black crappies, and it should get better if Lawrence Jackson's Area 7 covers about 18 counties in the panfish enhancement regulations are adopted. Black bass fish­ middle Susquehanna River drainage, including the Juniata ing is top-notch in both of these lakes. You will also find good River and the Potomac River drainage to the south. Jackson fishing for black crappies and bluegills at High Point Lake. does not see any great changes in this sprawling area for next Several stocked trout lakes offer good fishing for largemouth year. However, some fisheries worthy of note will continue to bass and panfish. These include Dunlap Creek Lake, Virgin be very good. Run Dam, Laurel Hill Lake, and North Park Lake. "There is a good walleye fishery in Long Arm Dam, near "We're continuing to hear more about muskies on the Al­ Hanover," Jackson says. "There's a pretty good walleye fishery legheny River," Lorson says. "Since the early 1990s, we have there based on natural reproduction." beefed up our management effort for muskies and tiger This is a 185-acre water supply reservoir with an unusual muskies on the lower Allegheny. We're hoping that the muskies restriction. In addition to electric motors only, fishing is not at Lake Somerset begin to show their presence more and more allowed at night. Walleyes in the 20-inch to 23-inch class are each year because of an increased stocking rate. abundant. Jackson has found a good walleye population dur­ "The other species that I want to mention is carp. Carp are ing every survey he has conducted there since the early 1980s. available about anywhere. They're an under-used species." Jackson expects continued good smallmouth bass fishing in Lorson says that the mountain brook trout streams should be fhe Susquehanna River. He thinks the relatively new regula­ very good in 1999 following a few very productive spawning tions have less to do with good fishing than the habitat. Pre­ years after floods in 1996. VJ

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater "ng &• Boating Memories Last A Lifetime After steering clear of Lake Nocka­ mixon for many years because of its wa­ ter quality problems, I was skeptical of what a day on this 1,450-acre impound­ ment would bring. Indeed, it wasn't so long ago that I would have considered spending any time on Nockamixon a waste of time. The dark days of the mid-1980s were unquestionably dreary for this Bucks County lake, in Nockamixon State Park. Inadequate sewage facilities at the nearby Quakertown plant and an explo­ sion in the white perch population, a species that was introduced by a thoughtless angler, helped destroy this once fine fishery. But in the early 1990s, reports began circulating that Nockamixon was com­ ing back. Hybrid striped bass, first stocked by the Fish and Boat Commis­ sion in 1984, were maturing and grow­ ing fat. Once again, crappies and largemouth bass were being caught in good numbers. And below the Nockamixon spillway, anglers were con­ centrating on walleyes and their efforts were paying off. As the 1990s progressed, the black bass population began to soar. Nockamixon also developed the highest electrofishing catch rate for bass 15 inches and over in southeastern Penn­ sylvania. Add to that the fact that bi­ ologists documented black bass growth rates on Nockamixon as "equal to or significantly faster" than the state aver­ age growth rate for all age classes, and there was clear evidence that something significant was going on. Still, I had my doubts when tourna­ ment angler Joe Mallozzi escorted me on his home lake one day in 1997. We rode out of the Three Mile Run ramp on a summer morning before the sun­ rise had even tinted the sky. Commission biologists assert that it was intentionally well-timed fingerling stockings following a nearly total white perch die-off during the winter of 1986- 87 that rebuilt the largemouth bass population, its spawning stock, and its forage base. Weeds were present throughout the mid-1980s to late 1980s, but bass reproduction was still poor. Bass stocking is no longer needed, reproduction has greatly im­ proved, and forage fish abound. Big Bass regulations were implemented in 1992 to protect the lake's already excep-

Fisbinz & Boating Memories Last A lifetime tional bass population, and voluntary never fished Nockamixon before, so in catch-and-release angling has also been this case I would be the guide. It was beneficial since then. early spring, still chilly, and I had no idea "Like everybody else, I didn't fish this what stage the bass were in. If ever there lake for 10 years because it was so ter­ was a prescription for getting skunked, rible," Joe said. "But it has come on all these circumstances could write it. strong in the last three to five years. I'm We started the day at the ramp where catching quality bass now and I'm Joe Mallozzi and I had begun the previ­ thrilled about the size of the fish. They ous year. But instead of heading down look good." the weedy cove, I chose to cross the lake Everything that Joe said has been and go right into the Tohickon arm. borne out by Commission studies. Al­ Spring spells spinnerbaits, and we though dramatically improved, the chucked them along the tree line for 30 lake's history of poor water quality is to 40 minutes without so much as a pea­ said to account for its below-average nut butter swirl. Then Nick moved us use by anglers. Yet, even though into a slight indentation, something Nockamixon was nearly forgotten by hardly big enough to call a cove, but fishermen, the estimated economic where we thought we'd find some bass. value of its fishery is nearly $41.75 mil­ Again, zip. lion. By this time, though, Nick had picked Today, largemouth bass are the most up a black jig with a crayfish trailer. He sought-after species on the lake. A dropped it off a point at this indenta­ slowly expanding smallmouth popula­ launch areas are located on the lake tion, saw his line dance, and pulled out a tion, enhanced by fingerling stockings with three on the northern side, off 17-inch largemouth. from 1993 to 1995, may add to the bass Route 563, and the fourth on the south We worked farther along the Tohickon fishery in the future. Biologists are side on Three Mile Run Road. In addi­ arm, stopping to watch a cormorant swal­ finding a good range of bass sizes with tion to the ramp, shore anglers can use low an alewife, one of the two main for­ many over 15 inches and fish up to 22 a paved fishing pier to work the center age species on the lake (the other is inches measured. Reports of 8.5-pound of the lake. gizzard shad). Because we are stupid an­ fish occur annually, and are not surpris- Joe told me some of the lake's bass glers we continued casting spinnerbaits, mg> given the lake's exceptional forage fishing secrets. According to Mallozzi, even though the fish had hit a jig. When base and cover. when Nockamixon goes through an we motored into another weedy indenta­ occasional drawdown, for Whitewater tion, Nick went back to the jig and I tied Three streams make the lake enthusiasts on the Tohickon, the fish­ on a quarter-ounce hair jig. Nockamixon is formed by the out­ ing gets really hot. flow of three streams, Tohickon and "The drawdown upsets the baitfish, Back of the boat Haycock creeks, and Three Mile Run. which turns the bass on." I've long been a fan of hair jigs, and in The first two are the major streams and "Since the lake is shallow in the main the last few years I've learned how to use the Tohickon, at the lake's eastern end, flats, it warms up very fast," Joe said, them in self-defense. The back-of-the- provides the strongest flow. Tohickon "and it can cool down as fast. If you get boat thing causes me particular trouble Creek resumes below the Nockamixon a cold day, the water temperature might when the bow angler, with his foot on dam, where it provides smallmouth and drop some five degrees. This drop can the trolling motor, works the craft on a panfish action, along with tailrace wall­ slow things down, as it does just about slant so that he can cast, as he should, eye fishing. everywhere. But when the temperature parallel to the bank. But that same slant As on any impoundment, a good way stabilizes, the fishing really picks up." holds me farther from the shoreline. If to determine the general depth of the What enthralls Joe about the dude in the front suddenly kicks on shoreline is the weed line. If you see a Nockamixon is its structural variety. the trailer while I'm aiming my flip, then band of weeds pushing quite a distance "This lake has it all-flats, dropoffs, my casting distance is all wrong and I from the bank, it's a sure thing that the grass, stumps, old foundations. It's all don't hit the pocket where I think the water is no more than five to eight feet. great habitat for bass." bass is hiding. But if the weed line ends close to the Last May I invited Nick Canestra of To combat this, I've been leaving my bank or is nonexistent, you've found a the Brandywine Bassmasters to accom­ casting equipment on the deck and pick­ steep dropoff. pany me on an outing. Canestra had ing up a spinning rod festooned with a Up at the northeast corner of Nockamixon, the least-fished area of the lake, Haycock Creek creates a wide, Today, largemouth bass are the most sought-after species on the shallow bay. On several occasions I've forded the lower end of the bay, getting lake. Biologists are finding a good range of bass sizes with many out as far as the creek channel. Weeds and bass abound in this area. over 15 inches and fish up to 22 inches. The lake is surrounded by a state Park, so access is excellent. Four public

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^ ^ #> &£•^ •^s «*p3 * usual positive results. Some other fac­ tors are limiting their success, most likely, say Commission biologists, the abundance of bass. hair jig. Because the jig is smaller and Black crappies are also stocked in the weight is concentrated at the head, I Nockamixon, some 214,000 since 1994. get a cleaner cast and can work the jig A crappie study has not been per­ tighter to shore. To my great relief, the formed on Nockamixon since 1992, so hair jig is working for me as a back-of- there is no accurate appraisal of their the-boat bait so much so that in the cording to Commission surveys, numbers. But by-catches of crappies, proper habitat I can now equal, or bet­ Nockamixon hybrids grow fat and sassy caught while surveys of other fish were ter, the results of the front man. because there is not much concentrated performed, have included large fish In short order I was two Nockamixon angling pressure. The lake's hybrids are but low numbers. I have hooked a bass up on Nick, and all three fish were also long-lived, some having reached a number of crappies while fishing for between 14 and 16 inches. Every single ripe eight years old. largemouths, and I've talked to anglers one of those bass came within inches of The striper that hit Nick's white fishing exclusively for the calicoes. the shoreline beside a steep dropoff. spinnerbait must have mistaken it for Their results indicate that the lake has The key was finding a few bowling ball- an alewife, many of which were preva­ crappies up to 14 inches. sized rocks and dropping the jig from lent on the flats that day. Nockamixon bluegills are small and dry land into the water. If we worked After the striper adventure, we fished below the average population size for a the baits over small gravel, we got no the south side of the lake, where the key similar-size lake. But actual angler ex­ bass. If we worked on the edge of a became the submerged stumps and old perience shows no one having any weed line, which had been so produc­ building foundations against the shore­ trouble catching their fill of bluegills. tive for Joe the year before, we also line. Like the rocks on the north side, In 1995, nearly 10,000 smallmouth caught nothing. But the dropoffs and the south-side pattern was to find ob­ bass fingerlings were stocked, and it's rocks on the northern side of the lake jects large enough to hold opportunis­ hoped these numbers will increase with were the early spring key. tic largemouths. Plunk a jig down into natural reproduction. I've heard of the right spot and we caught fish, or at smallmouths caught, but I haven't Striper surprise least had hits. We ended the day with taken any, and with a hair jig off the Our bass fishing wasn't over, but our theoretical limits offish that meet rocks you'd think I would. Chain pick­ Nick apparently decided to catch some­ the Big Bass size. erel are caught by some anglers as are thing else, or else the 10-pound hybrid But bass and stripers are not the only tiger muskies, but Nockamixon sup­ striper decided to catch Nick. Still try­ fish in the Nockamixon sea. Walleyes ports only average populations of these ing a weedy flat, Nick blasted one of are another popular gamester in the fish at best. Nockamixon's legendary stripers. lake. Since 1994, the Commission has The real Nockamixon story is the Striped bass hybrids were first intro­ stocked nearly 160,000 walleye finger- continuing improvement in the large- duced in the lake in 1984 and had been lings in the lake. Unfortunately, the mouth bass. As Joe Mallozzi says, "It's stocked sporadically through 1992. Ac- walleye stocking is not producing the the best it's ever been." O

12 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Monona Last A Lifetime Progress Paddlefish with Restoration

Cruising in the murky waters of west­ ern Pennsylvania's big rivers is one of the oldest and largest freshwater fishes of North America. With its long, paddle-shaped snout, grayish-colored body, and large tail, this creature looks like a cross between a swordfish and a shark. But this gentle giant has no teeth and feeds only on zooplankton and aquatic insect larvae that it filters from the water. In the South, this liv­ ing relic is called the spoonbill. Known as Polyodon spatula to the biologist, this creature is the paddlefish. Paddlefish can live to be 30 or more years old. As one of the largest freshwa­ ter fishes, paddlefish may grow to six feet or more in length and weigh more than 100 pounds. Paddlefish vary in color from black to bluish-gray, which fades to white on the sides and belly. The skin is smooth and nearly scaleless. They have small eyes near the base of the rostrum (snout), providing only poor vision. The large tail, with the top portion bigger than the bottom por­ tion, gives them a shark-like appear­ ance. The mouth is large and toothless, but combined with the closely set gill rakers, the mouth makes an effective seine to filter the zooplankton on which it feeds. The elongated oper- cula (gill covers) allow for expan­ sion of the gill openings and mouth while filter-feeding. Another characteristic that Paddlefish can live to he marks the paddlefish as an ancient fish is its skeleton. 30 or more years old. The skeleton is made en­ tirely of cartilage except for As one of the largest freshwater the jaw, which is bone. The paddle-shaped rostrum, fishes, paddlefsh may grow to six feet as the snout is properly called, is approximately one-third the fish's or more in length and weigh more than total length. Although paddlefish fry are not born with the bill for which they WO pounds. are named, the rostrum starts growing shortly after birth. Biologists are not sure about the rostrum's function. For years, many people believed wrongly that it was used to dig in the mud. The Operculum (gill cover) Paddlefish Polyodon spatula Elongated, swept-back shape helps water pass through efficiently while filter-feeding.

Rostrum (bill) Small, weak eyesight. The paddle-shaped bill, for which the fish is named, may aid in balance while feeding and in detecting concentrations of zooplankton

General- The color of paddlefish varies from almost black to bluish gray, which fades to a white belly. The tail, triangular dorsal fin, and overall gray color give a shark-like look. The skeleton is all cartilage except for the jaw bone, which can be used to age the fish.

For a few days after hatching, paddlefish fry live off the yolk sac. Once it is absorbed, the fry begin consuming their lifelong diet of zooplankton. At this tiny size, paddlefish pursue individual zooplankton. At this stage, individual zooplankton are enough of a mouthful.

rostrum has many sensory and electro receptors every year, females require two or more years to that may aid in detecting concentrations of produce up to 10 to 12 pounds of eggs. The eggs zooplankton. The rostrum may help balance the are valuable as a source of high-quality caviar. fish while swimming with its large mouth open. Until 1960, little was known about paddlefish However, paddlefish that have lost part or all of spawning behavior or habitat requirements. Envi­ the rostrum seem to suffer no ill effect and so ronmental conditions have to be just right for cast doubt on its true use. spawning to occur. Paddlefish need clean gravel bars with good current flows. The water tempera­ Paddlefish biology ture must be near 60 degrees, the water flows must Paddlefish are found only in North America. be high and rising, and all of this needs to happen There is only one other species in the Polyodon in the spring. A sudden water level rise of six feet family, which is found in China. Paddlefish are has been documented to trigger spawning activity. found in the large, free-flowing rivers of the Mis­ These environmental factors don't coincide every sissippi Basin. They prefer backwaters, ox bow year. Thus, paddlefish may not spawn every year. lakes, and areas where currents are reduced. Big When spawning does occur, it is a simple act. A islands, bridge pilings, shoals, and sand bars large female, accompanied by a couple of usually provide such sheltered areas. Examples of good smaller males, swims over the selected gravel bar. paddlefish habitat in the Three Rivers area are Both sexes release their respective eggs and milt. the confluence of the Beaver and Ohio rivers, Fertilization occurs in the water and the eggs be­ around Neville Island in the Ohio, and the is­ come sticky. The sticky eggs adhere to the gravel lands and bridges at the upper end of Pool 2 on substrate so that they don't wash away. The high the Allegheny. Although lakes and reservoirs water flow keeps the eggs well-oxygenated and can provide good feeding areas for paddlefish, keeps debris and silt from covering them. In about the dams that create them have inundated suit­ a week, the eggs hatch and the larval paddlefish able spawning habitat and are barricades to are swept downstream to quieter nursery waters. paddlefish paddlefish during spawning migrations. In a few days, the yolk sac is absorbed and the from below Compared to most fish, paddlefish mature young fish feed first on small insects. Then they late in life. Males reach sexual maturity at seven begin their lifelong pursuit of zooplankton. to nine years of age, or after about one-fourth of Young paddlefish are not good swimmers. paddlefish their expected life span. Females mature at 10 to Their only defense from being eaten is to grow from above 12 years of age, or after about one-third of their large fast. It is amazing that the paddlefish can expected life span. Although males may spawn attain its great size feeding only on creatures the

14 Pennsylvania An$er&Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Heterocercal tail Spinal column curves up into the upper part of the tail. Triangular dorsal fin.

Feeding Paddlefish swim through the water swinging their mouths from side to side. Paddlefish strain zooplankton from the water through their gill rakers. The rostrum probably serves to help detect concentrations of

= historical distribution | | - zooplankton and maintain stability while swimming with its mouth open. Lake Erie Ohio River Allegheny River Clarion River

Ohio River Allegheny River to L/D 6 TPr^S

microscopic view of zooplankton

size of the period at the end of this sentence. been inadvertently "foul-hooked" and This means that volume of food is the key to released by Pennsylvania anglers in the paddlefish survival and growth. Ohio and Allegheny rivers. The paddle­ In some states, paddlefish populations are fish season is permanently closed in healthy enough to support active sport fisheries, Pennsylvania. The flesh is compared to because paddlefish feed on microscopic organ­ swordfish in flavor and the roe (eggs) is isms, traditional fishing techniques are not suc­ sought for caviar. A recent estimate of cessful. Most anglers catch paddlefish by the value of a pound of processed paddle snagging. In recent years, a few paddlefish have fish eggs was $360.

Fish >ng & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Reintroducing the paddlefish About 10 weeks after the eggs are re­ Paddlefish have been swimming in ceived, the paddlefish have grown to the large rivers of the Mississippi Basin about 10 inches and are ready for stock since before the dinosaurs. Until the ing. This usually occurs in early Au­ early 1900s, their range included the gust. With the help of the local Ohio, Allegheny, Clarion, and waterways conservation officers, an av­ Kiskiminetas rivers in Pennsylvania. erage of 10,000 young paddlefish are Paddlefish stocks declined throughout stocked each year. much of their range because of the So far, no surveys that target paddle­ channelization of rivers, building dams, fish have been conducted. The Com­ and degradation of water quality from mission is currently seeking a funding pollution. In Pennsylvania, paddlefish source for evaluation of the restoration are currently classed as extirpated. The efforts. However, the Fish & Boat Com­ last documentation of paddlefish in mission does have some data on paddle­ Pennsylvania waters was in 1919. To­ Commission personnel tag each paddlefish fish in Pennsylvania. Since 1992 there day, the only paddlefish in Common­ with a tiny coded wire. The coded wire have been a total of 12 reported paddle­ wealth waters are those put there by the indicates where and when the fish was fish sightings. With each successive Fish and Boat Commission. hatched and stocked. It is inserted into the year, the average size of the fish sighted Since 1991, the Commission has been tip of the rostrum. If the fish is later has gone up. Six paddlefish were inad­ stocking fingerling paddlefish in the collected, a tag detector will indicate the vertently snagged by anglers and re­ Ohio and Allegheny rivers as part of its presence of the wire tag. The tag can then leased. (Remember, in Pennsylvania, Paddlefish Restoration Plan. In the late be recovered without killing the fish, and there is no open season on paddlefish.) 1980s, a private citizen from the Pitts­ the origin of the fish can he determined. Three of those paddlefish were cap­ burgh area, Mike Koryak, first tured during other river study suggested reintroducing extir­ projects. Another two paddle­ pated, native fishes. As indi­ fish were found dead along the cated by the return of many shore, and one was spotted other fish species, the water swimming below a dam. quality in the Three Rivers area Although the sample is too has greatly improved during the small to give an accurate assess­ last 35 years. Given the im­ ment, it tells us that there are proved water quality, the abun­ paddlefish in Pennsylvania and dance of zooplankton, and they seem to be getting bigger. presence of appropriate habitat, The paddlefish predates the it seems likely that the paddle­ dinosaurs and is little changed fish could once again take up from its ancient ancestors. This residence in Pennsylvania. fact makes paddlefish sensitive After careful study, a plan was to environmental degradation. developed with the objective of The lock and dam system, restoring a paddlefish popula­ dredging, and deteriorated wa­ tion to the Ohio and Allegheny ter quality are all manmade rivers. The female paddlefish conditions that led to the takes 10 years to reach repro­ paddlefish's demise in Pennsyl ductive age, so the project will vania. We have cleaned up our waters enough for paddlefish to sur­ span at least a decade. Young paddlefish are not good swimmers. vive. For as much as we take from our Each May, James E. Harvey, Manager Their only defense from being eaten is to rivers, it is important for us to give of the Linesville Fish Culture Station, grow large fast. It is amazing that the something back. It is right for us to and his staff receive paddlefish fry from paddlefish can attain its great size feeding return this great fish to its place in our the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in only on creatures the size of the period at waters. With diligent monitoring of South Dakota. Using paddlefish hatch­ the end of this sentence. ery methods developed in Missouri, water pollution and persistent cleanup South Dakota, and Texas, they raise the efforts, we can continue to improve wa­ young paddlefish, which grow rapidly cate the presence of the wire tag. The ter quality for ourselves as well as for at approximately one inch per week. tag can then be recovered without kill­ the paddlefish. If the Paddlefish Plan In late July, Rick Lorson, Commis­ ing the fish, and the origin of the fish proves successful in Pennsylvania, the sion Area 8 Fisheries Manager, and his can be determined. Along with mea­ sturgeon, and other extirpated large river species, will be considered for res- crew tag each paddlefish with a tiny surements of length and weight, know­ '" coded wire. The coded wire, which indi­ ing the age and origin is important for toration.O evaluating the paddlefish's comeback. cates where and when the fish was The author thanks Commission Area 8 Fish In future years, surveys will be con­ hatched and stocked, is inserted into eries Manager Rick Lorson for his help in ducted to assess the paddlefish popula­ the tip of the rostrum. Ifthefishis preparing this article. later collected, a tag detector will indi- tion and the success of the program.

