PHOTO BY LAMAR MUMBAR & OFFICIAL STATE FEBRUARY, 1935 PUBLICATION ^ANGLER/ Vol.4 No. 2

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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PUBLISHED MONTHLY BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS by the Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commissioners lUl aaa ^P

OLIVER M. DEIBLER Five cents a copy

C. R. BULLER Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries S3 S3 S3 Pleasant Mount

S3 £3 £3

ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor Members of Board South Office Bldg., Harrisburg, Pa. OLIVER M. DEIBLER, Chairman Greensburg

JOHN HAMBERGER J3 £3 E3 Erie

DAN R. SCHNABEL Johnstown NOTE Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER LESLIE W. SEYLAR should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee MeConnellsburg either by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not ac­ EDGAR W. NICHOLSON ceptable. Individuals sending cash do so at their Philadelphia own risk. KENNETH A. REID •f Connellsville

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contri­ ROY SMULL butions and photos of catches from its readers. Mackeyville Proper credit will be given to contributors. GEORGE E. GILCHRIST All contributions returned if accompanied by Lake Como first class postage. H. R. STACKHOUSE Secretary to Board

Ml. 1 •

IMPORTANT—The Editor should be notified immediately of change in subscriber's addreS

Permission to reprint will be granted provided proper credit notice is given PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

HONORABLE GEORGE H. EARLE Governor of Pennsylvania

A Message to Pennsylvania Sportsmen From Governor Earle FELLOW SPORTSMEN: I am grateful to the Editor of your ANGLEE for this opportunity to send a message to you. Pennsylvania has achieved an enviable position as a leader in game con­ servation, largely through the efforts of the organized sportsmen in holding true to two great principles. The first, that the Game Commission should be constituted and its affairs administered on a non-political basis. Trouble has followed as a result of relaxation, of this rule. The second and equally important, is the preservation of the Game and Fish funds. Hunting and fishing license fees are in no sense a tax. They are rather voluntary contributions by the Sportsmen of the State to the cause of conservation. It would be a breach of trust to divert them. The first of these principles I propose to restore to activity, and the second to uphold. In this I ask your loyal support, so we may keep Penns}dvania in front as the best game State of the Union. o PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Insect Killers of Fish

LICKERING half-light penetrates the the water tiger has struck a quarry almost Xorth American species and several others Fwater of a tiny bay in a woodland pond. inevitably death follows. Its sickle-shaped that are confined to the tropics." The home of sunfish, minnows, catfish, suck­ jaws tear into the pickerel, and clinging Benacus deposits its eggs usually on verti­ ers, and pickerel, this pond harbors fishes there, this amazing insect terror absorbs the cal plant stems above the surface of the common to our waters when the Red Man life from its prey. water. These eggs are among the largest knew them. In it, nature's balance has been In the daphnia beds at Pleasant Mount deposited by insects. When hatched, the maintained. Its weed-beds are rich areas for hatchery, water tigers frequently are ob­ young immediately enter predatory roles with the production of aquatic organisms so es­ served. Viewing them from above as they an enthusiasm not greatly exceeded by their sential to the development of baby fish; fed glide through the water in the ponds, one elders. Usually, in the early stages, their by deep-seated springs, its water level varies has the impression that they swim on their food consists of the eggs of fishes, young but slightly during the year. There is a sides. Both the diving beetle and its larva snails, and other small organisms. Fish faintly brown tint to the water, not suffi- are cannibalistic by nature, preying on spawn is eaten readily by both aquatic cient, however, to retard a view of the others of their own kind and larva and beetles and water bugs and their young. strange drama being enacted in the little bay water forms of different species of insects. Water Scorpions fringed by the weedbeds. For here, lurking Dytiscus, the diving beetle, deposits its eggs in the weeds, are strange creatures, insect singly in punctures made in green aquatic Comprising the last group of fish-destroy­ destroyers of fish life that in voracity and plants and from the day its young, the water ing insects to be considered in this article sheer lust to kill are unequaled in the water tiger, is hatched, it is a voracious killer. are the water scorpions. Like the giant wa­ world. Like the vampires of legend, they Giant Water Bugs ter bugs, these voracious insects rely upon destroy by sucking the life from their vic­ their coloration for concealment on the stream Just as Dytiscus and its savage protege tims. « bed or among the weeds as they await the are menaces to smaller fish and organisms approach of young fish. They also seek First to attract attention is Dytiscus, a of the inland waters, Benacus, a giant water greedily for fish eggs. Two front legs are predatory diving beetle about two inches in bug, ranks as an outstanding enemy to larger equipped for seizing the prey, while the other length, armored for protection and capable fish. Somewhat oval in shape, these great four legs are adapted to walking. In the of destroying a fish several times its own sucking bugs that occasionally leave the water scorpion classification are two types. size. Its body, oval in shape, flattened and water for short flights after nightfall possess In Nepa, (illustration 6) in the accompany­ having a smooth polished surface, is black jointed beaks directed backwards beneath ing cut, the body is flat and thin. Ranatra in color and fringed with lighter margins. the head with which they puncture the skin (Figure 7) has a long cylindrical body. Fig­ Concerning it, A. B. Champlain, curator of of a fish and suck its life juices. In color insects of the Pennsylvania Department of ure 5 illustrates the backswimmer, the back they range from greenish to brownish: their of which is shaped not unlike the bottom of Agriculture, has written: "Both adults and hind legs are long and powerful, somewhat a boat. These peculiar insects swim upside young of this group are fierce and voracious, flat in structure to aid them in swimming, consuming great quantities of aquatic forms while the forelegs are curved to help them down and are equipped with sharp beaks of life." in seizing and holding their prey. Like through which they suck the life juice of Dytiscus, the diving beetle, they and their their prey. They also have wings and are As Dytiscus plunges toward the pond bot­ capable of flying from pond to pond. tom in search of prey it carries with it a young must come to the surface occasionally for air. Backswimmers and water scorpions are tiny bubble of air which is to serve as an true bugs and bear a close relationship to oxygen supply while it is beneath the sur­ The giant w-ater bug in our woodland pond giant water bugs in classification as well as face. Its body is propelled by long hind is following a system not unlike that of the habits. legs fringed with stiff hairs. snapping turtle in seeking its prey. Blend­ Tiger! Tiger! ing well with the vegetation on the pond The savage abandon with which insects But if Dytiscus, the diving beetle, is some­ bottom its brownish body is not readily dis­ pursue and capture their prey comprises one what appalling in its method of destruction, tinguishable to a passing sucker of possible of the strangest chapters in the story of the its larva, the water tiger, is truly terrifying. four-inch length. As the fish passes the great water world. Comparatively small and diffi­ Perhaps "water tiger" is not the most ap­ insect darts with incredible rapidity at it. cult to observe in action (even the giant plicable term for it, this long slender crea­ Those powerful curved forelegs grasp the water bugs are usually under three inches ture, equipped with sharp-pointed hollow prey and the beak is plunged into its body. in length) they perhaps exceed in voracity jaws. Rather, there is much suggesting From the instant of contact the battle is the most voracious species of fish life. These that bloodthirsty killer of the animal world, practically over. Possibly some poisonous little creatures are endowed with amazing the weasel. Its sinuous swimming and man­ secretion ejected from the beak of the at­ strength and their struggle for existence, ner of attacking a victim holds a strange tacker has served to stupefy the victim. As not only with the various species of fishes likeness to the tiny ace-killer of the animal it sucks the life from the fish the bug seems but with others of their own kind, is per­ kingdom. to be having a leisurely time completing haps the most relentless known today. Propelled by hair-like fringes on its legs its work of destruction. These great insects Then, too, they play a vital part in pre­ and the last two segments of body and tail, have been said to attack fish three or four serving the balance of nature which is so the water tiger stalks its quarry among the times their own size and usually come off essential in any body of water. Their forays weeds of the tiny bay. In this miniature victor in combat. Most of their lives are on the fishes help in holding the various creature are incorporated all of the qualities spent in the mud, silt, vegetation or rub­ species in check as to number or, in other of the killer, and soon it is to find a victim. bish on the bottom of inland water streams words, aid in preventing any species from As it glides between the weeds a young and lakes. Lying in concealment they find becoming too numerous in a limited area. pickerel is caught off-guard. Here is one of little difficulty in securing victims. And to counteract any undue increase in those strange incidents that add such start­ Champlain says concerning them: "During the number of fish-destroying insects—wit­ ling color to the life of the water world. the warm evenings of midsummer and au­ ness the cannibalism characteristic of all Instinctively following the pickerel habit of tumn, among the swarms of insects attracted of the insects considered in this article. awaiting its prey in concealment, the young to the arc lights, we are likely to encounter Nature's plan, therefore, calls for predators fish, representing a species second to no them in great numbers. They come out of as well as non-predators, killers as well as other in voracity in the inland waters, sud­ the water for a short time at night, flying the prey they seek. In the balance of na­ denly is made the victim of a killer even about in pursuit of mates or en route from ture, when not interfered with by man, all more ruthless than itself. one pond to another. These are true suck­ of these factors serve to benefit aquatic life The struggle soon terminates, for when ing bugs, of which there are a number of as a whole. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

(COURTESY NATURE MAGAZINE) THE WATER TIGER, SLENDER AND VORACIOUS, IS SHOWN IN FIGURE 1; A GIANT WATER BUG (FIGURE 2) AND ITS PREDATORY BEAK (FIGURE 3). YOUNG WATER BUGS ARE ALSO VORACIOUS FIGURE 4 SHOWS THEM FEEDING ON EGGS OF AQUATIC CREA­ TURE. IN FIGURES 5, 6 AND 7 ARE SHOWN THE WATER SCORPIONS.

