PENNSYLVANIA

December 1947 OFFICIAL STATE PUBLICATION VOL. XVI—NO. 12 DECEMBER, 1947

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION

DIVISION OF JAMES H. DUFF Governor PUBLICITY and PUBLIC RELATIONS CHARLES A. FRENCH . . Commissioner of Fisheries J. ALLEN BARRETT DIRECTOR .si. MEMBERS OF BOARD PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER CHARLES A. FRENCH, Chairman RICHARD F. WILLIAMSON ELLWOOD CITY EDITOR

MILTON L. PEEK FRED E. STONE CIRCULATOR RADNOR South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. PAUL F. BITTENBENDER KINGSTON 10 Cents a Copy—50 Cents a Year COL. A. H. STACKPOLE Subscriptions should be addressed to the Circulator, PENNSYL­ VANIA ANGLER, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. Submit DAUPHIN fee either by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. Individuals sending cash BERNARD HORNE do so at their own risk. PITTSBURGH * PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contributions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper credit will be given to con­ WILLIAM D. BURK tributors. Send manuscripts and photos direct to the PENNSYL­ MELROSE PARK—PHILADELPHIA VANIA ANGLER, South Office Building, Harrisburg.

CLIFFORD J. WELSH Entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office of Harris­ ERIE burg, Pa., under act of March 3, 1873.

CHARLES A. MENSCH BELLEFONTE IMPORTANT! The ANGLER should be notified immediately of change in sub­ scriber's address. Send both old and new addresses to Board of H. R. STACKHOUSE Fish Commissioners, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. Secretary to the Board Permission to reprint will be granted if proper credit is given.

C. R. BULLER Chief Fish Culturist Publication Office: Tele graph P ess, Cameron and Kelker Streets Harrisburg Pa. THOMAS F. O'HARA Construction Engineer Executive and Editorial Offices: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commis- sioners, Harri burg, Pa. ROBERT P. DEITER Comptroller TV 19« PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER i Problems Confronting The Modern Fish Culturist

'T'HE Pennsylvania Board of Fish Com- missioners has used fertilizer in the grow­ ing of bass and other warm-water fish for a great many years. The procedure in the past, in so far as bass are concerned, was lo use the fertilizer in separate pools for the growing of daphnia or the live food that is necessary for the well being of very small bass. In other words, fertilizer was not in­ troduced directly in the bass ponds but was grown in a separate area, and then the natural food that was produced in this area by the use of fertilizer was transferred to the nursery ponds. This year the Board had occasion to handle bass in waters that previously were heavily fertilized for the benefit of sunfish and cat­ fish. This fertilized water, passing over the bass "crop, developed two very interesting problems. At the Tionesta Hatchery the crop of small-mouthed bass was supplied with water coming from a pond heavily fertilized. The Superintendent, Bernard Gill, noticed dis­ tress in these tanks of fish. He contacted the Board's Pathologist, Arthur Bradford, at A wire nursery box used in growing bass. the Fisheries Laboratory at the Bellefonte Hatchery. He immediately left for the Tio­ Hatcheries. This little protozoan is easily late spring or early summer alone is serious nesta Hatchery; but by the time that he ar­ controlled by treating the fish in a 1/4000 to the bass as water temperatures are high, rived, identified the organism, and worked formaldehyde solution for one hour. body activities are rapid, and the failure to out a curative measure, a heavy loss of fish take nourishment soon weakens the baby had resulted. To all appearances, these tiny organisms did not directly sap the life or strength from fish. From there, as a precaution, Mr. Bradford the fish, but they were present on the skin Somewhat similar circumstances occurred inspected the Union City and Corry hatch­ and gills in such great numbers that they at the State Fish Hatchery at Pleasant Mount. eries. One battery of tanks that was fed set up an irritation that caused the fish to Approximately 100,000 large- and small- from another fertilized pond was found to have a greyish, cottony appearance, followed mouthed black bass were being held in wire be slightly affected. Remedial measures by listlessness, loss of appetite, and possibly nursery boxes in a heavily fertilized pond. were taken, and there was no serious loss. interference with respiration. The loss of Had the men responsible for these fish crops appetite during the early growing period in (Turn to Page 14) not been keen observers and constantly on duty, the loss might have been disastrous. For those interested, the bug that caused this difficulty has been identified as a pro­ tozoan parasite, Scyphidia tholiformis, not necessarily new to the pathologist; but this is the first time to our knowledge that it has reached a serious epidemic in the State Fish

A microscopic photograph of the active, living A microscopic view of a seed-like mass of "statoblast" that is the reproductive body of the part of the bryozoan, or jelly-like mass. bryozoan. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

FISHING REGULATIONS FOR 1948 The Board of Fish Commissioners has ruled that the 1948 regulations for fishing the inland waters of Pennsylvania will remain the same as during the year 1947, it is Fishing License announced by C. A. French, Commissioner of Fisheries. The regulations are summarized as follows: SUMMARY NO. 1—Inland Waters Only Species Season Size Creel Limit Fees Are Higher Brook, Brown & April 15 to Not less than 6 inches 10 (combined Rainbow Trout July 31 species) Trout (lake or July 1 to No size 8 salmon) Sept. 29 For 1948 Season Small & Large July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 9 Inches 6 (combined Mouth Bass species) Pike Perch (Walleyes) July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 12 inches 6 Pickerel July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 12 inches 6 Muskellunge (Western July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 24 inches 2 Increases in fees for fishing licenses in & Northern Pike) Pennsylvania go into effect in 1948, it is Bass (white, crappie, Any time of year No size 15 (combined strawberry, or calico species) pointed out by the Board of Fish Commis­ Rock Bass, otherwise Any time of year No size 15 sioners in announcing regulations for next known as red-eye, goggle-eye year as set forth in the adjoining column. Yellow Perch Any time of year No size 15 The new schedule of fees is as follows: Sunfish, Bluegills Any time of year No size 15 (combined species) Resident license fee, $2.00, plus issuing Catfish Any time of year No size 15 agent's fee. Suckers Any time of year No size 15 Chubs Any time of year No size 15 Tourist license fee, $2.00, plus issuing Fallfish Any time of year No size 15 agent's fee, and the period of its validity in­ Carp Any time of year No size 15 Eels Any time of year No size Unlimited creased from three to five days. Frogs July 2 to Oct. 31 No size 15 The non-resident fishing license fees re­ (Sunday -excepted) Tadpoles July 2 to Oct. 31 No size 15 main unchanged. (Sunday excepted) Fishing licenses may be issued without Terrapin (Red Leg) Nov. 2 to Mar. 14 No size 5 charge to totally disabled or blind veterans (Sunday excepted) Bait-fish or fish-bait Any time of year No size Bait-fish—35 who are residents of Pennsylvania. Fish-bait—35 In connection with the tables at the right, Combined—50 Note: In above mentioned seasons, both dates are inclusive. Trout season opens the following special notes are called to the 5 A. M. April 15. No fishing permitted in any stream stocked with trout between attention of fishermen: 5 P. M. April 14 and 5 A. M. April 15. In cases of terrapin and frogs, not more than Summary No. 1 50 may be caught in any one season. Fishing Devices—For game fish, two rods and SUMMARY NO. 2—Delaware River, Above and Below Trenton Falls two lines and one hand line, with not more than Species Season Size Creel Limit three hooks attached to each line. The rods, Trout (all species) April 15 to Not less than 6 Inches 20 (combined hooks, and lines must be under the immediate July 31 species) control of the person using the same. Bait-fish Bass (large & June 15 to Not less than 9 Inches 10 (combined small mouth) Dec. 1 speciesj and fish-bait: Two rods and lines, with not more Bass (strawberry, June 15 to Not less than 6 inches Rock Bass—20 than three hooks attached to each line; a dipnet calico, rock or red-eye Dec. 1 Calico and crappie or minnow seine not over four feet square or or goggle-eye, white, (combined species) four feet in diameter; a minnow trap with not crappie —20 more than one opening which shall not exceed Pike Perch June 15 to Dec. 1 Not less than 12 Inches 10 one inch in diameter. The rods, hooks, and lines Pike June 15 to Dec. 1 Not less than 12 Inches 10 must be under the immediate control of the Pickerel June 15 to Dec. 1 Not less than 12 inches 10 person using the same. SUMMARY NO. 3—Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New York Summary No. 2 Svecies Season Size Creel Limit Fishing Devices—It is unlawful to catch or fish Bass (large and July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 10 inches 6 (combined for any game fish or sunfish or white or yellow small mouth) species) perch with any device or by any means or method Rock Bass July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 6 inches Unlimited whatsoever, excepting with rods and lines or Trout (all species) April 15 to Not less than 7 Inches 10 (combined Aug. 31 species hand-lines commonly called dipsy or throw-lines, Pike Perch May 10 to Mar. 1, Not less than 12 Inches 15 each having not more than three hooksi or with next ensuing trolling lines with spoon or articial bait, having Pickerel May 1 in any Not less than 12 inches 15 not more than one burr of three single hooks year to Mar. 1 attached. The number of rods and lines or the of ensuing year number of trolling-lines not to exceed two of one or the other device named, and said lines must SUMMARY NO. 4—Lake Erie be under the direct and immediate supervision Species Season Size Creel Limit of the person fishing therewith. Bass (large & June 15 to 9 inches 6 (combined An agreement between the States of Pennsyl­ small mouth) Nov. 30 species) Rock Bass Any time of year No size 15 vania and New Jersey permits licensed New Bass (crappie, straw­ Any time of year No size 25 (combined Jersey fishermen to fish anywhere in that portion berry, or calico) species) of the Delaware River, between the States of Northern Pike (any June 15 to 12 inches 8 (combined Pennsylvania and New Jersey, so long as they do species) Nov. 30 species) not fish from or land on the Pennsylvania shore. Muskellunge June 15 to Not less than 24 Inches 2 The same applies to licensed Pennsylvania fisher­ Nov. 30 men fishing on the New Jersey side of the river. Sunfish-Bluegjlls Any time of year No size 15 (combined Summary No. 3 (Bream) species) The reciprocal fishing law between the States of SUMMARY NO. 5—Pymatuning Lake Pennsylvania and New York permits licensed Location: Between States of Pennsylvania and Ohio—Crawford c md Mercer Counties Pennsylvania fishermen to fish anywhere in that Svecies Season Size Creel Limit portion of the Delaware River between the States Muskellunge July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 30 inches 2 of Pennsylvania and New York. The same applies Pickerel (Yellow Pike) July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 13 Inches 6 to licensed New York fishermen fishing on the Black Bass July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 10 inches 6 Pike Perch July 1 to Nov. 30 Not less than 13 Inches 6 Pennsylvania side of the river. Sauger No season Not less than 11 inches 6 Summary No. 4 Bluegill or Sunfish No season No size 15 (combined All species of fish not specifically mentioned in species) Rock Bass No season No size 15 this summary are classed as food fish and may Yellow Perch No season No size 15 be taken at any time of the year by approved White Bass No season No size 15 legal devices. Crappie No season No size 15 Catfish No season No size 15 Suckers No season No size 15 Trout Fly Sizes Vary Carp No season No size 15 Local conditions largely govern the selec­ Minnows (2 rods and No season No size 35 lines or 2 lines only) tion of trout fly sizes. For wet fly fishing Frogs (unlawful to July 2 to Oct. 31 No size 25 in one day Sizes 4 and 6 are large, 8 to 10 medium, take frogs by use of OSunday excepted) 50 in one season light) 12 to 14 small and 18 to 22 tinies which are Tadpoles July 2 to Oct. 31 No size 25 in one day or in not much larger than an anemic mosquito (Sunday excepted) possession at one but effective. time 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 3 ESOX By TALBOT DENMEAD

YY/"HY do trout and bass anglers look down *" upon the Great Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel? The time is coming, and all too quickly, when increasing pollution, posted waters, and larger numbers of hook •.;• and line fishermen, will compel us to angle for some of the less popular game species, at which time the pikes will come into thej- own. Fishing for pickerel with the casting rod. They (omitting the muskie, which is much sought after and now recognized as a game fish) are worth attention, good fighters on small boy, probably ten years old, fishing light tackle, acrobatic, strike savagely, and off the old floating bridge that crossed Long are good to eat. There are the requisites Lake in the Adirondack mountains. of "game fish." Why get scared at a few I was using a smooth hickory pole about extra bones if you eat your fish? And if eight feet long, cut and peeled for me by a you prefer ham or beef, turn 'em loose after kindly sportsman. To it was tied a line conquering them in a fair and square battle. of about the same length. The terminal tackle consisted of a 2/0 Niger, formerly Reticulatus, (I wish the Sproat hook and a small lead sinker, and at scientists would make up their minds) prop­ my side there was a can of nice, lively erly called pickerel, is found generally worms. throughout the United States east of the I was fishing for yellow perch and bull­ Mississippi River. He takes artificials as well heads. Business was slow, so I laid my prize as natural baits and can be fished for during rod down on the bridge to give my legs a long open seasons. stretch. I have taken them on a fly rod with red Suddenly the rod started overboard. I surface bugs, and when so hooked they will made a quick move and just grabbed the jump clear out of the water several times; butt end. Leaning back with all my strength, and break loose about half the times. How­ I hawsered out an 18-inch pickerel. ever, as a rule the underwater baits are more (Turn to Page 16) productive. According to some scientists, Esox is color blind. Nevertheless, they are quite partial to red; perhaps it has a different smell. Lucius, formerly Estor, the Great Northern Pike, unfortunately called pickerel in many localities, can be found throughout Northern North America, and might be designated as a bigger and better Niger. Specimens are occasionally caught weigh­ ing upward of 20 pounds, and one weighing 40 pounds has been reported. It is powerful and has great staying strength—a foe worthy of the most scientific Pike taken on a fly rod surface hug. and exacting angler. When the northern pike gets to such large size it is frequently con­ fused with its cousin, the muskie. Why, oh why, should any one insult these fine fish ANGLING ALA BRIDGE with the nickname of "snakes?" Here is one for the book. Give these species a little more attention; Donald Harris, of Laceyville, driving stop listening to writers who are overfed across the river bridge at Wyalusing, with good salmon, trout, and bass fishing; spotted two nice bass in the water. devote a little more of your fishing time to He got out his casting rod, made a Esox. couple of casts from the bridge, and Sure, bass, trout, and salmon are beauti­ hooked one of the fish. ful specimens of Nature's handiwork, but There he stood, some 30 feet above these fresh water "barracudas" also are not the water, until an angler in a boat hard to look at. Several pictures of Esox rowed up and landed the struggling have appeared from time to time on the fish, then rowed to shore and turned covers of PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER worth it over to him. framing. The fish was 16V2 inches long and One of the most beautiful fish I ever weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces.—Warden Paul D. Wilcox. caught was a pickerel. Perhaps the setting Pike weighing up to 20 pounds have been added to its natural attractions. I was a caught. 1 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

