The Keystone State's Offieial Fishing and Boating Magazine Just before the July meeting of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, a flurry of correspondence fell on us related to some proposed changes in Lake Erie fishing regulations for 1982. Most of these seem to have been inspired by a venomous column in the Erie Times News, which used such expressions as, "the silent arts of corruption," and "the sacrilegious hands of the very people entrusted to protect our natural resources." We were likened to Aaron Burr, having come forward "sword in hand, to slash away at the very rigging that holds the flag aloft." Such criticism is unjust and reflects a fundamental misreading of our proposal. The Commission's well-established objectives for the new Lake Erie commercial regulations, effective in January of 1982, were to reduce the commercial catch of yellow perch, increase the size and age of the yellow perch caught by commercial interests, and stabilize the harvest of walleye. To meet these objectives, the Commission imposed several new restrictions, including a quota on both yellow perch and walleye. Thus, 1982 became the base year for data concerning the effects of the commercial regulations. For 1983, we are proposing changes designed in a large measure to give us the flexibility we need to manage the resource and meet our objectives in light of the actual data, which is being gathered and assessed in 1982. The proposed changes for 1983 are very minor in scope compared to the severe restrictions placed on the commercial interests for 1982. Under our law, regulations must bear a rational and substantial relationship to the purposes for which they are established. Where two or more regulatory options exist to accomplish a valid governmental purpose, governmental agencies should generally choose the option that has the least detrimental impact on the private interests to be regulated. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission has been mindful of these fundamental principles in proposing and adopting new regulations for Lake Erie. We are convinced that the Lake Erie commercial regulations, as modified, will continue to meet or exceed our goals for reduction in the catch of yellow perch and stabilize the catch of walleye. Regulations such as these are never intended as permanent restrictions because the fishery is dynamic and constantly changing. Our roles in management and regulation are not made any easier by irresponsible reporting. •Pennsylvania SEPTEMBER 1982 Vol. 51, No. 9
Susquehanna River Shad: Welcome Home by Dave Wolf With a little help from their friends, the American shad is re-findinj; its home in the Susquehanna.
Ole Bull State Park by David A. Wonderlich Fine fall trout fishing can be found on Kettle Creek in this state park.
River Catfishing in the Keystone State by Curt Sutherly 10 The author provides ideas on how to take these critters in Pennsylvania's larger rivers.
Old-Time Bass Flies Still Catch Fish by Don Shiner J7 The author shows how he redesigned and reconstructed these fish- getters with up-to-date materials.
The Angler's Poison Ivy Test by Lou Elkes 15 Touch this subject with a ten-foot pole, and you may still be sorry. You'll be safer if you can answer these questions correctly.
Fall Brook Trout Fishing by Harry W. Murray 1' The author explains his secrets of brook trout fishing success.
The Little Yellow Cranefly by Chauncy Lively 20 Tying and using this fly, which the author "discovered" on the stream, lets you hook more trout.
Pennsylvania Tigers by Steve Ulsh 28 The hotspots may be well-kept secrets, but the musky and musky hybrid stocking program is good fall news to all. The Cover Boating 27 The Law and You 22 Mail 25 Book Review 23 Straight Talk 2 Currents 22 Profiles 30 Angler's Notebook 24 Cranefly pattern page 20 Making a musky mad is often the result of fooling him. and the one on this month's cover, drawn by Staff Tom Duran, is just about to throw the lure. Nevertheless, musky fishermen, take heart—there's EDITOR Art Michaels good news on page 28. ART Tom Duran PENNSYLVANIA FISH BOATING ADVISORY BOARD PHOTOGRAPHER Russ Gettig COMMISSION Calvin J. Kern. President John A. Hngva Clayton Buchanan, Chairman CIRCULATION Eleanor Mutch Whitehall Johnstown Pittsburgh .1. Wayne Yorks, Vice Ross J. Htihn Nicholas Apll Benton President Saltsburg Fairless Hills I'OSTMASTKR: Send .1579 forms to Pennsylvania Marilyn Black Robert L. Martin Charles Chattaway I'ish Commission. P.O. Bo\ 1673. Harrisburg, PA Meadville Bellefonte Monongahela 17120. Pennsylvania .inglei (ISSN 003 I-434.X). « 1982. Walter F. Oibbs Jerome E. Southerton Sherwood Krum is published monthly. Second class postage paid at Titusville Honesdale Hawlev Harrisburg. PA. Subscription rates: one year. $5: three years. S!4; single copies arc 50c each. Send check or Leonard A. Green Leon Lyon money order, and all correspondence, to Pennsylvania Carlisle Bellefonte Fish Commission. P.O. Box 1673. Harrisburg. PA 17120. Susquehanna River Shad: .4k
by Dave Wolf
he shad lies in the currents heavily laden with commercial fisheries. Shad migrated throughout the spawn. Her homing instincts have brought her to Susquehanna and its tributaries as far north as the T the river, the place of her birth. She has spent New York State line. Despite the fact that shad sold four years at sea, and now it is her turn to do her part for 10 to 12 cents apiece back then, commercial fishing to replenish her species. was a successful economic venture. Her journey up the Susquehanna is stopped short, By 1830. the shad runs were in serious trouble, however, below the expanse of the Conowingo Dam. because the construction of dams and canals began to The concrete barrier is too much to conquer. Like her hinder their spawning runs. Later, pollution and use of descendents of the past 50 years, she may be forced to fish weirs, baskets, and other devices took their toll on spawn in the only waters available to her—the waters the shad in the Susquehanna. below the barrier. But her instincts carry her upstream toward the churning discharges of the turbines. She Restoration pulls to her left into the easier currents and finds her In 1866. restoration projects began. The governor way through the open gates that lead her to the fish signed legislation to keep fish passages open, and trap. The trap is being operated by independent biologists at the expense of the Philadelphia Electric Company, urged by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and other agencies interested in the restoration of the shad to the Susquehanna. Within an hour the gates are closed, and she finds herself on an elevator ride. She will then be placed into a stainless steel tank, sorted with others of her species, and moved to another stainless steel tank with constantly moving water. There she waits for transportation that will carry her to the waters of the Susquehanna near Harrisburg, above all four dams, and subsequent release. After her release she moves upriver once more, unhindered this time, in search of suitable spawning grounds. Little does the roe know that environmental agencies and organizations, as well as sportsmen throughout the state, are pinning many hopes on her upstream migration. Shad runs in the past The mighty Susquehanna, often referred to as one of the greatest waterways in the east, has known shad runs for a long time. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Susquehanna hosted the finest shad runs in the east, which supported magnificent
Dave Wolf is a Fish Commission Information Specialist in charge of exhibits and media relations.