16 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater cj&clairning Schuylkill County Streams

by Robert L Petri

Despite decades of remedial work and millions of dollars in project expenditures, acid mine drainage (AMD) remains the larg­ est single source of degradation to Pennsylvania's flowing water­ ways. Over 2,500 miles of Com­ monwealth streams have been damaged in some fashion by AMD, limiting their viability as destinations for the angler, boater, and outdoor enthusiast. Over 250,000 acres of Pennsylva­ nia real estate remains occupied by abandoned mine sites, shafts, and the attendant refuse piles, more than any other state in the nation. The extraction of Pennsylvania's natural bounty of coal reserves brought us much prosperity, but it also scarred our lands and waters. Today, site by site and water­ shed by watershed, we are re­ claiming our streams from the ravages of mine acid. Innovative private/public partnerships and legions of committed volunteers are rolling up their sleeves and making a difference all across Pennsylvania's coal regions. In Schuylkill County, among other counties, private and public part­ nerships are winning the fight against acid mine drainage. In Schuylkill County, streams that once ran black and lifeless now hold brook and brown trout. The hub of the activity that is changing and restoring the water­ ways of Schuylkill County is the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition

ftshmg & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Dedicated activists here are taking responsibility for the restoration of their home waters.

for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), a non-profit stream. The walls of the discharge flowage are lined with organization formed in 1996 to encourage the reclamation moderate-sized pieces of limestone varying from 1 l/* to three and improvement of land and waters affected by past mining inches in diameter. The bottom of the discharge is coated practices in 16 counties in Pennsylvania's eastern coal fields. with limestone sand. Acidic water enters the channel and as EPCAMR works through the network of count)' conservation it flows over and along the limestone-lined walls and bottom, districts to facilitate project funding and manpower to take it is neutralized. Hughes explains that limestone channels on the many remaining sources of acid mine drainage that work best where there is a significant gradient and a good continue to depress the potential of area streams. flow volume in the discharge under treatment. This allows EPCAMR Regional Coordinator Robert Hughes oversees for much greater contact between the water and the limestone the Coalition's efforts. He explains that projects aimed at and greatly increases neutralization. addressing the mine acid pollution in Pennsylvania's anthra­ cite region have traditionally lagged behind similar efforts in Committed volunteers the bituminous fields of western Pennsylvania. The dis­ No amount of technology is a substitute for committed charges in the eastern fields are often deep mine discharges, volunteers determined to take their streams back and bring some of which pour acidic water forth at flow rates as high as them alive once again, and this is where the real Schuylkill 15,000 gallons per minute. Most acid discharges in County miracle begins. Dedicated activists here are taking Pennsylvania's western bituminous fields are of far lower vol­ responsibility for the restoration of their home waters. Every ume. According to Hughes, the development of new ap­ major watershed in Schuylkill County has an active watershed proaches and new technology uniquely suited to the association either in place and working or on the drawing anthracite mine discharges was necessary before real progress board. could be made. Although he would likely point to many others and give Hughes says that no one treatment regimen is superior them the credit, no single individual better exemplifies the overall. Each situation is unique and every watershed and power of this citizen action than Ed Wytovich, current Presi­ discharge is different. Some discharges require only a moder­ dent of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned ate "bump up" in alkalinity to blunt their effect on the receiv­ Mine Reclamation. For the past two decades, Wytovich, an ing waterway. In these cases, a technique known as limestone earth sciences teacher at Williams Valley High School in sand dosing is often used. Very fine limestone sand is hauled Tower City, has been everywhere in Schuylkill County, help­ in by truck and simply dumped into the affected stream. Nor­ ing to establish watershed associations and talking about re­ mal stream action over a short period distributes the sand claiming the beautiful streams of his home county. He has gradually and thoroughly downstream, raising stream alka­ been instrumental in the formation of citizen-led watershed linity and encouraging the return offish and insect species. associations in the Little Schuylkill, Swatara, Wiconisco, More acidic discharges are dealt with either through the Catawissa, Mahanoy and other Schuylkill County drainage use of limestone diver­ basins. He is a tribute to sion wells or the con­ the awesome power of the struction ofopen difference that one person limestone channels. A can make. limestone diversion well Ed Wytovich likes to tell uses water pressure and a story about pride, re­ limestone fragments to spect and ownership. He treat acid discharge. The says for years, there were stream to be treated is only two stream names in first dammed some dis­ Schuylkill County-Black tance above the project Creek and Red Creek. The site to provide a steady former was every stream source of water for the that flowed black from the well. The acidic water is coal dust it carried, and piped underground from the latter, every stream the dam to a concrete or that flowed red/orange metal cylinder filled with from iron-laden acid dis­ limestone fragments of charge. There was a fun­ one inch or less in diam­ damental disconnect in eter. The incoming water pressure causes the water entering the way many Schuylkill County residents saw their water­ the well to percolate actively with the limestone, and neutral­ ways. They never called them by their proper names. ization takes place. A simple outflow pipe at the top of the The Wiconisco Creek flows not far from the windows of his well returns the treated water to the stream. Tower City classroom. In the section where it was degraded Open limestone channels are most commonly used directly and lifeless from coal dust, it was known as Black Creek. Far­ on the mine discharges themselves, instead of in the affected ther downstream, where the water quality was better and

18 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories last A Lifetime Every major watershed in Schuylkill County has an active watershed association either in place and working or on the drawing board. trout were stocked, it was known by its proper name, the stone wild trout fishing in eastern Pennsylvania. He believes Wiconisco. Over his 14 years as an educator at Williams Val­ these waters can return to their full potential if the current ley High school, he has worked with each new class of stu­ level of citizen commitment remains high, and the streams dents to make them realize that the Black Creek and the continue to be reclaimed. Wiconisco are the same stream. He believes that an act as simple as calling a stream by its right name is a powerful Reclaiming opening that eventually leads to recognition that this is "my" Catawissa Creek stream in "my" county. With this sense of ownership comes Even though the principals in the Eastern Pennsylvania respect for the stream and concern for its future. Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation are leaving no Wytovich does a lot more than just talk about stream Schuylkill County waterway out of their plans, all have a spe­ names. He also puts his shoe leather where his beliefs are. cial passion for restoring a very special stream in the northern This past June, he walked over 100 miles of the headwater portion of the county. Catawissa Creek headwaters, along the streams in the Schuylkill Schuylkill/Luzerne River watershed in an effort Limestone channel for AMD treatment County line, tumble clear to raise funds and aware­ and cold in a southwest­ ness for restoration projects erly arc through long underway all through roadless tracts and cool Schuylkill County. His forests. According to "river walk" was sponsored Dave Derbes, if you saw by the Anthracite Region the stream, you'd pull Schuylkill Headwaters Wa­ over immediately and tershed Association, one of begin to fish it. It's that the many Schuylkill County beautiful. But the grassroots watershed Catawissa holds no fish. groups. According to EPCAMR Regional Coordinator Special reg project area Robert Hughes, five high- Reclaiming the rushing volume and extremely waters of Schuylkill County acidic mine tunnel dis­ as fisheries will be a long- charges in the upper wa­ term task, and there is a long way to go. Still, success stories tershed give the Catawissa an average pH between 3.8 and 4.5, are becoming more and more common each day. Many eastern about two full points below the level where trout could sur­ Pennsylvania trout anglers enjoy the Delayed-Harvest, Artifi­ vive. But all this is about to change. cial-Lures-Only project on the Little Schuylkill River in eastern With the establishment of the Catawissa Creek Watershed Schuylkill County. With the installation of a limestone diver­ Association, aggressive efforts are underway to reclaim the sion well at the Silver Creek mine discharge in the upper water­ stream. shed in the mid-1980s and the building of a number of The Catawissa Watershed Association has many partners in wetlands to aid in mitigating acid, the river now hosts a healthy this effort. A private resort in the watershed will be providing population of stocked brook and brown trout in the project earth-moving equipment and some funding for channel con­ section and draws anglers from across the Commonwealth. struction. Technical expertise will be provided by DEP's Bu­ reau of Abandoned Mines. The channel will be designed by Swatara Creek the Natural Resource Conservation Service, successor agency A lesser-known but equally significant victory is being won to the Federal Soil Conservation Service. Additional plans on the beautiful headwater reaches of Swatara Creek near include a possible partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Tremont in southern Schuylkill County. Here, numerous Foundation to construct wetlands to address other discharges wetland treatment sites were constructed and two diversion in the watershed. wells built on a particularly acidic tributary. It's paying off. Take one part citizen commitment and pride. Mix in a gen­ A 1985 sampling of the stream produced no fish at all. By erous helping of funding and technical expertise provided by 1994, six species offish and a few aquatic insects were found. government and private partners, and top it off with an abun­ In 1996, the upper Swatara was home to no fewer than 16 spe­ dance of streams with the natural capacity to be fine fisheries cies offish, including several types of creek chubs and dart­ once the mine acid monkey is removed from their backs. Put ers, and best of all, a growing population of wild brook trout. it all together and you have a recipe for success and a brighter Few are more enthusiastic about the angling possibilities in tomorrow for the streams of Schuylkill County. The folks the region than Fish & Boat Commission Area Fisheries Man­ there just won't have it any other way. O ager Mike Kaufmann. According to Kaufmann, if not for the degradation from a century-and-a-half of mining, Schuylkill County streams would be providing some of the best free-

»ng & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Modern Walleye Patterns byJeffKnapp

Walleyes were once thought to be fish use traditional methods, refinements of Slip-sinker rigging suited only to slow-moving rivers and those methods, or new ones altogether. Slip-sinker rigging is one of the most * *& rocky Canadian lakes complete with Fishing tournament circuits, too, basic means of presenting live bait to pine-studded shorelines. Today we see have been a major driving force behind walleyes in a most natural manner. As that the walleye is proving itself capable more effective walleye catching strate­ popularized several decades ago on wa­ of thriving in a wide variety of aquatic gies. Whether you like tournaments or ters of the upper Midwest, the slip environments. This adaptability, not, there's no denying the positive ef­ sinker rig is comprised of a shoe-shaped l coupled with Fish and Boat Commis­ fects on tactics, equipment, and catch- walking slip sinker of '/s-ounce to /z- sion resource management, is fueling and-release practices that have evolved ounce, a swivel, an 18-inch to 24-inch stable walleye populations in many of primarily from these events. leader, and a fine-wire hook. Such a rig our state's reservoirs, lakes and rivers. Using this cache of walleye fishing can be slowly backtrolled along likely One of the alluring aspects of fishing knowledge, Pennsylvania anglers can structure or drifted across flats. The for walleyes is their finicky nature. It put together a system of modern wall­ beauty of the system is that as a fish takes a versatile angler to catch walleyes eye patterns that takes them from the picks up the bait, most commonly a consistently from a variety of water­ currents of the Delaware River to the minnow, nightcrawler, or ribbon leech, ways. Many factors must be addressed, shallow, wind-blown expanses of line can be fed to the fish without its ones like forage base, lake or river type, Pymatuning Lake. Here's a look at the feeling the pull of the sinker. nature of cover and structure, and the primary components of that system, The traditional slip rig works best on time of year. Issues such as these, and and how they apply to Pennsylvania lake bottoms comprised of sand, muck many more, make up the pieces needed waters. and gravel. It doesn't fare too well, to solve the "how-to-consistently-catch- however, in areas of weeds, where the sinker fouls on strands of weeds, or walleyes" puzzle. Use a system of modern walleye Paralleling Pennsylvania's increasing over large rocks and boulders, where interest in walleye fishing is a similar patterns that can help you catch the sinker tends to hang up. nationwide trend. The species has suc­ By replacing the standard slip sinker cessfully been introduced in many fish from the currents of the with a bullet sinker like bass fishermen states where it had been non-existent. A Delaware River to the shallow, use for Texas rigging soft plastic baits, recent survey showed fishable walleye the sinker will fish much cleaner along populations in most of the lower 48 wind-blown expanses of the edges of submergent vegetation. Tie states. As more fishing opportunities on a floating jighead instead of the appear, anglers have come up with ways Pymatuning Lake. regular hook, and the bait will float up to catch old marble-eyes, whether they off the bottom, more so when the bait is

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime 20 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater at rest than when it's moving. A float­ be fished effectively behind a bouncer, ing jighead gets the bait up in a though this presentation isn't normally Spinner tip: walleye's face, makes it more weed-free used in very rocky situations. Don't Whether you tie your own or buy them by keeping the hook from plowing into couple a diving crankbait behind a assembled, spinner rigs can be a chore the bottom, and adds color to the pre­ bouncer, however, because it will dig to store in a tangle-free manner. Un­ sentation. into the bottom and frequently snag. raveling a coiled rig when the fish are When selecting floating jigheads for biting and the waves are bouncing the fishing along deep weed edges, choose Spinners boat can be a frustrating experience. ones that have the line tie on the nose Spinners, or spinner rigs, are a refine­ To eliminate this, keep your spinners of the jighead, instead of set back like ment of old standby walleye presenta­ on a one-foot piece of foam-rubber pipe models that mimic more traditional tions like the Little Joe spinner and June insulation. This inexpensive material, leadhead jigs. Bug spinner. Comprised of a spinner which can be purchased from most Slip-rigging around weed edges blade, clevis, series of beads and plumbing stores, is slit lengthwise. To works well in any waterway that has hook(s), swivel and leader, spinners can store your spinners, push the swivel both walleyes and long expansive edges be purchased prepackaged or fashioned into the slit and wrap the snell around of submergent weeds that grow in at at home. Line sizes run from 8- to 12- the insulation, pushing the hook points least five to seven feet of water. It could pound test. into the foam when finished. Reverse be Harveys Lake in Luzerne County or Standard rigging is done at a slow the process when taking the spinners Glendale Lake in Cambria County, for pace, but spinners can be fished off for a headache-free experience. instance. quicker, making them ideal for covering While not of the "finesse" nature of water to find fish, or when dealing with more traditional rigging, the bottom- aggressive walleyes. Instead of bouncer sinker is an excellent tool for backtrolling or slowly drifting, spinners take care of the terminal end of things. working bait up, over, and back down can be forward-trolled or drifted at a Spinners can be fished behind either a very rocky areas. A bottom bouncer is a fast rate in a good wind. For inland lake slip sinker or bottom-bouncer. They V-shaped gadget, with one of the legs of situations, a number 1,2, or 3 Colorado can be especially effective with the the V bisecting a lead weight and the or Indiana blade is best. These blades bouncer because it can impart added other providing a line tie for the leader. come in a full array of colors and fin­ action to the spinner. As the sinker mo­ The tie to the main line is found at the ishes. Fluorescent green, orange and mentarily hangs up on the bottom, and nose of the V. Even though bouncers yellow produce best in the dingy water then breaks free, it kicks the blade into can be found as light as '/4-ounce, of lakes like Pymatuning and Lake high gear. heavier models are generally used, ones Arthur. Silver and gold tend to work of '/2-ounce to one ounce. better in clear-water lakes like Jigging The tentacle of the sinker rides up Armstrong County's Keystone Lake. Jigging, like rigging, is a mainstay of over rocky obstructions, minimizing Blades can also be obtained in a ham­ walleye presentations. And like rigging, hangups. Its heavy weight allows the mered finish, which reflects light in it's experienced many refinements in sinker to "dig" down into the depths many directions. recent years. found between boulders, dragging the Lake Erie walleyes are suckers for Even though it's not the fastest wall­ live bait behind. Rocky lakes like spinners baited with 'crawlers. For the eye presentation, jigging offers the an­ Youghiogheny and Wallenpaupack open-water fish, jump up to size 6, 7, or gler total control over what's happening serve as good proving grounds for bot­ even 8 blades. The added size is needed with the bait, and where it's happening. tom-bouncer rigs. not just for the bigger average size of This is because the weight, hook and Bottom-bouncers can be rigged as the fish, but to call in walleyes from a bait are presented as one compact unit. slip sinkers, though they are usually greater distance. Increase the hook size When you move the jig, you move the tied directly to the line. They aren't to 2, and tie the rig on heavier bait, which is not true with rigging limited to presenting live bait. Shal­ monofilament. when you consider the snell. Modern low-running minnow-shaped lures can Minnows couple well with a single- walleye jigs come in a host of shapes, hook spinner. Leeches and 'crawlers sizes and colors to fit the needs of many require two hook harnesses. Size 4 and angling scenarios. Rigging tip: 6 light-wire hooks snelled to the leader When working specific structure or cover with a rig, whether it's a slip swivel . swivel fishing line rig or bouncer, use a heavy enough weight so the line enters the water at no more than a 45-degree angle. bottom-bouncer This gives you more control over where wire nightcrawler rigged with two hooks the bait is fished. In deeper water, say 15 to 20 feet or deeper, you can fish the bait in an almost vertical fash­ ion, maximizing your control. bottom-bouncer sinker

