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IAL STATE PUBLICATION

OFFICIAL STATE PUBLICATION VOL. XIX—No. 2 FEBRUARY, 1950

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION

D it. ivjsion o HON. JAMES H. DUFF, Governor PUBLICITY and PUBLIC RELATIONS J. Allen Barrett Director PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION MILTON L. PEEK, President RADNOR PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER BERNARD S. HORNE, Vice-President South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. PITTSBURGH WILLIAM D. BURK MELROSE PARK 10 Cents a Copy—50 Cents a Year GEN. A. H. STACKPOLE DAUPHIN Subscriptions should be addressed to the Editor, PENNSYL­ VANIA ANGLER, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. Submit p PAUL F. BITTENBENDER fee either by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. Individuals sending cash WILKES-BARRE do so at their own risk. CLIFFORD J. WELSH ERIE PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contributions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper credit will be given to con­ LOUIS S. WINNER tributors. Send manuscripts and photos direct to the Editor LOCK HAVEN PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. S * EXECUTIVE OFFICE Entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office of Harris- 1/ burg, Pa., under act of March 3, 173. C. A. FRENCH, Executive Director ELLWOOD CITY IMPORTANT! H. R. STACKHOUSE The ANGLER should be notified immediately of change in sub­ Adm. Secretary scriber's address. Send both old and new addresses to Pennsyl­ vania Fish Commission, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. * Permission to reprint will be granted if proper credit is given. C. R. BULLER Chief Fish Culturist THOMAS F. O'HARA Construction Engineer Publication Office: Tele graph Press, Cameron and WILLIAM W. BRITTON Chief Fish Warden Kelker Street, Harrisburg, Pa. Executive and Editorial Offices: Commonwealth of ROBERT P. DEITER Comptroller Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Harris- burg, Pa.

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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION HARRISBURG, PA.

-7

The Angler SAD, BUT TRUE

When it comes to catching fish Ym most satisfied; When it comes to eating 'em I just love 'em fried, Pennsylvania's New Fish Broiled, or any other way— Management Program 2 There I call a halt! By Gordon L. Trembley When it comes to cleaning 'em % I, by choice, default. The Schuylkill Flows Green Again 4 When the bobber bobbles, then By Ellen A. Dietrich Disappears, I find • Happy satisfaction that rn is Year Try Ice Fishing 6 Stimulates the mind. By Don Shiner Stimulated thus, I go • Homeward with this thought: p ower or Pleasure 8 Life would be more pleasant if By Keith C. Schjyler Cleaner fish were caught. * T ackle Busters of Hidden Lake 10 When I hear 'em simmering By Richard L. Dolton -% In the frying pan I'm about as happy as S *amp Water II Any fisherman; By Albert G. Shimmel Stimulated thus, I think, » Happy life would be Ki| lers of Inland Lakes 12 If the task of cleaning 'em By Jack Anderson Never fell to me.

Ba ss Extraction 14 When I'm full and satisfied By Harry P. St. Clair With the feast, I find • Haunting thoughts of cleaning 'em P,u 9 Memories 16 Pecking at my mind; By G. Linclc Holler Which, to wise philosophers, • Merely goes to show F 'shing Strange Waters 18 When a man is happiest By Dick Fortney He can find some woe. • P B ra- Reptiles and Amphibians . . 24 -Bert Pruitt By Hal H. Harrison

A Companionship That Will Never Be Forgotten PENNSYLVANIA'S NEW FISH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Are plantings of young warm-water By GORDON L. TREMBLEY we must remember that they are being fish species such as bass and bluegills Chief Aquatic Biologist fished by upwards of 800,000 anglers needed annually in lakes and streams every year. Since the number of fish­ where those species are already well Pennsylvania Fish Commission ermen increases annually, we feel that established? Why does one water pro­ the value of our waters is increasing duce big yellow perch and another each case studies are made to deter­ too as our lakes and streams are pro­ only perch under six inches? Why is mine existing relationships between viding more recreation for more people it so difficult at times to catch a cer­ the different environments and the every year. tain species of fish in a lake even various species of animals (be it It is possible to put a value on a though that fish is known to be rabbits or bass) in those environments. pound of trout or bass. But the truly abundant? In each case an attempt is then made valuable things a fisherman brings These are but a few of the many to control or adjust the animal popula­ home from a day on a stream or a lake questions which have confronted fish­ tions or at times to manipulate the en­ are not in his creel but in his heart ermen and fish biologists in the past. vironment in such a way that the and any attempt at evaluation of these Steps toward shedding light on these greatest number of hunters or anglers things, fails. Thus it behooves us to and other problems in Pennsylvania may have a maximum sustained yield manage our waters so that they will be lakes and streams are now being taken of hunting or fishing. Expressed simply, most attractive and inviting to our by the Fish Commission in its new fish management aims to provide better fishermen as well as to others who do Fish Management Program. fishing. not fish. In recent years we have heard the The Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Pennsylvania is primarily a state of term "management" used frequently believing that greatest benefits from running waters—thousands of miles of as applied to our forests, our soils, and our public fishing waters can be real­ them. Had it not been that the glacier our game. Much less have we heard ized only when a systematic plan of fish receded after covering only the north­ the term applied to fish. Yet the fishes management is adopted, has authorized ern portion of the state, we might have in our lakes and streams represent a that such a program be undertaken. been further blessed with many lakes. crop just as surely as do the trees and This program, which is financed by As it is, we have somewhere between game of our forests, or for that matter monies from the fish fund earmarked 400 and 500 lakes—that is, standing the farmer's livestock. Experience has for this purpose, got underway last waters. Although we hope, in time, taught us that greatest returns are ob­ June. It is the purpose of this article to include all public fishing waters— tained when a crop is managed. Fish to acquaint Pennsylvania fishermen both running and standing—in our management is essentially similar to with the general scope of the program. fish -management program, we have the management of other animals. In In dealing with our waters today elected to direct our initial efforts in our management program to lakes and ponds of the Commonwealth. This may seem surprising in view of the predominance of streams. Here are the reasons for the decision. Over a period of many years much informa­ tion has been gathered on our streams so that we now know which are suited to trout and which to bass and other, warm-water species. Also we have general data as to the anglers' returns in many streams. This information is on file and is used as a basis for our present stocking policy. More studies are needed on streams particularly on the larger, warm-water ones. On the other hand, our lakes an ponds are pretty much of a closed book to us for very little scientific work has been done on them. In most cases our present information is largely concerned with kinds and numbers of fish stocked together with some data on anglers' catches. The many problems of environmental re­ lationships have not been investigated- This is largely because greater depths in lakes make them more difficult to study than streams. And, finally, we Raccoon Creek Park Lake, Beaver County. This new lake is a project oi the Pennsylvania believe that positive results in fish Department oi Forests and Waters. Initial plantings of largemouth bass, bluegills and bullheads were made here this fall. management are possible in lakes-—

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE* "The proof of the pudding is in the eating" and proof of the value of fish management lies in whether it can produce better fishing. As our waters become better known through studies, we must change some of our present policies in handling them. A typical example of needed management is found in some of our Pocono ponds and lakes where stunted yellow perch are found in large numbers almost to the exclusion of any other species. Obviously the perch in these situations Tionesta Dam, Forest County. Built by the Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, as a flood control is an obnoxious species and should be project, this reservoir has furnished fishing for , Cranberry Glade Lake, Somerset County. This eliminated for the same reason that a several game species including muskellunge. Jake was built by the Pennsylvania Game Com­ mission to attract waterfowl. It first filled in farmer eradicates weeds. *a,«>. It has been stocked by the Fish Commis­ sion with only two species—largemouth bass and One of the most useful tools in the ant Lake, Canadohta Lake, Conneaut "'uegill sunfish. hands of the fish biologist today is the Lake, and Pymatuning Reservoir. Al­ use of poisons in eliminating stunted though small in numbers, these lakes an or unbalanced fish populations from are important and include the largest d perhaps more readily than in streams. lakes and ponds which cannot be natural lake (Conneaut) and the larg­ drained. Poisoning is then followed est water area (Pymatuning) in the The number of lakes in Pennsyl­ by stocking with desirable fish species. Commonwealth. Much important data vania is increasing. For, in addition to It may seem heresy to some fishermen were collected in this work and is now 'he natural lakes, every year we see to poison fish; but actually it is good being analyzed—a big job in itself. m°re artificial lakes come into exist- en conservation at times. Obviously a For example, about 1000 scale samples ce. Agencies responsible for these water area is of no value to an angler were taken from various fish species. JJ*w impoundments are the U. S. if it does not furnish some fishing. By studying these scales, an indication Corps of Army Engineers (flood-con­ Unfortunately the use of poisons for of the relative growth of fishes in trol reservoirs), the Pennsylvania De­ improving fishing is denied the Penn­ various waters is obtained. partment of Forests and Waters, the sylvania Fish Commission by existing When studies in any water are con­ Pennsylvania Game Commission, and, state laws. It is to be hoped that in cluded, recommendations will be jn a few cases, County organizations. the near future fisheries biologists will drawn up for the future management Hie Pennsylvania Fish Commission n be given the right to use this very of that water. The final steps then °w has its own dam-building pro­ valuable management tool for the pur­ will be to put the management plans gram and these lakes will be designed poses of better fishing. into action and to make frequent Primarily for fishing. The first field investigations under­ checks on the success of these plans. Pennsylvanians should welcome the taken in our fish-management program It is our hope to keep the fishermen overall dam-building program for it ap­ were carried on during the summer informed of the progress of the fish- pears to be the one way to expand our of 1949 in lakes of northwestern Penn­ management program by future arti­ future fishing. Generally speaking, we sylvania. Lakes examined were Pleas- cles in the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER. Fan t add to our stream mileage except Dv reclaiming polluted or silt-laden streams; but we can augment our acreage of fishable standing waters by a sensible dam-building program. Most 01 these lakes—both new and old— ^e adapted to fish life and thus need Management. In the case of new lakes, l* is extremely important that manage­ ment be applied at once by establish­ es desirable fish species rather than allowing obnoxious species to take over.

Com^v ,Run Lake- A project of the County When rS,s,10ners of Beaver County. This lake, Reining Pond, Wayne County. The dam creating this lake was built about 150 years ago by otho- nUea. will provide fishing as well as many the D. and H. Coal Co. It is now owned by the Fish Commission. An experiment in the use of "er recreational facilities. artificial fertilizer is being carried on here.

PEBRUARY-1950 ...THE SCHUYLKILL FLOWS GREEN AGAIN

"Cleaning of Pennsylvania's water­ By Ellen A. Dietrich you have done to date. The wise plan­ ways is a monumental task," reminded ning, the progress even ahead of sched­ Judge Grover C. Ladner of Philadel­ ule and the enthusiasm of those who phia, pioneer and crusader for clean Little wonder, then, that Judge Lad­ are working under you, all are a tri­ streams. And thinking people realize ner, following recent inspection of the bute to your dynamic personality. I that's why it wasn't tackled before, almost unbelievable phenomenon in am reminded of the famous motto of and that's why it will not be accom­ the upper reaches of the once-inky- the CB's: 'The difficult you can do plished over night. Today, however, black, now green Schuylkill (indeed, right away; the impossible merely the job is at long last being done in once one of the filthiest rivers in the takes you a little longer'". an orderly and intelligent manner; and, entire world) wrote to Governor . . . And on another occasion, Judge in the words of the judge it is "going James H. Duff, congratulating him for Lsdner added: "There can be no doubt forward systematically, by water sheds having "picked the right man for the about it. The Admiral truly deserves and ahead of schedule." job—Admiral Milo F. Draemel"—and his title as Secretary of Forests AND Along seventy miles of the once- congratulated the Governor, too, for WATERS, and not merely Secretary of black, now-green Schuylkill, the first making certain that there was no med­ Forests and (incidentally) Waters!" river on Pennsylvania's gigantic dling or "interference" with the job. Yes, the SCHUYLKILL FLOWS streams cleanup program—the testing In his communication to the Governor, GREEN AGAIN. ground, consequently, for clean streams Judge Ladner further said: "The in­ And as it does, thinking people are in the Keystone State and the river spection trip was a revelation, indeed, reminded of several significant facts along which approximately one-third and indicates a realization of our that have made possible so much pro­ of the population of the Common­ dreams. Without your courage and gress in such a short time on the "mon­ wealth resides—twenty-eight of the perseverance, however, this achieve­ umental task." Above all, we are re­ thirty-six projects originally planned ment—the greatest project of our minded of the many long years dur­ for putting into operation a series of times—would not have been possible; ing which deaf ears were turned to' huge desilting dams and six powerful and, as Constitutional restrictions for­ ward the voice of "clean streams dredges have been completed and most bid your being re-elected as Governor, people." The other voice—the audi­ of the remaining eight projects are we can only hope and pray that your ble voice—of those years was that of more than 85% finished. At this writ­ successor will do nothing to prevent industrialists who fought against any ing, the dredges have already re­ completion of this monumental work and all moves to rid Pennsylvania's moved approximately one-fourth of the which is so much in the interest of all waterways of their filth. twenty-four million tons of coal culm of the public." Then, we recall, just four short that formerly choked and blackened And to Admiral Draemel, the Judge years ago, a stout-hearted Attorney the River, provided flood hazards at General, James H. Duff, refused to be every season and made cleaning of the wrote: "Allow me to express my ap­ preciation for the opportunity of join­ guided by the wishes of a "chosen few" water in the lower reaches a difficult and listened, instead, to the pleas of and expensive project. ing your inspection party on the Schuylkill River Project and per­ the public—the voice of the "average We recall that scarcely two years sonally seeing the splendid results guy." He determined to solve one of ago there was no river bed to carry achieved so far. I doubt whether any­ the toughest problems of our modern off flood waters from the Schuylkill. one else could have accomplished what civilization and industrial world. He At most locations, coal silt had accu­ determined to clean Pennsylvania's mulated in piles as high as twenty-six filthy streams for all of us—for health , feet deep, with three feet of normal and recreation of the people of the water flow above! Commonwealth. In his determination, Following completion of the dredg­ he enlisted the aid not only of others ing operations on the Schuylkill, the in our Pennsylvania legislative and huge recently constructed de-silting administrative bodies, but he also suc­ dam at Kernsville will serve as a catch­ cessfully appealed to industry, as well, all basin for silt eroding from old culm and, with the help of his aides, in turn, banks in the upper reaches of the overcame powerful and seemingly un- stream. It is noteworthy here to add surmountable obstacles on the way. that coal operators all along the As an outstanding proof that such was Schuylkill have complied with orders the case, we are daily more than from the State Sanitary Water Board heartened by reports from all corners and are now removing their coal silt of the State indicating that the repre­ before returning their washery waters sentative industries of this Common­ to the stream. wealth—those industries to which we By midsummer of this year, one- owe our high place among the forty- half of the State's share of dredging eight states of these United States-— the Schuylkill ajl the way down to are not striving simply to make bread Norristown will be completed; and, by and butter for themselves and for us mid-1951, all of the dredging operation for today. They are, as well, stand­ above Norristown will be finished. JUDGE GROVER C. LADNER ing fairly and squarely behind the