^/te Maaa and 9tb £^eetl an JlivinCf, ^Uuval \

By JOHN ALDEN KNIGHT

I N THE October issue of PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER, there appeared a rather surpris­ ing article under the caption, "The Moon and Fishing," from the pen of James R. Hayes. Being interested in anything bearing on the moon and its effects on living creatures, I read this article with considerable interest. You may or may not have seen it, so, to save you the trouble of looking up the October issue, I will quote its highlights as we go along. Mr. Hayes, to insure that there be no misunderstanding, states as follows: ". . .1 propose to dedicate the following paragraphs to the debunking of the most illogical of all our contemporary fishing legends: namely, that the moon is in some way responsible for the feeding periods of fresh water fish." All right—while we're at it, let me be ex­ plicit about the purpose of the following paragraphs. Obviously "The Moon and Fish­ ing" was aimed at the Solunar Theory and the SOLUNAR TABLES. There are too many references to "pseudo-scientific theories," "moon up, moon down" (the title of one of my books), the schedule of feeding periods which appears in "any one of sev­ eral dozen daily newspapers" (the SO- LUNAR TABLES syndicated feature is the first and only one of its kind at present), "influence on fishlife through action on the tides," "direct influence . . . through gravi­ tational pull," and so on, for any other con­ Here Joe Hanser poses with his record muskellunge, weighing 64 pounds. Mr. Knight points clusions to be drawn. Thus, the purpose of out that the fish was caught during the new moon and in a major solunar period. what follows is, primarily, to give the readers of PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER a fairly clear con­ trees, split his shingles, and generally con­ port Boom. This wedge is a wooden peg, ception of some of the things we know of ducted his affairs according to the dictates about four and one-half inches long, cut the moon and its effects on living things and, of the almanac. In short, he lived by it. from red oak and sharpened like a chisel incidentally, to debunk Mr. Hayes. He consulted it not only for his fishing but at one end. Wedges were driven into the First off, Mr. Hayes refers to the good old for his hunting as well. There were few logs in the boom so that ropes could be tied days when grandfather had no trouble pick­ men indeed in grandfather's time, who, if about them to bind the logs into rafts. ing up a non-limit mess of fish for supper they gave any thought at all to fishing, did "There's a trick about making wedges so "when fishing poles grew on every hickory not have their own set of personal rules they'll last," Mr. Haist told me. "Red oak tree." He continues with "belated tribute about when fishing would be good or bad, is best, but it must be cut two days before to the superior angling abilities of grandpa all gleaned from the almanac. As a source the dark of the moon. Otherwise it will rot and his friends." The words are his, not of supply of useful information, it stood inside of a year." The time specified for mine. That's exactly what he said. Now, alone. cutting is right at the close of the waning I ask you! All of you are familiar with the I've talked, literally, with hundreds of period of the moon. best equipmeint procurable in grandfather's the old-timers about the best times to go As late as 1928, railroad ties in Cuba had time. Buggy-whip action rods, ring-and- fishing. They were firm believers in the to be cut during a waning moon to qualify keeper guides, badly constructed reels, level signs of the zodiac and observed them quite for use. Long ago there was a law in France lines—tackle that was wholly unsuited to the seriously. The fact that there was little, if that prohibited the felling of trees except purpose for which it was intended. And any, agreement among them does not alter during a waning moon. If you keep your grandpa's knowledge of angling was right in the universal existence of their beliefs. You eyes open, you will find a great many refer­ step with his equipment. In his time, "con­ know all that, just as well as I do. ences to wood cutting and moon phases in servation" was merely a word in the dic­ In his debunking, Mr. Hayes' spirit was the pages of history and historical novels. tionary and the accounts of his inroads into willing but his research was woefully weak. Only recently I came across an account of our supply of fish and game, both by fail- For example, take a look at this one: the building of a boat by a party of Spanish means and foul, make dismal reading indeed. "... the theory that once led farmers explorers. Contrary to the advice of his Not content with being wrong on that to lay shingles in the dark of the moon so carpenters, the leader of the expedition count, Mr. Hayes continues, as follows: they would not curl up and rot." That was ordered the timber cut during a waxing "Had grandfather, for example, consulted not the belief. Actually, the rule was that moon. True to predictions, it rotted and fell an almanac before starting on a fishing trip timber should be cut and shingles should be apart in less than two years. he would have been thought eccentric." split during a waning moon (between full In this general connection, it might be well Let's look that one over a bit. moon and new moon). They could be nailed to mention that not a little scientific study In the first place, if grandfather happened on the barn roof most any old time. is being devoted to the relation of moon to be a farmer, the almanac contained his Hanging on the wall of my office is a phases to the planting of crops. In 1938 a favorite reading matter. He planted his "wedge" that was given to me by the late comprehensive report was published in Lon- crops, harvested, killed his hogs, cut his Christ Haist, last foreman of the Williams- (Tum to Page 15) 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 5 Transplanting Trout Stream Insects

By CHARLES M. WETZEL

VI AY flies can be transplanted from one stream to another, providing the same stream bed surroundings are obtained; it might also be well to remark that insects indigenous to limestone streams, will not thrive in those of free stone, and vice versa. On the Middle Creek in Pennsylvania, some twenty years ago, I introduced the Green, Shad flies. At left, female—Green Drake Sub Imago; Gray Drake Imago. At right, Male- Gray and Black Drakes from Perms Creek, Green Drake Sub Imago; Black Drake, Imago. distant about forty miles. These flies quickly adjusted themselves to their new environ­ ment and multiplied very rapidly, hatches that a great many of these died while trying there others were making a weak unsteady now being almost as large as on the parent to adjust themselves to their new environ­ flight to the shore line. stream. ment. It might be well here to remark that when Before proceeding with the manner in Somewhat discouraged over their failure a May fly is flying through the air as if it which these flies were transplanted, it might to appear during the next few years, I had some definite objective in view it can be well to review briefly the life stages of nevertheless determined to try it again. usually be regarded as being in the sub this insect, in order that the reader may This time I would transplant the fly in the imago stage. have a clear conception of the difficulties en­ sub imago stage. That afternoon approximately five hundred countered. The following year, about the fifteenth of were taken and transferred to the larger The nymph of this fly, Ephemera guttulata, May, I constructed a large cage of window cage, which was provided with damp grass burrows in the mud and gravel of the stream screening material. The box was roughly and green alder twigs. These flies were all bed. It is whitish yellow in appearance, has about four feet long, two feet wide, and two picked as they hung wing downward from three hairy tails, and when fully grown feet deep, having a hinged lid on the top. the underside of the foliage and blades of measures about an inch in length. Around Three loose false bottoms were also provided, grass bordering the stream. the end of May the nymph rises to the sur­ their purpose being explained later on. An­ Extreme care was used in capturing them face of the water, where the nymphal skin other cage, ten, by ten, by ten inches and so that none would be injured; and it was splits open, permitting the fly to escape from made out of the same material, was used felt that the best method of carrying them its shuck. At times the process of extracting for the purpose of collecting the insects. would be to provide horizontal partitions itself from this skin proves very difficult; Around the latter part of May, I received made out of screening; in other words, the many insects still have bits of it adhering word that the Green Drakes were beginning first layer of May flies—totaling five hun­ to them a few hours after this metamor­ to appear over the waters of Penns Creek. dred—were placed on the bottom of the cage, phosis. At this time the fly is very weak— I immediately drove over, made a survey of with plenty of damp grass and space in the organs of flight are not yet firmly de­ the situation, and congratulated myself that between to provide adequate ventilation. veloped—and it immediately makes its way I had arrived at the proper time. About six inches above the bottom of the to land, quite often coming down and resting The fly was not yet on in abundance; how­ box the false bottom or horizontal partition on the surface of the water if the shore ever, a few could be seen riding down on was then sewed into position along the peri­ line is some distance away. Others will not the surface of the water, while here and phery, in preparation for the next group. even attempt to fly, but will ride down on Quite a few May flies were taken that the current until they reach the shore night. The car was driven close to the line, whereupon they will fly up on the water's edge, a large white sheet was spread brush and blades of grass at the water's on the ground some distance in the front edge. so that the lights would shine on it, and In the majority of cases the fly will hang after it grew dark the May flies—attracted upside down for a few hours on the foliage by the lights—were picked off the sheet. until its wings grow strong, whereupon it Fearing that the insects might not survive takes wing and rises higher and higher, the close quarters in which they were con­ until it is finally lost in the tree tops. In fined—for here and there dead ones could this sub imago stage, both male and female be seen—I was extremely anxious to wind flies are known as Green Drakes. up operations by noon the following day. The above is sufficient to gain a clear In the morning the Green Drakes were understanding of the matter, but to make coming off the water in great numbers, and the history complete I might mention that two hours of work enabled me to fill the a couple of days later, the Green Drake- cage to capacity. while still resting on the tree tops—sheds I estimated roughly that I had now cap­ this sub imago skin and then reappears over tured some twenty-five hundred flies, and the water, just before dark, in almost un­ while transporting them to their future believable numbers. In this imago stage the home—I had rather grave misgivings as to male fly is now known as the Black Drake the number which would survive the ordeal, and the female as the Grey Drake. for the day was hot and sultry. However, The first experiment in an attempt to in liberating them, I was overjoyed to dis­ transplant Ephemera guttulata resulted in cover that the mortality rate was quite low; a discouraging failure. I tried to transplant in fact, less than one hundred had suc­ the nymphs, but that was the wrong thing cumbed. This was probably due to the to do. The work of collecting them was extreme care used in picking them; keeping very great; they were exceedingly difficult them constantly in the shade, and providing to locate; then, again, many were injured them with plenty of moisture. The propor­ while shoveling them out of the mud and Charles A. Wentzel, of Waterville, poses with tion of females to males was about three sand on the stream bed. Only about twenty- a brown trout taken in Big Pine Creek. The to one. fish was 26 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, five were secured, and it is quite probable 11 ounces. (Turn to Page 16) 6 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

Incidentally, an old, water-logged line is just as much a cause of backlashes as any­ thing else. Anything which soaks up too much water builds up dead weight mo­ «7!4e Qijfaxt-Qoot leader mentum to a degree far beyond that at which the lure is traveling through the air. Actually, the lure should pull or carry the line along. The line obviously cannot push 'T'HE light lure bait caster who is willing time, as is so necessary when no leader is the lure out and away. * to try just once a 15-foot nylon leader used. So when a line becomes old and soft and very likely never again will use a shorter Breaking off the end of the line occasion­ begins soaking up water freely, it should one. Not so much because the lure is less ally can lead the angler into a dangerous be discarded. obviously connected to the line—important pitfall. Its length will shorten so gradually Another point to remember is that the as this point is—but because the longer that he is not aware of it until some day heavier a line is, the more quickly it ab­ leader will enable him to cast with greater he hooks a really big fish and discovers he sorbs water. A line of about nine pounds ease and pleasure. hasn't enough line on his reel to handle it test will resist the penetration of water Nylon is smooth and fast, polished and properly. ideally. Besides, it is plenty strong enough hard. That is an important fact worth keep­ The mention of line length may bring up to handle Pennsylvania fish, and its light­ ing in mind. the point of backing on the casting reel. ness makes possible far greater accuracy and The average caster uses a rod six feet Backing line just isn't used in these days. distance with featherweight lures. long. Let us compare the operation of a It belongs to the rather long ago. The mod­ But to get back to 15-foot leaders. short leader—one of ten feet, for example— ern cork, balsa, or plastic arbor serves the They have the added asset of economy— with the 15-footer. purpose much better. since nylon can be purchased in 30-foot coils, Half a foot of the leader will be beyond There is a logical reason for the preference or enough to make two casting leaders, and the tip of the rod (because the average for an arbor rather than backing to fill the for only about a penny a foot. angler lets a plug hang about that distance reel spool to the point where the instrument to enable him to cast it a greater distance). works at its best. Connections between lines and nylon lead­ Five and a half feet of the leader will be Backing line soaks up water, increases ers should be retied about every two hours extended down the rod from the tip to the the drag of the spool, builds up unnecessary during a long period of casting. reel. That means that four feet of leader momentum in the reel spool—all causing the Because nylon is glassy smooth and harder will be on the reel as the cast begins. reel to overrun and cause those terrible than the line, with no noticeable "give" on Most casters control the first few feet of backlashes. (Turn to Page 17) the cast with a fairly heavy thumb pressure, then let up a bit as the plug soars away. When a ten-foot leader is in use, the thumb still is in firm contact with the reel spool when the knot that connects leader and line comes up. THE BARREL OR BLOOD KNOT The knot zips over the surface of the skin—and if the caster keeps up his sport for a full afternoon he is quite likely to have a sore thumb to remind him of his trip. But the knot does more than that. Travel­ ing at high speed, it also brushes its way through the level wind fork and the rod guides as it travels out. The angler may not notice it, but even these tiny bits of friction slow down the speed of the cast and thus decrease the distance the lure travels before it drops to the water. Now consider the leader 15 feet in length. Like the other, it provides for a six-inch reach beyond the rod tip, it lies five and a half feet of its length along the rod—but nine feet of its length is coiled around the spool of the reel. Actual tests prove that by the time nine feet of the leader have spun off the reel, the thumb tension has begun to ease, and the leader-line connection is scarcely felt as it brushes under the thumb. By the same token, it may be assumed that the friction against the level wind fork and the rod guides also is less severe. In other words, the 15-foot leader gives the cast plenty of time to level off, true up, and smooth out before the connection ar­ rives at the first of several obstructions which it must pass. That will add distance to the cast—and keep more skin on the thumb and more pleasure in the heart of the fisherman. Wear and tear on the end of the line is another factor. The longer the leader, the more the leader itself absorbs the friction, shock, and wear, thus saving the line. Many anglers, as a matter of fact, never bother to break off .the end of their casting lines from time to 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER ". TUfnedicUrfU S*imo*~AZIto TROUT FLIES