1 i PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Stream Pollution A Federal Responsibility By KENNETH A. REID Member, Board of Fish Commissioners

HE pollution of streams in the United state health or water boards have likewise for man-made political boundaries. It is not T States has become a major problem con­ proven ineffective. Such boards usually possible to confine the effects of polluted fronting the public and the government. Dur­ either lack the authority to pick the needed water to the political division of its origin. ing the earlier periods of our history when action or fall under the influence and control More often than not, the injurious effects are the population was considerably less and be­ of the polluting interests. Similarly, at­ felt in the adjoining county or state below fore the day of municipal sewerage systems tempts to form cooperative agreements or rather than in the one of its origin. Where and large, modern industries, the careless pacts between adjoining states have con­ this is the case, we may rest assured that use of our waters resulted in only a fraction sistently met with failure. Each wants all nothing will be done voluntarily by the of­ of the pollution that exists today. Yet the fending parties for the benefit of their neigh­ public and the government has been very bors below them. apathetic about a very real problem that is becoming more acute every year and which As a matter of fact, the great majority of will inevitably demand solution, regardless pollution is interstate in character. Probably of how much we may try to avoid it. The no river in the country presents a more longer we delay taking action the more dif­ complex pollution problem than the Ohio, ficult and costly it will become, for year by and this river with its tributaries drains year it becomes more widespread and deep fourteen different states. Even a short rooted. If the present trend is allowed to river like the Delaware, drains four states, continue, we will, in the none too distant fu­ while the Connecticut includes in its water­ ture, be confronted with the alternative of shed every New England State except Rhode either stamping out pollution or being stamp­ Island, and its extreme headwaters extend ed out ourselves by pollution. into Canada. Even short coastal rivers that are entirely within a single state have a fed­ A review of anti-pollution laws shows that eral aspect when their pollution goes into most states have such measures on their the tidewater of the ocean, which is under books, but closer analysis of their high Federal jurisdiction. sounding verbiage usually reveals weak­ nesses that render them ineffective and in­ With the development of an interstate operative. Where the laws themselves transportation system, the inadequacy of seem adequate, enforcement measures or state control and the necessity for Federal penalties are lacking, so that although pol­ regulation soon became apparent, and the lution is "illegal" on the statute books, it is Interstate Commerce Commission was commonly practiced in the streams of the created. There are many points of similarity state without restraint or control. between an interstate transportation system and an interstate river system, and Federal For many years earnest and consistent ef­ regulation is just as necessary for prop­ forts have been made to correct the pollution the advantages of the agreement for itself erly handling the pollution of the latter as menace in many sections by local or state and so no agreement is reached. Even dis­ it is for controlling the commerce of the action. The legislative history of Pennsyl­ regarding the historical record of pollution former. Both are interstate transportation vania, for example, shows that for more cases, it is hardly reasonable to expect that systems, but the river runs only one way than fifty years, every session of the Legis­ any substantial progress can ever be accom­ and collects all the freight on its pollution lature has had its anti-pollatlon bill, and plished by local or state action, for in most cargo from the downriver communities and further that in every session such bills have case* its correction would require the expen­ industries that must use its water. always been defeated by industrial interests diture of money by one party, not for his own The Federal Government, through the War —and always by the same argument. This benefit but for the benefit of others below argument is substantially as follows: "To re­ Department, now has jurisdiction over all him; and sometimes this includes a business navigable rivers and their tributaries. How­ quire Pennsylvnia industries to properly dis­ competitor. Human nature has not been pose of their wastes would penalize them ever, it is contended that the executive imbued with any great amount of altruism branch of the Federal Government has no in competition with those of other states where competitive business is concerned, nor in the open market and thereby put Penn­ authority to stop pollution except where it in­ will altruism be a voluntary motivating fac­ terferes with navigation. As the effect of sylvania industries at a competitive disad­ tor in future business operations. Elimina­ vantage." Regardless of the merits of this pollution on navigation is one of the least tion of pollution must be mandatory, but of its ill effects, the exercise of such con­ argument—and it has some merits—its ef­ this mandate must be fair to all and detri­ fectiveness cannot be denied in the face of trol, from a pure water standpoint, is negli­ mental to none to successfully accomplish gible in its effects. If no Federal agency has the long legislative record. During the the desired result. same period, similar efforts have been made the authority to control or stop pollution in in these "other states" to correct their pol­ How can this be done? By the simple and the name of the public's right to pure water, lution, and these efforts have likewise been logical process of transferring to the Fed­ it is high time that the laws be amended defeated by the very same argument. The eral Government the direct responsibility for or new ones enacted to specifically provide first state won't do anything that might put the purity of the nation's streams and wa­ this authority. From a public interest and its industries at a competitive disadvantage terways. As a matter of fact, when one public welfare standpoint, the navigability of with the second state, and this second state studies the nature of streams and rivers, most inland waterways is of relatively little won't do anything about pollution until the it soon becomes obvious that there is no other importance compared to their cleanliness and first state has acted, so neither does any­ practical way to deal with the problem. purity for truly public uses. thing and nothing is accomplished. Streams are governed by natural laws, and The set up of any Federal agency to cope Efforts to cope with pollution through the water in them flows from county to county with pollution should follow Nature's divid­ and from state to state with utter disregard ing lines rather than Man's arbitrarily PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 5

drawn ones. The country should be laid off basis. It could be carried on much more has come. During the early months of the and the work divided up by watersheds efficiently as an outright Public Works Pro­ NBA, the Code Authority was urged to give without any consideration for state or county ject under the technical direction of the pollution of public waters consideration in lines. Some of the major watersheds where Bureau of Mines than when mixed up with the formulation of the different codes gov­ there is a great deal of pollution, like the various state health departments, county erning industry. Since codes were being im­ Mississippi and even the Ohio, would likely works administrators, etc., as it has been. posed on all industries whether they liked need to be subdivided because of the vast Before considering existing industrial pol­ them or not, it seemed entirely proper that area involved. Over each one of these wa­ lution, let us consider another phase of the public's interest and right in pure water tersheds would be a Federal "watershed pollution that is generally overlooked, but should have been given consideration in these board", whose business it would be to look which is vitally important in the program. fair play agreements. It was suggested that after the purity of the waters in that di­ This might be termed future or potential a blanket provision be included in all codes vision. The direction and coordination of pollution; that is the pollution from new to the effect that: "Where an Industry pol­ the work would necessarily rest in a cen­ industries that may from time to time be lutes water, and where practicable methods tral Federal board or commission, prefer­ established in the future. All of our efforts of treatment or disposal of those pollution ably appointed by the President with the to correct existing abuses will avail little wastes are known, that such Industry be advice and consent of the Senate, or in some unless we guard against their spread. At­ required as a part of its code to instal and other manner that would assure its freedom tempts to cure individual cases of disease operate such treatment plant: and further, trom local or state politics and control. without doing anything to prevent the spread that some federal agency be set up or an The central watershed board should direct of the disease is admittedly poor procedure, existing one be utilized for determining scientific research for the most approved and yet that is exactly the situation in many 'practicable methods' for the treatment of methods of correcting various types of pol­ cases of pollution. A case in point is the the wastes of any industry where these lution and act as a clearing bouse for in­ work previously referred to of sealing methods are at present imperfectly known." formation pertinent to the work in addition abandoned coal mines. Some of this good This seemed a golden opportunity to cor­ to its capacity as directing head. To this work has been largely nullified because while rect this industrial abuse along with others, end it would be highly desirable to select one old mines were being sealed up, new, and un- but the Code Authority took the position Watershed as a practical outdoor test labora­ that it should confine its deliberations to re­ tory for developing and improving methods lations between Capital and Labor, particu­ of treatment for those trade wastes for larly with regard to wages and hours of Which satisfactory methods of treatment labor. The fundamental rights of the public may at present be imperfectly known. Along in pure water were apparently not deemed with the scientific research work, every source appropriate for their consideration. °f pollution would be located, analyzed, and In every discussion of the pollution prob­ remedial measures applied so that this test lem, someone always raises the matter of watershed would serve as a practical demon­ treatment or disposal cost as a prohibitive stration- and model for carrying on the work item. Even though this cost figure is usually •n other sections of the country. The Po­ greatly exaggerated, it nevertheless Is a tomac River would serve admirably for this serious stumbling block from a state regula­ Purpose, and its selection at this time would tion standpoint. But when it is viewed from seem particularly appropriate since the capi­ the angle of federal regulation, the success­ tal city of Washington near its mouth has ful argument against "competitive disad­ started the construction of a modern sewage vantage" completely disappears from the pic­ disposal plant for properly taking care of ture. Federal regulation of pollution would its municipal wastes that have for years con­ needed mines have often been opened up in put all industries on a level competitive basis stituted a disgraceful source of pollution in and eliminate some of the inequalities that the lower river. the same valley. It has been suggested to the Federal Gov­ exist today by reason of some industries, The two principal types of pollution are ernment that some agency be set up regu­ either voluntarily or because of local re­ municipal sewage and industrial. An orderly lating the opening of new and unneeded quirements, going to some expense in treat­ Procedure would demand that municipalities mines as is done in the case of railroads. ing their wastes while most others do not. discharge their obligation to society by in­ The suggested watershed board or authority The Public would gladly pay the treatment stalling adequate sewage disposal plants as would be the ideal agency for such regula­ bill in the form of a slightly increased cost °ne of the first steps in the program. A great tion. Such regulation would not only greatly on some commodities in return for pure deal could have been accomplished along this benefit the public by preventing the spread water. "he, if in the allocation of Public Works f of much needless pollution, but it would in As a matter of fact, in the final analysis, unds in the Federal Emergency Program, a few years go a long way toward the stabili­ the Public would have no treatment bill to !t had been stipulated that '"unless and until a zation of the coal industry, whose chief ail­ pay. It is already paying the bill with In­ municipality either had a satisfctory sew­ ment today (and it has been in the same terest, only in other ways, and without get­ age disposal plant or had bona fide plans for shape for more than ten years) lies in the ting pure water for its money. The present •nstalling one, it could not receive Federal fact that there are already far more mines system is simply one of passing the buck. funds for any other purpose." Such instal­ and far greater production facilities than the It permits one party to save a few dollars lations are inevitable, and there never has demand for coal warrants. Under such by using the public waters as depositories "een a more favorable opportunity for their conditions it seems criminal negligence to for his raw wastes, only to impose a greater accomplishment. permit the indiscriminate opening of new expense on others below him, who must re­ Industrial pollution naturally falls under and unneeded mines with the consequent ad­ move these wastes before they can use the 'wo headings: 1. That from active indus- dition to the pollution of public waters and water. In many cases the down river wa­ ries; a. That from abandoned industries, the waste of such a valuable and irreplace­ ter treatment bills would more than pay the pbviously, the latter should receive first and able natural resource as coal. The same cost of proper treatment at the source of •mmediate attention, for there is no excuse principal might well be extended by the pollution, and if the money were spent in Whatever for allowing pollution to continue watershed boards to include any and all in­ that manner, we would have clean water­ to flow from industries that are permanently dustries whose operations would pollute pub­ ways as a clear dividend. Even if it did en­ abandoned and of no benefit to anyone lic waters—to the benefit of both the public tail some additional expense, what more ap­ When methods for correcting this pollution and industry as there is overproduction in propriate use could be made of Federal funds are known. The sealing of abandoned coal almost every line. that are already available for relieving un­ mines in the bituminous field is a splendid employment, than to clean up the nation's 6 Active industrial pollution is the most waterways—a job that sooner or later the xamp]e of a desirable use of federal funds troublesome of all because in most cases it a'°ng this line. It is unfortunate that this Federal Government must face squarely and is more destructive than other types, and it do. There is no other agency that can or splendid work has not been allowed to con- is from these industries, which almost in­ inue without interruption until completion, will do it, and the future welfare of our an variably have powerful lobbies in the state d it is to be hoped that it may be rein- nation demands that it be done—and the legislatures, that the strong and successful sooner, the better. tated on a more permanent and stable opposition to state regulation of pollution e PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