4 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER CLEAN STREAMS ON THE AIR! Use of an airplane to check possible vio­ lations of the Clean Streams law in bitumi­ nous coal strip mining and to determine if the orders issued under that law are being complied with has been established by the Sanitary Water Board. This method of pa­ trolling has been used as an experiment and found to be successful and now plans are being made to make weekly survey flights. The operations center in the Mine Wastes Division of the Bureau of Engineering, State Department of Health, which is executing the anti-pollution drive. Principal offices of that Division are in Greensburg. The plane and pilot are provided by the Aeronautics Com­ mission of the Penna. Department of Com­ merce. The flights will be made by the engineers Kernsville Dam: From left bank looking along dam under construction. of the Mine Wastes Division and will check all conditions existing at the operations sur­ veyed from which it can be established if clean streams movement; for they to become overly-zealous or impatient there are any violations of the law or non compliance with conditions stipulated by the at this time—I believe that you and I know that CLEAN WATER is vital Board in issuing the permit for the stripping n°t only to health and recreation for would do well to refrain from impul­ a of coal. It has been found that by surveys ll of us, but to industry itself in the sive action that might be harmful to from the air the patrolling job can be greatly years ahead. the cause and that might, as he puts it, facilitated in that not only is much time Little wonder, to be sure, that Judge dishearten those who have been the saved but a complete survey of all existing Ladner labels Pennsylvania's stupen­ greatest champions of the clean conditions can be made more readily from dous anti-pollution project as "system­ streams cause. the air. ic, by water sheds and even ahead In conclusion, may I add that as we °f schedule." At this point permit me become fully aware of the fact that the Clean Stream Campaign to inject a warning—and I know my Schuylkill flows green again, we are thoughts are the thoughts of many as also cognizant of the more important Rolls Merrily Along * say this. When one who has fought and related fact that not only the "out­ Permits approving plans and authorizing *pr clean streams for us for years, as doors people" among us today, but construction of sewerage works have been Judge Ladner has done (and many every man, woman and child of today issued to an additional seven municipalities and two industries under Governor Duff's °f those years, we recall he fought and tomorrow has and will have ample Clean Streams drive. cause to be grateful to those of Penn­ almost alone)—yes, when he finds that The permits have been issued to the great forward strides are being taken sylvania's present administration who lri following: York, sewage treatment works to Pennsylvania's anti-pollution battle are successfully fighting the clean provide complete treatment; Greenville, °' today and when he cautions us not streams battle of this Commonwealth. Mercer Co., outfall sewer and appurtenances; Geistown, Cambria Co., comprehensive sew­ erage plan; St. Marys, Elk Co., intercepting sewers and sewage treatment plant to pro­ vide complete treatment; Whitehall, Alle­ gheny Co., sewers; Penn, Westmoreland Co., sewer; Mt. Penn, Berks Co., addition to present sewage treatment works to provide complete treatment; General Motors Corp. Fisher Body Division, West Mifflin Borough, Allegheny Co., sewage treatment works to provide intermediate treatment; Westing- house Electric Co., West Mifflin Borough, Allegheny Co., sewage treatment works to provide complete treatment.

IN THE MAILBAG! Writes Charles S. Dale of 255 N. Marshall St., Lancaster: "During the past season I caught 24 catfish, 9 suckers, 54 bluegill, 4 carp, 9 bass, 1 yellow perch and 12 rainbow trout. One of these rainbows measured 22%" long and was the most beautiful fish I have ever seen in local waters. I write to inform you that all the fish were returned to the water unharmed including the large trout and excepting only the 9 suckers which I did take home. I enjoyed the season immensely and had just as much sport returning them to the water as I had taking them. I am hoping that I may have one or more of them on my tackle this coming season. Would that other fishermen who are interested in conservation would look upon fishing as I do." Kernsville Dam: From left bank looking upstream into dam, completed.

pEBRUARY—1950 THIS YEAR TRY ICE FISHING

There's no "off season" for the By DON SHINER out of service during the year simply angler. With a slight change in tech­ lay it aside until the first frost appears nique the angler can continue his fish­ and then set to work making the ribs ing even through the winter and have arctics will do the trick nicely. Mit­ into tip-ups. As the illustration shows some delightful outings until the time tens are by far better than gloves the brace which originally held the is at hand again which warrants tak­ (with fingers) for hand warmth. Add rib outstretched when the umbrella ing the fly rod, reel and flies from to this a pair of sun-glasses and most is open, is inserted in the end of a their moth-proof container. every outdoorsmen can be as com­ board or stake measuring approxi­ fortable as if he were at home reading For most of us, the fishing season mately I"x3"xl5". Cut the other end the ANGLER in front of his fireplace. of the stake to a point so that it can is extremely too short. Counting the One other thing that should be men­ bad weather week ends, the times be wedged in a small hole leaning at tioned, if you can't take heavy woolen a slight angle over the ice hole cut when other obligations must be met underwear against skin, use cotton and the occasions when the fish re­ for fishing. Pack the chips of ice and long-johns if the weather is somewhat snow or pour water around the stake fuse to cooperate, we find the season mild. of warm weather angling passing en­ and it will soon freeze thereby hold­ tirely too quickly. Now that the matter of being ing the stake solidly in place. About 1/3 the way down the stake attach However, to make oneself familiar dressed for the sport is taken care of, let's look into ice-fishing and see what a free running reel by means of with ice fishing, the angler can enjoy there is about it that can interest the screws. If the reel has an adjustable himself during the long wintry angling fraternity. drag by all means set it so that it is months, not to mention the pleasing If you are after pike or wall-eyes, free running. This will allow the fish catches of fish quite frequently in­ to have line at no excess drag. All volved. Keep in mind that real enjoy­ tip-ups with live minnows are perhaps the best bet. You can use simple that remains to be done is a flag made ment from ice fishing can only be of cloth or tin should be fastened to thoroughly enjoyed if you are prop­ homemade tip-ups such as the um­ brella-rib or the cross-stick type. the one end of the rib. Paint this flag erly dressed. Too many would be bright orange or red making it clearly ice-fishermen wear too many or too There are also commercial tip-ups visible when outside in the white few clothes, as a result become thor­ which are practically trouble' free. surroundings. The other end of the oughly chilled and end up swearing With these, the reels are suspended rib, solder a tip-top. The line is re­ never again to venture out of a warm under water and the fish pull the quired to be threaded through this house until spring. line directly from the spool. There is from the reel. Then as soon as the A pair of heavy underwear, woolen no chance for this type tip-up freezing bait is touched and pulled a short breeches, one or two wool shirts and thereby increasing the chances of cap­ distance, the rib will be pulled down a wool or canvas hunting coat and turing the biting fish. and the red flag will go up indicating cap will keep the angler quite com­ Somehow I have always preferred to you that a fish has seized the bait. fortable. By all means keep the feet the umbrella tip-up after numerous The pivot or fulcrum, that is the dry and warm. Many sportsmen claim trials with various other devices. point where the rib is pinned to the These can be made in a short time; brace, should be kept lubricated so if their feet become cold, they are that it does not freeze. A small weight cold all over. This is not merely im­ are inexpensive and practically trou­ should be attached to the flag causing agination but is actually a fact. Cot­ ble-free if the fisherman is at hand to it to stand downward. However a ton socks with a pair of woolen ones clear the skim of ice that freezes across weight (washer will do) can be placed over them, a sheepskin shoe and the hole. If an umbrella has gone around the rib between the flag and pivot so that when the flag is pulled upward the weight will slide down the rib to the pivot, thereby holding the flag erect. Be careful when chopping a hole in the ice that you do not become overheated. Use a chisel or ice cutter and go at it leisurely. Chop or chisel the hole so that the edges are beveled under. This will prevent a fish from cutting the line when it pulls it under the ice and rubs the line over the sharp edges of the ice hole. Minnows are the best bait for pick­ erel, perch and walleyes. Hook the minnows either through the lips or lightly under the skin behind the dorsal fin. You can place a small cork on the line some distance above the minnow thus holding the minnow at a certain depth from the bottom. If no strike is had after a half hour, raise or lower the minnow. Members of the fair-sex can join in on the fun! Don't mistakenly think pickerel and

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER You can go one step farther and way and can apply it when fishing construct a small wood hut or shanty. during the warm weather season. Transport it to the lake and slide it Often I have observed pan fish be­ across the lake to the desired loca­ ing attracted to my bait and in the tion. The shanty should have no floor next instant they would disappear. and numerous holes can be cut Soon a long greenform (pike) would through the ice depending on the size coast into view and was the reason of the building. for the sudden departure of the school. Often when inside a shack such as Yes, ice-fishing can be a pleasing this, with little light entering other experience and pastime. than a small window, the angler can Bear in mind that fish such as pick­ see through the water and observe the erel spawn in the early spring. The bottom, marine life and any fish in adult females are carrying eggs and the vicinity. if too many females are captured our On occasions when the light condi­ future supply of fish may be seriously tions were right, I have been fasci­ cut. Keep only a few specimens and those which are heavy-bellied return Bluegills and crappies are on the feed too and nated for hours just observing the surprisingly nice catches can be made during schools and actions of fish as they to the water as undoubtedly it is a the winter. swam by the hole. A great deal of female. You will be doing a great knowledge can be obtained by watch­ service to yourself and to your fellow Walleyes are the only fish that will ing the fish in this way: their methods anglers by allowing many of the fish bite during the winter. Far from it. of approaching the bait; how they to spawn during the coming spring. Bluegills, cappies and perch are on accept it; their reactions when one of Carefully unhook the ones that are the feed too and surprisingly nice the school is caught, etc. You can not fair in size and stop before the catches of these fish can be had when gain a wealth of knowledge in this (Turn to page 23) a school is located. A tip-up can be used with bait such as larva worms or other baits that can be secured. Another method can be employed, called jigging. TIP TOP SOLVERMd Here a spoon or weighted imita­ To RIB tion fly (wet or nymphy fly) or simi­ lar lure is attached to the line and the line tied to a short stick. The tip Joint of a fly rod, plain or fitted into some sort of a handle, is ideal. Use only enough line that the lure touches bottom. Jerk the spoon upward and then allow it to flutter back down to the bottom. Often the strike comes when the spoon or fly is fluttering downward, therefore you must be imBRELL-RW Quick to respond. You can vary the sPeed and length of the jerks and vary the action until a fish is attracted to Jt- The pan fish are willing feeders in the winter time and are not inclined to allow a tempting morsel of food to XfNE escape unnoticed. Most fish are likely to be schooled UP in the winter. If you do not get results in 10 minutes at one hole, move on until a school is found. Oftentimes the frozen lakes and °Pen stretches of ice are quite breezy since the wind has a clear sweep with n° obstructions. For a wind breaker, unbleached muslin, canvas or even KEEL TACKED n ylon from a parachute does a nice TO BOARS job. The nylon is light to carry and can be practically rolled up into a SInall ball that can be conveniently carried in a pocket. The best wind breaker is about 6 tt. high and about 18 ft. long, set in a IX 3 X 15" borse shoe shape. Cut a few poles about two inches in diameter and set BOARD these in the ice. The cloth can then °e tied to them and the area within the horseshoe will be nearly as com­ fortable as a den. A tip-up made from an umbrella-rib is inexpensive, practical, and easily made. pEBRUART—1950 POWER or PLEASURE By KEITH C. SCHUYLER i There is a variance of opinion among The primary purpose of a boat's If you are unable to swim and i fishermen as to whether an outboard motor, nevertheless, is not for fishing. sitting in a narrow rowboat or canoe, < motor is good or bad for fishing. Cer­ This takes us to a second considera­ the situation can become downright 1 tainly, there are times when an out­ tion. Motors were designed to move a dangerous. i board is bad for the tempers of fisher­ boat rapidly from one spot to another Of course, you are one of those fel­ men. to save time and labor. No one who lows who slow down when you are One school of thought on the ques­ has ever used a motor wants to go forced to pass another boat, and you tion holds that the operation of an out­ back to rowing when it comes to cov­ can see that there is very little dis­ board oxygenates the water and is ering long distances. And, speaking turbance between you and the stranger conductive to good fishing. Since the from strictly a piscatorial standpoint, as you pass. What you don't see, how­ amount of oxygen present in the water it is sometimes necessary to travel re­ ever, are the huge waves that con­ is an important factor in the activity latively long distances to get to the tinue from where you slowed your of fish in general, these students main­ best fishing. motor and build up again when you tain that a few fast runs with a motor But, since your distances are actually shove the throttle ahead after passing. will start the fish bitting. seldom very long as the crow flies, Well, yes, but you can't travel at troll­ The cons, on the other hand, main­ the question is just how fast you need ing speed all day if you expect to get tain that any blankety-blank double to get there. With the exception of the down to the spot where you caught blanked fool that comes near them ocean and your very largest lakes and the bass yesterday. So, you at least showed the other fellow that you have with an outboard will get a set of gang rivers, there is seldom any need for great speed. And, when such need some consideration for him. hooks sunk six inches over the barbs arises, you generally employ the serv­ into their epiglottis. Some states have definite laws con­ ices of persons who have the larger cerning how close you may pass to Now, if the pros and cons will quit equipment to get you to where you another boat. For instance, in Penn­ glaring at each other for a few minutes, want to go. More important, boats in­ sylvania the law reads: "To operate we'll attempt to inject a bit of sober tended to operate in "big water" are, a motor boat more than eight miles reasoning into this argument. And, we or should be, equipped with safety de­ per hour within one hundred feet of will take up some other aspects of the vices necessary to such a venture. shore, or within one hundred feet of use of a boat motor that deserve Therefore, our case narrows down a buoyed fishing ground, anchored weighty thought. to the average person like you and fishing boat or pleasure craft, channel First of all, whether a boat motor is I who just buy an outboard to carry or bathing beach is unlawful." either good or bad for the fishing is in the trunk of the car to our favorite All right, we have a problem. We all undoubtedly a debatable question. Cer­ fishing spots. Since we usually find a like to use motors on our boats, but tainly the uninhibited ripping and cabin or pitch camp near to the best how are we going to be as considerate fishing, we do not often discover our­ to the other fellow as possible without tearing around by some of our all too selves more than a few miles from the familiar water jockeys is not going to farthest point at which we expect to interfering with our own pleasure too drive the bigger and smarter fish to fish. Anyway, a person with a motor is much? the lure. However, slow trolling with often tempted to go far away from First, we can do as the fellow above a motor has resulted in some fine camp seeking his sport when many did. Slow down your motor to pass catches and is a convenient way to fish. times the best fishing is within casting another boat. But, don't wait until you In fact, it is sometimes referred to as distance of the frying pan. are almost on top of the other boat to a "lazy man's" way to fish. Frequently, we go to a river or small retard your throttle. Waves carry long lake. During the fishing season there distances on open water. You can't get are others who angle in the same by without causing some disturbance, waters and we will pass and be passed but take as much precaution as pos­ by these fishermen many times. Even sible to protect the other fellow. if we are on one of the larger rivers Secondly,—Say, just how big a or lakes, the fishing spots are usually motor are you using? so arranged that we will be passing near to other fishermen. This past summer I spent four days on a lake in Ontario fishing for pike. There is nothing more disturbing than to have another boat tear by you when you are peacefully fishing some favorite nook. If you are bait fishing, your boat weaves and bobs against the anchor after the other boat has passed. You can't tell if that was really a fish starting away with the bait or just the drag of the line caused by the pitch of your boat. You glare, swear and bite off the end of your favorite pipe. Or, if you are casting a fly or plug, the quiet little spot back in the brush or rocks suddenly becomes a slapping, Coming into the boat landing with two in tow. splashing froth of angry water. You My boat Is swinging because I had just moved Using a 3.2 mercury on an airplane fabric forward to get the camera. glare, etc. covered kayak. Jack starting the outboard.

