MARCH—1979 PENNSYLVANIA the HeKeystone State's I Official FISHING BOATING Magazine... ^J 30* A. ww Single Copy All in the Name of "Sport"!
Jin early February, Harrisburg's Sunday paper heralded the opening of the annual sport show held in the Capital City with a front page picture showing "Youngsters and adults who visited opening day activities Satur day at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show at the Farm Show Building trying their hand at the Fish Tank while ardent anglers wait their turn. " There before you is a white plastic tank with crystal clear water populated by commercially hatched and reared trout. The tank is surrounded — by youngsters, mostly, but a few adults, as well, all holding assorted fishing tackle and all apparently under the impression that they are engaging in a sport called "fishing." We recognize that the proprietor of this enterprise has paid his proper fee to the promoters of the "sports" show, and all of those participating in this "sport" obviously pay more for the opportunity to catch, or snag, the "wiley" trout than it cost to put the trout in the tank. But, excusing the profit-making motivation behind this activity, for the moment, keep fixed in your mind just what kind of "sport" it is in which these people are participating. Last year the Committee on Humane Legislation joined the Friends of Animals in a suit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which resulted in a consent order whereby all wildlife agencies across the country that use Pittman/Robertson money must submit environmental assessments for every project that involves the use of that money. In implementing this order, the Fish and Wildlife Service also included the projects using Dingell/Johnson monies, which are those monies returned to the states, through a formula, for fish restoration. The "antis" are certainly going after hunting in a much stronger way than they are attacking the sport of fishing — at present. But, somewhere down the line, we believe that they will catch up with the anglers and begin calling a number of their practices unsportsmanlike. Granted that it is more difficult to become emotional about the cold-blooded creatures on this earth, no one would seriously think of setting up a money-making enterprise at a sports show where customers could take shots at bunny rabbits or Bambies. Examine the odds: there is no cover for these animals swimming about in that crystal clear water; no depths to which they might escape. They do have a game instinct, and, whether they are hungry or not, or just get sick and tired of seeing hooks manipulated through the water about every two feet, they eventually attack. And if they don't respond with the swiftness necessary to make a "catch" as the seconds of this timed event tick away — and a "catch" must be made, or it's not "fun" — this arrangement encourages snagging and foul-hooking, a practice prohibited by law in our open waters because it is so unsportsmanlike. And, achieving success here via foul-hooking, is it not possible this method will be given a try in our public waters? We hope that well-meaning parents who want to bring up their children to properly learn how to fish will take a little more time than it takes to stand in line at the sports show, and spend some time with their youngsters on our streams and lakes where the natural setting and the sport itself is much more amenable to developing a much more rewarding lifelong recreational pursuit. Ralph W. Abele Executive Director Pennsylvania Angler Pennsylvania's Official Fishing & Boating Magazine
Published Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Richard L. Thornburgh, Governor
MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION Jerome E. Southerton, President Honesdale John A. Hugya, Vice President Johnstown William Cox Elysburg Sam Guaglianone Johnsonburg Walter F. Gibbs Reno William O. Hill Erie Leonard A. Green Carlisle Calvin J. Kern Whitehall James J. Stumpf Laughlintown
Volume 48 - No. 3 March, 1979
CONTENTS
Fishermen—Part II by E. W. Fisher 6
Ferns, Fiddleheads & Others by Don Shiner 8
The Saga of Mill Run by William C. Ackerman 13
Pennsylvania's Wilderness Trout by Jim Hayes 16
B.A.S.S. Research Pledge by Wes Bower 19
The Beginning Fly Tyer's Bane by Linda Steiner 20
Cold Water Test by Virgil Chambers 30
FRONT COVER A palomino trout executes a command performance for Waterways Patrolman Allen Stiffler and his group of volunteer float stockers. This method of stocking insures uniform distribution throughout the stream.
BACK COVER Units of the "Great White Fleet" are a familiar sight each spring along the Commonwealth's waterways. Photos by Russell Gettig.
MONTHLY COLUMNS LEAKY BOOTS 2 STREAM NOTES 24 MEALS FROM THE CREEL 4 FLY TYING 26 ANGLER'S NOTEBOOK 23 ASHORE & AFLOAT 28
James F. Yoder, Editor
Th^p'^STER: AH 3579 forms to be returned to the office of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120. nns lva Harril >' nia Angler, (ISSN 0031-434X), Copyright 1979, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, r One „ 8. Pennsylvania. Second Class postage paid at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at additional mailing offices. Subscription rates: 3 3 00 Three N0; se'V ' - ; a years—$7.50; 30 cents per single copy. Send check or money order payable to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Do rec nd< asprocesse1 d by the end of the month wi begin with the second month following. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission will not assume maeivpgaziH' nli- y" *°' - r ""soliciteChanges do fmanuscripts address should, photograph reach ;u s,s opromptlr illustrationy givins gwhil bote hi nol theid anr possessiod new addressesn or in ,transit includin. Communicationg both zip codess pertainin. Subscriptiong to ths e IJiisnU^- sshoul d be addressed to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. *! materials, manuscripts, or photos will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope for their return. long as 1 can get to the water, I can do my Section I is essentially flat for the fifl own fishing. Getting there, is my prob three miles to Six Mile Run, then change lem. sharply at a bend just below Six Mile Ru' A childhood dream of mine is to go to and is Class I—11 from there on. Section '' Pymatuning Reservoir and catch a large also starts nearly flat and becomes CW northern pike or musky (the bigger they II, while Section III is considered Class I'' are, the better) and have it mounted. moving toward Class III in high wate( Would you please print more stories (The Class designations are according '' about them. To me, catching small fish is American Canoe Association skill-ratine boring. Thank you. methods.) It is wise for boaters of relatively untn^ JAMES N. SULLENBERGER skills to practice on the West Branch fir*' Lakewood, Ohio 44107 then on Section I of Moshannon Ct^c HOW'S IT DONE? before trying the other sections. It is al important that there be several other bo^ in the party; these should be outfitted Wi t» Would you kindly explain how to set bait e and the proper cleaning of turtles? Thank painters, flotation and boat-rescue rop '( 1 you. and there should be somebody present W' i some experience. It is important that bo11' GLENN R. GORDON ers on Moshannon Creek wear Co&s> 6 W. Sheridan Avenue Guard approved PFD's. The Penn New Castle, Pa. 16105 Outing Club has safely trained boaters
CHARLES M. WATKINS Fleetwood
"ON THE BLOCK" some angling for bass in Laurel Hill Lake. article on Raystown Lake. I fished this After filling out my limit I started the hike lake for three days this summer with little over hav+. e been an Angler subscribe. r for back to my campsite. The hike brought me success. No fault of the lake. I'm not a lake , 'wenty years and especially enjoy all along a clear mountain stream (Jones Mill hopper. I realize a lake the size of Rays- e Run). In one of the pools I started to fillet town takes a bit of research. tr articles on fly fishing and fly tying for ut> also the reports on our trout stream my catch. Crayfish from downstream After reading your article I'm con surveys. marched up to my discarded bass carcasses vinced, at the time of year I was down I have almost a complete collection of in the middle of the pool. Seeing this, I should have applied the deep trolling meth dat•r ma§azines in excellent condition started grabbing them. After a half hour I ods I use with great success in the Finger atl th "g from the May 1958 issue on thru to had about a hundred of these crayfish Lakes of New York. With light tackle and 1978 December issue. There is one ranging in size from an inch to half the size down riggers, and a graph recorder. • 1Ss'ng issue which is the March 1960 of my hand. That evening the larger cray issu I'll be back next spring. I'm very e fish along with the bass made a dandy impressed with the attitude of the Pennsyl Would like to sell this collection at a meal. The next day with smaller crayfish I vania Fish Commission. You do your best Sor w >able price so I wondered if you enjoyed some fine fishing for catfish. to encourage the sport, and help the boat uld m print this letter in the Leaky Boots ers and fishermen. DAVID RITZ tL "'y mail column in a future issue of Pennsylvania wasn't blessed with the Greensburg r Angler as there may be some Angler many natural lakes of New York. I'm sure, Qers interested in this collection. Thank though, with the efforts they put out, if they had these lakes we would have some On the age-old assumption that fishermen of the finest fishing in the world. JACOB G. PAULES, JR. only tell the truth half of the time, would it We got a winner here at Raystown and 29 Woodland Drive be safe to assume that you had only "about Kinzua Dam. I also just read your article Jacobus, Pa. 17407 50"? If not, you were about 50 over the on the fishing school, but it didn't say 717-428-1003 limit! Watch It! Ed. where or how. It's the first I heard of it. n p y°ne interested in acquiring Mr. ROBERT REEP to c°Hection of old Anglers is advised Mansfield c °ntact him direct. Ed. WHERE? HOW? Contact the Waterways Patrolman as I've been a subscriber of the Pennsylva signed to your county. His name, address ATB THE EVIDENCE! nia Angler for a couple of years. I'm and telephone number appears in the back originally from New York state and have of the summary you receive with your > would like to tell about my own stum- fished the Finger Lakes all my life and still fishing license. He can advise you when and 'Upon method of taking crayfish. do. where such events are held within your "e day last summer I arose early to do I was very impressed with the December area. Ed.