4 Welcome Home
formed the Pennsylvania Fish Commission—a Shaffer announced an agreement, stating that the two Commission that consisted of one individual. Still, power companies operating the Conowingo Dam attempts at ladders and passages met with little would buy a fish collecting facility at a cost of success, and the shad numbers continued to decline. $500,000, and transport the migratory fish to waters Despite apparent failures, there were encouraging above. Another three companies spent $250,000 signs, and on April 23, 1873. an act was passed and over the next five years to collect and plant an signed to establish a three-member Fish Commission. estimated 50 million fertilized shad eggs above all four Susquehanna dams in an effort to develop a run Restoration efforts continued of shad with instincts to return to the upper reaches of Shad rearing and the planting of fingerlings, as well the Susquehanna. The agreement, worked out by the as fishways and ladders, were all experimented with as State Federal Advisory Committee for Susquehanna the restoration efforts traveled the long, hard road of River shad studies and the power companies involved, most conservation efforts. gave the restoration efforts a much needed shot in the Then in October of 1970, Governor Raymond P. arm. "This agreement," the governor said, "is a historic document that marks the culmination of several years of cooperative effort on the part of government and industry to restore the spawning runs of the American shad in both the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers." Governor Shaffer congratulated the Pennsylvania Fish Commission for its untiring efforts concerning the project, and praised the five power companies involved for their cooperation. He stated, "We all hope this decision will result in a series of fish ladders up which the fish will swim to their historic spawning grounds." Initial success On September 4, 1981, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that restoration efforts were meeting with success. Shad had reproduced for the first time in the upper Susquehanna in 150 years! As a result of the cooperative effort of state and federal fisheries resource agencies and the power companies operating hydro-projects, 1,165 adult shad were transported from the Connecticut River to the Susquehanna at Tunkhannock in May, 1981. National Environmental Services, contractor of the multi-agency Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Committee, transported the shad and sampled for juvenile reproduction. Their efforts were rewarded on August 28 and 29, 1981, when 21 young shad averaging four inches in length were seined from the Susquehanna at Wilkes-Barre. The Fish Commission's Van Dyke Hatchery has and Wildlife, Pennsylvania Power and Light contributed millions of fry, and because of this project, Company, Philadelphia Electric Company, Safe shad of five inches in length were found between Harbor Water Power Corporation, Susquehanna River Amity Hall and Millerstown on the Juniata, Basin Commission, United States Fish and Wildlife demonstrating a late summer-fall migration from the Service, and the York Haven Power Company. river. The most important aspect of the experiments is that they show the Susquehanna and the Juniata Plans for the future capable of shad propagation and juvenile development. SRAFRC plans for 1982 include the transfer of adult shad from out-of-basin sources and the Recent findings collection of 60 million fertile shad eggs for delivery to It seems that restoration efforts now are "on a roll." the Fish Commission's Van Dyke Hatchery and the Trapping efforts at Conowingo during the 1982 season federal Lamar Hatchery. This project should result in turned up over 2,000 shad. Compared with the past the release of 10 million juveniles. The evaluation of years when only three or four hundred shad were shad stocking, the Lamar Fish Cultural Development captured, this all-time high has led to a great deal of Center, Conowingo fish collection activity, and an speculation concerning the increase. Better adult shad population assessment are also planned this coordination between the power company and trap year. operators could be a factor, as well as a closed fishing The continuation of shad restoration is purely an season on the Susquehanna River in Maryland and ambitious goal. Fish Commission Executive Director Pennsylvania. The release of adult shad and juvenile Ralph W. Abele said. "When the Commonwealth of shad above the impoundments may be the reason why Pennsylvania first created a Fish Commission back in the runs seem to be on the increase. 1866, its essential purpose was to restore migratory Today, more than ever, the restoration of shad in fish runs in Commonwealth waters, particularly the the Susquehanna looks like a possibility. With the Susquehanna River. Now more than a century later, formation of SRAFRC in 1972 (Susquehanna River today's Fish Commission remains committed to this Anadromous Fish Restoration Committee), restoration goal." efforts will continue and increase. This group consists With continued hard work, good coordination, and of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, National a little luck, we may soon be able to say "welcome Marine Fisheries Service, New York Division of Fish home" to the American shad. • For memorable fishing and camping, try Kettle Creek at Ole Bull State Park by David A. Wonderlich
had to be tightened. The fish was taking line too "Look," cried David, "my bobber's going upstream!" easily. I scanned the water and saw the red-and-white bubble "He won't come in. Dad. He's going out to the submerged, moving quickly against the current. middle." "Hook 'im son. hook 'im!" 1 shouted. Dave reared "That's okay; you'll tire him out. Keep the back, bent the rod, and the bobber kept moving. pressure on. Don't let the line go slack," 1 said, trying "Move upstream with him so he doesn't tangle you to give encouragement. around those rocks," I instructed. We still hadn't seen the fish. The rod seemed to David didn't say a word. His mind was transfixed quiver as it bounced, pulled, and arched toward the by the fighting, tugging weight on the end of his line. gallant adversary. He worked with the drag and almost lost the rod. It Upstream, downstream, and back across the fish got three rainbows and the big brown. It was the end Where to stay of a great day and the beginning of a new fishing- For lodging other than Ole Bull, camping season on Kettle Creek at Ole Bull State accommodations in the area include: Park. Dillon Cabins, Cross Fork (717) 923-1279 or Ole Bull has so much to offer. If you like beautiful (717)923-0771 scenery, pure air and water, a park unexcelled in Cross Fork Inn, Cross Fork. Food and lodging, setting and care, and great trout fishing, you owe it to (717)923-1258 yourself to give Ole Bull a try. Foote's Inn, Cross Fork. Food and cabins, (717) Ole Bull State Park is nestled in Potter County 18 923-1619 miles south of Galeton and 26 miles north of Renovo Kinney's General Store, Cross Fork. Gas, on Pennsylvania route 144. It is a park known for groceries, cabins, (717) 923-0459 family camping (81 sites), picnicking, hiking trails, Rooney's Cabins, Cross Fork (717)923-1548 or guarded swimming, interpretive environmental 923-0119 (offseason) education, and some of the most picturesque trout Buckhorn Lodge, Hammersley Fork. Cabins, fishing to be found anvwhere. The park information (717)923-1547 number is (814) 435-2169. The address is Ole Bull Wagon Wheels, Hammerslev Fork. Cabins, State Park, Department of Environmental Resources, (717)923-1388 RD I. Cross Fork. PA 17729. In the center of the park is the restricted area for There are two excellent tackle shops that will children aged 12 and under. This area is also for the provide information on weather, stream handicapped. Two graded rampways sloping to the conditions, and current hatches: stream's edge are provided for wheelchair use. It's a Cross Fork Orvis Tackle Shop. Cross Fork, great place for children to fish. A second "children's open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. 7 days/ week (717) 923- only" area is located 100 yards up and downstream 1960. from the bridge in Cross Fork. For each of the last Kettle Creek Tackle Shop, Hammersley Fork, few years, trout to 25 inches have been taken. open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday (717) 923-1416. Where to fish Many anglers opt to begin their fishing above the park's swimming area and work their way upstream. bulldogged, but the small hands and young muscles Angling is good up there, and I enjoy it, but I prefer were tiring. I've never seen my son as he was at that the downstream waters that stretch for a couple of moment. It was just he and the fish—will against will. miles all the way to the catch-and-release section which He had a large smile, sparkling eyes, wet forehead, is 1.7 miles long, starts 500 feet below Route 144 northeast and a stance that showed he was being taxed to the of Cross Fork, and runs upstream. It is much the same fullest. type of area except fishing is restricted, allowing only "He's getting hard to hold Dad— my hand slips flies and streamers with barbless hooks. Be sure to when I try to crank." observe specific regulations. There are beautiful riffles "Move your right hand up higher and keep reeling," and holes, and I have always found a lot of trout I said. He did so, and braced the butt against his belt. there. The fish slowly began coming in, not any too soon for David (maybe not any too soon for his anxious mom Fishing ideas and dad, either). Methods for fishing Kettle Creek are typical of There were eight or nine neighboring campers who smaller freestone mountain streams. Early-season gathered by this time, watching the fight, giving anglers have success on minnows, worms, lures, and encouragement, and waiting for a glimpse of whatever flies (particularly wets and nymphs). Usually in April, put up such a struggle. the closer to the bottom you fish, the more hits you "Wow, look at that! What a fish!" I yelled, as the have. If the sun warms the afternoon, don't be trout could be seen for the first time. surprised if you see dry fly activity. The major hatches David didn't say a word. His looks said it all- of April and early May are imitated by the Quill excitement and joy. By now most of the campground Gordon in size 14, Blue Quill in size 16, Hendrickson gathered on the bank and reveled in the excitement as in sizes 12 and 14, March Brown in size 12, and Grey the young angler netted his catch. David climbed the Fox in size 12 or 14. bank holding the net in both hands as one camper In addition to the continuing emergence of the April went for a tape measurer and my wife Jetty for the flies. May hatches begin with the Sulphur Dun in size camera. After two or three tries the fish was held and 14. This is accompanied by the early morning hatches admired. It was a 17-inch, canvas-colored, hook-jawed of the Blue-winged Olives in sizes 14, 16, and 18. brown trout. Toward the end of May the Green Drake hatches Excitement still ran high that night around the begin in sizes 8 or 10. A hovering cloud of the large campfire. From the children's fishing area, our three- flies is a sight in itself, and the trout often feed with year-old John had caught two rainbows, and David abandon. In early June, when the water level begins dropping excellent choices in cream, black, and gray (the later in and is crystal clear, leaders of at least nine feet and the season, the darker the midge). After a fall rain, tapered to 6x are required. The flies just beginning action with worms and minnows picks up again as their emergence are the beautiful Light Cahill and insects are washed into the stream. Bicolors in sizes 14 and 16. At this time, there is also a In the fall as temperatures cool, the warmest part of late Blue-winged Olive hatch in size 20. the day produces the best daytime trout fishing. A general time schedule would be September, 4 to 6 Summer suggestions p.m.; October, I to 4 p.m.; and November, 11 a.m. to As the summer progresses I carry a supply of 2 p.m. midges in sizes 20 to 28. I tie them in gray, yellow, green, and white, with and without tails—no wings. New frontier Because Kettle Creek is lined with overhanging trees, Winter stream fishing for trout is a wide open the carefully watching angler may detect insects frontier, and I believe Kettle will be among the noted dropping from branches to hungry, waiting trout. It's freestone streams. In late winter, there is a good, black good to have terrestrials in your fly box. I like the ant stonefly hatch, which draws some attention. patterns and small wooly worms. If a stream-rising Areas that would be good to begin your fishing on summer rainstorm hits while you're there, get out the Kettle Creek are Bundle Bridge (the first concrete worms, minnows, and larger flies in size 14 (Adams bridge over Cross Fork); 1.4 miles upstream from or Light Cahill) and head for those deep, brush-lined Bundle Bridge at the catch-and-release sign (the stream bends! is next to the road here, and this stretch holds many trout); up or downstream from Ole Bull State Park; Late-season methods and up or downstream from the concrete bridge above The excitement of fishing Kettle Creek from Ole Bull. September through December was well stated by a No matter what season you fish or angling method local tackle shop owner and avid fly fisherman: "Fall you prefer, you'll enjoy your stay, as I do. A trip to angling is equal to, or better than, spring fishing. If Ole Bull is not complete without a walk to the "castle you like fishing for big, smart brownies, there's a lot site," which was to be the home of Ole Bull, a world- of them here." renowned concert violinist after whom the park was The clear, low water of fall calls for at least nine- named. From the site high up on the mountain, white foot leaders tapered to 6x or 7x. I prefer a 12-foot whisps of clouds dot the azure sky. The horizon seems leader for summer and fall. The flies to use are the limitless above the golden sun-flooded peaks and deep- Caddis, ginger or gray in sizes 16 and 18; terrestrials; green, mountainsides. Below, Kettle Creek shimmers, grasshoppers in size 12; crickets in size 14; and glides, and winds as a ribbon through the fresh leafhoppers in sizes 18 and 20. The midges are also wilderness of Ole Bull State Park. • Catch a big one Subscribe today and sign up a friend f
Pennsylvania Twelve issues a year, jam packed with the latest in fishing and boating tips, fishing tactics, management, fly tying, hot spots, environmental awareness and where to go.