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Having fished there a number of times I have never used a motor of more per year is likely less than your wife Wore, I asked for one boat in par­ than about three horse power, and I runs her sewing machine, why pay for ticular. The owner said I could use it have never found the need for a larger a lot of power that you can seldom Until the weekend at which time he one. True, there have been times when use? Would like to have it for use by an­ a larger motor would have saved a All major outboard motor com­ other party that would be coming to little time, time that I had already panies are coming out with smaller the same camp. I must have looked chalked up to vacation and pleasure, and cheaper motors each year. Yet, unhappy, for he explained. but for the most part the little motor they are efficient little fellows that will "This fellow always brings a twelve has seldom been found wanting. do the job and do it well. Outboard horse power motor with him, and this There are so many advantages to a motor sales are soaring. In Pennsyl­ is the only boat that will stand the small motor that I would never con­ vania the sale of outboard motor li­ treatment he gives it." sider anything larger for routine fish­ censes caught the department of rev­ He then showed me what the big ing. At a moderate rate of speed you enue flatfooted when applications for motor had done to one of his other are less apt to do serious damage to 1949 by the middle of the summer had boats. Several of the ribs were cracked the motor if you should hit an under­ already exceeded total sales for 1948, completely in two, and the boat leaked water obstruction. It takes up com­ and it was necessary to issue receipts 'ike a sieve. paratively little space in the car trunk in lieu of the regular paper certificates. The newcomer and his big motor or airplane luggage compartment. It If you want an outboard for fishing, arrived on schedule. In the meantime, will not drive the average boat at a pick one that will fit your car, your a strong breeze had arisen. Out he speed which will be injurious to the pleasure and your pocketbook. Actu­ Went with the motor wide open, and boat. It can be fitted to a heavy row ally, the effects of a motor on fishing about the only time that the bottom boat or a canvas kyak (such as we is of little consequence. A little con­ °f that boat was all in the water was have used for years.) There is little sideration for the other fellow, the When it was at anchor. All over the chance that the small motor will rip equipment you are using and your lake you could hear the heavy slap out the back of the boat causing dam­ personal welfare are what count to as the boat bounced from one wave to age and possible loss of the motor. It insure many hours of enjoyment on the next and the shoreline continually will get you where you want to go, the water. clapped as the heavy waves washed quietly, efficiently and at a speed its skirt. which precludes serious accidents. And, you will be welcomed back by WARREN SPORTSMEN How big a motor am I using? Well, the boat owner. 1 asked you first, but I don't mind REORGANIZE answering. If these aren't reasons enough, con­ At the annual meeting of the Warren Fish sider the cost. You are probably just and Stream Club held January 10, 1950 the I have a little three horse outboard an average fellow like myself. Some °f popular make that provides all that following officers were elected: Frank L. of the three horse power jobs can be Reese, President; Curtis F. Sasserson, Sec­ * need in the way of power on my bought for well under one hundred retary; F. M. Geer, Rep. to Warren County fishing grounds. dollars. Since the usual running time Alternate Representative. This little motor weighs but twenty- eight pounds and fits easily into the average car trunk. It will run con­ tinuously at top speed for over an hour °n a gallon of gasoline. It is ideal to carry in an airplane because of its Stnall size and light weight. And, it Will pull like an ox. On a recent trip, there were five of us in the party and we spent six days °n a Canadian river. The odd number Necessitated three boats since fishing *nore than two to a boat is impractical at any time. At first, we lashed the boats side by side and the little motor Pushed them along at a good rate. Then we tied the boats in train and Sot even more speed. One of our favorite fishing spots was a forty minute run from camp, and almost every day we made at least 0lle, and sometimes two, trips to that sPot plus considerable running around ln between times. During the six days We used approximately six gallons of gasoline and oil. Incidentally, one caution in pulling "oats in train is to make sure that most °* the weight in each boat is placed toward the stern. If there is too much height forward, it not only forces the BERWICK SPORTSMEN HONOR BURGESS At a recent meeting of the West End Hunting and Fishing Cluib of Berwick, Chief Burgess Prow deeper into the water creating R. C. Culp was presented with a giant memhership card. The presentation was made by Wilbur L. ?Uore drag, but the boats will whip Stephens presented in recognition of the fine work done by Burgess Culp in the local field of conservation. back and forth making any good Reading from left to right are: Roland Davis, Treasurer; Burgess R. C. Culp; Wilbur L. progress almost impossible. Stephens, President and Frank Litzel, Secretary.

FEBRUARY—1950 TACKLE BUSTER OF HIDDEN LAKE By RICHARD L. DOLTON

My first introduction to the Tackle fore heading for home. Just as I After watching him a while longer Buster came in July, and because the closed the tobacco pouch there was I decided on my strategy. Routing fishing was poor. quite a splash over near the opposite through my fly box I finally decided Early in the morning I had started bank. It was just a little too far away on a squirrel tail with a red body that out with the high hopes with which all for me to make out what it was. As I had tied myself. I changed to a 2x trout fishermen greet a new day. After I had enough trout for a mess I de­ leader, being afraid to go any coarser working out on two of my favorite cided to investigate. because of the clearness of the water. streams using everything from the Gaining the bank I made my way As soon as the trout had turned and lowly worm to the aristocratic dry fly, toward the disturbance. As I ap­ started back for his corner, I pushed I still had no fish worth keeping. A proached the spot where the commo­ by rod through a hole in the brush. few trout had come my way, however tion had taken place, I stopped and By side casting I was able to drop a none of them would have gone much peered into the water. What I saw fly in front and to one side of the old over the legal limit of six inches. almost took my breath away. boy. I retrieved rather fast, but never While eating lunch I pondered over There in the clear water, swimming had a touch. The next cast I placed the cause for the trout's lack of inter­ lazily toward me was the biggest brook well into the corner of the lake and est. Many reasons entered my mind. trout that I had ever seen. After a waited for the fly to sink before I Perhaps the water was too warm, but few seconds my heart started beating started the retrieve. The old gentle­ then I had fished some spring fed again, and my eyes came back to focus. man must have been waiting at the holes with no results. Perhaps my There he was in all his glory, "The entrance to his den watching for the terminal tackle was not fine enough, Tackle Buster." strange intruder. Just as I started to or perhaps the trout were just not He swam to within about five feet retrieve I felt a tremendous shock hit feeding. Laying back under a shade of me, then turned back toward one my rod, and I was fast to a package tree with my belly full, thinking along corner of the lake which is exception­ of fury. these lines gave me plenty of content­ ally deep. I watched him for about At the first bite of the hook my trout ment, but no trout in my basket. half an hour and decided that this was started out straight across the lake and Finally I bestirred myself, and decided his hangout. Beneath the water I there was no denying him. The reel to give the Hidden Lake a try although could distinguish a tangle of old logs, protested loudly, and the rod arched, I had not fished it for six years. a perfect hideway for an old codger but still that dreadnaught took line Hidden Lake is not really a lake, like this fellow. He never cruised from me on his run. Slowly I became merely an old abandoned reservoir. more than twenty feet or so away from aware that I had little line left on the To me however, it has always been a this corner. Once I saw him swirl reel. The trout would have to be lake, and will always remain so. The in pursuit of a minnow. He appeared turned. Carefully I put the pressure little body of water is surrounded by to be 18 or 20 inches in length, and on, hopeful that the light terminal forests on all sides. Few fisherman highly colored. Now a brown trout or tackle would hold until the big boy know of its existence or potentialities. rainbow this size is often caught in this turned. His purging ahead slackened, The trail that leads into the area is section, but a brook trout of native and finally he turned, rushing back little longer than many fishermen like origin, never, or at least none that to his corner then sulking. The sulk­ to contemplate, and oftimes fishing is I have heard of. ing spell gave me time to get my discouraging. These factors plus the nerves under control, also to study my fact that most of the trout are small surroundings. In front of me was brookies have saved it from on­ about fifteen feet of water, on both slaughts by armies of fishermen. sides, and to the rear, a wall of brush- Most of my fishing at Hidden Lake I broke a few pieces of brush away on has been done to escape the heat of the either side of me to provide a little sun along the more open streams. Also more room in which to work. Finally to supply a few nice brookies for the I started to work on the buster to get • little woman's larder, as a possible him out of his sulk. I succeeded, and excuse for going fishing again in the was immediately sorry, as both my near future. This was my thought nerves and blood pressure went out of today. control. At no time did the old fellow break water, just lunging rushes fol­ I soon had my tackle rigged, and lowed by periods of sulks, then more was fishing from one of the few spots lunges. After what seemed an eter­ that you can wade in the water. One nity he started to tire, finally rolling side had a bar that is suitable for over on his side so that I could see wading, two other sides drop off into his entire length. With trembling deep water, and are lined with thick fingers I loosed my landing net and brush that makes casting an impos­ worked the buster in toward it. Al­ sibility. The remaining side has a bar ready I was counting the glories that of thick soft mud. An ideal place to would befall me for catching such a prove the old adage of returning home fish. Taking for granted that the trout with a "wet , and a hungry gut." was licked was my undoing. As I bent The trout were not rising and were tc slide the net under him he gave not susceptible to a dry fly, so I bent another surge, and line screeched off on a wet black gnat. On the first cast the reel again. I dropped the landing I tied into a nice ten inch brookie. In net in order to fight it out again, but a short time I had three of his brothers Brimful of enthusiasm, Judy Sarver, aged 2>/2 the buster had other ideas. Instead in my creel. Tucking my rod under years and who lives in Allison Park, Pa., proudly typifies the fraternity of fishermen. The ANGLER by arm, I proceeded to fill my pipe be- wishes Judy a pleasant fishing future. (Turn to page 20)

10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER soms above. The unsatisfied hunger drove him deep into the shade of the SWAMP WATER By ALBERT G. SHIMMEL cool pads which he scanned for the telltale movement or shadow that The dead pine, sentinel of the shal­ again the milling cloud of remaining would spell frog. Fate drove him to lows, stood knee deep in the fog. Its young and moved them slowly into the the very pad where Rana the frog top silhouette against the pulsating sun-warmed shallows with the infinite waited for the endless procession of colors of dawn. A great blue heron patience that is the heritage of the insects that came to his particular lily tipped from its topmost branch and wild. cup. A low flying blundering beetle beat his ghostly way to his favored As he cruised the edge of the sunken came within range of Rana's tongue inlet, where the lilies spread their weed bed a golden shiner searching for and on an instant he snapped it up leaves over the surface of the water nymphs had forgotten for an instant and blinked comfortably. Slight as lifting their white and pink cups to that danger might be near, formed a were his movements they caused the scent the fog with an almost over- perfect target for Esox's slashing jaws. pad to vibrate slightly. The movement Powering perfume. Settling at the base The shiner leaped for the surface but and the shadow were all the hint Esox °f an aged pine stump he froze into disappeared, with a boil breaking the needed. With a savage fury that was the watchful attitude and stillness that water to mark his end. The chain not all hunger, he flung himself open seemed to change him into one of the marked shadow moved more slowly, mouthed, at the shadow on the pad. gnarled roots. The heron held his place the edge of his hunger dulled but not Rana leaped for the pine root and the as the sky colored and brightened into stilled. needle armed jaws closed on nothing lull day. The aspect of the changing more nourishing than the edge of the Just ahead the surface ringed slightly leathery pad. Rana settled himself in color and panorama was of no impor­ as down through the dark water sank tance as the feathered guard narrowly the brown roughness of the pine root an object oscillating golden flashes of to allow his composure to return, un­ watched the pads within striking dis­ reflected light. Esox thought shiner, tance of his rapier bill and thought— aware that he was within range of the frog. and hurled himself forward almost herons stroke. The blow from the closing his jaws, but something warned rapier bill fell so swiftly and surely The mist burned away before the him aside and he sank swiftly. Again that Rana passed without a chance for golden finger of the sun as it climbed and yet again the copper spoon fell, his life. wiggled and twisted its way toward above the dark prison of interlaced Esox drifted slowly through bay and Pine and hemlock branches. Rana the the hidden caster but not another in­ dication of Esox could be seen. inlet resting as the water warmed frog felt its warmth and sprawled under the overhead sun and resumed luxuriously on his pad beside a fresh Deep in the water he lay, the shadow his cruising as the rays slanted more opened lily-cup. Beetles, flies and moth of the spoon and its flashing brightness and more to the west. A few shiner made active after the chill of night urged him to strike but another deeper fry were all that came his way and his Would provide food for him without instinct punctuated by a livid scar on hunger once more drove him to the the necessity of transporting his portly his right jaw and gill plate warned him pads. A sunken log with one end pro­ bulk to other hunting grounds. His to keep to the depths until the danger jecting above the water made an ex­ green coat blended nicely with the pad passed. cellent hiding place as he champed his and the shadow of the pink cup that Gradually Esox came to the upper jaws again at the proddings of his Would provide his breakfast would be layers of water where the slanting hunger. a comfort as the day came on. Rana rays of the rising sun warmed it to the Announced by a slight vibration of blinked his eyes and settled himself extent that he lay motionless. A drift­ the log it fell, gleaming with white comfortably to wait the fortune of the ing shadow blotted out the sun, caused succulence, green back with a touch day. His paunch rounded from good him to sink once more to the depths. of crimson at the fore. Struggling its fare that had been his, caused his He resumed his slow cruising to where enticing way from the log toward the vigilance to be relaxed. the water lily roots thrust scarred toes outermost pad. Esox struck almost into the muck and raised hose like lazily grasping the soft pork chunk Esox the pickerel moved from his stems to the leaves and fragrant blos­ he sank toward the bottom. Suddenly "Weedy tunnel like a lean shadow. The the morsel in his armed jaws seemed Water stained by the swamp coloring to stiffen and a stinging resistance subdued his golden sides and chain clamped fast to his upper jaw. Mad­ markings to match the olive light re­ dened he twisted right and left then flected from weedy stems and gray flung himself above the surface. black slime of the bottom. At the edge of the cove he paused. A milling black From the boat pushed deeply in the cloud of tiny catfish sucked at the rich weed bed came a whoop of excite­ o°ze that covered a sunken branch. ment. The boy stood up holding his •Below lurked the black shadow of the fathers light casting rod high above guarding parent patroling the edge of his head and as Esox shot high at the cloud. Drifting with barely a motion edge of the pads another shout escaped °1 his pictorals Esox came within the lips of the happy youngster. Twist­ striking distance and paused. The ing and turning Esox shot for deep parent stopped for a moment at the water while the boy fought frantically edge of the weeds finding a succulent for control of the reel handle. Then morsel to satisfy its inner hunger. as he stopped the rush the water Esox flashed through the milling cloud, swirled again but the power was going scattering them like leaves before an fast from the large chain marked sides. autumn gale. His armed jaws gather- Holding the rod high the boy again lng a dozen of the tiny bits but they fought him in, keeping the line tight served no more than an appetizer for against the dwindling force of the the lean hunger that was his. Behind pickerel. m the cove the black guard gathered (Turn to page 23)