By HOWARD M. ERNST 'T'HE "Unpredictable Woman" is a common, A though meaningful, expression. How­ ever, to my way of thinking there is nothing so uncertain as an Atlantic Salmon. Excep­ .' tions in number can be taken to about every more or less accepted theory of his habits and life cycle. It is commonly thought that salmon do not feed in fresh water. But I have seen these fish rolling and swirling among the rocks of a flat, shallow run where they had no business to be except for feeding. 1 have seen them do the same thing in quiet pools. In each instance I have succeeded in rising and hooking these same breaking fish. On these occasions the fish gave every evidence of actually feeding on some insect life. Still, on other occasions when resting in protected pools in fast water nothing on earth seemed able to move them. Another accepted thought relative to sal­ Hardly a place to seek salmon. But the advice of the guide provided the author with stir­ mon is that he most always returns to the ring action. streams and pools of his birth. Well, the rivers of Anticosti do not produce salmon much in excess of an eight pound to nine One year I caught three nice fish in a I well remember one occasion when fishing pound average. One spring I took 21 fish in swift flowing, deep, falls pool on a dry with Jim Storm. A heated argument arose three days that averaged 20 pounds from the Grey Wolf and then only after exhausting as to the effectiveness of delicate tackle and Chaloupe. In three succeeding years the my wet fly book. On the other hand, I was lures against, shall we say, the non-descript. largest fish from the river did not exceed only able to take fish on sunken Jock Scotts Now Jim was a purist and one of the finest 14 pounds. and Blue Charms from a clear, glassy "bath fishermen I knew, but he reckoned not with On the Serpentine River, in Newfoundland, tub." the unpredictable salmon. We made a small there is a reputed three-mile barren stretch "Unpredictable" is a mild word in describ­ wager. He was to have first choice of and of water from the Sea Pool to Middle Falls. ing the characteristics of Salmo Salar. chance at all the pools. In addition, I agreed One evening I enjoyed the best fishing of to use as lures and leaders the reverse of my life in a flat, slow-moving, rock-strewn his and follow him in all the pools. The shallow run about one-third of the way high rod for the week would be the winner. up this barren stretch. There never were Jim fished early and late. He fished 14 fish there before or after. foot, IX leader, low water No. 8 and 10 flies, On the Humber River on one occasion the and perfect drift casts. I fished the same great Falls Pool produced only grilse. The pools after him, never wetting a line before waters above the falls to its head were full ten in the morning, fishing through the heat of salmon. In all previous years no one of the day, and always reeling in by 6 p.m. troubled to make the arduous upstream My leaders were only nine feet and nothing voyage, as the Falls Pool furnished as much finer than 9/5, often heavier. I used buck- sport as could reasonably be expected, tails and heavy water flies, sizes from 2 to 6. whereas the upper water always proved slim The results? Well, we each ended the week pickings. with seventeen salmon; the grilse were not There has always been a general feeling counted. that salmon do not take the fly in salt water. Definitely I would not wish this episode Since it has been previously noted that to be interpreted to the effect that "anything salmon presumably do not feed in fresh goes" when salmon fishing. On the contrary, water, I have always Belt that it should be these great game fish are so unpredictable easier to raise a salmon in salt water where that really "nothing goes" with them The he is on the feed than in fresh water. point I would like to make is that one should The opportunity to test this thought not not be bound by doctrine or strictly adhere only presented itself but was forced on me. to the rules. Never hesitate to try any The river that year was so low that you lure or manner of fishing in an effort to had to walk up it, you couldn't walk in it— raise a salmon. Always observe every inch there was no water. As a result, I turned of water for Salar may at times be found in my attention to the inlet and bar at its the most unlikely places, and he may also mouth. Upon locating several schools of rise to the most unlikely lure fished in the salmon, I proceeded to flog them with a most unusual manner. variety of lures. The results were astonish­ Salmon on Trout Flies ing; 29 fish and 3 grilse in four days. I I have often wondered just what a con­ never again equalled this score but did con­ tinue, year after year, to capture salmon in ventional salmon fly was supposed to imi­ salt water. tate. It does look like a drowned insect, that is, those tied on No. 6 or smaller hooks, Now as to flies, it is generally conceded William M. Barnhart, of Waynesboro, R. D. 1, but the larger sizes just don't make sense to that old Solar is not fond of the floating and the 24-inch brown trout he caught in a branch of the Little Antietam Creek. The fish variety except possibly in low, clear waters. weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces. (Turn to Page 18) PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

II!II!!!II!!!!IIIII!IIIIII!I!!!II1 CURIOSITY

By

DON BLAIR mm

'T'HE point in question is not exactly the •*- description of interesting things that occur in the woods and fields; those events that make fishing such a fascinating hobby. Rather it is an investigation into the mental processes of various wild creatures in an attempt to determine whether any of their actions are prompted by curiosity, as we understand the word. Not too much has been written concern­ In clear water, the curiosity of a fish has a lot to do with its striking the fly. ing the exhibition of curiosity by our more common game animals. Charles Darwin describes an experiment of his at the zoo. see if we can definitely establish any facts I visited the pond several times each bass He had a stuffed snake which he placed in about the curiosity of wild animals. season. a small box with a hinged lid attached. He A fox trapper I know relies on suspicion After the beaver moved in (I guessed it put the box on the floor of the monkey cage. for his most successful operations. was an old male) fishing became almost One animal, of course, lifted the lid, saw He sets a trap in the top of a stump or hopeless. Just about the time in late after­ the snake, let out a horrified shriek—and in an ant hill, forgets it until he figures noon for the fish to begin to feed the beaver departed! Whereupon all the others, each the man scent is gone; then walks past one would come out, swim around, and scare in his turn, were drawn by a morbid day and drops a dead chicken nearby on the daylights out of them. curiosity to lift the lid of the box and risk the ground. He figures that the fox will be I tried to frighten the beaver into hiding, a peek. suspicious of a dead chicken deep in the but it was no use. He just wasn't scared of Probably the reason I remember Darwin's woods and far from any henhouse. Also me. Finally, one day I had an inspiration. experiment so clearly is because it so nearly that the fox, although suspicious of the I'd take the dog along—he would scare the paralleled my own boyish experience. I chicken and the man's tracks and scent, beaver, and after a little while we could took a small green snake to school one day, will be drawn by curiosity. The stump or fish in peace. in my pocket. It was no novelty to the hummock concealing the trap provides a We reached the pond, I rigged my tackle, boys, naturally; but each little girl in turn neat vantage point for Mr. Fox to inspect the beaver came out to cruise around as seemed drawn by some horrible fascination the situation. And thus the suspicious and usual, and the dog spied him. Pell-mell into until she had to ask to see the snake—and finally curious fox is caught. the water after the beaver went the dog. when she saw it to shriek and jump away. His set has also an advantage in that I chuckled in high glee. He, the dog, was This is told with no intent to belittle the unwanted animals—skunks, opossums, rac­ a springer spaniel about three years old. coons, or hunting dogs—hardly ever get ladies, whose real courage, I find, surpasses Both animals were about the same size. that of most men. hurt. They usually go directly to the bait, not being so suspicious. But the beaver wasn't scared, as I had hoped. But we ought to get down to cases, to When the dog would swim within ten feet But even with so clever an arrangement of him the beaver would dive "ker-whack" 98 as this, not all foxes are caught. He told —and reappear a moment later twenty yards me about one fox that came nightly to the away. chicken, but would not approach it closely or jump up on the stump and into the trap. Which animal, dog or beaver, exhibited the Finally, and at loss about what to do with­ most curiosity concerning the other would out disturbing his set, he peeled all the bark be hard to say. Certainly neither showed from a sapling about twenty feet from the fear—only curiosity. And, needless to ex­ stump, on the other side, away from the plain, no bass were caught during the chicken. swimming and diving exhibition that fol­ lowed. Finally the spaniel quit. He was With two suspicious items to examine, sly exhausted. And many times in the years Renard's curiosity got the better of him, since that day I have watched him sit on and he hopped up on the stump to investi­ the bank as beavers swam close by—he gate the new situation. He stayed right only mildly interested. Whether his curiosity there until next morning! was completely satisfied that afternoon, or The fox has a reputation for being a whether he is fully convinced that he can't highly intelligent creature. So, for that catch 'em anyhow, we will never know. matter, has the beaver. And beavers are But he is now content to let them pass quite common in our part of Pennsylvania. unmolested. I like to think of beavers as being more And just to point out how easy it is to headstrong than clever. No matter how be mistaken—the old 'dog' beaver proudly many times you destroy the dam he builds displayed two cute 'pups' the next summer. in an unwanted location, he will doggedly They still live in the pond and so, too, do rebuild it. Flooding a highway or a drain­ the bass. age ditch is no concern of his. I have not caught any! One big beaver moved into a little secret Freshwater bass, I believe, exhibit a good pond of mine. It held besides the usual Lake Montrose, In Susquehanna County, deal of curiosity. Anyone who has fished in yielded this large-mouthed hass to Walter Set- stock of turtles, frogs, bullheads, and sun- clear water has seen the bass rush toward zer, of Wilkes-Barre. The bass was 21% inches fish, a notable family of big-mouth bass. long, 14% inches in girth and weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces. They were the principle attraction; and (Turn to Page 19) 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER •

those attending them this year an oppor­ tunity to learn conservation through instruc­ ACTIVITIES IN OTHER STATES tion given by personnel of the education section of the state conservation commis­ sion, says The Missouri Conservationist "Small mouthed bass are doing so well in of these fish until recently, when anglers Camps desiring a course in such work not our streams that in places we now fear they began to catch silvery fish about the size of only furnished material, but also whenever may have to be checked," reports the West a crappie, with narrow black stripes along possible a trained instructor was assigned to Virginia Conservation Commission. "They the sides. help. are steadily encroaching into our trout Now experts say the state may in time waters. This problem is under observation have a new game fish in store. At present and will be studied in detail. Where trout it is illegal to kill any of the white bass. An innovation in law enforcement is re­ are preferred, means may have to be em­ ported by the conservation commission of ployed to eradicate the bass." Missouri. It is airplane-automobile liaison Nature may be figuratively thumbing her to check violations of game and fish regula­ nose at resort owners along the Russian tions. Both cars and planes are equipped River, in California. with radio receiving and sending equipment. The bullhead, one of the most popular of Recently they appealed to the state divi­ Planes spotted suspected violators and re­ all Iowa fishes, is to undergo examination by ported to the cars, and agents on the ground scientists of the state research unit. The sion of fish and game to do something about the annual migrations of lamprey eels— then drove to the spots to make investiga­ purpose is to obtain information for use in tions. improving and maintaining bullhead fishing which each year swim up the river to spawn in the state. and then die. The dead eels, the resort operators wailed, annoyed bathers. Even though the bullhead is one of the The state replied that the only solution The University of Washington's fishing most common and most important fishes in of the problem would be the repeal of research unit wishes to know about the Iowa and in the Midwest, its habits are natural laws governing the migratory and travel habits of the salmon. Tags have been little known. reproductive instinct of the eel, and that attached to 20,000 mature salmon in The usual method of life history and there were grave doubts whether the state Alaskan waters. growth rate studies, using scale rings, can legislature, or even the national congress, A reward will be paid for each tag re­ not be used, because of the lack of scales on could do anything about it. turned to the university by persons catching this fish. It is planned, instead, to study these marked fish. By studying the loca­ the vertebra structure of the fish in an effort tions in which the fish are taken, scientists to develop a method of determining ages of Oyster production in Maryland has been expect to obtain new information on the bullheads so that growing conditions in migration of these fancy-free fish. various waters may be evaluated. Produc­ on a steady decline since the industry tion will be tried in a series of small ponds reached its peak, back in the eighties, says with different numbers of bullheads per the state department of research and edu­ acre and with various combinations of other cation. Sandworms and bloodworms, used as live fishes. At one time as many as 15,000,000 bushels bait in salt water fishing, are the basis of a of oysters were harvested in a single year. $250,000-a-year industry in Maine, employ­ But the total fell off to 2,147,557 bushels in ing 200 diggers from March to December. the 1946-47 season. Back in 1944, reports the game, foresta- Salt water sports fishermen from Con­ tion, and parks commission of Nebraska, 39 necticut to the District of Columbia buy adult white bass were stocked in Lake this bait at a minimum of six cents per worm. McConnaughey. Nothing was seen or heard Missouri's youth summer camps offered Sandworms are considered top bait for weak- fish and striped bass, and bloodworms for flounders, eels, and other small fish that are caught from piers and rowboats close to shore. After the digger searches the worm out of its burrow in the mud, it is sold to a shipper who in turn supplies a New York wholesaler. A retail dealer next takes over the worm shipment and supplies the in­ dividual fishermen through sporting goods stores, automobile service stations, and boat

|flllllIIilllllllllill!!l!IIIIIIIl!llililll!llll]||!II | BOOK REVIEW How to Tell Fish From Fishermen By ED ZERN

U The author of "To Hell With Fishing" 1 and "To Hell With Hunting" has scored jj M another humorous bullseye. The book con- |j j| tains 23,169 words, and practically all of m §§ them produce belly-laughs. Published by D. Appleton-Century Com- g 11 pany, New York. $2.50 Stocking carp in a small pond at Cecil, Pa. A great crowd of both adults and youngsters was on hand when Fish Warden Harry L. King took this picture. lilllllllliiiiilllilllliiilililiiliilllllliiiiiiiiiaiiilll 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

(8) About the best means of protecting your camera from possible damage is to FISHING PHOTOGRAPHY purchase a good case. The ever-ready type, which as the name implies permits the By FRANK J. FLOSS camera to be used without removing it from the case, is by far the best type of case. Accidental dropping of the camera into snow or on some hard surface is impossible with T^HE fishing photographer need not stop this type of case, because it is always sus­ -"- taking pictures just because his lakes and pended from a strap around the neck. streams are frozen or the ground covered with snow. In fact, taking his camera out Next month watch for our article on during heavy snows or cold weather, with "Action Photos." the urge to catch some of his streams or Editor's Note: Mr. Floss will attempt lakes in their winter moods, may provide to answer questions of readers concern­ the incentive that will enable him to save ing photography. Mail questions to Frank many of his fish from death. J. Floss, 304 Seventh Avenue, Carnegie, Pa. Enclose a stamped, self-addressed For it is claimed that a heavy blanket of envelope for reply. snow on lake ice will cut off sunlight. Without sunlight, water plants which were consuming carbon dioxide and producing oxygen suspend operation. But oxygen con­ NATIONAL CASTING CHAMPS sumption by decaying vegetation continues. Therefore, in shallow lakes or ponds, the natural supply of oxygen in the water may The 1947 national champions of the be exhausted before the snow cover melts N. A. A. C. C, as reported officially, are as off, and for the lack of oxygen fish die of follows: suffocation. Distance events— If on any of your winter photo trips you %-ounce bait, Ben Rice, of San Francisco, find such conditions, help out your fish by 383 feet; %-ounce bait, John Keidaisch, of either removing some of the snow or digging St. Paul, Minn., 311J/3 feet; salmon fly, holes in the ice so that oxygen may get to Jimmie Green, of San Francisco, 198% feet, the water. pleasing results on all panchomatic emulsions. and trout fly, Marvin Hedge, of Portland, Now, getting back to our "Snow Pictures," However, if your photos are to be taken in Ore., 165 Ys feet. here are some hints that I think will help the mountains where it is always more or Accuracy events- you get better shots. less hazy, a red filter is best. It will make Dry fly, Jim Corbell, of Long Beach, Cal.; (1) When snapping snow scenes always your shots as crisp and clear as those taken wet fly, Jimmie Greene, of San Francisco; use a lens hood on your camera. It will when there was no haze. %-ounce bait, Charles Sutphin, of Indianap­ prevent the sun's rays from reflecting off (3) Shoot your snow photos either early or olis, and %-ounce bait, Earl Osten, of the snow into the lens. This is a must when Bartlesville, Okla. you use back lighting that gives you strong late in the day, at these times the low angle of the sun throws into relief all the high­ Women's accuracy events— black shadows, brilliant highlights, and half­ Both dry fly and wet fly. Dorothy Vogel, tones. lights and shadows of your subject. (4) Try to under-expose your snow nega­ of Patterson, N. J.; %-ounce bait, Dorothy (2) A medium yellow filter is another must Hunty, of Long Beach, Cal., and %-ounce for snow scenes. It gives a pleasing rendi­ tives a little, for a slightly thin negative will show more beautiful detail in the highlights bait, Adelea McDonald, of Chicago. tion of highlights and shadows and does not Junior accuracy events— darken the sky excessively. It will give and is much easier to control in projection, thereby permitting greater contrast and Wet fly, Don Vannice, of Long Beach, Cal.; brilliance in the final print. If possible stop dry fly, Lee Hardesty, of Detroit; %-ounce your lens down to f:16 and shoot at a shutter bait, Don Vannice, of Long Beach; %-ounce speed of 1/50 to 1/100. bait, Charlie Bigley, of Fort Worth, Tex. (5) In snapping snow photos where there is little or no sun visible, try to arrange your subjects so that they will stand out in re­ Williamson Leaves Angler Post lief against the snow. Then use a slow shutter speed to insure the proper exposure, The Board of Fish Commissioners by setting your camera on some solid object announces, with regret, the resignation or leaning it against a tree, so as not to cause of Richard F. Williamson as editor of any vibration that will blur the picture. In PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER. fact, always use a tripod or some means of Since August, 1946, Mr. Williamson steadying your camera when shooting at has edited the magazine in addition to shutter speeds of less than 1/100 of a sec­ his duties as News Editor of Grit, the ond. Hand-held cameras at slow shutter national weekly news-magazine printed speeds always more or less produce pictures in Williamsport, Pa. that are blurred. Increasing responsibilities of his (6) In cold weather never breath on filters position with Grit have made it im­ or lens for the purpose of cleaning them. possible for Mr. Williamson to continue For if it is below freezing the moisture from to devote the time necessary to edi­ your breath will form a thin coating of ice torial direction of the ANGLER. on them that will be hard to remove. Also However, he will continue to con­ never use any shutter lubricants that will tribute articles to the magazine—dis­ congeal in cold weather, or your shutter cussing angling and angling tactics will become sluggish and ruin your pictures. under his well known pen-name, Dick (7) If it's snowing carry your camera Fortney. under your hunting coat. This will protect Future communications and contribu­ it from the elements. This method of carry­ tions intended for the ANGLER should ing your camera will also prevent the lens be addressed to the Board of Fish A winter snow scene requires the same ex­ posure as a summer water scene (see picture from sweating when you emerge from a Commissioners, South Office Building, above). Snow is whiter than water, but the warm house into the lower temperature out­ Harrisburg. winter sun is weaker than the summer sun, thus evening the exposure. doors. 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER u