Use Check or Money Order for Remittance • $5.00 — 1 year DO NOT SEND CASH) • $14.00 — 3 years
^:.\, Pennsylvania Fish Commission by Curt Sutherly -A. have had the pleasure of accompanying my friend Garry on a number of late-summer cattish trips, and although we've sometimes come home with only a of these splendid iters, we've never 1 skunked. And .'ere fishing during hottest time of Jay, when angling jften at its slowest, here are reasons such success, ief among them is at channel catfish re easy to catch, provided you know they congregate nd you properly take them. Channel catfish are, as a rule, bottom feeders. For this reason, many anglers have turned thumbs down on them, figuring the big cats aren't worth bothering with, either as gamefish or as foodfish. On both counts they are wrong. Curt Sutherly, active angler and freelance writer-photographer, is a staff writer for the Sunday Pennsylvanian in Lebanon. the Keystone State Hardnosed fighters state in which you live, you'll be patience comes into play. On many Pound for pound, a river-born catfishing the Juniata River, the occasions, Garry and I have channel catfish will outfight most Delaware, the Allegheny, the dispatched more than 100 yards of anything you can take on rod and Monongahela, the Susquehanna, line before the bobber dipped and reel. Garry and I have had these and many other rivers and large disappeared. Still, when the bobber fighters clear the water when streams in the Commonwealth. is so far downriver, regardless of hooked and break the surface, Once on the river, we head for how large it is, it stands out as thrashing like miniature marlins. water that runs shallow and fairly little more than a flash of color They run hard, stripping line from fast, spilling into eddies over rough amidst sundanced water. your reel with abandon. They're bottom and rocks. After entering There are times when the fish smart, too, and if an angler is such water with outboard up and simply don't hit even after doing unprepared, they will take the line oars shifted out, Garry maneuvers everything possible. That's when for a ride through tangles or us so that the boat is broadside to you raise anchor and drift against handy rocks, leaving him the current. We then set out downstream a fair distance before nothing in return. anchors, bow and stern, to prevent re-anchoring. Sooner or later When Garry first told me his the boat from shifting. (A note of you're bound to pick up a channel river catfishing secret, 1 didn't caution: if the current is too strong cat, and when you do, stay put: the believe him. What I did believe was or rough, forget this kind of big cats tend to congregate, and a that he's been having too many big fishing. It isn't an easy task, and in stringer-full is almost a sure bet. fish debates with other anglers. swift water these tactics are You may also pick up more than After one trip to the Susquehanna foolhardy.) catfish while angling in this River. I changed my tune, With the anchors secured, the manner. I've had legal-sized becoming less skeptical. baitcasting rods are brought out smallmouth jump onto my catfish and minnows placed on the hooks, rig almost before it hit the water. Tactics with minnows head down. A few splitshot set just And then there are the mystery Garry's river fishing technique above the hook are helpful, and a fish—the unseen monsters that hit calls for a shallow-draft boat, a large bobber is fixed to the line a hard but are never brought to boat. baitbucket full or large minnows, couple of feet above the splitshot. Each time out, Garry and 1 and a couple of large bobbers—the Then we drop the line over the have tied into fish that fled with bigger the better, and a spare, in side, and let the current carry it the line and parted 10-pound case you lose one. Your tackle downstream. monofilament with casual ease. should be medium to heavy and The entire procedure is simple. Most of the catfish we've taken loaded with at least 10-pound test, With the boat broadside to the are in the six- to eight-pound class, because you'll be fighting fish and current, fishing is convenient—with with a few approaching 10 pounds. the currents. Hooks in size 1 also the anglers sitting side-by-side, each But Garry insists that much bigger fit the bill. has equal fishing opportunity. channel cats haunt areas of the Moreover, this positioning allows Susquehanna—catfish exceeding 30 Where to fish less chance of tangled lines. inches and approaching 15 pounds Destination? Most any in weight—monsters by river warmwater river will do. Forget Catfish strikes standards. about ponds and impoundments Usually, a catfish will hit the bait How he knows this he won't say, where the channel catfish are soon after the line enters the water. and when I sometimes suggest that generally fat and sluggish and If not, when the line is retrieved, the broken lines we've experienced provide little real fight. Where you the bobber may have to be are the work of pike or musky, want to be is a river—a waterway readjusted until the proper depth is he'll nod in agreement—but with a where the catfish grow big but found. The trick is to adjust the smile as he does so. sleek and powerful, where they'll bobber so the bait bounces bottom What if Garry's monster river fight like the blazes. on its way downstream. catfish do exist? Someday I'll find Depending on the area of the And that's where a modicum of out. • II Old-Time Bass Flies Still Catch Fish How to Make Old-Time Bass Flies 1. Thread a propeller-type blade and beads onto a 2. Wrap the spinner shaft around the hook shank with wire shaft, and insert the shaft through the hook eye. pliers. 12 by Don Shiner prop-spinners were wired permanently up front—not separate A report in U.S. News & as are today's spinner-fly World Report indicated that combinations. Those who used approximately 53 percent of these old flies apparently did so Americans do not remember with fly rod gear, because the Russia's launching of Sputnik; 59 fixed-spool spinning reel was in its percent have no recollection of the infancy, confined more to Europe Korean War; 65 percent cannot than to the American scene. remember life before the start of the TV era. If these statistics are Found flies anywhere near accurate, it's my I found several of those old- guess that not many readers style bass flies recently while remember the old bass flies that rumaging through a trunk in the were much in use during the mid dusty attic. They were dad's. Their '40s. feathers were nearly gone, and This old-style fly featured broad, those that remained crumbled at oversized wings, resembling those touch. Hooks and attached prop- on today's fan-wing dry flies, spinners, though dulled by though those on this old fly were oxidation and corrosion, remained cupped inward. They were popular intact. Elated at my find, 1 decided in patterns such as the Lord to restore them. Baltimore, Oriole, Beautfort Moth, 1 soon sat huddled over my fly Professor, White Miller, and others tying vice, redressing those old that were most colorful. And some prop-spinner hooks with new had propeller-type spinner blades feather materials. It was a as an integral part of the fly. The satisfying experience, but the 3. Cover the wire and hook shank with thread 4. Now tie on a generous amount of white bucktail. wrappings, topped with lead wire and tinsel or other body materials. Threads in sizes 2/0 and larger are best. 13 grandest surprise was yet to come! magazines dating back to the late wire, sufficient weight is added for Sometime later, I stepped into '30s and '40s to discover the many casting with light spinning tackle. the Susquehanna River's North lures that have faded into oblivion. If more weight is required, split Branch for a go at bass. 1 rigged one Whatever the reason, the old bass shot can be pinched onto the line of the flies on spinning gear and fly with prop-spinner attached still ahead of the fly. plopped it down into riffles flowing catches fish. The concept of wiring past remains of an old eel wall— the prop-spinner permanently into Hook dressings places that usually harbor a the fly remains sound. After the prop-spinner is smallmouth or two. I saw the prop- anchored in place, the hook is blade spin into action as the Modified construction dressed with materials for some current caught it. As the fly swung 1 now make my own prop-blade chosen pattern. I've tied some with across the stream, a smallmouth bass flies. I've changed them marabou wings, and some with no charged in for the ambush. slightly, most notably the wing wings at all. One pattern I prefer is Several more bass of varying structure. I did away with the simply a dressing of bucktail sizes leaped onto this offering. The large, broad wings, preferring covered with feathers taken from old-style fly stirred up as much or instead those of more moderate flanks of waterfowl. These more action than many others in size or no wings at all. I retained particular feathers, of salt-and- today's line-up. the prop-spinner mounted pepper coloring, have a strong Furthermore, I put the old prop- permanently to the fly hook. It can resemblance to scale patterns on blade fly to work on Big Fishing be accomplished several ways. baitfish. Creek, a trout stream of some note The wire shaft, with prop-spinner in the northcentral region, and blade and beads already threaded Fishing ideas caught several sizable trout. 1 was on, can be soldered to the hook, or The old-style fly can be used as a impressed! simply wrapped several turns streamer or a wet fly. Cast out and Why this old-style fly around the shank. Either way allow it to drift with the current, disappeared from the scene is attaches the spinner permanently to then retrieve slowly at the end of anyone's guess. It, like so many the fly. the drift to put the prop-spinner in others, has not been seen in recent A wrapping of heavy thread over motion. It is also easily cast with memory. But then, one only needs the wire helps bind the spinner in light spinning gear and retrieved, as to browse through old outdoor place. And with a wrapping of lead are so many other crankbaits. • 5. Tie on feathers, taken from breast of waterfowl, on 6. Here is the completed fly with other marabou- each side of the fly. winged flies. Except for wings, which were unusually large, the propeller-spinner flies are similar to the old- style bass flies. 