FEBRUARY—1950 11 KILLERS OF INLAND LAKES

They grabbed the lures like tigers, By JACK ANDERSON den wall," he growled. "Up till now I bumping line from the reels in savage had a great respect for pike. Now—" sounds for bottom, following with ex­ He wagged his head. Sadly. hibitions of sulking, high-diving, with the current like a water-soaked That happened some years ago. wrenching and zooming. Charley log. Since that time Charley has changed Kane, our Indian guide Danny, and It was beyond our experiences and his mind to a degree. Sometimes I myself, ignored the mist which crept our mouths dropped open. Danny, think he regrets not having kept that from a gray, sodden forest. Why watching, said nothing, as an Algon­ battle-scarred twenty-seven pounder worry about dampness or fog when quin will. To me Charley and the un­ as a trophy. He understands. the pike were on feed on Wagosh known were waging a weird and un­ Like human beings, pike do not Lake? believable battle. know when to quit eating. That old We had been busy since daybreak, "Like trying to land the bottom of devil's stomach had been stuffed with when the first sway-bellied demon had the lake," Charley grunted. "Must be walleyes. And none of the walleyes snagged Charley's daredevel and a huge turtle!" had started to decompose, except for stormed from a hole in the lake. Since As he reeled in, I got the wide- slight discoloration on one tail. that first fight there had been few mouthed pike net ready, just in case. That pike hadn't felt like fighting; moments when one of us was not Not until Charley muttered that it hadn't been able to fight. He was a hooked into a pike. We had carried was a fish did I believe my eyes. I had victim of greed. That's the way pike a bottle of nail polish along for just caught a glimpse of the head. I sank are—born with an insatiable appetite such an occasion and had used it be­ the net, then waited. and the strength and villainous heart fore noon to doctor up scarred and Seeing a dark shape pass over white to make the most of it. paint-stripped lures. mesh, I whipped up. And in that in­ The Pike Family is a family of vil­ While Charley painted his lure stant, the battle began. A terrific thrashing inside the net lains. Make no mistake about that. again, he told me what he wanted. They are the bullies of a lake. They "It's trophy day!" There was a cast almost pulled me overboard. Gasping under an ice-cold spray, I lifted the will fight anything and everything. iron look in his eyes. "The way these Any movement arouses the desire to savage devils fight! What would a real pike into the boat. It was the heaviest fish I'd ever lifted. The struggle of it kill. Being cannibalistic they would pike be like?" destroy their own species if weeds By a real pike Charley meant the inside the net was like a man pulling on my arm. And on the bottom of the and shallows didn't hide the young. den-size variety; we had a couple Even with weedy shelter it has been twelve pounders in the canoe. From canoe a writhing, thumping mass threatened to tear the net into pieces. estimated that the mortality rate for then on, we made a joke of it. After young pike is better than ninety-nine each strike Charley said, "This ain't Danny leaned forward with a monkey wrench. percent.* Although this estimate was it!" for the northern pike it is the writer's After a few cracks the fish was quiet And when he struck and said noth­ belief that this could apply to the and I was saying, "There's your trophy, ing, I spoke up. muskellunge and pickerel as well. "Is this it?" Charley." He grinned. "Naw. Snagged, darn He screwed up his nose. "I'd never * "Egg Production of the Northern Pike" by William F. Carbine. Institute for Fisheries Re­ it." hang that cowardly old killer on my search, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Turning as my reel screamed into the wet, misty silence, I nodded to Danny, whose face was expressionless under his black, dripping hat. "He's fast." Danny gave up fishing rod for paddle and worked the canoe in a wide circle. Charley took up slack. Slowly I com­ pleted my retrieve and set aside my rod to give Charley a hand. I picked up the long pole that Danny had cut from the Quebec forest. I slipped the forked end over the line and pushed it toward the lure. So far this stick had saved us a dozen lures, and I had great faith in it. But as the stick dipped into the vegetation-stain­ ed water, the fine crept away. Charley and I blew gusts of surprise at each other. I said, "What the devil!" Charley gripped his rod and stared numbly at the mysterious, moving line. With crinkles under his eyes he hoisted the tip. I saw there was no "give." But whatever it was on the other end of the line was dragging Typical pike waters of the north.

12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Knowing this fact, it is no mystery He lay motionless as a slender, mossy that members of the family, from the log. His two eyes, calculating, cold, muskellunge to the lowly Mud Pick­ and fearless, watched the slow, wind­ erel, travel alone. Any association ing movements of the watersnake. could result only in a fight to the Breathlessly we saw this thin green finish. Like the most ruthless killers shape spearing through the water. I of the human race members of the Fish and snake broke wildly on the family devote their lives to the satis­ surface. The small fish darted swiftly faction of wolfish greed: a devotion for cover. A storm of mud clouded our '• that calls for no companionship. vision, only the whites of bellies stick­ I have made many observations, ing through. Gas bubbles shot to the heard many additional tales, of wolfish- surface. Then the pickerel shot into t ness and greed. clear water, shaking the watersnake in r A year ago a friend of mine caught his jaws. We could see the gaping a brace of fine muskies in Michigan's mouth of the snake, could see its pop­ t , Burt Lake. One of them had a sixteen ping eyes. 1 inch muskellunge in its stomach; the There was no doubt about the out­ i other had a bird of some kind, al- come of the struggle, but we did not g though it was difficult to determine see the finish. The pickerel darted r what kind. On this same trip he car­ downstream into deeper water and we ried back a story from the mouth of did not see him or the snake again. • j a withered Indian. Whether or not he ate that snake we 5 The story, ordinarily, would have do not know. But we are satisfied that the pickerel was the hero that day— ; been hard to believe. It told of a Charlie and the great northern. \ muskellunge attacking an otter. And he saved the lives of some of those t told, further, of the otter giving up a minnows. hands and ended up with an eight inch Saved their lives—so that he could fish that it had captured and fleeing for perch and a nineteen inch pickerel. its life. It was the sort of story that kill, himself. makes you wince. But then I looked at But, just as there is good in the Of course individuals differ, in the the jaws of the muskies, the contents worst human being, there is good in Pike Family as in any family of the of those long stomachs—and wond- the villainous pike. The goodness animal kingdom. And species differ ' ered. springs from his fearlessness. slightly. While the musky ranges over I Up on Houghton Lake I'd seen a You fishermen know of this fearless­ a small area and waits for his prey, great northern pike strike at a wild ness. You know of pike who have the great northern pike is a hunter duck. At least that shall always be struck treble hooks three or four who knows no definite home. While my belief. Joe Grimes and I were times before getting snagged. There is the muskellunge and northern pike trolling at dusk, when that heavy cur­ an instance recorded at Swartzwood prefer cold, clear water, the pickerel tain is dropping over things and you Lake, New Jersey, of an eighteen-inch seems to prefer brackish streams and . feel the damp night creeping into you. pickerel jumping into a boat in its shallow ponds of almost any temper­ mad chase of a spoon. Musky, pike, The loud splashing and terrified quack­ ature. or pickerel—there is little fear in the ing of a mallard spun our gazes shore­ But the general character of the family. ward. The mallard thrashed around in Family should be breaking into the a fountain of spray, and then arose, Quite some years ago we were clear. We have seen gluttonous ap­ flapping violently and complaining to standing on a bridge across Saw Creek, petites, the urge to kill, pugnacity, , the twilight. Pike County, Pennsylvania. It was a fearlessness, the love for roaming On Eagle Lake in Michigan I was lazy Spring day in the mountain about alone. fishing tip-ups one blustery January country, with cool breezes sliding in In addition to these things, a friend afternoon. My flag snapped up and I for an occasional break in the warm- of mine, who calls bass "the snobs of skidded over. There was a pike on, ness, with green bursting here and the weeds," claims to love the Pike and I pulled him in, hand over hand. there, and with the gurgle of hidden Family for their simplicity. He says At the hole I saw a mistake: the pike freshets filling our ears. On such a there is no understanding a bass. But hadn't swallowed the shiner as yet. day, with the last of the peepers busy offier a musky, pike or pickerel what But on sudden impulse I made a long in the marshes and the first robins he likes, says my friend, and get it and steady sweep with my arm. The strutting in the sunlight, you know where he is— greed of that pike was his doom! He your blood is thawing and you are aware of life and beauty. However, I do not agree with my Would not release his prey, and I pulled friend. Something about the straight him out on the ice. Bob Nicer called by attention to the lunges and savage twists of a fighting We were fishing for yellow perch on watersnake basking on a mud-caked pike suggests directness and simplicity, Promised Land Lake, Pike County, rock below the bridge. In whispers we when compared to the more subtle •Pennsylvania, when Bob Nicer made laid plans for his capture. There was tactics of bass. But here simplicity a strange catch. a school of small fish swimming nearby ends. There are days when musky, He set his hook into an average and it was obvious that the snake was pike, and pickerel waters seem baren. aware of them. He was twitching ner~ yellow perch, to begin with. Near the As there are also days when these D°at, however, something struck ously. Before we could act he slid from his rock into the water. fish run wild. Several times I have had solidly. He was caught off guard and the good fortune of being on lake or kept pulling in. A pickerel squirmed "We can't get him now," Bob said. stream when this wildness broke, and t° the top of the water, released the "And I've always wanted to see how believe me, it was a thrill. those devils catch fish. Let's watch!" Perch from its mouth, and watched These savage outbursts of feeding with large, cunning eyes. Nervously But Bob never saw. We spied a seem to be characteristic of the Family, Bob let the perch swim again. The green shape in the water. A Chain and they may occur at any season and Pickerel grabbed hold and went down. Pickerel. Possibly he had been watch­ Before long Bob had a nice fight on his ing the minnows; there is no telling. (Turn to page 22)

FEBRUARY—1950 13 BASS EXTR ACTION By HARRY P. ST. CLAIR

The first years of my fishing experi­ This triumverate was active for a the great luck to find a hole that ence were confined to stream fishing number of years but was eventually held about twenty trout. At first I for trout and when the season ended broken up about ten years ago when thought they were suckers, but a close the last of July we put our rods away I moved from the state. In my cor­ inspection convinced me they were and calmly waited for the next April. respondence with the boys I jokingly trout and I got busy with the fly rod Bass fishing was unheard of as the refer to the gang as the "Scientific and managed to take four brown trout nearest bass water was over a hun­ Anglers & Ash Pile Sleepers Assn.," of fair size before I had to leave when dred miles away. My tutor in the art because for years we all used fly the wife started to blow the horn. I of fishing was a man some twenty rods and flies and were joshed by the had fished about two hours. A very years my senior and in years past he bait boys for being "scientific fisher­ successful trip I thought, but disap­ had fished for bass in a river near men." And when we spent a night pointing because I did not meet the where he was raised. We often talked along the river we hunted one of those boys. about his bass fishing days and many spots where ashes had been piled for Of course in my new environment times I wished by some miracle some use on the pavement in winter, the I had made some new friends among nearby streams would become infested ashes were softer than the solid the fishing fraternity and one of these with bass. It had to be nearby as ground to bed down on, we called was a fellow named Tom. When he neither of us were coupon clippers them "cinder mattresses." heard me tell about my Fourth of and we had to work for a living and I try to effect a reunion at least July foray he asked if I could include a day at a time was the most we could once each season and with this in him on my next trip. That was fine manage for fishing. Of course the mind and accompanied by my wife I with me as I wanted to go again but streams did not change but as time went to the Allegheny last Independ­ didn't want to go alone. We had beau­ marched on more and more improved ence Day. We got there about noon tiful weather last fall so I planned roads were built and after a while the on the Sunday before the Fourth and another excursion in October. But hundred or more miles didn't seem drove along the river where Wayne this time, three weeks before the pro­ so far away and we finally planned a and Doc were most apt to be but I posed date, I sent an advance notice trip to the Allegheny River. I will failed to locate them. I learned later to the gang by mailing a card ad­ never forget that first trip to the Alle­ they crossed me up and went trout dressed to Doc as president of the gheny, and not because of the one fishing in the Emporium area. So I Scientific Anglers & Ash Pile Sleepers fish we caught but because of the trip went out on the river by myself that Assn., needling him a little with the itself. How we got lost on the coun­ afternoon and picked up about a dozen following message: try roads and wandered around in bass but they were all on the small "Plans are in the making for a the middle of the night crossing the side, from nine to twelve inches. I demonstration of the art of Bass same bridge three times. And on the kept two twelve inchers which we Extraction on the Allegheny River return how I had to stop every few cooked for supper. After supper I by the Penn-Ohio Piscatorial So­ miles and walk up and down the road fished a couple more hours and got ciety. The demonstration will be or wash my face in a watering trough two that were about fifteen inches in charge of the usual contingent or a ditch to fight off sleep. Man! long. We slept in the car and left aided by one new member who is That was a tough trip. there the next morning. I had not also an exponent of the spinning That was the first of many trips to fished for trout for several years so method. All those interested are the Allegheny and as roads and cars on the way home I stopped and tried requested to present themselves improved we were apt to be found the Brokenstraw for a while and had at the lower end of Dunns' Eddy, anywhere along the river from Kinzu on Oct. 2nd." above Warren to Baums' Eddy below The note was signed by me as chair­ Tionesta on any given week end man of the publicity committee. The during the bass season. Sunday fish­ name Penn-Ohio Piscatorial Society ing became legal and when a holiday was just dreamed up to fit the occa­ came on a Saturday or Monday giv­ sion. I followed that card with an­ ing us two days in a row to go fishing, other a week before the date selected Boy! That was something. We loaded and needled some more with: our tackle along with grub, stove and "Please advise your member­ blankets and high-tailed for the river. ship that plans have been com­ When I say we I mean Wayne, my pleted by the Penn-Ohio Pisca­ tutor and an "old master" with the torial Society for the great dem­ fly rod, and Doc, a dentist, who joined onstration on the Allegheny River our gang and took up fishing to get on Oct. 2nd. This will be a won­ outdoors. After a trip or two with derful opportunity for novice fish­ us he got a fly rod and soon became ermen to observe the fine points an excellent caster, but though his of Bass Extraction. tackle was good and his tactics sound FREE FREE FREE he couldn't catch fish. He flailed away "All participants are entitled to and beat the river into a froth with six bass nine or more inches long. no luck. But he was patient and No red tape, just go down to the persistent and about the second year river and take them out." he made connections. After that he With Tom at the wheel we left home caught fish along with the rest of us, on Saturday evening and after five and sometimes when the rest of us hours driving arrived at the designated Raymond Long of Lebanon and the 22%" carp didn't. which he caught in the Swatara Creek last fall. spot about midnight. But there was