Ftihtng & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater 21 Several walleye jig refinements work alewife, smelt and gizzard shad. Por­ J1& well in the hands of the river fishermen. tions of the walleye population in such Leadhead jigs with a short hook shank systems tend to key in on these food Slip bobber tip: are designed to be fished strictly with sources, making them susceptible to Slip bobbers are a precise form of pre­ live bait. In some instances, these crankbaits. senting live bait. There are many jigheads have an added eyelet for the One of the keys to trolling crankbaits choices in bobber and bobber stop attachment of a stinger hook. This is an effectively is depth control. For years design. Experimentwith several mod­ effective presentation when slip-drifting I've taken some dandy walleyes from els before choosing what works best a shiner through a deep river hole on Keystone Lake by trolling crankbaits for your situation. the Allegheny or Susquehanna River. after the sun has gone down. I know I Walleye patterns are as numerous as More standard styles of jigs have also can get a 5 '/4-inch or 7-inch lure to go the types of waterways they inhabit. been improved. One ball-head jig has a down 15 feet by letting out about 100 By using this information you'll be able soft-plastic body with a marabou tail, feet of 8-pound-test line and adding 3/s- to put together a system of strate­ with still plenty of room for tipping ounce of weight. This precision, learned gies to meet the demands of the with bait. Other jigs now come in much through experimentation, has led to waters you fish. wider color selections. some nice fish. Standard jigs are great for a variety of Such experimentation isn't necessary situations. One of my favorite spring­ these days. Manuals are available that time presentations is to drift a minnow- list the diving depths of modern larized in the upper Midwest on shal­ tipped grub over Pymatuning Lake's crankbaits in a variety of situations. To low, windswept rocky shoals. Our lakes bottom for post-spawn walleyes. Jigs attain greater depths than a lure have few features like those. But we do with the ball head design drift effec­ achieves with conventional sinkers, sec- have weed edges, felled trees and rocky tively. That is, they don't catch water points. and plane upward. Stand-up head de­ One of the locations I've found effec­ signs don't drift as well, but they are Crankbait tip: tive for slip bobbers is the washout hole good for working over a specific area, such as when yo-yoing over a spot or On lakes with slender baitfish like deadsticking a jig. shiners and smelt, use long, minnow- For working weed edges and pitching shaped plugs. Where shad are the back into pockets of weeds, carry some main forage, go with fatter lures. swimming jigs, spoon-shaped leadheads Don't be afraid to use a big crankbait, fashioned on a long-shanked hook. especially at night or in dingy wa­ Swimming jigs have the line tie out on ter. Most anglers use lures that are the nose, which helps prevent it from too small. gathering weeds. Rattles are one of the newer features to be added to lures, and a few rattling tions of leadcore line can be added to jigs are available. Some anglers swear create an "inline sinker." Leadcore rattle models outproduce standard jigs changes colors at set intervals, so an when the fish are extra finicky. angler can control how much line (hence, weight) is added. Crankbaits Great Lakes trout and salmon anglers Many of the largest walleyes of the have been using side planing boards for year are taken on crankbaits, and they years to pull their baits out and away are generally taken by trolling. This is from the path of the boat. Walleye an­ particularly true on lakes with pelagic glers can achieve the same effect by us­ baitfish species like emerald shiners, ing smaller inline planers. These boards don't require a separate tow line. A They clip directly to the line well in front of the lure. They do require a Jigging tip: partner to unhook the planer board as a Keep a selection of '/4-ounce and fish is brought to the boat. Vs-ouncejigs for drifting lakes and river holes. The V's-ounce and Slip bobbers below dams on the Allegheny River. For '/s-ounce models are needed for Slip bobbers are probably the least safety's sake, it's necessary to anchor 1 many casting situations. The /4- used presentation method by most wall­ the boat well downstream from a dam's ounce swimmingjigs can be a bit too eye anglers, and I certainly fall into this restricted area. But with a long rod you heavy for fishing weed edges. They group. But slip bobbers, floats de­ can lob a bait, fished under a slip bob­ can be lightened by shaving the lead signed to suspend the bait at a depth ber, into the hole. The currents found down a bit. determined by an inline bobber stop, there keep the bait moving through the are a good way to present bait to high- area, in front of the nose of a fat walleye percentage spots. This tactic was popu- or sauger. Q

Pennsylvania Ander & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories List A Lifetime fe^took " by Rich Wood DINO-FISH Even before dinosaurs roamed the land, there were dinosaur fishes swimming in the earth's waters. Scientists have found the fossils of one of these dino-fish right here in Pennsylvania. This animal lived about 370 million years ago. It probably swam our prehistoric seas for about This fish is called Dunkleosteus [Dunk-el-os-tee-us]. "Dunk" was one kind of fish in a single group known as arthrodires [arth-ro-di-res], which means "jointed neck." These dino-fish had large heads that were covered with hard, 50 million to 60 million years before it bony plates. These bony plates were like became extinct. suits of armor. Their jaws were very powerful The bones of this creature have been with sharp, toothlike plates. found in Erie, Warren, and Crawford Dunkleosteus was believed to have been counties, in the northwestern part of the about 30 feet long and truly considered an ER/E WARREN underwater monster! That's as big as a school bus! This large, awesome predator probably CRAWFORD ate anything it could sink its jaws into.

state. The fossil remains of this fish have also been found across North America, in **-%22^ Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, California, and Although this swimming beast is not the Missouri. It has also been found in largest fish to have lived on earth, it was one Belgium, Morocco, Poland, and Russia. of the fiercest. Move aside, T-Rex. Here comes Dunkleosteus, king of the Dino-fish! O

">>g & Boating Memories last A lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater L J Which Fly Should

I Use Today?'by Charles R. Meek

I arrived at the bridge at Thomas Mills at the lower end of the Delayed-Har- vest area on Chest Creek in late June. I fished this Cambria County stream only once before and wanted to see if it held trout at this late date in the sea­ son. If you've ever fished this stream, you might know why I was curious. The stream has a cloudy, almost chalky color, with many slow two- to three- foot deep pools. Temperatures on this stream rise into the 70s on hot sum­ mer afternoons. As I waded upstream I saw no signs of trout, until I arrived at a deep, slow pool a few hundred yards above my parked car. Here I saw another angler making frantic casts and mumbling to himself. When he saw me, he immedi­ ately pointed to several dozen trout directly in the water in front of him. In a frustrated voice, the other angler said, "I've tried just about every pat­ tern in my fly box and nothing seems to work."

•••;«•»!*'* >t • "»**,»'» *l*m 1&. Certain patterns work better certain times of the year. Sometimes it can be a case of which pattern consistently

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime 24 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater I opened my fly box and handed Light Cahill. At that time, you him two patterns-a Patriot dry fly see hatches like the light cahill, and a size 16 Beadhead Pheasant sulphur, cream cahill, and pink Tail Nymph. I showed him how to lady, especially in the evening. If tie the two patterns in tandem by major hatches occur during the tying a two-foot piece of 4X tippet day in the summer, these insects material to the bend of the shank are usually darker in color than of the dry fly. I thought a tandem those emerging in the evening. was important there because the For example, during May and trout we saw in front of us were June, you see hatches like the not on the bottom, but instead, blue-winged olive dun, chocolate two feet below the surface. dun, and blue quill. All these On the very first cast with that dark-bodied mayflies emerge duo of flies, his Patriot dry fly during the daylight hours. sank, he set the hook, and re­ So as a general rule, you leased a 12-inch rainbow. Two should use gray flies in April casts later he caught a second and again in October. On sum­ trout on the beadhead pattern. mer trips, if you plan to fly-fish After an hour or so, trout refused during the day, use a dark-col­ the pattern, so we switched to a ored mayfly. In the evening, use Green Weenie and continued to a light-colored pattern. catch trout. For the next two If I plan to fly-fish a small, hours, the two of us caught more heavily canopied stream in the than 40 trout-most of them on summer, I often resort to terres­ the wet fly. trials. Remember that in the summer, Every time a strong wind blew that When am I fishing the stream, and light mayflies often appear in the afternoon, I noted that a dozen or more which hatches do I expect to see? evening, and darker mayflies during trout began to feed in a shallow glide Certain patterns work better certain the day. upstream from us. I tied on an ant pat­ times of the year. What is the predomi­ Don't overlook downwing patterns. tern and picked up several trout. nant color of insects appearing in April During a summer trip to the Talk about a bad day turned good-it and again in late fall? Where do these Lackawanna River near Scranton, noth­ certainly did for the two of us. mayflies and stoneflies land to rest? ing I used caught trout-until I switched How many times has this same type They usually rest on the branches of to a size 16 Tan Caddis. I picked up of event happened to you? I can speak tree and bushes. What is the color of four trout in a run that I had previously from experience and say it has hap­ these branches or bushes in April? fished for an hour without a strike. pened to me hundreds of times. I Gray, and that's the general coloration Recently 1 fished the Saucon Creek in know there are plenty of trout, but I of just about every mayfly and stonefly Hellertown with Rich Heiserman. We can't catch them. What pattern you that appears that time of the season. hit the stream in early July during a select-and how you fish that pattern- When leaves and flowers start appear­ trico spinner fall. Rich tried a Trico can make all the difference in the ing in May and June, you see more col­ pattern for a half-hour without any suc­ world. Let's examine several questions orful mayflies. That's when to use the cess. He then switched to one of his you might ask before you select favorite patterns, a size 16 Tan Elk that pattern. Hair Caddis. Within an hour, Rich picked up a half-dozen trout Which stream do I plan to fish? on that pattern and missed as Certain patterns seem to work many more. The Tan Caddis is better on certain streams. I one of the most productive pat­ would never go near Clarks terns you can use in June and July. Creek, just north of Harrisburg, The hatch chart on page 27 sug­ without a good supply of Green gests specific patterns that might Weenies. The same goes for Fish­ be best during certain times of the ing Creek in Clinton County. season. The chart should help That simple pattern works well you narrow the number of imita­ on those two streams. It works tions you carry with you. I have equally well on other Keystone three compartments in my chest State streams. fly box. One is marked "early," I always carry plenty of Dark- another "middle," and the third is Olive Beadheads when I fish labeled "late." I place the most Spring Creek in central Pennsyl­ common patterns to match the vania. That pattern works espe­ hatches for each season in these cially well on many Pennsylvania compartments. limestone streams.

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater With which pattern am world. If trout are taking I most confident? downwings like caddisflies, then Often it's a case of which pat­ it's important to copy the shape of tern you believe in-which one that insect. If they're taking or consistently works for you. Phil have recently fed on dying mayfly Baldacchino fishes Kettle Creek spinners, then maybe you should regularly. The stream runs think of using a spent-winged through his backyard. I'll never spinner pattern. forget that day Phil and I fished Size also can make a difference the Adams Hole during a between a successful and a frus­ hendrickson hatch. For every trating fishing trip. I've often had trout I caught on a Red Quill pat­ refusals with a size 12 or 14 Light tern, Phil caught two on his pat­ Cahill, and switched to a size 18 or tern. What was he using during 20 and caught trout. Carry some the hatch? Would you believe he of the more popular patterns in used a Humpy pattern with a sizes 12 to 22 to cope with selective bright-red body! Lots of times trout. Often, trout surface feed on what works for you is the pattern midges. If you plan to fish over in which you have the most con­ trout rising to these insects, carry fidence. For Phil that pattern is small patterns, sizes 20 to 26, to the Goofus or Humpy. striking. With attractor patterns you copy these insects. I've seen other anglers who swear by a often see trout swirling and refusing Finally, which type of fly you use, Light Cahill and use that all summer. I the pattern. These patterns are often sinking or floating, can mean the dif­ like the Beadhead Pheasant Tail and I good for locating trout. On any day, ference between success and failure. use it on just about every stream I fish. but especially from June through Sep­ For more than 20 years I used dry flies Rarely has this pattern failed me. I'm so tember, when there's no hatch on, I almost exclusively. Rarely, if ever, did I confident with this beadhead that if I often rely on an attractor pattern. ever resort to a wet fly. When I did, it don't get a strike within a half-hour Lloyd Williams, a fly fishing friend was on those occasions when I hit high with that pattern, I often quit or move who recently passed away, never or cold water. The last 10 years I have to another location. If that pattern changed the fly he used the entire sum­ switched to using the tandem, which doesn't work, I switch to a Beadhead mer. If you looked on the back seat of consists of a wet fly and a dry fly. When Green or Tan Caddis. his car, almost any time of the year he I use two patterns in tandem I consis­ If you've been successful with a pat­ had his fly rod with a Royal Coachman tently catch 20 percent of the trout on tern on one stream, it will probably attached to the leader. Lloyd always the dry fly-but I catch about 80 percent work for you on other streams. caught trout using that pattern on on the wet fly. As soon as I began using Bowman Creek in northeastern Penn­ wet flies, I noticed a sharp increase in Why about an attractor pattern? sylvania. the number of trout caught. Color of the pattern can be impor­ Which fly will you use today? In tant. The Patriot has a body made from What about size, color, shape, Donald DuBois's The Fisherman's Hand­ smolt-blue crystal flash with a bright- and type of pattern? book of Trout Flies printed in 1960, red midrib. I added blue to the body I've suggested earlier that shape and DuBois lists more almost 6,000 patterns after I had read about an experiment by color can make all the difference in the that are available to the fly-fisher. But two professors at the University the number of possibilities has of British Columbia. They dyed increased geometrically just over salmon eggs all colors of the the past few years. With the ad­ rainbow and then attempted to vent of new fly tying materials and find out if rainbow trout pre­ the tremendous increase in the ferred one color or another. number of good fly tiers, the po­ They found that in most situa­ tential number of patterns has tions trout took a blue-colored increased dramatically. egg first. As a result of that re­ Before you decide which fly you search, I began tying the Patriot. use today, take a few minutes to And guess what-the pattern observe the stream. Are trout ris­ worked. ing? If so, to what? And if that The Patriot, and others like first and second choices of pat­ the Royal Coachman dry fly, terns don't work, change that pat­ copy no insect, but instead are tern again. The correct pattern, attractor patterns. Attractor pat­ and the way you fish it, can often terns often contain bright colors change a so-so day into a memo­ and represent no insect. These rable one. O patterns often irritate fish into

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime 26 Pennsylvania Angter&Boater Patterns Matching Pennsylvania Hatches and When To Use Them MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING APRIL Blue Quill, 18 Blue Quill, 18 S-Dark Brown Spinner, 18 Little Blue-Winged Olive Dun, 16-20 Quill Gordon, 14 S-Red Quill Spinner, 1 2 or 14 Quill Gordon, 14 Red Quill, 14 Hendrickson, 14 or 16 Hendrickson, 12 or 14 Dark Quill Gordon, 14 Black Quill, 12 or 14 S-Early Brown Spinner- 14 C-Little Black Caddis, 1 6 C-Grannom, 12-16 MAY Blue Quill, 18 Hendrickson, 12 Red Quill, 12 Blue Dun, 18 or 20 Red Quill, 14 Gray Fox, 1 2 Blue-Wineed Olive Dun, 14 C-Green Caddis, 14 C-Grannom, 12 Quill Gordon, 14 C-Grannom, 12-16 Sulphur Dun, 1 6 Sulphur, 16 Spotted Sedge, 16 C-Spotted Sedge, 16 March Brown, 1 2 March Brown, 1 2 Slate Drake, 1 2 Gray Fox, 1 2 Light Cahill Dun, 1 2 Green Drake, 10-16 Green Drake, 10 Brown Drake, 1 2 S-Great Red Spinner, 12 Cream Cahill, 14 S-Sulphur Spinner S-Coffin Fly, 10 S-Brown Drake Spinner, 1 2 S-White-Gloved Howdy, 1 2 S-Light Cahill Spinner, 12 NE March Brown, 12 Olive Dun, 16 Blue Quill, 18 Gray Fox, 12 Ginger Quill, 12 Blue-Winged Olive Dun, 14 and 16 Blue Quill, 18 Green Drake, 10 Blue-Winged Olive Dun, 14 S-Coffin Fly, 10 Chocolate Dun, 16 S-Dark Olive Spinner, 14 and 16 C-Dark Blue Sedge, 12 Brown Drake Dun and Spinner, 12 Sulphur, 1 6 Light Cahill Dun and Spinner, 12 Yellow Drake Dun and Spinner, 12 Golden Drake, 12 Cream Cahill Dun and Spinner, 14 St-Giant Stonefly, 6 Slate Drake, 12 S-White-Gloved Howdy, 1 2 JULY Blue-Winged Olive Dun, 1 6 Blue Dun, 20 Slate Drake, 12 Blue Quill, 18 Blue-Winged Olive Dun, 16 Light Cahill Dun and Spinner , 12 Dark Brown Spinner, 14 Pale Evening Dun and Spinner, 18 Trico Dun and Spinner, 24 Yellow Drake Dun and Spinner, 1 2 C-Green Caddis, 14 Dark Olive Spinner, 14 Cream Cahill Dun and Spinner, 14-16 AUGUST Blue Quill, 18 White Mayfly, 14 Trico Dun and Spinner, 24 Blue-Winged Olive Dun-20 Slate Drake, 1 2 White-Gloved Howdy, 12 C-Green Caddis, 14 Light Cahill Dun and Spinner, 12 S-Big Slate Drake, 8 S-Rusty Spinner, 8 Cream Cahill Dun and Spinner, 14-16 SEPTEMBER Trico Dun and Spinner, 24 Slate Drake, 14 White Mayfh/, 14 Little Blue-Winged Olive Dun, 20 Cream Cahill Dun and Spinner, 14 S-Rusty Spinner, 20 Slate Drake, 14 OCTOBER Trico Dun and Spinner, 24 Slate Drake, 14 S-White-Gloved Howdy, 14 Little Blue-Winged Olive Dun, 20 S-Rusty Spinner, 20 Tan Caddis, 16

S=Spinner St»Stonefly C-Caddisfly Numbers are hook sizes

king & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater by Alex Zidock, Jr.

Few people realize when they pull up to a gasoline pump these days that they may experience more than a change in the way that gasoline smells when they "fill 'er up." There are certain new facts about today's gasoline that every boater should know. The new gas could cause a change in the performance of your boat engine. There are rea­

sons for concern about some of the new gasolines available in today's marketplace. On the other hand, there are reasons for relief, brought about by some near decade-old federal regulations that are finally showing favorable environmental effect across the country.

In addition to meeting certain standards as set by state and Antiknock Index federal regulations, refineries blend gasolines in accordance Gasoline is measured on an Antiknock Index, or "octane," with specifications set by the American Society for Testing which is a way of determining the gasoline's ability to resist and Materials (ASTM). The combined input from ASTM pre-ignition, or engine, knock. The Antiknock Index is listed members, which is made up of representatives from the auto­ at the pump as 87 octane, 89 octane, and so on. mobile industry, boat and other engine manufacturing com­ You can begin to see that engine knock is an important fac­ panies, gasoline producers and pipeline companies, has led to tor to consider in maintaining the best performance, and en­ the development of the specifications to which all refiners joying longevity from any gasoline-powered must finish their basic gasoline products to ensure minimal internal-combustion engine. Engine knock is caused by pre- quality standards. It is only then that the gasoline manufac­ ignition of gasoline as it is compressed inside the cylinder, turers can customize their brands with detergents, anti-knock just milliseconds before the normal spark plug firing. Most compounds, and other additives. drivers of automobiles and light trucks notice this when put­ Gasoline, in its simplest form, is a complex mixture of hy­ ting a load on the tow vehicle engine when pulling a boat up a drocarbons, molecules that contain hydrogen and carbon, steep ramp, or climbing a particularly steep hill and pressing which are refined from crude oil. The hydrocarbons are on the accelerator to gain speed. When the knock occurs, the blended with more than 150 chemicals into a volatile fuel vehicle loses power and there is a reduction of fuel economy, used to make internal combustion engines work. in addition to causing internal damage to the engine. There are many conditions that promote engine knock. Blends and additives These conditions include outdoor temperatures, humidity, To enhance gasoline, manufacturers introduce any number altitude, operating under extreme conditions, placing a heavy of additives. Manufacturers of gasoline change their blends load or strain on an engine, the age of the vehicle, and the to keep up with engine technology and ever-increasing EPA time elapsed between tune-ups. An occasional engine knock regulations. In the 1980s, when fuel injection systems were can be addressed by using a higher octane gasoline when per­ introduced, there were significant problems with deposits forming the task that causes the knock. If you are taking your accumulating on intake valve surfaces. Additives were intro­ vehicle on vacation and you are towing a boat or trailer dur­ duced into the gasoline blends to keep valves and injectors ing that time, you may lessen the incidence of engine knock clean. In some instances, however, certain additives may be by increasing the octane of the gasoline you use. Persistent added only to the better, or more expensive, higher-octane engine knock will destroy your engine, particularly if your grades of gasolines. Because there are no regulations gov­ vehicle is an older model. You may try using a gasoline with a erning which additives are introduced in which grades of higher octane rating, but if you cannot get rid of the knock, gasoline, some gasolines burn better in, and are better for, you probably need a tune-up and/or an adjustment in the certain engines. So, if your motor is properly tuned and in engine's timing. good condition, but runs poorly while using the correct oc­ tane gasoline recommended for that engine, you could im­ Which octane rating to use prove performance just by switching to another brand of With the advent of sophisticated engine management sys­ fuel with the same octane rating. tems on newer automobiles, as well as more modern boat en­ gines, engines can operate efficiently using a variety of fuels