IT HURTS 'LITTER-LY' Th ill e enclosed photo of a brown trout efl-S rates one of the lesser-known harmful E>icWtSD°f litterin8- The fisn> caught by Re nolds Cou y > of McVeytown, in Mifflin n rjn 'y> found itself stuck in the center of a •pi m the lid of a salmon egg jar. e trou brQ. t was soon to die as the ring had en RON FREED Carlisle M AR C H — 1 9 7 9 spices used, curries vary from hot and Melt the butter in a medium sauce pungent to sweet and bland. You can pan, and stir in the flour and curry buy mild or hot curry powder at the powder. Add all other ingredients. Stir supermarket to use in your fish dish and boil for five minutes. Strain recipes, or you can make your own through a sieve before serving. Make5 curry powder to suit your taste. You about four cups. can demystify curry powder with this middle-of-the-road curry recipe. After CURRY SAUCE II you taste it, combine ingredients in different amounts to suit your family's 2 tablespoons butter taste. 1 medium carrot, sliced 2 large onions, sliced CURRY POWDER 1 large stalk celery, finely chopped 3 blades mace '/2 tablespoon cumin seed, whole 1 bay leaf 2 cloves, whole 3 sprigs parsely 2 inches stick cinnamon pinch thyme (dried or fresh) x/i teaspoon black peppercorns, 2 tablespoons curry powder whole 2 tablespoons flour '/> teaspoon cardamon seed 4 cups broth or consomme (removed from pods) In a medium saucepan melt the 1 bay leaf butter, add celery, onions, and carrots> MEALS 1 tablespoon minced onion and heat until the onions are cooked' 1 tablespoon ground turmeric Stir in all other ingredients slowly, an« 1 '/2 teaspoon ground ginger cook until mixture boils. Remove frort from the 1 tablespoon ground coriander heat and let cool for a half-hour. Skirt1' e 1 '/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder then reheat, stirring slowly until sauc pinch dried parsely thickens. Strain through a sieve befofe CREEL Combine cumin seed, cloves, cinna serving. Makes about four cups. mon sticks, peppercorns, cardamon seed, and the bay leaf in a blender. CURRY SAUCE III by Arthur J. Michaels Cover and blend. Pour this dry, blended mixture in a bowl, add the 1 grated coconut other ingredients, and stir well with a 1 quart whole milk spoon. Store on a shelf in an airtight 1 medium minced onion jar. For a hotter curry, add cayenne. 1 clove minced garlic For a milder curry, add chile powder 1 '/> tablespoons butter and more cinnamon, cardamon, and 1 '/2 tablespoons curry powder clove. Makes about two cups. 2 tablespoons flour Use your homemade or store- '/2 teaspoon brown sugar Don't Wait to "Curry Up" bought curry powder in the following dash salt fish recipes and sauces. That freezer Scald the milk in a medium sauce' liCJuppose your son were a Nineteenth full of fish you caught through the pan and add the grated coconut. Le Century sailor and he presented you ice—perch, pickerel, and pike—is the stand for an hour, then strain through with a vial of curry powder as a gift. perfect main event for your curry a sieve. Discard the coconut. Melt tfl "Nothing special," he'd say, just powder. Here's how to raise the butter in another saucepan and something he came by on his return curtain on your curried fish dishes for saute the garlic and onion. Stirrirte voyage from India. Would you con a nice round of applause. frequently, add the sugar, flour, cuTfJ a sider your son's unusual offering to be Broil fillets with a little butter, and powder, and milk. Add salt to taste a marvelous gift of great value, or serve with vegetables, rice, and a few the sauce thickens. Serves four to si*- would you treat the whole thing in a sauce boats of these curried mixtures: casual, matter-of-fact way? CURRY SAUCE IV Surely you would have jumped for CURRY SAUCE I joy. Indian curry powder added so 4 tablespoons butter much to the art of spicing food its 6 tablespoons butter 6 tablespoons flour mysterious ingredients were consid 4 tablespoons flour 2 cups vegetable broth or bouill0" ered to be a fascinating treasure for 2 small carrots, scraped and 2 tablespoons minced onion the kitchen a century ago. shredded 2 teaspoons curry powder Today, curry powder is still a fasci 2 tablespoons curry powder 2 teaspoons tomato paste nating treasure. It's a ground mixture 2 large onions, chopped finely Brown the onions in a little butte • of more than fifteen spices, and it's the 2 teaspoons anchovy paste In a small saucepan, melt the butt oldest known spice blend. Depending 2 tablespoons lemon juice and add the flour. Stir frequently on the combination and amounts of 2 cups broth or consomme prevent scorching over a low flat1 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL^ c/&^/l!ce.i u . the other ingredients slowly and pickerel fillets FISH CURRY n8 t0 tj0' boiling point. Cook an addi- 4 tablespoons oil (KEYSTONE KIND) p nal fiye minutes, stirring frequently. 1 large onion, finely chopped Ur not bQ over fish fillets from a gravy 2 cloves crushed garlic 2 pounds fish fillet (your favorite 3 tablespoons vinegar kind) 2 cups boiling water boiled rice CURRY SOUP 1 and two-thirds cups shredded 2 tablespoons butter coconut 1 chopped lime rind i tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons fresh grated coconut A cup curry powder One-third cup curry powder 2 tablespoons minced onion 1 tablespoons flour Add the coconut to the boiling 2 cubes green ginger root 1 can chicken broth water and press out the milk through a 1 tablespoon curry powder ^.cups cooked, bite-sized fish sieve. Combine the curry powder, salt, '/2 teaspoon cardamon seed P"*es (any kind of fish) and vinegar in a bowl, and make into a 1 quart chicken stock e't the butter in a medium sauce- paste. Fry the onions and garlic in oil Cut the fillets into bite-sized pieces flo ' s'°wly add the curry powder and in a heatproof casserole dish until the and set aside. Melt the butter in a r> and cook for 2 minutes. Add all onion is transparent. Add the curry large saucepan, add the lime rind and er So ingredients and cook until the paste, stirring constantly for four onion, and cook over low flame for five P So bubbles. Ladle the soup hot into minutes. Add the coconut milk and minutes. Slowly add the cardamon UP bowls. Serves four to six. cook for ten minutes over low heat. seed, ginger, curry powder, and coco Break up the fish fillets into bite-sized nut. Cook for fifteen minutes, and add INptAN CURRY pieces and add them to the mixture. the stock and fish pieces. Cover and (KEYSTONE STATE STYLE) Cook until fish pieces are hot. Serve simmer over low heat for an hour. with rice and side dishes of vegetables. Serve over hot rice. Serves six to P°und cooked perch, pike, or Serves four. eight. M A R C H - 1 9 7 9 Those Crazy People... Fishermen ^m^~^^&^. Part II — Of Chirps, Barks, Bellows & Roars W,it h only a handful of exceptions, of it. That is basic enough; and, since around water, they speak as differ' the zoologists and naturalists tell us, you have at least a hazy idea of what a ently as the Briton, the Scotsman, an each and every one of the animals on fisherman looks like, we'll skip over it. the Brooklyn baseball fan. Whe" this earth is capable of some sort of The second thing you encounter is measuring the length of his day tn oral utterance, be it as refined and usually the beast's own particular boater speaks in terms of the numbe eloquent as the Gettysburg Address or method of expressing itself. Example: of gallons of gasoline in his fuel tanks' as basic and spontaneous as the after you are shown a picture of a the scuba diver in terms of the nurnbe "GREE-ORRK\" of a bullfrog in late skunk you are told not to expect it to of minutes of air in his air tanks, ^ July. We need only to stand in our meow like a striped kitten, and so on. the fisherman in terms of the numb6 backyards on a warm Saturday after So, following this proven teaching of sandwiches in his cooler. Take tn noon to be aware of the fact that birds method, we will initiate our study of following vocalizations as examples: chirp, dogs bark, and lawn-mowing the most deranged species of the genus "Better head home. There's only neighbors bellow and roar. It is no Man — the fisherman. . gallon and a half left in my tnr£f secret. Do not expect the fisherman to gallon gas tank." Without doubt, tl> The very first thing you come across vocalize in the same manner as, say, boater. when taking up the study of some the boater or the scuba diver. "I'll start up now. I've got ^ particular variety of beast is a picture Although all three are often found minutes of air left." Again, not dP 6 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL The fisherman uses the utterance in blankety-blankl" two distinctly different manners. In "Hawlanker" — Command di hE. W. Fisher the first, by far the more frequently rected at intervals of no more than employed of the two methods, he three minutes at the man in the bow of jumps up and down like a kangaroo, the boat. tears out his already thinning hair and "Hungup" — Securely fastened to shouts the phrase at the top of his a foreign body. "Hawlanker, I'm lungs (i.e. "Aw, @#$%!"). In the hungup." second, reserved for times when there "Itsabiggun — Exclamation uttered are females or young present, he every time a fishing rod is bent from lowers his head, assumes a Clint East the linear. "Itsabiggunl No . .. I'm wood squint and calmly, quietly says hungup." "Blankety-blank" as if to himself and "Jistanuddercast" — Statement no one else. Then, with no more used as a prelude to the end of the day, conversation on the matter, he calmly repeated as needed until another fish is removes the three-ganged trolling plug caught. "We'll leave in a minute, from his backside. honey. Jistanuddercast." In back The following is a highly abbre woods country it is pronounced Jistan- viated list of the most often uttered uddercaist. sounds common to the fisherman. "Needle machine — Porcupine. Study them and get comfortable with "Watch out for that needle machine them, and you'll be able to spot the when you go behind that tree, Joe." critter with your eyes shut and your "Pickrel" — All-encompassing head behind a tree. noun used to identify anything that "A" — (Pronounced like "hay" isn't a bass or a musky. Very uninfor- with the "/»" shot out of it) A saluta mative. "I caught a pickrel." tion or greeting exchanged between "Rootch" — (Rhymes with Butch) two or more fishermen passing one Move about in a boat, especially in a another in the middle of the lake, violent manner. "Hey! Don't rootch usually accompanied by a tip of the around so much or we'll go in the hat and an extension of the arms to blankety-blank drink!" indicate size times a factor of ten. "See-eem" — Inquiry used in dark "Bedderkwit" — Expression of ness or murky water to signal the intent to row back to shore, used no arrival of a fish. "Here he comes! less than five time a day. "This is my See-eem?" last sandwich. Bedderkwit." "Sittinnonnabottom" — The loca "Bug" — Anything that floats, has tion of a baited hook in carp, catfish or hair or feathers, and contains a fish sucker water. "Where's your worm?" hook. "Hand me a bug, Joe." "Sittinnonnabottom." "Caist" — Regional variation of the "Stuckinnaweeds" — Similar to regular word Cast, used by fishermen "Hungup" but used solely in reference who live within five miles of the to a three-ganged plug in pike or wilderness. "Caist your bug over there, largemouth bass habitat. "Aw, @#$%! Joe." It's stuckinnaweeds]" "Cooler" — By far the most essen "Waycross" — Not to be confused • " s the scuba diver. tial piece of fishing gear. with the city in Georgia, this work is , ^°w: "Blankety-blank! This is my "Dang" -— Often written @#$%! or used to describe one's destination to sandwich. Guess I'm gonna have Blankety-blank. Expression of anger one's oarsman. "Waycross the lake, Joe, waycross." th " quits-" There — the one with or despair, or both. "Dang. I forgot my , e salami and mustard in his hand — cooler." "Wentnadrink" — Mistakenly as s Th the fisherman. "Enniluck" — Inquiry into the sumed the rock or log upon which one ist' brings us to another character- worthiness of carrying thirty pounds of stepped to be solid and well anchored. stuH U!Jerance °f the species under gear down over the side of the hill "Have any spare clothes, Joe? I went du ^i ^^nkety-blank," often repro- through the poison ivy. The most often nadrink." uttered sound of all. "Morning. Enni The aforementioned chirps, barks, with ln Print as "Aw' @#$%!'" seems ,, h°ut doubt to be the natural call of luck?" bellows and roars are but a very few of fre "erman. It is repeated at "Giddonnair" — (Pronounced with the one hundred or more sounds Pre . nt intervals throughout the ex- accent on first or second syllable, commonly uttered by the typical fish , ssion of any given idea or thought. depending upon the urgency of the erman. I know I've said it before, but I w can't say it too often — learn them. fa^ ' @#$%! The blankety-blank situation) Word of imploring directed C no They make spotting a fisherman as a . , ^ ^ t was supposed to withstand at any of the variety "Panfish" when u nkety-blank eighty percent of the the latter is eating a worm but not easy as finding a Bostonian in a Geor dnkety-blank