14 The Angler's Poison Ivy Test by Lou Elkes T F 6. Fishing tackle that has I.,f yo u accidentally contact contacted poison ivy, oak, and poison ivy while fishing, would a sumac can simply be rubbed clean plain water bath lessen the poison with a dry rag. ivy's bite, or would it only intensify T F 7. The structure of the the reddening, swelling, and T F 1. Pennsylvania has little or leaves, grouped in three's, is the itching? Or suppose you're walking no poison oak and poison sumac. most reliable method of identifying through the woods to a lake spot T F 2. Plant oil in poison ivy, and thus avoiding contact with and your rod butt brushes poison oak, and sumac—called oleoresin— poison ivy and oak. ivy. Will you get poison ivy by causes the reddening, swelling, and T F 8. You cannot get poison handling the rod butt, and if it's itching commonly associated with ivy, oak, or sumac in the late fall affected, what's the best way to contacting these plants. and winter, when the plants stop clean it? T F 3. Once you get poison ivy, growing. Your poison ivy know-how can the blister fluid causes the skin T F 9. If you get it bad, a make the difference between a reaction to spread. doctor's prescribed treatment can pleasant fishing trip and a T F 4. Washing immediately in relieve your symptoms in a matter nightmare of itching, swelling, and the field with water can signifi of hours or a day or two. sleeplessness. Here are nine true- cantly minimize the effects of false statements by which you can contacting poison ivy. Lou Elkes, itching, scratching, and test your poison ivy smarts. Circle T F 5. If you touch fishing recovering from a case of poison the "T" or "F" for each one, and tackle that has contacted poison ivy, is a freelance writer- then see how you did according to ivy, oak, or sumac, you cannot be photographer who now answers all the answers on the next page. affected by this second contact. these questions correctly. 15 Answers 1. False. According to special poison ivy also includes washing in big dividends of comfort if you report in the Journal of the quickly with pre-moistened towels, plan to be out in the Keystone American Academy of which you can tuck away in your woods. Dermatology, poison ivy has nine tackle box or fishing vest. 8. False. The plants are most subspecies, three of which are 5. False. Plant oleoresin from active in spring, summer, and early common in The Keystone State. poison ivy, oak, and sumac may fall, when oleoresin courses One kind each of poison oak and break down in about a week in through the growing plants. But in poison sumac is also common in humid climates, but in dry areas, late fall, winter, and early spring, the region. Where two, three, or the plant oil on affected clothing you can still get poison ivy, oak, more species grow in the same and fishing tackle can give you an and sumac from dormant plants. area, hybrid plants can often be allergic reaction for up to a year! Even dead plants, leaves, and roots found. These plants may look like Poison ivy oil on the skin loses sometimes have a residue of potent a cross between poison ivy and much of its activity within a day, oil! When late summer and early poison oak. In most areas, poison and in three days, dermatologists fall arrive, the leaves of these oak appears as a small nonclimbing report, no traces are left on the plants are one of the first to turn shrub; but poison ivy grows both skin. color, so identifying them during as a shrub and as a climbing vine. 6. False. Rubbing down affected these times becomes easier. 2. True. The plant oils in poison tackle and equipment with a dry Another sure way of identifying ivy, oak, and sumac cause the rag will spread the oleoresin, not poison ivy, oak, and sumac is allergic reaction in most people. remove it or make it safe to called "the black spot test." Find a This oleoresin is found in the handle. To make tackle safe again nonpoisonous twig or stick, and plant's leaves, stems, and roots. In for use, wear rubber or disposable swat a suspected plant to break the some spots, bare-footed, wading plastic gloves and wash everything leaves. In just a few minutes, fishermen have contacted the roots affected in warm water with yellow poison ivy, oak, and sumac plant of poison sumac, which often laundry soap, such as Fels-Naptha. oil turns brown, and then black. If grows in swampy or wet areas. The laundry soap removes oil— in a minute or two the broken leaf To their surprise, their fishing this is its primary effectiveness edges appear brown or black, you was terminated quickly. against poison ivy oleoresin. Be can be sure it's poisonous. Few 3. False. This poison ivy myth sure to re-oil reels and other other plants react this way to leaf has been disproven by Dr. Gere D. equipment that require lubrication. damage. Guin, an Indiana dermatologist Washing your clothes in any usual 9. True. "Doctors commonly who has studied poison ivy, oak, household detergent will make prescribe corticosteroids," says Dr. and sumac extensively. Dr. Guin them safe again. Guin. Pregnant women, diabetics, says, "Contrary to popular belief, 7. True. The leave's structure, and severely ill people cannot there is no harmful agent in blister though, varies greatly from area to be treated this way, he adds. These fluid. However, the plant oil can be area. In some places, for instance, cortisone-like drugs, says Dr. Guin, transferred from contaminated several different kinds of poison stop the body's inflammatory hands and clothing for about six oak leaves have been identified, response to the oleoresin. In many hours after initial contact." and some cannot be classified by cases, the itching and swelling can Depending on the thickness and botanists because hybrids have so be under control in a few hours to oiliness of the contaminated skin, many small but different a day or two, so if you get it bad, blisters, redness, and swelling may characteristics. In general, for it's not the end of the world, even be delayed for several hours up to poison ivy and oak, the saying though it may seem so for a while. three days—that's why it may seem "Leaflets three, let it be" is the best Without treatment, the allergic as if the blisters and redness are advice. reaction can last as long as three spreading the inflammation, when Nevertheless, poison ivy and oak weeks. actually they are not. leaves may be smooth-edged, or That's the way it felt to a 4. True. If you're fishing or they may be deeply lobed in a camping fisherman who you're on your way to a spot and variety of different patterns. Poison once slept on a bed of poison ivy suddenly realize you've contacted sumac has completely different leaf leaves he had gathered in the poison ivy, oak, or sumac, washing structure. In your area, and in darkness. The guy had it so bad, he immediately in water can places you frequent and plan to was hospitalized. It's a shame, minimize, and sometimes prevent, vacation, find out what poison because with a little knowledge an allergic reaction. However, if plants are common by contacting about poison ivy, oak, and sumac you wait too long, washing this the local 4H club, agricultural coupled with a good idea of what way acts to spread the rash by stations, or the botony or biology they look like, this careless disseminating the plant oil. departments of a local college. This fisherman could have avoided the Immediate first aid for contacting little bit of homework may pay off entire nightmare. • •^*3V 'trZsry* iU>\ <*>-«jyy V-,«a»» mm. *!PC* %^:S. •••*v N «5*£»,-r*flr' ~r Fall Brook Trout Fishing by Harrv W. Murray in water temperature. This seems readily apparent, but few anglers A- s fall approaches. Keystone realize how this, coupled with the State anglers are presented with the low water levels of fall, affects the potential for the finest mountain brook trout fishing of the year. Not Harry W. Murray, writer, fishing only is it possible to hook good guide, and educator, has been after numbers of brookies now, but most mountain brookies for 20 years. serious mountain trout fishermen land their largest fish of the season Editor's note: After Labor Day, each fall. trout may only be taken from trout-stocked waters, where the Feeding habits daily creel limit is three fish, unless This outstanding fishing is further restricted by special brought on primarily by the drop regulations. 17 Most serious mountain trout fishermen land their biggest fish of the season each fall. mountain brook trout's feeding This same approach will produce feed in this manner. Gone are the habits. Not only do they now feed in the fall, but it rarely accounts dangerously high water more actively than they did in mid for the large fish. I've observed that temperatures of summer, when the summer, but they move into most of the best fish in the stream trout were not greatly concerned different parts of the stream and have given up their dependable with feeding but simply wanted to feed in a manner greatly different feeding stations of spring to small hang on. As the water temperatures from that encountered in the spring fish. drop, the trout begin to work or summer. During the spring, the actively on the same food they wonderful hatches of old The favorite feeding areas for passed up several months before. dependables like Quill Gordons most big brookies in the fall are Midges and small terrestrials and March Browns plus the full the large back eddies. These areas represent a large part of the food flows resulted in the brook trout's are located well to the sides of the on the table before them. Much of selecting feeding stations close to a main current and have little or no this food ends up in these large medium- to heavy-current part of current flowing through them. back eddies, and due to the lack of the stream. In these areas, the fast They may range from 3 to 15 feet a good current, the trout are currents would bring this relatively across and from 6 inches to 3 feet compelled to cruise these areas abundant food supply right to deep. Unlike the primary spring instead of choosing a station and them. In the spring, once one feeding stations. I will often find waiting for it to come to them. learns to spot these primary feeding several large fish in each of these stations, it is possible to make back eddies. The trout obtain their some very nice catches of brookies food by cruising these areas. Fishing strategies by working up the stream fairly These cruisers put new demands fast and putting just one or two When one considers the fall on the angler. It is almost casts into each of these anticipated makeup of these streams, it is easy impossible to look at one of these hotspots. to see why the trout have chosen to eddies and determine exactly where Careful casting and wading is a requirement for catching mountain brookies. 