until he can confer with this group and thereby co-ordinate all efforts toward solving Latest Developments in Stream the nation-wide pollution problem. In the meantime, you are urged to contact your congressmen and senators so that they may Purification Plan give their support to this worthy plan. N December 6, 1934, some thirty stream watershed board iu any Federal court sitting O purification advocates met in the office of in the district which is to be given jurisdic­ Secretary of War Dern in Washington at the tion for that purpose. Where an individual, POLLUTION EFFECTS ON FISH invitation of Senator Augustine Lonergan corporation, or municipality now has the CHECKED AT PLEASANT MOUNT of Connecticut for the purpose of formulat­ right to bring action for damages from pol­ During the past three years extensive ex­ ing a comprehensive plan for stream puri­ lution under the present law in any state, periments on the effects of various types of fication on a nation-wide basis. The confer­ this right is specifically reserved. pollution on fish life have been carefully ence was presided over by Secretary of War The Report also suggests an amendment checked in a specially constructed laboratory Dern, and included representatives from such 10 the Deposit of Refuse Act to make it in­ at the Fish Commission's Pleasant Mount Federal departments or bureaus as the Bu­ clude "sludge, acids and sewage, whether hatchery. These experiments, under the di­ reau of Fisheries, Public Health Service, passing therefrom in a liquid state or other­ rection of Fish Commission experts in con­ National Resources Board, Biological Sur­ wise." (The weakness in this Act at pres­ junction with engineers of the Sanitary vey and War Department, as well as rep­ ent is that it applies only to the discharge Water Board have been made to determine resentatives from several Eastern states, in- of solid matter into waters.) concentrations of pollution necessary to kill eluding Hon. Grover C Ladner, Deputy At­ Recommendation is also made for amend­ fish life in a stream. torney General, and Hon. Kenneth A. Reid, ing the Oil Pollution Act to include discharge In conducting the experiments, fishes na­ Member of the Board of Fish Commissioners, from the shore as well as from vessels. tive to Pennsylvania waters were used and from Pennsylvania, and Senator Lonergan This plan boldly asserts the right of the their reactions to the various pollution con­ and Congressman A. Willis Robertson from Federal government to control pollution of centrations were carefully checked. the National Congress. At the close of the conference Senator Lonergan appointed a sub-committee to draft a definite plan to be submitted back to the conferees for approval and then to be sub­ mitted to the President and Congress for appropriate action. The sub-committee dis­ agreed on some points, with the result that the conferees had submitted to them for vote what was termed a Majority Report, signed by Federal representatives, and a Minority Report, signed by Hon. Grover C. Ladner of Philadelphia, and Dr. D'Arcy Magee of Washington, representing the Izaak Walton League. A majority of the con­ or ferees voted in favor of the Minority Re­ w. port which has now become the report Ci adopted by the Conference. Summarizing. SI this report is as follows: ill 1. That there should be conferred upon Ci the National Resources Board or some ap­ m propriate existing Federal agency the power 1( to control pollution in the nation's water­ li­ ways by watersheds irrespective of state te lines; to make any further studies that may al be necessary; to assemble and correlate the A FISHING SCENE ON THE CLARION RIVER BEFORE THE MAJOR el FISH KILLING BY POLLUTION LAST SUMMER data that is already on file in various states and various agencies of the Federal gov­ k ernment ; and to appoint watershed boards to have jurisdiction over the different water­ the nation's waterways on the ground that THE FELLOW WHO ALWAYS a: shed pollution abatement districts estab­ flowing water and its attendant pollution HAS AN ALIBI ei lished. and its effects cannot be confined within local By DON FINLEY 2. Each watershed district so set up or state boundaries. Legislative history is It is always too cold, or the water too high. should be empowered to require abatement replete with examples of failure to cope witli Much too wet, or else too dry. and prevention of all water pollution within the pollution problem by state action or by The hatch comes too late, or the sun is too the area of the district; to require the in­ compacts between states because of the argu­ bright. stallation of sewage disposal plants, indus­ ment of possible competitive disadvantages Just seems as though things never are right. trial waste treatment plants, and to arrange that might result from action by individual for necessary financing for construction of states or several states together in a com­ This stream wasn't stocked, or too many fish­ these treatment plants as Federal public pact. The national plan does away with this ing ahead. work projects, this to include the power to argument by eliminating all inequalities and They were hittin' last nite, or so Bank said. install treatment plants to be paid for by putting all industries on a level competitive The day was too cloudy, the sky much too the government and leased to the municipal­ basis. The plan offers a splendid opportunity clear. ity or industry either on a conditional sales for a permanent and worthwhile public work Missed three, good strikes, d— that last bottle amortizing agreement or on a rental basis that will be of general rather than local of beer. until such time as they can be paid for, with benefit, and which can be started without de­ the provision that any profit from any by­ lay if Congress will grant the necessary au­ All fishermen that expound on the ORB, IFS, products recovered belong to the government thority. or TOOS until the purification plant is paid for. Due to an independent investigation by Should be cordially greeted with the loudest 3. That pollution of waters is declared the Water Resources Section of the National of boos. to be a public and common nuisance, and Resources Board which was started some­ They should gather together in league just that the United States Attorney be author­ time ago but which has not yet been re­ as one, ized to bring appropriate action in the name ported on, Senator Lonergan is holding up And bray in unison, marybe some good would of the United States at the instance of the final action on the Report of the Conference come. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

BIG PIKE CAUGHT IN SUSQUEHANNA The Trout Fisherman By GEORGE W. CONWAY, JR.