line test. Aw, @#$%!" getting hooked. "Giddonnair, you gia peach orchard. M A R c H — 1 9 7 9 photographs 8- text by don shiner A he unfolding fronds of ferns, grow ing in clearings, along stream banks and wooded areas, are always a deligh' to observe during early spring. The fiddleheads, as they are referred to, are tightly coiled fronds that, over many weeks, gradually uncoil like ruO' down watch springs. The unfolding °' these beautiful fern fronds coincides with the appearance of early hatches of mayflies, particularly Ephemerelw subvaris. There are numerous species of ferns found in Pennsylvania. Brackefl> maiden hair, lady fern, woodferfl< cinnamon, hay-scent, sensitive an" Christmas fern are a few. The latter remains green all year, but most gro^ to maturity, reproduce, turn red' yellow or brown by autumn thd1 wither and decay. When fiddleheads appear above ground, they are covered with a wool' lylike fuzzy covering. Soon thereafter but before fully uncurled, many vat1' eties are gathered for use as spring greens. Bunched like asparagus, they are commonly sold in markets throughout New England, and pr6' pared for the table by boiling in salts" water until tender, then seasoning an PENNSYLVANIA ANGL E* Ferns are one of the more useful streamside greens for stuffing creels to keep catches cool and fresh. b utt r p5 added. They are served hot. among other things, wade in close to mature, they produce egg cells, one of 'ddleheads are considered by feeding trout in low clear streams which usually becomes fertilized. This nv oj. to be one of the table delicacies develops into the fern we recognize. s without being seen! Pnng. Laurent Beaucage in Out The truth is that in Shakespeare's Botantists refer to this process as "al door afe day no one could find fern seeds. No ternation of generations." One genera says this custom is traced to one has to this day . . . ferns do not tion reproduces sexually and bears no er A ^merican Indians who discov- w ood reproduce by seeds like flowering resemblance to the parent plant. The I u '^ ^ delicacy by observ- plants; instead, they grow from spores. offspring of this generation reproduces Tari bears feeding upon them. These are tiny, dust-like grains, micro asexually and grows into the plant tin a^' nowever, modern science ques- s scopic in size, each a single plant cell with beautiful feathery fronds. t, the wisdom of eating ferns since are sus encased in a tough covering. Clusters At least one resource book describes ca • pected of containing a of spores grow in tiny cases on the the appearance of ferns as bunches of r^inogenic chemical, ment n backside of various kinds of fronds. large green feathers stuck into the and f i° °f ferns in literature Winds scatter them. Those that fall on ground. The fronds are of various old 0re is seemingly endless. One ada moist, shaded ground grow into tiny shades of bright green and delicately S^ , ge, attributed to Wm. heart-shaped plants barely the size of cut with fine-toothed or lobed edges. find eare' states that if you and * the LCeds °f ferns and place them in most small #16 wet flies. They have no The Christmas fern is aptly named. s our we wu wa resemblance to the parent ferns at aro ' °^ boots, ' lk- It is evergreen, remaining green d invisible! all. ^oi?iH Imagine what this through the cold wintry months like 'd mean — you and I could, As the tiny heart-shaped plants laurel, trailing pine and conifers. The M ARCH-1979 In early spring, tightly coiled fern fiddleheads, above left, poke above ground. As weeks progress, the fiddleheads uncoil like lazy watch springs, above right. Stems grow thicker and stronger as they continue to uncurl, lower left. Below right, beautiful patterns of fronds grace our streams. 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE * *•$ Sad *T ».'"• .*0r\ E^Sjt Lrf^U^'^M^K-^^'" :3r- «*»*< Tenacious of life, beautiful ferns grow in crevices of rocks, above, on rotted logs, aod °n flooded streambanks, as well. Photo, right: look for the tiny /ja spore cases on the c«sides of some species of fronds. jj^'vidual leaflets, fitted to the stem Some ferns also have been used medic as they unroll and develop into ]:,e So many piano keys, are shaped inally. feathery fronds. Sometime during late * Santa's boot, complete with toe None of the sources that 1 consulted summer, look on the backside of some and heel. mentioned the major uses of ferns by species of ferns for spore cases. Exam he delicate lacy plumes of ferns fishermen. As most everyone knows, ine damp soil nearby for the tiny Vlde heart-shaped plants — the first gener e . beautiful ground cover from ferns are popular greens for lining ,y Sprin ation offspring from last year's the 8 through autumn. Besides creels to keep catches fresh. Indeed, it aestnet c fronds. Us '/ i value, ferns are quite is a tradition with many to cut hand- etu There are many personal rewards tji ' plants. You know, of course, fuls of fronds, wet them in water, and at florists use them to make funeral pack loosely in willow or canvas creels for those who make repeated observa ra tions of the growing ferns. You will b^ ys and wreaths. Other folks gather before beginning to fish. Later, the 8 uls also know the locations where fronds Us of fronds. They dry them and evaporation keeps the catch cool and flesh firm until it is filleted for the can be found when you need some for and tflem for beddin8 in do8 kennels l0r pan. packing creels to keep catches cool and 0j. some farm livestock. Natives As spring progresses and you spend fresh. 'ikiffi116 Pacific islands use nne nair" s Crs ulled from tree ferns for more time along streams, make it a Shown on these pages are a series of tuffi P photos of ferns and fiddleheads unfold old Pillows and mattresses. One point to search out clusters of unfold ing fern fiddleheads. Observe their ing step by step as spring fades into kg. Source book tells of the rootstalk 8 used as a dressing for leather. day-to-day and week-to-week progress summer. to^R c H - 1 9 7 9 11 SUA ^W- The Saga of Mill Run by William C. Ackerman • he principal character in this story stop being one of French Creek's three hundred thousand pin bones, Wh^ >ftream> an abused little stream poorer relatives and become a co-star most without any apparent anatomical ich even then, fifteen or twenty in one of nature's more interesting reason for existence and all seemingly rS a kn S°' was dying but we didn't productions . . . the annual spawning big enough to choke a rhinoceros. Wo 1A '!' 0r sad'v enough, probably migration of the red fin. Some persons, more enterprising or had nave done anytmn8 'f we desperate than others, tell that finely ground (very finely ground) sucker e I timing was all wrong . . . di °t Was only talked about in meat baked or fried into fish cakes is s ant academic circles and wouldn't "The meat. . . is found commendable to any palate and an _ e made any more sense to us than to be generally sweet excellent substitute when the "real r G thing" is making itself scarce (and we th NP or DNA or anything else and as white as tual Sounded even remotely intellec- all know those spells). unsoiled snow but takes Much of the loathing and blind a , '" Run was dying. It bled of cans dislike that fishermen in general hold arD the patience of an c *= age, 0f sewer sludge and oily for the lowly sucker is because of its - of broken glass and laundry auditor to eat." flexible eating habits and propensity cit \ '' tne ^otsam a°d jetsam of a for getting caught when nearly any thing else is being sought. Again, get a *iv u a big city! But a sma11 one To others they were just suckers. To bunch of fishermen together, and if j/^h chose that little delta, Mill n S book mark in nearly all they were a pain and a year you can get them to stop trying to squ French Creek, to outlie one another long enough to at u long source of irritation, but there was I P°n. And that was the stream's answer, and if they don't mob you for fea c me certainly no stranger or more uniquely tal't ' " ' The grudging hospi- bringing up the subject, they will a 0wm a matched pair than Mill Run and that at ii °^ " 8 city to settle there fish. relate stories about catching suckers in b 'rSt it was systematically buried It was a curious kind of periodic love nearly every possible manner and in the tbe streets and alleyways of affair that the red fin had for its nearly every possible place. Small Wn nen ll was wonder, then, that the object so dear to ^a]' ° ' "^ despised as a stream. Maybe in some way the fish c 0us all fishermen's hearts .. . that antici Cu ' flooder of basements and knew that Mill Run was as big a loser its v 3S a c'v'c embarrassment where as it was, or at least as everyone pated encounter which they never tire bar ed flanks occassionally lay seemed to feel that it was. of. .. that initial impact of the strike cam .''' Anally, one gray day, they Ask nearly any fisherman and he'll and the resulting excited fight... is and C W'tb bulldozer and shovel, mixer tell you that the sucker is a "trash quickly replaced with the indignation con mason' and built a rock and fish," that is if he tells you anything at of a betrayed lover when the thirty- as J61.6 sluice • • • Mlli Run became all. The meat, for those brave enough inch walleye that they just hooked riie pops pouting to the surface and apolo t;0 ^ as an obelisk and as func- to have discounted the horror stories getically reveals itself to be a sucker! as as the sewer it was so despised and tried it for themselves, is found to be generally sweet and as white as And boy they do hit; on anything Ut 0nc sprj e it was not so. And each unsoiled snow but takes the patience of and everything: worms, minnows, °c ° a kind of madness and magic an auditor to eat. Each bite seems to spoons, plugs, grubs, spinners, abso rred which enabled the stream to contain somewhere between three and lutely anything. Nothing as consis- M AR C H 19 7 9 13 tently as worms, probably; but, then, thirty feet inland and, for some reason, beside him might be his brother had to when fishing with worms anything all of that didn't seem to be suitable to be considered; or (if you were on the might hit anyway so the indignation their fishy tastes, so the entire fishing wrong side of the stream), whether he there should be considerably less. area was no more than thirty feet long, looked like the kind of vindictive, When one stops to think about it, on the town side, and about ten on the humorless little kid who might run up considering this avaricious burden that other. This lack of fishing room, the bank and throw your bike off the the sucker family suffers under, proba coupled with the fact that the bank on bridge; or, if there was some doubt bly the only thing that has saved them the town side was nearly vertical in about size, how long it would take hifl1 from extinction was the development places and almost always as slick as to run up the stream and around to ge' of the pin bone ... so I am back to the the back of a bullhead, made any to you (with all the idiots fishing there beginning. accessible spot a coveted commodity it would have been suicide to try t" The real beauty of the red fin and its when the run started. swim or wade across). periodic infatuation with Mill Run Diplomacy was another by-produd was never truly appreciated by those of those adventures. If you made the of us occupied with catching them, '7fs much the same as wrong decision on any of the above probably because it was so obvious. the similarities points the ability to talk fast and make For all the rest of the fishing season some kind of sense could salve a lot o> those fishermen who worked French between a dog show and pride. Or, if you were involved in a Creek's banks and swirling green a dog fight: the only bird's nest as big as an eagle's home eddies did so with the same social and on the other side of the sage brush biases that colored the rest of their thing the two have was some kid just thrown out of refori" lives. in common is dogs." school for being too rough, it nevef Territoriality was rigidly sought hurt to be able to small talk while y0" and, depending on how gracious a were figuring out how to cut your lin* mood the individual was in, "crowding When the exodus began it generally away from his as fast as possible. Or, >' in" could be regarded as anywhere lasted from two to five days and the the guy directly away was a little upse' from a few feet to nearly a half mile. array of characters and equipment on and in the process of charging acros8 Even the imaginary boundary that ran display often looked like an animated the top of the water because of the the center of the creek often was not production of some fisherman's ency sinker which you just bounced off °' enough to relieve icy stares from skip clopedia. An Orvis fly rod snuck away his forehead for the third straight ping across the water at some recently from the sanctity of its off-season time, it was always nice to have some' arrived trespasser. cloister might find itself standing thing prepared to say for his arrival- Of course, the fishing community shoulder to shoulder with a casting Wisdom and diplomacy sort of m" also had its own varied social levels. outfit