May 1989/$1.50 Pennsylvania U the Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine

May 1989/$1.50 Pennsylvania u The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine Jingle* \ ful is the foresight shown by the members of The Commission is pleased with these suc Straight the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and by cesses and the fact that many Pennsylvania the professional staff who have served during residents are enjoying fishing and boating. this period. The Commission and staff The interest is also providing significant eco Talk working together as a team predicted these nomic benefits to the Commonwealth. A re periods of increased public interest and cent study shows that Pennsylvania growth, and they have wisely planned their fishermen spend more than $770 million an programs to provide additional fishing and nually, which generates more than $55 mil boating recreational opportunities. lion in state sales and income tax revenues. An active acquisition and development However, the success of these programs is 30 Years of Progress program has provided new fish culture capa also drawing an increased level of interest at Risk? bilities and increased public access to our wa from the Pennsylvania General Assembly. terways. The creation of a sound fisheries The 173rd Legislative Session began on Janu During the past 30 years there has been tre management and research program and de ary 3, 1989, and to date, four Senate and mendous growth in Pennsylvania fishing and velopment of one of the leading fish culture seven House bills have been introduced to boating interest. Fishing license sales have in programs in the United States have given amend the Fish and Boat Code. Eight of the creased from less than 700,000 to more than Pennsylvania an excellent fisheries program. proposals could have significant financial im 1.1 million, an increase of 70 percent. Power- Expansion and implementation of a highly pact on the Commission. boating registrations have skyrocketed from trained and qualified field staff of conserva The only bill among this group proposing 57,000 registered boats in 1957 to nearly tion officers, and development of a highly to aid the Commission's revenue status is 270,000 today, an increase of more than 340 skilled group of boating administrative and House Bill 643, which, if approved, would percent. The Commission's environmental educational and informational staff mem give the Commission regulatory authority to protection, conservation and enhancement bers to direct the fast-growing boating pro fix annually the fees to be assessed and col efforts have expanded greatly from a small gram have placed Pennsylvania among the lected for all licenses and permits. If habitat improvement effort to a statewide nation's leaders. adopted, however, strong legislative budget program involving all Commission personnel Another important ingredient was the de ary and audit controls could be mandated. and hundreds of volunteers. velopment of education-information, admin House bill 650 is a Commission initiative Population growth within the Common istration, maintenance, engineering and that is designed to strengthen the Fish and wealth during the 30-year period has been other necessary support functions. Boat Code, including an updated fine and relatively stable, which demonstrates that During this period of rapid expansion, the penalty structure and allowing for multiple- each year a higher percentage of Pennsylva Commission again and again demonstrated year boat registrations. Another Commission nia's residents are becoming involved in the its frugality and efficient handling of its fis initiative (House bill 790) is a capital im fishing and boating programs conducted by cal affairs. Sound fiscal management has al provement authorization bill. If approved, it the Commission. This phenomenon is not lowed it to serve the public in exceptional will permit acquisition of the Elk Creek unique to Pennsylvania. But this rate of fashion, while keeping the cost of fishing property on Lake Erie, if negotiations are growth in a state with a stable population is and powerboating fees lower. The size of the successful, and implement initial planning unique. permanent Commission staff during this for future development of several badly The major reason Pennsylvania's fishing same 30-year period has increased from 260 needed fish culture station improvements, in and boating programs have been so success- to 418, a moderate increase considering the cluding updated waste collection and treat vastly expanded scope of the programs and ment facilities at four locations. services provided by the Fish Commission. At least six other bills that apply to the A major contributor to the Commission's Commission have been introduced, and success was also the wise use of the limited more than 17 other bills of direct interest to funds available to the agency through the the agency's programs are active. It appears Project 70 land acquisition program and the this could be the most active legislative ses Project 500 development fund. sion the Commission, the aquatic resources Today the Commission maintains