Common Fish of Pennsylvania THE MAN THE EEL By CARSTEN AHRENS WliC CAN AWAY sgasssssssssstig 8s^sasssM^SP?^^l:gg^^ -. ,."..-,'".., T T WAS about four years ago that a man *- who might have been—but wasn't—called Howard Updegrove disappeared from his home, in Western Missouri. Young, phy­ • sically strong, with plenty of money in the bank, owner of a large farm, single, he ran away from—what? No one knew, unless it was because he had lost an eye in an acci­ dent and felt himself disfigured. Nearly three years ago a huge man around 30 years old appeared near Branson, in the heart of the Sheperd of the Hills country, living in an old, abandoned building in the wild-wooded hills. He became a hermit who visited town with increasing rarity. When funds ran out the visitor sent through a $1,000 check on a Kansas City bank. It was good. One day relatives came looking for the Updegrove who had disappeared, sure that the hermit of Branson was their man—but. no one could find him. He had heard of the: search and vanished from sight. For ten months that included one whole winter there was no trace of him except an occasional foot-print; he came no more to buy food, not even from the isolated farm families he had once visited—appear­ ing, usually, when there were no men about, but never harming anyone. About 600 miles from the United States, drives itself wherever it wishes to go. It Then Bob Smith, a federal wolf trapper, almost due east from the Chesapeake Bay, undulates through water, mud, and debris and Fred Baker, an agent of the state con-- is the breeding waters of the eel, one oi of any kind. If it finds its pond devoid of servation commission, stumbled upon a the strangest fish in existence. Here the food, it undulates over dry land and migrates bearded, half-naked, long-haired giant Gulf Stream passes on its eastward flow. to a better stocked pond. crouching in a wilderness pasture. The wild To the north are the Bermuda Islands; to It seems to be able to exist anywhere. No man fled at their approach, running with the south is the weird Sargasso Sea, while water is too polluted. If the pond dries up, awkward, stooped swiftness. They reported below are several miles of ocean. And far the eel can bury itself in the mud and wait the adventure. out of sight, in the blackness of deep water, until the next rain makes swimming once Recently, two reporters entered the office the eels spawn. No one has ever seen them more possible. While it usually takes in of Taney County Sheriff G. L. Hunt, at spawn, but the fertilized eggs come to the oxygen through its gills, it can breathe Forsyth. Tall, friendly Sheriff Hunt knew surface in this region by the billions. It through its skin as the worm does. the sequel and told it, but asked that names has been estimated that a single female will For food it takes everything in sight. be withheld. lay millions of eggs. There could hardly be a more gluttonous Taney County's primitive man was Howard In this same general area the eels from fish. It kills wantonly and becomes a Europe spawn. They are very similar to scavenger when it has gutted out the Updegrove; a brother had come down and their American cousins. Their journey to living. It will gorge itself with food for asked for his capture. The sheriff organized the spawning grounds is a much longer one; weeks, but can fast if necessary for equally a posse. After two days it closed in on the they swim for five months to make the trip. long periods. gaunt, bearded prey as he crouched in a Oddly enough, while eels are common Only the females enter fresh waters; the mulberry tree, eating berries. The giant enough in the North Atlantic, they are never males are marine. After hatching far out heard them, leaped for the ground, and was found below the equator. in the Atlantic, they make their way to the breaking away when his brother called his The eel is a true fish, although it seems coast. At this time they look like short name. to have many of the characteristics of a strips of cellophane; every organ in the Updegrove stopped and stood trembling body can be clearly seen. The females make snake. It is thick and flexible and ultra- while the men took him in. Today he is re­ their way up our streams, where they live slippery. Its scales are buried in the skin covering from his life in the wilds. so one gets the impression that they are until they become mature, which may be a lacking. Numerous tiny glands in the skin quarter of a century or longer. By this time He never harmed anyone, the sheriff said. secrete the thick layer of slippery mucus they may be five or six feet long . . . much He avoided humans, but no dog ever barked that always covers the elongated body. longer than the mature males grow to be. at him. The man was in surprisingly good The ability of the eel to locomote is one Spawning occurs but once; death follows physical condition when captured, although of its most amazing qualities. It can go deep in the Atlantic. he had lived through a winter's cruel anywhere! Yet there are no limbs to aid For centuries Europeans have considered weather with almost no clothing, no known it, and it cannot use its scales as snakes their species of the eel an excellent food source of food, and no cooking utensils. use theirs. It has nothing but its powerful, fish. It grows to be even larger than its —From The Missouri Conservationist tireless, rapid undulations with which it American cousin. 12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

*7^e ^bocan^all oj a Mostitesi POINTERS ABOUT WORMS Digging for worms needs very little prac­ tice or instruction. Worms are found in Editor's Note: One of the greatest trout ever cut my fingers a little, but the battle was moist soil that is not packed too much, es­ caught in Pennsylvania—a brownie 31 inches long, 20J£ inches in girth, and weighing 15MJ all over. I got a good hold with one hand, pecially in shady areas or under logs and pounds—was taken by Don Martin, of Fort picked up my rod with the other, and then rocks if the season is dry. Although worms Hunter, Harrisburg. The Angler has invited Mr. Martin to tell the story of his feat. It follows. waded to shore, killed the fish, took off my usually stay in the moist soil as near the waders, and headed for Carlisle. I think I surface as possible, they have been known About the middle of May I was fishing in had played my fish more than an hour be­ to bore to a depth of eight feet. the old mill dam which is the beginning of fore landing it. Several liquid preparations have reached the stream known as Big Springs, in Cum­ I wanted to show my catch to Warden the markets during the past year that take berland County. James, but he had gone out, so I went to the backache out of worm digging by forc­ Just before darkness settled over the big the home of Johnny King. He rushed me ing the worms out of the ground to the pond I noticed a large fish in the clear to his kitchen, where he washed the fish surface, where they may be picked up with water. George James, the local fish warden, and weighed and measured it. ease and placed in some old tomato can. was in the vicinity, and we concluded that Several things made it possible for me to Most of these mixtures are inexpensive the fish must be a trout, since there are no land this fish. The fish was hooked very and really do the job. They simply promote pike in this body of water. solidly in the roof of the mouth, and this a chemical action in the soil that quickly Several weeks later I returned to Big placed the spinner at the teeth line, pre­ uses up the oxygen, and since the worm Springs. It was early afternoon and raining, venting any cutting of the leader. The depends on oxygen to live it makes a quick with a little thunder. I put on my waders, greater break was that the fish did not de­ exit out of the ground. In a few minutes fly vest, and a short raincoat, put my creel cide to leave the pool and go down stream, conditions are back to normal, and unless it and net over the raincoat, and waded out taking off all of my line and tearing the finds itself in the tomato can the worm goes to the big hole which is about 12 or 15 feet leader. back home again. deep and 100 feet in diameter. I have fished a great deal, but this par­ For those fishermen who usually decide I was using a small bucktail fly, and after ticular incident is the highlight. Every de­ to wet a line on the spur of the moment, four or five casts raised a small brook trout. tail of the episode will remain a cherished a miniature worm farm around the garage Then I decided to change flies, turning to a memory down through the years. or in a corner of the garden will provide small black fly and a spinner, something a ready supply of bait. To attract the worms I hoped would attract the attention of the and hold them in this area, all that is needed large trout. is a supply of food that worms like. Used After several false casts I placed the fly ANGLING BRIEFS coffee grounds sprinkled over the "farm,'' and spinner across the deep pool and let with an occasional addition of a little corn it sink for a count of 15, then began the Muskellunge eggs are small, averaging meal, will do the trick. retrieve very slowly, with short twitches about 50,000 to a quart. A good method of keeping worms after of the rod. they have been dug is to obtain a supply of moss from a tree nursery or florist, wash When the lure was about half way across Drink sparingly of water in strange places. it, and wring out the excess water. Place the pool I saw the big fish coming after the It may cause dysentery or be constipating this in a stone jar or in a tightly-built fly. I did not vary the speed of the retrieve, until you become accustomed to it. and when I felt the fish strike the lure I set wooden box. Place worms in the moss, and once a week pour in a small quantity of the hook gently, for I was using a leader The secret of a long cast is to be sure that tapered to 3X. sweet milk. Worms will keep indefinitely. the line has time to stretch out its full length There is one good thing to remember, how­ The fish went down to the bottom of the on the back cast before you bring it into the ever. When keeping worms they must be pool and began to shake its head. I kept all forward position. whole and alive. A few dead worms in the bend in the rod that I felt my leader a container will ruin the whole supply. would stand. After some minutes the trout Vibrations which originate on the bed of finally moved off the bottom and began to a stream below a fish will not disturb it run from one side of the pool to the other. nearly so much as those at a point upstream. There are several old fence rails stuck The less one investigates the mechanism along the sides of the pool, and several times Minnows that are kept in a live-box will of a reel the better service it will give. If the fish made runs for these, but by ex­ thrive twice as long if the box is kept in one does take the reel apart, a screw-driver erting considerable pressure on the light fairly deep water instead of in shallow water which is made for the purpose should be rod, I was always able to turn the trout close to the shore of a stream or lake. used. before any damage could be done. Finally, after a long time, the runs be­ came shorter, and the fish obviously began to tire. I kept continued pressure on the trout and forced the fish to swim from one side of the pool to the other, until I finally had it in front of me. I was standing in mud and water up to my waist. I took my net from my shoulder and placed it in front of the fish—and im­ mediately realized it would be impossible to lift the fish out, for it was one-fourth in the net and three-fourths outside. I put the net away and decided to play the fish some more. This continued until the trout lay on its side against my legs. Convinced there was no more fight left, I laid my rod down among the weeds that grow from the mud bottom which surrounds the pool and, carefully using both hands, grabbed the fish by its gills. This is the monster caught by Mr. Martin. The picture is used through the courtesy of the The huge trout made one last splash and Pennsylvania Department of Commerce. 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 13

FISHING ON SPRING CREEK Double Negative By GLENN A. SHIMMEL

f~| NE day Chet came out to our place. He By JAMES R. HAYES ^-^ and Dad were talking about their fish­ ing trips. After awhile Chet wanted to know if Dad wanted to go fishing. Of course Dad said "yes," so Chet said to be up at his place at six o'clock Saturday morning. \ IN'T no bass in this lake," snorted the •**• oldtimer between squirts of tobacco The days flew fast, and at last it was juice. "Ain't never been no bass here. Noth- Saturday morning. I had to get up at five in' but catfish an' sunnies." o'clock and get my tackle, flies, and leaders in my- fishing vest. We got up at Chefs Then, having committed himself, he leaned just as he was eating breakfast. As soon as back against the boat house, signifying that I stepped in the door he started teasing me the matter was closed. Bill and I shrugged, for not catching any fish the other time we sighed in unison, and started walking up the were at Spring Creek. And then he went lake shore. Something in the sharpness of down to get the car out of the garage. the native son's denial suggested a cover-up. On the way down Chet was always pull­ "Ain't no bass," mimicked Bill when we ing smart ones on me and I was giving them were out of earshot. "Well, double negative right back to him. makes a positive. I hope his information is as faulty as his grammar. Seventy miles is When we got down to Spring Creek the too far to travel for catfish." water was as clear as a crystal, and we thought it would be good fishing. And it Ten minutes of walking brought us to an was. old boatdock leading into the lake. The The first thing when we got down there boards were water-soaked and rotting, but with cautious stepping we boarded and be­ was to dig some bait. While Dad was out GLENN A. SHIMMEL in the middle fishing I was digging bait. gan plugging. It was an ideal spot. Patches of reeds and cat-tails lined the shallows on In about ten minutes I was fishing too. either side, while the rocky-bottomed depths The first fish Dad caught was a seven and I imagine that they ran about twelve to ahead promised interesting plugging water. a half incher; we took the intestines out of fourteen inches long. it. We started to fish again. In about a Bill favored the deep water and began In about a half an hour we saw some peni­ casting a spoon. I attached a surface plug half hour I caught one eight incher. By that tentiary horses going back to the barn. I time Dad had four. and shot a few casts into the shallows. On wanted to ride one but Dad wouldn't let me. my fourth cast a husky small-mouth came It was lunch time now, and we got in the So I didn't get to ride any horse that day. charging from the reeds to make a liar of car and got our lunches. We sat there and I fished some more and caught none. our boathouse informant and to give me a ate our sandwiches, tea, and cake. After a while I heard Dad yell "Ride 'em lively five-minute battle. cowboy," then I looked up and there he had Dad had lost his badger spider in the Bill tied into a big pickerel shortly after morning, so he got out his equipment and a hold of one about fourteen inches. When he got it out on the bank and we cleaned it I landed my fish. So it went. After a time fastened his vise to the bumper of the car it became a contest between us to see who and started to tie another. and he measured it and it was thirteen and a half inches long. Then he went back up could miss the most consecutive strikes. After it was all tied he waded out and Bill won. The darn fish just wouldn't stay caught a twelve and a half incher right off the stream and I decided to go up stream too. I stopped along the way where I saw off my hook. the bat. a sort of an island of grass. I had only fished Two hours later, with some fine, bass on There were two old gentlemen beside us, there a while and then decided to go on up the stringer, we tired of the circus and re­ and when they saw him catch that big one where Dad was. turned to the car. I favored giving the you should have seen those old gentlemen boathouse a wide berth, but Bill was not scramble out in the water and cast in. On the way up I saw a snake lying in the grass. At first I thought it was alive, but to be denied. The old-timer was still perched About an hour later Dad had one about I looked closer and it was a dead water by the boat house when we walked by. twelve inches, and it got loose. After while snake. "Nice catfish you got here, stranger," he got a hold of a nice sized fish, and he When I got up to where Dad was he said grinned Bill, holding up his stringer of two told me I could play it in. I got it almost he hadn't had any luck, but he said there and three-pound bass. "We got a few of up to me. I picked up the leader and was was one along some grass roots. He said those sunfish too. See you next week." going to take the hook out of his mouth, and he had seen it jump at a damsel fly, so I The local shifted his chew to the opposite when I touched the trout's mouth he went got my hat off and tried to catch a damsel flop! back into the water. Dad said I just cheek, leaned forward, and loosed a stream fly. I caught one and put in on my hook of tobacco juice into the lake. looked as if I were going to dive in after it. and started to cast in, and I didn't have any After that I thought that I almost had to luck. "Fisherman," he snorted, "bah!" MORAL: Always seek the advice of local catch a fish. Two hours passed, and I After awhile I saw Chet coming up. He hadn't caught any yet. After Dad caught had taken his fly off and wanted to go home. characters. They are familiar with the his sixth fish I was only on my second one. I told him about this trout in there, but I waters and can tell you all about the fishing. After a while we decided to go up the stream couldn't catch it, so he cast in without any Listen carefully, nod earnestly, humor them. a couple of miles, so we got into the car fly on and I asked him what kind of a fly he Then forget everything they told you. They and started. We did not see any thing on had on, I knew he hadn't any fly on, and may be protecting their favorite fishing spots. the way up, but when we got up there we he said it was a snake fly. We went home saw lots of jumps but only a couple of then, but I was ready to go fishing again fishermen. So we got out of the car and any time. got our rods put together and started to fish. Tackle Box Repair Kit Dad said he was going to go on up stream, A fi'e, a small bottle of the best reel oil, so Chet and I stayed there and fished. I Some old-timers say ordinary laundry a pa:r of small pliers and a screw-driver only caught two fish down there, but when soap, cut into blocks, can be used for catfish should be in every tackle box. These articles Dad came back he had two pretty big fish. bait. are the essentials of a repair kit.