that was old when fishing was hand-in-hand. Perhaps the most ob' Artificial lure enthusiasts often looked young and which required a sinker the vious example of separating the'1' down on natural bait users as some size of a go-cart wheel to coax its would be if two fisherpersons caugl1' what base while the natural bait users weary gears out of retirement. Broom the fish from different ends. Dipla looked back with disdain for those who handles and bamboo which short days macy would be: convincing the othef had to seek out commercial means to before had kept rolled rugs in shape person that your end, the one with the imitate what was already there. slashed and competed with spinning mouth, was very likely the end tha' Bank fishermen felt themselves the reels and rods of all makes and sought out and pursued the bait- true Twainian appreciators of what sizes . . . some even matched! Wisdom, however, might sit knoV ingly back and agree that the tail en° fishing was really all about, while the This naturally led to some pretty a more bedouin-like waders saw them as interesting encounters but for those could very well have had a great de ' soft and lacking the ambition to seek who might be trying to picture it in to do with having made the hit depend' out their prey and experience the thrill terms of the first day of trout season, ing on who owned that hook. of the chase. it's much the same as the similarities In a more serious vein, howevef' The old seemed to distrust and have between a dog show and a dog fight: much was learned at Mill Run whi^ little patience for the young while the the only thing the two have in common was often to benefit us for the rest "' young didn't understand the infinite is dogs. our lives. Friendships of the m0s! waiting of the old etc., etc. Year in and A lot more than fishing (or what unlikely origins were generated an" year out it was much the same. Except ever it might have been called) was grew healthy and strong as the littl* for this one time of the year when most learned in those days. Command deci runts that they were. Even unspoke11 biases and preconceptions were pretty sions were taught on a firing line basis. color barriers suffered irreparably much set aside and the results were For example, when lines tangled both rents and breaches which allowed a1 often poignant, funny, and typical of parties had to immediately size up the sides to peek through and, momenta!" what can happen when situations take other to see who would untangle it or if ily at least, gain some of the insig*1 over and force the issues. it might be settled with a quick snip of that common goals will allow. Mill Run, at its mouth, was only a knife resulting in an unhappy, As I said, however, even then w1 about twenty feet across. The spooned- considerably smaller adversary Run was dying. The litter and garbag out hole that the red fin shinnied into screaming from the other side. Natu that choked and fouled its passage extended perhaps fifteen feet out into rally, this was no light or easy task and through the town was slowly makii^ the mother stream and no more than things such as: whether the big guy its domination felt on a year-roufl 14 P E N N YLVANIA ANGLE11 s|s. Civic demands and flood control town's detritus under the rug of greatest pity of all. .. . Projects were getting the bulk of the French Creek; but young communities , Py and whatever measures might might do well to look around before Epilogue e been taken to save the stream jumping on that sort of modernesque "I guess my purpose in writing this ere n passed over for the financial, if bandwagon. Certainly those towns story in the first place was kicked off esthetic, well-being of the commu- which have opted for open water run by the reduction of Mill Run from a some risks and expenses and have to badly treated stream to just another . Ve had an opportunity to travel bank a great deal on civic pride to cement sluice. I had hoped that if it lte a lot since those days of elbow- avoid allowing the creation of a grow were to appear anywhere the Angler ~e'bow angling and I have wistfully ing eyesore; but at least they will have would be the most appropriate maga rveled at other towns which seemed something to show for their efforts. zine. The pollution and litter to which acknowledge the sovereignty of the Those which do not, have only an I initially referred has been markedly arns around which they grew. unbroken array of streets, sludge- diminished but in doing so the aes , anY towns have utilized the natural engorged sewers and periodic down thetics and naturalness of the stream Deo."m, t y made available by these town flooding ... all the by-products have been virtually eliminated. It's rlle of placing an impossible task on a, by Th st of settlers, to the benefit of all. been dredged and encased so that as a lave a arent volume, diminished stream which was Do ^ ' PP ly accepted the stream it really doesn 't exist anymore never meant to be entombed. sible consequences of a well-policed and that's my story. Incidentally, Mill p !J stream gracing their community, It's still fun, if maybe a little bitter Run flows through and under the city litt an(^ Promenades border clear, sweet, to remember growing up along ofMeadville, Pennsylvania. It was fun Pe^^66 runs anc* brooks still, or those banks. Time tends to be a pleas to write, though maybe a little sad in ou if ^S 0nce a§am' teaming with vari- ant narrator and I guess exaggeration ways, and I do hope it points, in some * kinds of aquatic life. is probably the biggest fan of recall; small way, to the fact that we really u can't afford to take our resources for B(i s now far too,late for Mill Run. but, exaggeration aside, there was a its '«• anc^ encasement have narrowed simplicity and a naturalness to that granted, regardless of how minor they j "-season flow and therefore made stream which seemed to have an might seem or how endless they might ^^ch more efficient at sweeping the endless quality. Perhaps that is the appear." Send an Angler Gift Subscription to a friend—see page 22. ...is EOR ANGLER: PERSON W+IO USES ROD ;R£€L TO CATCH -FISH IN LAKES, PONDS * STREAMS. IS OFTEU CHARACTERIZED AS BEING SHITLESS * "NO-ACCOUNT £ GIVEN TO PREVARICATION INVASIVENESS. A R C H - l 97 ^K^r-S^ r& «K*rfi 9E TVS-i- ">: • • <4V of the waters managed under the PFC ness" might seem farfetched &».. X ou really have to love your fish Wilderness Trout Streams Program. applied to Pennsylvania, the natio", ing to do it this way," Rick said, My fishing partner was Fishery third most populated state and , swatting a mosquito off the back of his Biologist Rick Hoopes who worked on leader in coal mining, iron and st«* neck. the program at the time (Rick has production, and heavy manufacture* He was right and then some. On a since been reassigned as Warmwater But as those of us who live here a.. scorching hot day in mid-June we had Unit Leader in the Fish Commission's proudly aware, three- fifths of Pe11^ hiked two miles up a mountain valley Fisheries Management Section). The Woods is covered with woodlands- to begin fishing, and then sampled the program, which has been attracting the northcentral counties, in partic , fishing for another three miles up the interest of other states as far away lar, it is possible to walk for seve ' stream. Now, sweating and leg-weary, as Idaho, is presently coordinated miles through unbroken forests ^*" we faced a five-mile trek back to through Richard Snyder's Coldwater out crossing even a dirt road. j Rick's Jeep. But, it was worth the Unit in the Fisheries Management 2 effort because we were sampling the Within this northcentral heard * Section. 6 quality fishing that awaits those who of the state's prime deer, black o i will venture off the beaten path to one To nonresidents the term "wilder and wild turkey range are dozens 16 PENNSYLVANIA A N G L E Pennsylvania's Wilderness Trout by Jim Hayes photo by Don Shiner stream conditions and improved trout leased a butter-bellied brown trout, habitat on the downstream stretches," one of many I'd raised on dry Hies. Rick explained. "That's exactly what it is, a natural The stream we were fishing, whose trout hatchery," he replied. "The name 1 promised to forget, is rated difference is that nature provides these among the more popular of the wilder trout while it costs an average of .50<£ ness streams, although it is not the each to raise them to catchable size in biggest, the most remote, or neces our state hatcheries." sarily the best. Draining an isolated He went on to point out, however, mountain valley, it has about eight that the wilderness streams program is miles of mainstream and five miles of intended to supplement and enhance fishable tributaries. It was removed — through headwaters management from the trout stocking schedule when — the Fish Commission's extensive it was designated a wilderness stream trout rearing and stocking program, in 1971. which is essential to maintain catch- "Our studies indicate that this able trout fisheries on many miles of stream is supporting about 100 pounds streams. of trout per surface acre, or equivalent Hopefully, too, the program may to 600 half-pound trout per mile," divert some of the pressure off the Rick said. "Despite the numbers of larger mainstreams as more anglers trout removed by anglers, that is prob discover the quality wild trout fishing ably close to its carrying capacity." and relatively uncrowded conditions Based on the numbers of trout we on the headwater and tributary were seeing, his estimate seemed streams. conservative. In a long, deep-shaded The Wilderness Trout Streams Pro pool impounded by a beaver dam we gram was launched in 1969 as part of PUre, cold-flowing headwater and trib- watched over a dozen brook and brown a comprehensive, ongoing manage tary streams which support popula- trout dimpling the surface after ment plan to evaluate the quality of l0ns of native brookies and insects. natural trout resources. Since then 125 ' rearnbred brown trout. The purpose Best of all was the enjoyment of streams in 27 counties have been tne wilderness streams program is to fishing in unspoiled mountain sur surveyed. To date 85 of them, totalling Preserve this quality fishing environ roundings of towering trees, luxuriant about 300 miles, have been designated ment for those who enjoy it, and to fern, rock outcroppings, crystal clear wilderness trout streams. About 75 ler it to other anglers as an alterna springs, and valley wildflowers. Al percent are located in the northcen- te to casting for hatchery-reared tral counties, and most are on State r ut though civilization was only five miles , ° in the heavily stocked, inten away, the solitude and natural beauty Forest Lands or State Game Lands. sely fished larger streams, ponds and la might have been lifted intact from In order to meet wilderness streams kes. some remote area of Canada or Alas criteria a stream must have natural Another important objective is to ka. reproduction and support a fishable 0re efficiently manage the headwa "This is just like fishing in a hatch population of streambred trout. Some ys, and contribute to both better ery," I told Rick as I landed and re are exclusively native brookie streams, M ARcH-1979 17 but most have mixed populations of Lushbaugh Run, Bailey Run and the streams with naturally reproducing brook and brown trout. A stream must East Branch of Big Nelson Run, all trout populations, but not necessarily be at least two miles long and open to tributaries of the well-known First meeting wilderness streams criteria, public fishing, with no more than one Fork of Sinnemahoning Creek; and and to develop fisheries management point of road access every two miles. the Birch Run and Stony Lick tribu plans on a watershed-by-watershed "By limiting the points of road taries of nearby East Fork, as well as basis." access we are trying to preserve the uppermost East Fork headwaters. All of which should be good news remote areas where fishermen, hikers, Among the Kettle Creek tributaries, for anglers. More importantly, the and others can enjoy a secluded, the Hammersley Fork is a favorite program holds the promise that the unspoiled natural environment," Rick among hike-in anglers. outlook for future generations of explained. "There are so few such Wilderness tributaries of the West wilderness seekers may, for the first areas left that it is worth any effort to Branch of the Susquehanna River are time in years, be showing either a protect them." Fish Dam Run, Boggs Hollow Run, reversal or at least a stabilization of a The streams are open to any type of Barney Run, Burns Run and Lick deteriorating trend. Because if the fishing — bait, spinners, flies — and Run. The latter extends for over 12 Wilderness Trout Streams Program, statewide legal size and creel limits miles into a scenic mountain valley. and others like it, can do no more than prevail. In the Allegheny National Forest, maintain the status quo, there's yet a Before a stream is proposed for Arnot Run and Wildcat Run, tributar chance that future generations may wilderness designation, an extensive ies of Tionesta Creek, have been given cast for wild, streambred trout in natu biological survey is