18 The favorite feeding areas for most big brookies in the fall are the large back eddies. the trout will be located, as in table. Once 1 have spotted my is almost a must to use a leader selecting the primary feeding trout, if my nerves will let me, I tapered to 6x. A 7'^-foot delicate stations in the spring. The first wait for him to take three naturals rod for a four-weight line does an thing I do is try to spot the rise or to cruise his feeding area three excellent job for this type fishing. form. This will not give me all the times. This lets me establish his Rods that require larger lines answers, because a brook trout will feeding and cruising pattern if one seldom have the delicacy and seldom rise in exactly the same exists. It also lets him become accuracy you need in this close spot twice. But by narrowing down confident and at ease in feeding fishing. his location, 1 can move closer in again, just in case I may not have Several years ago, many anglers an attempt to observe the trout. approached the pool as cautiously started using 6'/2-foot fly rods This is the most demanding, as I should have. I prefer to make on the small mountain streams, essential part of the fall brookie my cast when the trout is headed thinking that these little beauties game. You must be able to see the to my right, left, or straight away would be ideal for fishing these fish in order to know you are from me, and never when he is areas with many tree limbs out putting the fly in front of him and headed toward me. Ideally, the fly over the streams, which tend to get not behind him, or worse, on top should land gently, about a foot in in the way using longer rods. This of him. front of the fish. Many fish are is all true, and many of these rods spooked at this point, but this is handle the casting requirements the nature of the game. Every one very well. Unfortunately, in order Cruising patterns you spook should teach you to prevent drag on these high- Many brook trout adopt a something about how to handle the gradient streams with these short repetitive pattern for cruising a back next one successfully. rods, it is necessary to move in so eddy. Even in slow areas 15 feet close to the fish that many are across, a specific fish may choose Fish-catching flies spooked. A slightly longer rod to cover a section the size of a card The most productive flies are would allow you to stay a little beetles, ants, and midges in sizes 16 farther back from the trout. to 22. Don't worry about not being Many anglers prefer to release all able to see these small flies because trout during spawning season. If you will not be fishing the same you choose to do this, it is wise to heavy water you did in the spring. land the fish quickly and return it Certainly, if a size 16 is producing, to the stream as gently as possible. it is foolish to make the game more It is best to return these fish to the difficult by fishing with a 22. You same pool from which they were have to do that with the Caenis, but caught. Sound conservation fortunately not here. Due to the practiced now will pay great flat water and spooky conditions, it dividends in the future. • A wading warning When fishing mountain brook trout streams that are open during the fall spawning season, we have an obligation to help protect the natural spawning process. The spawning redds are usually located in fine gravel over upwellings in areas of slight to moderate current. These appear as shallow depressions before the eggs are laid, and as slight mounds in the stream bed after the eggs have been deposited and covered. Most are slightly elongated and are 8 to 12 inches wide. We should take every precaution to avoid walking through or slightly above these beds while wading. Note the kind of areas where you see the beds, so that when you are on this or other mountain streams several weeks later and the beds are difficult to see, you will know where not to wade. 19 Almost universally, the gangly, mosquito-like adult craneflies are regarded as insects of minor importance to the fly fisher. Preston Jennings flatly dismissed them as valueless, and one respected contemporary angler- entomologist states he doesn't carry an adult cranefly pattern because the naturals are rarely on the water. This common view (which I must admit I shared) relates to the large species, which are mainly aquatic only in their larval stage. Little attention has been given the small species. Following my experience with the little craneflies last May, my The curiosity about the possibility of in- stream emergence was piqued. 1 Little found about 20 volumes in my library that covered the natural Yellow history of craneflies, and most of these texts described only the larger Cranefly species, in which pupation and/or emergence occurs in damp soil or wet grass along the stream. Only two references, Johannsen's Aquatic Diptera and Schweibert's Matching The Hatch, alluded by Chauncy K. Lively briefly to surface emergence. Johannsen described the larva and pupa of Antocha saxicola, a 3. Cleanly cut off the hair at the posterior end of the abdomen. Wax 1. Clamp a fine-wire hook (size 18 a short length of thread, and apply or 20) in the vise, and tie in thread a thin dubbing of pale yellow fur at mid-shank. Cut 15 to 20 pale or synthetic. Wind this dubbing deer or elk body hairs, and bind forward to about one-third the the butts to the shank with the tips shank length behind the hook eye. facing rear. 2. Gather hair in a bundle, and wrap them in spaced turns for an effective abdomen length that equals the shank length. Then make two extra turns at the end of the abdomen, reverse directions, and wind the thread over the previous wraps to the tie-in point. Trim the excess 20 hair butts. small species, as "strictly aquatic," the water the pattern rests with the line was moving straight across- and this was a significant clue, tip of the abdomen, the wing tips, stream! particularly in light of Wetzel's and the hackle creasing the surface 1 have since used the little observation of the same species on in approximately the circular light- yellow cranefly on a variety of Pennsylvania's streams. Although pattern of the natural. streams—both limestone and Wetzel didn't discuss its mode of In mid-May we fished the freestone—and it has been a emergence, his description of A. big stream and found conditions valuable addition to my fly box. saxicola closely matched the little nearly a carbon copy of our earlier The naturals seem to be more craneflies I had encountered. He visit. During the day the little tan prevalent during May and June, also commented on the great caddis provided plenty of dry fly but I have seen individual numbers of these small Tipulidae activity, and in the evening Scott specimens, mainly egg-laying, later found in autopsied trout, and on Stephenson and I went upstream to in the summer. I have also used the the selectivity trout show when the big pool with a leaning pattern with success when no these insects are on the water. The boulder at its head. Scott is a high craneflies were in evidence. 1 pieces of the puzzle were beginning school student whose talents as a suspect it is taken at times for to fit together, and I felt my fly tyer and fly fisher belie his age, some of the larger Chironomids, suspicions were confirmed. and at the tail of the pool he which present a similar light It's always exciting to encounter handled himself like a veteran, pattern. a new (to me) insect and even more landing and releasing several fine, In the May, 1982, Angler column fun to design a pattern to represent caddis-feeding brown trout. ("A Cranefly Larva") I minimized it. The little yellow cranefly was Meanwhile, I stationed myself the importance of cranefly pupae dressed with a slender, detached opposite the big boulder, and as and adults. With this attitude I had abdomen of bound elk body hair the evening light faded, so did the "gone along with the crowd," and fur-dubbed thorax, and hair caddis hatch. Now the rises were referring of course to the larger wings lying flat in a "V" more subtle than before, and 1 species best known to most anglers. configuration. At first, 1 tied a sensed the little craneflies were For this I apologize to our readers; parachute hackle to represent the again making their appearance. 