ENJOY watching him for he uses the I right equipment in the right way, skilfully and effortlessly. He is a real fisherman, typical of the class of anglers who fish for the aristocrat of fresh-water fighters—the trout. He stands in the swift current, keeping his balance with apparent ease, and manipu­ lates a long, flexible rod as though it were an integral part of his body. His hip boots are almost a necessity, for it is early Spring, and the water is still very cold. Various items of his tackle are employed as he hooks and lands a twelve-inch brook trout. The net he has been carrying on his belt is deftly brought into play, and the fish is captured. After killing it by a rap on the head with a sheath knife, he slips it into the creel carried at his side. In preparation for the quieter water of the pool a little way ahead, lie changes flies. His supply of the artificial lures is kept in a fly-box where it is not in the way. He carefully considers the choice of fly, and* then ties it to the end of his leader. The fly he is using is not one of the JOSEPH STARR EXHIBITS HEAD ready-snelled variety, but is tied directly to OF COLLIER'S BIG PIKE the end of the long, tapering leader. After the knot has been adjusted to suit him, he That wall-eyed pike or Susquehanna salm­ moves quietly upstream a little way and on grow plenty big in the Susquehanna River starts fishing again. was demonstrated last summer by John His motions are unhurried, but graceful Collier of Harrisburg, according to Joseph and powerful. His casting is worth watch­ Starr, also of Harrisburg. Fishing at Cove, ing and imitating, if possible. He sends the of the larger ones are kept than he knows about 12 miles upstream from the Capitol light fly through the air with accuracy and will readily be eaten. City, Collier hooked and landed a pike that delicacy. It lights upon the water without This man is a real trout fisherman. He is Pleasured 30% inches in length and weighed any trace of a splash, riffle, or disturbance. skilful in using the right tackle, and is gen­ 10% pounds. The big fish was taken on a It shoots beneath overhanging branches in erally rewarded by such sport as the average live minnow, after a hard tussle in which it a manner that shows almost perfect control. angler only dreams of. He is, however, more towed Collier's 12-foot boat for a consider­ Ability such as he is showing usually gets than a mere fisherman. He is one of the able distance. Finally, when it stopped in results, and he is not an exception. But he men who make fishing better, conserve wild clear and fairly shallow water, Collier gaffed does not keep all of his catch. The smaller life, help beginners, uphold the law and its 't and tossed it into the boat. trout are released, unharmed, and no more ideals. In short, he is a true sportsman. On the day he caught the big pike, Collier also landed four nice bass, while Starr's inches, weight, 1 pound 4 ounces, caught in Lake LeBoeuf, Erie county, by Fred King of Patch consisted of five bass. Musconetcong, bait box. Waterford. It is regrettable that this mis­ Smallmouth Bass—Charles Birk, 18 take occurred, for the big muskellunge was ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF inches, weight 2 pounds, 13 ounces, caught landed by the late Noah W. Porter, grand­ in Unity Lake, casting rod; Robert Borst, father of Mrs. D. J. Toner of Union City. A FISHING CONTEST 13 5-8 inches, weight, 1 pound 6 ounces, veteran sportsman, Mr. Porter derived much At their January meeting, members of the caught in Delaware River, a level winding pleasure during his life in fishing waters of Monocacy Field and Stream Association casting reel. Erie County. heard results of the fishing contest conducted b Largemouth Bass—Robert Sinwell, 17 J' the Association during 1934. Some fine inches, weight, 2 pounds 12 ounces, caught fish were taken in this contest. Winners in in Saylors Lake, casting rod. the various classes and their awards follow: NEW MAGAZINE Pickerel—Donald Sawyer, 23 1-2 inches, Another important step in the remarkable Brook Trout—Robert Williams, 14 11-16 caught in Mountain Lake, landing net. vtl forward strides in recent years made by the ches, weight, 1 pound 2 ounces, caught in Yellow Perch—Harry Meyers, length 13 the Monocacy Creek, trout rod; Robert Sin- Monroe-Pike Sportsmen's Association was 1-16 inches, caught in Unity Lake, merchan­ taken in January with the appearance of a Well, 13 1-8 inches, weight, 12 ounces, caught dise; A. J. Birk, length, 13 inches, caught In monthly magazine entitled The Monroe-Pike Monocacy Creek, trout line. in Unify Lake, ash tray. Brown Trout—Oliver Welty, 21 inches, Sportsman. This new magazine, which will height 3 pounds, 12 ounces, caught in Spring serve as a contact between memhers of the Creek, fly rod; Robert Hartzell, 19 1-4 inches, Association and contains many fine features height, 3 pounds 1 ounce, caught in Mono- CORRECTION on fishing and hunting, is exceptionally in­ °acy Creek, trout line. Through a misplaced caption, the cut ap­ teresting. The Association and editor, George Rainbow Trout—Leo Werkheiser, 15 3-8 pearing on page 11, of the Decemher W. Arnst, of Cresco, Pa., are to be highly 'hches, weight, 1 pound 8 ounces, caught in AKGLEB carried the information that it rep­ commended for the publication of this fine Mtisconetcong, fly rod; Willis Nolf, 14 5-16 resented a 39-pound muskellunge caught in magazine. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Streamside Reveries By N. R. CASILLO