J i

TYPICAL PROBLEMS (From Page 1) All during the growing season these bass showed normal growth and mortality. Small, jelly-like masses about the size of a quarter were observed as being attached to the wire meshes of the boxes, rocks, and decaying plant life where the boxes were suspended. Little significance was given to these organ­ isms, as they appeared to be harmless to the fish and the fish appeared to feed in and about the organisms. In early September, when the hatchery men started to remove the bass from the wire boxes, a high mortality occured when the fish allotment was taken from the area. When the attendants noticed the distress of the fish, they ceased work immediately and sent for the hatchery superintendent, J. L. Zettle. Mr. Zettle noted that in removing the bass from the wire boxes the nets were crushing these jelly-like masses. He associ­ ated this with the loss of the fish. The fish in the remainder of the boxes were removed in such a manner that these organisms were not disturbed. The path­ ologist, Mr. Bradford, again went to work on this problem, and he definitely proved that the crushing of these organisms is very toxic to fish. Apparently, when the organism is crushed, it throws off some liquid that is deadly to the fish. This jelly-like mass was recognized as belonging to the order of bryozoan, but the particular species to date has not been identified. The men who manage and operate the fish-producing plants for the Board of Fish Commissioners are in an intense farming ac­ tivity, and they learn to be about as in­ genious as the average farmer in his work. In the same pond where these boxes were carried was a large crop of catfish, yellow perch, and sunfish. Had these fish been re­ moved in the conventional manner and these organisms crushed, it probably would have resulted in destroying a great portion of the year's work. To offset this, an electronic fish-chasing de­ vice was developed by the Board's Engineer, Thomas F. O'Hara, and the fish were re­ moved without seriously disturbing these organisms. This electronic fish-chaser is not a Buck Rogers product. It is an offshoot of the Burkey Electric Screen. This electric screen is used to prevent the migration of fish. It throws off at very frequent intervals harm­ less electric impulses which will shock but will not paralyze. The sensation to a per­ son within reach of the screen is similar to being pricked by many pins. We assume that it has a similar effect on the fish, as they rapidly get out of the way of these electric impulses. An outfit, consisting of an 110-volt alter­ nating current power plant and an electronic generator, was installed in a rowboat, with the electrodes suspended in the water from the bow of the boat. As the boat moved through the water, the electric impulses chased the fish ahead of it. That answered the purpose of conventional drag seining but did not disturb the organisms on the pond bottom . 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 15

MOON AND ITS EFFECTS in common. They were made during the dark of the moon; they were made during (From Page 4) the noon hours of the day in June, July, and August—right under the hot mid-day sun; don, listing the results of an extensive num­ and, to the confusion of Mr. Hayes, they ber of experiments with giant growth. This were made during major Solunar Periods. was written by Mr. M. Kolisko and was later After all, you can't quarrel with results. published in book form, titled "MOON AND That's one moon belief that is a solid enough PLANT GROWTH." The book can be ob­ peg to support the weight of your hat—and tained from Rudolph Steiner Bookshops, 35 your creel. Park Road, London, N.W.I, England. This report shows that field crops and Another rule of the moon that has been garden vegetables which are planted two tested and found substantial is that fish time days before the full moon (so that they may their feeding periods according to daily and take advantage of the full waxing period to hourly moon position. It is on that very get their start) grow faster and produce rule that the Solunar Theory is based. better crops than plantings made at any As this is being written, the fourteenth other time, A farmer in Kenya Colony. annual edition of the SOLUNAR TABLES is South Africa, reports that this method has being set in type. The first printing of the shown an increase in yield on his farm of 1948 edition is a large one, its cost running from 30% to 40%. For the past ten years well up into four figures, not including a The Royal Horticultural Society of England decimal point. That would bring it to six has been conducting rather extensive experi­ figures. ments along these same lines with much the It stands to reason that we can't print— same results. For additional information, and sell—annually that many books if those write The National Horticultural Magazine books are based on "mysticism," "myth," or of this country. Grant Alt, of Dallas, R. D. 3, Luzerne County, and Robert Culp, of Huntsville, Luzerne County, a "fixation" which is "even now perpetuated There is a great deal more that has been with a walleyed pike 30 inches long and weigh­ by members of the astrological cult, mystic ing 9 pounds, 2 ounces and also small-mouthed sons of the all powerful zodiac." (Incident­ learned of the moon and its effects but, un­ bass, the largest measuring 20 inches. The fish fortunately, there is neither time nor space were taken in the North Branch of the Susque­ ally, I would appreciate knowing more about here to. deal with generalities. Let's get hanna River near Mesboppen. those mystic sons of the all powerful zodiac. down to the subject matter in hand—fishing. Maybe he just made up that one too.) Mr. Hayes states that "the myth" (mean­ excellent book, SOUTH MOON UNDER, Instead, the SOLUNAR TABLES are the ing any belief that the moon has any con­ product of about twenty-two years of pretty trol over anything) "has many variations." (Scribner, 1935) and also her next book, THE YEARLING. hard work. That they are not a public Then he enumerates. I'll give you his swindle is amply attested by the fact that "variations." (All the words in quotes are Then Mr. Hayes brings "the matter closer we sell them, year after year, to the same his.) home" and states that "many Pennsylvania people—thousands of them. Also, a high "(a) bass will not feed under a full moon anglers still believe that brown trout will percentage of the names in our active direct- phase." Goodness only knows where he not feed in bright moonlight." Truly, the mail file is composed of doctors, lawyers, found that one. Made it up, probably. Of man is nothing short of a genius when it engineers, ministers, and so on—intelligent course bass feed during the full moon. comes to quoting moon beliefs incorrectly. professional men who are not easily fooled Throughout the middle west a great many There may be some men who feel that way by "myths." We publish these books in good anglers will go night fishing only when but this is far from the general belief. I've faith and our claims for them are fair and there is a bright, round moon in the sky. had some excellent dry fly fishing, both in reliable. And they catch fish. Brodhead's Creek in the Poconos and in Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming County when For the life of me, I can't understand what "(b) trout are adverse to a change of the full moon was so bright that I could would prompt Mr. Hayes to attempt to lunar quarters." That's a strange way to have read a newspaper by its light. undo, evidently rather carelessly and off­ word it, but I think his meaning is clear. hand, the results of over twenty years of Well—the Mary Pickford trophy for the As a matter of fact, the great majority work and effort on the part of another. largest brook trout to be taken in Ontario of rules-of-thumb about the effects of the Maybe he just had an idea and didn't stop annually was won for three consecutive moon on the behavior of fish are hand-me- to think about it too much. I wouldn't know. years by trout that were taken right smack downs from the days when grandpa and his But I do know this. When a man sets out during the dark of the moon. Those three cronies were fishing with poles that "grew to debunk something, he is wise if he makes fish, all record breakers, certainly were not on every hickory tree." Some of these rules sure of his facts before he makes his cam­ "adverse to a change of lunar quarters." are perfectly sound and have stood the test paign public property. Mr. Hayes didn't Also, these same three trout struck during of time. I'm not clear as to just what con­ take the trouble. Consequently, his con­ major Solunar Periods. stitutes solid, irrefutable, scientific proof in clusions, if you could call them that, are as things of this sort, and I don't think that faulty as his research was lax. Non-con­ "(c) muskies are less apt to be on their anybody else is either. You will always feed during new moon phases." structive, adverse criticism never did any­ find some dissenters, no matter how much body very much harm. It's a pretty good Oh, Brother! That's the very time that evidence you introduce. About all I can idea, when you go hunting, to make sure they are active. It was during the new moon do is to give you the rules and the evidence that your gun is loaded. that a well-known outdoor writer (I'll give and let you judge for yourself. you his name if you're interested) hooked and landed seventeen muskies in less than For a matter of ten or twelve years I made it my business to check up on the data sur­ three hours. During September, 1947, the Bass Really Are Fighters Wisconsin Conservation Department wrote rounding record catches as accounts of them If the highly-praised Atlantic salmon had me to advise that the new world-record appeared in the newspapers and the outdoor musky—sixty-four pounds and eight ounces magazines. Sometimes this data was easy the same gameness as a small-mouthed black —was taken during the new moon and, in­ to obtain; again it required considerable bass, a 40-pound salmon would be able to cidentally, during a major Solunar Period. correspondence to get the facts. Be that as leap 40 feet in the air, and only a steel wire would hold it. And finally, enumerates Mr. Hayes, "From it may, I managed to get complete informa­ the Deep South we hear the 'moon up, moon tion on more than two hundred of these. down' version." They included both record fish and record Temporary Rod Repairs At least three generations of southern numbers of fish. While their general pat­ If the tip of a rod becomes loose while market hunters, and probably more, sched­ tern didn't tally up to one hundred per cent fishing, simply heat it with a match and then uled their important fishing and hunting (few things do) at least it was close. press it firmly into place. The glue will melt trips to coincide with the moon up-moon Approximately ninety-seven per cent of when hot, and when cooled will hold the tip down rule. Refer, Miss Margaret Rawlings' these record performances had three things in place until permanent repairs can be made. 16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

TROUT STREAM INSECTS (From Page 5) One evening later, just before dark, the flies—now all transformed into Grey and Black Drakes—started their erratic mating flight over the water, and the prospects of a future crop appeared most hopeful. Feeling that the experiment could not help but be a success, I dispatched a letter to the Pennsylvania State Fish Commission, urging them to consider the advisability of stocking the Middle Creek with brown trout. I might say that this creek is rather warm; however, it is tributary to Swift Run, a cold water mountain stream unexcelled for brook trout, and I felt confident that if brown trout were placed in it they would survive and thrive. In my letter I mentioned that the Middle Creek contained an abundance of minnow and insect life, with plenty of cover, but no mention was made of my efforts to Insect life is important to any trout ream. This picture of a typical trout brook was taken transplant the Green Drake. by Frank R. Wallace, of Wilkes-Barre. Consideration was given to my letter, and the Board sent one of their stream survey men to make an investigation. His findings quite active, racing here and there, but after ESOX confirmed my predictions that the stream a time I got in control of it and very soon would be acceptable for brown trout, with thereafter led it into the net. It was a beauti­ (From Page 3) the result that the Middle Creek was ac­ ful, well conditioned fish twenty inches As soon as his tail hit the bridge the fish cordingly stocked and put on the list for long, one of the largest I have ever taken became unhooked and started to bounce, as future yearly stocking. How well the fish out of the Middle Creek. do most species under similar conditions, have adjusted themselves to their new en­ Scrambling out on the bank, I knocked the toward the water. I made one headlong vironment can best be judged from the great fish on the head, took out the knife, and dive and landed flat on my first pickerel. number of anglers who yearly fly-fish the made a post mortem examination on the spot. What a day in the history of my life, and stream. From the stomach contents it was apparent what a fish! that the fly the trout had just taken was a Four four successive years I was on the Incidentally, there was apparently only Middle Creek from the twenty-eighth of Green Drake, and to say that I was over­ joyed would be putting it mildly. one black bass at Long Lake at that time. May until the thirteenth, the period in He was a big one, and I was not the only An examination of the foliage bordering which I estimated the fly would emerge from angler who hooked and lost this noble small- the stream disclosed numerous Green Drakes the water, but the results again proved most mouth. Today there are many bass there. clinging to the underside, and the following discouraging. The newly transplanted brown And there are lots of waters that have good evening we had a great May fly carnival. trout had taken hold well, but the only in­ bass fishing now that had no bass in those As a matter of information, these flies ap­ sects that were abroad were the Pale Eve­ days. What is the answer? Restocking de­ peared in the greatest numbers about a half ning Duns, Ephemerella dorothea; the March pleted waters. Don't let's abandon all our a mile downstream from where they were Browns, Stenanema vicorium; and the Ginger fish hatcheries yet. Quill Duns, Stenonema fuscum. Nowhere originally liberated. Since that time they By preference I am a dry fly and bass bug were the Green Drakes in evidence. have appeared regularly each season, and a great many anglers, visiting the Middle angler, but I do not pass up any oppor­ While driving home that night I had a Creek, now time their arrival to coincide tunities to get out fishing for any species.. I sudden inspiration. Perhaps the flies were with the date of emergence. wait not on the Solunar period or the baro­ emerging later than the time in which 1 meter or the wind, but go wherever and anticipated their arrival. All evidence whenever the opportunity is presented. Water-Cress in the Creel seemed to point that way, for the Pale And it is great fun to match skill and Evening Duns, the March Browns, and the Water-cress makes a good lining for the brains against old Esox. He is a smart Ginger Quills all appeared on other streams creel when fishing for trout. If the fish are fella'. Give the persecuted bass, trout, and around the same vicinity approximately a completely covered with the cress, then salmon a rest occasionally. week earlier than on the Middle Creek. wrapped in newspapers, they will remain If those flies were a week late, then it was fresh about 24 hours. also reasonable to presume that the Green Drakes might be doing the same. Turn Bait-Casting Lines The following year I timed my arrival to Bait-casting lines should be turned fre­ be on the Middle Creek from June the quently on the reel so that the whole length second until the sixth. receives equal wear. That portion of a 50- On June the second, while fly-fishing the yard line which lies next to the reel spool creek, I noticed a large insect that had is seldom used unless the line is turned sprung from the water and- was leisurely completely. riding down on the current. It was too far away to distinguish it clearly. It had pro­ Avoid the Warm Room ceeded a distance of some ten feet when a Fly rods should never be stored in a large brown trout rose slowly to the sur­ warm room, since warmth dries out the face, opened its mouth, and gulped it down. ferrule cement and causes the ferrules to From the studied and deliberate way in loosen. This varnish also becomes brittle which the trout took the fly it appeared that and crisp. Rods should be stored in a cool, it would rise again, since it was apparent dry place. that the fish was definitely feeding on in­ sects. I don't recall what fly I had on the Thick Soles jor Wading leader at the time, but no sooner had it Wad'ng shoes should have soles at least floated over the fish when it rose up and an inch thick. Then the feet will be com­ P. J. Trently, of Lehighton, caught this husky trout in Big Creek. It was 24 inches long and took it solidly. The trout was a large one, fortable under all conditions. weighed five pounds. 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER H A REPORT ON PACIFIC SALMON

The following is a letter written by a well known angler to his friends in the Fly Fishers' Club of Harrisburg and made avail­ able to Pennsylvania Angler by the club.