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A lifetime of different octane ratings. But it is better by far to use a cantly to cleaner air by burning more completely, they also gasoline that contains the octane rating recommended for have a downside. your car, light truck or boat motor. The best place you can look to determine which octane gasoline you should use in Fire hazard your engine, no matter what type of vehicle that engine is in, RFG users will notice a 2 percent to 3 percent lower fuel is your owner's manual. Each manufacturer lists the mini­ economy than with non-oxygenated gasolines. Increasing the mum octane that should be used in that particular engine, oxygen in gasoline reduces the amount of energy in each gal­ under average conditions. Using a lessor octane fuel than lon, which could reduce mileage by as much as 2 to 3 percent. recommended by the manufacturer can cause problems. In­ RFG costs a few cents a gallon more than non-oxygenated correctly burned fuel builds layers of carbon deposits on cyl­ gasoline. And for engines more than 10 years old, RFG could inder walls, exhaust ports, spark plugs, and piston ring create a fire hazard. This factor could be very important for grooves. owners of older outboard and inboard boat engines. Once you have found the correct brand of fuel and octane Natural and synthetic rubbers used in hoses and O-rings, rating for an engine, stick with it. Using fuel with a higher called elastomers, which were in use before RFG and oxygen­ octane doesn't give that engine more power or give it better ated gasolines were so widely used, could be affected. Shrink­ fuel economy. The engine will already be operating at opti­ ing, swelling, or weakening of these hoses and seals could mum settings, and the higher octane will have no effect on cause fuel leaks. Because gasoline is highly flammable, there the engine management system. If you are currently using a is great risk of fire. fuel with less octane than your engine requires, you may be RFG may cause even more special problems for boaters be­ able to enjoy an increase in power and fuel economy by using cause gasoline oxygenated with ethanol can attract moisture. a higher octane fuel, which ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^m When enough moisture is would move the engine man­ present, the fuel separates agement system to perform into two layers, an upper at its optimum settings. layer of gasoline and a lower layer of ethanol Oxygenated gasoline and water. The lower Nearly a decade ago, Con­ layer has the potential to gress passed a set of amend­ corrode some fuel system ments to the Clean Air Act of parts. Gasoline oxygen­ 1967, which addressed ated with MTBE is not cleaner-burning gasoline. susceptible to this prob­ The new laws resulted in re­ lem. In the more current fineries adding oxygenates to models of outboard mo­ gasolines to reduce the reac­ tors and inboard engines, tivity of emissions. Most hoses and O-rings have oxygenates contain alcohols been made of materials or ethers. Methyl tertiary- not affected by the new butyl ether (MTBE) and ethyl gasolines, but check your alcohol (ethanol) have been owner's manual for fur­ the oxygenates most com­ ther information. monly used in gasoline. Long-term storage be­ These new gasolines became comes more of a problem known as "oxygenated" with oxygenated and re­ gasolines. In 1995, the hy­ formulated gasolines. drocarbon structure of these The lighter, oxygen-rich new fuels was so signifi­ hydrocarbons evaporate cantly modified that these more readily and leave gasolines became known as molecules that are gum­ the "cleaner-burning" mier than what was left gasolines, or "reformulated when nonoxygenated fuel gasolines" (RFG). evaporated. These heavy molecules block up fuel filters and The use of oxygenated, or reformulated, gasolines is not carburetor jets. And all of this happens a lot faster in oxygen­ widespread in Pennsylvania yet, but it has been required in ated, or RFG, fuel. For Pennsylvanians who mostly store their some major metropolitan areas of the United States, and in boats during the winter months, the need to top off the tank all of California, during the four winter months. In the mid- and add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel when the boat will be 1990s, Pennsylvania Governor Casey challenged the EPA and stored more than 90 days, has become paramount. requested that 28 counties of the Commonwealth be "opted The composition of gasoline has undergone tremendous °ut" of conforming with RFG regulations. However, oxygen­ change in the last 10 years. Change will continue as refiners ated gasoline can still be found during winter months in maintain stride with technology and as more and more EPA Philadelphia and the Pittsburgh areas. Pennsylvania boaters regulations take effect in the coming years. Take-it-for- who trailer to other states may be confronted with RFG, and granted gasoline is history. O even though these new gasolines have contributed signifi­

''"& *" Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater "FISHING & BOATING LORIES LAST A LIFETIME" KHftf &ttiir/eA

4-WAY TIE FOR ADULT SECOND-PLACE WINNER Lake of a Lifetime by S. James Miller

The mist rises around us in the dim, gray early morning It wasn't long before I was reeling in sunfish and bluegills light as our canoe glides across the mirror-green lake. The along with the occasional crappie. I'd toss them into my bubbling of the trilling motor is the only sound as we near bucket and run back up to the campsite to show off my catch our favorite spot at the mouth of Laurel Creek. It is late May, before running back down to the creek to release the mon­ and although the days are sunny and warm, the mornings are sters. Even my two younger sisters were impressed. I spent still cold. We can see our breath, but we barely notice because hours along the creek concentrating on those fish, and I tried we anticipate catching trout. a little of everything for bait, including corn, doughballs and This is only the second year my wife, Debbie, and I have grasshoppers. My Dad would occasionally walk down to give fished together, although we have been married for 18 years me encouragement. It turns out he wasn't much of a fisher­ and she has turned out to be a pretty good, enthusiastic an­ man himself, but from his limited experience fishing the gler. I am only too happy to share Laurel Hill Lake with her, a river, he always said nightcrawlers were the best bait. lake that has been a part of my "When in doubt, use a life since I cast my first worm in nightcrawler," he said. "A the water. nightcrawler can catch any­ Laurel Hill State Park is lo­ thing." cated in Somerset County. It We swam in Laurel Hill contains a relatively small, 65- Lake, we picnicked along the acre lake that was built by the lake, we hiked around the WPA (Works Progress Adminis­ lake, and I fished the lake. tration) in the 1930s. The fed­ For many summers the lake eral government gave the park was the center of our family's to the state of Pennsylvania in activities. We met lots of 1945. My lifelong relationship nice people and bought our with the park began in 1959 very own tent the next year. during the US Steel strike when We never had a boat, though, my Dad decided we should go and I still remember watch­ camping. He borrowed an um­ ing the few boats on the lake brella tent and bought some with great envy. My fishing basic equipment, including a was always limited to the stove and lantern, and the ad­ shore or below the spillway. venture began. On that trip, Even at an early age, I be­ when I was nine years old, my lieved the boat fishermen Dad taught me to fish. The author (left) with his brother, Dave (2nd from left), and were somehow a notch above He started me off with an old brothers-in-law Mike (2nd from right) and Doug during their us lowly shore fishermen. rod and baitcasting reel, with annual June weekend fishing trip to Laurel Hill State Park. After all, out there was where what must have been 50-pound the big ones were. line and a plastic bucket for my College interrupted my catch. I remember distinctly his standing beside me and tell fishing obsession. The excitement of living away from home ing me to be patient. for the first time and the demands of trying to learn some­ "Wait until the bobber goes all the way under," he said. thing during the Age of Aquarius, the late 1960s and early I also remember how hard it was to cast the bobber out 1970s, left little time for fishing. During the summers, I more than 15 feet with that old rod and reel, and how I just worked to earn money for tuition, so for four years fishing knew the bigger ones were just a little farther out. took a back seat. My lifelong relationship with Laurel Hill State Park began in 1959 during the US Steel strike when my Dad decided we should go camping. On that trip, when I was nine years old, my Dad taught me to fish.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime When I graduated I had a new fishing experience. My We've caught some good-sized carp, too, fishing with live brother, Dave, is 11 years younger than I am, and suddenly bait and bobbers. That's another fish that's no small chal­ the little guy I'd harassed and knocked around had become lenge to land with an ultralight and 4-pound test. a fishing buddy. If anything, he was crazier for fishing than As time went on, we brought others to Laurel on our com­ I was. After fishing together for trout and bass in streams bination camping and fishing trips. The park has a beautiful, and creeks for a few years, we went together and bought an modern campground for trailers and tents, and we've taken old canoe, complete with trolling motor, paddles, life jack­ nephews, nieces, cousins and friends out on Laurel Hill Lake ets and homemade anchors. The entire outfit cost us $350. in our trusty canoe. Knowing the lake as we do, we have al­ We headed straight for Laurel Hill. After years of wishing, I ways been able to find the right spot for every 9- to 10-year- was finally out on the water in a boat and with my brother old in the family to catch a fish. Somehow watching them to boot. lets me recapture the anticipation and excitement I felt nearly We were amazed at the variety offish we caught at Laurel: 40 years ago as I sat on the bank with my plastic bucket. Bluegills, crappies, perch, smallmouths, catfish, and of In recent years, we started going fishing for a weekend in course, our favorite, trout. We learned every inch of Laurel June with Mike and Doug, our brothers-in-law. We also take Hill Lake, from the weed bed along the beach to the channel an annual fall camping trip in early October. Fishing all day leading to the spillway. Every fallen tree became a familiar and sitting around a crackling campfire at night is a great way friend, and we even had names for some of our favorite spots, to become a tighter family. like "Bass Alley" and "Perch Point." On one of our early trips, Like any other fishing spot, Laurel can run hot and cold. I was fishing a small spoon when my ultralight was almost Dave and I have fished all day without a bite, and we've also tipped out of my hands. After a long fight I landed a 25-inch had some legendary trips in spring when everyone has lim­ northern pike! ited out. Yes, there are pike at Laurel, too, and now when we get Today the fishing is kind of slow for Debbie and me. We've bored during the heat of the day, we troll for pike. The big­ tried lures and mealworms without success and the sun's get­ gest we ever landed was almost 36 inches, although most are ting hotter. much smaller. It doesn't matter because nothing attacks a "What should we try now?" Debbie asks. lure like a northern. We've lost enough lures to prove it. "When in doubt, use a nightcrawler", I advise. "A nightcrawler can catch anything." Q

ring & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater baitcasting or spinning rod. However, Clint. I have never looked on him as a "I long to wade a trout stream, to throw disabled, handicapped or physically a fly once again," the lengthy letter challenged person. He did not want my read. "Guess I'm just feeling sorry for pity-still doesn't. However, he does myself." want my understanding. Although he Clint is a young man. A man with a has lost some of his mobility, he has wife and children. He was a strong ath­ retained his pride. He has fought the with lete in his younger days, not that far battle with fierce determination and he Dave Wolf removed. He was an excellent fly tier refuses to relent. I cannot imagine the and caster, and could fish a nymph with inner strength that it takes to do so, the best of them. However, it appeared and I know that some days are tougher that those days are past, and that the for him than others. Imagine future does not seem all that pleasant. Imagine a body that does not allow We have been friends for many years- you to do the things that you, only a few good friends, and I have never viewed short years ago, could do without ef­ Clint is often irritable and angry at the Clint as a "specially challenged" person. fort. Imagine the day-in and day-out world. Despite the fact that I have He has accomplished more than most struggles that someone like Clint faces. known him for nearly 15 years, that of us who are considered healthy indi­ Imagine the strength it must take to matters little. My constant probing viduals. adjust on an annual, monthly, weekly, during conversations in quiet places Clint refuses to use any form of aid, and even daily basis. elicited the same answers. not even a wading staff. I use a staff Clint is not his real name-I respect "Are you OK?" I asked. frequently when fishing rock-strewn his wishes not to tell others of his prob­ "I'm fine!" river bottoms. He will not go fishing lems. However, I would like all of us "Are your sure?" on mild-flowing trout waters, although who trot to our favorite fishing waters, "Yeah, I'm sure." I have simply offered to "go along." I and cast in any manner we please, to He had known that my questions can't imagine the frustration Clint imagine what it must be like not to be were of genuine concern and we had must feel, nor can I feel the numbness able to do so. I want all of us to under­ always shared our deepest fears and in the fingers and in the feet-but I still stand that our friends do not want pity. concerns. But this time was different. feel his pain. They want only to be seen as folks who Whatever it was, it was deep and hurt­ I know that I have a deeper under­ are a lot stronger than most of us, those ful; deeper than we had explored before, standing of what it must be like to be of us who complain at things as trite as on or off our fishing waters. It pained "disabled," and I struggle for the proper missing a good fish, or a rainy day. me that I could not reach out and help term. The next time you see an access area him in some way. However, it was evi­ I do know that I appreciate the work perched on a lake or stream, imagine it dent that I could not. the Commission has accomplished and as your only means of fishing that wa­ The last time we had parted com­ continues to provide by building access ter. Stop and think and support the pany, Clint was apparently on the verge areas for folks like my friend. Today, efforts that the Commission has put of talking, but in the letter that came unlike yesterday, I pay special attention forth in making such areas available. If later that month, he said he did not to how and where they construct them, you have a friend like Clint or not, take want to burden me. I had known that and the thought, time, effort, and ex­ one moment and imagine what he and Clint had MS, multiple sclerosis. I had pense that are put forth in their efforts. others with more severe disabilities go known that for years. He did his best to Perhaps Clint has awakened my indif­ through day in and day out. I have hide it; it was an embarrassment to him. ference to such areas and the service learned more about life and the plea­ I did not understand his thinking. they provide to the many folks like sures we take for granted from Clint How could I? I, as he stated in his let­ than you could ever imagine. Q ter, did not feel numbness in my ex­ tremities. I could still wade trout waters-even rivers with stronger cur­ rents. I, unlike Clint, could still cast a fly line into the wind and feel the deli­ cate take of a trout. Clint could no longer do any of that. His MS had been in remission for years. But now it was ravaging his body, and as a relatively young man, he felt trapped within it- his future in doubt. He has adjusted, fishing from the more stable platform of a boat, and us­ ing lures flung to the waters with a

32 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime ^wdudim

Guide to Public Fishing Waters and Boating Access This 96-page book, 5 lji by 8 vji, lists by county the locations of 96 Pennsylvania's public accesses with information on each access's services. pages: Also listed are brief driving directions to each access. The book also lists Pennsylvania public fishing waters by county, including miles for flowing waters and acreage for impoundments and lakes, species available, and nearest towns.

Pennsylvania Amphibians & Reptiles This 161-page, 5 l/i x 8 l/i, full-color book lists Pennsylvania's salamanders, frogs, toads, turtles, lizards, and snakes. Each animal's account includes details on general characteristics, identification, range, habitat, reproduction, and food. Range maps and full-color illustrations and photographs help anyone identify each species.

Identification Guide to Pennsylvania Fishes This brief guide, 52 pages, 5 ]ji x 8 l/i, helps anyone identify Pennsylvania's common fishes. The book includes 63 species in 16 fish families. The characteristics of basic fish anatomy are illustrated with an easy-to-follow key for identifying fish. Each fish species is listed with several identifying characteristics.

Endangered and Threatened Species of Pennsylvania This book is 80 full-color pages and measures 8 lji x 11. The book includes details on Pennsylvania's endangered and threatened invertebrates, birds and mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. The book was produced as a cooperative effort among the Fish & Boat Commission, ."'."*• i Game Commission, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, species'. and the Wild Resource Conservation Fund. Fishing and Boating Map PFBC Fishing & Boating Map . 900+ The full-color folded map measures 37 inches by 22 3A inches flat. locations I With the official Transportation Map, the map marks the locations of more than 900 fishing and boating accesses, lake and impoundment special-regulation areas, flowing water special-regulation areas, fish culture stations, universally accessible areas, Commission offices, and pumpout stations.

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Wall Charts Each of the Commission's suite of 10 wall charts is printed in full color and measures 17 inches by 22 inches. Wall charts are printed on quality paper and are suitable for framing. Shipped rolled in tubes, not folded.

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NEW 1999 Species Patch!

Commemorative Patches Commission commemorative patches are limited-edition items. Nongame species patches help raise awareness of Pennsylvania's nongame and endangered fish, reptiles and amphibians. With PLAY patches, supplies are limited, and they are offered only while supplies last. (Be, aJtlwdw! Subwtribe (J&dayl

Pennsylvania • League • of • Angling • Youth

Each issue of PAc?B is a big 64 pages. Inside you'll find important, firsthand conservation information. Look for special items like the annual Inseason Trout Stocking Schedule and the seasons, sizes and creel limits poster. You'll also get detailed fishing and boating articles, and news and stories on every aspect of the Commission. Hey Kids! Join NOW.' PLAY is an educational program to help you Subscribe for 3 years learn about fish, fishing, conservation, safety, and the waters of Pennsylvania, f "1999 Qet this FREE PATCH! You'll receive a jacket Subscribe, renew or extend your Pennsylvania patch, quarterly newsletter, Angler & Boater subscription for 3 years, and we'll "whistle for safety," special send you this "Northern publications and other Copperhead" patch for FREE items to help you be a better angler. (a $5 value). Patch is available A one-year PLAY membership is $3.00. only with a 3-year subscription. Checks or money orders only please, made out to: Offer subject to expire without Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. notice or when patch supply is depleted.

PFBC Ball Caps Commission ball caps are available in two popular patterns: tan and blue, and snake pattern. Each stands out with the Commission "keystone" logo. Caps are one-size-fits-all, and are made in America. tan and blue snake pattern QvdwCfc&wwi

Wall Chart S Books PA Angler & Boater Subscriptions/Renewals

code# ' quantity product price j total codeti I quantity product pric • ] total • YES! Enter my subscription for THREE YEARS at $25 103CLDF Coldwater Fishes of Pennsylvania $.94; 103AMPR PA Amphibians & Reptiles $9.43 • YES! Enter my subscription for TWO YEARS at $18 i • YES! Enter my subscription for ONE YEAR at $9 103WMWF • Warmwater Fishes of Pennsylvania $.94 103PUBF Guide to Public Fishing LJ New subscription LJ Renewal or extending 103MIGF Migratory Fishes of Pennsylvania $.94 Waters and Boating Access $2.83 103IDGF Identification Guide to 103MISG Misc. Game Fishes of Pennsylvania $.94 P.L.A.Y. Memberships Pennsylvania Fishes $2.83 103PANF Panfishes of Pennsylvania $.94 103ENDS Endangered &. Threatened • YES! Enter my subscription for ONE YEAR at $3 103FORF Forage Fishes of Pennsylvania $.94 Species of PA $5.66 | d New membership LJ Renewal or extending Age: 103FROG Frogs of Pennsylvania $.94 Pamphlets Single copies are free. TOTAL Your Order 103SALA Salamanders of Pennsylvania $.94 Please indicate with a ^ the requested titles. For multiple copie. of the Wall charts, patches, and books subtotal 103SNAK | Snakes of Pennsylvania $.94 : same title, please call the Publications Section at 717-657-4521 PA residents add 6% state sales tax 103TURT Turtles of Pennsylvania $.94 _J Acid Precipitation 109ACID Ball caps (non-taxable) Ball Caps (ion-taxable) : J Angler Award Program 109AWRD SUBTOTAL

ii«it'# '..quantity product price total • Bog Turtles 109BOGT Shipping and handling total Add $2.00 for orders under $10.00. 115TANC PFBC tan and blue $10.00 LJ Coolwater/Warmwater Fishing in Pennsylvania 109COOL Add $3.00 for orders of $10.00 or more. 115SNAC PFBC snake pattern [$10.001 _1 Darters of Pennsylvania 109DART PA Angler & Boater Subscription TOTAL _l Delaware River in Pennsylvania 109DELR Colorful Patches 'limited quantities available) P.L.A.Y. Membership TOTAL LJ Drinking, Boating and the Law 109DRNK code# quantity product price total TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED • Fish Scale Sketch of PFBC 109SCAL 111DART97 1997 Rainbow Darter $4.71 L~J Fish Restoration 109FRES Order Information 111MEM097 1997 Memories $4.71 _1 Fishing and Boating Map 109FMAP Use for new PA Angler & Boater subscriptions, PLAY membership, change of address, if 111NCOP98 1998 Northern Copperhead $4.71 Q Hazards on the Water 109HAZW boxed area below includes different name and address, or if boxed area below is blank. 111PART98; 1998 Partnerships $4.71 • I Just Bought a Boat 109JUST 111NLFR99 1999 Northern Leopard Frog $4.71 _J Ice Fishing in Pennsylvania 109ICEF Name 111PLAY80 PLAY 1980 $2.83 LJ Lake Erie 109ERIE Address 111PLAY83 PLAY 1983 $2.83 _l Map Sources 109MAPS 111PLAY86 PLAY 1986 $2.83 LJ Northern Copperhead 109NCOP City State Zip 111PLAY87 PLAY 1987 $2.83 Q Northern Leopard Frog 109NLEP