OW fascinating are the countless moods curiosity I made careful haste, parted the malformation also explained my misses, for H of a stream as it placidly twists through grass at its edge and peered down into the it was a mystery to me how I managed to fragrant meadows, whispers under stretches pellucid water. What a sight! The water hook him at all. The game little fellow of overhanging shrubs, or murmurs through was low and the small pool was landlocked deserved his freedom, so I slid him into his shadowy woodlands. from the rest of the stream by two narrow element to again take up the uncertain game Little Sandy Creek is characteristic of sandbars. Moiling restlessly about in less of life. I must add that in spite of his many such streams albeit with much indi­ than two feet of water were at least twenty- handicap he was in good condition and ap­ vidualism of its own. Its birthplace is an five sizeable trout of mixed species. At in­ parently well-fed. icy spring half hidden among dewy ferns and tervals grasshoppers would blindly jump Dame Fortune was kind for scarcely mov­ other dank plants on a high, moist hillside. from the grassy banks and fall sprawling on ing from my tracks I hooked a brown trout Like a creeping infant it whispers quietly the pool's surface. The strange sounds were which proved to be my largest flsh, over a along in a tiny trickle, ever-growing in noisy produced by the rising trout as they greedily foot long and in prime condition. Indeed, boisterousness; tumbling over rocks, shuffling engulfed the hapless hoppers. I've never caught a trout out of Little Sandy over shelves, and brawling in the shallows. No place to flsh unless you were after that wasn't top notch. I wasnt particularly Soon after it crosses the Raymilton road, it flsh. Their uniform size indicated the in­ elated over my latest catch because I had passes into a vast mixed woodland known roads of cannibalism, while numerous mink lured it with a home tied fly. In fact it was locally as Hell's Kitchen, to hold temporary tracks on the sandy margins attested to other the first fly of that particular pattern that communion with the numerous denizens that losses. It was an easy matter to open a I had ever tied, a misshapen creation that live in the wood. It is at the bridge that channel communicating with a stretch of passed for a cowdung. It is my contention most anglers in the know hit the stream to deep water and into which I drove the flsh. however, that a home-tied fly made with an take toll of the three kinds of trout that live Returning to the spot later in the day I honest attempt to imitate the actual insect in the remarkably clear water. was given a demonstration of the trout's is more effective than the fancy-tied imported The sun was just slipping behind the capricious temperament by not getting a and domestic artificials. Manufacturers both alders above the bridge when George and I single rise to my offering of a variety of flies. here and abroad are just beginning to realize arrived for the evening fishing. At the bridge It does seem that a trout possesses more that fact. we parted, he going upstream to fish dry moods and eccentricities than the streams Creeling the flsh, I pushed on, my thoughts and I down to give my wet flies a whirl. they inhabit. Factors that contribute much dwelling on a pool not far distant; a spot There was a heavy hatch of black gnats to the fascination of their capture. that is matchless in its setting, flanked as skittering and dancing over the still reaches Farther down, where the stream again it is by laurels and hemlocks all comfortably so I tied on my tiniest fly of corresponding straightened out between aisles of alders and huddled under the spreading branches of a pattern. Cautiously, I slipped through the willows I experienced the thrill of another gigantic red maple. Beside, Red Maple Pool, grass up to within casting distance of a strike, but missed the flsh. Then on six as I christened it some years ago, has a small pool and cast my fly into the riffle at successive casts I received as many strikes reputation, for in it lives the King of Little its head. Slowly and naturally it danced and missed every one of them! On the sev­ Sandy, a big brown trout that has been over the wavelets and then upon reaching enth attempt I connected and landed a cur­ hooked and lost by some four or five anglers, the still water it sank. I was about to re­ iously formed eight-inch brookie. The upper including myself. On an earlier occasion I trieve it when there was a sudden splash and mandible was entirely lacking, giving the had inveigled the King into accepting a jerk, my rod nearly slipping from my hand. fish a grotesque, pug-nosed aspect, reminding brown hackle. However, when I had finally However, the flsh, a beautiful eleven-inch one of the flat face of a Pekingese dog. The worked him up to the net, a convulsive leap rainbow, had hooked himself and immedi­ ately began to go through his bag of tricks. Two quick jumps, a rush upstream, a beau­ tifully executed turn nearly out of water, and he was away downstream. Then I experi­ enced that weakening sensation produced by the thought of a lost flsh nutil I again felt his lithe strength at the end of the line. 1 applied a little pressure and saw his gleam­ ing sides turn against the current, resulting in an astounding pull. But that was his last gesture for I reeled him up to my waiting net and had him. Almost reverently I lifted him, a plump, artfully proportioned fish, firmly knit, and as cold as an icicle. Again I dropped the fly and watched it drift into the pool. There it was caught by a stray current and was shot across to a spot where the feathery sprays of hemlock nearly touched the water. The quick move­ ment proved alluring to a ten-inch brookie which I failed to hook on his first sally. Un­ daunted, he turned and rose again, this time making fast. A dozen more casts proved unfruitful so I passed on into an ancient beaver meadow where the stream sought re­ spite from its hustle and bustle by slowly meandering between deep-cut banks. When within thirty feet of a favorite pool I was brought up short by peculiar gulping sounds apparently issuing from the pool and GEORGE SHORT LANDING A NICE BROWN TROUT IN occurring at irregular intervals. Filled with LITTLE SANDY CREEK PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER a snapped my tight leader and won the day the heavy silt had settled and he stood dis­ for him. I remember only too well that I closed in all his glory, slowly fanning his RAINBOW TROUT IN swallowed hard as I watched his huge form great caudal. It was not difficult to decipher disappear into deep water; yet, I was glad the story. Apparently the fish had blundered THE ALLEGHENY that I had had him on. He had bested me into the bay to prey upon its teeming deni­ Famous for its smallmouth bass in a fair fight, and after the raw edge of my zens, and as fate would have it, a part of fishing, the upper Allegheny River disappointment had worn off, I couldn't help the bank of the miniature strait had col­ also provided at least one evening's hut feel some measure of admiration for the lapsed. Anyway, whatever the explanation, sport with fighting rainbow trout dur­ old warrior. there he was effectively confined and easily ing the 1934 fishing season, accord­ to be caught with but little effort. What did His latest escape had been made less than ing to Warden R. O. Bailey of I do? Just exactly what you would have Youngsville. And for some reason a week before this day whereof I write, done—the King still lives, long live the King! when a New Castle angler lacking a landing or other, the rainbows seemed to net attempted to beach him. Indeed, the favor the presentation of lures by leader snapped after the fish had been drawn Ben Tellerico of Bradford. up out of the water; then before the frantic Bailey writes that a group of fisherman could get to him he had flopped jg|/ Seth Says anglers from Bradford were trying back into the water and was gone. their luck one evening in June near ^^sSSSip'' Not so long back, Corydon on the Allegheny when Ben Red Maple Pool is located not more than ^W'VJT ' Jerry Tims an' me was \ took his position In their midst. a hundred yards below the second bridge and &^&lj£!f a-fishin' fer suckers ; Ben's lure had hardly more than hit I made for it as fast as it was feasible. This >«j?Okjy§' down by ol' man Corkins the water when a 13-inch rainbow necessitated skirting a beaver pond just ^g^^^j^^te*, place. We had jest got struck It and was landed. A few above the lumber camp on the north side of •Baft' ^f >5|&* set right nice an' Jerry minutes later, he creeled one meas­ the bridge. I never did have much luck in ™ ". V' was a-hossin' in a big uring 14 % inches, and shortly there­ that beaver pond (altho' dozens of large fish sucker when a feller sez after, his fellow anglers remarked «ould often be seen disporting themselves in I ain't allowin' no flshin' on these premises, that the flsh seemed to be jumping the clear water), so that passing it up didn't so git out. Well, sir, we was plumb upsot, over the other lines to get at Ben's. matter very much. The nearer I got to the but soon's we turned an' he seen who we Just to prove that they were right, Pool the more expectant I became, so that was he sez alright, go ahead an' fish. We he landed a rainbow trout measuring by the time it hove into sight I was well was both it chin' ter know jest what hed 17 inches. After that, he decided to flred-up. Curbing my impatience and excite­ come inter the ol' man fer he never acted quit, with the remark that as they ment I slowed down and approached from that way afore. He hes some right good seemed to be coming heavier each the shaded side. flshin' water runnin' by his place an' some time, he might be in danger of hook­ ing a flsh that would pull him into Cautiously parting the branches of a covert all-fired good squirrel woods up on the ridge back o' his house. So Jerry an' me asks him the river. °f hemlock I peered out on to the pool. As While the other fishermen were us­ usual, it was as quiet and as unruffled as a jest why he was a-cuttin' down on the flshin' an' he tells us. ing live crayfish for bait, Ben used mirror. Here were no small fry to violate only crayfish tails. the King's domain, to dimple and crack that It seems like last spring there was some Placid surface. The only visible living thing fellers let a gate in the pasture open an' his was a huge sucker diligently vacuum-clean­ cows got out an' raised merry ned with his ing a fringe of aquatic plants located in the wheat. Thet upsot the ol' man a lot, an' MANY THANKS shallows. Carefully I worked my way to then some other feller cut right through a THE ANGLER appreciates greatly the follow­ the head of the pool and dropped a gray gnat wire fence ter go a place ter fish. An' ter ing comments which appeared recently In to the smooth surface; and as I worked it top it off, some hunter shot his tame turkey the Millersburg Sentinel. We quote: here and there I could not help but feel some gobbler an' made away with it. He sez he "Now that the game hunting season is apprehension at the disturbance that I was found whar it hed been downed right near over and the fishing season, the best locally creating. Momentarily I expected the big the edge o' the woods. An' now, sez he, I'm for many years, also is at an end, sports­ trout to rise and take my fly. gonna put up signs an' keep 'em all off. men will want to continue to hunt and flsh For nearly an hour I whipped every square Course, my neighbors'll he welcome any time, by the fireside during the winter months, inch of the pool with every one of my dull- an' he leaves us. through good magazines. colored flies without success. At last I sat Talkin' it over, Jerry an' me figgered thet "Two great monthly magazines which down, lit a cigarette and ruminated over the he was jest actin' within his rights. Course, every sportsman will like and should receive situation. There came to my mind a dozen we're both farmers, but there ain't no use are Pennsylvania &ame News and PENN­ Sood reasons why the King had refused my in sayin' thet this here postin' business ain't SYLVANIA ANGLEK, published in Harrisburg offerings; my conclusion being that he was got two sides. I ain't speakin' no names, but by the Game Commission and Board of Fish indisposed and would probably be in a more I know one er two cases where land's posted Commissioners, respectively. receptive mood later in the day. So I passed jest out o' pure cussedness. Most o' us fellers "Both are well printed on good paper, °n downstream oblivious of the surprise that like ter give the feller from the city a break well edited, contain good stories, good pic­ was to be my lot. an' so long's we're treated decent there ain't tures and everything of interest to the sports­ -it the foot of Red Maple Pool there is a a-goin' ter be no trouble. man. Leo Luttringer, Jr., is editor Of the S1"all bay, merely an indentation scarcely Figgerin' it all up, ef a man's a good clean News and Alex P. Sweigart editor of the More than six feet in diameter, which during sport, nine out o' ten times he'll be met half­ ANGLER, and the subscription price of each times of low water is separated from the way er even better. I reckon this flshin' an' is but 50 cents per year, check or money main pool by a shallow neck or miniature huntin' game hes ter be give an' take, even order, addressed to either magazine, South strait, if you please, shallowly cut through up. ——• Office Building, Harrisburg. Every sports­ the quicksand comprising the sandbar. At man needs these fine magazines." all times this little bay teems with all kinds SUCKER CATCHES °i coarse fishes, such as daces, shiners, etc., Franklin County sucker fishermen enjoyed undoubtedly collecting there because of their exceptional fishing during the waning days STOCK TROUT ON HORSEBACK highly developed gregnriousness, as well as of December, according to a report received One of the most unique methods ever to for the abundance of food organisms found from Warden Charles Long of East Water- be used in stocking trout in Pennsylvania in the shallow water. ford. was employed recently in releasing flsh over Upon approaching the bay I stopped in Trying his luck at Hoover's Dam on the legal six-inch size in Lick Run, Clearfield amazement upon seeing a fish about the Conococheague Creek on December 20, John County. The stocking was conducted on length of a man's arm dashing madly about Worthington of Dry Run caught 22 suckers. horseback. tts narrow confines and finally effacing it­ Returning to the same place next day he According to Warden Dave Dahlgren, two self in the clouds of silt that it stirred up. duplicated that catch. Wilson Flegal of pails of trout were strapped to each horse, Well, to make a long story short, it turned Medal caught 22 suckers in a day's fishing at and the flsh were then taken to points on out to be the King. I quietly waited until Medal on the Conoeoehengue. the stream difficult of access. 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

Commission to Sponsor "Plant a Willow" Drive

f^ OVER and more cover. That, apparently. ^ is one of the first requisites to be con­ sidered in the stream improvement campaign now about to enter its third year here in Pennsylvania. Briefly, more cover, brush and trees fringing trout waters, may be a decid­ ing factor in increasing their carryii g capac­ ity for trout. Additional shade will aid in holding down the water temperature during hot summer months; interlacing tree roots will help to prevent soil erosion, the washing of sediment in large quantities into streams from the banks, and finally, additional foli­ age will serve as cover for insect life that, falling upon the water, is such an important forage asset for trout. In advocating the planting of willow shoots, as first suggested by Hon. Leslie W. Seylar, member of the Board, the Fish Com­ mission believes that a major and vital step will have been taken toward Increasing stream cover. At a recent meeting of the Board, a resolution was passed to sponsor a state-wide "Plant a Willow" campaign dur­ ing 1935. In this resolution, the Board urged that wherever possible, weeping willows be planted as they are more symmetrical and longer lived. Under a tentative plan adopted, wardens of the Board will contact all persons making inquiry concerning the planting of willow trees and give information where necessary. Where willow shoots are not available for planting, the Board will furnish these shoots and every possible assistance will be given in planting them. Meadow land is partic­ ularly adaptable for the planting of these picturesque trees, and it has been suggested that the shoots should be planted at intervals of 50 feet, unless unusual conditions warrant closer planting or planting at wider intervals. The thought expressed is that landowners co­ operating in the campaign to increase cover on our streams should follow their own dis­ cretion in doing so. At the Spring Creek stream improvement and trout raising project near Bellefonte, Centre County, many willow shoots were planted recently and are expected to increase the effectiveness of comprehensive improve­ PHOTO BY M. J. MYERS ments already made at the site through pro­ WILLOWS ON THE YELLOW BREECHES viding more shore cover. Linked closely as it is with the stream im­ "111 view of the improvements enumer­ the active cooperation of every school, every provement campaign, the movement now ated," writes Dr. Seylar, "the unquestioned Boy Scout troop, every organization of out­ under way to further increase stream cover betterment of fishing, the beautifying of door life of whatever kind or nature, and is expected to be a vital factor in the drive every stream bank where willow shoots 01 the hearty cooperation of every publication for better fishing. limbs can be planted, may we not ask for in giving publicity to the matter." PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 11