Gentlemen: "Please accept my profound apologies for not being able to appear in person to de­ liver this attempt at literature. I'll do my best to give you, however, a report on Pacific salmon fishing, by letter. "The Pacific salmon lives only four years. He returns always to the stream from which he came; spawns and dies; and his carcass settles to the bottom and provides food for the young. "When a salmon is entering a river from the Pacific Ocean or from Puget Sound it will take a spinner viciously, and its fight is spectacular. The first salmon that I caught was a 19-pounder taken on a six- foot casting rod which I had used in Spring Persistent casting makes it necessary to inspect the knot connecting the line and leader. Creek (Pa.) for trout. I had a 12-pound test line and a ten-pound test leader; need­ less to say, I was some time in landing the FIFTEEN-FOOT LEADER I was accustomed to using. critter. It was taken on a No. 3 spinner. But then came that fateful afternoon when "Once a salmon has reached the upper (From Page 6) the biggest small-mouthed bass I expect I reaches of a stream and approaches the shall ever see smashed into my lure barely spawning grounds, a definite biological impact, the line half of the knot must absorb 20 feet in front of me—and immediately change takes place. The King and Dog most or all of the beating, and it can logically broke free. salmon turn black, and huge sores appear be expected to bruise, fray, and otherwise Then, just to break my heart completely, on their bodies. The Silver changes from wear. It is quite likely to come apart under the giant fish put on an aerial display right a bright silver to a deep scarlet, and the a sudden shock after a couple of hours of off the rod tip, trying to dislodge the plug Humpie gets a hideous hump on its back. use. that was still clinging to one of his jaws. I learned this lesson the hard way on a "At this stage the salmon have ceased to Sadly I examined my tackle. I discovered fishing trip on the Juniata River. I should that the line portion of the leader-line knot feed and will not pay any attention to have known better than to suffer what hap­ any kind of lure. They are not worth had frayed. pened—for I previously had caught bass that Had I retied it just before wading into catching, anyway, since the meat begins weighed five pounds or better on the tackle to decay at this point. The fish may live casting position, more than likely a sixr for several weeks in this state, but eventually pound bass would be one of my trophies they die after protecting the spawn from now. other species of fish which are in the stream. Of course, I had an alibi of sorts. I was very tired and a bit listless after fishing the "The sea-run cutthroat is a beautiful entire afternoon without a strike. One can­ trout, reaching a length of about 18 to 20 not always be careful and obey all the rules. inches, and is a fighting fool. He'll take But that experience taught me that letting anything. Wet flies and spinners are good, down for just a moment while fishing is the but he likes the single egg the best. Fished surest guaranty of trouble—and disappoint­ on a fly rod like a nymph, the single trout ment. egg is a popular bait with Washington state So retie the leader-line knot about every fishermen. The eggs are taken from salmon two hours. Use the barrel knot, and it at the canneries and placed in sealed jars. never will slip. Allowing an inch of leader These eggs range from bright red to dull for each retie, one may remake the connec­ pink and are fished on a No. 12 short- tion at least a dozen and a half times and shank hook. A great place to fish the eggs still have a leader better than 13 feet in is a riff just below a salmon-spawning length. ground. Here the sea-runners lie, waiting for the salmon eggs to drift down to them. In conclusion, bear in mind that nylon leaders become a bit brittle with hard usage, "Steelheads are rainbow trout which have There probably are a number of reasons: migrated to the sea to live. If a comparison Heat and friction; alternate wetting and dry­ is necessary, the steelhead would closely ing; possibly wear; perhaps heat of the sun approximate the Atlantic salmon, as he or quick change in temperature—or maybe can spawn as many times as he likes. it is only a matter of imagination on the part "The steelheads run twice during the year. of the angler. The summer run, lasting from August through October, and the winter run, last­ But nylon does not cost much, so it really ing from December through March, provide pays to discard the old and to begin using a great deal of sport. a brand new leader after each 25 or 30 hours "To catch steelheads in streams during Miss Eva Nanstiel, of Wilkes-Barre, holding a of casting, or every two or three weeks, de­ 5%-pound walleyed pike which her father, S. pending on the amount of time a man can W. Nanstiel, caught in the North Branch of the (Turn to Page 20) Susquehanna River at Laceyville. devote to this fine sport. IK PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

UNPREDICTABLE SALMON practically crossing the entire pool in a sizzling, whizzing dash for that Dark Cahill. (From Page 7) Moving on up the river, we camped at the Great Falls and fished the half dozen pools me. Furthermore, in all the salmon streams extending above and below it. As is quite I have fished, and they have been many, I usual, the quality of the fishing declined have failed to note any insect life along in direct ratio to the amount of fishing done, or in the streams that even faintly resembled and we finally centered our attention on a an orthodox salmon fly. run of great" sea trout. Now before I continue any further, do These fish, weighing from three to four not think for one minute that conventional pounds, were mostly caught on small salmon salmon flies are to be discarded or disre­ flies, but I felt this wasn't just the right way garded. They will and do catch salmon and, to catch trout and switched to what I as far as I know, up to this writing there is thought was more appropriate tackle. As a a lot of water where standard patterns con­ result, I landed a goodly number of heavy stitute the main killing lures. fish on a Quill Gordon and Whirling Dun, Size 10. While experimenting in this fashion However, I was brought up as a trout I hooked and landed a nine-pound salmon fisherman, a dry-fly purist at that. It was on the Whirling Dun. I repeated the per­ therefore a great shock when the guide on formance down river on a Queen of the the Caseapedia handed me a No. 1/0 Jock Waters and also captured a grilse on a No. Scott and ordered me to dredge the pool 10 Fan Winged Hendrickson, fished dry. with it. What's more, the salmon liked the On our way home that year we stopped darn thing, and to my absolute amazement, at the Margaree, on Cape Breton Island. we killed plenty of salmon on these large There I met John Cosseboom. He must have standard type flies. The author fly fishes for salmon with trout been thinking along similar lines, for when A few weeks later I found myself on the lures. I caught a grilse on a No. 10 Quill Gordon St. Jean a few miles from the town of and mentioned it to him by reply he handed Gaspe. It was late in the season, the water me one of his famous Cossebooms. These low, and our guides frankly indifferent. For of much smaller size than those used on the Casapedia. They were mostly 4, 6, and 8's. flies are more of the trout type than salmon. two days we fished in the conventional John told me he had collected insect life manner and failed to raise a fish. On the Our luck had been everage until we reached Middle Falls. We knew the pool con­ in quantity along the Margaree and the third day I could no longer resist and re­ rivers of Anticosti. The result of this work verted to type. tained salmon, but no one seemed able to move them. Again reverting to type, I thought indicated a preponderance of yellow and At the lower end of the pool salmon were the conditions demanded a Dark Cahill on green insects, and he tied his fly accord­ plainly visible in quiet, though current a No. 8 hook fished wet upstream into the ingly. I have not returned to Newfound­ driven water. Occasionally one would roll, foot of the boil of the falls. (The preceding land or Nova Scotia since, but the Cosse­ another spurt forward and gracefully curve evening I had noted an undeniable hatch boom is certainly the most dependable lure himself out of water, or a third might wallow of what was a pretty good approximation of on the Anticosti rivers. on the bottom, showing his broad silvery large Dark Cahills). No one had ever heard The crack river of Anticosti is the Jupiter. side. It all looked just like a school of large of this procedure for salmon, still none could There are always several pools in that river brown trout ready to start feeding on an give a sound reason why it would not prove where you can catch salmon "ad lib." How­ evening hatch. I rigged up an 8% foot effective. ever, I find it more fun to fool around in 4% ounce dry fly rod, used a reel and line some clear, glassy basin where the fish are to match and balance, a 12 foot IX leader, However, on this occasion I was not quite so foolhardy as the previous year and rigged plainly visible to you and you are equally and standard No. 10 dry grey hackle, tied visible to the fish. Under such circumstances for trout. The guides I placed in a concealed up with 6 ounce 3% foot rod with adequate line, though I still used a 12 foot IX leader. I have captured numerous salmon on No. 10 position on the bank from which they could and even No. 12 Cahill, Whirling Dun, see the salmon and direct my casts. Frankly, One of my companions joined me in the experiment. He fared better than I, taking Hendrickson, Quill Gordon, and Cow Dung. I was trembling with fear of hooking one It is surprising how few fish, if properly of those huge fish on my toy rig and with two nice fish from the pool to only a single one for me. Of further interest is the fact handled, will break loose from these small excitement at the thought of successfully hooks. putting to the test my early training as a that we had numerous other rises, one fish trout fisherman. I must admit I cast daintily over those fish, not due to practiced skill but to sub­ conscious fear of what would happen if I really hooked a salmon. At the end of ten minutes the guides had reported the move­ ments of three fish toward the tiny floating hackle but nothing that looked like a reai rise. By that time I had gained confidence in the belief that no fish of that size would rise to such a small fly, even if it was life­ like, and so I started to lengthen my casts and amuse myself practicing. I didn't get much practice, for about the fifth cast the waters parted with a resounding swish, fifteen pounds of fish went high in the air, the leader and line following, and I was almost drowned in the splash. Un­ expectedly that salmon was landed. It took two and a half hours, but that's another story. The point at the moment is the fact it was the first salmon I caught on a standard trout fly—and a dry one at that. The following year found me on the Ser­ pentine, in Newfoundland. Of course I was fishing with conventional salmon flies, though Large flies brought strikes from the salmon found in this low, clear water. 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER l!)

However on the Lower Humber, where about ten feet and waited quietly. Pretty the salmon run twenty pounds or more, I soon he came down, spied me, and returned couldn't hold them. It was amazing to see to the depths. I backed up again; he saw these huge fish rise from the deep, black, me again. By this time we were seventy- turbulent water of that river to take such a five feet apart. I could hardly bring my­ minute object as a No. 10 Cow Dung or self to believe that he was actually seeing Black Gnat. There was no question of me—but he certainly acted as if he was landing a salmon of that size in such heavy suspicious. This might have continued all water, as the fly usually would tear loose day, but by this time I was determined to directly after the rise. stick it out with him, so I moved farther To return to the waters of Anticosti brings down the creek bank. But about this time to mind the time I successfully used a group complications entered the set-up. A sleek of New Zealand trout flies. These had Jersey cow wandered up to the brook be­ proved effective for the giant rainbows of tween the bass and me. The bass turned the Tongariro and Lake Taupo, and just and looked toward the cow, then swain why I should have tried them on the sea cedately down and took up his former posi • pools of the Salmon River and Chaloupe sion under the snag! I don't know. The large ones were about Your guess is as good as mine! Size 2 tied with turkey feathers and yellow Did the cow's presence make the bass for­ or reddish pink wool body with palmer get about me—or had I finally retreated so tied dark brownish black hackles. They that he could no longer distinguish me? I presumably imitated some New Zealand fresh was, by that time, nearly a hundred feet A nightcrawler proved the downfall of this water shrimp, but they proved effective on away. And how does a bass learn that a 27-inch brown trout, caught by John Reto, of the Salmon River. The smaller flies from Kunkeltown. The fish was 18% inches in girth cow means him no harm—and a man usually and weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces. "down under" were more conventional, with comes equipped with malice aforethought? dark grey flat wings, dark body, and brown­ Or was the bass merely curious about my ish black hackle tied on No. 8 hooks, I be­ movements and lost interest in them when Any deer has two strikes on a hunter lieve I killed one salmon and rose two others the cow came along? when the hunting game begins. The deer's while using them on the Chaloupe. All of which adds up to little more than powers of scent and hearing are very much Each year I arrive on my chosen river nothing, mentally. But it does prove that a more acute than the man's. To even things, well stocked with all the conventional pat­ bass can recognize a man a long way under a deer is noticeably near-sighted compared terns and sizes of flies. I always start the ideal conditions and is suspicious or curious to the average man. In wooded country, fishing with a Black Dose, Silver Doctor, about him. coupled with the deer's camouflage coat, it Silver Grey, or Cosseboom or maybe a Jock Now a deer has a lot bigger brain than a all adds up to a sporting proposition with Scott. Most always I kill fish, but as the bass—that is obvious. I spent a good many the odds in favor of neither the hunter or the days pass and the going gets tougher I seasons hunting deer in Central Pennsyl­ hunted. Chance usually picks the winner. revert to fine tackle, trout technique, and vania. Up there are mountains and upland And if the younger bucks of the back­ trout flies. They kill salmon, and you get plateaus several miles off the beaten path— woods country are innocent enough to stand a grand thrill and sense of accomplishment and deer who never see a man from one and watch curiously as a man approaches— with every one you net. hunting season until the next. In my opinion even the smallest fawns in the oil region these deer are easy to shoot. Some will seem to know that a man with a gun is stand and look and let you walk right up dangerous. CURIOSITY to within a hundred yards of them. If any one statement could be made re­ But in the oil country, in Western Penn­ garding the over-all intelligence of deer it (From Page 8) sylvania, the deer have a much higher edu­ could be this: the more they know about cation. They know what the score is. And man (the hunter) the more liable they are a commotion in the water, then stop at a though you see them often in the spring to circle around him and sneak away, rather respectable distance to size up the situation. and summer months, they showing no signs than flee directly in front of him. In other Of course, an ichthyologist will say that of being unduly alarmed by your presence; words, the more bitter experience the deer any fish is a pin-head insofar as brains are when the shooting starts they become very have had with men the less curiosity they concerned. And one who has killed and dis­ shy indeed. will show concerning them. sected a small-mouth bass will readily admit I fell asleep one afternoon in the deer that his brain is positively puny alongside season. It was a bright, warm day in De­ that of an old buck deer's, for instance. But cember. A windless, drowsy day—even the then, there are other people who maintain jays were quiet. I must have slept for a that an ant is a highly intelligent creature; couple of hours, for when I awoke the sun yet his brain is infinitesimal compared with was low, near the horizon, and all its warmth that of a two-pound black bass. was gone. I've seen bass do things I thought were I had sprawled on the dry, curly white-top pretty smart. Item: One day I was sneaking grass of a little clearing five miles from any along a good-sized trout brook, the water usable highway. And when I awoke, lazily, low and very clear. I tip-toed toward the the first things I saw were a doe and her tail of a good pool, hoping to spot a trout. two fawns. I saw, instead, the tail of a bass fanning They stood watching me, not more than below a little snag near the shore. twenty or thirty feet away! And just about the time I saw him he Exhibiting remarkable presence of mind suspicioned something and scooted upstream (for me) I lay quiet and watched them. And into deeper water. I stood my ground; and they watched me. The fawns were most in a few minutes I saw him cruising down active. They pranced around—now close, toward me. But he stopped about fifty feet now jumping away. Mama stayed at a distant, and after a quick look returned to more respectable distance. She more or less the deep pool. I was standing in the clear, divided her attention between me and the in an open pasture field possibly four feet surrounding forest. Every now and then one above the water level. of the fawns would stomp. I suppose it was I have no doubt that he recognized me the stomping that awakened me, though I for what I was—a fisherman. Curious (just cannot remember. like any other wild creature), I thought I But curiosity was evident in every move­ would experiment a little and find out how ment of the three deer. This was certainly A curious fish made this swirl as it struck good his vision really was. I moved back a fly. (Turn to Page 20) 20 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