1 in light of subsequent experiences, long, delicate legs of the natural, lost no time in changing to a little I must say that the little craneflies but winding hackle horizontally yellow cranefly, and the trout may indeed appear in numbers beneath the flat hair wings proved took it quietly and with confidence. rivaling those of mayfly and caddis cumbersome. So I settled for a My best brown of the day took the hatches, and are often equally slightly oversized, collar-type fly so imperceptibly that I wasn't challenging to the fly fisher. That's hackle and it proved adequate; on aware of the rise until I realized my evidently been a well-kept secret. • J 4. For wings, cut a small bunch of hair from a bleached deer mask, and even the tips. With the tips nearly reaching the 6. Wind the hackle in close turns, abdomen's end, bind the hair with several and tie it off behind the eye, firm turns. Then separate the hair with a allowing space for the head. Trim needle into two equal halves, and bind 5. Select a stiff ginger hackle with off the excess hackle tip, whip them with criss-cross turns. Trim the barbules twice as long as the hook finish, and cut the thread. Then excess hair butts. Apply a drop of lacquer gap. Strip off the lower webby coat the head with orange lacquer, to the base of each wing, and when barbs, and tie it in by its stem in and when it's dry, finish with clear partially dry, squeeze them flat with front of the wings with the hackle's head cement. tweezers. dull side facing the hook eye. 21 ANGLER'S CURRENTS The LAW And YOU report filed by Waterways subjects were explained the Poachers apprehended Patrolman Bowersox, one assailant violations in the state police suffered from a headache and had cruiser, and both desired to settle In the evening of last April 13, damage to personal property, the charges voluntarily—and two people who were poaching which included a crushed closed- peacefully—by mail-in trout at Montgomery County's face reel, a crushed headlamp, and acknowledgements. The charges Skippack Creek were surprised by minor scratches to his glasses. included interference, littering, Waterways Patrolman Guy A. On the lighter side of the report, fishing closed trout water, and Bowersox, Deputy Waterways "The subject's head did enter upon possession of trout during closed Patrolman Harry Stewart, a rock" during the scuffle, and the season. The fines totaled $185. Pennsylvania State Police Officer crushed headlamp was "still The report concludes, "When the Gary Fry, and Evansburg State attached to his head." subject left us, he was in deep tears Park Ranger Michael Lajcsak. When the assailants were and sobbing because of the fines." The appearance of the officers subdued, they faced the more These two fisherman surely have surprised the subjects, and they serious business of assuming learned that poaching does not resisted. According to the assault responsibility for their actions. The pay. Float Fishing Seminar Wanted: Ice Fishing Information Here's a chance for the angler who's interested in learning about float fishing to take part in a float fishing seminar on the Juniata River. This instructional program will be held Saturday, October 16, Ice fishing may be far from your (rain date, October 23) at the Muskrat Spring Access beginning at mind now. but before you know it, 9:00 a.m. ten-inch ice on your favorite Fish Commission field officers will present a program on how, waterway will be luring you to try when, and where to fish the Juniata, the best lures and techniques to your luck. try, plus boating safety tips. Pennsylvania Angler wants ice We'll then put you in a canoe for a four-mile float trip, and give fishermen to get the most for their you an opportunity to catch smallmouth bass, catfish, panfish, and ice fishing time and money, so perhaps even a trophy musky. we're going to publish tips on At the conclusion of the float, we'll show you how to prepare and anything and everything concerned cook your catch. with ice fishing: how-to hints, Reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis at the cost when-to ideas, how to find the best of $20.00 per person, and will be limited to 25 people. spots on a waterway, tackle tips, You can't beat the price. Just fill out the form below and send it suggestions on rigging baits, along with a check or money order for $20.00 payable to the pointers on staying warm and dry, Pennsylvania Fish Commission. We'll send you a letter with creeling ideas, beginners' material, additional information that includes directions, where to find and technically advanced lodging, etc. information—hints, tips, and suggestions that work for you—all geared to helping ice fishermen catch more fish and enjoy their Name sport more. We can't pay for your ideas, but Address we'll print your name with each idea we publish. Send your tip in Phone Number Age 50 words or less—the more concise, the better—to Ice Fishing Tips, Approximately how long have you been fishing? Pennsylvania Angler. P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Send to: Juniata Float Trip, Office of Information, P.O. Box Postcards are preferred, and the 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17120. deadline is September 27. 22 Book Review Fly Fishing for Panfish Scientific Angler/3M, Department A, Box 33984A, St. Paul, MN 55133.$2.50 Fly Fishing for Panfish is a practical guide to fishing with the long rod for a number of fish species. The bluegill is heavily covered, and should interest the Keystone State angler, especially with opportunities in his own backyard. This book, however, goes even further. The white bass and the crappie are discussed, as are walleyes and northern pike. Contrary to popular belief, all are susceptible to the fly rod. The publication is authoritative and hard hitting, describing fly rods, reels, and line in detail. For the angler interested in expanding his fishing opportunities with a fly rod. Flyfishing for Panfish is a good choice—and the price isn't bad, Home either.— Dave Wolf Spinning for Trout Boh Gooch, Charles Scrihner's Sons, 597 Fifth Avenue, m New York, NY 10017. $14.95 Finally, a book on trout dedicated to the art of spin fishing. Spinning For Trout fills the void that exists because of the abundance of fly fishing literature on this subject. Gooch takes you step-by-step through the basics of spin fishing for trout, through each species and environs in which they might be found. There is a chapter on river fishing, one on streams, another on lakes, and even one on ponds. Spinning For Trout should be widely accepted, simply because there are many more spin fishermen out there than there are fly fishermen. Chapters on bait are included, so the majority of anglers can relate. If there is one thing wrong with the book, it is that Gooch makes a backhanded apology in the preface, explaining that he too enjoys taking fish on a fly rod, perhaps so that he is not excluded from the fly fishing fraternity. This is unneeded baggage, although he pulls up the slack with his expertise on spin fishing.—Dave Wolf Clarion River Project Angler The Western Pennsylvania Citation Conservancy has begun a major land acquisition program to protect Pennsylvania Angler, the Fish a 40-mile-long corridor of the CltltiOn b; Ibr V], 0 u I ( if fttfTtJCl 1111 D ( « Commission's official publication, Clarion River from Ridgway in Elk has received a citation from the County to Piney Dam Reservoir in Pennsylvania House of Clarion County. Representatives for reaching its The Conservancy has so far fiftieth year as a prestigious, purchased over 4,800 acres of successful publication. hillside and shoreline property. Known as "the voice of the Fish This land, combined with other Commission," the Angler began public lands such as state parks, quite modestly 50 years ago as a game lands, and forests, now offers seven-page publication, and under protection to over 18 miles of the a handful of editors, each adding Clarion River corridor. The his thoughts and flair, became a Conservancy plans to continue well-rounded, respected magazine. acquiring land until the entire 40- triile corridor is protected. 23 Green to NWF Board Head of public relations and Environmental Quality Board, life public affairs for the United member of the National Wildlife Leonard A. Green, past president Telephone System Eastern Group. Federation, and life member of the of the Pennsylvania Fish Leonard Green serves many National Rifle Association. Commission and currently a organizations. He has served as the Last year Mr. Green was Commissioner, has been elected to president of the Federation of inducted into the Pennsylvania the Board of Directors of the Sportsmen's Clubs, president of the Federation of Sportsmen's Club's National Wildlife Federation. Federation's Endowment Hall of Fame. Mr. Green's Green will represent Region III, Foundation, president of the commitment to conservation is an which encompasses Ohio, New Pennsylvania Forestry Association, ambitious, certainly admirable York, New Jersey, Maryland, and member of the Citizen's Advisory undertaking. Pennsylvania. Council, member of DER's Anglers Notebook BY Richard F. Williamson Small crayfish are excellent baits Calm water is best for bass for smallmouth bass. Crayfish also bugging. There can be just a hint make good bait for big trout. of riffle on the surface, but a stiff breeze makes casting a wind- resistant bug difficult, and the lure cannot be worked properly on Dedicated to the sound conserva wind-stirred water. tion of our aquatic resources, the protection and management of the state's diversified fisheries, and to Casting for northern pike with the ideals of safe boating and large spoons and spinners calls for optimum boating opportunities. a stout rod and line of at least 20- EXECUTIVE OFUCE pound test. Ralph W. Abele. Executive Director Howard T. Hardie. Administrative Assistant Smallmouth bass are smart and Dennis T. Guise. Chief Counsel suspicious, so use long, fine leaders Ross E. Starner. while fishing for them with dry Comptroller flies, wets, nymphs, and small BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE streamers. SERVICES 717-787-6487 Paul F. O'Brien. Director Allison .1. Mayhew. Personnel John Hoffman. Real Estate Glen Reed. Federal Aid Mary Stine. Licensing Bass, pike, and pickerel readily BUREAU OF FISHERIES take chubs, shiners, and suckers for AND ENGINEERING 814-359-2754 a practical reason. These baits do Edward R. Miller. P.E.. not have spiny fins that make them Assistant Executive Director hard to swallow. Delano Graff. Fisheries Carl H. Nordblom. Engineering BUREAU OF WATERWAYS 717-787-2192 Braided nylon has certain Gene Sporl, Assistant Executive Director advantages over monofilament line 1 Edward W. Manhart. Law Enforceme" on casting reels. Because it is limp, Paul Martin. Boat Registration Any lure that imitates an injured it is much less likely to cause Virgil Chambers. Boating Education minnow must be made to look like backlashes. It also has OFFICE OF INFORMATION one. It should rise and fall in the disadvantages. It's more likely to 717-787-2579 water, flutter and struggle, and suffer abrasions, and it absorbs Michael .1. Bickler. Director sometimes float without any action more water than monofilament Larry Shaffer. Publications Stephen B. Ulsh. Education 24 imparted to it at all. line. Dave Wolf. Media Relations Dear Mr. Hulpa: Thank you for the boating safety tip on detection of approaching storms. Many enjoyable outings have indeed turned into dangerous situations because the onset of a thunderstorm is so unpredictable. Your suggestion is appreciated, and we will share the idea with other boaters. We are always open for suggestions on how to improve boating safety MAIL awareness, and we welcome comments such as yours. Virgil H. Chambers Boating Education Specialist I would like to pass on a suggestion concerning an oncoming thunderstorm to UMMER anyone in a boat. The gadget is simple. It is a plain radio tuned to STORMS the AM frequency. 