111PLAY91 PLAY 1991 $2.83 LJ Personal Flotation Devices 109PFDS 111PLAY92 | PLAY 1992 $2.83 LJ Six Ways to the Sea 109WAYS 111PLAY93 PLAY 1993 $2.83 LJ Snakes in Basements/Buildings 109SBAS 111PLAY95 PLAY 1995 $2.83 LJ Snakes of Pennsylvania 109SNAK 111PLAY97 PLAY 1997 $2.83 LJ Trout Fishing in Pennsylvania 109TROU 111PLAY98 PLAY 1998 $2.83 • Water Pollution 109WPOL

Please mail entire form to: PA Fish & Boat Commission, Publications Section, FREE with every purchase! (available whih supplies last) P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Use check or money order for Measure your catch and stay legal with a PFBC self-adhesiv vinyl yardstick! S^^^jj remittance made payable to: PA Fish & Boat Commission. Prices subject to IS THE ICE SAFE? y Winter is when you dig out your heavy coat, w^m^y mittens, boots, hat, and scarf. And year after Yjjjr year, more and more people go out into the cold 1 and enjoy themselves "on the water." But is ^^ the ice safe? No one should ever travel on a frozen lake, pond, river, or stream without knowing the conditions of the ice. The formation of ice can be influenced by several factors: Weather such as temperature, wind, and snow; underground springs; water quality (is it clean or polluted?); the depth of the water, and if there are any obstructions; and fish or plants. Before you venture onto the ice for your winter fun, here are some ice safety tips:

Even if you are careful checking # Lakes and ponds do not freeze at the same the ice, accidental falls through thickness all over. the ice do occur. Would you # Stay away from "stickups" such as brush, logs, know what to do if your friend plants, and docks. Heat from the sun weakens the fell through the ice? Remember ice around "stickups." the safe rescue sequence: # When fishing, skating, or sledding, spread out! REACH, THROW, ROW, GO. The Crowds can add too much weight in one place. safest rescue to perform is to Single, unbroken pressure cracks are probably safe REACH with a stick, paddle, to walk on, but if you are not sure, stay away. fishing pole, or even a piece Be extra careful when there is moving water. of clothing. If this does not Rivers, streams, and springs wear away ice from work, THROW a rope, beach underneath. Ice that looks thick could be a trap ball, a PFD (personal flotation waiting for you. device, or life jacket), or Don't be a daredevil or show anything that floats. If a boat is available, ROW or push it out off. Use your head. If you to the victim. If none of these are not sure measures helps, the ice is safe, GO call for help. STAY OFF! ICE SAFETY CHART MAXIMUM SAFE LOADS FOR IDEAL ICE ACTIVITY ONE J SEVERAL ICE CROSS-COUNTRY N*^ LIGHT Sf ILES GROUP BOATING ONE ONE SKIER TRUCK . ONE ACTIVITIES .A SNOWMOBILE FISHERMAN & CAR A V

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CO CO FOCUS ON HABITAT CHAIN n Laigemouth Bass The largemouth bass is the largest member of the sunfish family. Other family members include the smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and pumpkinseed. Largemouth bass have other nicknames such as bucketmouth and bigmouth. They prefer to live in warm Phytoplankton water (68 degrees or warmer) and can be found throughout the United States, southern Canada and most of Mexico. In Pennsylvania, largemouth bass may live in our larger rivers, lakes and ponds. Largemouth bass are game fish. The average size for an adult is 2 to 4 pounds. The Pennsylvania state record is 11 pounds, 4 ounces. Millions of anglers enjoy fishing for this species. But as any wise angler knows, Zooplankton the best way to catch a largemouth is to learn everything you can about its habitat. Habitats are the places in MB which they live, and they include foods they eat and water conditions they like. Bass are creatures of cover, or structure. After only a few days from hatching from their eggs, young fish seek hiding places in weeds, floating algae, or brush piles. As they grow, they prefer to live in the same areas. Things like fallen trees and stumps, rock piles, lily pads, and even boat docks make great bass cover. They hide in these areas while waiting to ambush their prey. These places may also provide shade during the hot summer rrtonths-a cool place for a predator to hang out! When largemouth bass are fry (about an inch long), they eat tiny critters called zooplankton. They also eat underwater insects like dragonfly nymphs and diving beetles. Any bugs that fall into the water, like grasshoppers, Japanese beetles, and caterpillars, may be munched on, too. As they get bigger, they still eat many insects, but they also begin eating other small fish. Once they become adults, they are top predators in the food chain. As the saying goes, "anything they can fit into their large mouths is fair game!" Critters such as fish, crayfish, frogs, snakes, mice, and even small birds have been rumored as providing a meal. In turn, young bass may be eaten by other game fish, herons, Largemouth Bass ospreys, and snapping turtles. In a typical farm pond, a food chain may look like this: Phytoplankton are eaten by zooplankton, zooplankton are eaten by aquatic insects, aquatic insects are eaten by bluegills, bluegills are eaten by largemouth bass, and largemouth bass are eaten by people, birds, and snapping turtles.

Snapping Turtle FOCUS ON HABITAT Laigemouth Bass Learning the habitat of the largemouth bass is important. We can protect and manage the waters in which they live, while making ourselves better anglers!

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rwllMIMiii 1 OSPREY 8 LARGEMOUTH BASS 2 HAWK 9 BROWN BULLHEAD CATFISH 3 HERON 10 YELLOW BULLHEAD CATFISH 4 BULLFROG 11 CARP 5 GREEN SUNFISH 12 PUMPKINSEED 6 SNAPPING TURTLE 13 BLUEGILL 7 PICKEREL 14 COMMON SHINER Which Lure Imitates Which Real Bait? Directions: Match the artificial lure with the real bait it is intended to imitate. You may use a real bait answer more than once.

ARTIFICIAL LUR REAL BAIT 1. Stickbait a. Crayfish

4. Popper

5. Spinner

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ENA or ELPA? BY RICH WOOD As kids grow, their bodies begin to change. Their their lives underwater, and then live the rest of their bones strengthen, they grow taller, and they usually have lives out of the water flying! These critters may go to wear larger clothes. Insects grow the same way. through three changes, called incomplete metamorphosis, These changes are called metamorphosis (met-a-morph- or four changes, called complete metamorphosis. An o-sis). Aquatic bugs are no different. Many insects begin easier way to remember the difference is ENA or ELPA.

ENA stonefly stages ENA are the three letters that stand for stages of incomplete metamorphosis: Egg, Nymph, and Adult. ENA bugs include stoneflies, mayflies, dragonflies, and damselflies.

Eggs: Insects with incomplete metamorphosis lay their eggs in water.

Nymphs: Some nymphs look just like the adults, but without wings. Some look very different from the adult. They live on rocks, sticks, leaves, algae, or anything else that may be underwater. " Nymphs may shed their skin as they grow. This is called molting. When mature, the nymphs change into adults.

Adults: The adults emerge from the nymphs. Once they become adults, they fly from the water to mate. The females then return to the water to lay more eggs, and the cycle begins again. caddisfly stages

ELPA are the stages of complete metamorphosis: Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult. ELPA bugs include caddisflies, dobsonflies, craneflies, midges, mosquitoes, and water beetles.

Eggs: ELPA bugs hatch from eggs laid in the water.

Larva: Larvae hatch from eggs. Many larvae have soft bodies. Caddisfly larvae build cases of small pebbles or sticks around their bodies.

Pupa: Some pupa may look just like a cocoon. They may be inactive and not feed on anything. During the pupal stage, the critter is preparing for its final change into an adult.

Adult: Once changed into an adult, the pupa comes out of its "cocoon." It swims to the surface and flies away. The adults mate, and eggs are laid in the water. Although there are many differences between ENA and ELPA insects, one thing is certain: They all play an important role in the aquatic food chain. CONSERVE Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission P.O. Box 67000 Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 PLAY, MORE THAN A NEWSLETTER! You can look forward to seeing the Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth (PLAY) newsletter in PA Angler & Boater four times LIFE JACKETS each year. But to get the full benefits of They Float membership in PLAY, you need to complete the YOUDONV! coupon below. Full membership in PLAY is only $3.00 per year. Members receive the PLAY Newsletter, a collectible patch, tacklebox stickers, a good luck fishing hook and several activity pages. Sign up your favorite youngster for PLAY or be prepared to share your copy of PA Angler & Boaterk MAKES A L GREAT GIFT, TOO!

MHjMMI PATCHES! SUBSCRIBE TO Limited-edition patches sell for $4.71 each plus 29 cents state sales tax (only items shipped to PA addresses) for a total of $5 each. Please include $2 for shipping orders under $10 and $3 for shipping orders of $10 or more.

quantity actual size=4 3/s" wide by 3 3/t" wide total Pennsylvania • League • of • Angling • Youth 1997 Rainbow darter patch The Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth is an educational program designed to reach youngsters. Members receive a col­ 1998 Copperhead snake patch orful sew-on patch, quarterly newsletter, publications, access to the PLAY Correspondence Center and more. 1999 Leopard frog patch It's a bargain at only $3.00 a year. Sign up today!

Shipping total

Amount enclosed

Name -Age

Name. .Age

Address Addre

City. . State . . Zip. City. -State -Zip. Make checks payable to: Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Mail to: Make checks payable to: Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Mail to: Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000.

^s ^ PENNSYtVAmA P4%*4 «k @^0CT COIVllVIISS*a** CONSERVE ...supporting the conservation of Pennsylvania waters

r./ij. rewier btocKing Truck & Susquehanna Railcar Especially designed to capture the PF&BC stocking fleet. Each replica is mounted on a solid walnut base and ready for display. Lead-free pewter. Model size 4 1/2". F. TRUCK PRICE $44.34 (+2.66 tax) A. Collector Timepiece G. RAILCAR PRICE $39.00 (+2.34 tax) ^Hp it on a belt loop, knapsack, sportsbag, briefcase or handbag. These rugged timepieces will stand up to the test of time and outdoor exposure, and still look great. H. Travel Mug PRICE $51.89 (+3.11 tax) Featuring the Conserve 2000 logo and the 1999 Trout/Salmon Stamp design. B. Barlow Pocket Knife/ PRICE $4.72 (+.28 tax) Scissors Featuring the Conserve 2000 logo. PRICE $8.02 (+.48 tax) I. Beretta Collector Knife C. Collector Pin The 1999 knife is limited to only 500 numbered and dated Featuring the Conserve 2000 logo knives. The ultra-slim profile allows the knife to ride easily comes with a protective plastic in your pocket. The armored, scratch-resistant coating case. provides a distinctive, handsome appearance. The knife PRICE $4.72 (+.28 tax) features a skeletonized blade design and is enhanced by the copper/gold alloy Beretta medallion embedded in the scales. D.Tin Sign PRICE $45.28 (+2.72 tax) Featuring the 1999 Pennsylvania Trout Stamp design. Size ll"xl5". PRICE $17.00 (+1.02 tax)

E. Pewter Letter Opener This two-sided letter opener features the Conserve 2000 and the Resource First logos. Beautifully crafted and durable. PRICE $17.92 (+1.08 tax) ...supporting the conservation of Pennsylvania waters

J. Henley Shirt K. Sweatshirt L. Outer Banks Golf Shirt M. Denim Shirt (adult) M, L, XL, (XXL add $2) (adult) M, L, XL, (XXL add $2) (adult) M, L, XL, (XXL add $2) (adult) M, L, XL, (XXL add $2) available in colors: Ash, Green, available in colors: Ash, Green, available in colors: Gray, Green, available in colors: Light Blue & Black, Navy. Embroidered. Black, Navy. Embroidered. Black, Navy. Embroidered. Forest Green. Embroidered. Long sleeve PRICE $21.00 9 oz. heavy weight PRICE $25.00 100% combed cotton PRICE $25.00 PRICE $27.00 Short sleeve PRICE $19.00 P. Stamp Folder Q. T-Shirt 0. Conserve 2000 Patch N. Dress Hat A larger version of the 1999 PA (adult) M, L, XL, XXL PRICE $4.72 (+.28 tax) Trout Stamp. Limited to 5000 available in colors: Ash, White. White with blue visor, Gray with signed and numbered. 4"x 4" Silk screened logo. blue visor, or Camo-print. • Embroidered. PRICE $15.00 (+.90 tax) PRICE $12.00 CONSERVE PRICE $12.00

CONSERVE Wilderness Editions 800-355-7645 P.O. Box 218 Item # Qty. Size/Color Description Price Total fc^rjftfl Warriors Mark, PA 16877

Name

Address

City State Zip

Daytime Phone#

O Personal Check (Payable to Wilderness Editions) SURFACE SHIPPING RATES PA Residents Add 6°/ O VISA O MasterCard O Discover $0 - $15 $3.35 $15.01 - $4Q $4.95 Shipping (See Chart) Card# $40.01 - $55 $5.95 $55.01 - $75 $6.95 Exp. Date GRAND TOTAL $75.01 - $110.00 $7.95 F*leci,se CLLIOIAJ -4-6 OVER $110.00 $8.95 Signature uje&fzs for cL&lizjer*y If ordering patches only, add .50 per patch. "The Day IDidn 't Catch a Shad" by Terry Brady

He had tapped into the current of this With just a touch of envy, he watched strikes and recessions of the 1950s, and wild, free-flowing river, and now the his dad's co-worker arrive, make two the tight budget restraints on feeding electricity of the moment lit his face casts and land one fish. Others would four mouths in a small third-floor with a broad smile. Finally, he thought, take home shad. He carried away the apartment. the long wait had paid off. It was near- blues. "Your grandfather loved his fish, but ing 6 p.m. when his fishing pole arched But he wanted to take back more, fresh shad always was his favorite meal. upriver, following a fish that before had because he had made a promise to a Mine, too," my mom told my son. The been unknown to him. He had read very special lady in his life. Her eyes reminder came often in the eight years about this fish, and heard about it from misted with memories, his grand­ since shad dinners, and her fisherman, older anglers. Now he felt its power, mother often would tell him how hard became memories. glimpsed its shining, silver sides, and times yielded to happy times when the The night before we headed east to appreciated its fighting spirit for the shad were running. the Delaware, my son made a promise first time. For a few fleeting Friday evenings, he would not keep. I had seen dejection The angler was just 13, but shad fish­ when lilac and dogwood bloomed in on the young face before, when third ing on the Delaware River dates back sparse open space outside their Phila­ strikes were called on outside corners almost to the birth of the mountains delphia apartment, a young married and slick running backs left him grab­ that flanked him near Easton. On that couple forgot their troubles and feasted bing only air. There always were future May evening, his hip boots dug into on the fruit of the season. To the auto games, just as there would be future river sand once stirred by moccasins of worker and his wife, their tomorrows fishing trips. the Delaware and Lenape tribes. would bring the renewed threats of steel But he did not want to hear that now. For generations, fishermen each He'd promised his grandmother a fresh spring have lined the river's banks and shad dinner and he had only a tale to launched boats into its waters, hoping offer. to intercept these tasty swimmers on Did he listen on the long ride home their annual pilgrimage upriver to as father and friend told him to savor propagate the species. Through pol­ the day? For two men who have fished lution, talk of dams, drought, and together 45 years, the big ones lost al­ roaring spring runoffs, the Ameri­ ways stayed locked in focus in our can shad has returned each year. mind's eye. Back from the saltwater off the Was that a groan detected from the coast of Maine, bound for the head­ darkness in the back seat as we turned waters of the Delaware. There, the roe philosophical on our young listener? shad deposits her eggs, the buck, his Fishing is so much like life, we offered. milt, and a circle of life goes on. Good days on the water are like so many For the young angler battling his first other of life's bounties. We tend to take shad, a decision loomed. Would he them for granted. Sometimes it takes a break or rejoin that circle by commit­ loss or two, streamside or otherwise, to ting the fish to ice chest or current? jolt us into appreciating what we al­ The fish would decide. ready have. With a surge of powerful muscles The three of us heading home that that had propelled it through coastal Saturday night in 1997 knew why we tides and swollen rivers, it was free of had stayed at the river so long. My wife lure and line. A collective groan did not. She did not want to hear rose from the knot of older fisher­ about quality time, a youth's quest, men watching the youngster from or the second chance. Why, she de­ above. None looked down at him, manded, were we rolling in eight but one offered encouragement: hours after I said we would? "Go back and get another one, kid. With just a touch of envy, he "Sometimes, I think fishing is the They're out there." only thing that means anything to you," I saw my son's shoulders sag. For watched his dad's co-worker she chastised. almost 10 hours he had cast his shad arrive, make two casts and Fishing? Not me. I was busy working dart repeatedly into a river that had on a page in our son's thickening scrap- been barren for him, but not for others. land one fish. Others would book of memories. He and I quickly Dutifully he netted two fish for his take home shad. He carried picked a title for that Saturday entry: father's friend who never had sought "The day I didn't catch a shad-but shad before. away the blues. Dad caught heck."0

fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater 43 Outboard Engine maintenance by John P. Kaufman The lower unit of an outboard motor can be flushed easily by using a pair of "ear muffs." This device, available at all Small outboard engines are designed and built to marine stores, slips over the water intake screens on both sides of the lower unit. These screens are generally located give years of trouble-free service with a minimum of forward of the prop, below the cavitation plate. After the effort. Several maintenance tasks, if attended to muff is in place, connect a garden hose and turn on the water with just a little pressure. Start the engine and allow it to idle regularly, can keep your outboard engine in good for three to five minutes. This flushes the water from the working order. Failure to meet this minimum will engine's cooling system. This operation is vital if the engine surely bring an early demise even to the best-built is used in salt water, brackish water, or in zebra mussel-in­ fested areas. In the case of the latter, use a hot water flush, if engine. With the proper maintenance, a good out­ possible. board can last more than 30 years. Caution: Hearing protection is suggested because an out­ board engine is extremely loud when the engine is out of the The first step for any outboard is the removal of the lower water. unit bolts. When the bolts are removed, coat the entire bolt with an anti-seize compound, a gasket sealant (no copper con­ Lower unit oil tent), or even petroleum jelly. This small step helps greatly One of the most important routine maintenance steps is when the lower unit must be removed to replace the water regularly checking and changing the lower unit oil. Water pump or other internal components. penetration into the lower unit oil is not an uncommon oc­ The steering shaft and possibly other components of the currence. The water degrades the oil and retards lubrication, motor will have grease fittings. These fittings should be so it is prudent to check the oil monthly and change it at the greased regularly with a high-quality marine grease incorporat­ first sign of degradation. The oil should be changed every six ing Teflon(r). If this is not accomplished, the steering or other months regardless of its state. areas will begin to stiffen. When this occurs, it may require a To check the lower unit oil, you must have the engine level major costly repair to loosen the offending component. and in the down position. Remove the machine screw located There are several areas on most outboards that require lu­ slightly above the cavitation plate. If oil flows out or the oil is brication using a moisture-displacing lubricant with a long level with the hole, the oil level is sufficient. If oil is below the tube. Follow this lubrication with a liberal dose of spray hole, or the oil is discolored (light brown or white), the oil lithium grease (white grease). The areas are indicated by a must be changed. If the oil is discolored, remove an oil stub of metal with a small hole in the center. The spray tube sample and have an authorized service center check the is placed into the hole and the lubricant is injected. sample. It may be water penetration or a much more costly situation. A trained eye will know at a glance. Lower unit To change the lower unit oil, remove the machine screw The lower unit of the outboard should be flushed with each located in the lower unit forward and slightly lower than the use. This is often impractical if the engine is used on a tender center of the prop. Place a large coffee can under this open­ because it may rarely be near a fresh water hose. Under this ing to catch the waste oil. Next, remove the top screw, if you circumstance, flush the engine with water as often as possible. have reinstalled it after checking the oil level, and allow all the oil to drain from the lower unit. Replace the oil with the proper lubricant as recommended Small outboard engines are designed and by the engine manufacturer. This task is easiest when you built to give years of trouble-free service purchase a pump or use the quart-size or larger oil container with a pointed tip. Insert the pump end or the tip tightly into with minimum effort. Several the lower screw hole. Pump in the oil or squeeze the bottle maintenance tasks can keep your until oil flows from the top hole. Replace the top machine screw first. Remove the pump or bottle and quickly install the outboard engine in good working order. lower machine screw. Failure to meet this minimum will surely bring an early demise even to the best- Tune-up Outboard engines built after the mid-1970s rarely have built engine. With the proper point sets. Engines built before that time will have one set of maintenance, a good outboard can last points for each cylinder. The newer engines will simply need the plugs changed regularly while the older models will also more than 30 years. need the point sets changed.