CURIOSITY PACIFIC SALMON (From Page 19) (From Page 17) something new to them—a man sound asleep the summer run, the angler uses spinners, in the middle of the forest. I have often bucktails, and single eggs. Fly rods are wondered how long it took them to work up the sportiest method of catching them. On the courage to come so near to me. And I a fly rod and light leader, a steelhead will also wonder what first aroused their curi­ keep you busy for at least an hour, if not osity. Was it scent or sight or sound? longer, and may cover a quarter of a mile Like most men, I always maintained that of stream before you gaff him. They average I slept silently—didn't snore! Then I bought ten pounds, with some running as heavy one of those home-recording machines. The as 15. A ten-pound fish would be about first things my wife did, after she learned 35 inches long, as they average a pound to how to run it, was to capture a recording the inch over 25 inches. of my sleeping noises. The record is ir­ "The winter runs are heavier fish, these refutable evidence that I do snore—and going as heavy as 24 pounds. To fish winter magnificently! runs you have to be able to fish deep and No wonder the fawns were curious. Now in swift water, as the rivers usually are that I have heard myself, as it were, I can swollen somewhat by the constant rainfall. understand their perplexity! The waters seldom, however, get too muddy I remember another doe, under different to fish, except in the lower reaches. circumstances, though I think she was more "A two-handed salmon rod is used for worried than curious. winter-run fish, and the most popular bait A dozen of us ganged up to drive a thick is a cluster of salmon eggs on a No. 2 hook. piece of deer cover. After a short council A salmon egg cluster is unusual: It is the of war we agreed that it would be prac­ C. E. Richard and C. D. Eastman, of Kittan- salmon spawn still attached to the lining tically impossible to drive the deer out, so ning, pose with 50 pounds of fish (but only of the fish's body. Two steelhead constitute we decided to scatter the watchers at random three in number) which they caught in the a limit catch during the winter season, and in the brush, let the drivers circle around Upper Allegheny River. the summer season catch is limited to 20 a time or two, and get the deer on their pounds and one fish. feet and keep them moving. I drew a But the saddest 'coon I ever saw, was the "Some rivers in Washington prove un- watching position. one that got its fingers caught in a good fishable during hot weather, since silt from Visibility was nearly zero in this young big fresh water clam. It was in one awful fix. the glaciers discolors the water. As cooler red-oak country, so a few minutes after And though it was supposed to be tame, a weather comes along the water in all the others of the crew went on I climbed pet, it took the combined efforts of three of streams becomes crystal clear. To catch a tree. I got about ten feet off the ground, us to unsnarl it from the clam! steelhead you have to have water that is in found a horizontal limb, and sat on it This subject of wildlife curiosity is fas­ between these two extremes. A moment later a big doe came mincing cinating, and, of course, endless. You need "High mountain lakes also offer good fish­ out of the bushes, stepping carefully on the no open season to pursue it. And, looking ing with dry flies for those able to put on dry leaves, and stopped exactly beneath me, back, most of the wild animals I have met a pack and hike a few miles. There are under the tree. She looked back; and I could here in the oil country have shown very brown and brook trout which have been still hear, faintly, the voices of my com­ little curiosity concerning people; because, stocked in the mountainous reaches of Rainer panions moving away. She listened carefully I suppose, they are familiar with people. National Park, Mount Baker National Forest, and sniffed at my tracks around the tree Perhaps it is this lack of the rubbernecking and Olympic National Park. trunk. habit on the part of the woods-dwellers "The waters of Puget Sound also provide She was plainly nervous but careful to hereabouts that endears them to me. a great reservoir of good fishing for salmon make no sound when she moved about. and cutthroats. She evidently sensed I was nearby, but "There are many low-land lakes in Wash­ she didn't know where, so she stayed right ington which abound in bass and other under my tree. Finally, after ten or twelve A FAMILY OF SNAKES rough fish. Very few people fish for them, minutes, I became convinced no buck was although the numbers are increasing as following her, so I started teasing her. more people from the Midwest move out. By C. S. WRIGHT I spat quietly on her rump. She whirled "Yes, gentlemen, there is truly great fish­ her head, sniffed the tobacco juice, and Newport, Pa. ing in the state of Washington. Some day snorted. I had been home from work for a couple I shall return to my native Pennsylvania I've fed tame deer tobacco, which they of weeks with a boil in front of me and a with photographic evidence of it. ate with apparent relish. She was not tame, carbuncle on the back of my neck, and "Sincerely, evidently, for it really worried her! I spat had been told that if I would get black alder "Kenneth E. Pearson, several times more, and she didn't like it; leaves and make tea out of them, the boils "Bellingham, Wash." but she didn't know what to do about it so would disappear. I went along Little Buffalo she stayed under the tree. Eventually I Creek to get the leaves and while there Fresh Water Clam Bait tired of all this, so I carefully aimed my cap spotted a large, fat water snake. The fresh water clam or mussel is con­ and dropped it. It landed squarely on her Supposing the snake had just eaten a fish, sidered good bait for carp, suckers and cat­ left ear. She left the country! She would I cut it open—and to my surprise out popped fish in many parts of the country. have taken the cap with her, I think, if it had small water snakes about eight inches long not fallen off on the second jump. and as big as a pencil. I put pressure on Avoid Dry Rot in Rods The sudden ending of my trail-scent at the dead snake and killed at least a dozen Dry rot should be avoided in wooden fish­ the base of the tree evidently baffled her, or fifteen little ones. ing rods. Varnish protects them. as did the spray of tobacco juice, but she I stopped at a farm house and was re­ never thought to look up in the tree. lating my experience when a friend said he How to Roast Potatoes I cannot recommend tree climbing in deer would like to see the snake. We returned Potatoes can be roasted in the hot coals country. In Pennsylvania you feel much to it, and found a small snake squirming of a fire if they are encased in two hollow more comfortable hid behind a great big around near it. orange or grapefruit halves. This protec­ rock! We killed that one, too, and then went tion keeps them from charring. When you add it all up, the raccoons are to work on the body of the dead snake— likely the most inquisitive wild creatures getting out 17 more small snakes, or a total Muskellunge Heavy Eater of them all. It would be easy to fill a book of 30 or 35 in the body of that one snake. Naturalists say it takes from two to four with their maneuvers. The things they will A lot of fish certainly were saved by pounds of live fish of any species handy to investigate are innumerable. that kill. satisfy the appetite of a muskellunge. 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 21

work in 1939. They caught fish by the hundreds at the foot of Grand Coulee Dam Pennsylvanic i Birds: and held them in ponds until they had spawned. The eggs were taken to hatcheries, where the fingerling salmon developed. The experts gambled that if the young BLACK- CAPPED CHICKADEE salmon were artificially planted in streams below Grand Coulee, instinct would lead By ROBERT LEO SMITH the fish when mature back to the same streams, and there would be no more beat­ ing of heads against the concrete of the dam. Their guess was right. Salmon, banded and marked when released, were found four Through the winter woods they come, years later—at the end of their life cycle-- these merry, black-capped birds, searching in the same streams where they were first the branches for spider eggs, cocoons, and placed by man. They had returned from dormant insect life. Down from the hem­ the ocean. locks and birches come their thin, lisping In 1943 more than 5,000,000 salmon were notes and sprightly chick-a-dees, which they released below Grand Coulee. These same call to keep the loose flock together. No fish swelled the numbers migrating up the bird more blithe can be found in all the Columbia River this year. winter's woods, and few more sociable. Dr. Frederick F. Fish, one of the scientists Often they are joined by woodpeckers, brown in charge of the work, in reporting recently, creepers, and nuthatches, the whole flock gave out some encouraging figures. The wandering noisily through the woods like a H spring count of chinook or king salmon at group of happy children headed for nowhere. Rock Island Dam, above Bonneville, was The chickadee is a voluble bird. A walk 8,193, exceeding by more than 1,000 the into the winter's woods will soon prove that. highest count since 1933. Wherever a flock of these birds are there the At Bonneville the blueback run in June air is full of their emphatic chick-a-dee-dees. alone was 59,738. On the basis of this figure, But that is not the chickadees' only utter­ Dr. Fish estimated the total run for this ance. Fifteen notes and songs have been year exceeded the record count of 148,800 attributed to these blackcapped birds. There in 1940. is the phoebe whistle, a quick, pretty The 1947 commercial catch of salmon on sizzle-ee, a dainty, prolonged jingling note, the Columbia has been greater than any like a tiny silver sleigh bell, and a variety of catch in the last five years. In normal years call, threat, and warning notes. Some of the fishing pack on the Columbia River has these are infrequent and heard only dur­ a value of $10,000,000. ing summer months; but their more famous Salmon Are Saved notes are heard during the flocking seasons —fall, winter, and early spring. From Peril of Dam Old-Time Horsehair Leaders As spring approaches the black-capped In olden times horsehair leaders were much chickadees become more restless and more used in fishing. Hairs from the tails of gray and more frequently sing their softly stallions were said to be the best, while whistled phoebe, phoebe. Individual birds The federal government's gigantic fish ex­ those from a mare's tail were regarded as shift from one flock to another, new birds periment on the Columbia River, in the useless. arrive, and others depart. By April the West, is proving a major success, all because flocks of chickadees gradually break up, the salmon's habits are dependable. In seven and mating begins. Apparently the chick­ years, the bureau of fish and wildlife reports, Rod Silk Will Darken adees have no clear-cut courtship rituals. it has accomplished the biggest thing ever With the natural exception of black, all The males sing the phoebe song and perform done with fish. It has substituted man-made silk darkens when varnished. Remember wing fluttering ceremonies, but that is all. ponds and streams below Grand Coulee Dam that when choosing silk wrappings for a rod. for historic spawning sites on Columbia After mating, the pair searches for a River tributaries above the dam. nesting place. This is commonly a hole, Despite the mighty barrier of Grand excavated by the birds themselves in a dead Coulee, which blocks access to thousands of stub or a decayed tree. Intermittently for miles of their age-old spawning grounds, nearly a week both sexes work at the chinook and blueback salmon swarmed up nesting cavity. Each one digs out a beakful the river in record numbers this year. of chips and flies off with it; and as quickly Their presence, experts said, definitely as the one departs the other is back to ended a threat to the Columbia River can­ continue the excavation. ning industry. To achieve this, scientists had to bend the After the cavity is dug about six inches habits and instincts of the salmon to their deep and two inches in diameter, the female own ends. These instincts threatened a builds in it the nest proper from moss, plant good part of the salmon run with extinction down, hair, or feathers and lays five to ten when the government threw its concrete white eggs dotted with reddish-brown. dams across the river. For twelve days she incubates the eggs; Salmon are born from eggs laid in fresh and during this period the male feeds his water tributaries of the Columbia. Later mate. Upon the hatching of the young the they descend to the ocean, but on reaching male ceases to feed the female, and both maturity they return up the river to spawn feed the young, the male doing the greater and die in the very streams where their share of the work. life began. Within sixteen days the handsome young, Bonneville Dam was built so that the up­ resembling the adults, leave the nest. About ward-bound salmon could cross it by means four weeks later the young chickadees of of "ladders." But Grand Coulee Dam, in the the forest flock together; and once again the state of Washington, proved an effective Wayne Lind, 15, of Evans City, proudly dis­ woods become alive with the noisy, merry barricade to 1,140 miles of the river. plays a large-mouthed bass 17% inches long and weighing three pounds, which he caught in flocks. The fish and wildlife men began their North Park Lake. •l-> PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

way from Size 18 to Size 8. In some rare instances he may wish to fish with a Size 20 or a Size 6 fly, but not often. It, there­ fore, isn't so important that he have these sizes. As has been said, a fly in Size 14 or Size IMPROVE YOUR FISHING 16 may be used most of the time. But when the water is low and clear, and the trout feeding on the smallest, skinniest natural insects, the Size 18 fly comes in mighty handy. The fly-tyer should be care­ COME one of these winter evenings you're angler is using a pattern of fly which is "in ful to leave space enough for attaching this ^ going to get out the fly-tying materials season." small a lure to the fine-pointed leader he and tools and begin the pleasant chore of And the rule applies to both wet and dry must use. stocking up trout flies you'll use after next flies. The larger sizes of flies—that is, the range April fifteenth. In all probability the most used size of fly, from Size 10 up to Size 6—are favorites of Here's a tip that will pay dividends: regardless of pattern, is the Size 14. It's anglers who seek their trout after the sun Don't try to see how many different pat­ large enough to be easily seen on the water, sets. That is the period of the day when terns of flies you can manufacture. Just set and it approximates, on the average, the size the larger natural insects put in their ap­ down a list of the flies that have long proved of most natural insects on which trout feed. pearance, and when flies like the Wulffs effective on the streams you fish. And then But the angler who relies exclusively on prove attractive for large trout. make sure you have a wide variety of sizes Size 14 flies is putting himself under a severe in each of these proved patterns. handicap. Some Special Flies Every experienced fly fisherman knows And he isn't much better off if the farthest he gets from Size 14 is one size smaller, that changing from one size to another in the See, also, that your home production line or Size 16. same pattern is a better maneuver than turns out some of the special patterns of changing patterns when trout seem reluctant As a matter of fact, his favorite patterns trout dry flies this winter. to strike. That is, of course, provided the should be tied on hooks ranking all the These are the variants, the spiders, and the fan-wings. All three are designed for use under special conditions—when the water is low and clear, when the trout are not actively feeding, or when there are not enough natural insects moving to start the trout on a feeding spree. All three, too, are delightful to use. They are easy to cast and easy to keep in view as they ride along, even on broken water. They float high and dry, also. And time and again the angler will find that their use prods the trout into smashing strikes when they have been paying no attention at all to the more conventional patterns of lures. An additional word about fan-wings. The Coachman is the No. 1 favorite in this style. But it is by no means the only one. The fan-like wings are made from the breast feathers of birds. Most of them are white, but there are some other natural colors, and all of them can be dyed. So the fly-tyer can make fan-wing flies in almost any pat­ tern. Cahill fan-wings, both light and dark, are great favorites in certain sections of the country.