1 guess people CAN HIT have noticed that an oncoming storm produces static on the SUDDENLY/ radio everytime lightning strikes, so if you are in a boat and hear static on your radio everytime lightning strikes somewhere, it's time to head for shore. The storm could be miles away, but it could give you ample time to head for safety. Michael Hulpa Dear Mr. Eoechner: Canonsburg, PA Thank you for your letter. We're glad to hear you found success using the ideas in Jim Bashline's article. When you put your tackle and rig together, after threading your line through 1 just finished reading the July the rod guides, place the bullet-head slip sinker on your line, and then tie on a 1982, issue of Pennsylvania hook. Then, when you want to crimp the splitshot on the line, push the slip sinker Angler. There were many articles back up the line, out of the way. In addition, put the slip sinker on so that the 1 liked and found most cupped end faces the splitshop. In this way, the splitshot can move snugly against informative. the sinker when you hook a fish, and the line is less likely to break. I found myself in agreement When you fish this way with spinning gear, leave the bail on your reel open. with the article "Go Deep on Dog When you get a strike, your line will start moving out, and you can then engage Days" by Jim Bashline. I went the reel and strike. deep and found some nice-sized walleyes. I find his idea of the We wish you success in trying this method, and hope you continue to enjoy rigging with the slip sinkers most Pennsylvania A ngler. interesting, but where exactly do you put the sliding sinker? I Art Michaels would like to try this technique. Editor Daniel J. Loechner Export, PA I would like to be a future fish commissioner of Pennsylvania. 1 am a great admirer of the Angler. Dear Jeff: and 1 read every copy. My name Thank you for your letter and your interest in working for the Pennsylvania is Jeff Dolmajer. I am 12 years Fish Commission. We are pleased that you like to read Pennsylvania Angler. old. Please send me some We are sending you some publications that describe the various jobs performed information about being a future by our employees. Generally, you must be a high school graduate for some fish commissioner. Thank you for positions, but others, which are more technical, require college degrees. reading my letter. How old We hope someday your wish comes true and that you will be working for us in should I be before 1 can become a providing the citizens of Pennsylvania with good fishing and boating fish commissioner? opportunities. Jeff Dolmajer Stephen B. Ulsh Brackenridge, PA Information Specialist 25 THE STRIPER HYBRID BASS BY FRED GUAR&fNBEfi^ WHITE BASS. NATIVE TO THE STATE, ARE A NO-UMIT HYBRID BASS, A CROSS BE PANFISH GAINING GAME- TWEEN f\ FEMALE FRESH WATER WHITE BASS AND A FISH STATUS WHEN MALE SALTWATER STRIPED CROSSED WITH STRIPERS/ BASS BRINGS NEW LIFE TO THEY ACTUALLY BELONG TO THE SALTWATER SEA BASS ...AND DEPLETED LAKES. IT INHABITS FAMILY AND ARE x BLACK BASS COVER PACKING RELATED IMPOUND- ^\l\TOI2:Cs\V AS MUCH POWER,FOOD AND TO THE MENTS.IT IS ^ FIGHT PER POUND. THEY STRIPED^ PROTECTED BY ARE IN i BASS. THE SAME RULES AS ALL YEAR. 1T0 2. ITS HYBRID OFFSPRING. ROUND. LB5. £. STATE RECORD %M 12". ^ s STRIPED E2LB.4-0Z.BY **» 15" BASS. CARL6RUBB ICE- - DAILY HIGHLY PRIZED SALT- FISHING RAVSTOWN LIMIT 2. W WATER FISH, HAVE BEEN LAKE ON MARCH 1, FI982. SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED INTO LAKES... Survey Results ANGLERS.. . EDUCATORS.. . The Fish and Wildlife Service of Here's a handy reference to the wide variety of fish the U.S. Department of the found in Pennsylvania waters. With illustrations by Interior conducted a national Ned Smith and printed in full color, the book includes survey of fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation in a short narrative about each species. More than 40 fish 1980. Here are some of the are illustrated and discussed. Cost by mail, $1.75. preliminary results: •Nearly 100 million Americans "Pennsylvania engaged in some form of wildlife- Fishes SPORTSMEN . . . CONSERVATIONISTS .. associated recreation and spent Clean water is everybody's concern. Show you care almost $40 billion to pursue their and urge others to care, also. Wear this embroidered favorite sports and enjoy their emblem proudly . . . "Polluted Water Is Nothing To outdoor hobbies. l • More than 42 million Americans Smile About." In four colors, the patch measures 2 A" aged 16 and older fished in 1980. x 4". By mail, cost is $1.50. •The typical adult American fisherman is likely to be male (71%), under age 35 (52%), earn pmumwKm To order, send your check or money less than $30,000 annually (71%), IS NOTHING and live in a rural area or town order payable to the Pennsylvania under 50,000 population (76%). Fish Commission to: Publications Section National Park Service Map Pennsylvania Fish Commission The National Park Service has Box 1673 published an up-to-date map of the Harrisburg, PA 17120 National Wild and Scenic Rivers Name System. The map displays in color code the 61 existing components of Address the national system, rivers for which formal studies have been completed. City State . Zip . and rivers that are currently being studied for possible designation. Book . .@ $1.75 Total $ . Write to the National Park Service, Patch _ @ S1.50 Total $ . Division of Rivers and Trails, Washington, D.C. 20240. check • ; M.O. D Enclosed Grand Total $ 26 Boating by Virgil Chambers Many enjoyable fishing and the ratio of the line length to water the bottom, not just on the boating ventures have ended in depth. Scope keeps an anchor fror bottom's vegetation. despair because the boater has dragging. Visualize how a long improperly used anchor ground anchor line tends to exert a Anchor rode tackle. For years, anchors were horizontal pull instead of a vertical The anchor rode, the line and limited to relatively few types. pull, and helps the anchor dig in. any other gear that lie between a However, improved variations of For optimum performance, the line boat and her anchor, should be each type appeared with radically should lead away from the anchor selected as carefully as the anchor. new designs, which were based on at an angle of not more than 80 Specific conditions of use and holding power instead of weight. In degrees from the bottom, which maximum anticipated loads should fact, weight has very little to do works out to a scope of 7:1 in be carefully considered. The rode with the successful use of an shallow water, where there is little should prevent sudden shock from anchor. sag in the line. wind drag, current drag, and wave The holding power of a modern The characteristics of the bottom action. Elasticity of the rode is of anchor depends strictly on its also affect the holding capabilities utmost importance. design, and is proportional to the of the anchor. A sandy or silt Actually, it is possible to area of the flukes and the depth to bottom offers the best ground. The eliminate much of the shock load which they are buried in the hooking-type anchors perform best through proper rode design. For bottom. The size and weight of in this type of bottom. At the two instance, nylon line, connected to your anchor should increase as the opposite ends of the spectrum, the anchor by a short (3-4 feet) anticipated boat loads increase. anchoring in soft-mud bottoms and piece of chain, lowers the angle of Bigger anchors provide more fluke rocky bottoms is usually difficult. pull at the anchor. Along with area, which overcomes stresses with The soft-mud bottom lacks the adequate scope, these elements are heavier loads. Nevertheless, a 500- gripping power, and rocky bottoms important in an effective ground pound concrete block, unless it is frequently prevent an anchor from tackle system. completely buried in silt, has no getting a good hold on anything Finally, the essence of successful more holding power than a 4- except an occasional crevice. anchoring is to stay put without pound Danforth-type anchor. Anchoring in grassy or weedy dragging. To accomplish this, the Obviously, that four-pounder bottoms is not difficult, but to hold boater should learn to use the wouldn't hold an inner tube if the an anchor in a weedy bottom, the proper gear. • anchor line came up vertically from flukes must get through the weeds the bottom; but properly set and into the bottom to get a firm hold. Virgil Chambers is a Fish with the right amount of line in This may require some initial Commission Boating Education proportion to the water depth, even adjustment to get a solid grip on Specialist. this small anchor has a holding power of 230 pounds in soft mud The Pennsylvania Fish Commission has available boating pamphlets andl and 1,600 pounds in hard sand. booklets that cover subjects such as Boat Trailering, Boating Guide to] Pennsylvania Waters, Sailing in Pennsylvania, and Sportsmen and Small Boats. Line and scope For a complete list of fishing, boating, and conservation publications, and I The anchor line is a controlling ordering information, write to the Publications Section of the Pennsylvania Fish | factor in an anchoring system. It is Commission at P.O. Box 1673. Harrisburg, PA 17120. important to understand scope— Pennsylvania A cross between a musky and a northern pike produces a tiger musky—one of Pennsylvania's most highly-prized gamefishes. by Steve Ulsh go about their work without fanfare were stocked from the Corry (then or notoriety. Western) Hatchery. Later stockings I. t probably never enters the mind in 1896 and 1897 involved 91,000 of a musky angler who has just Native musky muskellunge fry, which were released finished bringing a trophy to bay that The original range of the muskel into waters that already contained the early stages of his success prob lunge in Pennsylvania centered in the muskellunge populations. ably started one quiet, fall morning Northwest corner of the Common In 1953, the first attempts to when a lone fish culturist pulled his wealth, namely the Upper Allegheny expand the musky's range beyond its pickup truck out of one of the Fish River Basin and Lake Erie and its original habitat were made by the Commission's distribution facilities tributaries. Pennsylvania Fish Commission, and headed out on an assignment to In December. 