a lim and the sportsmen have ever experienced. ited fishing and boating access development On April 11, the long-awaited final report acquisition and development effort, and a on the legislative study on the feasibility of greatly reduced fish culture station improve combining the Pennsylvania Fish and Game ment program. But there have been no ma Commissions was released. The study clearly jor hatchery improvement projects demonstrated a high level of public accept undertaken since the Project 500 funding ance for the present Commission structure program ended in mid-1983. During the past and its programs. The report shows that half-dozen years the Commission has not some savings could be made, but that merger been able to keep pace with demands placed would also incur some additional costs. Nev on the program by new fishermen and boat ertheless, there are reports that legislation ers. It has been forced to reduce many of its will be introduced to merge the two agencies research, development and major facility and regardless of the study results. equipment improvement efforts because What does all this mean? It means that available revenue has been continuously now is the time for Pennsylvania fishermen eroded by inflation. Program leaders have and boaters to join and vigorously support identified many areas where Commission the Commission's efforts to maintain an in programs are losing ground in their efforts to dependent status and provide progressive Edward R. Miller, P.E. maintain levels of public service, and we have public services. Tell your legislators how you Executive Director been unable to expand our efforts in areas of feel. The future of fishing and boating in Pennsylvania Fish Commission greatest public need. Pennsylvania depends on your actions. Pennsylvania Fish Commission May 1989 Vol. 58 No. 5 Leon Reed President Pennsylvania Honesdale David Coe Vice President State College ANThe Keystone Stale'sG Official Fishing Magazine Marilyn A. Black Cochranton Leonard A. Green Carlisle Perkiomen Creek by Ed Jaworoski Ross J. Huhn Montgomery County's Perkiomen Creek holds enough pleasant Saltsburg surprises to perk up any angler's spirits 4 Calvin J. Kern Whitehall The Other Drake on Pennsylvania Streams by Charles Meek T. T. Metzger, Jr. Sure, there's the Green Drake hatch. But about the same time, the Johnstown Brown Drake provides explosive hatches and spinner falls 8 Joan R. Plumly Jenkintown Towing by Virgil Chambers William J. Sabatose Sooner or later, most boaters need a tow or they tow another boat. Brockport But giving and receiving a tow requires special skills 12 J. Wayne Yorks Benton The Morning Blue-Wing Olive by Ed Howey Morning becomes electrified in Mid-May when these little devils Boating Advisory Board are about 14 Thaddeus Piotrowski Chairman Bow-and-Arrow Carp: Fishing's Cousin by Linda L. Steiner Bloomsburg Bowfishing for carp requires a fishing license. Here's the complete Clayton Buchanan lowdown on what you ought to know to succeed 16 Pittsburgh Donald J. Little Canoeing Tips for Beginners by Cliff Jacobson Philadelphia With a little help you can turn inexperience and awkwardness into Judy Obert fine-tuned skills 22 Greentown Gerald Sedney Upriver Shad Fishing by Dennis Scholl Erie Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties offer terrific shad fishing action, if you know a few tricks of the trade 26 Magazine Staff Editor—Ail Michaels Kids Page! by Steve Ulsh Art Director—Ted Walke Take a river, add a spinning rig baited with a crayfish, stir in an Circulation—Eleanor Mutch occasional smallmouth bass, and watch the sparks fly 29 Staff Assistant—-Rose Ann Bartal Staff Assistant—Charlene Glisan The covers This issue's cover, photographed by Joe Workosky, shows Mary Anne tennsybania Angler (1SSN0031-434X) is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Workosky with a nice shad caught last season. For excellent advice on PA 17109. ; 1989. Nothing in this magazine may be reprinted with out the written permission of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. catching these anadromous critters, see page 26. If trout fishing stirs your Subscription rates: one year, $6; single copies are $1.50 each. Sec blood, check out the features on pages 8 and 14. Canoeists can find some ond class postage is paid at Harrisburg, PA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Angler Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish practical ideas in the story beginning on page 22, and bowfishermen will find Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. For sub the article on page 16 to be right on target. If you ever get roped in to giving scription and change of address, use above address. Please allow six weeks for processing. Send all other correspondence to: The Editor, a fellow boater a tow, see page 12. Pennsylvania Angler, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Editorial queries and contributions are welcomed, but must be ac On the back cover is a special message from your Angler editor concerning a companied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes.

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