14 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER no sign of anyone either angling sci­ the river. Wayne hooked but lost a have hurt it but just on general prin­ entifically or sleeping on an ash pile. real nice one in some fast water, I cipals I was trying to keep it dry. I So we settled ourselves for a nap, added two more to my stringer. We finally crawled ashore, and crawled is hoping they would be along later. We met Doc and Tom, they had fished up the right word because my waders awoke at daylight and still no guests, the river without a strike. were so full of water I couldn't walk. we ate a sandwich then I took Tom Doc was telling Tom about what he I looked back and there was Doc out and introduced him to the river. called a very funny incident that laughing till tears streamed down over I pointed out favorite spots here and happened in that spot several years his face. Why, I don't know. I didn't there, including "Doc's hole," so called ago. At that time I couldn't see any see anything funny. because here Doc had performed his humor in the situation, maybe I was But to get back to the present, as greatest extraction. The feat of ex­ wrong. It happened this way: Doc we were standing there gossiping and tracting a smallmouth bass almost and I were fishing on opposite sides ribbing each other and making an idle twenty inches long in the middle of a of the river, the eddy was a small one cast every once in a while Wayne was moonless night with a fly rod. But on and a favorite with me as with waders taken off guard by a strike, but the this day none of that fish's progeny I could fish the entire area. In the bass had hooked itself and Wayne oi even forty-second cousins were in middle of the stream were several dressed up his stringer with a fifteen evidence and there was no action large flat submerged rocks the bass incher. That was the end of the day whatever. About noon we returned liked to stay under and I was pretty for us .as it was coming evening and to the car for lunch. After taking well out in the river so that I could we members of the P.O.P.S. had a care of that chore we were just rest­ cast to these rocks. The bottom was long way to go and it was time we ing when another car pulled in and very rough and wading had to be headed for home. We said reluctant Doc and Wayne made their appear­ done very carefully. I had taken sev­ goodbyes and left the boys on the ance. They had been fishing farther eral steps toward the shore and river. up the river in the Brokenstraw eddy stepped on one of those slippery pyra­ It had been a very pleasant trip End their catch matched ours. Greet­ mid shaped rocks and lost my balance for me, fishing over favorite waters, ings and introductions completed, Doc and every step I took I hit another meeting and fishing with the old gang cautioned Tom not to take too seri­ slippery rock. Doc happened to be and enough strikes to keep me keyed ously stories emanating from a certain facing down stream and heard the up. I was only sorry that Tom had source, but I had anticipated that and commotion but for some reason not fared better but he said he had nullified the warning with a previous thought it came from the shore and enjoyed the trip and agreed the Alle­ one of my own. We made a plan of he turned and looked that way ex­ gheny presented some mighty nice attack and Doc elected to take Tom pecting to see at least a half dozen fishing water and conceded that the and go down river a couple of miles trees crashing down. All was calm on bass must be there. And to top it off and fish back, while Wayne and I shore and he turned again and looked the foliage was at its zenith with the planned to start where we were and toward me, only me wasn't there, all fall colors and that sight alone was fish down. So off to the wars. When he could see was a hat and the hat worth the trip. In fact when I told We reached Doc's hole Wayne fished kept bobbing up and down. Of course my wife about the beautiful colors she at the end of a riffle at the head of I was under the hat trying my best to expressed a desire to see it and on the hole and I was a hundred yards keep it above water. Not that it was a a Sunday two weeks later we went below him. Both Doc and Wayne had very good hat, a little water wouldn't again just to look at the scenery. The forsaken the fly rods and were using colors had faded a little by that time casting rods. I had gone through the but it was still a grand sight. We same evolution but had partially re­ stopped at one place to get a good verted by taking up the spinning out­ view and I happened to open the trunk fit. Wayne was using one of those old and discovered some miscellaneous reliable underwater plugs with a pro- tackle including license, boots, rods, pellor at each end and he drew first creel and lures. Just why I had for­ blood by catching a nine-incher. Then gotten to take it out I don't know. in the next hour Wayne had over a Or do I? dozen strikes, some he missed but most of them were hooked, landed and released as none of them quite Comply or Else! reached twelve inches. All this time The crack down of the Sanitary Water I was just below him frantically cast­ Board in promoting Governor Duff's Clean ing away without the slightest sign Streams program against the mining of coal of a strike. Then came a lull for about without permits has reached four more oper­ an hour with no action for anyone. ators with the issuance of orders that they The lull was broken when I felt a cease discharge of any mine drainage to strike and struck back and away out the streams until they shall have received there a beautiful bass came clear of permits for their operations. The order the water and went into his act. For points out that it is in violation of the law a few minutes there was a lively ar­ to open or re-open a mine without a permit gument to see who was going to take and "continuation of operations will render possession of about fifty yards of line, the operator liable to the penalties provided by law." but the argument was definitely Those receiving the recent orders are settled when I put a nice sixteen-inch Sylvester Matuzwiski, Slippery Rock, strip bass on the stringer. For half an hour mine in Wayne Township, Lawrence Co.; after that the tables were turned, I Sunbeam Coal Corp., North Washington, had strike after strike and Wayne was strip mine in Concord Township, Butler just a fellow who came along. After I Co.; Crawford County Coal Co., Sheakley- Edward Gober, Jr., aged 7, long pants and bad strung up two more over fourteen everything, proudly displays a fine 20" walleyed ville, strip mine in East Fallow Township, pike his first catch which he battled on Lake Crawford Co.; K & Z Coal Co., Vandergrift, inches long we started to work down Wallenpaupack the past season. "Eddie" hails from Shenandoah, Pa. deep mine in Parks Township, Armstrong Co.

FEBRUARY—1950 15 PLUG MEMORIES By G. LINCK HOLLER

My it's cold outside. Guess I'll load them was a nice heavy fifteen inch runt had more sense than I. Another up the pipe, and glance through the fish. Now this Jinx was a new plug big swirl and back again went the cast. tackle box. Would you look what's to us. We had seen the advertisement, This time the plug tore into a fish. on top, that pretty little green one. had looked it over, but the rest of us Boy, Oh, Boy! What a fish! Heavy Memory tries to reach back for the weren't suckers. Oh, No! Our boat and I mean heavy! At last the pool source, but six years or so is a long held a council-of-war. I can still hear winner seemed a certainty. The ex­ time in the life of an active plug. It myself, the senior member, telling citement and confusion grew terrific. is a sinking River Runt, green shore Dick and Bob, "No matter how high I finally levered his back out of the finish. I could have bought it new or and muddy it is, there are always a water, an 8-pound carp hooked in that I may have procured it from our few fish feeding along the edge. We'll big fin on top of his back. The next gang's winter plug exchange. Any­ just coast along shore, looking for twenty minutes or so was taken up way for a couple of years it gradually skipping minnows or swirls of a by reeling the boat over to the fish, earned a reputation as a fishgetter. In hungry bass." then the fish would run a little ways the Allegheny River, where most of I had maneuvered myself into the and set down, then reeling the boat my bass fishing is done, the Runt number one spot by this time, and was over again, etc., etc., etc. After awhile caught fish. Not lots as some fellows sitting in the bow as we drifted down we worked him close to shore. I would count them, but more and more the east shore. "Now was the time handed the rod to Bob, got out of the often when the going was toughest, it for all good men to come to the aid boat and threw Mr. Carp up on the would come through and save the trip. of their party." So onto the 5-1/2 beach. What to do? I had two of the Just "that good little green one." foot tubular steel rod, Nobby reel, 12 whoopinest, yellingest witnesses a per­ Then came that never to be forgot­ pound test silk line, 5 foot of 8 pound son could imagine. The only thing, ten opening day, July 1st, 1946. Five test nylon leader, went the trouble I could see to do, was brazen it out, of us had planned for weeks on this shooter, "the little green one." More and attempt to collect for the longest trip. It was to be a glorious float down eddies and much water later, our boat fish. My argument was that no men­ the river from Franklin to Kennerdell. was still Ashless. The two fishing tion was made of the kind of fish per­ Two big flat bottom boats were ready authorities in the other boat were missible. Who won? Why Sheese won and waiting. The day finally dawned, making our lives miserable with their both pots with his darn Jinx. The and it was beautiful sunny weather ill-chosen remarks. They each had next time we met we each had one, but Oh! what water. The Ole Alle­ taken a fish since last we checked on but as far as I'm concerned it's still a gheny was high and muddy. One of them. Only eleven-inch ones but still Jinx. Oh yes, I almost forgot, every­ the most unlikely fish getting days I eleven inches longer than ours. The body caught at least one little bass have ever seen. Our spirits would pool for the first fish caught was lost, but me. not be dampened, and we shoved off, but the one for the longest could still "The little green one" started to determined to take a few fish regard­ be won. sulk. For almost two years it took less of adverse conditions. Twenty- Then, in the long flat above the nary a fish. The action was still good five cents on the first fish, twenty- mouth of Big Sandy, it happened. and, as well as I could determine, it five cents on the longest, and the There are certain things, I believe, had come out of the carp battle un­ winner could brag for a year. We that should never occur to anyone. It marked. I fished it harder than ever, know this ride would be a fast one is only when I am very low that I trying to show my confidence in it. with no scraping on the riffles, so wonder if I, perhaps, was a very de­ But no fish. Those I caught were immediately we set to work. serving person. Anyway, the big swirl taken on plugs of lesser reputations. The first boat contained Fay Mc- over against shore in one of those little Now it's the bass season of 1948. Cann, and his son-in-law, Bob Sheese. bays, "the little green one" pulled Mark Vosler invited me to take a ride With me were a couple of characters through. Nothing. I believe now the in his red canoe down the bucking named Dick Thompson and Bob Sipes. riffles to Emlenton. We left Kenner­ Now no doubt these two fellows are dell early one fine summer day. Lots as good a friends as I have, but before of cloudy water, almost like that other this trip was over I wished I had trip. The fish were few, small and far brought my little boat along and rode between. Much time was spent taking alone. pictures and colored slides. Thrills When we load three in a boat, the came mostly from riding the white oarsman doesn't fish. I immediately water, particularly the shoot into volunteered for rowing duty, thinking Dotter's Eddy. The big thrill that I of those good spots that would be didn't share with Mark happened in reached later when it would be my the St. George Eddy. "The little turn to cast. At first there was much green one" was snapped on for the chatter and kidding, with an occa­ long troll down to the mouth of Little sional grab of a retrieving line when Scrubgrass. Off the point, just above the retriever wasn't looking. As the the road, I connected with a 10-inch miles slipped along beneath us that bass, but the biggest 10-inch one I first outburst of energy wore off, and ever caught. Why? Because "the lit­ we settled down to hard work with tle green one" was on his way back. the casting stick. Finally miles below The little catch in my throat when I Mrs. Jeanne Yakopin of R. D. 2, Library, Pa., at Ajax, the occupants of the other and the fine l.m. black bass she caught last snap him on is gone. I'm positive he's October 30. Jeanne took the bass from No. 2 about ready for that big scrap which boat, growing tired of casting, started Canonsburg Dam on her first attempt at plug­ to troll. Sheese caught two bass on a ging. The fish measured 21 >/•>•" long and weighed is generally the finish of all good 5 lbs. 1 oz. and is regarded as one of the largest plugs. red and white colored Jinx. One of caught in that area during the 1949 season.

16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Here is another one. One that lives 4, 1945. With me were Oscar Bar- throwed, at the very least, a gallon on the reputation of it's predecessor. nett and Norm Webster. Now Oscar of water over me. Why I didn't fall After many years of experimenting believed in the effectiveness of float­ over backward I'll never know 'cause With unproductive spinners and pork ing River Runts for daytime fishing, I never was more shocked in my life. rind lures, I finally purchased a small and was perfectly willing to back them But the old reflexes started working Vz ounce, black and white Oriental with marbles or chalk. While Norm, and before I started thinking again, I Wiggler. The action seemed very good altho' a rabid fisherman, was looking had let out line. Maybe it was just and the wide body didn't sink as forward to this trip more as a tonic an act of self-preservation. Half a quickly as smaller body spinners. I after three long hot years at Randolf dozen spectacular jumps later the fire­ imagined the shape of the body gave Field. Cold, very cold for July and works subsided. I easily led him to a slight planing action which helped guys with thin blood almost froze. shore, skidding him out of the water to keep it at the same depth through­ Gee, was I cold! Good crystal clear and up on the rocky beach. Here I out the retrieve. Not having any con­ water and did we hop to it. Only dropped on my fish and smacked him fidence in pork rind for Allegheny Oscar brought in one fish that night with a stone. Luck was with me for River fishing, I racked my mind for with the top water plugs. Hot coffee the little plug was caught just inside something to hang on this bare hook. and sandwiches while the sun chased of his mouth and the leader never Then a happy thought struck me. The the fog, then back to the fishing and touched those teeth. There he laid, red and brown feathers were lifted great to be alive. all 25 inches of him, and must have from Mr. Bass Fly's "Favorite." Harry I hurried to the mouth of Big weighed close to 3 pounds. My first Lonkert seemed not to mind as long Sandy, waded out to boot top and and, so far, only Muskie. But the plug, as I didn't use a worm with his started working down stream. My Oh My! You couldn't believe what feathers. I was sure now I had some­ outfit was the 5!/? -foot tubular rod those teeth did to that cocky little thing and later events proved it. With but at daybreak I had changed reels. perch spinner. this spinner I started taking fish out of An old Shakespeare tournament reel I snapped him on numerous times those fast, two foot deep riffles. On without level wind had replaced the later but it was of no use, the old fire one trip it took a bass on two suc­ Nobby. On it I had spooled a 9-pound v/asn't there. So I laid him away in cessive casts to the same spot. Not test silk line and 5-foot of 6-pound the bottom of my tackle box. Perhaps big bass but the only ones caught by test nylon leader. The plug? You someday I'll redress him with paint two of us in three hours casting. guessed it, the perch spinner. I had and hooks, then put him back to Then one sunny morning, just as slowly travelled about 50 yards when catching fish as all good plugs should the fog raised, I hit the big one with this action occurred. A quarter cast do. this spinner. It was right at the foot out and up stream was retrieved to The trip was a great success. Be­ of the riffles below the Kennerdell within 20 feet, when suddenly the sides enjoying a beautiful day, all bridge, where the Ole River pours into line tightened. Thinking I was caught fish. A brother of the little the pool. For a few seconds I had to snagged but taking no chances I perch plug, only in pike finish, ac­ struggle to keep my feet under me struck deliberate and hard. A fish counted for two nice bass for Norm, in that swift current. Just as sudden started to move slowly and powerfully and Oscar picked up two more with be was gone. Something happened at around me in nearly a half circle. his favorite Runts. the leader-line knot. This little red Stretching on tiptoes I watched him Here is another box, a much larger and white spinner with the brown hug the bottom. "Boy! a real wall-eye, one. In it is a big, gaudy colored plug and red feathers somehow seems a at least two feet long," I thought. made by a very well known wooden Poor substitute. "There are no more All of a sudden, close below me the minnow company. A top water num­ black and white ones," True Temper water exploded! I'm positive that ber that has a hole down through its Wrote me. Oh well, maybe I can find Muskie leaped three foot hight and body, and a metal scoop attached at some big color blind bass someday. the bottom of this hole. A real twister * do run into a small one once in and commotion maker but like many awhile, but so many of them do not of us when the big test came, it just take solid and I miss them with this fell short of success. I bought it years sPinner. ago and really lathered the water with A plug box, sure I know what's in it. No luck, not even a little bump. **• See, a little old retired battle- Finally losing all faith in the plug, I scarred warrior. It seems such a long looked for a better home for it. Per­ time ago that I bought this small perch haps I didn't handle it the right way. colored plug with spinners fore and Dad said, "Let rne give it a trial." aft. Not a Shakespeare midget spinner Now Dad was a three- hundred but similar, a trifle larger and more pounder most of his life, and his only nsh shaped. I don't remember the real hobby was hunting. Of course he make, and I never see them on the went fishing but I believe it was just Market anymore. The best plug I an excuse to get into the woods and *wer owned for fast shallow water, along the streams. It always seemed "ass or wall-eye made no difference to me that more time was spent visit­ to Perchy, it took them all on. Many ing and cooking for the group, than a trip Was saved by this plug and trying to catch a fish. ^•'hen the fish were hitting, no other There was one trip 'tho, with the uire was needed. This was the one gang, up above Thompson's Eddy. Up that introduced me to the value of where the islands force the river into small plugs on the fast stretches of narrow fast channels. It seems that "^ River. after dark, Dad worked his way along I'll never forget that fishing trip to e the bank of one of these channels. ^b Allegheny, near the mouth of Big Then a strong wind up, a long cast John "VVhitey" Robertson of Ellwood City and Sandy. We dropped down the steep the 51", 38 lb. 5 oz. muskellunge which he caught "ill about 2 A.M. the morning of July in Lake Lebeouf on October 6, 1949. (Turn to page 22)