1932, the first issue when musky fry were introduced into stock muskellunge. of Pennsylvania Angler reported big newly constructed Commission lakes Unlike trout stocking, which often muskies taken from French Creek and those owned by the Department involves newspaper announcements, and Sandy Lake, the latter located of Forests and Waters (now part of long lines of accompanying auto in Mercer County. DER). mobiles, and in some instances. State Muskellunge culture was plagued Police assistance in traffic control, a Hatchery propagation with high egg and fry losses until the fall musky stocking usually is Hatchery propagation of muskel mid 1960s. By then, the success in accomplished by two men: the local lunge began in the United States in hatching muskellunge eggs had risen waterways patrolman and the the 1800s. The first recorded stocking from five to over 80%, and fry-to- delivering fish culturist. They meet, of muskellunge in Pennsylvania was fingerling survival had risen to 90%. decide how many stops to make, and in 1894, when 15 large muskellunge This success was the result of a cooperative effort by the Commis Musky Catches of 1982 sion's research and propagation personnel. 1 Angler Weight Length Location Bait The big breakthrough came in 1968, when over one million musky 1 Clair C. Solt 28!/: lbs. 48 inches Belt/ville Lake Minnow fry and fingerlings were released in 1 Edward S. Johnson 36'/2 lbs. 50 1 /16 in. Kinzua Dam Sucker 1 Mark E. Heeter 42 lbs. 52 inches Eaton Res. Panther Martin lakes, rivers, and streams of 41 1 Timothy P. Bayhurst 30 lbs. 50 inches Eaton Res. Creek chub counties. Since then, over 6.5 million 1 Mark Errico 31 lbs. 4 oz. 48 inches Conneaut Lake Homemade purebred and tiger muskellunge have 1 Mark Zele/nick 28 lbs. 48 inches Marsh Creek Bluegill been stocked in Pennsylvania waters. 1 Jack Bell 42 lbs. 9 07. 51 7/8 in. Allegheny Res. Jig & Pig 1 Joe Alberts 28 lbs. 48 inches Pymatuning Lake Creek chub 1 Chance Hake 35 lbs. 49 inches Susquehanna R.. Chub WB Steve Ulsh is a Fish Commission Information Specialist. 28 are fed brine shrimp, daphnae, and Once on their own, the young fish Culture care live minnows; while tigers are given a usually grow rapidly, attaining The life of a Commission-bred commercially prepared food that lengths from 16 to 24 inches in their muskellunge begins in late April or consist of fish meal, dried blood, first year. Succeeding years usually early May when fish culturists collect flour, brewers yeast, and pre-mixed show a decreased growth rate, but on brood muskellunge and northern vitamins. Tigers are kept indoors in the average, a three-year-old fish will pike for egg and sperm taking. relatively confined spaces and exceed 30 inches. Specially constructed trap nets are watched closely by fish culturists. placed in the sanctuary waters of the Purebreds are given the freedom of Up-to-date plans Linesville Fish Cultural Station. outside raceways and left to do most This year the commission plans to These nets yield big male and female of their own foraging. stock approximately 100,000 tiger muskies, while nets placed in other and 80,000 purebred muskies and nearby lakes capture the northern fingerlings in rivers and lakes pike, which is needed in tiger Over 6.5 million throughout Pennsylvania. muskellunge culture. It's a long way and many years After the brood fish are captured, muskies have been from a tiny egg in Linesville to a they are taken inside spawning areas stocked in mighty muskellunge, shaking a lure where milt and eggs from male and to a fare-thee-well in the Delaware. female are mixed to ensure fertiliza Pennsylvania Juniata, and Susquehanna Rivers, tion. The tiger muskellunge (a waterways. and Kinzua, Raystown. and Con- norlunge in New York) is obtained by neaut Lakes. Many hours have been crossing a muskellunge with a spent in research labs, fisheries northern pike. seminars, and hatchery operations, Fertilized eggs are then placed in Distribution but the effort is worthwhile. Muskies hatching jars at Linesville, Tionesta, By late August, the young fish have can now be caught statewide, and Union City, Huntsdale, and Pleasant obtained or exceeded the six-inch they're available to all anglers. Mount fish cultural stations. If water length required for stocking, and the In your travels this fall, if you see a temperature remains at 55 degrees, distribution process begins. Fish are Commission stocking truck traveling the young muskies usually hatch in stocked in August and September for one of Pennsylvania's roads, chances about 15 days. two reasons: first, a large amount of are it's headed for a meeting with a forage fish is available, and second, district waterways patrolman. Its Different diets the six-inch-plus length gives the cargo will be released in an effort to At this stage in their lives, the care young muskies a better chance of provide a Pennsylvania angler with a and feeding of purebreds and tigers surviving predation by other game- thrill someday of catching a trophy begins to contrast sharply. Purebreds fishes. muskellunge. • 29 PROFILE m The Aerial Acrobat The rainbow trout. Salmo gairdneri, is one of the five population or strain, and when water temperatures are in most popular sportfishes in North America. It can be the 50-to-60-degree range, a female rainbow will find a bed identified by a broad band of purplish red that extends of fine gravel, usually in a riffle above a pool. She uses her along the sides from head to tail, with a bluish or olive tail and the stream's current to excavate a cavity or color above the lateral line brightening into silvery green "redd." where eggs will be deposited and covered. Moving on the lower sides. It also has a profuse sprinkling of over the redd, the female, accompanied by one or more small, dark spots on the dorsal fin. caudal fin (tail), and males, releases several hundred eggs that are fertilized by sides. the male's milt. The pink to orange eggs, about . 15-inch in A foreigner to Pennsylvania (its original range extended diameter, are slightly heavier than water and sink into the along the West Coast from Alaska to northern Mexico). redd. The female, either to complete the act of spawning the rainbow was brought to Pennsylvania in the early or to repeat the ritual, swims upstream a short distance 1880s. Through intensive fish husbandry, strains of and digs another redd. The current then carries some fine rainbows have been developed that offer a trout quite stones and gravel into the first redd as a protective adapted to fish culture on a large scale. The Commission's covering. Water flowing over and through the redd stocking programs place rainbows in all 67 counties. In replenishes oxygen and carries away waste from the 1981, over 2 million rainbows, approximately 15 months developing embryos. It also prevents silt from old and averaging better than 9 inches, were stocked by accumulating on the eggs. A covering of silt could doom the Commission, while another 250,000 were stocked by the eggs to suffocation. sportsmen's groups in the Commission's Cooperative Depending on water temperatures, the eggs hatch in 4 to Nursery Program. About 500,000 fingerlings were stocked 7 weeks. The recently hatched trout, or alevins, take 3 to 7 by the Commission in select waters where good survival is days to absorb the yolk sac before becoming free- anticipated. swimming. About 15 days after hatching, the tiny Stocked rainbows, less naive than brook trout but easier rainbows commence active feeding on plankton first and to catch than brown trout, are usually found in the swift- then just about anything available, with emphasis on flowing sections of streams along the edge of strong aquatic invertebrates. Young rainbows have several dark, currents, the head of rapids, and where logs or boulders oval "parr" marks from head to tail that eventually fade as create turbulent areas. In most stocked lakes, rainbows can the fish ages. be found at just about any depth until water temperatures The stream's habitat, fertility, quantity, and type of food start to warm. As temperatures rise into the 70s. the trout play a major role in determining how large a rainbow will seek deeper, cooler water, spring seeps, and cool be and how fast it will grow. A 12-month-old rainbow in a tributaries. tiny headwater mountain stream might be 4 to 5 inches Favorite baits for rainbows may approach the bizarre— long, while its counterpart in a limestone stream, having a a wide variety of items and concoctions from colored constant flow of 52-degree water and an abundance of marshmallows to spinners with exotic feathers and natural food such as scuds and sowbugs. might be 8 or 9 inches. aquatic life (including even leeches). Analyses of rainbow Some strains of rainbows called steelheads are stomachs have turned up pieces of plants, pebbles, sticks, anadromous—spending most of their lives in the ocean or and even cigarette butts, in addition to natural foods. large lakes before returning to their nursery rivers or In contrast to the stocked variety known so well to many streams to spawn. These migratory rainbow trout can anglers, the Keystone State is also fortunate to have grow to exceptional size, with fourteen-pounders becoming populations of wild rainbow trout. Reproducing not uncommon in Pennsylvania. populations exist in some tributaries to Lake Erie and the Because most of Pennsylvania's tributary streams to upper Delaware River. Also, a few limestone streams in Lake Erie are small and provide limited spawning areas, the Cumberland Valley and a scattering of small the Fish Commission pursues an active steelhead spawning headwater mountain streams throughout the and rearing program. In the fiscal year 1981. the Commonwealth support natural reproduction of rainbows. Commission stocked over 300,000 steelhead in Erie's In the fall or spring, depending on the individual tributaries, thus imprinting those fish to that particular stream. In years to come those same fish will return to their birthplace to complete one of nature's most complex This article was prepared by the Commission's Fisheries cycles and provide abundant recreation for Pennsylvania Management Section. anglers. • 30 Rainbow Trout Illustrated by Tom Duran