TROUT FEATURE STREAM STOCKING IN DECEMBER Brook and brown trout were stocked heavily in approved waters throughout the state during December. A total number of 254.645 fish of the various species were re­ leased under ideal water conditions. Of this number, 166,230 were brook trout, ranging in length from 6 to 10 inches, 4,000 flngerling brook trout, 68,400 brown trout, 6 to 7 inches, 1,440 bullhead catfish, adults 8 to 9 inches, 8,275 flngerling sunflsh, and 6,300 flngerling yellow perch. The following waters were stocked in the various counties: Adams—trout, Little Marsh Creek, Toms Creek, Conococheague Creek, Conewago Creek. Bedford—trout, Three Springs Run, Shov- ws Creek, Beaver Creek, Yellow Creek. Berks—trout, Moselein Creek, Hay Creek, Indian Creek, Mill Creek, Scott Run, North- MILL CREEK, A SULLIVAN COUNTY TROUT STREAM Wll Creek, Pine Creek. Blair—trout, Blair Gap Run, Big Fill Run, Lycoming Creek,- Nippenoise Creek, Loyal- Van Scoyoc Run, Clover Creek. Fulton—trout, Nine Mile Creek, Brush Creek. sock Creek. Bradford—trout, Schroder Creek, Seeley MeKean—trout, Potato Creek. Creek, South Creek. Huntii gdon—trout, Little Trough Creek, Laurel Run, Sadler Creek, Nine Mile Run, Mercer—trout, Little Neshannock Creek, Bucks—trout, Cooks Creek, Beaver Run. Mill Creek. Cambria—trout, Duclos Run. Spruce Creek, Shavers Creek, East Branch Standing Stone Creek. Mifflin—trout, Licking Creek, Treaster Cameron—trout, Wykoff Run, East Branch Valley Run, McKinley Run, Swift Run, Hicks Run, Driftwood Branch, Sinnemahon- Indiana—trout, Laurel Run, South Branch Twolick Creek, Downey Run, Yellow Creek. Brookland Run, Havice Creek, Laurel Run, ing Portage Creek. Lingle Run, Tea Creek, Kishacoquillas Creek. Carbon—trout. Hays Creek, Wild Creek. Jefferson—trout, Manners Run. Monroe—trout, Pohopoco Creek, Mc- Centre—trout, Logan Branch, Little Fish­ Juniata—trout, Licking Creek, Liberty Michaels Creek, Sambo Creek, Brodheads ing Creek, .Sinking Creek, Pine Creek, Elk Valley Run, Willow Run, Horse Valley Run, Creek, Middle Branch Brodheads Creek, Creek, Roaring Run, Penns Creek, West Horning Run. Lehigh River. Branch Big Run, White Deer Creek. Six Mile Lackavxtnna—trout, Lehigh River, Gardner Run, Fields Run, Big Sandy Creek, Penns Creek. Montgomery—trout, Mill Creek. Creek, Marsh Creek, South Fork Beech Lancaster—trout, Big Chickies Creek, In­ Northampton—trout, Hokendauqua Creek, Creek, Laurel Run, Spruce Creek, White dian Run, Stewarts Run, Wissler Run, Mc- Bushkill Creek, Martin Creek, Little Bush- Deer Creek, Black Moshannon Creek, Spring culley's Run, Rock Run, Donegal : Creek, kill Creek, Little Martin Creek, Monocacy Creek, Little Moshannon Creek, Penns Creek. Charles Run, Climers Run, Muddy Run, Creek. Chester—trout, French Creek, Valley Creek, Hammer Creek; catfish, Cocalico Creek. Perry—trout, Brown Run, Houstons Run, Birch Run, White Clay Creek. Laicrciwc—trout-, Taylor Run. Horse Valley Run, Laurel Run. Clarion—trout, Toms Run. Lebanon—trout, West Branch Hammer Philadelphia—catfish and sunflsh, Chamon- Clearfield—trout, Montgomery Creek, East Creek, Snitz Creek, Hammer Cree'", Indian- iux Lake. League Island Lake. Branch Muddy Creek, Anderson Creek, Whiskey Run, Moshannon Creek, Curry Run, Bell Run, Mountain Run, Medix Run, Bigler Bun, Sandy Creek, West Branch Montgomery Creek, Lick Run. Olintovr—trout, Long Run, Cedar Run, Cooks Run, Beaverdam Run, Cherry Greek, Rattlesnake Run, Tangascootack Creek. Long Run, Big Fishing Creek, Chatham Run, Big Run, West Branch of Young Womans Creek, Right Branch of Young Womans Creek. Columbia—trout, Roaring Creek, Fishing Creek, Mugser Run. ^Crawford—trout, McLaughlin Run, Nagus Creek, Brannon Run, Mosey Run, Muddy Creek, Sandy Creek, Middle Branch Sugar Creek, Patrick Run, East Branch Muddy Creek, Kelly Run, Thompson Run. Cumberland—trout, Yellow Breeches Creek, Big Spring, Hogestown Run, Trindle Spring. BROOK TROUT FEATURED DECEMBER STOCKING Mountain Creek. Dauphin—trout, East Branch Rattling town Run, Evening Branch or Gold Mine Potter—trout. West Branch Genesee River, Creek, Rattling Creek, Clarks Creek, South Run. East Fork of First Fork of Sinnemahoning Fork Powells Creek. Lehigh—trout, Trout Run, Little Lehigh Creek, South Fork of First Fork of Sinne­ mahoning Creek, Corbet Branch, First Fork Elk—trout, East Branch Clarion River, River. w Sirnemahoning Creek, Middle Branch of est Branch Kersey Run, Spring Creek, Luzerne—trout, Nescopeck Creek, Bear Genesee River, Oswayo Creek, Mill Creek, driftwood Branch. Creek. Wapwallopen Creek, Harvey's Creek, Kettle Creek, Pine Creek. ^ Brie—trout, Little Conneautee Creek, Maple Creek. Huntingdon Creek. South Branch French Creek. Lycoming—trout. Wallis Run, Fourth Gap Schuylkill—trout, Evening Branch or Gold Forest—trout, West Hickory Creek. Run, Hogland Run, Grays Run, Muncy Creek, Mine Run, Little Catawissa Creek; sunflsh, Franklin—trout, Broad Run, Trout Run. Pleasant Stream, Little Muncy Creek, Roar­ Lake wood Dam on Hosensock Creek, Cum- Row Run, Conococheague Creek, Trout Run, ing Branch. White Deer Hole Creek, West bola Dam on the Old Schuylkill Canal, Deer East Branch Little Antietam Creek. Mill Creek. Trout Run. Little Pine Creek, Lake Dam on Pine Creek, Patterson Dam

I 12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

No. 2; yellow perch, Lakewood Dam on Hosensock Creek, Oumbola Dam on Old Schuylkill Canal, Deer Lake Dam on Pine Creek, Patterson Dam No. 2, Deep Creek, Mahantango Creek, Sweet Arrow Lake, Long Run, Pine Creek, Old Schuylkill Canal Basin, Dock Pond. Patterson Dam No. 3, Patterson Dam No. 1, Old Union Canal, Cats Pond, Sucker Pond. Snyder—trout. West Branch Mahantango Creek. Swift Run. Somerset—trout, Negro Glade Run. Brush Run, Laurel Hill Creek, Clear Shade Creek. Wills Creek. Sullivan—trout, North Branch Metioopany Creek. Kettle Creek, Muncy Creek. Tioga—trout. Hills Creek, Kettle Creek, Mill Creek, Pine Creek. Union—trout, Spring Creek, Rapid Run, White Deer Creek, Laurel Run. Venango—trout, Middle Branch Sugar Creek, Stewart Run. Warren—trout, Little Brokenstraw Creek, Jackson Run, Brown Run, Tionesta Creek. West Hickory Creek. Wayne— trout, West Branch Lackawaxen River. Westmoreland—trout. South Fork Mill Creek. North Fork Mill Creek, Mill Creek, Tub Mill Run. York—trout, Leib's Creek, Otter Creek. Fishing Creek. IZAAK WALTON CHAPTER ACQUIRES CLUB HOUSE The Philadelphia Chapter No. 2 of the Izaak Walton League of America, has had A BITTERN SHORE-WADING BIRD DESTRUCTIVE TO FISH a goal for the last few years which has been attained: a clubhouse and out-door YORK WALTONIANS SCHEDULE Coffman, secretary-treasurer, York, and D. meeting place. Everett Moore, Stewart O. Stump, York, and The Country Club Foundation Committee BANQUET W. W. Seehrist, Dallastown, directors. has completed plans whereby the Philadel­ York Chapter No. 67, Izaak Walton,League phia Chapter No. 2 will share the grounds of America, is sponsoring a county-wide crow and attractive clubhouse of The Safety Rod shooting contest in order to reduce the huge and Gun Club. numbers of crows in the southern counties. CLEARFIELD SPORTSMEN HEAR The club grounds, which comprise a twenty- They are offering five prizes. Last year in a SETH GORDON acre tract, located at Bustleton Pike and similar contest it was estimated that some One of the finest rallies in the history of Reading Railroad, the upper end of Bustle- ten thousand crows were bagged. The con­ organized sportsmen in Clearfield County ton, are equipped with what is considered test is scheduled to end February 28, 1935. was held in the Y. M. C. A. at Clearfield on one of the best trap-shooting outfits in the The York Chapter is very active in conser­ Wednesday night, January 15. Featuring country. vation activities with members from all over the big rally, which was attended by more The Chapter plans to work on reforesta­ the county. The chapter's banquet scheduled than 300 sportsmen and their wives, was a tion, soil erosion, winter feeding stations, for February 21, 1935, is an annual affair splendid address by Seth Gordon, president building of rearing ponds, raising of ring- that attracts a large gathering of sportsmen. of the American Game Association, Washing­ necked pheasants and quail, casting field, an Prominent speakers, including representa­ ton, D. C. ' archery set, and a pistol and rifle range. In tives of the game and fish departments, will In a forceful talk, he described the fact the work is under way. attend. Ray Kinsey, O. H. Shepp and W. growth of the Pennsylvania Game system Among the individuals whose efforts con­ C. Stevens are the committee in charge. and emphasized the rapid development of vi tributed largely to the success of the pro­ The chapter, affiliated with the Izaak Wal­ fish and game production in this state. te ject are: George Haldane, Chairman of the ton League for eight years, holds meetings Honor guests of the evening were L. D. ai Country Club Committee; Joseph D. Hie- once a month in the local Y. M. C. A. Their Rearick and John Rearick, recently retired a stand, President of the Chapter; Paul "V. activities also include a sportsmen's meet keepers of game refuges in Clearfield and D< Rosenhaum, President, and Dr. Glenn S. held each summer. The chapter operates a Elk Counties. The Rearick brothers retired C( Everts, Secretary of the Safety Rod and flsh nursery, located near Dallastown. Large from the Game Commission work after r« Gun Club. numbers of fish are distributed throughout nearly 15 years of service. Their record was ANOTHER BIG PIKE the county both from the nursery and in highly praised by W. C. Shaffer, Deputy fs The giant wall-eyed pike or pike perch cooperation with the State Board of Fish Executive Secretary of the Commission, who fc that caused such a sensation at Lake Wallen- Commissioners. From its beginning, it has presented them with diplomas at the meet- Hi paupaek in Pike and Wayne counties last been active in the fight against pollution of ing. Because of illness, Mrs. L. D. Rearick st summer apparently maintained their striking streams. The chapter also was active in was unable to attend the meeting. In her la habits until the virtual close of the game bringing about the open season created each behalf, a beautiful bouquet of flowers was re flsh season on November 30. spring on all species of flsh in the pool below presented to Mr. Rearick by the Federated ac Casting plug on November 27, A. H. Lau- the Safe Harbor Dam, where, in the spring Sportsmen's Clubs of Clearfield County. tb derburn of Hawley, hooked into a mammoth run, large numbers of flsh are trapped by , cl pike. In the struggle that followed, his cast­ low waters and heretofore could not be taken When caught during the open season, brook th ing rod was broken, but the important part without violating the law. and brown trout, smallmouth and large- at of it is, he succeeded in landing the fish. It The officers of the organization are D. A. mouth bass may be kept In possession six bt measured 31 inches in length and weighed 10 Garver, president, York, Dr. George A. days after the close of the open season for at pounds. Meyers, vice-president, Dallastown, J. H. these species. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 18