conducted to deter the wilderness designation. Some oth ral, unspoiled, wilderness-like sur mine its characteristics. This is accom ers worth visiting are Wallace Run, a roundings. plished by examining two representa tributary of Bald Eagle Creek; the tive stretches at upstream and down West, East and Middle Branches of stream locations. Fish populations are Big Run; and Shanerburg Run and sampled by using backpack electro- Kettle Creek, tributaries of Loyalsock TIPS FOR shockers which temporarily stun the Creek. WILDERNESS STREAM fish so they can be examined and In southwestern Pennsylvania, FISHERMEN measured. Water quality is tested in Baldwin Creek, Powdermill Run and both the field and at the research the South Branch of Mill Creek, all in M? or those interested in exploring laboratory. Each stream is then rated Westmoreland County, and Quebec wilderness streams, several precau for productivity and accessibility. Run in Fayette County, have been so tions are recommended. First, if you Most of the brook trout sampled are designated. are hiking into unfamiliar terrain, use small. Only 10 percent of those Eventually, the Fish Commission a topographic map, and don't go alone- checked exceed the six-inch legal size hopes to expand the list to about 150 Use the buddy system. limit. However, the electroshockers streams. A limiting factor is that while Remember, for every mile you hike also turn up occasional brookies in the the Fish Commission manages the in, it's a longer mile hiking out. Plan 10- to 12-inch class, and streambred fisheries, the watersheds and sur your day in advance and don't overex brownies from one-half to over three rounding lands are controlled by other ert. Stay well within your physical pounds. agencies and in some instances by limitations. An important aspect of the program private landowners. Many of the wilderness streams af6 has been to preserve native brook trout "This means that the entire pro very small and brush-cluttered. Some populations by avoiding the introduc gram depends on their cooperations, of them require almost a hands-and tion of brown trout into their habitat. and we have been extremely fortunate knees approach in country were theres In fact, all stocking with hatchery in securing cooperative agreements a possibility of encountering rattle' trout is discontinued as soon as a with many of them," Rick added. snakes, copperheads or both; so, play '* stretch of stream is designated for the Under these pacts the Fish Commis safe. wilderness category. sion agrees to support certain benefi Release undersized trout gently- " With all stocking suspended, a logi cial activities such as stream improve you find yourself deep-hooking suble' cal question might be, "How does one ment and management, reforestation gal trout, switch to a larger hook or; account for these mixed populations of of denuded watersheds and the estab better yet, try fly fishing. If you should brook and brown trout? Where do the lishment of buffer zones along the creel any trout, remember that these brownies come from?" I put that one streams to permit the selective re streams are not stocked, and any y°u to Rick. moval of timber resources. kill cannot be replaced except through "Many of these watersheds have "This program is still in its develop natural reproduction. been stocked regularly with brown mental stages, and it's a small part of a Above all else, don't litter! DlS' trout since the early 1900's," he much larger, ongoing, comprehensive carded beer and pop cans, candy bar explained. "Over the years enough of management plan," Rick said. "Much wrappers and empty cigarette packs them survived and located in condi of the work to date has been devoted to desecrate the wilderness surroundings tions of optimum habitat to develop a developing sampling techniques, a you came to enjoy. And, since some strain of wild, streambred brown classification system, and a manage slobs won't heed this message, assume trout." ment philosophy. it's your responsiblity to pick up afte' Among the outstanding streams "Ultimately, the Fish Commission them. It's one way, an ideal way, tha included in the wilderness category are hopes to identify other categories of you can personally contribute. 18 P E N N SYLVANIA ANCLE11 BASS Pledges Research Funding by Wes Bower and recapture of bass caught and tion, a comparatively new an tion Pennsy'vania BASS Associa- released during competitive angling gling/sportsman organization, is 4 recently pledged $12,000, over a events. proud of the fact that they can assist niaFr Period' t0 assist the Pennsylva- Kahle Lake is a relatively new the Fish Commission in an important lsn bas Commission in undertaking a Pennsylvania Fish Commission im research project and also show the tak researcn program. The study will poundment located in Salem Town fishing and general public that they e c, .Place on Kahle Lake, located in ship, Clarion County, and Richland are willing to do their share in per n wi, °n and Venango Counties, and Township in Venango County. The petuating excellent bass fishing in rem C°St aPProximately $48,000. The lake is 251 acres in size. Pennsylvania. lni 8 $36 000 wi!1 be Each year, the Pennsylvania BASS thr oUgh " > Provided At a "Cold Turkey" tournament pe federal funding — thus, the Association has agreed to hold a held recently at Lake Raystown a notKSylvania Fish Commission will competitive outing on Kahle Lake. check for $1,550 was presented to the Whf nancin8 any °f tne project, Bass over 9 inches which had been Commission with the remaining bal 'he t there are severa' reasons for previously tagged during spring elec- ance for 1978 to be delivered in the S udv det Proposal, the most important trofishing operations will be captured, near future. The money is raised in rais 'lnation wil1 be the validity of held, then released during the com competitive bass fishing events. Shown incr!"8 the legal bass size limit from 9 petitive angling events. in the photograph above are, left to e S to 12 Whj h inches. Other factors The study, which has been under right: Ken Messenger, Public Rela re no ed t0 be the V P determined are taken by Clarion State College, is tions Director for Pennsylvania BASS ects harv of angling use and the under the supervision of faculty mem Association, the organization's presi tion CSt °^ a 'ar8ernoutri oass popula- bers J. Robert Moore, Project Direc dent, Vic Zakowski, Steve Sawyer, of inter!" an irnP°undment that receives tor, and W.R. Kodrich, Biostatisti- District 4 Mr. BASS chapter, and Mil Te fishin8 pressure. The study cian. Graduate students are also help Rick Hoopes, Warmwater Unit Petit3 evaluate the impact of com- ing on the project. Leader of the Commission's Fisheries 1Ve bass angling on the survival The Pennsylvania BASS Associa Management Section. ^fCH - 1 979 19 The Beginning Fly Tyer's Bane by Linda Steiner illustrations by the author I t just wasn't any use. I couldn't hide my fly fishing mentor. He knew I me.' it any longer. 1 knew that sooner or should be fly fishing and I knew I It all started innocently enough' later he'd see it. There just isn't any should be fly fishing. I felt like a kid owned an inexpensive fly rod and way to hide a 6'6" fishing pole behind gone to play baseball when he knew he couple dozen flies, chosen mainly '", your back when you're only 5'4"! should have been practicing piano. their "aesthetic appeal," that is, pretty Eventually he'd see it was a spinning "Is this what it's all come to?" I colors. Fly fishing consisted of one 0&) rod with a big, fat plug on the line, the wondered, "Embarrassed to be using a a year when I tired of catching trou kind with hooks jutting every which spinning rod; ashamed to be seen with on the spinning rod. For real fishing- way, instead of the fly rod he was a Jitterbug on the line; afraid of being used the meat getters: a spinner, won1 using. What could I do? I was about to caught with a can of worms? Is this or trusty Velveeta. be found out by my fly tying teacher, what learning to fly fish has done to But I wasn't satisfied. I had to leaffl 20 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE • at all the fuss was about "fly fling- ever seen before. The pattern origina Something like the "Fanwing Royal 8- What was this "purist mystique" tors must have delighted in the Coachman" struck me as more of a Jjyway? Besides, I figured I might be thought of future fly tyers trying to regimented art form than a fishing e to save some money tying my own find things like the "amber seal's fur lure. e s. My coiiectjon had become terri and underfur of polar bear" that are It dawned on me that in order to be fy depleted, with most of the flies left recommended for a nymph body. I an expert fly tyer, I would have to . trees along the way. I decided to understand the original pattern for become a world traveler, a hunter of §n up for a course and learn enough "Tupp's Indispensable" used some exotic species and a lawbreaker. The " fishing and tying to satisfy my rather difficult to obtain fur. Anyway, best fly tyers can have only two other Ce a r- , ' -year urge, and no longer look the ram couldn't be expected to stand hobbies, duck hunting and trapping. oiculous on the stream. still while you took it! "Finely barred Actually, these pastimes only feed the hat, of course, is impossible. Like teal pinfeathers" and "cochy-bondhu fly tying habit. There is just no other V Pleasing habit, fly fishing becomes hackle barbules" weren't exactly read good way of obtaining the needed P'dly addictive. I even had to buy a ily available household items. wood duck feathers and muskrat fur. stom-made graphite rod, a Hardy That was only the beginning. I I guess it would help to be a well- j,el and one of those silly Irish hats. learned that each pattern must be tied rounded hunter, though. Fly tyers m ke "hooked" now, but I still try to perfectly, with the exact color shade of need buck tails, but only those with a ep my equilibrium, still give into the fur or feather, number of turns of certain curliness of hair, selected (j Cas'°nal urge to cast a Jitterbug or hackle and degree of wing slant. And feathers of turkey, grouse and pheas at u 3 Worm- I think I'm new enough yet, with all this attention to detail, ant, red fox (belly fur being pre the "fly madness" game to recall most of the flies are not tied as exact ferred), black bear hair, and even i !^e of the pitfalls that await the next imitations of the bugs. In fact, often moose mane. A really dedicated fly Vitiate. they don't represent any bug at all. tyer brings the mane of the moose c 'y fishing is a strange, new world j a ^a't and lure fisherman to step • So many new rules to learn; so an st y old ones to break. When I first rted fly tying class, I became aware 0j, ' m that classroom, there was no er w* way of fishing. I don't know but3- ' ^ ^een doing all those years, •j, ll sure wasn't "angling" to them. Ven Ca, ^ ask if they used a worm to t le Wa ! trout they were showing off the a to sacrilege: 't would make ^oom go icily silent. c began tying I thou ht °uld Use * ' 8 * Se . materials I had on hand, like lg tac)"f thread, extra hooks from the left °x\ Parakeet feathers and the r sta °^f Pieces from one of those "in- fig Ay tying kits I had as a kit. I tiiti I'd have it mastered in no d0 ,' for some reason, most fly tying n t employ any materials I had M * R c ll 19 7 9 21 home for his trophy and leaves the Sometimes it seemed that the tying somebody grabbed for me when the horns behind! But I finally decided patterns were a plot by the trout to bird wasn't looking. I realized I would that the beard of the male Eastern harrass the fisherman. In tying a do anything for fly tying when I bega" Wild Turkey would have to be an pattern, I reasoned that if the fly isn't to rub off that beautiful iridescent acceptable, more easily obtainable an exact imitation of a bug, I could color of the peacock eye to use the substitute. take a shortcut and use dyed feathers, drab quill underneath. To tie some of the patterns as they No, dyed Blue Andalusian is no good I began thinking of everything ^ were conceived, I'd be tempted to be to the serious tyer. It has to be natural terms of whether or not it could be an international poacher. Polar bear or nothing. But do you know how wound on a hook. A rabbit would ruf fur seems to be a favorite for stream expensive that is, and how few roosters through the garden and I plotted how' ers, as it has good action in the water. I have the right shade of blue? And could get that "hare's ear nymph" ou1 bet I would, too, if the bear caught me furthermore, do you realize how many of the sweet peas. We'd go deer spo1' pulling out a few hairs! The nymph fly patterns require that color? ting at night and count the number o| pattern "Bailey's Mossback" requires I started wondering why patterns "bucktail streamers" in the fields. Condor quills. For many years, the didn't call for some of the things that described my kitchen color scheme t" only accepted thing to use for streamer were always lying around the house, a neighbor as being "Royal Coach' eyes were feathers from a jungle cock. like dog hair. Sorry I asked. The man." I wonder how many years trying to "Boercher" pattern requires "two I broke the language barrier wh#] smuggle one of those home would get black whiskers from a fox or other terms like "Rat Faced McDougal. me in a Far Eastern prison? animal muzzle." (Watch out, Rover!) "Iron Fraudator" and "Ephemefa My friends thought I was a chicken Polar bear hair being a little scarce guttulata" actually began to ma^ farmer on the side, with all the necks these days, one fellow in the tying class sense. I felt like part of the elite when; that were piling up in the house. I had mused how much his dad's white locks knew that "Sparse Grey Hackle toyed with the idea, but realized that resembled the needed fur. "Besides, referred to more than a fly dressing- plain, everyday cluckers wouldn't do the old man wouldn't notice a little Now, copies of tying material cata' for fly tying. No, the birds have to be haircut the next time he was napping." log's, can be found where thumbe" just the right shade of red, ginger, The fly fishing habit will drive men to pages of Sears and Roebuck used t0 cream, grizzly, and with the correct strange deeds. be. There's a table in the cornef stiffness of feathers. The specs are Before I knew it, fly tying began to always piled high with tying materia'8 enough to make the ordinary barnyard penetrate every aspect of my life. and my fishing vest has more w rooster feel downright inferior. I was Feathers were appearing all over the wallets in it than salmon egg jars- J afraid to turn to the next page of tying house. The spare room looked like a don't think I'm a "Fly Fishing patterns, for fear they would require taxidermist's shop. There were drying Snob something really scarce, like hen's pheasant wings, wood duck skins, deer yet, but then, why do I feel I have t0 teeth! tails, even some peacock tail feathers sneak my spinning rod out of the house to use it? INCREASED SUBSCRIPTION RATES EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 1979 — RENEW NOW! RENEWALS ARE ACCEPTED TO A MAXIMUM OF 3 YEARS (Use the form below for gift subscriptions or your renewal. Pennsylvania has the greatest Name (please print) in fishing ... Street or RD#—Include Box Number in boating ... City State Zipcode • New Use Check or Money Order for Remittance a $3.00—1 year "Read all about it" Renewal (DO NOT SEND CASH!) • $7.50—3 years MAIL TO: in the Angler. Pennsylvania Fish Commission Angler Circulation P.O. Box 1673 Harrisburg. Pa. 17120 22 PENNSYLVANIA A N G L £ THE ANGLERS NOTEBOOK by Richard F. Williamson art FACT: Nature gave the bluegill an Glass or graphite rods are more rugged Marabou jigs and streamers should look ^vantage in that relatively thin, disk- than those made of bamboo, but still they like miniature powder puffs when they are aPed body. The bluegill is able to move deserve care. After a day of fishing, use a dry. Marabou compacts amazingly when it Sl'y among weed stems and other vegeta- soft cloth to remove moisture from the rod, becomes wet. 11 in search of food, and also to escape then store it in a metal or fiber case. the stacks of predator fish. Excessive moisture can in time weaken the Good early season wet flies are the Gold- guide wrappings on the rod, and storage in ribbed Hare's Ear and the Leadwing a stout case will prevent accidental Coachman in Size 12. damage. A fish released without removing it from Quiet water pockets in riffles, which are the water is much more likely to survive great holding spots for trout, can be fished than one held in the hand or in a landing with a dry fly.Mak e short casts, and hold net while the hook is extracted from its the rod tip high to keep as much line as lip. possible off the water. One or two floats over each pocket area are enough to give A sneaky trick to play on fish which may any trout a view of the fly. be lying at the head of a stream pool is to wade around in the riffles some distance Variants, spiders and bivisibles are good above the pool. The disturbance often will dry fly patterns because they float high, dislodge nymphs and other aquatic life in giving trout a general impression of a the riffles, send them floating down into natural insect. Besides, they are easy for the head of the pool, and start the fish the angler to see on the surface, even in feeding. broken water. Insi,ns>ss t on dry flies that have stiff hackles, In buying a new spinning or casting rod, , en you buy them or make them yourself. make sure that the handle has a good ThKe Points of the hackles may penetrate locking device that will keep the reel from the surface film of the water, but the becoming loose or dropping off when the ckles will keep the hook above the water outfit is being used. toflaCe' S°me hackles may be stiff enough stiff -thefly withou t helP from a tail- But Patience of a Job is an essential part of , n tail fibers are a help, even with the successful fishing. It takes time and best hackles. thought and willingness to experiment to solve problems encountered on a stream or Wet fljes are excei|ent all during the lake. The fellow who loses his temper never ut season and under all weather and solves angling problems. ear w, n conditions. They will take fish j en a floating dry fly or a streamer is m In fishing with imitations of land insects (j ?°Ssible to use or is ignored by the s such as grssshoppers, crickets, ants and inch worms, the lure must hit right on the target, close along the shore and under the fkk Se tne smallest spinners you can buy in Shln branches of trees and streamside vegeta 8 for trout. Tie a tiny snap swivel to the end of a tion. These are the areas in which the casting line, and on the swivel put a spoon. natural insects fall onto the water, often 'MIS-HOOKED"! in? While patrolling Levittown Lake duf' ( the extended trout season, I approach6 . fisherman loading his gear into the tr of his car. I could not help noticing tha IV had two nice trout in a plastic bucket- j Unaware of my presence unt' j commented upon his success, the staart " e man turned to face me. At this tii» , observed that he had what looked to be' size 10 fish hook deeply imbedded in r forefinger. ^ e He asked me if I had a pocketknu -fi he could borrow to cut the hook out o> | finger. I answered that I did n°' 24 PENNSYLVANIA A N G L E Sgested that he seek medical assistance started to pull away. After getting a firm seat while tending their tip-ups or jig Removal of the hook and that he might hold on it, he brought in a 28-inch salmon rods. ssibly need a tetanus shot. with a Dardevle lure in its lip. The uniqueness of this fisherman's ?.s • left him, 1 asked, "Does it hurt?" About an hour later another fisherman bucket was that he had painted all of the e answered, "No.' came into the office and started that while seasons, sizes, and limit regulations on the Said, "Don't worry, it will!'' fishing off the jetty, using a Dardevle lure, outside of the bucket for ready reference. a large fish broke his line after a short Wayne L. Imler Bud Flyte battle and got away. The fisherman was Waterways Patrolman Waterways Patrolman surprised when Deputy Thompson told him S Bucks County Somerset County that what it was he lost was a 28-inch coho, relating to him the story of the previous fisherman's odd catch! *ST ACTION — NO STOPPING THEM! Norman E. Ely Qu' \ manv times conservationists are Waterways Patrolman For some local anglers there are only ble'f l° P°'nt the fin8er at those responsi- N/Erie County two times of the year when they cannot . tor pollution, and I'm one. Last fall the catch fish: the week that the new ice is too th|Way peoPle had the misfortune of one of thin to walk on and too thick to fish Hu fJUe' truc'cs wrecking and overturning. NOT TOO GOOD! through; and, then again, when the old ice is in the same condition. However, if the arid S °f 8allons of fuel oil sP'lled out flow drained 'nto a srnal1 tributary that A few weeks ago I gave Deputy Water serious fisherman does not want to seek out s ln flowing water, open to fishing, they still ra ,. to Little Sandy Creek. Answering a ways Patrolman Robert Karpauitz, of aie'° call, 1 md Trooper Camp who had Towanda, some homemade jigs for musky always seem to find a way to fish the lakes. ted S|Q^ me to the problem. As the fuel oil A recent trip to Lake Irena found the new y fishing. When I gave them to him he said per began to enter the tributary, the ice being broken from the edges by logs, SOnn he didn't think they looked very spectacu ter el from the Brookville Agway lar, but that he would give them a try. rocks, and window weights tied to a piece nal Use^" began to fight to stop it. They About two days later he called and said, of line, lobbed into the air and retrieved. W , heavy equipment, hand tools, and "Those jigs weren't very good. I fished for Where there is a will there is a way. c late into the ni ht but the did two hours and only had three bites . . . on. g - y Robert Lynn Steiner tj, a'n lhe oil. The next day demonstrated caught three muskies: a 28-incher, a 41- Waterways Patrolman Con ernergency separator that they had incher, and a 44-incher!" Picture shows S/Luzerne County ki||S ructed on the scene had limited the him holding the two legal ones. a rox the ° PP imately a half mile, sparing Stephen A. Shabbick tQcked trout stream below. Waterways Patrolman GREAT GESTURE — H. Porter Duvall Wyoming County Waterways Patrolman Winter is a good time to remember that Jefferson County big bass, trout, etc., that you got last season, or for that matter, those that you didn't get. It's also a good time to remem "HOT- SPOT! ber that landowner who left you on his property, particularly when you consider "lent W Pnoned me< concerning pay- what he had to gain by being so generous. 3re °f a fine for trespassing in a wired For the price of a stamp you could proba bly do more for the future of fishing by n,a , (These are sections of streams d y strands w re m wn saying "Thanks" in a note, card or letter are °^" ^ °f ' ich fish c]urjntt0Clced and fishing is prohibited than any other way. It will also make you n fish, ! 8 certain periods to provide better feel good — I promise. Peri"1! f°r more PeoPle over a longer f time Ronald L. Hoffman ch0° °- ) Therefore, the man's Ce Waterways Patrolman sor„t of words describing the violation S/York County Ca °' threw me when he said, "1 got ugh 1 in one of them fish pens!" D. F. Parrish WHAT NEXT! Waterways Patrolman McKean County The telephone calls I receive are mostly from curious fishermen seeking new places r C to fish or boat; however, some are quite *' «Y CATCH interesting. Th One such call was from an elderly e Dep following was related to me by person wanting to know if the bluefish Th„ ty Waterways Patrolman Gerald caught in the Delaware Bay were safe for m human consumption. The best yet was an ° Pson. READY REFERENCE — the JL 0Vember 4th, a fisherman came to inquiry regarding tuna fish in cans from te a nut Po t ' Creek Access Area office and one of the local supermarkets . . . was it c 0ne of While patrolling during the winter safe to eat? oh0 'he oddest ways to catch a season, I encountered a fisherman who had 0frtySa'mon- The fisherman was trolling a white plastic 5-gallon bucket with him. Frank Schilling 1 fi'am alnut Creek and hooked into a mono- Many ice fishermen carry their gear in Waterways Patrolman ' in eIlt line with his lure, and, in reeling to this type of container and also use it as a Philadelphia County clear the line from his lure, the "line" M AR C H — 1 9 7 9 25 FLY TYING The Little Yellow Stone Fly Nymph Pine Crd Photo by Russell GettH By Chauncy K. Lively photos by the author /\ny mention of stone fly nymphs generally brings to mind the magnum forms: the huge Pteronarcys or the gaudy Perla and Acroneuria. The big nymphs of these genera are always relished by large trout and anglers know them well. But there are also many smaller stone flies whose nymphs are well-represented in the riffles of most trout streams in the eastern U. S. These include the nymphs of the genus Isoperla and especially I. bilineata, the species whose adult bears the common name of Yellow Sally. As with certain other insects bear ing common names, American anglers borrowed Yellow Sally's name from the British Isles, where it had been assigned to the English counterpart, I. grammatica. But despite its romantic ring, her name has been both praised and denigrated on both sides of the Atlantic. Halford, who regularly per formed autopsies on trout, declared he had never seen a Yellow Sally among the varied fare found in a fish's the Little Yellow Stone Fly Nymph numbers from many of our mounts' stomach. Earlier English writers spec pattern the abdomen is fashioned of a streams during June and July—and> ulated that the insect had a bitter taste single ginger hackle rib, stripped of its course, this is the best time to fish l and therefore not appreciated by trout. barbules and wound in close, nonover- nymph. Typical of stone flies, l Preston Jennings observed that the lapping turns over a flat underbody. nymph crawls out of the water wne Yellow Sally of the Catskills was "not To avoid splitting, it's advisable to emerging—on boulders, logs or otn of a great deal of use to the fly-fisher." sU thoroughly soak the hackle rib in convenient protrusions