FEBRUARY—1950 17 FISHING STRANGE WATERS , There is an undeniable fascination the large ponds which these dams had cannot easily get at them. in fishing strange waters. Even a favor­ created. That means, also, they will frequent ite trout or bass stream, to which the Although we would have preferred portions of a stream where there are angler returns time and time again to cast plugs for the big fellows, we minnows and other aquatic life, where in full confidence that he will be able finally turned to our hellgrammites riffles carry food to them, and where to take fish, can become monotonous. and began a careful advance along the there is streamside vegetation from The very fact that the angler is stream in quest of the bronze-backs. which insects can fall. familiar with every riffle and pool and Here again we encountered a tough A stretch of water that is flat, shal­ every turn in the stream—that he may problem. There were no really good low, and has a bare gravel bottom will j even feel he knows some of its larger bass hiding places in the creek. Most not attract and hold fish in any stream, inhabitants intimately—can take the of the pools were flat and compara­ for example. edge off a day spent angling its waters. tively shallow. The bottom was more Secondly, all fish have the same in­ But strange waters present a real, mud than rocks, and there were no stincts of self-preservation—instincts and often a difficult, challenge to the large boulders or other obstructions which require the angler to approach fisherman. He may know what species that might have provided a refuge for the water with caution, to handle his of fish he is likely to catch. It is not the fish. tackle with care and delicacy, and to too difficult to find out what particular In one pool my eye was attracted to make every possible effort to avoid lures or baits usually prove effective. a spot where a large tree overhung undue disturbance of the water he is That knowledge, however, is not the water, casting a deep shade over a fishing. enough in itself. small pocket of water that from a dis­ That point certainly needs no ampli­ There are mysteries in strange tance appeared not more than a couple fication. waters which the angler must solve of feet deep. In the third place, each species of for himself, and that is what makes There was evidence, however, of a fish has a liking for certain kinds of the sport so interesting. bit of current in this area of the stream, food and, therefore, will be attracted A friend and I one day fished for and a bait was cast so that the current also by certain types of artificial lures. bass in a slow-moving creek in South- would carry it through the shadowed The small-mouth bass likes minnows, Central Pennsylvania. All the informa­ water. hellgrammites, and streamer flies. The tion we had—from my friend's brother- A husky bass took the bait the first large-mouth bass goes in for frogs, in-law—was that the stream contained time it got into the shadows. Another minnows, and surface plugs. Trout of some nice bass and that hellgrammites and another and another followed. all species will take natural insects and were favored by local anglers, al­ Nine bass in all were taken from that minnows, and also the wet and dry though the creek was reputed to con­ little pocket before the strikes stopped. flies, the nymphs, and the streamers tain some really lunker small-mouths My friend, who had been upstream and bucktails that imitate them. and some fishermen in the vicinity ahead of me, came back down when Pickerel have a hankering for lively had caught them with midget plugs. he observed that I was spending more minnows and an almost equal en­ We approached the stream prepared than the usual time in one location. I thusiasm for spinners and spoons for both bait and small plug fishing. explained what had occurred. which look like minnows in action. And we soon laid the casting rods The result was that during the rest The angler who fishes strange waters aside. The weather was hot, and the of the afternoon we spent on that has need, also, for a keen sense of water low and crystal clear, and many stream we had a whale of a good time observation. He must survey each bit a fine stretch of the stream was liter­ with the bass we found in other pock­ of water before he fishes it, looking ally choked with aquatic vegetation. ets of fairly shallow water where over­ for those tell-tale signs so evident to Even weedless lures were quickly en­ hanging trees protected the water and all good fishermen of the presence of cumbered by masses of moss and the fish from the glare of the hot fish. slime. summer sun. Currents must be carefully studied. Nor did we find the numerous mill We discussed our experience later Water depth must be considered as an | dams on the stream fruitful. We had with another angler who had spent important factor. Stream temperatures, , no boat and, consequently, were un­ considerable time on that particular which have a major influence on the able to cover much of the water in creek. He told us that we had hit feeding of fish, must be taken into upon the secret of the stream—that consideration. during hot summer weather the bass Of course, even the most careful schooled up in the type of water in angler will make mistakes in fishing which we had found them. strange waters. That is inevitable. But A few principles can guide the angler if he puts into practice all the knowl- I who explores strange waters. They edge and skill he possesses he will be will help him catch fish. successful. In the first place, the feeding habits And what will be his rewards? and other characteristics of fish are No angler worthy of the name fails pretty much the same in all streams. to thrill to the opportunity to explore They insist, for example, on living new and untried water. He will feel where they have shelter from their his pulse quicken as he approaches a natural enemies and where there is a bit of untested water and begins ex­ reasonable amount of natural food. ploring it with his lures. He will feast That means they are most likely to his eyes on new beauty, for Mother Nature has adorned each stream with The visitor to strange waters guessed right— be found in the vicinity of boulders, and hooked a good trout feeding on the edge stumps, cut-under banks, and in deep its own particular attractions. of the current beside the rock ledge in the background. pockets where animals, birds, and men He will capture the spirit of pioneer-

18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER fish by Dr. A. Fraser-Brunner (that of ths muskellunge coming head-on, with mouth wide open, for his prey, should not be shown What's New to children before bed time!). While the color register on some of the plates is not Reviewed by Hugh Johnson what it could be, I do not hesitate to say that this is a full fifteen dollars' worth of book for the man who can afford, now and then, to go "all out" for a particularly choice in Fishing Books addition to his library.

"Do you know what good clean fun is?" Joe Bates believes that a knowledge of "No, what good is it?" what constitutes trout water, of the specific locations in such water where trout habit­ ually "hang out," and of the conditions which produce variations in trout behavior, is the LET'S GO OUTDOORS This river pool has a good current, fair depth, most useful knowledge that a fisherman can and evidence of a rocky bottom, so the visiting angler cannot go amiss if he casts his plug have. His new book, Trout Waters and WITH SLIM carefully here. How to Fish Them (Little, Brown and Com­ pany, Boston, Mass., $6.00) is founded on By Ralph Sides ing and exploring which has fallen so that conviction, and is, therefore, a detailed The outdoor outlook for 1950 is like un- low in this civilization. study of trout habits in relation to various marred freshly fallen snow. types of trout environment—and is one of Somehow, I'm reluctant to break a path And if he is a true sportsman, he the most completely honest trout books I Will get tremendous satisfaction out of along the relegated route of previous years. have come across in a long time. It is al­ I've decided to overthrow the threat of black­ the knowledge that by fishing strange ways a pleasure to have one's own ideas ex­ mail hovering over me, in the form of a Waters he is putting himself under a pressed by an accepted authority, and Joe dangling earthworm to keep my tongue still. real handicap and putting the advant­ Bates strikes a responsive chord in my own Jack Wise, trout angling authority who age on the side of the fish he hopes uncomplicated angler soul, because he tosses has held me back from telling of an igno- tc catch. out as relatively useless all the fishing minous episode which happened to him theories based on the pull-of-the-moon, sometime ago, simply because he would re­ What is perhaps the most important solunar tables, wind direction, barometric Promise, in the long run, is this: Fish­ veal I preferred to use "garden hackle" to pressure, etc. Far ahead of all these, Mr. "feathered hackle." ing strange waters will sharpen an Bates establishes water temperature as the I quaked under the thought of facing the angler's skill, add to his fishing knowl­ most important single factor, the only factor outer world with the fact that worms out­ edge and self-confidence, and increase with which most trout fishermen need be weighed artificial flies. The "old master" of the pleasure he derives from angling concerned, governing fish feeding and fish fly tying had me under his thumb, but now ln waters he knows almost as well as activity. I've decided to make a clean breast of my he does the stone walk and the shrub­ Trout Waters and How to Fish Them is sentiments and admit my shortcomings. This bery in his own back yard. divided into four main parts, Getting Ac­ gives me free rein to tell what happened a quainted with Trout, Characteristics of Trout few seasons ago. For a new experience in angling, try Water, Fishing Famous Trout Waters, and Jack was fishing down on the lower end fishing strange waters some time dur­ Development of Trout Waters, and through of the Conowingo Creek. He was carrying ing 1950! it all runs the main thesis—water tempera­ his rod and walking along a path when he ture. Sensibly sterring clear of descriptions heard a sound behind him. of casting, fly-tying, tackle specifications, and Turning he saw a bull plodding behind, Echoes from the Past other items so voluminously and repetitiously so he hurried his steps which were matched covered by other writers, Joe Bates here by the animal. Warren L. Good formerly of Loyalton, marks out a relatively undeveloped field— Looking over his shoulder, he decided to Pennsylvania and now of Elizabeth, New and, in the words of Paul R. Needham, Fish­ get away from the bovine creature by cross­ Jersey has sent us the following excerpt ing Biologist of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife ing the creek. •Which we pass along for its rather reminis­ Service, "presents a new approach to anglers' Splashing through the shallows, he was cent value. problems—a highly interesting and useful startled to find the bull was right behind him. "The Angler's Souvenir" by P. Fisher, Esq. book." There are many fine photographic He started running, looking for a tree and with illustrations by Beckwith and Topham, illustrations, more than 30 drawings, and a the only one in sight were a couple of big j>nd published by Charles Tilt, 86 Fleet Street, full-color frontispiece. If this book achieves oaks which had limbs way beyond reach. London, England, August 1, 1835. the popularity that it so richly deserves, the He ran faster and faster as the heavy sale of fishermen's thermometers will go sky­ snorting of the now-enraged beast touched A gentleman of the name of Vigne, a ward! Just one small criticism that is prob­ Member of Lincoln's Inn, took a trip to his flying heels. ably close to carping—an index should have He vaulted a fence on the highway, all out America, about three years ago, during the been included. 'ong vacation, and enjoyed a few days' fly­ of breath, and the bull stopped. fishing in Pennsylvania. He had some fair Game Fish of the World edited by Fran- It was a rotted rail fence with a rusty sPort in the Juniata, one of the tributaries cesca La Monte—Associate Curator of Fishes barbed wire between him and the menacing °f the Susquehanna. The trout were from of the American Museum of Natural History, hulk, which could have huffed and puffed it , aU a pound to three pounds in weight; and and Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald of London apart. ln little more than two hours' fishing he (Harper and Brothers, New York, N. Y., Jack was ready to jump back in the Caught about six dozen. He mentions the $15.00) is for the collector of fine sporting meadow in case the bull decided to cross the red-hackle as the best fly that an angler books. Of handsome proportions, and beauti­ line, but it stayed put, and he lapsed into Car« thrown in Spring Creek." fully put together, the book contains 31 exhaustion. articles by internationally famous angler- Running had worn blisters on his heels •A lot of water has certainly gone under ta authors about leading game fish, fresh and and he was in a sorry state when he stag­ e bridge these 115 years.—Editor. salt water, in all parts of the world—from gered to the car. the familiar brown trout of North America He never wanted anyone to know about to the fabulous giant of India's rivers, the this experience. Plumber: "I've come to fix that old tub in mahseer who runs out 150 to 200 yards of However, I feel I can breathe freer after ^e kitchen." line on the first rush. The outstanding fea­ getting the truth off my chest and be able to Junior: "Ma, here's the doctor to see ture of this feature-laden volume is the more put a worm on a hook in broad daylight ^e cook." than 80 pages of full-color drawings of game without any qualms.