Something new in fishing lures. A globule of mercury makes these Tenite lures act alive tor all game fish. The mercury shifts within the hollow, plastic body; the lure darts, dives, climbs, and wriggles like a terrified minnow. 1947 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 83

black fly transmits to man the disease known as onchocerciasis. In America it has Pennsylvania Pests caused wholesale loss of life of poultry. ALONG THE STREAMS The famous naturalist, Agassiz, had this to say about these insects in his essay, "Lake Superior:" A large shipment of fingerling trout was The Black Flies "Neither the love of the picturesque, how­ obtained from the federal government and ever, nor the interest in science could tempt distributed by the Tioga County Consoli­ By JON RIVERS us into the woods, so terrible were the black dated Sportsmen's Association. flies. This pest of flies, which all the way hither had confined our ramblings on shore One of the largest catfish ever taken from pretty close to the rocks and beach, had Family: Simuliidae the Beaver River was caught by John been growing constantly worse, here reached Snyder, of Beaver Falls. The fish was 28 Buffalo gnat and turkey gnat are two of its climax. inches long and weighed 12 pounds. the names we dare print for this hump­ "Although detained nearly two days, we backed black fly that often keeps angling could only sit with folded hands or employ The 55-acre Beaver Meadows Lake, in from being the perfect sport. They are those ourselves in arranging specimens and such Jenks Township, Forest County, was opened annoying little flies that you wave away— other operations as could be pursued in this summer for public fishing through the and they return again and again. They re­ camp under the protection of a smudge. efforts of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission fuse to be chased away and stay "chased!" One, whom scientific ardor tempted a little and the United States Forest Service. The They drink considerable blood, leaving an way up the river in a canoe after water lake, which is located within the Allegheny area smarting with a stinging poison and plants, came back a frightful spectacle, with National Forest, was created in 1937. For oozing with blood from a wound that is bloody rings about his eyes, his face bloody several years it was stocked with bass, slow to heal. I remember a friend who took and covered with punctures. The next morn­ bream, and catfish. Boats are not permitted his small child with him on a pack trip. ing his head and neck were swollen as from on the lake, and all fishing must be done I'm still haunted by that white, red-blotched an attack of erysipelas." from the shores and from the dam. face. Black flies frequently are not black. Often The pest is world-wide in distribution, they are yellow, orange, gray, or brown. Fourteen thousand federal trout, from four although the family is comparatively small They are always short and stout creatures to seven inches in length, were recently as fly families go. At times the black flies . . . the largest is less than a quarter inch stocked in streams in Clearfield County. This have become so numerous as to become long. As is true of all true flies, there is in addition to a previous shipment of 1,200 a serious menace. They have long been but one pair of wings with strong veins in trout from federal hatcheries. a nuisance along the "beautiful blue Dan­ front. The wings become practically vein- less membrane behind. ube," although the song writers have ignored "A large number of large bass and wall­ them as fit subject for melody. Some 24 The larvae are aquatic and are found eyed pike were caught from the Susque­ years ago almost 17,000 domesticated animals in running water, so black flies are usually hanna River in Bradford County after the were killed in Rumania by attacks of these found in hilly regions. About 400 eggs are middle of September. I saw many bass from flies that rose up in hordes from the tribu­ deposited by each female, who darts in and 16 to 20 inches in length, and some walleyes taries of this famous river. In Africa the out of the water and attaches them, one by up to six and a half pounds."—Warden Paul one, to submerged sticks and stones. In D. Wilcox. spite of the dash and spray, the larvae anchor themselves stoutly with the aid of a sucker disk. Next they pupate in sock- The Susquehanna is the best fishing river shaped cocoons which are firmly fastened in Pennsylvania—in the opinion of three to the rocks. These cocoons are spun from anglers who have had unusual success glands located in the mouth. Often they are this year. Reporting catches of large bass found in such dense clusters that they re­ and walleyed pike are Howard W. Miller, semble plant growth. of Philadelphia; Charles F. Howarth, of The adults rise directly from the cocoons Clarks Summit, and Gordon Bowman, of in the water and often emerge in amazing Springfield. They are veteran fishing swarms. All are sun worshippers and can buddies. be expected on any bright, hot day from early spring to late fall. I have seen them Two New Kensington anglers tangled on hand to greet the unfolding skunk cab­ with—and landed—big muskellunge while bage in March and sailing with the milk­ fishing in Canada this year. Ralph Little, weed puffs in Indian summer. Sr., came home with a fish 43 inches long and weighing 27% pounds. Jerry Lou Ce- derborg caught a muskie 40 inches long and weighing 16 pounds. It was the first of the EELS HIS LONG SUIT species she ever caught.

Using a jointed minnow plug, Duane W. Eeels are the long suit of Thomas W. Murray, of Meadville, hooked and landed a Breach, of Harrisburg, reports Clyde Roller fine muskellunge in Lake Chautauqua, in in his column, "With Rod and Line," in the New York state. The fish was 52 inches in Harrisburg Evening News. During the past length and weighed 40V2 pounds. summer, fishing in the Susquehanna River between Perdix and Duncannon, he caught an eel 40V2 inches in length and weighing Forty-six abandoned soft coal mines were 6 pounds, 4 ounces. sealed during the last year to prevent acid drainage from entering streams, reported Dr. Besides this lunker, he caught two others Norris W. Vaux, secretary of health. He in a three-day period. One was 37 inches said studies had revealed 319 abandoned long and the other 35 inches. All were taken mines in the state, with 188 polluting streams. with night-crawlers as bait. Of these, the report added, 103 can be sealed, "I think the 40y2-incher was the largest and 81 were connected with active mining one caught in the area in a long time," operations and were to be reopened for Breach said later. "It was the largest one mining. Most of the sealing operations were I have ever seen, and I have seen hundreds carried out in Clarion, Clearfield, and Mc- of them." Kean Counties. 24 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER DECEMBER

TO MY BOY When you walk through the woods, I want Among the Sportsmen's Clubs you to see The floating gold of a bumblebee, Rivers of sunlight, pools of shade, Toadstools sleeping in mossy jade, A new constitution and by-laws, bringing of the annual juvenile fishing contest for A cobweb net with a catch of dew, the regulations of the organization up to 1947. The six are Bruce Eck, Fred Springer, Treetop cones against the blue, date, have been drafted by the Tioga County Lewis Olszewski, Richard Fisher, Jesse Dancing flowers, bright green flies, Consolidated Sportsmen's Association. Dierolf, and Jerry Dobbins, all of Reading. And birds to put rainbows in your eyes. They were awarded prizes, and they and their fathers were guests of the league at When you walk through the woods, I want A drive for reforestation of cut-over lands a recent meeting. in the area has been conducted successfully you to hear by the Hellertown Sportsmen's Association. A million sounds in your little ear, The campaign resulted in orders for thou­ The scratch and rattle of wind-tossed trees, Members of the Johnstown Sportsmen's A rush, as a timid chipmunk flees, sands of trees to be planted in various sec­ Association, at a meeting, recommended that tions. The cry of a hawk from the distant sky, the state purchase the Babcock holdings, The purr of leaves when a breeze rolls by, near Ogletown, as a recreational area. The Brooks that mumble, stones that ring, annual banquet of this organization will be An outing for junior sportsmen's clubs in And birds to teach your heart to sing. held Jan. 29 in the Masonic Temple. the vicinity was sponsored by the Oakville Sportsmen's Club. When you walk through the woods, I want Harry Weber has been given the unusual you to feel That no mere man could make this real . . . Mountain music played by a hillbilly or­ honor of being chosen an honorary life Could paint the throb of a butterfly's wing, chestra, and plenty of contests, featured the member of the State-Centre Game, Fish and Could teach a wood thrush how to sing, annual stag outing of the Old Town Sports­ Forestry Association, at Philipsburg. The Could give the wonders of earth and sky . . . men's Association, of Clearfield. The party membership drive for 1948 will be directed There's something greater than you and I. also officially opened the annual member­ by Edward Loding and John Flegal. When you walk through the woods and the ship drive of the organization. birches nod, Movies sponsored by the State Game Son, meet a friend of mine named God. The fourteenth annual Big Booster meet­ Commission were shown to high school —Anonymous ing of . the Perkiomen Valley Sportsmen's students in Punxsutawney by the Punxsu- Association was arranged for the evening of tawney Sportsmen's Club. Oct. 24 in the gymnasium of Ursinus College. Danger in Aluminum Cases The Big Spring Fish and Game Associa­ Unventilated aluminum cases ruin many The Towanda Gun Club is purchasing a tion, at Newville, has a clubhouse of its fishing rods. Drill a hole in the top and one small farm outside of town on the Mt. Lake own at Eckert's Bridge. About 15 acres of in the bottom of the case. This will pro­ road for development into a recreation area. ground is included, and a varied program vide some ventilation, if you carelessly put of club activities is being planned. your rod away in a damp cloth bag. The Western Clinton Sportsmen's Asso­ ciation is aiming at a membership total of 2,000 in its annual campaign.

The Western Clinton Sportsmen's Associa­ tion has reared 8,000 trout, supplied by the ANGLER HONOR ROLL federal government, for stocking in Kettle Creek and its tributaries.

The Pennsylvania Federation of Sports­ Here are names of additional fishermen bass 16% inches long and weighing 3 pounds, men's Clubs, according to official figures, has who made the Pennsylvania Angler honor 4 ounces. 141,837 members. Division totals include: roll for 1947 for catching fish of outstanding Don Holt, of Lake Ontelaunee, a large- Southeast, 37,305; northwest, 18,578; south- size: mouthed bass 19% inches long and weighing central, 11,877; central, 16,665; northeast, Harold Cain, of Washington R. D. 6, a 4 pounds, 8 ounces. 7,251; southwest, 29,287; north-central, 9,773, large-mouthed bass 21% inches long and and southern, 11,101. George T. Biichle, of South Williamsport, weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces. a walleyed pike 28 inches long. Roy Houser, of Harrisburg, a walleyed The Birdsboro Sportsmen's Club had an David Vogus, of Oil City, a crappie 15% pike 28 inches long and weighing 8 pounds, inches long and weighing two pounds. unusual event, a special Farmers' Night pro­ 8 ounces. gram, which was largely attended. Joseph Pouser, of Plymouth, a large- Ira Forry, of Harrisburg, a walleyed pike mouthed bass 22 inches long and weighing The Ford City Sportsmen's Association is 23 inches long and weighing four pounds. 7 pounds, 2 ounces. studying a plan to purchase a farm, to be John G. Halas, of Ford City, a muskellunge John Reto, of Kunkleton, a brown trout used for outdoor recreational purposes. 39V2 inches long and weighing 20 pounds, 27 inches long and weighing 7 pounds, 8 in the Allegheny River at Tionesta. ounces. R. C. Sterling, of Wyalusing, a small- The game farm of the Harrisburg Hunters Ray Zeigler, of New Cumberland, a wall­ mouthed bass 20 inches long. and Anglers Association is becoming known eyed pike 24 inches long and weighing 5 all over Pennsylvania as a center for sports­ pounds, 7 ounces. George Mohnkern, of Oil City, a muskel­ men's events. lunge 50Y2 inches long and weighing 32 Simon Erbe, of Tamaqua, a large-mouthed pounds, 8 ounces, in Canadohta Lake. bass 32 ]/2 inches long and weighing 7 pounds, More than 300 members attended the 12 ounces. Frank E. Haines, of Williamsport, a wall­ annual stag party of the Old Town Sports­ eyed pike 30 inches long and weighing 8 Andy Sopko, of Coaldale, a small-mouthed men's Club, of Clearfield. pounds, 12 ounces. bass 25% inches long and weighing 6 pounds, Tom Wehner, of Sewickley, a muskellunge The Izaak Walton League at Reading has 8 ounces. 48 inches long and weighing 25 pounds, in announced the names of six boys as winners Phil Frank, of Laureldale, a small-mouthed Edinboro Lake, Erie County. THE FISHING CLUB GOES CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

WHEN MY WIFE 5H0WS UP, SUGGEST THAT FISHING OUTFIT I BUT I LIKED.' WAS 5AVING <%3^ DON'T \t THAT FDR FORGET TO MYSELF/ 1 WONDER-' NOW ILL MAIL ASK FOE. 1=7 QUIT STALL IN', IF HE HAS IT TO MYSELF FROM THAT NEW POP.,. MOM'5 ANY BAIT UNCLE HERMAN... ROD WE ALREADY GOT BOXES IN XVE BEEN DOING LOOKED SOU A SMOKING THERE? IT FOR YEARS AND Lt <• AT/ JACKET AN' MY WIFE NEVEe- SLIPPERS TO SUSPECTS I HAVE KEEP VOU NO UNCLE HONE HERMAN.' MORE/ MA* COULD*' ,A you HEAR- ME, POP*

DID YOU I WONDER NOTICE IF r C'D IF YOU BUY HOW RED BUY THAT ME A TRAIN, SANTAS X HOPE, FISH? POP, I WON'T WHISKERS; YOU CANT Yf IT I'LL BET TELL MOM YOU, ARE ?y YEP, I'D WANTED SOME TO X TO ME / >-% RIVALJTH05E YOU TIE FLIES ILL BE TELL ME GLAD WHEN *Ti-SyHEN THIS IS ,>* ^YOU'RE OVER... MY LATE/ FEET ARE KILLING ME/ ' I NEYT WISH X EDGAR J/ TO FISHING WERE A PARAPHERNALIA MERMAID... I LIKE TRAINS BEST, NEY.T THEY DON'T TO FISHING HAVE FEET' WELL, PARAPHER­ X WISH +Si NALIA.' SHE'S YOU'D GIVE ME A HINT BUILT AS TO WHAT ABOUT LIKE YOU'D UKE THIS/ FOR. CHRISTMAS^ MOST ftt WOMEN ARE...BUT WHAT'S HER. SI7.E?

X WISH THEY'D HAD THINGS LIKE THIS WHEN X HAD A FIGURE LIKE THAT/ ANGLERS SKETClf BOOK

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