BERKS COUNTY SPORTSMEN WERE ACTIVE IN STREAM IMPROVEMENT LAST YEAR ABOVE THEY ARE SHOWN BUILDING DAMS AND DEFLECTORS ON THE TULPEHOCKEN BELOW LEFT A DAM ON PINE CREEK AND RIGHT, A DEFLECTOR.

TROUT COVER A KEYNOTE IN sects that may drop into the water. Earth­ In providing additional trout cover on a STREAM IMPROVEMENT worms washed into a stream from the banks stream, the first consideration should be in­ The ideal trout stream combines three also provide forage. Forage and shelter, it troduction of it at points where It will serve ^ital factors—food abundance, proper water is to be observed in this checkup, hinge upon a dual purpose of protection and the crea­ emperature, and good shelter. Lacking in each other. tion of additional growth for food. Certain an y one of these essentials, the capacity of The water temperature of a trout stream areas of a stream may be without growth of trees and brush on the shores. Planting * stream to produce trout of maximum num- should be low, that is, having a summer be of willow slips at these locations, and the r and size is necessarily limited. A brief temperature range not over 70° or 72° in c'°nsideration of these factors shows their introduction of additional brush may aid In e midsummer. In former issues of the reclaiming such waters. 'ationship to stream improvement. ANGLEB, the temperature factor was stressed Food abundance is governed by various in improvement work. Governing the tem­ The stream bed itself offers an ideal op­ aetors. Classified as trout food are many perature range are small spring tributaries portunity for introduction of additional orms of aquatic and insect life. The cray­ and the speed of the current. Deflectors in shelter. Fallen trees with their branches fish and cold water species of minnows con­ slower streams serve an admirable purpose intact may be placed counter to the current, and firmly staked in place. Drift carried stitute an important feature in the diet of by accelerating the current and forcing it ai by the current lodges against these branches 'ger trout. But growing trout, fingerlings, to create pools adaptable to trout, while the re and forms additional shelter. In line with quire much more food, tiny forms of spring feeders may be easily cleared of muck aQuatic organisms that cling to growth on this increase of cover in the stream itself is e and brush in a manner that will assure a the introduction of loosely woven bundles ** stream bed, to brush and rocks. In­ constant supply of low temperature water. cluded in this group is the larvae of insects of brush, anchored securely near shore. Here again shelter plays its part, for the fiat have developed in the water; for ex- Brush bundles furnish a breeding place for ani spring feeders, in as many instances, as pos­ Ple, the larvae of the caddis fly. From aquatic organisms and a hiding place for •ush and growth on the shorelines comes sible, should have abundant shade as an aid young trout from their natural enemies. ai»other important class of trout food—in­ to low water temperature. Logs properly placed in shallows and pools < I PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

Meridian, recently had a varied catch in amazingly good fight. Good catches are also Thorn Run Dam. It consisted of three 14- made on artificial lures—plugs, spinners, and inch perch and two 16-inch bass. Oneida flies. Dam, in particular, has been providing ex­ In the food fish line, suckers, eels, and ceptional perch catches. mullets are plentiful, while in the lower waters, a large number of carp are taken. Sunflsh, rock bass, fall fish, and a few yellow PENN'S CREEK AFFORDS GOOD perch add variety to the angler's sport. BASS FISHING At many points, fishing water is available Smallmouth black bass predominate in over good roads. Wading accounts for nice Penn's Creek. While pickerel, wall-eyed pike, creels, and some fishing on the dams and and yellow perch are taken each year, this larger pools is had from boats. stream, from Weikert to its point of junc­ ture with the Susquehanna River near Selinsgrove, is preeminently a bass stream. It runs a fairly swift, cool current, cutting its way through rich farming territory and LAKE ERIE GOLDFISH timberland in Union and Snyder counties. Edward D. Mentz, ardent fisherman and SIGNS LIKE THIS HELP YOUR secretary of the Erie Bait Casting Club, FISHING The angler who tries Penn's Creek finds sends in the following interesting informa­ a large number of good pools to test his tion relative to goldfish in Presque Isle provide good cover for trout. Another idea casting. From mouth to source, the stream Bay and Misery Bay on Lake Erie. that has gained headway in improvement of this type is the weighting down of small "We have a species of fish that live in trees and bushes on the shoreline in such Presque Isle Bay and Misery Bay which 1 a manner that they will project over the believe is a cross between a German carp water. The advantages of this system may and a Japanese goldfish, at least such is readily be seen. Overhanging foliage pro­ the opinion of local fishermen. It has the scales of the carp and the contour of the vides a resting place for insects and assures Next Month additional shade. Heavy rocks will serve as body is about like that of the carp, as is anchors in this type of improvement. also the shape of the mouth; but the tail Just to serve as a little advance is stringy, like that of a goldfish and the On any trout stream, the presence of areas dope for our readers, we are proud color varies from a gold to silver. The flsn too dense to fish is of definite advantage. to announce the March ANGLER, will weigh from a pound up to two and one- i These areas, with their dense brush and our annual trout number. Heading half or three pounds." tangles of logs and other cover in the water the list of articles in March will be serve as natural feeders to heavily fished portions of the stream. Trout lurking in a splendid contribution from the pen A great catch in Ford's pond, a short dis­ inaccessible pools aid in natural restocking of Charles M. Wetzel concerning tance from Schultzville, vras made by John at spawning time and dropping down into nymphs. Paul L. Swanson will give Losenger of West Scranton. Four large- accessible areas provide additional sport. you the lowdown on "Which Snakes mouth bass, tipping the sc les at 19 pounds, Densely covered areas also aid in keeping Should Be Killed." There will also comprised the catch. The largest bass the water temperature at low level, and be an article on the history of the fly weighed 6% pounds and measured 24 inches serve as breeding grounds for much natural rod. Listed are just three of the in length, while the smallest weighed 2% forage. highlights in your ANGLER on the pounds. For better trout fishing, consider this vital eve of the 1935 trout season. We factor of shelter on our trout streams. hope you'll like it.