pEBRUART—1950 THE HYDRO FISHING CLUB ANNOUNCES CONTEST WINNERS

The Pennsylvania Water & Power Com­ Kissinger of Columbia took first prize with pany and the Safe Harbor Water Power an entry that tipped the scales at 8.3 lbs. Corporation, announced the winners of the Mr. Kissinger caught his fish at Safe Har­ regular Hydro Fishing Club contest which bor on October 8th. This same fish won a opened March 1 and closed midnight, No­ first prize in the Special Contest. Howard vember 30th. Bard, Sr. of Columbia received 2nd prize Ralph McGuigan, Clayton Shenk, Robert with a fish weighing 6.9 lbs. Third prize was Fasnacht and Elmer Burkins, representatives awarded to Lloyd E. Jacoby of York with an of York County Federation of Sportsmen's entry of 6.5 lbs. Clubs and the Federated Sportsmen of Lan­ Carp comprised the fourth division. Win­ caster County, acted as judges in the con­ ners in this division were—Paul H. Endy of test and made the awards listed below. Pottstown, whose fish weighed 20.5 lbs. He The top prize in the Bass division was caught his prize fish at Safe Harbor on July awarded to William R. Todd, Lancaster, 27th. Second prize was captured by Clar­ whose fish weighed 3.5 lbs. Mr. Todd's fish ence Rudegeair of West Chester for his 20.1 was caught at Safe Harbor on September lb. catch. Third prize was awarded to Rob­ 12th. Second place went to Howard E. Mc­ ert L. Martin of Columbia, whose fish Mullen of Conestoga R. D. No. 2, whose fish weighed 19.5 lbs. weighed 3.4 lbs. Third prize was won by A total of $200 in prize money was awarded Mr. McMullen also, with a fish weighing 3.0 to these Hydro Fishing Club members. In lbs. each class, $30 was given for first prize, $15 John M. Schaum of Lancaster captured for second prize and $5 for third prize. The first prize in the Susquehanna Salmon di­ companies will mail checks to the winners vision with a fish weighing 5.5 lbs. He this week. J. M. Schaum of Lancaster and his entry, a The carp and catfish divisions of the con­ 241/4" long wall-eyed pike (commonly called caught his fish at Safe Harbor on October salmon) which weighed 5 lbs. 5 ozs. 28th. Second prize was awarded to E. Earl test opened on March 1st while the bass and Sheets of Holtwood with a catch of 5.4 lbs., salmon game fish divisions opened on July and third prize to George F. Peters of Co­ 1st in accordance with Pennsylvania fishing lumbia with an entry weighing 5.2 lbs. regulations. The contest closed November Three ties by weight were entered for third 30th for all divisions. TACKLE BUSTERS OF HIDDEN LAKE prize in this class. The ties were decided in The Hydro Fishing Club was organized in accordance with the contest rules which September 1948 and now has a membership of over 3700. Fishing contests are an annual specify that the greatest length of the tied (From page 10) entries determines the winner. Mr. Peters' affair and for the convenience of members, 5.2 lbs. entry measured 25 inches in length. weighing and registration stations are oper­ Second place winner, Mr. Sheets, also won ated by Lyle Simmons, Columbia; Byron second prize in the salmon division of the Resh, Wrightsville; S. M. Fife, Airville, and of heading for the open waters I saw Special Hydro Fishing Club contest which Norman Welsh of Long Level in addition to him head straight for his tangled logs. ran from September 15th to October 15th, the stations at the two hydro plants. The I put the pressure to him as much as with a 4.4 lb. salmon. establishment of these stations was made I dared. Down he went among the necessary by the contest rules which provide The most highly contested class with 35 logs, then came that sickening slack in that fish caught in the river between the the line that means a lost fish, and a entries was the Catfish division. Franklin Wrightsville-Columbia bridge and the Holt- wood tailrace are eligible for prizes. Contest leader devoid of a lure. The Tackle entries were made at all weighing stations Buster had won the first round. but Safe Harbor retained its reputation as Many times after that discouraging an outstanding fishing area by producing the encounter I sighted the big trout. No four first prize winners. amount of coaxing or teasing could Hydro Fishing Club Contest Winners make him strike again. He had had CARP—1st Paul H. Endy, 526V2 Walnut enough for one year. St., Pottstown, Pa.; 2nd Clarence Rudegeair, My second chance at the Tackle 406 W. Chestnut St., West Chester, Pa.; 3rd Buster came the following year, and Robert L. Martin, R. D. No. 2, Columbia, Pa. this time I planned well ahead. The CATFISH—1st Franklin Kissinger, 214 Lo­ plans consisted mostly of cutting some cust St., Columbia, Pa.; 2nd Howard Bard, Sr., 643 S. 9th St., Columbia, Pa.; 3rd Lloyd of the brush along the bank of the E. Jacoby, 1951 Susquehanna Trail, North, lake. This gave me a little more room York, Pa. for casting. BASS—1st William R. Todd, 338 S. Ann Leaders were checked, flies poured St., Lancaster, Pa.; 2nd Howard E. McMullen, over, and finally I was ready to take R. D. 2, Conestoga, Pa.; 3rd Howard E. Mc­ the old man. Mullen, R. D. No. 2, Conestoga, Pa. The walk to the lake seemed to SALMON—1st John M. Schaum, 525 W. take ages, but finally I arrived and a Chestnut St., Lancaster, Pa.; 2nd E. Earl I Sheets, Holtwood, Pa.; 3rd George F. Peters, breathtaking sight it was. An early 1019 Barber St., Columbia, Pa. morning haze was dissolving in the sunlight, and two startled wood ducks silently took wing. Here and there on "What was your last job?" the surface of the lake were dimples of "Diamond cutter." rising trout. "Oh, in the jewelry business?" I made a careful approach to the George F. Peters of Columbia, Pa. and his wall-eyed pike (commonly called salmon) meas­ "No, I trimmed the lawn at the ball park." edge, keeping well screened behind the uring 25" long and weighing 5 lbs., 2 ozs. brushy bank. My fingers trembled as

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 1 assembled my gear. At last I was leader absolutely devoid of a lure. we didn't have, he couldn't identify ready. A few casts with the heavy Yes, gentlemen I swore, mildly mind the transparent masses. He thought leader showed me that the old trout you, but I swore. Round two now that they were probably clusters of Was still as cagey as ever. It was belonged to the Buster. fish or amphibian eggs. It wasn't until going to have to be a light leader I fished over the old gentleman I reached college that I learned that against bull strength again. many times that season, but to no what I had found some years before The water was rested, then I put avail. Every lure was treated with were colonies of tiny animals. the fly out again. This time on a 2x distain. He turned his back to all my The moss animals are usually placed leader. I used a rather slow retrieve flies, and to me. in a phylum by themselves. This as the leader could not take too much There is one bright spot though even phylum is called Bryozoa by some shock. The Buster looked the stream­ amid all these tragic circumstances. authors; Polyzoa, by others. Usually er over with interest, started toward The Tackle Buster is still there, and they are found in sessile colonies at­ it, then passed it. Coming in toward a new season is coming on. Round tached to submerged stones, debris, shore he was a perfect picture of a three may be mine. I'll be there to or the stems and leaves of water vege­ disinterested trout. Figuring the show give him another whirl at that pet tation. The individuals are tiny, almost over for that cast, I started to retrieve streamer fly of mine. Maybe he won't microscopic. Each animal is mostly a little faster. Suddenly the Buster take it again this year you say. Then alimentary canal, which is so U-shaped turned, headed straight for the stream­ gentlemen, I'll let you in on a secret. that the mouth and anus are close to er, and gave it a slashing attack before I am going to try live minnow, then each other. The esophagus is long, and I could slow my retrieve. There I the Tackle Buster will be mine. the stomach seems surprisingly over­ stood as the year before. Rod in hand, Maybe. sized. The mouth is surrounded by hair-like processes which beat and set up an eddy which draws food (chiefly diatoms) into the opening. The moss animals are found in most THE MOSS ANIMALS of the waters of the world. Usually By CARSTEN AHRENS they seem to live near the surface where diatoms are plentiful. Some Comparatively little has been writ­ species are found only in swift streams ten about the "Moss Animals." Nature and others in motionless or slow-mov­ Writers pass them by, perhaps, because ing bodies of water. There are many they are economically unimportant, or salt-water species. A fresh water because they are usually colorless, or species (Plumatella), which is com­ even because there has been consider- mon in our state, has been found in all ' able disagreement as to just where parts of the world with the exception they fit into the animal kingdom. But of Africa. The species of this genus animals they are even though the appear as intertwining masses of trans­ colonies of them look often like small, parent to semi-transparent branches. ^any-branched plants. The colonies found in the cattail THE MOSS ANIMALS (above are Winter Buds) swamp belonged to another genus (Pectinatella). With this group a large that separated the swamp from the gelatinous base is always present. lake. Mr. Wiggins knew a lot about nature, and we went to him with our Reproduction, as with most sessile tough questions. animals, is both asexual and sexual. Budding is common as in cell division. On the way to the sand bar, we overtook Jed Overdy, a hunter, talker, The colony degenerates and dies and trapper of some local reputation. each fall with the coming of winter, By design or ignorance he skyrocketted but the group provides for the next our curiosity into the wildest of year's existence by forming "winter dreams. buds" or statoblasts. These are small, oval, and flat. They resemble seeds in "My lads," he intoned, "you have appearance. Some are decorated with there generous chunks of the fabulous hooks and look like tiny burs. They ambergris ... a rare substance used preserve the race not only by main­ at the base of the most expensive and taining life throughout the winter but the subtlest perfumes in Christendom. also by lying dormant through sum­ Your fortune is made if you can collect mer droughts. In this stage they have an amount of the stuff!" been carried all over the world either Jed was very vague about the by the winds or on the feet of wading amount needed or who would buy birds. ambergris, but we had heard enough The statoblasts are distinctively to know that we would soon be as rich shaped and are frequently used in as Rockefeller. identifying species. Nevertheless, we hunted up Mr. The moss animals are for the most Wiggins, who tumbled our air castles part harmless to man. Only rarely do into the swamp. Ambergris, he said, the colonies become troublesome in was an off cast of sick sperm-whales, water systems. and whales, sick or otherwise, didn't haunt the freshwaters of cattail swamps. "Who gave the bride away?" Although Mr. Wiggins told us what "I could have, but I kept my Mouth shut." I pEBRUARY—1950 m It was a silent ride to camp. At the PENNSYLVANIA FISH LAW VIOLATIONS boat dock while unpacking, Joe turned Cases Settled during the Month of December 1949 toward me with fire in his eyes. "I'm coming back after that—" He plunged ALLEGHENY COUNTY Marino, Victor J., 682 Shormaker into some appropriate names for the Hutnik, Pricilla, 1720 Highland Ave., Ave., W. Wyoming, Pa. Exceeding lost pike. Duquesne, Pa. Fishing without a creel limit 10.00 "He popped up in an unexpected license $25.00 Szumowski, Joseph, 6 Lehigh St., place," I said. "And he won his free­ Rell, A. J., 46 N. Canal St., Natrona, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Two undersized dom by doing an unexpected thing." Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 black bass 20.00 Joe scooped up his tackle and started BUCKS COUNTY Wallace, Peter, 6 Lehigh St., Wilkes- for the cabin. "The dirty rat! He rolled Clymer, L., Quakertown, Pa. Fishing Barre, Pa. Two undersized black over like he was done. Like he knew without a license 25.00 bass 20.00 I'd get over-confident! Damn, it's like LYCOMING COUNTY getting hit below the belt!" CAMBRIA COUNTY As he turned to me there was anger Criste, Bernard, 716 3rd St., Cresson, Smith, George A., 310 Glover St., Pa. Fishing without license 25.00 Jersey Shore, Pa. One undersized churning in his eyes. "I'd sit in a black bass 10.00 blizzard to get hold of that old pickerel CLARION COUNTY again!" Dinger, Glenn F., R. D. 1, Mayport, Pa. MERCER COUNTY I said nothing. From the remote Aiding and assisting in dynamiting Frayman, Lawrence, 434 Tanner St., depths of the Quebec wilderness, rid- j Red Bank Creek 100.00 Sharon, Pa. Illegal operation of ing weirdly above the breath of wind Hetrick, James W., R. D. 1, Mayport, motor boat 10.00 in the pines, came melancholy sounds. Pa. Aiding and assisting in dyna­ Kvocak, John, 656 South Oakland, miting Red Bank Creek 100.00 We had heard them before: the fat Sharon, Pa. Fishing in Nursery and savage timber wolves on the trail DAUPHIN COUNTY Waters 20.00 of meat. Fritz, Robert, Harrisburg, Pa. Oper­ NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ating motor boat without a license 10.00 Joe gestured toward our pike, lying Motter, W. A., 205 N. 4th St., Sunbury, Sheaffer, Wm. M., 424 Harris St., Har­ still now on the beach. "The only dif­ risburg, Pa. Fishing without a li­ Pa. Using illegal device 20.00 ference between them and those cense 25.00 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY wolves is, water hides these devils. And you can hear the wolves howling." ERIE COUNTY Sandroni, Alfred, 1545 S. Stanley St, Smiley Fish Company, West Public Philadelphia, Pa. Altering a fishing Dock, Erie, Pa. Possessing unli­ license 25.00 censed device 50.00 PLUG MEMORIES VENANGO COUNTY LANCASTER COUNTY Kohler, Richard M., Homersville, Pa. (From page 17) Laudenberger, Lewis, R. D. No. 1, Operating motor boat without license Washington Boro, Pa. Fishing with­ plates 10.00 out a license 25.00 almost to the far shore. Wham! A Sowers, Mervin B., Willow Street, OUT OF STATE Lancaster, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 30.00 terrific strike, a fast run towards him, Weiss, Edward P., 9603 McCracken too fast to reel in line, a powerful LUZERNE COUNTY Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio. Fishing jump and world shaking splash that Del Bianco, Lewis, 315 Main St., without a license 25.00 must have been heard as far north I Plains, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .. 10.00 as Warren and south to Tidioute. This is the story I've heard told many times by the participants. Anyhow, the KILLERS OF INLAND LAKES the lake, and while the guide and I gang rushed to him on the double to fussed with the motor Joe Grimes did pull him out of the drink, but the (From page 13) some fishing. suspense was of short duration. Even We had tried deep water before, by flashlight the air gradually turned without success; and this was at about blue and developed a slight acrid taste j forty feet depth. So we knew that Joe and brimstone odor. at any time of day. The cause of it is wouldn't get a strike. At least until Whether that fish was all a mistake, a mystery, especially since the fish do after he'd set his hook into a fish! or the plug had decided to mend its not run in schools. Pumping into the gloom, the pike ways and took offense at the language And if we did understand this, and looked to be the biggest fish of the used on this it's initial effort, I'll never other vagaries of the pike, that vital trip. And he knew the tricks. He kept know. Of this I feel sure, it never element of all fishing would be lost. Joe guessing by changes of pace—now even came close to another fish. I like to call this vital element "the running, now braking in an instant, Before I gave Dad's fishing kit to unexpected." turning with bullet-like suddenness, my nephew, I sneaked out one plug. Last summer we were fishing for sounding the deeps and shaking him­ No, I don't believe I'll ever snap it on. great northern pike on Lac Les self on the surface. for in a moment of desperation it Rapides, Quebec, Canada. At least, I It was a lot of fun—even to watch. might tackle a fish too large for us was fishing for great northern pike; I was sorry to see the belly-roll to­ to handle and I would lose both of though Joe Grimes, my companion, in­ ward the net. Calmly I slid the mouth them. sisted that we fished for pickerel. of the net under him. We located the pike in shallow water In that instant the pike wakened. "What? Yes Dear, I'll be right to and figured they were still on the The water around the net seemed to bed. Yes, I know it's late. Just look­ spawning beds (it was late May and boil. Joe reacted quickly. ing through the tackle box. O.K. I'm the latitude is about 48°). After a good But not quickly enough. We let out coming." catch our guide was taking us back a groan as the line grew limp and the to home camp. The outboard motor fish vanished under the swirls. The A good wife always helps her husband sputtered and died in the middle of line had torn. with the housework.