from the The views of these angling stalwarts ca water before using. And for durability. face—and here the nymphal . were undoubtedly warranted in their I like to coat the underbody with splits open, permitting the adult inse time and place but others have refer cement just prior to winding the abdo to crawl out. It would appear tn red to the pretty little insect with fond men. affection and I find myself siding with fishing the nymph is most opportu The dual wing cases and pronotum 6 the latter group. There have been too just prior to emergence in bould are made from two sections of goose many occasions—notable on Young strewn pocket water but I have a' quill dyed yellow and the legs are iter" Woman's Creek, Slate Run, the Au had good success fishing the pa formed from fibres separated from the ffle Sable River and other streams—when upstream and across where a f] quill sections. Most commercially th« fishing to the adults with a Michigan spills into the head of a pool. Here dyed yellow quill feathers are gaudier l Stone dry fly and nymphing with a response usually occurs after ", in coloration than the natural nymph Little Yellow Stone Fly Nymph were nymph has swung into the pool a and I prefer to tint a white goose quill rC simply too good to regard as insignifi often trout take the nymph quite fa with a pale yellow marking pen to cant. fully. . achieve the delicate shade desired. Dressing the Little Yellow ' The natural nymph of Yellow Sally Coating the quill sections with acrylic Fly Nymph is not difficult but it do** gives the impression of sturdiness but lacquer or the thin vinyl cement not require a bit of patience because oft"' lacks the robust bearing typical of the only preserves the color but it makes many steps required. However, on*- * larger stone fly species. Its coloration the material more manageable in fished, the pattern is very durable 3 is pale yellow with brown markings dressing. to my mind, at least, well worth and its legs are hairy and flattened. In Yellow Sallies emerge in good effort. 26 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE Dressing the Little Yellow Stone Fly Nymph: Left — Form a flat underbody by cementing a strip of .018" monofila ment on either side of the shank of a size # 14, 2x long hook. (Don't taper monofil.) Bind yellow thread behind eye and spiral to end of underbody at bend. For tails, strip the barbs from two smaller ginger hackles and tie in the center ribs. Tails should be apart from each other and angled outward. Then strip barbules from a large ginger hackle and tie in the rib by its tip. Wind thread forward to middle of shank. Right — For wing cases, cut two sections of yellow-dyed goose quill, slightly wider than underbody. Cut a notch in the tip of each quill section and clamp opposite end in hackle pliers. Coat quill sections with acrylic lacquer or thin vinyl cement and set aside. Left — Coat underbody thinly with cement and wind hackle rib in close turns to middle of shank. Tie off (as shown) and cut excess. Right — Bind one wing case, with notch facing bend, on top of under body at end of abdomen. With bodkin point, separate the two outside fibres of quill section at butt end and pull fibres back, at right angles, to form rear legs. Then wind thread forward five or six turns and separate outer fibres of quill section as before. Pull fibres back to form middle legs. Trim off excell quill section. Left — Bind other wing case, with notched end overlapping rear case, in front of middle legs. Wind thread forward several turns. Then form front legs from outer quill fibres, as in step 4. Make one turn of thread in front of forelegs and bend free end of quill section back over itself. Wind thread over doubled quill back to middle legs. Pull quill upright, lift notched end of front wing case and wind thread back to rear legs. Right — Wax thread next to shank and apply dubbing of yellow-dyed fur or synthetic. Wind dubbing under front wing case and forward to eye, taking care to avoid legs. Left — Pull end of quill section over dubbing and tie off behind eye to form pronotum. Trim legs to a length slightly greater than gap of hook. Trim off excess quill in front and whip-finish. Right — Finally, coat legs with acrylic lacquer or vinyl cement and when nearly dry, bend joints with tweezers. This completes the Little Yellow Stone Fly Nymph. 27 Getting on the water early, before the waters are crowded, can be fun but extremely dangerous if yo" fall overboard. Larger, more stable craft, as pictured on these two pages, lessen your chance of taking a sudden dunking, but don't rule it out completely. How much do you really know abo$ cold water dunkings? Take the "Cold Water Test," on page 30. found detailed reasons for such rapid late afternoon in March. A young ^ death in cold water, but they have and his girlfriend braved high v/tt°, Ashore gone a step beyond and come up with and an icy-cold chop for the firsts ^ new cold water survival gear and tech of a dawning season. Unexpecte1aiy - niques that could be a lifesaver in an the bow plunged under an oncom i« & emergency. But, first, let's take a look wave and the boat swamped, th6 at just a couple of case histories on file rolled over and capsized. The yoUI* with state or federal boating authori man, fearful of attempting a lonf Afloat ties: swim to shore in the frieifrigid wuwatC- ; It was a cold March day. Nine U.S. elected to stay with the boat. He fan11, by Gene Winters marines were canoeing at top speed some line floating in the water ^ across the Potomac River near Wash lashed his friend and himself to $ ington, D.C. Someone aboard the floating but capsized hull. Their hea?| canoe made an error and the craft safely above the water, cold but st' capsized one football field length from confident, they waited. The y°un|j shore—only 300 feet away from shore sailor was sure they would be spotte i n just a few short weeks the first of line safety. The marines, all in excel and rescued within an hour or so. the new season's boaters will hit the lent physical shape and excellent He was correct. One hour and te water, excited and filled with the swimmers as well, struck out for shore, minutes later, the couple was found W anticipation of the weeks and months confident they could easily make it. a fisherman returning to shore: bu| of boating fun that loom ahead, their Within 15 minutes, all were dead. The they were both dead, victims winter hibernation over . .. bursting shock responses of their bodies to the prolonged immersion in cold water- with life, vim, and vigor; and, most sudden exposure to very cold water The young folks had followed all tJ> likely, oblivious to the fact that death were responsible for their deaths. safety rules they had been taught, *>, can come so quickly. The cold water, autopsies showed, something had been missed in tb^j For early season boaters especially, had claimed the lives in various ways. learning experience. They had n' following all the rules of safety may The heart rate and blood pressure of learned to be prepared to encouflte not be enough. That unavoidable acci several marines' bodies rose sharply, hypothermia, a condition result"; dent, that one-in-a-million incident resulting in ruptured blood vessels and from the loss of body heat by condu may happen and someone may die. heart attacks. At least one of the men tion to cold water. In a short time, W6\ s In spite of annual warnings about succumbed to hyperventilation (over- had become exhausted, then confr 0 the inherent dangers in cold weather breathing) and swallowed sufficient and groggy, finally slipping *n boating, each and every year many water to suffocate. Two others fell unconsciousness and death. t come frighteningly close to death and unconscious and drowned, hyperventi The human body tries to Protu a few reach out and touch it. lation producing changes in blood itself when exposed to very severe c° Not only has much medical re chemistry. but it is often this very protect' search and investigation recently Another case in point occurred one mechanism that actually contribf' H 28 PENNSYLVANIA A N G L £ just K^*1' ^ne s^'n and k°dy tissues How fast does cold water kill? for cold water boaters: when the least •j,, "eneath the skin cool very rapidly. Pennsylvania's (Fish Commission) Ba protected or first affected member of sis Boating booklet has some interest your frostbiting crew becomes cold, r body's protective mechanism tin °tS' snarPly reducing blood circula- ing and sobering figures and contribu head in." i to the arms, hands, legs and feet, tions to present in this area (paraph That's good advice. There will be rased): better (and warmer!) boating tomor w.fPtng the circulation of warm blood j "'n the inner reaches of the body. "If the water temperature is 32 row. It can be a long boating season if tUr ten m'nutes or so> the tempera- degrees, exhaustion or unconscious you're around long enough to see it. fall tne heart and brain begins to ness is likely to take place in under 15 As mentioned earlier, new tech , > and severe shivering develops, the minutes and expected survival time is niques in combating hypothermia have ofi/s attempt to counteract the loss from 45 minutes to less than 15 been developed. Huddling and eat H.E.L.P. (Heat Escape Lessening te - When the central portion body minutes. Even if the water tempera Position) are two of the latest tech gr^Perature drops to about 90 de- ture is in the 55-60 degree range, es exhaustion, unconsciousness, and even niques. Newly designed special protec j '. ""consciousness and often tm owning follows. Even if death does death can result in as little as one tive clothing (Thermofloat ) has also been introduced and is being promoted a come about by drowning, only hour! er at seminars around the country. Full te five degrees or so of body "Cold is increased greatly by wind. > Perature reduction will usually A 40 degree temperature, even under details on these techniques and new ng gear is, unfortunately, beyond the att about a violent, fatal heart sunny skies, will be reduced to 28 degrees by only a 10 mph wind. scope of this article. But there are 0VV man plenty of books, magazines, and peri eve y boaters really know, or Increase the wind to only 20 mph, and how f°are' about what happens and the wind/chill factor is lowered to 18 odicals that are covering the subject in as increasing detail. A trip to the local 0v t it happens when a person is degrees. But don't be misled by air ard in cold water? Ver few! temperature because water tempera town or college library will expose you Sirr, ° y to a wealth of information. Many the y.because no one plans on being ture is often considerably lower, parti re cularly in early spring. Note, too, that boating organizations and first aid ha in frigid water. It always ens most cases of hypothermia develop in organizations are offering expanded art- , to the other guy. Few read coverage on the subject, also. ^CCH on hypothermia even if they air temperatures between 30 and 50 act- er>tly run across them; fewer still degrees. In the interim, the Pennsylvania Ve ar.. 'y seek out such exposure. Such "To detect hypothermia, watch for: Basic Boating booklet not only de read • are simP'y not tne first t0 be uncontrollable shivering, fumbling scribes the basic symptoms of hypo *in ' '*"ever read' m books and maga- hands, frequent stumbling, slurred thermia, but some basic first aid treat s speech, drowsiness, or unusual exhaus ment as well. Before you head for the fr ' Most people, bruised and weary life tne'r everyday encounters with tion. It is more difficult to know if you, water this spring, this is the very tj 'are reluctant to turn to gloom and yourself, are developing hypothermia minimum understanding and knowl st because your senses will become edge of hypothermia you should carry DnPUr. ories about their leisure time suits. dulled. A good thought to remember aboard your craft. ARcH-1979 29 Unexpected capsizing... swamping... falling overboard! CAN YOU SURVIVE THE COLD WATER TEST? by Virgil Chambers Boating Education Specialist O"ve, r the past ten years, more than A. It is extremely difficult to put on the groin region half of the fatal boating accidents in a device in cold water B. Continuous movement of af1" Pennsylvania have occurred in the B. The PFD provides extra insula and legs in various patterns ke^P "out-of-season" months when the tion ing the head high out of $ water is cold. It is the prepared boater C. It is easier to spot an individual water who can handle himself when suddenly wearing a PFD in the water C. Restful floating, lungs full of ^' thrust into cold water. D. All of the above face in the water periodica"- How prepared would you be? Test 5. The survival time in cold water lifting head for a breath of aif your knowledge of survival techniques depends largely on two factors: D. Swimming in a small circle to in these situations. A. Water temperature and air tem keep warm 1. Cold water can best be defined as peratures 8. The first sign of cold water exp" water temperatures around and be B. Water temperature and behavior sure is: low: of the victim A. Unconsciousness A.32°F C. Swimming ability and size of the B. Uncontrollable shivering B. 40°F victim C. Amnesia C. 50°F D. Drownproofing and treading D. Muscular rigidity D.70°F water 9. How do you rewarm someone ^", 2. The "exposure" involved with cold 6. If the submerged boater feels his is in a semi-conscious state after <#' water cases is commonly referred to chance for survival in cold water water exposure? as: would be increased if he swims to the A. Wrap the individual in a bla11 A. Amnesia safety of the shore, he should: ket B. Hypothermia A. Swim underwater coming up for B. Rub arms and legs vigorously C. Shivering the needed breath of air C. Place in a warm tub, leavi"* D. Thermal shock B. Use the crawlstroke because it is arms and legs hanging 3. When boating on cold water dress the fastest D. Force hot drinks ing properly is important. The best C. Use one or more of the survival 10. Most drowning cases show f11 clothing for the cold is: strokes (modified breaststroke, typical symptoms of death includi^ A. A single heavy layer of tight sidestroke or elementary back no detectable breathing or appare? clothing stroke) pulse. These symptoms, however " B. A single layer of loose bulky D. Disrobe before he attemps to not always mean the victim is dead- , clothing swim fact, it is possible they can be revive C. Several layers of light clothing 7. The most effective technique to most effectively by: D. Anything as long as you're help increase survival time in cold A. Mouth to mouth resuscitation comfortable water is: B. Cardiopulmonary resuscitate 4. The extra precaution of wearing A. Holding the inner side of the (CPR) your personal flotation device when upper arms tight against the side C. Back pressure arm lift boating on cold water is supported of the chest. With thighs pressed D. Shaking victim and slapp inS by: together and raised to close off face How well did you do? For answers, turn to page 32. 