BUCK TAILS MEET Meeting at the courthouse in Clarion on January 15, more than 200 members and guests of the Clarion County Buck Tail As­ is fifty-nine miles in length. Its upper waters sociation enjoyed a fine program. are famous for big brown and brook trout. In addition to regular business, officers Probably outstanding of Penn's Creek were elected for the ensuing year. Those deeper waters are the Jolly Pool and Beech elected to serve for 1935 are Dr. R. L. Bas- Tree Pool near Weikert, the Little Spinning tress, president; Frank Shaffer, 1st vice- Wheel, near Trail's End, and the Big Spin­ president; M. M. Kaufman, 2nd vice-presi­ ning Wheel, near Glen Iron. dent; James McKloskey, 3rd vice-president; In many places, the flats and pools are William Keatley, 4th vice-president; R. R. fringed by rushes, while in the lower waters, Whitmer, recording secretary and W. R. El­ lily pads and weed beds provide lurking liott, treasurer. Wilbur Alexander, who was places for pickerel. Excellent fishing is to be appointed secretary at a previous meeting, had from Kratzerville Dam to the Susque­ presided. It was also decided to hold the hanna River. regular meeting on the tenth of each month in the courthouse. While stone catfish, minnows, helgramites, and crawfish are considered excellent bait, After the regular meeting Fred Shearrer, a little fish known locally as "sweet bait" district forester, presented George Sheffer is reported to rank as favorite with anglers with a ten-year service award for fire war­ who have fished in Penn's Creek for years. den duty. "Sweet bait" are to be found under the rocks on the riffles. Crawfish are good lures early in the season, helgramites later. LAND BIG PERCH An abundance of natural food and water They're catching some mighty fine yellow vegetation are contributing factors to the perch in Thorn Run Dam and Oneida Dam, prominence of the stream as bass water. A Butler County, according to Warden J. H. bass weighing one pound taken from the cold Bergman, of Butler. Newton Loucks, of current of Penn's Creek is capable of an A VIEW OF PENNS CREEK PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER IS Lancaster County Turtles By W. STUART CRAMER EVERAL years ago a small group of Lancaster County where Muhlenberg's Turtle rather flat carapace measuring ten to twelve S amateur naturalists, of which the writer may be found, but we were successful in inches, occurs in goodly numbers along tlte was one, decided to make a study of the collecting the eggs, young and adults of this Susquehanna River. Its favorite spot for turtles of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. species. sleeping during the day is a large rock from Although our research was not well planned, One of our most common species, the which it can drop or a slippery bank down this being our first attempt upon a rather Painted turtle, which is sometimes wrongly which it can slide into the water. It is neglected subject in that area, some of our called the "Stink-pot," occurs in the Susque­ often taken by fishermen with hook and line findings are rather interesting. It is un­ hanna Kiver, small streams and ponds and but is seldom found in a place where it is fortunate that more extensive notes were not stagnant pools. I have seen it in swamps easily caught without traps, except while the kept, particularly concerning the young of such as are inhabited by Muhlenberg's female is laying her eggs. I have always the species which we studied. Turtle and have found the young along known it as a wary species. Its name is There are at least eleven species of turtles marshy edges of lakes and still bodies of derived from the fact that there are numer­ which occur in the State of Pennsylvania, water. The upper shell is quite flat, of a ous interwoven fine yellow lines on the dull and while we now record ten of them in dull olive or brownish hue, and the legs and brownish shell which are supposed to create Lancaster County, two, the Mud Turtle and neck bear stripes of red and yellow. It is an appearance somewhat, like a map. The the Soft-shelled Turtle, are quite rare and a small species, the shell of an adult measur­ neck and legs are striped with greenish yel­ have not been seen there for many years. I ing about five inches. There may be a black low lines. The young were taken from small shall attempt to describe briefly the turtles blotch in the very middle of the lower shell. pools on the river islands and from old canals °f Lancaster County and some of their habits. This blotch, if present, is prominent in the along the shore. young but fades to obscurity in the adult. Probably one of the best known turtles in One of the more common species is the The turtle probably derives its name from Musk Turtle, or "Stink-Pot." It is quite Lancaster County is the Box Turtle. It can the red and yellow markings of the marginal always be identified by the hinged plastron Aquatic and carries on its upper shell, or shields which cover the edge of the upper carapace, a quantity of algae which gives it and high carapace, and is the only turtle shell. I have observed female turtles lay­ which ws have tlitit lives almost entirely on the appearance of a long-submerged stone. ing their eggs on the banks of small streams. The carapace measures three and three- land. The eggs I have found on hillsides The eggs are deposited in a small hole or just under the surface of the soil and some­ Quarter inches in length, and when the algae depression formed by the female for this *s removed, is found to be a dirty brown times quite near the top of the hill. The purpose. They are then covered over and young possess a keel or ridge along the back color. The lower shell, or plastron, is small left to incubate in the warm damp soil. When and does not cover the entire under surface and there may be three or four light spots first born young turtles have what is known on this keel and along the sides of the cara­ °f the body. The yellow stripes on the sides as an egg tooth, which is really a sharp bony °f the large head, and the absence of a nail pace. protuberance on the upper jaw used to cut I have purposely omitted the Snapping °r horny tip on the tail help to distinguish the egg so that the turtle may emerge. It this species from the Mud Turtle. Young Turtle because I feel that it has by this is lost a short time after the turtle hatches. time been well discussed by other authors specimens of the Musk Turtle were found The Map Turtle, a large species with a a'ong the grassy edges of ponds; adults were and should be fairly familiar to everyone." taken in baited traps set in stagnant pools. An interesting species is the Spotted turtle, which is small, usually almost black with small round yellow spots appearing on the smooth carapace. The plastron is dark with indistinct patches of a lighter shade, ahd adult specimens have a yellow or orange ^ark behind each eye. We found it in small ftreams and ponds and took many specimens 111 swampy places. I have never seen it in as large a river as the Susquehanna, nor have I been fortunate enough to take the eSgs or the young. The Wood Turtle, or "Red-leg" as it is caHed by many people, is most common along the Susquehanna River, but is found ln small streams as well. The islands in the t'»ver near Washington Boro before the back­ water of the Safe Harbor Dam covered them, *'e>"e inhabited to quite an extent by this Ul'tle, it then being possible to collect as la ny as forty individuals on one island in n o afternoon. The Wood Turtle can be rec­ ognized by its rough shell, in adults about even inches long, and its red legs and red- 'sh under surface of the neck. The plastron s yellow blotched with black. a Muhlenberg's Turtle, one of the more rare ' au least often seen species of the state, oc­ cur'ss es«o *„far„ „a~s I know only in swamps and hoghS ed by s rin s or f0 ^ P & .small streams. The of "to iDCh caraPace may be rough like that coin Wood Turtle- or fairIy smooth and in sen iS dark brown with or without an ob- re tio . Pattern. The best mark of identifica- is the or j", targe orange patch on each side the head. There are but a few places in PHOTO BY LAMAR MUMBAR A WOOD TERRAPIN OR RED-LEG 16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

HERE \ THERE '„ ANGLERDOM

SNAKE DIET FOR THIS PICKEREL Every now and then, it seems, those long slender fish noted for their voracity, chain pickerel, may vary their diet to include reptiles. And to back this belief, the ANGLER prints the foUowing letter from Charles Ernst of Mehoopany: "My nephew, Rev. John W. Schmitthenner, is very fond of fish­ ing. During his summer vacation he takes great pleasure in angling for bullheads and pickerel in a little pond located at Bellasylva, Wyom­ ing County. "One day he succeeded in landing a fine pickerel, which measured 16 inches inj length; but this was not at all unusual, as John was always a lucky fisherman. "After dressing the fish, curiosity impelled him to cutj the stomach open, for the pickerel seemed well fed. To the amazement of us all, a snake was neatly arranged therein, the reptile measuring 18 inches in QUENTIN BAKER, SCRANTON, WITH THREE BROOK TROUT. 15!4 length. The snake was two inches TO 16^4 INCHES. TAKEN IN MASTOPE CREEK, WAYNE COUNTY longer than the pickerel which had Prior to the flood in September, Penn's Trying his luck in the iron company dam swallowed it." Creek in Union County, provided some fine at Parksburg during September, George catches of smallmouth bass, according to Gordon, 15, landed a wall-eyed pike measur­ Warden Art Snyder of Mifflinburg. One ing 28 inches in length and weighing 6% pool above New Berlin is known to have pounds, according to Warden D. K. Broad- ordinarily travel up small tributary stream* to spawn. The following number and species yielded 120 fine bass during the season. belt of Pocopson. Thirty-nine bass were taken from this pool of various fish were transferred from sucS in three days, two of them each measuring One of the finest smallmouth bass to be waters under a special permit: muskellunge. 19 inches. Tom Heiter, Mifflinburg barber, taken from Maiden Creek at Virginsville 408; suckers, 115; sunflsh, (estimated) 300; caught 33 bass from this pool during the in Berks County last season was caught by bullheads (estimated) 100, and rock bass, 32' season, while his total catch made in Penn's William Bitting of Reading. Bitting's catch, These fish were all taken from tributaries of Creek during the season was 45. reported to Warden W. E. Wounderly by Conneaut Creek and backwaters of the sajn« Special Warden Francis Sharadin, measured stream. The muskies were transferred to Lake LeBoeuf and Edinboro Lake while th« Keal progress was made by members of 18% inches and weighed 4 pounds, 12 ounces. other species were released in the main the Great Swamp Fish and Game Associa­ stream." tion in killing watersnakes during 1934, ac­ "Saving Fish" should be the heading of cording to H. H. Reinhart of Quakertown. A the following report from W. E. Briggs, check-up at one of the meetings of the As­ warden at Waterford, Erie County. He Clarence Miller of Mifflinburg caught some sociation revealed that 152 watersnakes had writes: "Last year the water was unusually fine smallmouths from Penn's Creek, two oi been killed by the members. low during April, the time the muskellunge them touching the 18-inch mark. The Swatara Creek near Middletow* yielded a catch of 13 fine suckers to EzrS Earley and Henry Peipher of Palmyra o» BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS October 4. Speaking of big smallmouth bass, it is HARRISBURG, PA. interesting to note some of the catches re- SUBSCRIPTION BLANK ported by Myron Shoemaker, warden at Laceyville. Harry Lung of Canton caugt' one measuring 18 inches; Gene MeanSi Enclosed find fifty cents ($.50) for one year's subscription to PENN­ Towanda, one 18 inches; Earl Johnson SYLVANIA ANGLER. Wyalusing, one 16 inches, and Frank Schul^ Towanda, two bass, one 18 and one 2" Name inches, also 8 pike from 15 to 20 inches. A# (Print Name) of these catches were made on live bait. Street and Number

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