44 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Refer to your engine owner's manual for the correct gap settings for the plugs and point set. To change the spark plugs, start by setting the gap of the new plugs, using a feeler gauge (left) or a gapping tool. Failure to replace the spark plugs at specified intervals can cause the plugs to misfire. Misfiring can damage the powerhead, which could require major, expensive repair.

A few steps should be taken to assure a professional quality ing the plug wire to the wrong spark plug. tune up, both in performance and appearance. Attach the After all the spark plugs have been changed, remove the "ear muffs" and start the water flow. Warm the engine to half flywheel. This can be accomplished by removing the flywheel its operating temperature. When the engine has reached this retaining nut in the center of the flywheel and using a fly­ temperature, spray carburetor cleaner into the carburetor. wheel puller. If this tool is unavailable, use two screwdrivers, This cleans the engine's fuel intake system. The same prod­ one placed under opposite sides of the flywheel, to pry up the uct can be used on the carburetor exterior to clean off any flywheel. As you pry up on the flywheel, tap the top of the residue or grime. Allow the engine to idle until the exhaust is shaft with a brass hammer. Be certain to install the fly wheel burning clean, at which time the engine should be shut down. retaining nut partially on the shaft threads. This step pro­ A clean engine has many advantages. It is easier to work tects them from damage by the hammer. on, it is easier to spot fluid leaks on a clean engine, and it will Replace the points, condenser, and if necessary, the wires run cooler and will appear professionally maintained. Still, and coil. Remove and install only one component at a time. many people believe this simple step to be a waste of time. You may need an ignition wrench set and ignition screwdriver While the engine is still warm from cleaning the carbure­ to complete this work. Be certain to use the small capsule of tor, use an engine cleaning product to remove all the grease grease to lubricate the shaft cam lobes (the part of the shaft and grime from the outside of the engine. Be certain the car­ on which the points ride). buretor is well-covered before you apply this product to the After the points are installed, they need to be adjusted. To engine. Follow the manufacturer's directions for the applica­ accomplish this, the points must rest on the high side of the tion and removal of the products you have chosen. distributor shaft lobe. You can turn the engine to get the After the engine has been cleaned and has had time to cool, points on the high side by threading the nut onto the shaft you can start replacing the different tuneup components. I and turning it with a socket and socket wrench. Be certain to have a routine I use for every engine I tune. I stay with this turn the engine in the direction of its rotation. When the routine repeatedly. In doing so, I find I do not forget any of points are resting at the proper location, slightly loosen the the necessary steps. You can adjust my tuneup routine to screw holding the points in place. Slide the proper size feeler your liking, but don't skip any steps. Refer to your engine gauge between the two contact points on the point set and owner's manual for the correct gap settings for the plugs and tighten the screw. Remove and reinsert the feeler gauge. As point set. you are doing this you should see no movement in the contact Start by setting the gap of the new plugs, using a feeler points. Tighten the screw and check the gap. gauge or a gapping tool. The gapping tool loosely resembles When all the components are properly installed and ad­ a pair of pliers and is designed to keep the gap constant justed, the flywheel can be installed. Tighten the flywheel to across the tip of the plug. Working only on one of the cylin­ the correct torque setting. ders at a time, disconnect the plug wire, remove the old plug, Remember that maintenance is the key to an outboard install the new plug, and reattach the plug wire. By working engine's longevity. With a little care, these engines can last on one cylinder at a time you do not run the risk of connect­ for years, without leaving you stranded at the dock.O

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater The Black Ghost by Chauncy K. Lively Streamers, or streamer flies, as they are often called, represent baitfish, an impor­ tant staple in the diets of large trout, bass, the pike family, and virtually all predatory fish. Around 1880, Theodore Gordon originated the idea of a minnowlike arti­ ficial bait dressed with feathers of suffi­ cient lightness to allow use with a fly rod. He concocted several versions of the "Bumblepuppy" and was highly success­ ful with them in the capture of large gamefish. The idea caught on and was soon embellished by Herb Welch, a prominent angler, fly dresser, and taxidermist of Rangely Lakes in Maine. His aim was to produce flies suggesting smelt, a favorite food of the large brook trout and land­ locked salmon that were abundant in the lakes in his area. prefer saddle hackles because their finer is the use of splitshot crimped to the leader ribs allow the wings to "breathe" more a foot or so above the fly. Strictly speak­ With contrasting wings freely in the water. ing, this method adds weight to the leader, Fly tiers vary in their concept of relative not the fly, but it nevertheless achieves the and body, the Black Ghost wing size in streamers but most prefer a desired effect. Still, there are anglers who wing length of about 1 V/A to 1 xji times dislike the floppy feel of shot-rigged leaders shows up well when the the overall hook length. These ratios per­ and prefer to weight their streamers di­ mit a reasonable overhang at the rear of rectly. Many other tiers wind lead, cop­ the fly without jeopardizing its hooking per, or brass wire around the shank in close water is a tad off-color. abilities. The extremely long wings found turns before dressing the fly. on saltwater streamers are generally not In my favorite weighting scheme, I bind feasible for freshwater use. The fish we one or two strips of lead wire lengthwise The most talented of the early streamer seek in lakes and streams are considerably underneath the shank. This arrangement tiers seemed to be concentrated in New smaller on average than their saltwater lowers the fly's center of gravity and en­ England, and especially in Maine. Gardner cousins, and overly long wings are apt to sures that the fly will swim upright in the Percy and Bert Quimby followed Herb incur short strikes. water. Welch's lead, and A.W. Ballou developed Most long-shank streamer hooks are Finally, any streamer may be dressed the first marabou streamer patterns. Bill forged of heavier wire than normal, and "beadhead style." Here the added weight Edson contributed his Light and Dark tlieir extra weight helps the fly make a quick of the brass bead serves to keep the fly Tiger patterns, which remain popular to entry through the film. However, there are submerged. this day. Perhaps the most gifted of the times when additional weight is necessary Whichever method you use, remember early streamer fly dressers was Carrie to reach fish in fast, deep water. There are that overweighting should be avoided Stevens, headquarted at Upper Dam Pool several methods of weighting flies and each because it kills the fly's swimming action. in Maine. Her most famous pattern is the has its advocates. Perhaps the most popular With contrasting wings and body, the Grey Ghost, and it is assumed she was Black Ghost shows up well when the wa­ responsible for die Black Ghost as well. Her ter is a tad off-color. As in other stream­ flies had such an elegance about them that Dressing: ers with flexible hackle wings, it is capable those few examples of the craft that still of minnowlike action with little coaxing exist today may be expected to bring huge Black Ghost from the angler. Particularly in broken, sums in the collector's market. Hook: 12 to 14, 3Xor4Xlong. tumbling water it can be cast quartering The term "streamer" has become a ge­ Thread: Black 6/0, prewaxed. upstream and left to its own devices as it neric designation of all baitfish patterns, Body: Black floss. drifts downstream, wriggling, squirming, whether dressed with wings of hackle feath­ Tails: Small bunch of yellow fluttering and floundering like a wounded ers or hair. The Black Ghost uses four white hackle fibers. baitfish. All the angler must do is mend hackles, paired and matched with convex Wing: Four neck or saddle hackles. line as needed and be alert for the strike. surfaces facing each other. Either neck or Ribbing Medium silver mylar tinsel. saddle hackles may be used. However, I o

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Tie in the thread behind the eye and wind it back to the bend. Tie in a small bunch of yellow hackle fibers as tails. Wind over the fiber butts and continue to wind the thread to the A, Behind the eye tie in a 6-inch length each of floss and tinsel, original tie-in. floss on top. Wind over both to the bend and return the thread to the original tie-in. Trim the excess floss and tinsel.

•J. Wind the floss to form the body, as shown Tie off and trim the excess. 4m Wind the tinsel in equally spaced turns. Tie off and trim the excess.

*J» Tie in the hackle, wind three turns, and tie off. Trim the excess. O. Select four hackles of similar size, match them, determine their length, and strip away the unneeded fibers. Tie them in together by their ribs with several firm turns and trim the excess ribs. Wind a neat head, whip finish, and apply head lacquer.

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater 47 Memories To Last A Lifetime

Maria DeAugustino shows the 19-inch golden rainbow trout she caught in Neshannock Creek, Mercer County.

Sid Brown, Creensburg, shows the 22- inch largemouth bass he caught last September in Clendale Lake, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Cambria County. The bass took a crankbait. The fish weighed about six pounds.

Eric T. Zeiders, 11, expresses his gratitude for the trout he caught last May at the Marysville (Perry County) Fishing Derby.

Yolanda Brown holds the 22-inch largemouth bass she caught last year in Long Arm Reservoir, York County. Frank A. Saunoras, McDonald, earned a Catch-and-Release Award for this D.A. Neumann, Coopersburg, caught 4-pound, 19 '/2-inch smallmouth bass. this 17-inch carp last October on the Frank caught the fish last June on a northern Bucks County portion of the crankbait in Conneaut Lake. Delaware River. The carp grabbed a '/s-ouncejig with a white plastic tail.

Kevin Marson, age 9, caught this 13- inch crappie in Lake Arthur, Moraine State Park, last May. The fish weighed 1 '/A pounds, and earned Kevin a Junior Angler's Award.

John D. Hoover, Etters, proudly admires the 16'/2-inch, pound-and- a-halfgolden rainbow trout he caught in Yellow Breeches Creek last June. Robin Evans, Spring City, shows the Jake McCurdy, Derry, PA, shows the The trout took a nightcrawler. Brandon Price, age 6, shows his first 26-pound, 7-ounce striped bass he 22-inch brown trout he caught in "big fish, "a 19-inch largemouth bass caught in Raystown Lake last October. Loyalhanna Creek, Westmoreland he caught last fall in a southern York The striper, which measured 38 inches County, on opening day last year. The County pond. Nice fish, Brandon! long is the largest fish he's ever caught. fish took a spinner.

48 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories List A lifetime Pond and Stream How to get this chart Study Guide After April 1, 1999, educators may request up to five copies of this single-page guide, printed on waterproof How many times have you been on the water, paper. They may also request up to 35 copies printed encountered a critter, and didn't know what it was? There on plain poster paper for their students. Requests by are some field guides and plenty of textbooks available, educators must be made on school, center, organization, but most were written for scientists or college students. or park letterhead. PA Angler and Boater readers may That's why the Fish and Boat Commission assembled a request one copy printed on waterproof paper for their guide to help Pennsylvanians learn more about aquatic personal use. organisms. It was specifically designed to help educators To request a copy, write: Pond and Stream Study when doing pond or creek studies with their students. Guide, Publications Section, RO. Box 67000, Harrisburg However, most anglers and boaters will also find the PA 17106-7000. Please allow two to four weeks for delivery. guide useful. This offer is good while supply lasts.

Interpreting Physical and Chemical Factors Water Temperature and Fish COLDWATER FISH: Fish that require water temperatures less than 70 degrees to grow and reproduce.

COOLWATER FISH: Fish that require temperatures higher than 65 degrees but less than 75 degrees to grow and reproduce.

WARMWATER FISH: Fish that require water temperatures higher than 75 degrees to grow and reproduce.

Fish Commonly Found in Aquatic Field Studies and Temperature Preferences | Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, blacknose dace, sculpin

I Fallfish, darter, creek chub, shiner, sucker, smallmouth bass

JjJjJ^jJMadtom, largemouth bass, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, rock bass, bullhead, channel catfish Key to MacroinvertebrateL

Shells

Single Shell Double Shell Legs I 1 1- spiral, spiral, coiled conical tiny white 2 to 8 inches opening on left opening on right With Tentacles, Brushes or Tails

i 1 1 long breathing two fringed smooth "stiff", large, grey with wj'fe tube tails small head tentacles '""

Pouch Gilled Snail Orb Snail Freshwater <4 Snail Fingernail Mussel Clam

Water Snipe Crai Rat tailed Fly Larva | Horsef y Cranefly *•<> Maggot Larva Larva Larva

Thre 10+Legs Four Pairs of Legs

I l 1 lobster-like shrimp-like, walks on bottom tiny, swims runs on swims on side in water top of water I ffi Water Mite small, crawls swims moving, "* on bottom hind legs alternate Si Amphipod No Wings I I or Scud Isopod or Aquatic $ Crayfish Sowbug Riffle Beetle Water D,vir Scavenger Beetle

No Obvious Tails One or Two Tail5

l 1 1 1 1 'o/j green, tan, orange or six legs and suction cup-like large, hinged lives in stone lives in stick dark head, green or small, large mouthparti, white body proiegs on house spines on side spines on side " abdomen I J

Caddisfly Pyralid Caddisfly Larva Water Caterpillar Penny Larva Dragonfly Caddisfly tt M-M il; Nymph Larva Fishfly Larvfl with Developed by University of Wisconsin-Extension in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. May be reproduce1 tLife

No Shells

No Legs I Worm-Like Microscopic

I i ^r^ ~ i i Suckers, expands reddish brown glides along tan to brown, red or small, hairlike, and contracts bottom greenish swims in S shape I I l I tt ^jle or grey big "head," small, black, attaches w,n tentacles active to rocks, etc. I I I Midge Larva Threadworm

Planaria or Flatworm Horsehair I , 1 Tubifex Worm Midge Pupa Blackfly Leech Worm apostrophe round swims with arva shaped antennas Wefly L I Urva

•«'- Ostracod or CopeH <•-** KK or TW Pairs of Legs Cyclops

Wings

B ee!le-Like, Wings Hard Leathery Wings

0c ^ legs move at swims on "Crawls" through lives on suface grasping front legs, swims on back, swims right side up, ' s"me time surface water, spotted up to thee inches back white back black I I

Water Boatman i\. ^duceous Backswimmer ,yi«g Beetle Whirligig Water Beetle Giant Water Beetle Water Bug Strider

Three Tails

* fkM fl°t 9'ilk long tails, gills on long tails, gills large legs, Plate-like tails, i ""<> stiff on abdomen abdomen on abdomen feathery gills no gills on abdomen Water I I Scorpion

Mayfly Nymph Damselfly i %* Nymph Mayfly Nymph Nymph

-tfi A mis credit for educational, non-profit purposes. For information contact UWEX Environmental Resources Center 60062-0020 Interpreting Physical and Chemical Factors pH and Aquatic Organisms pH Scale | ACIDIC NEUTRA A L K A I i N t: =* 0 1 10 11 12 13 14 Tolerant ranges for certain species Mayfly 5.5 to 7.5 Brown trout 5.0 to 9.5 Carp 5.0 to 9.0 Caddisfly 5.5 to 7.5 Brook trout 4.5 to 7.5 Catfish 5.0 to 9.0 Stonefly 5.5 to 7.5 Yellow perch 4.5 to 7.5 Bullfrog 4.5 to 7.5 Snails, clams, mussels 6.0 to 9.0 Smallmouth bass 5.5 to 7.5 Wood frog 4.0 to 7.5 Crayfish 5.5 to 7.5 Pumpkinseed 5.0 to 7.5 American toad 4.5 to 7.5 Rainbow trout 5.5 to 9.5 Fathead minnow 6.0 to 7.5 Spotted salamander 5.0 to 7.5 Alkalinity Freestone Streams Limestone Streams (Calcium carbonate CaCo3 10 mg/l or less: Very sensitive to acid precipitation 75 mg/l or greater 10-20: Somewhat sensitive to acid precipitation 20mg/l or greater: Not sensitive to acid precipitation

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Dissolved Oxygen Requirements by Fish Community Cold Water Fishes: 6 mg/l and above Warm Water Fishes: 5 mg/l

Solubility of Dissolved Oxygen Dissolved Oxygen Percent Saturation Solubility: Amount of dissolved oxygen that Directions distilled water can hold at given temperature 1. Determine water temperature in degrees C, and find that value on upper (temperature) scale. To convert F to C: [(F-32) x 5]/9= C Temperature (C*): Solubility (mg/l) 2. Determine dissolved oxygen and find that value on the lower (DO) scale. 0: 14.6 3. Using a straight edge (ruler, piece of paper), draw a line from the temperature 1: 14.2 value to the dissolved oxygen value. The point at which the line crosses 2: 13.8 the middle (saturation) scale is the percent saturation of oxygen. 3: 13.5 Water temperature in degrees Celsius fC) 4: 13.1 (Determine this with a Celsius thermometer) 5: 12.8 6: 12.5 7: 12.2 8: 11.9 9: 11.6 10 11.3 11 11.1 Saturation Monogram 12 10.9 13 : 10.6 14 10.4 15 : 10.2 16 : 10.0 17 : 9.8 18 : 9.6 19 : 9.4 20 : 9.2 21 9.0 22 : 8.9 Oxygen in mg/l 23 : 8.7 (Measure this with a dissolved oxygen test kit or a meter) 24 : 8.6 Example: 25 : 8.4 26 : 8.2 Water sample at 15 C containing 11 gm/l of DO would be 110% saturated 27 8.1 % Saturation Values & What They Mean 28 : 7.9 125% and greater: Too high, may be dangerous to fish 29 7.8 80-124%: Excellent 60-79%: Okay Below 60%: Poor 30 : 7.7 Adapted from: Water, Water Everywhere: Water Quality Factors Reference Unit, HACH, Inc., Loveland CO, 800-227-4224. Trials and Tribulation

by WCO R. Vance DunbarL

On June 21,1996, eighteen men and passes vast tracts of land where people many warnings. With that much activ­ women were sworn to duty as Water­ can and occasionally do get lost. Too ity, some strange things are bound to ways Conservation Officers. We de­ many of its inhabitants may respect the happen. parted the state capital that day with outdoors less. What I'm referring to is A good boater knows to check the lofty ideals in our minds, shiny badges the belief that nature's bounty is infi­ plug before he launches. WCO Tom on our chests, and fire in our hearts. nite and that all things either in, on, or Nunamacher and I were staring at each We had just embarked on a non-stop, above the land are OK to exploit and to other in disbelief and uttering the hair-raising, gut-wrenching journey on harvest. One needs only to look at the words, "Is the plug in?" I was standing the green-line rollercoaster. A year's Susquehanna River in this region to in several inches of water, in the middle worth of ups and downs has taught us realize that this mind set is intolerable. of the West Branch of the Susque­ humility, among other things. One of the benefits of this line of hanna, while surrounded by thousands Since then, I've been a field officer. work is the diversity of our duties. of people awaiting the annual regatta If ideals were blades, then the cutting Most law enforcement professions fireworks display. It could have gotten edge of my thoughts have been tem­ sometimes operate on one of two lev­ real messy. I dropped Tom off at the pered in some respects and melted in els-boredom or sheer terror. Our au­ dock and he scrambled for the trailer. others. That's just gaining experience tonomy serves to bridge the two and During our training they told us that if in the real world. I am committed to allows us a continuum in which to we took on water, we should get the the resource and to those who choose work. For instance, an overview of my boat on plane and the water would be to treat it respectfully and responsibly. past 12 months includes: 24,000 vehicle sucked out the stern. I tried it and had My law enforcement skills have been miles, 294 boat law hours, 28 reptile a brief out-of-body experience when the honed in the western half of the and boating programs, three published bow of the boat shot skyward instead of Northcentral Region. This area encom- articles, 162 citations, and twice as forward. Visions of headlines and

The author (left) and WCO Bill Crisp I investigate the underwater surroundings at Lock Haven Dam on the West Branch Susquehanna River.

fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater 53 heartbreaks danced before my eyes, and WCO Bill Crisp had a program to do phantom laughter echoed in my ears. and I lent him that same turtle. Bill had Time stood still as the boat contem­ built a totally enclosed area, as mine plated my fate-flip, sink, or stabilize. now was. He knew what he was doing, The gods grew weary of tormenting me but that turtle still had some tricks up and allowed the bow to drop and me to his shell that we hadn't counted on. trailer the vessel without further inci­ Within a week, the snapper had ex­ dent. I don't know whose fault it was, hausted Bill's supply offish and was but Tom still hasn't forgiven me. reduced to table scraps. A large chunk Wouldn't it be nice if our memories of honey-glazed ham became a ticket to had buttons that allowed us to fast for­ freedom when old snappy found an ac­ ward, mute, tape over or delete some complice in a marauding black bear. events? At the close of last year's season The only way to get to the meat was to I starred into the lifeless eyes of a beau­ rip apart the cage. Now Bill has to deal tiful six-year-old girl with waist-long with the phone calls. auburn hair. Her killer was still When I reflect on these experiences, I strapped into the driver's-side seatbelt understand how over time training of the rusty brown car she had called blends with real-life experience. This is home for the last few months. Bottles how rookies become veterans. O of anti-depressants littered the vehicle thing strange on the river floor. Close floor. A sick and desperate mother, an examination revealed it to be hooked apparent murder-suicide, and a Fish & shrimp attached to lines. Bill thought Boat Commission lake. The event about tugging on the lines, but decided "Silicon Tail" and haunts my dreams. instead to follow them to their point of the Snake Man At the beginning of last season I was origin. Bill surfaced just five feet from I have a rattler tale to tell. One hot battling ice and later mud. February is the shore and scared the devil out of August afternoon in 1993, WCO Bob a good month to be at home in front of two men. It turned out that they didn't Norbeck found a timber rattlesnake a fire, but I was at Ice Rescue Instructor have fishing licenses and quickly fled. in his barn. He had the pesky reptile training instead. Our hands-on portion Although those two got away, it really by the tail until it darted for cover under involved going out on the ice, strapping made our day and I'm certain they'll a feed bin, but Bob wasn't left empty- onto a victim and being pulled into think twice before they fish again with­ handed. The snake pulled so hard that shore. Sounds simple, and it is, unless out a license. its rattle popped off. Bob managed your victim weighs over 300 pounds. As In addition to sinking boats, break­ to catch the snake and re-affix the we were being pulled in, I wound up ing through ice, getting stuck in the rattles with silicon. underneath this guy and the ice kept woods and scaring fishermen, we also Fouryears later Bob called my house, breaking against my back and filling my present educational programs to "I caught Silicon Tail," he said. Its body suit with water. By the time we were schools and sportsmen's clubs. To is bigger around than my forearm and "rescued," I was hypothermic and re­ meet this need I've developed a reptile his disposition is a phenomenon of mained sore for a week. program specializing in snakes and nature on par with tornadoes and flash Our patrol areas cover hundreds of snappers. I decided to keep a supply of floods. Maybe we shouldn't have taken square miles in some of Pennsylvania's critters at home instead of probing the him to that State Police Youth Camp roughest terrain. I rarely thought of the mud and rocks every time a presenta­ Cadet program. Stan Hastings is the remoteness until I got a vehicle stuck in tion came up. Wild animals don't make agency "snake man," and his experi­ three feet of mud on an unnamed road good house pets, and I have some scars ence is unparalleled. Whenever asked in the middle of a state forest with no and stories to prove it. (someone always asks) he would hold cellular phone and poor radio recep­ Somewhere in Potter County there's a up his hands and say, "Thirty years and tion. I was imprisoned for six hours, smart old snapper that got the best of never bit." He can't say that anymore. but I learned to be thankful for small two WCOs. I fenced in a part of my Old Silicon Tail bit him on the hand favors and big tow trucks. yard and purchased a livestock well to while he was attempting to secure it You just never know when or where a house turtles. I'd lost three of them in a clear-plastic tube. A moment of WCO is watching you. We're expected before I figured out they could climb. silence and befuddlement followed, fi­ to be knowledgeable about all things The phone calls started a few days after nally broken by Bob's scolding. that deal with water. When a fish lad­ the first escape. People from all around Silicon Tail did time in protective der was proposed at Lock Haven, it town were telling me about these giant custody until Stan's swelling and tem­ came as no surprise when we were asked snappers digging up their vegetable per wore off. Exactly one week later to conduct a study on the aquatic life gardens. I'd tell them how weird that he stood before yet another group of and habitat below the dam. There was was and how I didn't think they lived in wide-eyed Cadets and issued a chal­ really only one way to do the job right, this area. Then I'd get in my personal lenge. Silicon Tail knew he'd met his so WCO Tom Nunamacher, WCO Bill vehicle and try to find them. Three match when Stan said, "This time, if Crisp, and I volunteered to don our weeks of determined effort and some you bite me....I'll bite you back."-iM3. scuba gear and check it out. Halfway lucky breaks allowed me to catch one of through the second day, Bill saw some­ the critters.

54 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime selfless dedication to our agency's goal of like yours it had a hook in it...." Only protecting, conserving, and enhancing the Rodney could get away with a line like that. Commonwealth's aquatic resources. So However, the man who "gets no respect" to Jimmy, Zook, Billy, Zimm, and all those in a way is similar to the majority of Penn­ others always ready to lend a helping sylvania anglers who usually conscien­ hand...we say "Thanks! Thanks from the tiously play by the rules and regulations bottom of our hearts and stocking trucks." and feel somewhat disappointed when Your help is appreciated often more than others don't. you'll ever know.-WCO Mark Kerr, North­ Recently, as I accompanied my district west Region. WCO on a trainee observer ride-along ex­ ercise, we were approached by a concerned Mechanicsburg mystery angler who passed on information that just A local landscaper was performing rou­ upstream there was a young fisherman who tine maintenance on an irrigation system had caught a nice-size golden rainbow trout Streams when he found nearly two miles of pipe by snagging a trailing line that had already and numerous valves clogged with black- been hooked in the fish's mouth and that and-white clam-shaped objects. Being had broken away presumably from another Impressions to last a lifetime aware of the zebra mussel problem in the (unlucky) angler. The boy caught the fish Today, for the first time in weeks, the Lake Erie drainage, and knowing these and placed it on his stringer in this man­ sun is shining. Here in the state's north­ creatures inhabit water intakes and water ner in full view of a number of nearby an­ west, winter has, although perhaps only systems, he was concerned they had spread glers, which caused the more experienced temporarily, let go of its hold and tempera­ to the Susquehanna watershed. I informed folks to groan. The boy was counseled by tures have soared into the mid-SOs. Only him that the zebra mussel has not been veri­ the WCO that catching a fish this way and moments ago I was part of the convoy of fied as living in this drain­ then keeping it violated the fishing regu­ participants behind our agency's Great age, but we would be lations and that game fish on approved White Fleet. Yep, you guessed it... March seriously interested to trout waters are to be caught in the mouth is here and that means trout stocking. know if they had estab­ only. The boy reluctantly released the fish Today I had the pleasure of assisting lished themselves here. immediately. Venango County WCO Bob Steiner in Two weeks later I again About a half-hour later as stocking one of his district's trout streams. spoke to the landscaper. He we returned from patrolling These streams, however, are not new to me. had returned to the site and the upstream side of this wa­ I grew up with these streams and in these asked the landowner if one of the terway, the same youth woods, and before working full-time with old valves he replaced was still shouted out that he had the Commission I served as a deputy un­ available for inspection. caught the same fish again! der Steiner's direction for the better part Indeed it was, and this He said quite clearly and sev­ of five years. time the inside of the eral times that he "..caught it Again today, after nearly a decade, there valve was covered in s- in the mouth" and he was was another part of this scenario that was green. Because he •Kto***r<..go]ng to keep it. not new to me. As I pulled into the des­ was in the nursery Lesson learned. The ignated meeting spot, I couldn't help but business, he quickly expressions on the faces notice that the faces of those present were identified the prob­ of his nearby fishing neigh­ all, with few exceptions, familiar. They were lem as sunflowers. bors confirmed the boy's the faces of those who were here last week, Evidently, mice and chip­ egal action as well as their those who were here last year, and those munks were storing their own daunted luck in hopes of who were here eight years ago! Steiner, the winter food supply in the catching the charmed fish stocking truck driver, and I all receive underground pipes from themselves. I could just hear compensation above and beyond the plea­ the numerous bird feeders them thinking, "Sometimes our sure of enjoying a day along a stream in the landowner had on his luck gets no respect...."-DWCO the out-of-doors. However, the core group property. When the time came Trainee Chris D'Ascenzo, Southern of gentlemen always present to assist in to irrigate, the whole system was full Montgomery County. our yearly stocking endeavors are all vol­ of sunflower seeds, and thankfully, not unteers. They are here only for a love of zebra mussels.-WCO Lee Creyer Southern True fish story the outdoors, a dedication to the continu­ York County. Anyone who has fished for any length ation of the sport, and a chance to laugh of time has heard legends about the incred­ once again with old friends. No Respect! ible appetite of muskies. Stories of small This sometimes difficult, often time- There is a funny line in the movie comedy dogs, ducklings and other hapless creatures consuming aspect of our profession is "Caddyshack" when Rodney ("I get no being eaten are part of musky lore. How­ made easier, more enjoyable, and without respect") Dangerfield says to an elderly ever, a recent discovery at Hills Creek Lake, doubt, colorful through their company and party guest, "....the last time I saw a face Hills Creek State Park, adds some credibil-

Pisbing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Heater 55 such as oxytetracycline treatments and why that small delicacy in the middle of the they were important. I also learned the highway.-MX) Stanley D. Plevyak, Northern entire process of American shad restora­ Bucks County. tion, including hatching eggs, raising brine ity to these amazing musky tales. Last June, shrimp, feeding, counting mortalities, and What a workout! a musky was discovered dead and removed stocking. While patrolling the Lehigh Paver in from Hills Creek Lake by park personnel. It was refreshing to work with such a Luzerne County, I recently met a man from The musky measured a hefty 50 inches knowledgeable group of people including New Jersey who was getting ready to launch long. The most incredible thing, though, Scott Carney, another Commission biolo­ his canoe at the White Haven Access, in was its last meal, which likely killed it. gist, and the fisheries biologist assistants. Lehigh Gorge State Park. He planned to Examination revealed a fish's tail in the I left this experience with a sense of sat­ canoe to the Rockport take-out, approxi­ musky's throat. Further autopsy exposed isfaction that I not only contributed to the mately 10 miles downstream. This in it­ an unbelievable sight. A largemouth bass restoration of American shad, but that this self is a very common occurrence. It is the of 23 measured inches and of 6 to 7 pounds may be what I would like to do as a career. way in which he gets back to his starting estimated weight was lodged in the I cannot express what a great experience point that caught my attention. After the musky's stomach. The bass's head was this has been for me. I strongly suggest 10 miles of canoeing, this guy then walks being digested, but the rest was in remark­ that anyone considering interning with the back to his vehicle.-WCO ClydeN. Warner, able shape. PA Fish and Boat Commission should not Northeast Region. This seems to be a true case of that hesitatel-Intern Michelle Fisher, Penn State musky's eyes being too big for its stom­ University, State College. International anglers and boaters ach. Thus, another incredible musky feat In the past season, my deputies and I is documented for this species. I guess there Turtle in the road have met and checked people from the is no such thing as "too big" of a musky During a recent springtime patrol in the following nations and states who have baitl-JamesMucci, Park Naturalist, Hills Creek vicinity of Haycock Creek, Bucks County, been here enjoying our Commonwealth's State Park. I encountered a large turtle in the middle water resources: Great Britain, Repub­ of the road. Because there was no traffic, lic of South Africa, Canada, and Mexico; An intern's experience I pulled over to remove the turtle from its California, Nevada, Texas, Iowa, Ne­ When I was accepted as an intern at the potential fatal position. After closer ex­ braska, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Commission's Van Dyke Shad Research amination of the healthy wood turtle, I Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Ten­ Station, my initial thought was one of observed two small legs protruding from nessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, relief-relief that I would be able to fulfill the turtle's mouth. Evidently, a small frog Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Massa­ Jat six credits toward my major in environmen­ chusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, and Michigan. tal resource management. At that point, : I didn't much care what I would be doing. I think this list shows the beauty of our 'sn; I didn't know much about American shad water resources and the many great rec­ restoration, and though I was happy to have reational opportunities that are offered. my foot in the door, I didn't realize that I Pennsylvanians should be thankful we do would come to care so much. not have to travel so far to enjoy a won­ derful outdoor experience. -WCO R.F. I had the privilege of being taken un­ r der the wing of Mike Hendricks, a Com­ Mader, McKean County. eaa mission biologist who has been working with American shad for what must be a Phone calls and inquiries million years now. Little did I know that As I am sure most fishermen know, we one man would impress and teach me so no longer reveal the exact date and time much. With his "Mr. Wizard"-like teaching of inseason and extended season trout strategy, Mike taught me things like de­ stockings. We just make available a list gassing techniques and other concepts of "the week of" for these stockings. I have essential to the viability of all fish, and answered many phone calls and inquiries things like how to fiberglass a feed bucket. from fishermen trying to find out the exact In a matter of only six weeks, I made new date and time of a stocking. These include friends and participated in raising and wanting to take Grandpa, who's trying stocking American shad. trout fishing one last time, and friends „ Although at first I wasn't crazy about was squashed earlier by a passing car, and coming in from out of state. leaving at 6:45 every morning, I quickly the turtle was getting a fairly easy meal. I just had a call from a lady who was g grew accustomed to the Van Dyke routine. Later, after thinking about this incident, trying to find out the exact date of an 1 I learned things as simple as how to siphon- I was amazed at the sense of smell, sight, October stocking of Canoe Lake. Shesaid 1 feed fish and more complicated processes or both that the turtle exhibited to find that she wanted to be there when the fish 9

56 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories last A lifetime came because that is when all the guys will evening, we almost had our whole work holding his hand and running, hunched be there, and she would like to meet a nice week completed in terms of hours. Even over in pain, in circles around his car next man. If she is just trying to get the stock­ though I love to work, I felt as if I had to a very busy freeway. He said I was go­ ing date and time, it is a pretty original jus­ completed several weeks of training in that ing to have to take him to the hospital. I tification. If she was serious, it is not a bad short period. He assured me that Mon­ told him I had no idea how to get there and idea.- WCO Walter A. Rosser, Blair County. day would be a short and easy day. It was suggested we call an ambulance because also the hottest. As we began our patrol his hand was bleeding profusely. He de­ Abandon ship we went to a nearby fish passageway to clined, so I bandaged his hand and went In the three years I have been working study how it works and observe the various back to the task of re-opening the gate. boat patrol on Lake Wallenpaupack, I have species offish using it. While I was down I learned several lessons from this train­ witnessed many strange incidents. One of in the observation room, I heard my train­ ing experience. First, no day in a district the strangest occurred one quiet Sunday ing officer yell something that I could not is easy. Second, do not carry expensive pens in June. While patrolling one of the lake's discern, but I knew from the volume and while on patrol. Third, opening and closing many coves, WCO Bill Carey noticed a man tone of his voice that something was a fish passage gate by hand is a lot harder in a boat driving in circles with an expired wrong. I ran up the steps to his location than it looks. registration sticker. As we approached the where he informed me that while leaning However, my resident training officer boat, the man beached the boat and walked over the railing looking down into the pas­ also learned a lesson from this experience, away. While Officer Carey secured the patrol sageway below, his expensive pens fell out though he did not know it at that time. By boat, I tried to catch up to the man. As­ of his pocket. He said we would have to way of this stream note, paybacks are suming that the man would have to return shut down the passageway to retrieve tough.-WCO George Geisler, Northern York for his boat, I wasn't overly concerned when them, at which point he handed me a huge County. I lost sight of the man. When I returned crank. I started cranking and an hour (or to the beached boat, I was surprised to see two) later I had succeeded in finishing the "I'm not responsible..." a woman standing there. After a brief dis­ task, despite being ready to pass out from In the age of no-fault divorce, no-fault cussion with the woman, I was shocked to the heat. insurance, no-fault this, and no-fault that, find out that she was the man's wife. Much it is not surprising today that some folks to my surprise, the man never returned for acquire the impression that they bear no his boat or his "better half." Maybe the man responsibility for their actions. Large felt the term "abandon ship" also applied amounts of information have been circu­ to his relationship.-DWCO Michael Blougb, lated recently concerning this phenom­ Northeast Region. enon, some of which suggests that the generation in control today is children of Above and beyond the call of duty the 1960s, a time when terms like "anti- Last spring, as I helped stock trout in establishment," "anti-war" and "counter­ Coolspring Creek, Mercer County, I wit­ culture" were in vogue. nessed Deputy Fred Leonetti risk life and I recently observed a middle-aged man limb to save a trout that had jumped out with two other adults fishing in a local lake. of a bucket on the way to the creek. As the After approximately 10 minutes, I was able trout bounced helplessly on the roadway, to ascertain that two of the three men were a minivan bore down, threatening to crush displaying fishing licenses. I approached the confused fish. DWCO Leonetti, without and asked the third man to see his fish­ concern for his own safety, dived in front ing license. The man was upset and gave of the van and threw himself onto the trout. an "I'm not fishing" response, to which I Thankfully, the van stopped with a squeal replied, "Sir, I've been standing behind you of the brakes, and both Fred and the fish for 10 minutes talking to another fisher­ were lucky enough not to be injured.-/^ man, watching you cast and retrieve your Bridi, Assistant to the Director, Bureau of Law bait." The man went on to say that his kids Enforcement. were fishing, and he proceeded in a loud Surprisingly enough, he did recover his voice to summon the youngsters, who were Lessons learned pens. Then for another hour (or two) I playing on the other side of the lake. As While I was still in our agency's train- began the arduous task of cranking the gate the children approached, the man was s ing school, I was assigned to field train- back to its fully open position. However, obviousl}' furious and scolded the kids for | ing in a very busy district in the southeast. while I was doing that, he went to his nearby getting him into trouble. I instructed the I We worked long hours from late Friday af- patrol car to get a drink, when he managed man to accompany me to the parking area a ternoon straight through the weekend, to slam the car door on his hand. Once to talk about his responsibility to settle the g which included dealing with some very i again, hearing his blood-curdling screams, violation.-WCO Terry Deibler, Delaware « serious boating violations. By Sunday I rushed to his rescue only to find him County.

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater %

I • • '-: eein

The northern leopard frog is known to scientists as Rana pipiens. This spotted frog should be one of the most The Northern commonly found amphibians in Pennsylvania. Historically, it was. However, recent information gathered in Pennsylvania and in other northern states suggests that the northern leop­ ard frog has been declining in our wetlands and along our Leopard Frog waterways. People aren't seeing "spots" where they should be. Biologists in other states have also noticed that this species by Andrew L Shiels has declined. In 1996, the United States Fish and Wildlife Nongame and Endangered Species Unit Service began reviewing the status of this species in each of the states where it occurs. The agency is attempting to deter­ mine, from a regional perspective, how northern leopard frogs are faring. Early reports are not encouraging. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is featuring the northern leopard frog in 1999 as the latest species in a series of collectible nongame patches. We chose to focus on this amphibian because the environmental factors that may be influencing its survival in the Commonwealth are typical of those affecting other species. Consider this frog's life his­ tory to identify and better understand this species.

Identification Northern leopard frogs belong to the Ranidae family (true frogs). They get their name from the apparently random placement of spots on their bodies. Other similarly appearing species include the Pennsylvania endangered coastal plain leopard frog (Rana sphenocepbala) and the pickerel frog (Rana palustris). Leopard frogs reach a maximum length of about

58 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime five inches. Pickerel frogs typically do outlined in black, which are aligned in active hunters, their basic method of not exceed four inches. Thus, overall two parallel rows on the back. Also, the prey capture is ambush. Their perfectly size can be useful in identification. belly and inside of the legs are white on adapted camouflage helps them avoid The coastal plain leopard frog is a northern leopard frog but yellow or becoming the main course in the meal found only in Bucks and Delaware orange on a pickerel frog. of a snake, snapping turtle, raccoon, or counties along the coastal plain near great blue heron. the Delaware River. It displays a white Reproduction While foraging, this species can be spot in the center of its tympanum (ear Like most frogs, northern leopard found a fair distance from water. They membrane) and has a longer snout than frogs attract mates by calling during the are often referred to as "meadow frogs" the northern leopard frog. In Pennsyl­ spring breeding period. Both males and because they often forage in wet or vania, there is no overlap in the range of females vocalize. Although they may damp meadows and grassy areas away the two leopard frog species. This begin calling in March, breeding can from open water. Activity levels are makes it easier to distinguish between extend into June. Permanent and tem­ greatest during the cooler periods of the leopard frog species. Incidentally, porary ponds as well as areas along the the day, such as dusk and dawn. For a the coastal plain leopard frog is endan­ edges of lakes and streams are used for frog, dew-laden grass provides an ideal gered primarily because of habitat loss courtship and egg-laying. Females de­ situation for comfortable hunting. and degradation in the relatively small posit up to 6,000 eggs in a jellylike area of Pennsylvania in which it histori­ mass. The eggs hatch about 10 days Reasons for decline cally occurs. later with most of the tadpoles trans­ Researchers around the world are The pickerel frog is widely distrib­ forming into juvenile frogs during July reporting marked declines in the abun­ uted across Pennsylvania and can be and August. dance of many amphibian species, in­ found sharing habitats with the north­ cluding frogs. People have also ern leopard frog. Thus, these two spe­ Feeding reported declines of local amphibian cies are often misidentified by the Northern leopard frogs consume a populations with which they have per­ casual observer. The most obvious dif­ variety of foods. As tadpoles they are sonal experience. We have heard quotes ference between the two is their spot herbivores. Using specially developed such as, "I don't hear frogs calling patterns. Northern leopard frogs dis­ teeth, they forage on aquatic plants and along the river as I did 20 years ago," or play round spots that are encircled by algae. After transformation into "When I was a kid, we went down to the white or light halos and are not distrib­ froglets, they become carnivores and eat pond and caught frogs all the time; now uted in rows on the frog's back. Pick­ almost any small insect or invertebrate you rarely see one." erel frogs have squarish spots usually they can catch. Although they can be

The northern leopard frog may be what ecologists call an "indicator species." Its health and survival may reflect the environment's health. The frog's apparent decline may be / a warning for us to examine closely our influence on the environment. There is no doubt that these observa­ reach ancestral breeding grounds of­ tions are accurate. There have been ten become nighttime mortalities, left many reasons offered and theories pro­ on the road as food for crows and rac­ posed to explain these noted declines. coons. These losses are not obvious to One of the most obvious is that habitat most people because scavengers often is lost or altered at an alarming rate. In consume the carnage by daylight. Pennsylvania, we have lost a majority of Amphibian road mortality studies the wetlands that were present at the were conducted at the Hawk Moun­ turn of the 20th century. All of tain Sanctuary in Berks County in Pennsylvania's frogs require water and 1997. On seven rainy nights during wetlands in which to lay their eggs so spring and early summer, more than that they may hatch into tadpoles and 100 amphibians (including frogs) per develop into juvenile frogs. Loss of wet­ night, representing up to 13 species, land habitat results in the loss of wet­ were recorded as mortalities on some land-dependent species such as frogs. three miles of road. When one consid­ Even though outright wetland de­ ers the vast amount of road mileage struction or degradation is obvious that bisects or borders wetlands and even to the casual observer, some other forested areas in Pennsylvania, the Pickerel frogs (above) can be identified by environmental alterations may be less potential losses of amphibians to the double row of squarish dark blotches or visible. New highways have been built, highway mortality are staggering. spots on the back. The spots are encircled and vehicular traffic has increased on Research conducted in central with dark or black lines. Northern leopard most older highways. Frogs and sala­ Pennsylvania has unequivocally linked frogs (below left) have light halos encircling manders that need to cross roads to acid precipitation to the decline of round spots.

wood frogs and several species of wood­ land salamanders. These amphibians require seasonal temporary ponds for reproduction and rearing of young. Temporary ponds do not contain water year-round, so they do not support fishes that could be predators on the larval amphibians. Thus, the survival rates of larvae would be expected to ex­ ceed those from ponds that do contain fish. However, many of these ponds occur in mountainous areas where the soil has a low pH (highly acidic), and where the soil is naturally poorly buff­ ered. Thus, a further drop in pH caused by acid deposition causes the pH to drop to lethal levels, causing the eggs or larvae to die. Additionally, sublethal effects can cause deformities in the ani­ mals that do survive. Depletion of the ozone layer has been shown to allow certain wavelengths of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach ground levels. This radiation was probably filtered by the ozone layer to a greater extent in the past than it is to­ day. Researchers in the northwestern United States have documented that damage to the DNA of certain amphib­ ians can result from exposure to these radiation levels. Some species can with­ stand higher exposure levels than other species. Similarly, some species are able to repair radiation damage to their cells, while others cannot. The early theories are that those species in great­ est decline may also be those that are less able to repair radiation-damaged

60 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime DNA. Researchers are testing various leopard frog populations still exist and Concerns for the future amphibian species to determine if cer­ others have disappeared completely. The northern leopard frog may be tain patterns are evident. The natural environment has been what ecologists refer to as an "indicator Another reason for the decline of compared to the workings of an auto­ species." That is, its health and survival many amphibian species is that herbi­ mobile. Certain parts of a car, like the may reflect the environment's health. cides, pesticides, and other chemicals in wipers, radio, or some wiring, can be Perhaps their apparent declines are a the environment have been linked to removed and the car will still run- warning for us to examine closely our deformities and death in certain am­ maybe not as well as before, but it will influence on the environment. Frogs phibians. Most amphibians and nearly still run. However, at some point a are both herbivores and carnivores, all frogs breathe through their skin in critical part, such as the fuel pump, bat­ predator and prey, and they are associ­ addition to their lungs. They travel tery or distributor coil, might be re­ ated with wetlands where the quality of along the ground and are always in con­ moved, thus causing the car to stop our drinking water is often determined. tact with the substrate. Because this is working. Perhaps we are damaging or They are an important component of where many toxins accumulate, frogs removing critical parts in the northern healthy ecosystems. If northern leopard are prime candidates for toxin-loading leopard frog's environment. In some frogs are missing from an ecosystem when harmful agents are found in their areas they are gone already. In other where they historically occurred, how environment. Even though it may be areas it may be only a matter of time. does that affect the other components difficult to determine which chemicals Hopefully, the right answers will be of that system? Similarly, when do hu­ are harmful, just think of all the herbi­ found before it's too late. man populations begin to reveal the cides, pesticides, deicing agents, clean­ effects foretold by indicator species in ers, and solvents that are in use today. Commission efforts the environment in which we all live? Today's "harmless" chemicals could be What is the Fish and Boat Commis­ Based on the amount of media cover­ tomorrow's DDT! sion doing about leopard frog declines? age some of the more recent issues in­ Other less obvious chemicals may be Presently, the Commission has directed volving frogs have received, there are affecting our frogs. Recently, deformi­ funding from the Wild Resource Con­ reasons to be optimistic that the public ties in fish and amphibians have been servation Fund to Dr. Arthur Hulse, of is beginning to recognize that we as hu­ linked to human female hormones that Indiana University of Pennsylvania, to mans are linked to the health of frogs. have found their way into the environ­ conduct the Herpetological Atlas Let's hope so. Pennsylvanians would ment via birth control usage ("the pill") Project of Pennsylvania. Since 1996, surely benefit from seeing more spots! \-J and the local sewer system. amateur herpetologists have been Most recently, scientists working in­ searching the woods and wetlands of Resources dependently in the United States and Pennsylvania to identify and document Australia have discovered a new fungus reptiles and amphibians for this Northern Leopard Frog Patch genus known as a chytrid fungus. It is project. Early reports have revealed that In 1999, the Commission continues believed to be killing frogs and toads northern leopard frogs have been en­ its series of nongame species limited- around the world. There are still sev­ countered only in 17 of the 34 counties edition patches with a northern leopard eral unanswered questions about this where they had historically occurred. frog patch. Each sells for $4.71 plus 29 latest discovery. It is Special attention will cents PA state sales tax for a total of known that this fun­ be given to locating $5.00. Include $2.00 shipping and han­ gus has been found northern leopard frogs dling for each order. on dead frogs. How­ as this survey effort Contact: Publications Section, PA ever, it is unclear continues. The Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box whether this fungus baseline data collected 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. caused death or ap­ by the atlas project will peared after the frogs be crucial to identify­ Pennsylvania Amphibians & Reptiles were weakened by ing long-term monitor­ Another excellent resource on frogs some other agent, ing sites that are and Pennsylvania's other reptiles and such as ultraviolet necessary to document amphibians is the Commission's book, radiation damage. and understand frog Pennsylvania Amphibians & Reptiles, by Additional research is population changes. Larry L. Shaffer. needed to be certain. We will also continue The book sells for $9.43 plus 57 cents The research con­ to monitor research PA state sales tax and $2.00 for ship­ ducted so far suggests initiatives that seek to ping and handling (total of $12 for that the decline of solve the mystery of books sent to PA addresses). Contact frogs and other am­ disappearing frogs. the Commission Publications Section phibians may not be Then, where possible, at the address above. caused by any single we will apply the scien­ factor, but instead by tific data toward man­ Frogs wall chart a combination of en­ agement techniques to $ .94 plus 6 cents tax and $2.00 post­ vironmental alter­ halt the apparent de­ age. Send order to the PFBC address ations. That may clines of this interest­ above. explain why some ing amphibian.

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Boater ANGLERS CURRENTS Bass Season May Go Year-Round in 2000

The Fish and Boat Commission took ing, held October 18 in Harrisburg. The new another step toward implementing year- structure clarifies the restrictions on bass round fishing opportunities for small- fishing during the three-month closed sea­ mouth, largemouth, and spotted bass for son. Under the new approach, anglers will Pennsylvania's inland waters beginning in be allowed to harvest some bass in the sum­ the year 2000. mer, as they may under the current "open reduced harvest period would be followed The Commission approved the new bass season" regulations. But harvest would be by a catch-and-immediate-release-only season structure at its fall quarterly meet­ limited through the fall and winter. The period in the spring. In addition, the new structure will "pi&hiri from the fcitefeen regulate the bass fisheries in rivers and streams, which contain mostly small- Hc&etnut-Crustob CTappies yy wayne pmps mouth bass, differendy from the lakes and ponds that are the preferred domain of largemouth bass. By regulating lakes and streams differently, fisheries managers can address the difference in fish harvest during the winter, when ice fishing is popular. The intent is to maximize fishing op­ portunities by allowing angling through­ out the entire year, while affording bass populations adequate protection from increased fishing pressure. Reducing harvest in the fall would give bass in­ creased protection during a traditionally vulnerable period, thus offsetting any incidental losses that might result from catch-and-immediate-release fishing during the spring spawning period. To further reduce any losses, the Com­ mission is proposing a new rule clarifying acceptable catch-and-release practices during the spring. The proposed rule Ingredients for four servings: low two fillets per person, more if the would state that: "From 12:01 a.m. on the 8 crappie fillets with skin removed crappies are small. first Saturday after April 11 until 12:01 1 egg, beaten To give your rice pilaf a golden a.m. on the first Saturday after June 11, 1 cup hazelnuts color, add some tumeric to the rice it is unlawful to kill or possess any large­ Salt and fresh ground black pepper while cooking it. mouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass. A Butter or oil for frying Cooking hints: Be careful when bass caught and immediately returned turning the fillets so that the nut Toast the hazelnuts in a 350-de- unharmed to the waters from which taken coating stays on. A nonstick pan and gree oven for 10 to 20 minutes. will not be considered caught in violation a flexible spatula work best to keep While still warm, rub them in a of this regulation except when the angler the crust in place. towel to remove as much of the repeatedly casts into a clearly visible bass To keep the coating on when you brown skin as possible. Chop them spawning nest or redd in an effort to catch coarsely and spread on a plate. cook this recipe: or take bass." Use a heavy pan, like a cast iron Lightly season the fillets on both The Commission seeks public com­ skillet, to hold the heat. sides with salt and pepper. Dip the ment on the proposed spawning area fillets in egg wash and coat one side Gently press the coating into the directed-effort regulation. with hazelnuts. fish flesh. Keep the fish cold until A year-long bass season is seen by the Heat a heavy nonstick pan, add a just before cooking. Commission as a sound and scientific way teaspoon of butter or oil, and fry the When cooking fish with a coat­ to improve Pennsylvania's standing as a fillets nut-crusted side down. When ing only on one side, cook that side top-notch bass fishing destination. Penn­ the nuts are golden-brown, turn the first. Be careful not to over-brown sylvania is home to more than 7 million fillets and finish cooking. the coating. You can press on the bass fishing trips annually, according to Because this dish is so rich, serve fish with a spatula when the coated the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Only the it with fresh asparagus (or other side is down to help make the coat­ warm-weather states of Texas and Florida green vegetable) and a rice pilaf. Al­ ing adhere better.-WP. can boast of more bass fishing activity on their waters.

62 Pennsylvania Angler &1 Boater Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime ANGLERS CURRENTS James L Myers Wins Abele Conservation Award

The Commission has selected James L. tion of dedicated service to conservation Myers was selected for his interest in Myers, of Oil City, Venango County, as the of Pennsylvania's natural resources. The conservation of natural resources and his recipient of the 1998 Ralph W. Abele Con­ award commemorates Ralph W. Abele, the lifelong dedication as a volunteer in passing servation Heritage Award. The Ralph W. late executive director of the Pennsylvania on an outdoor heritage to youth. Among Abele Conservation Heritage Award is the Fish Commission, whose commitment to his many accomplishments, Myers is the highest honor the Pennsylvania Fish and conservation and education made him a founder of "Big Uncle Day," a day of fishing Boat Commission can confer in recogni­ hero to all Pennsylvania conservationists. and recreation for disabled children.

The mission of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is to Angler's Notebook L&tkCa provide fishing and boating opportunities through the protection and management Fish Facts: Yellow perch live through-: of aquatic resources. out Pennsylvania in suitable habitat. Adult perch eat aquatic EXECUTIVE OFFICE insects and crustaceans. Peter A. Colangelo, Executive Director Yellow perch typically Dennis T. Guise, forage during daylight Deputy Executive Director/Chief Counsel hours. They are active Laurie Shepler, Assistant Counsel K. Ron Weis, Project Planner all year long, ,. John Arway, Division of Environmental Services including under the Joseph A. Greene, Legislative Liaison ice, which makes wfek••••• wiSSSS Louis C. Kauffman.Jr., Personnel Tom Ford, Aquatic Resource Planning Coordinator them a favorite with Dan Tredinnick, Press Secretary ice fishermen. Minnows and jigs COMPTROLLER Ross E. Starrier are popular perch-getters. BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION 717-657-4522 Most anglers never want to be without, but is it really necessary to carry those Wasyl James Polischuk,Jr.,D/>ertor one- or two-pound containers of splitshot each time you head to the stream? Tom E. Thomas, Information Systems Reduce your vest weight and take out only what is needed and place them in a Brian Barrier, Federal Aid/Grants film canister for the day's trip. Mary Stine, Fishing Licenses and Boat Registrations BUREAU OF FISHERIES When taking to the stream or lake to do some winter angling, make sure you 814-359-5100 wear a hat and a neck warmer. As much as 85 percent of your body heat escapes Delano Graff, Director Rickalon L. Hoopes, Division of Research from this area if not covered up. A comfortable angler can stay on the water Richard A. Snyder, Division of Fisheries Management longer and catch more fish. Dennis C. Ricker, Division of Trout Production Martin T. Marcinko, Unless you know a lake well, it's difficult to find the productive fishing areas Division ofWarm/CoolwaterFish Production once ice-fishing time arrives. Good winter lake fishing, especially for panfish, BUREAU OF ENGINEERING revolves around cover. If you're going to a lake and you're not familiar with AND DEVELOPMENT 814-359-5100 where the most productive places are located, begin your efforts near steep James Young, P.E., Director shorelines. These locations often have good structure below in the form of Bernard J. Kiesnoski, Property Services sunken windfalls and rocky outcrops. Richard Mulfinger, P.E., Fishing & Boating Facilities Design When walleyes aren't taking live minnows under the ice, try using a vertical David Bumann, P.E., Engineering jig (with or without the minnow). The flashy motion the lure creates, as well as BUREAU OF LAW ENFORCEMENT its attractive sound, can be enough to convince these finicky fish to strike. 717-657-4542 Edward W. Manhart, Director Tom Kamerzel, Assistant to the Director Many tins used to hold candy and lozenges can be converted to useful fly Guy A. Bowersox, Assistant to the Director boxes. All you have to do is glue a thick strip of foam or cork in the inside BUREAU OF BOATING AND EDUCATION (available at most craft stores) and you have a ready-to-use fly box. Punch holes 717-657-4540 in the top to let the flies dry after a trip. John Simmons, Director Dan Martin, Boating Safety Program Carl Richardson, Aquatic Resource Program The most successful winter trout fishermen cast live minnows in deep pools Art Michaels, Publications and let the bait do all the work. But many anglers prefer to fish artificials, and Ted R. Walke, Graphic Services in many specially regulated waters, that's all that's permitted. To coax sluggish PFBC World Wide Web Site: winter trout, try using a crappie jig. Use a '/32-ounce head with a marabou- www.fish.state.pa.us tailed body for best results. , „ ' illustration- Ted Walke

Fishing & Boating Memories Last A Lifetime Pennsylvania Angler & Hauler 63 1~ BOATING COURSES AND BOATING SAFETY ITT=3 EDUCATION CERTIFICATES

Boating courses are fun for the entire family and are offered The Boating Safety Education Certificate Examination is a 50- free (or at low cost) at many locations throughout the state. question multiple-choice test. All operators opting to take the Even experienced boaters learn something new at boating examination must attend a one-hour course before the exam. To courses. Students who successfully complete an approved course receive a certificate, individuals must attain a minimum score of are issued a Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certifi­ 70 percent. The examination is comprehensive and covers all as­ cate. This certificate is recognized in any state that requires pects of boating covered in the Pennsylvania Boating Handbook. No boat operators to complete a safe boating course. one should take the Boating Safety Education Certificate Exami­ nation without studying the BoatingHandbook. Boat operators not AFTER JANUARY 1, 2000, ALL PERSONAL completely familiar with boating rules and regulations, and the WATERCRAFT OPERATORS MUST HAVE A BOATING contents of the Boating Handbook, should take a classroom boat­ SAFETY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE IN THEIR ing course. Anyone failing the exam will be required to attend a POSSESSION TO OPERATE A PWC. boating safety course to receive certification. To find boating courses or a site near you where you can take This regulation was adopted by the Pennsylvania Fish and the Boating Safety Education Certificate Examination, check these Boat Commission at its July 1998 meeting to protect the safety resources: of PWC operators, passengers and others who use the state's waterways. Even though the regulation does not take effect BOAT/U.S. toll-free Courseline: 1-800-336-BOAT (1-800-336-2628) until the year 2000, we want to call your attention to this regu­ BOAT/U.S. Foundation's Courseline Online at www.boatus.com/courseline lation now so that you can obtain the required certificate as soon as possible. You may obtain a Boating Safety Education U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Hotline: 1-800-AUX-USCG (1-800-289-8724) Certificate two ways: Commission BoatingCourse Hotline: 1-888-PAFISH-1 (1-888-723-4741)

1. Successful completion of a boating course available from Commission web page at www.fish.state.pa.us the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, the Com­ mission, or other approved organization. OR Boating courses can be enjoyable family experiences. Please don't 2. After January 1, 1999, experienced operators may take wait until the last minute to find and take a course. If you wait, the Boating Safety Education Certificate Examination. the demand for courses may limit availability.

CONSERVE

PROTECT PENNSYLVANIA'S WATERS

START THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW 1999 FISHING LICENSE!