30 PENNSYLVANIA ANGL^ PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION EXTENDS OPPORTUNITY TO COLLEGE STUDENTS * he Pennsylvania Fish Commission tended a rare learning opportunity fi° fish culture students from Mans- ,elc* State College recently, giving erri a close-up view of the newest ethods of raising fish for sport. . "• Ray Merriman, superinten- er*t of the Oswayo Hatchery near °udersport, rolled out the red carpet 0r the college students and Keen Buss *nd Dr. Vincent Smichowski of the Co|'ege's biology faculty. . rish culture is the science of breed- . 8 and raising fish for sport and food. mprovements made in fish culture ecnn r °logy during recent years have ,aised hopes that fish culture will , Pf°ve sport fish production and also ecorne a major source of food in the future. , Many of the improvements have een pioneered by Keen Buss, who is °w spearheading the fish culture Pr°gram at Mansfield State. Buss °Pes the college's program will Produce talented students able to use e techniques implemented and de- f °Ped at the Oswayo Hatchery and elsewhere. * he fish culture students and teach- s looked at some new methods for Pplying oxygen to the water in which sh are raised, and they inspected the sWayo- Hatchery'Hatchery s method for con- °lling waste water — also one of the °st up-to-date procedures. The stu- . nis toured the visitor center and at Mansfield State College Fish Culture Curriculum students watch Super chery facilities, and they were intendent Ray Merriman, of the Oswayo Fish Cultural Station, °Wn the design for trucks used in as he demonstrates procedure used in testing a palomino trout for eggs. ro"t stocking. Hatchery foreman Richard Kinter ods of fish culture." gram has also been aided by the ^onstrated the spawning of trout The college's fish culture program, unstinting cooperation of Dr. Roger ^ explained egg incubating meth- initiated last year, hopes to contribute Herman, Buss said. Herman is direc s- Later, under Kinter's expert a source of talent for state, federal, tor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Pervision, Mansfield students were private and commercial hatcheries as facility (Asaph Station) near Wells- °wed to spawn trout from some of well as for American aid programs boro. e hatchery's surplus brood stock. overseas in the raising of fish. Buss, a former director of the state's Jerry D. Lawton and David Galley, "New technology will reduce the fish research station in Centre County ^emAmberb s of the hatchery staff, showed cost of rearing fish," Buss pointed out, at Benner Springs, says he hopes the ,.e students how trout were marked by declaring that the methods can be used Mansfield program will develop a pool of fish culture specialists who will be st'Pping their fins and taught the by commercial hatcheries to help dents how to pack eggs with ice and supply much-needed protein in the able to work in — and perhaps some i'gen for shipment. world. day manage — fish hatcheries, thus According to Dr. Smichowski, "The "Hatcheries producing fish for contributing to improved sport fish C ^endous cooperation we received sporting purposes, an increasingly and food fish production. Buss says he ^ Fish Commission personnel adds important use of fish, will also bene especially appreciates the cooperation j.^jor thrust in our task of training fit," Buss added. given to the college by the Asaph dents in the newest scientific meth- The growth of the Mansfield pro- Station and the Oswayo Hatchery. \! ARCH — 1979 31 Answers to "The Cold Water Test"— 1. (D) 70°F. This one is difficult even their survival time by behavior which 9. (C) Place in a warm tub, leaving for the experts to define. It is esti involves little movement. arms and legs hanging over the side. 1' mated to be around and under the 6. (C) Use one or more of the survival is important that the victims arms an" temperature of 70° F. However, this strokes. Should you decide swimming legs be kept out of the water to prevent could vary in each case due to the to shore is your best chance the modi the cold blood from the limbs being specific circumstances and physical fied breaststroke, sidestroke, or ele forced back into the body resulting in conditions of the person involved. mentary backstroke should be used. further lowering of the core tempera 2. (B) Hypothermia. Hypothermia is These strokes involve less exertion ture. coined from two Greek words, hypo than the typical overhand swimming 10. (B) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (low) and thermo (heat). Hence the or crawlstroke. Also in these survival (CPR). This is the emergency first aid term hypothermia (low heat) herein, strokes the head should always be kept procedure which involves arti fical applying to decreased body heat. out of the water to help retain heat. breathing and artifical circulation tha' 3. (C) Several layers of light clothing. Research has shown one of the allows the rescuer to maintain 1»* This will offer better protection than a greatest heat loss areas is the head. until a victim recovers or unt>' single heavy layer. Next to a diver's 7. (A) Holding the inner side of the advanced life support is available. wet suit, wool clothing offers the best upper arms tight against the side of the I hope you did well on this cold protection. chest. With thighs pressed together water test. It is basic information 4. (D) AH of the above. All the answers and raised to close off the groin region. which should be known by all sports given are excellent reasons for wearing This method is called H.E.L.P. (Heat men who use boats during the coin that PFD and could save your life. Escape Lessening Posture) It protects water months. If you're not satisfied 5. (B) Water temperature and the the regions of the body which are the with your score, the Fish Coinmissio'' behavior of the victim. This is based on critical areas for heat loss, the side of has an excellent pamphlet on Survival heat loss. The colder the water the the chest and groin area (the head also in Cold Water which is yours by writ' greater the absorption of body heat. In has a high rate of heat loss but, it is ing: addition if movement is kept to a normally held out of the water). BOATING minimum this reduces the amount of 8. (B) Uncontrollable shivering. Shiver Pennsylvania Fish Commission heat generated and lost from the body. ing is a reflex mechanism used by the Box 1673 Therefore one could in fact lengthen body to produce heat. Harrisburg, PA 17120 Ray Stydinger, Thompsontown, with his prize catch: the largest musky to come out of the Juniata River 1 to date. The lunker measured 45'/, inches, weighed 32 /2 pounds. Photo: Russell Gettig. 32 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION DIRECTORY State Headquarters: 3532 Walnut Street, Progress, Pa. (Mailing Address: PO Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120) EXECUTIVE OFFICE Ralph W. Abele, Executive Director " Attorney General Administrative Assistant Comptroller Dennis T. Guise Howard T. Hardie Edward T. Durkin Office of Information Willard T. Johns, Director 717-787-2579 cS io0n EdEduca,ionu »°»cT,T"«ciM'n" . Stephen B. Ulsh 717-787-7394 Pennsylvania Angler, James F. Yoder. Editor 717-787-2411 "blications, Larry Shaffer 717-787-7394 Angler Circulation, Eleanor Mulch 717-787-2363 BUREAU OF FISHERIES & ENGINEERING Edward R. Miller, P.E., Assistant Executive Director Robinson Lane, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 Tel. 814-359-2754* (*Unless otherwise indicated, all offices within this bureau may be reached at this same address and telephone number.) Fred W. Johnson, Water Resources Coordinator 717-783-2808 (Office at State Headquarters, 3532 Walnut Street, Progress, Pa.) Dennis Ricker, Administrative Officer' FISHERIES DIVISION* , Delano Graff, Chief "'''"lw ° UC"on Section, Ken Corl, Chief Fisheries Management Section, Robert Hesser, Chief Box ij-T e' Production Section, Shyrl Hood. Chief. 814-683-4451 Research Section, Vincent Mudrak, Chief ' '-'"esville. Pa. 16424 Banner Spring Fish Research Station, Box 20O-C. Bellefonte. Pa. 16823 Cooperative Nursery Branch, Paul Byers. Chief FISH CULTURAL STATIONS F E "D> °NTE' William Hoover, Superintendent 814-355-4159 LINESVILLE, Charles Sanderson. Superintendent 814-683-4451 4 RBo» 23u, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 Box 127. Linesville. Pa. 16424 "D , „ PR|NG, William Kennedy, Superintendent 814-355-4837 OSWAYO, D. Ray Merriman, Superintendent 814-698-2001 x 200-c, Bellefonte. Pa. 16823 RD 2, Box 84, Coudersporl, Pa. 16915 G w Bo, 3 ' ayne Weigle, Superintendent 717-776-3170 PLEASANT GAP, John Bair, Superintendent 814-359-2754 RD 4 CQ ' > Newville, Pa. 17241 Robinson Lane. Bellefonte. Pa. 16823 0N Corry CITY, Tom L. Clark, Superintendent 814-664-2122 PLEASANT MOUNT, Zenas Bean, Superintendent 717-448-2101 ,6407 FA|_ " Pleasant Mount. Pa. 18453 ?uo°l ' Nei1 Shea, Superintendent 814-474-1514 REYNOLDSDALE, Ralph Berkey, Superintendent 814-839-2211 rer R H(jN °ad, P.O. Box 531, Fairview, Pa. 16415 New Paris, Pa. 15554 "TSDAL, E '393, . Ted Dingle, Superintendent 717-486-3419 TIONESTA, Charles Mann. Superintendent 814-755-3524 RD 5, Carlisle, Pa 17013 Tionesta. Pa. 16353 ENGINEERING DIVISION* Wilbert F. Hobbs, P.E., Chief Construction & Maintenance Section, Eugene Smith. Chief* Architectural & Engineering Section, K. Ronald Weis, Chief* Fisheries Environmental Services Branch, Jack Miller, Chief* BUREAU OF WATERWAYS Gene Sporl, Assistant Executive Director 717-787-2192 LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION BOAT REGISTRATION/MARINE SERVICES DIVISION Jo|>ni n . E"*arrj w k' Chief 717-787-2350 Paul Martin, Chief 717-787-3042 Manhart, Deputy Chief 717-787-2350 John Simmons, Marine Services 717-787-3042 Betty Stroud, Boat Registrations 717-787-4480 v„gllc Management Support/Boating Education Branch mbers, Boating Education 717-787-7884 (Vacanl) Boating Information 717-787 7684 „0[) REGIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES ST ^ailin - Walter G. Lazusky, Supervisor 814-437-5774 SOUTHWEST, Thomas F. Qualters. Supervisor 814-445-8974 l ddre oCatlQ ss ,281 Otter St., Franklin, Pa. 16323 Mailing Address RD 2. Somerset, Pa. 15501 Krw 1281 Otter St., Franklin. Pa. 16323 Localion On Lake Somerset, Somerset, Pa. ^'''ig A RAt-, paul F. Swanson, Supervisor 717-748-5396 SOUTHCENTRAL, Richard Owens. Supervisor. 717-436-2117 L c drSSS Box 888, Lock Have Pa 1774 ° atiD "' - 5 Mailing Address RD 3, Box 109, Mifflintown. Pa. 17059 Nrw 129 Woodward Ave. (Dunnstown) Lock Haven, Pa. Location On Route 22, 3 miles west of Mifflintown. Pa. "'''"no A ST' C'a'r Flee9er- Supervisor 717-477-5717 SOUTHEAST, Norman W. Sickles, Supervisor. 717-626-0228 e '•Ocj,^ * ss B0X 88 Sweet Valley. Pa. 18656 Mailing Address Box 6, Elm, Pa. 17521 On Harris Pond, Sweet Valley, Pa. Location On Speedwell Forge Lake on Brubaker Valley Road BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES (State Headquarters) \, Paul F. O'Brien, Director & °inej o c 9et A "^P'oyment, Leon D. Boncarosky 717-787-7057 License Section, Mary Stine 717-787-6237 t,6al Est "alvs1, Vin<;ent Roliant 717-787-2599 Federal Aid Coordinator, Glen C. Reed 717-787-6391 "'trig a'e' Jonrl Hoffman 717-787-6376 Office Services Supervisor, Chester Peyton 717-787-2363 n9 (Harrisburg), Avyril Richardson 717-787-2732 Purchasing (Bellefonte), Dennis Shultz 814-359-2754