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER STREAMSIDE LIFE This Year Try Ice Fishing THE MARSH MARIGOLD (From page 7) By ROBERT LEO SMITH

. v . ' - . . • ' In marshes and swampy places and jervine and helleborin. Both these along streambanks you will find from poisons are destroyed by cooking or early spring until June a startling drying. In cooking the plant, the first yellow flower, the marsh marigold. water should be drained off and re­ Whether along the edge of wet, shrub­ placed with fresh water. Cattle after by areas, in boggy mud or even in feeding on green tips often suffer shallow water, the marsh marigold from bloat, diarrhoea, and a severe always makes a spectacular spring reduction in milk flow. display. The buds, too, are delicious when You can hardly mistake the plant. parboiled in salt water, then pickled Growing in heavy clumps, the marsh and canned, much in the same manner marigold may reach the height of 2 as cucumber pickles. feet. The stems are smooth, erect, Like many common things, the Ice fishing can be exciting especially when hollow and a rich, dark green like marsh marigold, a member of the but­ a party is grouped together. the leaves, which are heart-shaped, tercup family, goes by a variety of long-stemmed, smooth and conspicu­ names. In many places it is known limit is reached will insure the sport ously veined. as American cowslip, and in others, of angling for the many years in the meadowboots, drunkards, soldiers' future. The blooms, which may measure buttons, capers, boots and crazy bet. Ice fishing can be exciting especially over an inch across, are a rich yellow But to everyone it is a long-awaited and shaped like a shallow cup. Un­ when a party if grouped together. and colorful flower of spring. Each member's tip-ups will prove like most flowers, the marsh marigold exciting to each angler when one red has no petals, usually the showy part; flag is raised. The element of surprise and the brilliant yellow but short- is discussed as all gather closely to lasting petal-like structures are the SWAMP WATER s the hole. epals, which are leaf-like in more (From page 11) typical flowers. It has numerous sta­ Members of the fair sex can join in on the fun, as well as the entire mens and up to a dozen or more pis­ family. tils, nearly an inch in length. These Pistils in due time split down one side, The heron returning to his favorite This year try ice fishing. You may hunting grounds floated in over the releasing many seeds. The showy be pleasantly surprised at its thrills evergreens that flanked the cove, and blossoms attract bees and the bee­ and surprised, too, how quickly the hid the boat and its busy occupant, wintry months speed by and the "fly- like "flower" or syrphid flies; thus until he was about to drop his trailing flinging" time is here again. Pollination is accomplished. legs. Wheeling to seek other undis­ The Marsh marigold is a standard turbed feeding grounds the heron "green" in many places but unless it uttered a rancorous squawk of protest. Definition of pink elephant: a beast of 13 prepared properly it may be a The boy intent on his fish started bourbon. source of danger. The green plant involuntarily at the disturbance the contains two poisonous substances, rod dipped for an instant and Esox I wish I was a widdle egg was free. Away up in a twee. Down into the cool darkness he I wish I was a widdle egg sank, nursing the long gash in the As wotten as could be. upper jaw, just where the scar showed And when someone whom I disliked white. Gradually recovering from his Would come awound that twee, experience hunger again made itself I'd take my widdle wotten self felt. Luck in the form of a fat frog And throw myself at he! flashing white in the cool dusk of the water struggled a moment in the en­ tangling weeds. Esox lean paunch rounded again to complete satisfaction a? he lay under the green arch of weeds. Again the gnarled pine, etched darkly against the skies showed the silhouette of the great blue heron.

Question: The bus driver charged a lady full fare for her son who was wearing long pants. At the next corner, a small boy wear­ ing short pants paid only half fare. And, at the next stop, a lady mounted the bus and the driver didn't charge her anything. Why? Answer: She had a transfer. "FIGHTER—ISN'T HE!"

FEBRUARY—1950 2IJ PENNSYLVANIA REPTILES ^AMPHIBIANS Ci TZcctu/ie &t&uj 6y 7iat'76 7fcWi/&4yn (Edited and approved by M. Graham Netting, Curator of Herpetology, Carnegie Museum) No. 11 Snakes

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NORTHERN HOG-NOSED SNAKE (Heterodon contortrix contortrix) HOG-NOSED SNAKE PLAYING 'POSSUM . . . Most spectacular part . . . Maximum length 3 feet, 6 inches; "hog-nosed" comes from its of this snake's defensive actions is its ability to feign death; if a poten­ turned up snout which makes identification easy; although entirely tial enemy is not frightened by the preliminary hissing and neck harmless, it is widely feared because of its bluffing antics, which include spreading, the serpent rolls over on its back, goes through several con­ hissing, striking, neck-spreading and convulsive movements; common vulsive movements and lies still; to all appearances it is dead, but if it names include "spreadhead," "puff adder," "sand viper," and "hissing is now turned right side up, it will immediately flop over on its back adder"; commonly found on sandy beaches and mountain ridges; favor­ again; if permitted to repose in peace for awhile, the snake eventually ite foods are toads and frogs; lays eggs; found in 24 counties. will right itself and crawl away.

DEKAY'S BROWN SNAKE (Storeria dekayi dekayi) . . . Maximum ALBINO DE KAY'S BROWN SNAKE . . . Although uncommon, length 17)4 inches; often mistaken for a garter snake, but lacks the albinism is well-known among snakes and has been recorded for many three light-colored stripes that characterize that snake; is brown or species; characterized by absence of dark pigment throughout the in­ gray with keeled scales and a double row of faint black spots which dividual, the red blood vessels showing through the white skin; eyes border a faint central light stripe; often found in gardens, open fields are pink; usual pattern of DeKay's Snake shows faintly; melanism and and under trash in vacant lots; feeds largely upon slugs, snails and even yellow and red mutations (xanthism and erythrism) are known to earthworms; adult females bear nine to 20 living young; found in 37 occur in some kinds of snakes; specimen pictured here was found in a counties. rock garden in Allegheny County.

NORTHERN RED-BELLIED SNAKE (Storeria occipitomaculata oc- NORTHERN RING-NECKED SNAKE (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) cipitomaculata) . . . Maximum length 15)6 inches; bright red belly . . . Maximum length 21 inches; a smooth-scaled snake easily rec­ is best identification, although occasionally, a specimen has a bluish- ognized by the yellow ring which encircles the neck; body slate-gray black belly; has keeled scales and three faint gray blotches encircling with yellow or orange belly; often found in wooded areas, hut is the neck; a frequent burrower, most common in upland areas; feeds on secretive in its habits; feeds on earthworms, salamanders, small frogs slugs, earthworms and Insect larvae; bears one to seven tiny young in and insects; lays from one to seven eggs in June or July from which August or September; found in 34 counties but rare or absent in south­ 5-inch snakelings hatch in about two months; recorded from 50 counties. east. BY SPECIAL AMENDMENT OF THE FISH LAWS PASSED BY 1949 LEGISLATURE AND RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSION—ALL FISHING IS PRO­ HIBITED IN ANY WATERS FROM MARCH 14 TO APRIL 15, 1950, EXCEPT IN RIVERS, LAKES, OR PONDS NOT STOCKED WITH TROUT THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF WATERS CLASSIFIED AS RIVERS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Name County Tributary To Basin or Sub-Basin * Allegheny River Allegheny Ohio River Ohio Ashtabula River State of Ohio Lake Erie Erie Beaver River Beaver Ohio River Main Ohio Beaver (Little) River Beaver Ohio River , • -Main Ohio 'Beaver (Little) River, North Fork Beaver Little Beaver River Main Ohio Black River Northampton Saucon Creek Middle Delaware Casselman River Somerset Youghiogheny River Monongahela Cheat River Fayette Monongahela River Monongahela Chemung River Bradford ...NB Susquehanna River UNB Susquehanna River Clarion River Clarion .. Allegheny River Middle Allegheny * Clarion River, East Branch ... Elk . .Clarion River Middle Allegheny Clarion River, EB Middle Fork Elk East Branch Clarion Middle Allegheny * Clarion River, West Branch Elk Clarion River Middle Allegheny Conemaugh River Indiana and Westmoreland Kiskiminitas River Lower Allegheny Conemaugh (Little) River Cambria Conemaugh River Lower Allegheny *Conemaugh (Little) River, NB Cambria Little Conemaugh River Lower Allegheny *Conemaugh River, S. Fork Cambria Little Conemaugh River feSSF-,Allegheny Cowanesque River Tioga Tioga River UNB Susquehanna Cowanesque River, North Fork Tioga Cowanesque River UNB Susquehanna Delaware River Delaware Delaware Bay Delaware Delaware River, West Branch Wayne Delaware River Upper Delaware Elk River State of Maryland Chesapeake Bay Lower Mam Susquehanna *Genesee River Potter Lake Ontario Genesee *Genesee River, Middle Branch Potter Genesee River Genesee "Genesee River, West Branch Potter Genesee River Genesee Juniata River Perry Susquehanna River Susquehanna * Juniata River, Frankstown Branch Huntingdon Juniata River Upper Juniata *Juniata River, Raystown Branch Huntingdon Juniata River Upper Juniata Juniata (Little) River Huntingdon Frankstown Branch Upper Juniata Kiskiminitas River Armstrong and Westmoreland . . Allegheny River Lower Allegheny Lackawanna River Luzerne NB Susquehanna River LNB Susquehanna *Lackawanna River, East Branch Susquehanna Lackawanna River LNB Susquehanna "Lackawanna River, West Branch Susquehanna Lackawanna River LNB Susquehanna "Lackawaxen River Pike Delaware River Upper Delaware "Lackawaxen River Wayne Lackawaxen River Upper Delaware "Lehigh River Northampton Delaware River Middle Delaware Mahoning River Lawrence Beaver River Main Ohio Monocacy River State of Maryland Potomac Creek Potomac Monongahela River Allegheny Ohio River Monongahela Ohio River Beaver Mississippi River Ohio Potomac River State of Maryland Chesapeake Bay Potomac Schuylkill River Philadelphia Delaware River Lower Delaware Schuylkill River, West Branch Schuylkill Schuylkill River Lower Delaware Schuylkill River, West-West Branch Schuylkill W. Branch Schuylkill River .. .Lower Delaware Schuylkill (Little) River Schuylkill Schuylkill River Lower Delaware Schuylkill (Little) River, East Branch (or Still Creek) Schuylkill Little Schuylkill River Lower Delaware Schuylkill (Little) River, W. Branch Schuylkill Little Schuylkill River Lower Delaware Shenango River Lawrence Beaver River Main Ohio Shenango (Little) River Mercer Shenango River Main Ohio Susquehanna River Lancaster and York Chesapeake Bay Susquehanna Susquehanna River, North Branch Northumberland Susquehanna River Susquehanna Susquehanna River, West Branch Northumberland and Union Susquehanna River Susquehanna Tioga River Tioga Chemung River UNB Susquehanna Youghiogheny River Allegheny Monongahela River Monongahela * See following list for rivers and sections in which fishing is prohibted. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF RIVERS, OR SECTIONS OF RIVERS, LAKES, AND PONDS WHICH ARE STOCKED WITH TAKABLE TROUT BY THE COMMISSION, AND IN WHICH FISHING IS PROHIBITED UNTIL 5 A. M. APRIL 15, 1950. RIVERS AIlegheny River, Potter County—Stocked from the vicinity of Couders- . Port upstream to the vicinity of Seven Bridges, about 8 miles. LAKES AND PONDS "orth Fork of Little Beaver River, Beaver County—Stocked from the vicinity of Darlington upstream to the Beaver-Lawrence County line, Adams County—Hartman Dam on Marsh Creek—3 acres in Franklin £, a distance of approximately 5 miles. Township. Chambersburg Water Company Reservoir on Birch Run— bast Branch of Clarion River, Elk County—Stocked from the vicinity of 22 acres in Mountain Township. ..Instanter to Glen Hazel, 7 miles. Bedford County—Thomas W. Koon Lake on Evltts Creek—268 acres in West Branch of Clarion River, Elk County—Stocked from a point known Cumberland Valley Township. Beaver Run Rod and Gun Club Dam as Rolfe, just north of Johnsonburg; upstream to vicinity of Wilcox, on Beaverdam Creek—1 acre in Kimmall Township. Replogle Dam on . 6 miles. Yellow Creek—6'/2 acres in Woodbury Township. North Branch of Little Conemaugh River, Cambria County—Stocked from Centre County—Metzgers Dam on Spruce Creek—IV2 acres In Ferguson above the Wilmore Dam upstream 4 miles. Township. Roosevelt Dam on Stoney Creek—3 acres in Potter Town­ south Branch of Conemaugh River, Cambria County—Stocked from where ship. Penns Cave D?m on Penns Creek—i\2 acres in Potter Township. the road crosses the stream above Lloydell upstream to Summit Hill Poe Valley Dam on Big Poe Creek—27 acres in Penn Township. Green Water Company Dam, 3 miles. Valley Dam on Little Fishing Creek—2 acres in Walker Township. 1 enesee River, Potter County—Stocked from the New York State line to Clinton County—Woolrich Water Company Dam on Chatham Run—5 West Bingham, 5 miles. acres in Pine Creek Township. lv Cumberland County—Wade Dam on Hogestown Run—3 acres in Silver »:ddle Branch of Genesee River, Potter County—Stocked from the vi- Springs Township. Boiling Springs Lake on Yellow Breeches Creek— .cinity of Harmonstown upstream to George Williams farm, 6 miles. 9 acres in South Middleton Township. C.C.C. Dam on Hairy Spring "est Branch of Genesee River, Potter County—Stocked from the vicinity Hollow Run—3 acres in Southampton Township. P Of Ellisburg to Genesee, 5 miles. Erie County—Lake Pleasant on Branch of Alder Run—60 acres in South­ ''rankstown Branch of Juniata River, Blair County—Stocked from the western Venango Township. mouth of Pine Run downstream, to McDonald Bun, 9 miles. Forest County—Ward Ranch Pond on Coon Creek—10 acres in Kingsley "aystown Branch of Juniata River, Bedford County—Stocked from the Creek Township. vicinity of Bedford upstream to Somerset County line near New Balti- Huntingdon County—Greenwood Furnace Dam on E. Br. of Standing p more, 18 miles. ^ast Branch of Lackawanna River, Susquehanna County—Stocked from Stone Creek—3-34/100 acres in Jackson Township, Whipple Dam on .the vicinity of Herrick Centre upstream to near the source, 5 miles. Laurel Run—15 acres in Jackson Township. Barree Dam on Barree or "est Branch of Lackawanna River, Susquehanna County—Stocked from McCIain Run—2 acres in Porter Township. . the mouth (near Uniondale) upstream to Burnwood, 5 miles. Jefferson County—Manner Run Dam on Manner Run—1 acre in Polk lackawaxen River, Pike County—Stocked from the vicinity of Lacka- Township. Waxen upstream to Pike-Wavne County line. 12 miles. McKean County—Kushequa Pond on Kinzua Creek—13 acres in Hamilin lackawaxen River, Wayne County—Stocked from the vicinity of Promp- Township. ton upstream to the source at Beaver Meadow Reservoir, 22 miles. Monroe County—Snowhill Lake on Mud Run—3 acres in Price Township. L"Mgh River—Stocked from about two miles below White Haven up­ Montgomery County—Upper Perkiomen Valley Park Lake on Deep Creek stream to the source. This would include section bordering on Lu­ —38 acres in Upper Frederick Township. zerne and Carbon Counties, Monroe and Luzerne Counties, Lackawanna Snyder County—Meisers Mill Dam on West Branch of Mahantango Creek and Monroe Counties, Wayne and Lackawanna Counties—a total dis­ —2 acres in West Perry Township. tance of about 30 miles. Union County—Halfway Dam on Rapid Run—6 acres in Hartle Township. AN EVEN BREAK!FOR EVERYBODY

IvV rvis "V±^. ••::••-;<•• ».r^*Uw THAT'S JUST NO F/SH/N6 Of ANY ABOUT THE tfNDINANY WATERS (Nl FINEST - PENMSYLVANfA FROM 1 THING THAT COULD HME vMARCHI5-TO-APRK.I 5 HAPPENEO/ r< /• EXCEPT R(V£RS AND CAKES WE CAN vVAfT/ WHICH Atf£ NOT 5TOCKEO WITH TROUT/

SPECIAL NOTICE! "By Special Amendment of the Fish Laws passed by 1949 Legislature—All Fishing is Prohibited in Any Waters from March 14 to April 15, 1950, Except in Rivers, Lakes or Ponds Not Stocked with Trout." PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION