MARCH 1981 PENNSYLVANIA the Keystone State's Official FISHING BOATING 3 nglee Magazine... ^ 40c Single Copy OPERATION FUTURE

l_/uring the January 5, 1981 meeting of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, the Commissioners present unanimously approved a policy for the conservation and management of fishery resources. That policy statement, "It will be the policy of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission to protect, conserve and enhance the quality and diversity of the Commonwealth's fishery resource (including reptiles and amphibians) and to provide continued and varied angling opportunity through scientific inventory, classification, and management of that resource," marks a formally declared shift in the philosophy and mission of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission from "recreation first" to "resource first." This truly makes the Pennsylvania Fish Commission a conservation agency. The above policy outlines five required activities and/or programs that will be carried out to achieve the policy objectives. This has become a major project for the '80s, and because our efforts in this interdisciplinary project will largely determine the future of fishing in Pennsylvania, it has been designated OPERATION FUTURE. Those activities are: (1) establish and maintain a current data base on the quality and quantity of Pennsylvania's aquatic and fishery resources for effective environmental protection and resource conservation; (2) develop statewide management programs to assure consistent treatment of all resources within any given class — similar waters will be managed to meet the same objectives under the same philosophy on a statewide basis; (3) manage self-sustaining fish populations as a renewable natural resource to preserve and /or conserve that resource and the angling it provides; (4) use hatchery fish to provide recreation in those waters where fish populations are inadequate to sustain the fishery at desired levels; (5) develop appropriate regulations and operational strategies to replace policies that are not compatible with management through resource classification. The challenges of the next decade and how the Pennsylvania Fish Commission responds to those challenges will, to a large part, determine the future of our fisheries. We've come to the point where it's clear the Commission has to address a total responsibility for the resource. As good as we've been at handling demands for recreation in the past, that will not be enough for the future. The Commission has enlarged its mission to ensure that it will not only do a top-notch job as a provider of recreation, but will also meet its responsibility to recognize and conserve natural resources. That doesn't mean that what the agency has done in the past was wrong — the Commission met the demands and challenges of the times, and has been long involved in and concerned about conservation and environmental issues. What is proposed in the new policy is the recognition that the resource is the basis for our very existence. We have a responsibility to preserve that resource and be sure it is providing the best possible recreation; that means recognizing the value of all fisheries — from a "wilderness" experience based on wild fish, to a fishery made possible solely through stocking. That's what OPERATION FUTURE is all about — resource-based management and conservation of fisheries in Pennsylvania. We look forward to the interest and support of all conservation-oriented organizations and individuals as OPERATION FUTURE develops through the decade of the '80s. It is not enough for us to defend status quo. 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

Leonard A. Green, President Carlisle Walter F. Gibbs, Vice President Reno William O. Hill Erie Robert L. Martin Bellefonte John A. Hugya Johnstown Jerome E. Southerton Honesdale Calvin J. Kern Whitehall J. Wayne Yorks Benton Ross J. Huhn Saltsburg

MEMBERS OF THE BOATING ADVISORY BOARD Nicholas Apfl, Chairman Fairless Hills Clayton Buchanan Pittsburgh Sherwood Krum Hawley Charles Chattaway Monongahela Leon Lyon Bellefonte

Volume 50 - No. 3 CONTENTS March, 1981

What is Your Fishing License Worth? by Dave Williams 111 4 The Sauger by Blake Weirich 6 My Most Memorable Cast by Jim Hayes 9 Conowingo's Newcomers by Gary Diamond 10 The Fish & Boat Code of 1980 by Dennis T. Guise 14 Springtime is Sucker Time by Thad Bukowski 16 New Fish Habitat by David R. Thompson 18 Something a Little Different by A. G. Eastby 20

ON OUR COVERS With winter on the run and springtime sunshine warming Commonwealth waters and shorelines, scenes such as those depicted on our covers this month by Thad Bukowski become commonplace. These Forest County fishermen are shown in varying degrees of relaxation with the ultimate reached by the unidentified angler on the back cover. Pennsylvania's new year-round bass fishing in streams and rivers is bound to make springtime anglers a more aggressive group.

MONTHLY COLUMNS LEAKY BOOTS 2 FLY TYING 28 STREAM NOTES 24 MEALS FROM THE CREEL 30 WATERSIDE WANDERINGS 26 ANGLER'S NOTEBOOK 32 James F. Yoder, Editor

The p ASTER: All 3579 forms to be returned to the office of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120. ^arrishnnSy'Vania An8|er- (ISSN 0031-434X), Copyright 1981, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, Ur One 8. Pennsylvania. Second Class postage paid at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at additional mailing offices. Subscription rates: Not cear7~*4.00; Three years—$10.00; 40 cents per single copy. Send check or money order payable to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Do received ^ash. Changes of address should reach us promptly giving both old and new addresses, including both zip codes. Subscriptions resPonsVrd Processed by 'he end of the month will begin with the second month following. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission will not assume magazi y f°r unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or illustrations while in their possession or in transit. Communications pertaining to the 'JWoKcltLt lcl 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. The problems with fishing in many of I think the Pennsylvania Fish Commis­ these fertile lakes in the summer are at sion deserves a big round of applause. No least two-fold. First, many anglers fish too dollar could ever be spent better than the deep, that is, in water where the oxygen is one the Commission uses in its "Land greatly reduced or absent. Since most Acquisition Program." gamefish have difficulty surviving in water It is a pleasure to know that a person can where the dissolved oxygen concentration is go to a clean, well kept area to fish, launch less than 4 milligrams per liter (4 ppmi, and a boat or just to enjoy life without worry as actually prefer dissolved oxygen concentra­ to whether you are on private property or tions that are greater than 4 milligrams per not. liter, the fish are often concentrated at Last season I fished Harveys Lake water depths that are less than 15 feet. In through the ice after a recent snowfall. The "IS THIS TRUE?" Lake Nockamixon, for instance, there is no access area was plowed better, for parking, oxygen in water depths greater than 12 to than the main roadways. I hope you can publish this letter 15 feet from July through mid-September. The access area on the Susquehanna because I know there are hundreds of Secondly, the turbidity of the water that River near Tunkhannock, along with the people that would like to know what results from plankton blooms may partially rest rooms, is always a pleasure to visit. happened to Lake Nockamixon. inhibit the ability of some fish species that I've been to many others along the rivers I was fishing there a week ago and rely heavily upon their sight to find fisher­ and lakes and each deserves a gold star. managed to land only two carp and not one men's lures. The fish's lateral line and sense I hope the Commission can continue this gamefish. The water was quite green at of smell become more important in the program with as much success as it has had spots and appeared to have some sort of location of food organisms as turbidity so far. It means a lot to many people, as film on it. increases. The fact that you caught two well as myself, who fish 52 weeks a year. Of (sic) what I heard, the water is some­ carp and no gamefish indicates to me that Keep up the good work. how being robbed of its oxygen. Is this you may have been fishing in water depths true? Please clear things up for me and where oxygen concentrations were suitable JOHN KRIS many other Nockamixon fishermen. for carp, but not for gamefish. Carp and Plymouth brown bullheads survive quite well in waters JOSEPH LEOTTA Philadelphia with oxygen concentrations that are lower than those that gamefish prefer. "A DISGRACE" Dear Mr. Leotta: The fishery in Lake Nockamixon is One of the best articles I ever read in Your confusion regarding the quality of certainly not dead. Although the lake's any magazine is the one in the December Lake Nockamixon's fishery has been historically good black crappie "run" did 1980 issue of the Pennsylvania Angler echoed by numerous anglers. Lake Nock­ not materialize last spring, some anglers titled "Littering — When Will It End?" amixon has enrichment problems resulting had success fishing for crappies at night I am in full accord with every word Mr. from an excessive inflow of nutrients from during spring and fall. Furthermore, spring Thompson has in that writing. 1 have also point and nonpoint sources of pollution and fall walleye anglers were also success­ removed from our local streams shopping such as agricultural runoff and Quaker- ful in some cases. A few largemouth bass carts, beer and soda cans and bottles, town's sewage treatment plant. The exces­ anglers also reported good catches. The styrofoam bait containers, tires, etc. It is a sive fertility of the lake as a result of the poor crappie run may have been the result disgrace to our environment. Every time I nutrient input causes large blooms of of excessive angler harvests during previous go fishing along our Little Lehigh streams phytoplankton (single-celled plants that are springs, poor spawning success during a few here in our beautiful park systems I do a form of algae) to occur from May through prior years, or a combination of the two. nothing but pick up empty beer and soda October. One of these blooms was the Largemouth bass fishing was not expected cans and bottles and deposit them in metal "film" that you noticed on the lake's to be exceptional due to the overharvest of containers where they should have been surface. The short life cycles of the plank- bass that has historically occurred in the put in the first place. Nockamixon Lake in tonic organisms produce what might be lake. The largemouth bass fishery should be Bucks County is another spot for sore eyes. likened to a continuous "rain" of dead and improved by the 12-inch size limit that will I fished the upper entrance of that lake a dying single-celled plants in the lake's go into effect in 1981. Anglers may not few times and what do you see all along the depths. Bacteria, which decompose the harvest more bass; however, those that they shore — empty beer and soda cans and dead plants, remove oxygen from the water catch and release should provide much bottles to no end. How many are sunk to in the process, resulting in the absence of sport. Furthermore, the presence of more the bottom of the lakes, no one knows. The oxygen in the depths that are greater than 9-inch to 12-inch bass should reduce the most of this is done by our so-called sports­ 12 to 15 feet during the summer. The lake number of panfish in the lake thereby men that fish these waters. It is a known becomes completely re-oxygenated during improving the sizes of the remaining fact as Mr. Thompson mentioned that the fall through spring when the lake's waters panfish, especially bluegills. Game Commission has been pleading with circulate in response to colder water Thank you for your honest interest in sportsmen not to litter. I hunted the open­ temperatures and associated water density Lake Nockamixon's fishery and water ing day and Saturday for deer two miles in changes combined with wind action. If the quality. from the highway at Promised Land Lake lake's surface freezes in winter then, of section, and what do you find, hunters that course, this circulation process stops and Sincerely yours, had stands under trees. You would see oxygen problems may again occur at the MICHAEL L. KAUFMANN (sig.) empty beer and soda cans and empty lunch lake's bottom. This process is not unique to Area Fisheries Manager bags, paper wrappers from candy and Lake Nockamixon. Many lakes throughout sandwiches, etc. What a fine way to pollute Pennsylvania have similar fertility prob­ the home of our wildlife! lems, usually associated with improperly "IT MEANS A LOT" When will it end? Only when a few are treated human sewage, faulty septic sys­ Just finished reading the December caught and a fine of at least $500 is tems, agricultural runoff, and storm water issue of the Angler. As usual, 1 enjoyed the imposed and their license revoked for a few runoff. articles. years. I am sure the word would get

2 P E N N YLVANIA ANGLER around. Also, what we need is a beverage "ENJOYABLE" or 6" circle out of the lid and glue on a container refund law. About a dozen states piece of screen wire so they won't be able to nave these laws and they are very effective. Just a short note to thank you for your crawl out. Take some burlap and wash it to ' know in the state of Maine it is hard to contribution, of Pennsylvania Angler, to make sure it does not contain any chemi­ find empty beer and soda cans and bottles our Sport Fishing Library. cals. Make the bucket about half full of along the streams and highways. They get The story on "The Education of a Fisher burlap. I prefer to use water from the returned to collect the deposit. We could Person" really hit home! I also found the stream where I get my hellgrammites to also have such a law in this state if the rest of the articles enjoyable and informa­ wet the burlap. Tap water contains chemi­ People would put pressure on our lawmak­ tive reading. I'll look forward to receiving cals which will kill hellgrammites. Keep ers in Harrisburg. 1 am sure a lot of these the January issue of Pennsylvania Angler. the bucket in a cool dark place. If you u cannot get burlap, use newspaper instead gly sites along our streams and in our JUDY HAYNES w°odlands would not exist. Keep up the and roll it into balls. 1 find this is also Museum Curator & Education Specialist satisfactory. good work boys, you have a fine magazine. AFTMA Sport Fishing I hope the above information will be Educational Foundation FRED W. REINHART useful to Mr. Fleck. Allentown Arlington Heights, Illinois JOHN A. BRENNEMEN York HELLGRAMMITES & PRETTY PERCH" — KEEPING HELLGRAMMITES — This is what we've been looking for! In the December issue of the Angler, Joe In response to the inquiry about the care Seems that many are in agreement about F'eck asked for advice on how to keep of hellgrammites. First of all unlike moist burlap, John, but thus far no one has ne,|grammites alive. minnows they do not require water to keep reported keeping the critters quite as long I used to do a lot of fishing near Falls, alive. (These instructions also pertain to as you have. Many thanks. Ed. Pennsylvania on the North Branch of the soft shell crabs). Obtain a foam bait box Susquehanna River. Just about everyone in and some sphagnum moss and soak the tnat area used either stone cats or hell- moss in creek or rain water (not tap water). grarnmites (clippers). One good way to Squeeze all excessive water from moss, £eep "clippers" alive is to store them in a fluff the moss into the bait box. Place b°x with either dampened leaves or moss. I hellgrammites on top of moss and place Prefer moss. Make sure the leaves or moss into a cool spot or refrigerator at 40 to 50 are only damp and not wet. Keep the box in degrees. Flip box over every other day so a cool, dark place like a cellar. If that's not that the hellgrammites will not be Possible try the refrigerator. In either case compressed at the bottom. they should last for weeks. Kept this way they will last 2 to 3 weeks Hellgrammites tend to become canni- without any trouble. Good luck! a . 'istic if no food is available so it's a good CHARLES METAL ea to put some small pieces of ground Pittsburgh eef in occasionally. * m sending this picture of my favorite shing partner. Her name is Tracy and she m KEEPING HELLGRAMMITES — h y daughter. She has caught (by erself) many bass over ten inches. The I was reading the Leaky Boots column ne she w is holding is to date her biggest. It and decided to answer Joseph Fleck's ques­ g3s J 5 inches and caught in a farm pond in tion on how to keep hellgrammites alive. tofiS ^ounty where I obtained permission First, get the wife's permission to use the fish ' ^racv nas caught many types of refrigerator. Then get a good container s nc p ' e she started at three years of age. with good ventilation, loosely packing ercn t. may be her favorite because she moist grass into it along with the hell­ m *s they are pretty. Happy angling. grammites — then refrigerate. We have found we can keep hellgram­ JACK PERRY mites alive this way for a week and even Doylestown more. PLENTY FOR ALU. CLYDE YOUNG Oil City Enclosed is a picture of some of our turtles that come out of the Geneva Marsh here in Conneaut Lake. They were caught MORE OF SAME by Walter Heffern. These totaled 85 pounds and sure made a nice kettle of In reply to Mr. Fleck's letter, from turtle soup. Altoona, Pennsylvania, pertaining to how Walter catches many more like these to keep hellgrammites, the method I am each summer and we have plenty of turtle about to describe I have been using for to roast and use for soup. And, we also years with great success. In fact, at the donate some of it to one of the churches beginning of last December I released here in Conneaut Lake town for the game some hellgrammites that I had since the dinner they have once a year. previous July which I did not use. I use a clean five-gallon bucket with a WALTER HEFFERN tight lid. I prefer a plastic bucket. Cut a 5" Conneaut Lake

MA|>CH-198I - A \ Lycoming Creek? The Upper Lehigh River? Nope, it's the lower end of "Beat Number One" on Scotland's River Don. What is Your Fishing Li Worth?

by Dave Williams III

M. he troubles of everyday life seem to is Scotland and the River Don is not worth? fade away with the passing of the cool, all that different from your favorite To the casual angler it is probably clear water by my hip boots. The Pennsylvania freestone trout stream. worth no more than the actual cost of relaxed mood is complemented by the The brown trout here are strong, beau­ the license — more than likely less, for beauty of a spring day in May. A mild tiful and wild, yet the techniques for he feels that it is too costly already. breeze and a warming sun brighten the capture apply here as well as home. However, for the more serious angler colors of the wild flowers which However, there is one great difference: who not only enjoys the sport itself but contrast the greens of the far bank. my fishing today on the River Don is the collection of friends who share his The occasional emergence of a March costing me $16.00. interest, it can be priceless. How can Brown is highlighted by a swirl of a You could say the water is private, you put a price tag on those stories of trout and the disappearance of the fly. but only to the degree that you have to the big one that grows with each Nature's quiet is interrupted by the secure a permit in order to fish. In this episode ... or simply the personal familiar sounds of barnyard animals case, permits and all bookings are satisfaction derived from mastering a off in the distance. However, it is not handled by the manager of the Grant fish that has escaped or outwitted you the surroundings that brought me Arms Hotel just down the road. The on previous attempts. here, but the inhabitants of the stream permit entitles the bearer to fish one of If you find it difficult to put a price — the primitive but incredibly elusive the thirteen "beats" along twelve miles tag on these things, you are in the brown trout. of water. Tomorrow I'll need another same position as I am. But not too long As with most fishing experiences $16.00 permit or will have to purchase ago I had the opportunity to assess my there are obstacles to overcome and a weekly permit for $100.00, provided fishing habits in Scotland, a country this time is certainly no different. The one is available. Permits are sold in noted for its fishing. There 1 could fish bank to my back is lined with trees and denominations of "rod-fishing-the wa­ for Atlantic salmon, sea trout and if one is not careful his fly will wind up ter" and there is a limit to how many trout. Different from Pennsylvania, closer to the squirrels than the trout. can fish on a given day. fishing in Scotland, as is the case in Cautiously, but strategically, I have This what the average Scot or Brit­ most of Europe, is primarily private; entered the stream in a shallow riffle isher would expect to pay for a day's consequently, it can become quite so not to disturb the pool below. I plan fishing on water of this quality for expensive. my approach .. . remembering the trout. Fortunately, a fair amount of my overhanging trees. My thoughts are What is your fishing license worth? fishing was done as a guest of someone that if I keep my backcast low to avoid No . . . I'm not speaking of the price else which greatly reduced the expense the trees, 1 should have a clear forecast you paid for it at the time of purchase, to me; yet I was keenly aware of the to deliver my team of wet flies across and don't bother rushing back to costs involved. To transport my Amer­ the stream to the tail of the riffle, so return it, for it hasn't appreciated ican fishing habit to Scotland would that they can float down into the (although it may cost you more some­ have cost me a small fortune. Once a prospective pool. time in the future). But to you, person­ week, more often two or three times a Such a fishing experience would not ally, what is the privilege of fishing week, on any one of a number of seem too unfamiliar to many, but this your favorite streams or lakes or ponds streams is quite a normal fishing

4 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE** schedule for me, with more frequent the nonresident license is noticeably a wee dram or two of Scotch. As for trips during the various mayfly more expensive than that of the resi­ the fishing, there is no guarantee hatches, of course. dent license. Of course there are whatsoever! To start with, although Scotland exceptions where the fees for fishing Now take a moment and apply these does have governmental departments are minimal, almost token, to all. costs to your fishing habits here and dealing with fish and game resources, The range of fees that I encountered ask yourself once again, "What is your there is no such thing as "A" fishing for trout waters were as low as 25 fishing license worth?" If you are like license to the country's waters. These pence (approximately 650) and up to 4 me, your annual expense for a fishing governmental bodies regulate the open pounds and 60 pence (approximately license becomes a real bargain, partic­ seasons for the various species of fish, $12) for a day's fishing. On some of ularly if you consider the range and hut the majority of waters and fishing the more famous lochs it could become types of fish it permits you to fish for. rights are privately owned and man- a bit more costly. At Loch Leven, for Also consider the amount of water that aged. As a result, a license or permit example, one is charged by the rental the public can fish — and the simple has to be acquired to fish each stretch of a boat in order to fish. No bank fact that it is public. Additionally, °f water, and sometimes a different fishing is permitted. Depending which many of our waters are equal to — or, Permit is required to angle for shift you fish (the morning shift is 8:00 in some cases, better than the fisheries different fish, such as salmon — as a.m. — 3:30 p.m.; the evening, 4:00 which exist in Scotland. opposed to trout. These permits are p.m. to sunset), it could run up to My day on the River Don ended assessed on two factors generally: the 12-15 pounds, or $25—$35 for an some seven hours later with a hand­ quality of water as a fishery, and the outing. A boat can comfortably hold 3 some brace of trout for dinner and a time of the year. The latter being more fisherman so the expense is usually pint of local beer in the pub of the °f a factor with the migratory fish, i.e., split any number of ways depending on Grant Arms Hotel. Memories of that salmon and sea trout. the number of fishermen per boat. day will long be with me, particularly Before you begin to think that Migratory fish, salmon and sea those of one trout of 2% lbs. taken on a money is the key to your fishing in trout, are another category altogether. dry fly that took me some 50 yards Scotland you must realize that much To fish some of the choice beats of the downstream, taking line all the way! °' the blue ribbon water is simply river Tay, one of Scotland's finest Scotland is a beautiful and interest­ Private. In these cases, the resource is salmon rivers, during the peak salmon ing country and I'll return to fish Managed and cared for by a club or season could cost upwards of 100 again, bearing the expense, simply Organization, who support the water pounds per day ($250). It is no wonder because that is the way it is. But I will through membership fees which gen­ that you see Rolls Royces and Bentleys always be thankful and respectful for ially cost a bit more than your local parked by the gillie's hut during this what we have at home. The old phrase hshing or sporting organization here, time of the year. Even for 100 pounds "there is no place like home" takes on ^fes for some of the Scottish fishing per day you can be assured of no more another meaning for this traveling c'ubs can run into the hundreds — or than the gillie's assistance and possibly fisherman. J}°usands of dollars, in some cases, fishing opportunity, as membership, is °y invitation only. The sum total of This inviting spot is the Kinkell Bridge over Scotland's River Earn. Membership dues usually affords the club a full-time gillie/caretaker, re- °urce improvement projects, fish (if anV are to be stocked), and the cost of nv repairs or maintenance which might be made. .'n the cases where the water is Pr,vately owned, but for hire, the P ner then becomes responsible for nding the water and its accessories. he water and its fish then become ,. rt of an investment yielding a return e> fees paid by the angler wishing to y his skill — or luck — as the case av c, be). Fishing permits are pur- ased in lengths of time: by the day, **• or, occasionally, by the season. He waters travel through or is to a town, a local water authority dually formed which controls and nses sport on the water. Being a . 'dent of the town where this occurs give s Uv one a considerable reduction in Wat °°St °^ fishing that section of r- As is the case in Pennsylvania, M * R C H — 1 9 8 1 An old-timer makes a comeback— The Sauger by Blake Weirich Area Fisheries Manager

JL hroughout the 1970s biologists conservationists and the general public can be found in only two distinct from the Pennsylvania Fish Commis­ could benefit greatly through better drainage areas. One area, Lake Erie, sion, working with personnel from the fishing and a cleaner, healthier, supports a natural population that has Environmental Protection Agency, aquatic resource. been supplemented by fingerling and Department of Environmental Re­ With the advent of this increase in fry stockings by the State of Ohio in sources, the Corps of Engineers, and the number of different sport fish in the western basin of the lake. The the Ohio River Valley Water Sanita­ the rivers around Pittsburgh, there other area is the Ohio River basin in tion Commission, have annually col­ came a renewed interest in fishing the western part of the Common­ lected fish population samples from throughout the area. There have also wealth. More specifically, the sauger various lock chambers on the Monon- been many questions asked concerning here have re-entered Pennsylvania by gahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers. the identity of the fish that are being migrating up the Ohio River and then In the early seventies, these samples caught and whether it is legal to keep into the lower Allegheny River as far presented a fairly discouraging picture the fish. Most of these questions to north as Bradys Bend. Historical of what the water quality and fisheries date have involved the sauger and records indicate that sauger once exis­ in these major rivers were like. spotted bass. ted as far up the Allegheny River as Sampling in many locks was poor since The spotted bass which have moved Warren County, and in various parts no fish were caught, and many times into the section of the Ohio River of the Monongahela and Youghio- only pollution-tolerant species such as within Pennsylvania are very similar gheny River basins in the early 1900s. carp, goldfish, and bullhead catfish to the largemouth bass. They have From all indications, this species were found. about the same coloration as large- can be divided into two distinct In 1973 and 1974, many of the mouth and similar body features, but "strains" in present-day North Ameri­ barren sample sites began to produce the spotted bass does not grow as big ca. The northern "strain," which is more species of fish. As the sampling as the largemouth. Since there will be slower growing and longer-lived, gen­ continued through the decade it no closed season for bass fishing on the erally inhabits the Great Lakes—St. became apparent that an entire com­ streams and rivers of Pennsylvania Lawrence drainage and those river munity of forage fish and gamefish beginning this year, and since the legal systems in southern Canada which were returning to these major rivers. size limit for largemouth, smallmouth flow into Hudson Bay. The southern By 1977, the smallmouth and large- and spotted bass taken from flowing "strain," which is faster growing and mouth bass, channel catfish, a variety waters will be ten inches, anglers will shorter-lived than its northern coun­ of forage fish and panfish, along with not need to tell the difference between terpart, inhabits the Ohio-Missouri- species stocked by the Fish Commis­ the three species if they wish to keep Mississippi River systems, extending sion, such as walleye, tiger muskel- their catch. The only thing they will from the northernmost part of these lunge, and northern pike, were doing have to remember is not to keep more drainages to Northern Louisiana and well in the Monongahela and lower than six bass of combined species on Mississippi. Allegheny Rivers. In 1977 our sam­ any one day of fishing. The limited data we have been able pling group began to pick up addi­ The sauger, however, represents a to collect to date indicates the develop­ tional naturally reproduced gamefish slightly different situation and the ing sauger fishery is related to the at the lock sites. Since that time, balance of this article should help fish­ southern "strain" of the lower Ohio spotted bass, white bass, freshwater ermen understand a little more about River. Though both "strains" are very drum, and sauger have been added to this fish, its characteristics, and how similar in body characteristics, the the growing Three Rivers' fisheries we hope to manage the developing southern "strain" saugers grow to a resource. Anglers have reported fishery. The sauger is a member of the twelve- or thirteen-inch size by the end catches of drum and sauger in the perch family which closely resembles of their second year, and will probably Ohio and as far up the Allegheny the walleye. Sauger, even though they reach a maximum of twenty to twenty- River as Brady's Bend. had been driven out of Pennsylvania, one inches and four or five pounds by After decades of losing numerous are considered a native fish since they the end of their life span — about six species of fish and even entire fish were known to have existed in Lake years. communities to the effects of pollution Erie and the Ohio River drainage The sauger has provided a limited and habitat destruction, it is gratifying within the state as far back as geologi­ commercial fishery resource in some to begin to see a reversal of the trend. cal records can determine. of the Great Lakes and larger inland If it continues in the 1980s, fishermen. Presently, in Pennsylvania, sauger lakes of Canada since the 1800s.

6 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

SLid-HT DEPRESSION

,-^WHITe TIP Anglers fishing waters having both (2) IN ADULTS the sauger and walleye should have very little difficulty tell­ ing one from the other. As can WALL-EYS be seen from the sketch, there are a number of subtle differences, but the most obvious is the spotted dorsal fin, a characteristic OLHt£ "^ ' * ABOVE AND BELOW which will remain unchanged regard­ LATERAL LINE less of water conditions. (D NO DEPRESSION

SOME WHITE

DAR.K. SPOT 9AUG£R

gamefish with very restrictive pattern of the spiny (front) dorsal fin. However, populations in many of these The sauger has two or three rows of lake areas have also suffered from limits on the season, size and creel limits. pea-sized black spots along the dorsal °verharvest at times and their com­ fin. The walleye has an evenly colored mercial value is limited at present. In 3. Or, simply ignoring their poten­ tial as a new fishery resource. spiny dorsal fin with one large black the river fisheries of the United States, spot at the base of the back of the fin. specifically the middle Ohio River and In reviewing the alternatives and considering the sauger's close resem­ There are several other differences in ^me 0f jts tributaries such as the the appearance of each fish as one can Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, blance to the walleye, it was recom­ mended that the Commission initially see in the drawing of these two fish, they are mainly considered sport fish. above, but these may vary somewhat Most of the states do not manage establish a somewhat restrictive group of regulations in order to give manage­ depending upon water conditions. The Waters specifically for sauger, but this coloration of the spiny dorsal fin is the Species has become an important ment biologists some time to evaluate 0 the population, its characteristics, and most obvious difference between the ° nus resource in many areas. The two species and is consistent no matter 0nly Ohio Valley state which has any its potential as a natural fishery. In ma accordance with this recommendation, what the water conditions, regardless Jor restrictions on the taking of the of habitat. Sauger is Tennessee which has a daily it was decided that a season identical creel limit of fifteen fish. to that of walleye, with a creel limit of The re-establishment of the sauger six fish a day and a minimum size of and other species in the river systems . The return of sauger to Pennsylva- n a twelve inches be established. Since the of Western Pennsylvania is another ' posed questions concerning the sauger coexists with the walleye over promising result of the abatement of species' potential as a new fishery its limited range in Pennsylvania, it is the various forms of pollution in the resource and the possible management alte important that anglers in the Ohio area. Continued cleanup of the major matives for dealing with this River drainage realize the difference rivers and their tributaries should resource. A number of possibilities am between the two fish. Although the continue to provide an expanding e to mind, including: two species are very similar in body fishery resource for the anglers and '• Managing of sauger as a panfish features, there are a few distinguishing general public. As our staff collects like black crappie, yellow perch, features that will aid the fisherman in more information about the sauger, °r bluegills, and therefore, not telling the two apart. more precise management plans will putting specific regulations on be formulated concerning the potential The most obvious difference and seasons, length, or creel limits. of the species in the future. • Managing the species as a new easiest feature to see is the coloration

MARCH-1981

nine-foot tapered leader. I glanced at my watch. It was two o'clock ... five hours to go. I decided to put my fly box in order. My Most Memorable Cast But when I picked up a No. 16 Adams the trembling started again. A sound like the rushing of water was roaring in my head, building in intensity. by Jim Hayes I put my face in my hands and despaired. "I'm never going to make this," I thought. "I'm a goner, I'll never make it." Then I answered myself, "Sure you I zaak Walton described angling as a Once, though, I took a relaxed, will, you can do it! Lots of people don't contemplative man's recreation. He easygoing, methodical approach. It fish in the middle of the afternoon. never watched me fish. I approach required a supreme test of will power, Some even quit to eat lunch." fishing like an imbiber on the day but it resulted in the most remarkable Summoning all of the self-discipline before Prohibition. I charge from pool cast I've ever made. at my command, 1 forced myself to to pool, riffle to riffle, and begrudge In a lifetime of fishing I've made tidy up the fly box. I took out the flies every moment my line isn't in the umpteen zillion casts. On a single fish­ one by one and snipped off the end water. ing trip I make more casts that a pieces of leader left knotted in the Rationally, I'm aware that there's a tournament champion throws out in an eyes. I worked slowly, deliberately, but '°t more to fishing than catching fish. entire season — but I can only remem­ the chore occupied only fifteen min­ *°u should admire the scenery, ber one of them. utes. observe the wildlife, smell the flowers, It was mid-May. Weather and At this point, fellow angler, lest I be a"d enjoy the out-of-doors. You can stream conditions were ideal. I'd spent accused of dragging out a story, you examine streambed rocks for nymph the morning on the East Fork of have no idea of what I was going '"e, eat a handful of wild strawberries, Sinnemahoning Creek. Hatches of through. and engage a turtle in conversation. caddis had come off at intervals, and I've paced the floors of hospital But when I say that you can enjoy I'd enjoyed great fishing. But as the maternity wards sweating out the arri­ these activities, I'm referring to you sun rose higher the hatches subsided val of three children. I've been through and not me. 1 can no more interrupt and the trout ceased rising. IRS audits. I've arrived on deer stands ^y fishing than a water buffalo can At midday I jogged back to the car in sub-freezing weather hours in S|ng La Traviata. intending to drive lickety-split to the advance of shooting time. But one thing I can do very well. I First Fork in hopes of finding more But none of those experiences was Cafi fish in the midst of an earthquake, action, but determined to continue remotely comparable to the excrutiat- a tornado, or an avalanche, or all three fishing, no matter what. ing, interminable, turtle-paced torture at once, and not take the slightest As 1 approached the camp where I of surviving a nonfishing afternoon to notice. was staying I thought to myself, "Now await an evening rise. I once posed this question to George hold on a doggone minute. Why tire I turned down my boot tops and arvey: "Suppose you arrive on a yourself out? Remember the hatch placed the boots on the car hood so ^ream on a bright, clear, sunny day. yesterday evening? It'll be on again they'd be perfectly dry and toasty fie water is low and clear. There are tonight. So take it easy. Wait for the warm. I inspected the pockets of my n° insects in the air and no signs of evening rise." fishing vest for dry fly oil, extra lead­ .1Ses. How would you go about catch- And I answered myself, "By golly ers, clippers and insect repellant. lng trout?" I'm going to do it! I'm going to rest up, At four o'clock I turned on the radio Under those circumstances I prob- loaf around, and get ready for the to listen to the news. The news was ably wouldn't fish," he replied. evening rise." interrupted for a special bulletin _ ' relate this to illustrate how two Arriving in camp, I took a shower, announcing severe storm warnings. j asterful anglers might differ in opin- shaved, and changed clothes, it was My heart stopped! How could it be? „n- Under the same conditions I'd the first time I'd ever shaved on a There wasn't a cloud in the sky, no ,a'l away until my wrist fell off, and fishing trip. I found it a novel experi­ trace of a breeze. Ah, I'd tuned in to a nen change hands. ence. I ate a leisurely lunch. station from Cleveland, Ohio. of. ommon sense teaches us the value Then I began to get my tackle in At six o'clock I ate dinner. By observation. Any experienced shape for the evening fishing. But eating slowly I managed to occupy g'er will "size-up" a pool before when I picked up my fly rod 1 began to another fifteen minutes. And I noticed ad w "ig in to cast it. He'll check the tremble violently. I was stricken with that the trembling spasms had sub­ • ater temperature. He'll take a stud- an overwhelming urge to run for the sided. I was more relaxed. So I decided edaPproach. creek as fast as my legs could carry that instead of starting to fish at seven, But not me. I get into the creek as me. I wouldn't even head for the stream

GTin-clea r water tumbling through minnow and jig combination. But this usually until about late May, then steep canyon walls brought back wasn't a Montana trout stream. It was migrate back to the river. memories of some of the more remote the Susquehanna River — rather, just Conowingo Lake is one of the best Montana trout streams I've fished. inside one of its many tributaries, and areas to take advantage of this type of The 41 degree water temperature was this one fed the Susquehanna's Cono­ fishing. Located in both Maryland and equally matched by the crisp morning wingo Lake. Pennsylvania, it's classed as "boun­ air as my boat quietly drifted down­ Smallmouth bass fishing in Penn­ dary water," and you have the advan­ stream through one of many deep sylvania's Susquehanna River has tage of being able to fish by boat with pools. After rigging up a jig/minnow become almost as popular as trout a license from either state. Creel limits combination, i cast to the edge of the fishing in the limestone streams. and any other specific restrictions are creek where the bank had been under­ Unfortunately, too many will put up listed separately in your Summary cut by the strong currents. the old fishing rod as soon as the first under "Conowingo Reservoir." Cono- The strike was delicate, similar to sign of cold weather arrives — and too • wingo provides some of the best cold that of a wintertime crappie, but the few dig the rod back out until the water smallmouth fishing you'll find fish at the end of the line was unmis­ warmth of spring begins prodding. But anywhere. takable as he leaped from the water. A this is the time to head for the small Most of these fish are not large — few minutes later a fat, two-pound feeder creeks that empty into the river. averaging about two pounds. Occa­ smallmouth was finning on the surface For reasons unknown to me, small­ sionally, though, lunkers of five next to the boat. During the day, ten mouth bass will congregate here pounds will show up and really give more would fall prey to this same throughout most of the colder months, you a battle. When catching fish of

10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER this size, ultralight spinning tackle is If you're looking for some excellent does not leap like a smallmouth, he all one needs to handle them. Many smallmouth fishing, and you don't like makes extremely powerful runs that state a preference for graphite rods crowds of other anglers getting in your will test the strength of your tackle during the cold months, claiming you way, get a bucket of minnows, a box of and your arms as well. A four- or can feel the delicate strike of a small- jigs, and head for Conowingo Lake. five-pounder could take as much as ten mouth better under these frigid water minutes to land on light tackle, and in conditions. ... the newcomers... my estimation still has a 50-50 chance Because the water temperatures are of getting away just about the time just above freezing, small, slow- Conowingo has been traditionally you're sure he's ready to quit! moving lures seem to work best. I one of the better smallmouth bass The big advantage of introducing prefer using a '/,6th ounce jig, trimmed waters in Pennsylvania. The fish are of this type of fish is that you can control with a live minnow (which often good proportions, growing fast while the population of gizzard shad without makes the difference between catching foraging on the gizzard shad that were the worry of the hybrid itself taking a few fish in a whole day's fishing or inadvertently introduced into the pool over the lake. They are, like many catching a lot of fish in a few hours. during the shad-lifting operation that other hybrids, incapable of reproduc­ Fly fishing, with a sinking line and size takes place at Conowingo Dam each ing. This particular species grows at a 10 marabou streamers is also produc­ year. The gizzard shad, which feed fantastic rate and what weights they tive. The pulsating action is seldom mainly on zooplankton, quickly multi­ will eventually attain remains to be ignored by a bass looking for a slow- plied and started to overpopulate the seen. The average at the present time moving meal. Which method you lake. On any given day you could see is somewhere around six pounds in choose is not important; working the huge schools working the surface. The Conowingo, with occasional 11- to 13- bait or lure slowly and close to the smallmouth bass and crappies really pounders showing up. Considering bottom is the secret to success. The thrive on these small baitfish but they that they have only been there for extremely cold temperatures cause the could not possibly consume them all. about four years, and most were bass to become somewhat lethargic. Realizing that the overabundance of stocked as fry, that's a pretty healthy But, because of the aggressive nature forage fish could eventually end up fish! The creel limit on hybrid white of the species, he will still actively being a problem, the Pennsylvania bass is two fish per day that measure Pursue his quarry. Fish Commission took steps to correct at least 15 inches. If you're fishing a The upper end of the lake is shallow the situation and introduced two new section of the lake which lies partly in and offers excellent structure for species of fish to the lake: the hybrid Maryland, the limits are the same. A smallmouth bass fishing, while the white bass and the tiger muskellunge. fish that size will average about three lower end is over 70 feet deep in some The hybrid white bass, which pounds, but he will sure feel a lot areas. When the weather warms a strongly resembles the striped bass, is heavier at the end of your line. Httle the fish will scatter throughout one of the most aggressive fish I've The other "new guy" in the lake is the entire lake, but fishing is still just encountered in fresh water. It's not also a sterile hybrid: the tiger musky. as productive if you're willing to work unusual to see a school of them force Most of them are just about legal size a little for them. The smallmouth will thousands of baitfish to the surface, at this writing but in a few years usually be within just a few feet of then feed voraciously on them for ten-pounders will be common, with all shore in about ten feet of water, feed- hours at the upper end of the lake. that food available in the lake. After ln8 on small baitfish. Again, the When one strikes your lure, it's like you catch a few, you'll know why minnow/jig combination seems to be hooking a 10-pound bluegill — which, they're called "tigers." There are lhe best lure because it will get down if it existed, would put up one heck of a several rows of teeth from which you to them quickly. battle. Although this particular fish must remove your lure and it's precar- Smaller boats with shallow drafts are ideally suited for negotiating the rock-strewn feeder streams. ties are located at Muddy Creek Access Area, just off Route 372 on River Road; Broad Creek, on Mary­ land Route 623; and Conowingo Creek, just of Route 222. There is no charge for using these facilities and they will accommodate boats up to eighteen feet with little or no prob­ lems. There are also several private ramps scattered throughout the area and the fee is usually about two dollars. You won't need heavy tackle to catch either of these newcomers just as long as your drag is properly set and good knots are used. It is best, however, to use a knot that tests at less than 100% or you'll lose a lot of line to the snags. I prefer tying my lures on with a palomar, which tests out at approximately 85%. Lines testing from four to six pounds are adequate to handle a five-pound hybrid in fast water — as long as you don't try to horse him to the boat. As with most fish, the larger the lure, the bigger the fish, but this is not always the case. The size of the gizzard shad that they are feeding on will determine the size of your lure. During the early spring, hordes of small baitfish will be schooled in the faster waters just below Holtwood The author displays his limit catch of hybrid white bass. Dam. By casting small spinners and jigs and minnow combinations, you ious, to say the least. The tiger, like a During these two months drifting ice can take most any species of fish that cat, will stalk his prey from a conve­ floes and snow usually cover the is in the area. As the season nient underwater log or rock outcrop­ launch areas, causing unsafe launch­ progresses, the gizzard shad will be a ping, then strike like a bolt of light­ ing and boating conditions. The lower little larger and the deep-running ning. They have an uncanny ability to end is deep and most any craft will do plugs will be more successful. Later hit your lure, jump, spit out the lure the job, but if you want to catch a lot on, when the water turns cold, I'll use and be back under the log or rock of fish, you'll have to venture into the a minnow/jig combination and catch before you get a chance to set the upper end where you will find many them right on the bottom. Streamer hook. hazards. Although the lake is about 11 flies also work well when used with a If you're lucky enough to get a hook miles long and over a mile wide in sinking line. Bright colors seem to be into him, the battle is fantastic! At some areas, a small boat is probably the most productive — whether you're best, though, you'll have a 50-50 the best choice here. Larger craft using flies or lures — just as long as chance of getting him to net; and, after cannot safely go up river above Peach they are fished deep and in reasonably you do, there's the problem of getting Bottom, due to the many submerged fast water. The slow-moving, deeper the hook removed without getting rocks and obstructions. A heavy waters in the lower end of the lake bitten! It's a good idea to use a long guage, flat-bottomed aluminum boat hold both species during the winter, disgorger or your fishing buddies is ideal. It can maneuver easily but the ice usually prevents boats from might just be calling you "stumpy." through the maze of rocks and debris getting into the area safely. If the ice is Again, the best area to find the tiger and draws very little water, yet is not severe you can catch hybrids and musky is in the upper portion of the stable enough to fish the lower end of tiger muskies by using the jig/minnow lake where there is an abundance of the lake under marginal weather rigs and working the drop-offs. logs and islands. conditions. There are many who will tell you In order to fish Conowingo Lake In the upper end the water is only an that the gizzard shad was the worst effectively, you must use a boat — average of ten feet deep, but there are thing that could happen to Conowingo because of the almost vertical shore­ many large rocks that are hidden just Lake. But if you ask any angler who line. Access to Conowingo is good a few inches beneath the surface that fishes there on a regular basis, he'll be throughout most of the year with the will tear a gaping hole in the hull if the first to tell you it's the best thing exception of January and February. you're not careful. Launching facili­ that ever happened!

12 PENNSYLVANIAANGLER enameled line was shooting through ing I'd ever taken; and, like most an­ Most Memorable Cast the guides. Simultaneously I com­ glers, I'd learn to accept such mishaps (continued from page 9.) pleted my forward step, shifted bal­ philosophically. After much sputtering ance, and felt the sickening sensation and flapping of arms I turned to where 1 was. of placing one's weight on the greasy recross the stream. I proceeded cau­ At last, seven o'clock! I slipped my slickness of a slime-covered flat rock! tiously, one step at a time, always feet into my hipboots, savoring the feel What transpired thereafter was making sure of firm footing. Of dry, toasty warm boots against fresh self-viewed as though in slow motion. Finally I had it made, took the last woolen socks. I picked up my fly rod Not being double-jointed, and hav­ step, or what I thought was to be the and began walking leisurely, unhur­ ing had no formal training in ballet, I last step, except I found myself astride riedly to streamside. had never performed a split. But now, another slime-covered flat rock. Only In my relaxed frame of mind I with one foot implanted on gravel and this time there was no wild flailing, no became aware of heightened sensa­ the other inexorably skidding forward comic duck-walk. Instead, My feet tions. The fields, the streamside draw- on the slimy rock, a miracle was taking went out from under me, both at once, lng closer, and the mountainside place. I was about to become the first and I sailed into a backflip that would beyond were perceived in new dimen­ person in history to execute a classic easily have won an Olympic gold sions. I sensed a calmness I've never split while wearing hip-boots in the medal. Splash! known existed. middle of a trout stream. Drenched but uninjured, and with Although I'd cast that stretch of But it never happened. At the last composure intact, I picked myself up, stream on countless occasions, I felt as moment an instinctive, balance- retrieved my hat as it drifted down­ •f I was seeing and experiencing it for regaining reflex attempted to assert stream, and retreated from the stream the first time. As I watched, a caddis bodily control. Without my willing it, undaunted. Squish, squish, % appeared on the surface, skittered my body heaved into a half-turn and I squish . . . drenched but undaunted. uPstream, and rested. And there! — a was lurching, arms outstretched, in a After all the hours I'd waited for this, I trout rose alongside the far bank. face-first belly-whopper. Splash! was invincible. But I viewed all this with the 1 surfaced in a forward-leaning posi­ 1 will spare the details of how I detachment of a man fully in control tion, upper body afloat, toes touching emptied the water from my boots, °t himself. I was aware of the mildness bottom. But the water was too shallow changed into dry clothing, pounded °' the air, the singing of birds, of and I was angled too far forward to the side of my head to drain the water Mature in all its perfection. Moving stand upright. And my legs were out of out of my ear, and returned to the slowly, deliberately, I waded into the control. They insisted on performing a stream in the fast-fading light. stream and began false-casting, mea­ one-step, two-step to outrace my upper The hatch was over. No rising trout suring the distance between me and body and get underneath it. were to be seen. But I began casting tne rising trout. One more step and I'd Flailing wildly, I lurched forward anyway, enjoying the rhythm of laying be in position to drop my dry fly right like an overloaded seaplane or an out line. I cast until it was so dark I above him. inebriated loon trying to get airborne. could no longer see. I don't remember In his book, No Life So Happy, the Duck-walking, I had nearly reached any of those casts. But I'll never forget late Edwin Peterson described certain the opposite bank when the inevitable the one I'd made earlier as the evening asPects of trout fishing as ". . . mo­ happened. My feet and legs, unable to rise was just commencing. unts that live to eternity." I knew outrace the rest of my body, finally Like I said, it was to be a perfect e*actly what he meant. I was exper- gave up, and I was again adrift like a cast. And so it was. It was never •encing just such moments. I was half-beached whale! completed. It was like one of those a°out to execute a perfect cast, a flaw- At last, in two feet of water, I moments that live to eternity. It's still less presentation. regained control of my legs, maneu­ hovering out there . . . over the stream, ^he trout rose again. The rod arced vered into a squatting position, and suspended in time forever. It was, by fo,r Ward, I released the cast, and the stood upright. It wasn't the first dunk­ all odds, my most memorable cast. Pennsylvania has the greatest Name (please print) n * fishing . . . Street or RD#— Include Box Number ln boating . . . City State Zipcode

D New Use Check or Money Order for Remittance IB $4.00—1 year ^ead all about it a Renewal (DO NOT SEND CASH!) • $10.00—3 years lr MAIL TO: Uhe Angler. Pennsylvania Fish Commission Angler Circulation P.O. Box 1673 Harrisburg. Pa. 17120

M A * c H - i 9 8 1 13 THE FISH AND BOAT CODE OF 1980

by Dennis T. Guise, Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Fish Commission

vJctober 16, 1980 was a banner day The Code took effect on January know that the new law does not for the anglers and boaters of 15,1981. The Fish and Boat Code increase fees for fishing licenses and Pennsylvania. What happened? No effectively consolidates all laws boat registrations. These licenses and one invented a new device to make administered and enforced by the permits remain one of the world's best motorboats run on water instead of Pennsylvania Fish Commission in a sporting bargains. Some fees for gas. The Fish Commission did not single Title (Title 30) of the special licenses and permits, as well as stock a new species of fish attracted to Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. dealer registrations for boat dealers metal hooks and guaranteed to bite. In In bill form, the code covers 122 and commercial fishing licenses for fact, what happened on October 16 pages. It supplants the Fish Law of Lake Erie, are increased by the Fish did not even take place on or near the 1959, whose structure dates back to and Boat Code. However, these waters of the Commonwealth. 1923, and the Boat Law, first enacted increases, which are the first in a Instead, this banner day was marked in 1931 and substantially amended in great many years, are generally small not by the splash of a fighting fish or 1963, as well as several more obscure and are designed to bring our special the roar of a running boat, but by the laws, including an 1871 law fee structure into line with other quiet stroke of a pen. On October 16, concerning clams and oysters. states. In any event, the increased 1980, Governor Dick Thornburgh, If you've read this far, you're special fees will not affect the vast without fanfare or ceremony, signed probably wondering why we're taking majority of anglers and boaters. into law House Bill 1574, the Fish and up space in the Pennsylvania Angler The Fish and Boat Code makes Boat Code of 1980. to tell you about the history of this some important changes in the area of The enactment of the Fish and Boat new law. Well, the Fish and Boat the Fish Commission's law Code of 1980 (now formally called Code of 1980 probably won't shorten enforcement responsibilities. First of Act 1980-175) was the product of the time between bites or make it all, the new law gives full-time years of effort by the Pennsylvania easier to operate a boat without waterways patrolman the clear Fish Commission, sportsmen's groups, practice, but it should improve authority for the first time to take members of the General Assembly, administration and enforcement of the enforcement action on violations of and officials of Governor laws and regulations on fishing and the Crimes Code and other laws. The Thornburgh's administration. The boating. It should promote cleaner execution of these new powers is, new code was introduced by and safer waters. It should help the however, subject to administrative Representatives Foster and Letterman Pennsylvania Fish Commission to limitations, and waterways patrolmen on June 29, 1979. It passed the state continue to carry out its will generally stick to their unique House of Representatives by a vote of responsibilities in an efficient and responsibilities and leave general law 181 to 0 on December 11, 1979 and effective manner. enforcement to others. Just the same, finally passed the Senate, without The more cynical of you are in an emergency, it's nice to know that amendments, by a vote of 49-0 on probably thinking: "OK, What's all waterways patrolmen on duty have October 1, 1980. this going to cost?" You'll be happy to the clear authority to act.

14 P E N N YLVANIA ANGLER The Code also changes the continues the power of the Fish the influence of alcohol or drugs in structure of offenses and provides Commission to institute civil lawsuits such a way as to make the definition specific fines for most violations. Once to recover the value of fish killed by consistent with that in the Vehicle again, these changes will not affect pollution and makes clear the factors Code. the great majority of anglers and that go into determining the value of The Fish and Boat Code also boaters who follow the rules and such fish. eliminates many unnecessary and regulations and wouldn't think of In the area of regulations, the Fish repetitive provisions contained in violating the law. The Code also and Boat Code continues to accord the various old laws administered by the brings the court costs for summary Fish Commission broad authority to Pennsylvania Fish Commission. As a offenses into line with those charged promulgate and enforce regulations result of this enactment one will for summary offenses under the relating to fish and fishing and boats usually have to look in only one place Vehicle Code and provides and boating. The law continues the (Title 30, of the Pennsylvania alternatives to arrest for nonresidents. authority of the Boating Advisory Consolidated Statutes) to find a law The new law enforcement provisions Board to review and comment on all administered by this agency. apply fully to violations of both fishing changes to boating regulations. All in all, the enactment of the Fish and boating laws and regulations. In the area of boating, the new and Boat Code was a significant event The new Fish and Boat Code Code spells out in more detail than for all of Pennsylvania's anglers and Provides some new protection for the ever before the authorized boaters. It may not make fishing and Commonwealth's waters. The law expenditures from the Boat Fund and boating easier but it will hopefully •ncreases the penalties for pollution the areas in which the Commission improve enforcement and simplify and provides for a new offense of may regulate boating. The law adds a administration. The Fish and Boat disturbance of waterways and new offense of reckless operation of Code will provide a basic structure for Watersheds. It clarifies the definition boats, punishable by a fine of as much the laws under the jurisdiction of the °«littering in a way that should help as $2500 and up to 90 days in jail. It Fish Commission for the 1980s and °eter litterbugs. The new law also also redefines operating a boat under beyond.

"By a quiet stroke of a pen ..." Governor Thornburgh signed into law the Fish and Boat Code of 1980. Flanking Governor Thornburgh were: left, Leonard A. Green, President, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, right, Ralph W. Abele, Executive Director. Also in attendance were, standing, left to right: Peter J. Ressler, former Assistant Attorney General, Paul F. O'Brien, Director, Bureau of Administrative Services, Howard T. Hardie, Administrative Assistant, Gene Sporl, Assistant Executive Director, Bureau of Waterways, Edward W. Manhart, Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement, Dennis T. Guise, Chief Counsel, and John I. Buck, Chief of Law Enforcement.

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MARCH — 19 8 1 15 wamm A plentiful supply of fish worms, a comfortable log along the river, and you 're all set for an enjoyable sucker outing. Springtime is Sucker Time by Thad Bukowski

I n the early spring — well, even Suckers really go after small angle­ always gets me agitated. The bite during warmish spells in the fading worms, much better than for the wiggles the line only slightly — but at winter, I hanker for a shovel to get to bigger crawlers, although a young least 25 times in rapid succession, and the leaf piles in the back yard. Under, "nightwalker" also has a lot of prom­ that's hard to hold back on. It's always and at trie edges of these piles, which I ise and gets good attention and treat­ tough to synchronize the jerk of the keep there specially, are found the best ment. rod with the line going thataway. of sucker baits, common garden Early spring suckers can excite Fortunately, frustration is shared with worms. interest as this season comes before the a reasonable amount of success. Some Body muscles get a sense of well- buds on the trees unfold. Suckers consolation also comes from the fact being by the time three or four dozen particularly remind you that the most that chubs and shiners often excite wiggling baits are dug and even the enjoyable season of the year is begin­ you, too, when they rattle the rod. backpain becomes immaterial. Some­ ning. You're almost as ready as a colt Give the sucker some time to do his times it helps to uproot a few old wanting to burst out of a winter barn thing. The tendency to anxiously cornstalks or cabbages to get your when you head out for suckers. respond too quickly is as common a worm quota. The characteristic nibble of the fish fault as in other bait fishing. 1 have learned that a small, compact is unique. Whether it gently shakes the Suckers are found plentifully in styrofoam box, which some anglers use bait on purpose to excite one, I don't most streams with pools. Mill dams for their favorite liquid nourishment, know, but I'll thank them for the are great spots to try one's luck and keeps worms livelier than anything action. I have been at the other end of these historic centers are picturesque else for successive fishing jaunts if the rod many times watching ner­ to be around. Undercut banks, big layered with leafmold. vously the repeated nibble, and it boulders, banks with willow branches

16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER drooping into deep water and deep Baitcasting, spinning or spincasting songbirds vocalize as though you are slow churns are helpful indicators of reels are equally effective. The sucker some special critic rating their abili­ their hideouts — look for these. A is so accommodating that you some­ ties. riffle dropping off into a deeper pool is times catch doubles from among the Spring evenings and nights are an indicator of their habitat. big schools. particularly enjoyable. Peepers begin Suckers congregate in schools and Sucker fishing has always been an their singsong choruses in star-studded may move from one part of a slack enjoyable activity along Pennsylvania skies as the weather warms. A log is a pool to another. They also maneuver streams, especially for old-time an­ prerequisite for sitting and listening to upstream and down. It might behoove glers and young fry. One teaches the old-timers spinning yarns and giving the angler to try a few spots along the other. the angling a greater joy. It's not just shore just in case they aren't hitting at The long springtime season from the fish that is important, but the his first choice. late February through April provides season. A good idea for stirring up the anglers picniclike camaraderie. Fires I remember most a section of a sucker if the water is especially clear is burn along the shores to keep warm. small stream that we treasured, called to go upstream and muddy it a bit by "Lew's Ears." Don't ask why it was wallowing along a shallow shore in called by that peculiar name. There your boots. This maneuver can stir up were also places like Red Rock, the suckers into looking for food as Broken Dam and Cinder Hole, but the though a spring storm had hit the first was the hottest spot. waters and made them rise. I have A section a bit downstream was seen them begin to bite on more than called Wide Waters and it was great one occasion after an angler per­ fishing in the evenings and through the formed this somewhat peculiar ritual. early night. It might be repeated a number of Anglers lined the shores and all times during the fishing day. used two fishing rods suspended over The last sucker I caught hit a jig on forked sticks with the lines holding the Allegheny River, downstream of against the current. By the end of a Franklin at the Trestle Eddy, last fishing evening, almost everyone October. He really surged in the riffles hefted a stringer of at least a dozen and for a while I believed I had hung fish. °nto a strong, stray trout of some size, These were "black suckers" which he splashed that hard. I was really the fishermen favored since they are dunking the leadhead for smallmouth less bony. and walleye but they weren't hitting, Wide Waters was where the creek so the big red obliged by providing entered a small lake and the suckers some needed excitement. gathered for spawning in apparent Another time a big sucker hit my scads. You never heard that the fish­ cream nymph in the Paradise Fish- ing was bad. They would bite best just for-Fun" area. Still a third did the at dark and we held the line in one unique by snatching my streamer in hand to get the feel of the nibble — lhe riffles below Shenango Dam where readying ourselves to jerk the pole Passels of trout are stocked each year. with the other. Suckers may be that accommodat- A lantern hung at the water's edge lng if you're hankering for relief from (to see the bite better) provided a °ther fishing monotony along any A stringer of suckers, shiners and helpful glow, and an aura of some nv er. But you don't have to jig for chubs makes a kid's heart flutter! mystery. tnem; you don't have to wade; you Suckers are easy to cook. Just take don't have to use a fly rod; you don't bag lunches help allay hunger, and egg and a bit of milk, beat together, have to get a big assortment of lures or thermoses of hot coffee, tea or soup are then dip the scaled and cleaned sucker fecial tackle; and, you don't even sipped. Bacon sizzled on sticks over the in it, roll in fine cracker crumbs and have to be an expert. All you need to fire adds to the enjoyment — espe­ fry in deep, hot grease. Some anglers a° is dig the worms, put them in any cially if drippings also are used to make fishcakes to avoid bones. °'d can you've raided from the kitchen, garnish potatoes just baked in the Big red tails are more bony in the take any kind of rod and reel and use fire's ashes and cracked open for the tail end. A fish cut in two has less stray an y kind of line. A sinker from a half occasion. bones in the fore part. ounce to an ounce will do to get the Sucker fishing is community an­ Smaller streams support the an­ °ait down to the bottom where they gling. Youngsters, especially, learn gler's favorite "black" suckers while 'te, and adding small hooks, sizes 8 about the outdoors through this type of bigger streams and rivers are always "rough 12, above the sinker, puts you ln angling as it is easy to do. There is also full of red tails and even have good business. the added value of the spring environ­ supplies of much bigger buffaloes. Y ou can even use two or three hooks ment to learn about as crows and jays Whatever ones you go after, all above the sinker. The sinker is used at give out raucus calls, cussing you as an break the monotony of the late winter ne terminal point for ease in casting. intruder, while so many other spring blues.

MARCH-1981 17 Stream Improvement Devices Spell New Fish Habitat by David R. Thompson

JtLarly one summer when I believed ter, remove silt and accomplish other protect a section of streambank from most trout already had been caught, 1 things that make a waterway a better erosion, narrow a stream when the cast a worm against a log fish habitat place for fish to live. This, in turn, channel is too wide for normal flows, improvement structure on Little Buf­ improves the quality of fishing, espe­ or to increase velocity to clean the falo Creek in Perry County. As the cially for trout, and is why the Penn­ bottom. This device is constructed of bait sank, I could feel it being rolled by sylvania Fish Commission for many large stones that are positioned by the water pouring over the log. The years has assisted sportsmen and hand. current carried the worm into a quiet conservation organizations in install­ The log frame deflector functions pocket where a trout grabbed it. ing approved fish habitat improvement the same as a stone deflector and is Minutes later I caught a second trout devices. used in similar situations. Once the and realized my assumption that few As a waterways patrolman ex­ single-log frame is securely installed, it trout remained was wrong. plained, however, improving a stream is filled with large stones. This device Catching two pan-sized trout is no isn't done in one year. "The best way should be kept low to allow flood record, but what is significant is where to tackle a stream improvement waters to flow over it. they were caught. They were holding project is one section at a time. It's The tip (log frame) deflector is in shelter provided by a man-made hard and heavy work, too," he added. similar to the log deflector but is typi­ device designed to create better fish Nevertheless, people interested in en­ cally three logs high instead of one. A habitat. Based on my success, the hancing fish habitat aren't deterred timber deck is constructed at the top of structure was effective — as are many and in 1979-80 there were 142 stream the deflector to provide cover for fish. other similar devices on Pennsylvania projects completed. The remaining portion of the frame is streams. Floods and man-caused stream filled with large stones. Fishermen who can recognize de­ damage are two ways that fish habitat The gabion deflector consists of cent fish habitat soon learn that it pays can be ruined. Floods wash tons of silt stone-filled wire baskets tied together to fish carefully where stream im­ into creeks. This silt settles to the and embedded in the streambed. The provements exist. Water below a fish bottom, causing poor spawning condi­ deflector extends at an angle of 30 to habitat improvement structure is tions for trout. Some heavy equipment 45 degrees from the downstream bank nearly always worth fishing and operators — proceeding without the and has riprap placed around the chances of success there are as good as required state permit — illegally use gabion where it intersects the bank. natural cover. their machines to widen waterways or The low flow channel structure is The two trout I caught below the log clean them, particularly following constructed where pools and cover are were in water about two feet deep, and floods which deposit debris where it absent to provide both. Water flowing since the day was bright I thought I isn't wanted. Doing so, however, can over the structure digs and maintains a would see any fish in the area. The destroy the habitat of many aquatic deep hole below it and causes stones trout, however, were well camou­ organisms, including trout. From the under the structure floor to fall out. flaged, blending with the creek bot­ fisherman's viewpoint, the stream is Soon fish can swim under the floor for tom, and the current also helped dead until it can be revived with fish cover. The device consists of wing wall prevent my spotting them. habitat improvement structures and framing extending downstream from In addition to there being both cover Mother Nature's healing hand. both hands with board flooring built and deeper water at these devices, Ron Tibbott, a Fish Commission upon logs in between. there usually is a supply of food for Hydrolic Engineering Technician at The channel block is used when a trout. Waterways Patrolman Ben Bellefonte, explained that the Com­ stream is divided into two channels Learner, of Perry County, remembers mission has determined that certain with neither having sufficient flow to the time that Dave Miller, of New types of early stream improvement provide suitable trout habitat. The Bloomfield, was seining bait in Little structures didn't provide the desired channel providing better habitat is Buffalo Creek at a deflector installed results. Consequently, he and other retained while the other is blocked, by a Little Buffalo State Park summer Commission personnel are revising the forcing the entire flow into one chan­ work crew. While catching bait he felt "Stream Improvement Guide" that nel. The device is a solid structure of something tugging on his net and lifted describes approved devices. logs and stones built to withstand high it to find out what it was. Up came a "The old guide is now obsolete," waters which flow over it. Its bottom snapping turtle who evidently had Tibbott said, adding that the new one logs are pinned to the stream bottom been feeding on aquatic life living will describe fewer devices but those and all logs are pinned together to below the deflector. This predator which are more effective. The follow­ form a solid unit. knew where to find food and it's ing is a list and brief description of the The mud sill is constructed where certain that trout do too. most common and useful stream fish there is serious streambank erosion so Properly installed devices create habitat improvement devices: that the shoreline must be re-estab­ pools, aerate the water, provide shel­ The stone deflector is designed to lished. Besides controlling erosion, this

IS PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER device provides cover for trout. It which is held off the bottom by spac­ materials to the cooperator of an consists of cribbing used with floored ers. Reinforcing rods three to five feet approved project. mud sills often made of railroad ties long are driven through the log near Any organized group may qualify as wired or pinned together. The sills are each end, through the spacers and into a cooperator. An organization's first positioned perpendicular to the bank the streambed for several feet. This step toward starting a project is to and are floored with other ties as far device is positioned parallel to the flow obtain from the Commission a copy of back into the bank as possible. Rocks of the stream. PFC Form 901. The completed form is are then placed on top of the flooring Besides installation of these Com­ sent to the Fisheries Environmental to rebuild the eroded area and prevent mission-approved stream fish habitat Services Section at Bellefonte for the wood from being buoyant. improvement devices, improvements approval or disapproval. If the project Boulder placement is the position­ can involve fencing of streams and area is disapproved, the Section will ing of large boulders in a stream lack­ construction of livestock crossings and suggest alternative sites in the same ing cover. They break up uniform watering areas. Also, streambank general area. (If a structure is to be currents to form eddies and act as plantings of approved shrubs or gasses constructed in a stream more than 50 small deflectors that help clean the to stabilize banks and provide shade feet wide or if the structure will extend stream bottom. The boulders also and cover can be undertaken. more than three feet above the provide shelter for fish. They may be In 1976, the Fish Commission and streambed, authorization must be ob­ placed against the bank to act as small the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tained from the state Department of deflectors to protect the bank from began a permitting system for people Environmental Resources.) erosion. wanting to build fish habitat enhance­ For projects approved by the Fish The elevated boulder structure, or ment structures. "It is important for Commission, there must be written fish house, has log sides that are people to know," Tibbott stressed, assurance that private waters will be pinned into the stream bottom. Plank­ "that law doesn't allow them to build open to public fishing for at least ten ing is nailed to the logs to form floor­ these structures on their own." years, Tibbott explained. For projects ing on top of which heavy stones are For those interested in improving a on public waters, a letter of permission placed. This device provides valuable stream's fish habitat, the Commission must be obtained from the controlling overhead cover in a barren stretch of conducts a fish habitat improvement agency. water. cooperative program. Through it, the Projects on waters not open to The half log structure is designed to Commission provides technical assis­ public fishing may be approved if they provide cover for fish. It is constructed tance and planning, construction su­ significantly improve downstream with half a log or heavy slab wood pervision, and a limited amount of public fishing. And exceptions to the ten-year requirement can be made if there will be significant benefits to an existing public fishery. The Commission will provide cer­ tain materials for projects on a 50/50 matching basis, but not more than $500 in materials will be granted to a cooperator during one year. The Com­ mission's total annual expenditure for materials can be $ 15,000. "Fisherman's Paradise is a good model to use for fish habitat improve­ ment devices," Tibbott commented, "because it has examples of all the different devices." Another place having many stream improvements is Spruce Creek, where former President Jimmy Carter fished for trout during his four years in the White House. Although may of the creek's devices are outdated, they seemed to be improving the creek when Tibbot visited there some four years ago. This spring the publication of the Commission's new guide for stream improvement devices will mark a new era in the art of creating fish habitat improvements. As I discovered years ago, these places hold trout and that, Members of the West Perry High School Outdoor Education Club dig into the fellow fishermen, is something worth bank of Montour Run in preparation for installing an improvement device. knowing.

MARCH — 1981 19 AND NOW FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT by A. G. Eastby

Wrhe n I nosed the car onto the next best thing. He had the flies, and a surface lure, but it is delightful sport shoulder I knew it was going to be one he knew a place. All those trout fisher­ nonetheless and it also puts dozens of of those days. The pullout used by men could wrap themselves up in their little fillets into the pan. fishermen held a dozen cars — six double tapered fly line, toast their Flyfishers have been told over and more than there was room for. After marshmallows, or polish the brass over again to use small cork poppers squeezing the car off the road, my blades on their spinners. By gum and for sunfish and this is excellent advice. father and 1 got out and walked golly, he went on, he was going to get These tiny bits of cork and feathers do through the brush to the stream, just some fish. And get fish he did. a good job. But there are now other to take a look. We were, of course, By the end of what turned out to be flies and fly rod lures that are better. disappointed, but not surprised. There one of the best days I have ever Among the more conventional entries were, that we could see, twenty-six enjoyed, my father and I had stringers are "spiders." These are not trout fly anglers fishing the stream. filled with sunfish. Perhaps they spiders, the extra large hackled flies My father's head shook slowly and weren't the "cagey" browns, "wily" that are first cousins of variants and he muttered something about not brookies or "leaping" rainbows writers Neversink skaters, but small, round- minding sharing a trout stream. But are so fond of describing. But catching bodied lures with long, wiggling legs of why, he asked rhetorically, did he have them was pure, unalloyed fun and, rubber strands or strips of chamoise. to share this particular stream with best of all, we had a beautiful section Equally effective is a "fly" with "legs" every other fisherman in Pike County? of a lake all to ourselves. Many times (or should they be called "wings"?) of Dispirited, we trudged glumly back to since then 1 have thanked my father polypropylene yarn tied in fore and aft the car. Fishing was what we were for introducing me to one of the most and with additional lengths of yarn here for, but there are limits, my enjoyable kinds of flyfishing: panfish- projecting out from the "head" and father said, not only size and creel ing. Indeed, nowadays I simply cannot "tail." Completed with a dubbed body, limits, but limits on the number of believe that I could have allowed my this "Double Poly Bug" will float well anglers who can enjoy themselves at monomaniacal dedication to trout to through a long day's fishing. Why one time on the same stream. lead me to neglect sunfish, perch, sunfish find such a concoction attrac­ I cranked up the station wagon's crappie, and rock bass. After all, I tive is anyone's guess. But find it baulky engine and eased the car back missed a lot of good fishing. attractive they do, especially on warm onto the tarmac. By now my father's The epitome of panfish angling is summer mornings when a faint breeze mood had begun to change. He wanted dry fly fishing for sunnies. The chal­ ruffles the calm surface of a lake or to go fishing and no one was going to lenge is not as great as taking rising pond. stop him. If he couldn't go trout fish­ brown trout and the strike is not as By far and away the very best ing, he told me, why then he'd do the spectacular as a largemouth smashing panfish dry fly is the "Humpy." "Sunfish Rocks" — a backwater paradise on a Pocono lake.

20 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER nymphs and a couple of truly excep­ one. There are also only a handful of Recently, after being put on the track flyrodders who realize that the imma­ by an article in a fly tying magazine, I tional days with an old (and now obso­ lete) series of patterns tied to represent ture stages of these insects are often have been tying "Synthetic Humpies" important components of a fish's diet using polypropylene yarn in place of nymphs of the Green Drake. 1 doubt if the sunfish caught on these flies ever even though they have been using flies deer or elk hair usually incorporated imitating beetle larvae for years: the into the pattern. The poly yarn is very saw an Ephemerella subvaria, a Stenonema vicarium or an Ephemera popular Wooly Worm and the equally easy to work with, is unbelievably renowned Wooly Booger are actually durable, aids in flotation, and, since it guttalata, but that certainly didn't stop them from ambushing these flies. fair representations of some beetle is available in a wide range of colors, larvae. gives the tyer the chance to create Although my regular nymph boxes unusual and often effective variations contain patterns enough for panfish fly In addition to Wooly Worms and on the basic fly. rodding, there are several flies that I similar flies, there are a number of find I am using more and more when patterns that simulate beetle larvae. Panfish, and particularly surface One that I have found useful (and not feeding sunnies, are seldom discrimi­ fishing along the quiet shore of a lake. My favorite panfish nymph is a only for panfish — it is a good bass fly nating. However, they can at times as well) has a fuzzy, heavily picked out exhibit a decided preference for simple one, merely a body of brown mottled polyester dubbing (seal substi­ dubbed body of equal parts hare's ear surface over subsurface lures (and and dark olive dyed fur ribbed with vice-versa) and they can focus on tute) ribbed with fine gold tinsel and finished off with a turn or two of tinsel. A couple of turns of olive dyed insect species that may be emerging at partridge hackle can be tied on as a a given time. Therefore, I carry brown mottled soft hackle and a brownish tail. Over the last several finishing touch. For some reason that Humpies in a number of sizes (ten eludes me, this fly is especially effec­ through twenty) and colors (tan, years I've added a refinement that has increased the effectiveness of this and tive on larger yellow perch. It is posi­ brown, olive). While "matching the tively deadly on rock bass. I like to fish hatch" for bluegills sounds a bit odd, it other nymphs many times over: I have been tying them as "wiggle nymphs." this fly in the big Stillwater pools on •s sometimes necessary and it often the Delaware River where rock bass Pays truly splendid dividends. If an A wiggle nymph features an abdomen tied on one hook which is then secured respond as if they hadn't had a decent angler's fly comes close in size and meal in weeks and get in each other's color to insects the fish are taking to another hook — on which the thorax is fashioned — with a hinge of way rushing to grab the fly. Strangely steadily, he or she can catch more and enough, on the Delaware other beetle larger fish than if emergences of wire or monofilament. The abdominal portion will bob and weave in the larva patterns take smallmouths but aquatic insects are ignored and pop­ this particular fly never seems to pers or other lures are used. water, performing a little dance fish find hard to resist. Initially designed as attract anything but rock bass. Fishing surface lures and dry flies is a weapon to deploy against superselec- "Why?" is another unanswered ques­ an easy form of fly rodding for tive trout on heavily fished streams, tion. But I don't worry much about not Panfish. There are no worries about having a ready answer . .. it's enough dr the "wiggle nymph" tying style is now ag, or lining fish; there is no need for used for a variety of flies including to know that this fly catches fish. Positive or negative curve casts; there those tied with panfish in mind. There are three basic presentations is no call for memorizing the taxon- However, it is not necessary to tie for these subsurface flies. First, the fly °mic details of scores of species of can be cast into likely looking areas, '"sects. All that has to be done is find subsurface lures using the relatively th complex procedures involved in creat­ allowed to sink, and retrieved using the e fish, clinch on a fly, and cast. As a traditional hand twist method. The rule, it is never difficult to find ing "wiggle nymphs." Panfish, after all, are not Penns Creek brown trout. depth at which the fly should be surface-feeding panfish. Seldom will a worked can be ascertained by experi­ day go by that sunnies do not feed on (Editor's note: Granted! But that tn won't keep author Eastby from singing mentation. Second, the fly can be e surface. It's merely a matter of given extra action with rod tip twitches occasionally scanning the surface for the praises of his "wiggle nymphs" ns how they are tied and how they are and by stripping in line in an erratic es, then selecting a fly and catching manner. Again, by trying various fish. dynamite on bluegills — a couple of issues down the road! Watch for it.) motions preferences for a time and a Dry flies may well be the most fun They are voracious, greedy, and will place can be established. Third, the fly *° use, but the most effective panfish snap up almost anything that looks can be fished dead drift. Especially on flles are nymphs. like food. But of course, the closer a fly moving waters, but also on lakes and .A trout fisherman with a box filled resembles food, the less hesitancy any ponds, fish often want the fly drifting w'th nymphs useful on favorite placidly at the whim of currents or str fish, even the most gullible, will show eams needs no other flies to take in taking it. hanging suspended almost motionless Panfish. Among the most consistent in the water. When starting a day's Producers are the ever reliable Gold One nymph that looks (at least to a fishing try these different tactics until Ribbed Hare's Ear in all its manifesta­ fish) very much like a bit of something the best one is found. As the day tions and the various dragon and worth eating is a beetle larva imita­ progresses, periodically vary presenta­ damselfiy patterns that are becoming tion. There are many species of beetles tions. The angler may find that a increasingly popular and available. that spend all or most of their lives in change in retrieve speed or in the "ut almost any "buggy" looking the water. Few anglers, however, are depth at which a fly is fished will nviriph is good. I have had fine fishing aware of them and fewer still would result in more and larger fish since Wltri Hendrickson and March Brown recognize an aquatic beetle if they saw 21 ^ARCH — 1981 even sunnies — fish not blessed with others that resembled jigs. Perhaps, I past without hitting it. an abundance of good sense — can speculated, it would be possible to It is hardly likely, as long as there and do move about, shifting location create a "fly" that was a part jig, part are trout and trout streams and bass and can even become somewhat selec­ minnow imitation. and bass lakes, that flyrodders will tive. Recently, the introduction of poly­ give up their traditional quarries in Some of the life forms that panfish propylene strands has made it possible favor of sunnies or perch or crappie. focus on, occasionally to the exclusion to fashion flies combining the best But catching trout or bass is only part of others, are out of the ordinary. One qualities of both minnow imitation and of the total angling experience. There that seldom gets any attention is the jig. The pattern — called the Crappie is much fun to be had with crappies or backswimmer. The notonectids, or Killer — is a conventional streamer rock bass. Then too, while panfishing backswimmers, are fierce predators, with a wing of polypropylene and an it is possible to enjoy some of the other preying on insect larvae, small bait- enlarged head. To give the fly a jiglike things many of us go fishing for and fish, and just about anything that movement the front third of the shank don't find on trout streams. crosses their paths. In turn, backswim­ should be wrapped with lead wire. The Some anglers may actually look mers are preyed upon by larger fish. A fly can then be jiggled in a most entic­ forward to the crowds that throng our fairly simple fly or hare's ear dubbing ing manner. This fly can also be tied trout streams in April and May or like and mottled wing quill segments rubbing elbows with scores (sometimes creates an acceptable impression of a hundreds) of other flyrodders on the backswimmer and takes fish consis­ fish-for-fun section of the Yellow tently. This fly I like to work with rod Breeches during the "White Fly tip twitches and a rapid retrieve so it hatch." But others — and I head the darts through the water. I have seen list — find mob scenes better suited to sunnies and perch chase this fly for up a Cecil B. DeMille movie on the late to a dozen feet and hit it savagely. In show than a trout stream. A little one instance a twelve-inch perch peace and quiet, which is a part of attacked with the spirit and verve we fishing, is hard to find on today's trout associate with a hungry wild trout and streams. But on most lakes, ponds, and caught me while trying to eat a sand­ warmwater rivers it is usually possible wich and fish at the same time. 1 got to escape from the noise and confu­ the fish, which was just as well, since sion, the pushing and shoving, the my sandwich went flying and ended in endless search for parking spaces and the lake. There is nothing quite so casting room that have become a part disheartening as watching your liver- of contemporary trout fishing. The wurst and gouda on pumpernickel sink easy, relaxed pace, the quiet punc­ beneath the water's surface and at the tuated every now and again by a spir­ same time miss the fish. ited laugh as a sunfish lunges at a fly For a lengthy period some years ago are the ingredients of a tonic that I lived in Alabama. It was, to put it soothes nerves frazzled by too much mildly, an "experience" for someone competition for a good casting position who grew up fishing the trout streams on a popular trout pool and restores of the Poconos. Quite frankly, I could egos battered by brown trout with post not work up much enthusiasm for graduate degrees in avoiding anglers. catfish, even channel cats on the flyrod Then too, in these days when killing did not interest me, and it was difficult trout is often a criminal act, it's nice Greeley Lake, Pike County. A good finding a good bass lake that wasn't every once in a while to come home place for a little panfishing covered with other anglers seeking with a cooler chest heavy with fish. when the Lackawaxen is mobbed. their "hawgs," drinking much beer, Sunfish of all species, perch, crappies, and carrying on in exaggerated south­ on a "keel" hook or with monofilament and rock bass are in no danger from ern accents. About the only kind of "weed guards" so it can be fished in anglers. Indeed, in most waters they fishing that was readily available in the thickest brush. are underfished and they could benefit relative solitude was "crop-pee" fish­ This fly is ideally suited for fishing from some culling. Furthermore there ing (that's not a spelling mistake: those brush-filled coves that are crap­ is no fish, and I don't care how it is that's the way it's pronounced in pie havens. The key is to get the fly prepared or who prepares it, even the northern Alabama). Most of the "good right in next to the cover. When flies finest chefs at the most expensive ole boys" went after croppee with are lost the angler is getting close restaurants in New Orleans or San small minnows but a few preferred enough. Using sink-tip and fast-sink­ Francisco, that can compare with a small lead-headed jigs. Both groups ing lines and a very short leader, the platter of batter-dipped fried panfish caught fish. fly can be worked at different depths, fillets served with a touch of tartar After watching some of these an­ maneuvered around and alongside sauce or mayonnaise enlivened with glers at work, it occurred to me that a subsurface structures and bounced Dijon mustard, grilled tomatoes, and flyrodder ought to be able to do as well right in front of the fish. No self- homemade coleslaw. since he could use lures imitating respecting crappie is going to let one of Now that I've made myself hungry, small fish and could probably devise these hybrid half jigs/half flies scuttle I think I'll go fishing.

22 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER °rappie Killer Double Poly Bug

ackswimmer Brown Nymph

ee«e Larva Number Ten Synthetic Humpy

MARCH-1981 23 after reeling in the line from Chris's reel landed the whiskered culprit that had made off with the gear the night before.

•>*•.<,%l^ / Larry ft. Baker Waterways Patrolman NOTES "^ow $5 sttwnt Mifflin/Juniata Counties

FRIENDS!

While working at the Cleveland Sport and Travel Show last spring I had the YOU CAN'T PLEASE THEM ALL! I would like to say one thing to our opportunity to talk to many folks from the readers who catch a large fish which might host state of Ohio. The one comment being Last spring 1 had the pleasure of stock­ be a record: report your catch to either a most consistent concerning Pennsylvania ing some exceptionally nice crappies and Fish Commission employe or to one of our was "It's the finest state I know for fishing, blucgills from our Linesville Hatchery. official measuring stations. This bass was hunting and camping." After compliments One such planting took place in a small caught out of Dumans Dam, a Fish like that, the only reply fitting is, remem­ pond in McKeesport and although Deputy Commission Lake. ber: "You have a friend in Pennsylvania." Waterways Patrolman Charles Young and I were there unannounced, a crowd of Robert L. Klsh Larry,Boor Waterways Patrolman Waterways Patrolman curious onlookers soon materialized. We Cambria County had just introduced the last netful of hefty Mercer County panfish to their new home when I noticed a gentleman approaching Deputy Young. I was some distance away and had to follow FRIEND OR FOE? "MUCH ALIKE" the conversation by the various gestures they made as they talked. That brief My friend John Shimko, of Kane, was Complaints are received from various encounter ended with the man walking catching night crawlers one evening in his boaters concerning the operation of other away shaking his head and Charlie shrug­ yard. Assisting John was his four-year-old boaters on Blue Marsh Lake. In Septem­ ging his shoulders. son, Jonathan. In no time the can was full ber at a display in the Berkshire Mall this I was curious as to the nature of their of worms and John said, "Boy, Jonathan, problem was summed up very well by a discussion so I asked Charlie what the man now we have lots of worms to go fishing young lady boater at age 67. Her had said. He related the following story. tomorrow!" Little Jon looked at his Dad comments to boaters on all waters should It seems this fellow had asked what was and exclaimed, "Oh, no Daddy! We can't be well taken and considered by the being stocked and was told panfish. Upon use them worms cause them's friendly complainers. "Driving a boat is like driving hearing this he became visibly upset and worms! We gotta use the ones in the fridge a car, except you have no brakes. If we walked away muttering something like, that you buyed!" operate our boats defensively and watch "You should have stocked some nice carp out for the other guy — and consider that instead!" Don Parrish just because boating is 'recreation,' that Waterways Patrolman If there is a lesson here 1 guess it would McKean County does not give us the right to consider be that every fish, including the oft- ourselves out there alone with sole rights to maligned carp, had its admirers among those waters." Pennsylvania's anglers. What this lady was saying is simply, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER! "Care for the other guy and don't feel you Barry J. Pollock are the only boater out there. Drive as Waterways Patrolman There are very few of us that haven't E. Allegheny County defensively on the water as on the highway. experienced the panicky situation of They are so much alike." having a fish take rod and all into the water during a less than alert watch on our Amnion F. Ziegenfus RECORD MEAL tackle. Happily, we can usually leap up Waterways Patrolman and save our equipment before it is taken Berks County During the early part of August, I into the deep by our quarry. Sometimes received a call from Steve Ulsh, Informa­ this is not the result and the rod is lost. tion Specialist in the Harrisburg Office, Young Chris Harpster of Reedsville, "CHIPPING" AWAY! concerning a new State Record large- while fishing in the Juniata River near mouth bass. Steve told me that he received Mifflintown, had such an occurrence take Last summer, while talking with a fish­ a picture from a Johnstown resident show­ place recently. He was luckless in not being erman, he was telling me how he had ing the angler holding a twenty-four-inch, able to grab his rod in time, watching it fished all day when the wind started gust- ten-pound bass, and asked if I could locate disappear into Carters Hole, an area of the ing. One of the gusts blew over his potato the lucky angler to verify this catch. The river which some believe had swallowed chip bag and several chips were blown into current state record largemouth bass whole horse drawn wagons in years past. the water of F. E. Walter Reservoir. 3 weighs 9 pounds, l- /4 ounces. Needless to say, his evening fishing trip Immediately, a fish swirled and took the I made contact with a family member of with Dad was not a happy one. floating chip. He hadn't had a nibble all the lucky angler, and told them that 1 The next day his uncle happened to get a morning. I suggested to the fellow that he would have to see the bass and get it hit while fishing in the same area and carefully tie a chip to a small hook and give weighed on certified scales. What I heard landed a channel catfish of over two feet in it a try. This he promply did and floated was very disappointing. I was told that the length. You guessed it. He first had hooked the chip out on the next gust of wind. He bass was being prepared for a meal! and retrieved Chris's lost rod and then was soon fast to a battling carp that he

24 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER later landed. 1 guess the moral to this tale shoots, chances, collecting of aluminum WATCH OUT FOR is: "Never quit fishing when the 'chips' are cans, membership and much more. The THE "CONSTABULARY" down." effort this club puts forward is very much appreciated by the sportsmen in our area. While the fish stocking truck was Don Carey Special Waterways Patrolman Along with their raising of fish they have stopped at the bridge in Sherret, Pennsyl­ S Luzerne County also constructed raceways and dirt ponds vania, along Huling Run in northern for stocking purposes. The planting of trees Armstrong County, Deputy Gil Verner, in along railroad beds was also another civilian clothes, stopped at the local coun­ project they undertook. try store for pop and snacks for the fellows HIGH GAS PRICES A WORRY? Fishing derbies, with lunker trout being carrying buckets. stocked by the club, are greatly appre­ While in the store, Deputy Verner over­ This time of the year I receive very ciated by the youngsters. This gives them a heard the following conversation: "Jim, many phone calls from anglers and other chance to fill their stringers with large they're down there at the bridge now stock­ outdoor recreational addicts, pertaining to healthy trout. Another project they have ing fish. Maybe you better wait a while camping, spring gobbler hunting, trout undertaken several years ago is stream before you go down with your net and fishing, hiking, canoeing, pleasure boating improvement, cleaning of streams, diver­ bucket, and you can get all you want. and a host of other items. One thing 1 have sion dams, etc. Right now there's 'constables' walking all been asking my callers: "Are the high gas Then they go into the game aspect such over the place down there." prices going to keep you from driving a as stocking hens and pheasants for public long distance for your outdoor pleasure?" hunting. But, it doesn't stop there for these Jim Smith The answer to that has been, "We work all Waterways Patrolman fellows. Now they are seeking lumber and week and you can bet we are going to enjoy Armstrong County material so they can raise their own birds the weekends in the "North Country." for hunting. There are a lot of young Bernie Ambrose people involved in this organization and 1 Waterways Patrolman think this is great. So, if the young readers Elk County of the Pennsylvania Angler say there's LIKE ANY OTHER — nothing to do today, contact this club in my area . . . I'm sure there's a lot to do. During a routine patrol on a Sunday MISSED HIS "FLIGHT"? I'm busy with my own work as a deputy morning, I met a teenaged lad dressing out for the Fish Commission so I find it hard to a nice catch of trout. "How many did you keep up with their activities, therefore, I On a snowy December evening, at 9:45 catch?" I asked. Very proudly the boy know I missed some projects and fine deeds P.m., with the temperature around 18°, my relied, "I got seven!" "Where's number this club has done. brother Jim and I were traveling downhill eight?" I inquired. "Couldn't catch him!" to the village of Kushequa which is a Keep up the great work, fellows, we see he said. "Too bad," I offered. The youth father remote section of McKean County what you accomplish year after year and turned to me and asked, "Do they pay you 'ocated along Kinzua Creek. Suddenly, we know you will continue to play your part. overtime to work on Sunday?" "No, Son, Saw something our eyes could not believe! Thanks, Little Schuylkill Conservation just a regular working day for me," I A blue heron was standing along the road­ Club! uttered. ie looking rather bewildered. When the Raymond C. Hoffman Ve Don Parrish hicle stopped, the bird decided to depart Deputy Waterways Patrolman Waterways Patrolman s° off he flew down the middle of the road Schuylkill County McKean County into the night. We were at a loss to explain what this majestic water bird was doing this far north at this time of the year. Later, while relating this incident to a 'riend, Chuck Witchcoff, State Parole pgent, I remarked, "The bird will have to eave soon because he won't be able to find °°d once the ice is on the water." To this ^huck added, "Maybe he's sticking around to go ice fishing!"

Don Parrish Waterways Patrolman McKean County rXT.LE SCHUYLKILL CONSERVATION CLUB

°n behalf of myself and all other sports- ["fn in Schuylkill County I would like to ke this opportunity to thank a club in my j ea that does more than their share to /"Prove our fishing and hunting: The ,u T le Schuylkill Conservation Club of ^amaqua. This cl ub has worked very hard fisr,earn ^unc's so they can raise and stock ln public waters. Paper drives, block Michael Karsnak caught his 31-inch 10 lb. 4 oz. walleye at Prompton Dam.

M A R c H — 1 9 8 1 25 Waterside Wanderings

by Linda Steiner

JL he fish lives in a very different world from us, with special problems and advantages. That is one reason why, when we try to "think like a fish," in order to catch one, we often fail. Water is really an alien world in which to live, with a strangeness we can't fully comprehend with one quick dunk in the lake. Imagine staying there all the time! The most apparent difference to us is the density of water. The stuff is rather "thick" to move around in, compared to air, and requires a good bit of pushing to get going. However, it also buoys us up and, once we get started, it's hard to stop suddenly. Even sound and light appear different under water than in our familiar atmosphere above, and although a dive is nice for a change, up in the air is where we feel most comfortable. Not so with the fish, and the "fish out of water" is really in a fix. But he want to release it. motion that pushes backward against is perfectly suited for his own aquatic The slime also helps to make a fish the water. The muscle wave world. The fish's form is meant for watertight. As applied to freshwater progresses from head to tail, which slicing through the water with the fish, the expression: "drinks like a gives a strong snap. In fact, fish can minimum of impediment and friction, fish" is all wrong. In fact, taking in swim without fins, which is why, when being generally broad and round at too much water is something a fish some of the fins are notched or clipped the front end, and tapering to a must guard against. The slime helps, off as markings, the fish is little narrow tail. To minimize the pull but water does enter the fish's body inconvenienced. against its body by the water, most through its gills and mouth lining, so The fins are used mainly to make fish are provided with a slimy coating the kidney and excretory system are the small adjustments in maneuvering secreted by the skin cells. always working to rid it of the excess. and aid in braking. To stop in water, a The amount of this slippery mucus Both body shape and slime are fish spreads its pectoral and pelvic fins varies with the species, usually the helpful in moving through the water, wide, plus may cup its other fins, like faster swimming pursuit fish, like pike but for propulsion the fish uses its placing the flat of a paddle in the and salmon, having more, while the body muscles and not its fins. Fish water to slow a canoe. The dorsal and slower, grazing fish, like carp, have swim by rhythmically contracting the anal fins act as keels to maintain less. The slime also protects the fish W-shaped muscle segments that balance. against disease, fungus, parasites and extend along either side of its body — If you watch a sunfish hovering bacteria, which is why we want to be the flaky white meat that we eat. This around the bait, you'll notice how it careful how we handle a fish if we makes a sort of swinging, snakelike uses its paired fins to move small

26 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER distances up, down, backward and water can move easily in one and out gauging distance. But if you're a fly forward. Yet, if you frighten the fish, the rear opening, giving a good flow fishermen, I'm sure you can 't will fold these back and let the body and sense of smell. remember fish turning sideways to and tail muscles move it away quickly, Smell is sort of "long distance look your offering over carefully with only extending the fins for steering. tasting," but fish also have taste buds one eye. If it did that, chances are it When a fish breathes it is forcing for close-up savoring, and on some didn't bite. water over its gills, which also creates surprising parts of their bodies. Fish Add these peculiarities to the fact some forward movement. often nudge or touch the bait with that, in calm, shallow water "Motionless" fish are often seen their snouts, which is actually tasting especially, most of the water's under- fanning their fins, actually the offering, because they have taste surface is a mirror, reflecting images backpedalling to stay in place against buds on their lips, as well as the roof of the bottom. Due to the refraction, the breathing movement. of their mouth, in the throat and on or bending, of light when it enters the However, a fish in water has the the tongue. Bottom feeders, like water, a fish has only a small, round advantage of having a near-neutral catfish, also have taste buds on the hole above its head through which to body weight, which is why we can barbels, so these soft projections are see into the upper air. This is why, if catch a heavy fish on light line. like extra "tongues," and fishermen you stay low on the creek bank, the Helping to adjust the weight of a fish need not worry about being stung, fish can't see you. However, if you can at any depth, so it doesn't sink or rise, only tasted. see him, he's already spotted you. 's the air bladder, an inflated sac Seeing, too, is very different in the Outside that window to the upper found below the fish's backbone. This underwater world, and it would be world, your fly riding on the water organ receives oxygen from the difficult for us to get used to seeing surface probably appears as a bloodstream, shrinking or expanding what a fish does. Although white light disturbance on the mirror, only as needed. In some fish, especially and all its composing colors enter the resolved when the fish approaches and Primitive ones like the gar, the air water, as the depth increases, the red gets it in the viewing hole. Of course, bladder is used as a "lung," opening to is quickly lost and everything tends to in flowing water, the surface is uneven the throat, so the fish can gulp air at look blue-green. A red lure would and tumbling, with mirrors and the surface. appear black in deep water, while viewing holes confusing and changing. Other fish, such as minnows, have yellow retains color longer, which may There is less chance of being seen by fheir air bladder connected to the be why black, white and yellow are the fish then, and that is one reason lr>ner ear and serving as a kind of popular for deep-water jigs. why you often catch fish in fast water reverberator, amplifying sounds. Besides living in a cooler-hued when you can't in the pools. Although the fish has no obvious outer world, most fish are nearsighted, Fish are such familiar animals to us par, and needs none to gather sounds, having a permanently round lens in anglers that it is easy to forget how 11 has an excellent sense of hearing. It their eyes. However, there is really no very strange they and their watery can detect sounds mainly in the lower need to see a great distance in a environment are, compared to Agister, which is especially useful in medium that is rarely crystal clear. ourselves and this thin atmosphere. •^uddy water or darkness. Every Most fish see the world best from But there must be some similarities midnight bass-bugger knows how the either side of their head, the eyes we can relate to, or else we'd never be §urgle of his popper draws the fish. capable of working independently, able to "figure out" that lunker and What he may not know is that the with only a small, overlapping field of pull him out from under the stump. lateral line, that sort of decorative, view in front of them. This area of It's either that, or we're starting to dashed line that runs from gill cover binocular vision probably helps in understand what being a fish is like. 0 tail, is also a sensitive hearing 0rgan. It is a mucus-filled, nerve- budded canal, capable of detecting c'ose range, low frequency vibrations, Such as other fish swimming or the m°tion of a lure. A well-developed sense of smell is also invaluable in a watery, dim world. Although the fish's nostrils j^ay only appear as a tiny opening or w° on each side of its "nose," a fish is aPable of smelling a myriad of Substances that are in the water. But 'ts "nose" has nothing to do with bathing. Each of the fish's nostrils opens into "ttle sac that is lined with many Renting cells. Tiny, hairlike cilia beat '"the sac, keeping the water, with its dors, circulating. In those fish which ave two nostrils on each side, the +W M 27 A R C H - 1 9 8 1 FLY TYING

The Pheasant Trail Midge Larva

by Chauncy K. Lively photos by the author

A Fisherman's Paradise

M,idg e larvae are generally found The larvae of midges are wormlike Rosendale fished a small midge larva inhabiting streams, lakes and ponds in in shape with prominent segments and pattern so effectively it was tanta­ plentiful supply; indeed, in some they have a few hairlike filaments mount to a clinic on this type of fly waters their numbers exceed all other growing along their bodies. They have fishing. Jim has the eyes of an osprey aquatic insects combined. They com­ a pair of short legs each on the first and he would walk slowly along the prise a prime source of trout food and and last segments, with respiratory bank until he spotted a cruiser or a they are particularly important in the appendages located at the posterior trout feeding in a fixed position diet of small, growing fish. Many end of the abdomen. Nature has beneath the surface. Then the fly was species require little oxygen and may provided midge larvae in many colors placed ahead of the fish and allowed to be found in the deepest parts of lakes but the most common are olive, brown, sink to its level. Sometimes the fly was where oxygen content is low. They are black and red. The latter are called gently twitched to gain the trout's also frequently found thriving in water "bloodworms" and their coloration is attention but invariably it was taken. too polluted to support mayflies, due to the presence of haemoglobin in Quipped Jim, "This thing's better than caddisflies and stoneflies. But they are their blood. The larvae of Chaoborus bait!" also present in clean-flowing streams midges are virtually transparent ex­ The Pheasant Tail Midge Larva and fly fishermen seldom need to be cept for black spots covering the air illustrated here has been a productive reminded of their presence. sacs. The name "midge" would seem pattern for me and it is simple to tie. The habitat of midge larvae in flow­ to imply extreme diminutiveness but The principal material consists of ing water is commonly the stream there are midge larvae which exceed brownish-red fibres from a ringneck bottom where they live in mud, silt or one inch in length. However, those of pheasant's tail feather, wound closely detritus. Some species live in tubes interest to anglers are generally less in a clockwise direction to form a thin- constructed of particles of silt or sand than one-half inch and a few are as nish body. Midge larvae have no tails cemented together and attached to the short as 2mm. but the tips of the pheasant fibres undersides of stones; others are free- Slow-water stretches of streams — project behind the bend to suggest swimmers. In slow-moving water and particularly areas above dams — are respiratory filaments. Used alone, in lakes they rise to the surface — ideal places to fish midge larva wound pheasant fibres are rather frag­ generally late in the afternoon or at patterns. When the naturals are ile when exposed to the sharp teeth of night — and suspend themselves hori­ suspended beneath the surface they trout. However, a counterclockwise zontally below the surface film. They are easy prey for cruising trout and ribbing of fine gold wire — wound are said to be able to sustain this many are available at this time. A few "against the grain" — not only position because of several small air years ago the Pittsburgh Flyfishers suggests body segmentation but it bladders located along the abdomen held a fall outing at the Paradise water improves the pattern's durability and when they move about it is with an of Spring Creek and it was on a flat, manyfold. Dress the Pheasant Tail undulating motion. slow section of the project where Jim Midge Larva in sizes #18 to #22.

28 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER To Tie a Pheasant Tail Midge Larva:

Left — Clamp a regular-shank hook (size # 18-ft22) in vise and tie in fine, brown tying thread behind eye. Wind a thin, slightly tapered underbody of thread and half-hitch threat at bend.

Right — Select three brownish- red fibres from a ringneck pheas­ ant tail feather and tie in with two turns, allowing short tips to project behind bend.

Left — Cut a 4" length of fine gold wire and hold alongside shank with tip extending to '/«" behind eye. Tie in at bend and bind wire along shank. Half-hitch behind eye.

Right — Holding pheasant fibres together, first wind over initial thread windings at bend. Then continue to wind fibres forward in close turns to form body. Tie off fibres behind eye and trim ex­ cess, as shown.

Left — Grip the wire with hackle pliers and wind counterclockwise as ribbing. Tie off wire at fore end of body; then cut or break off excess wire. Whip-finish head and apply head lacquer.

Right — Completed Pheasant Tail Midge Larvae. changing the bacon and egg breakfast basic stuffing. menu, is not always the easiest thing, especially so if Dad thinks the only Sunday dinner is chicken and dum­ plings and the only seasoning other VEGETABLE STUFFING than salt and pepper is oregano applied with a heavy hand. % cup melted butter or margarine A family that can predict tonight's '/2 cup fine, soft bread crumbs dinner will probably kick up its heels 1 cup thinly sliced celery when something new and different 1 medium onion, sliced thin appears on their plates. I find a wad of 1 small carrot, sliced paper thin cotton in my ears or a set of shooter's '/2 green pepper, cut into thin slivers ear plugs helps to screen out sarcastic 3 tomatoes, coarsely chopped remarks like "Mom's getting fancy '/> cup fresh or canned mushrooms, and trying something new". . . all this chopped and more before they've lifted a morsel 2 tbsp snipped fresh parsly to their mouths. 1 tsp dill seed Now I'm not recommending you Pour melted butter over bread replace that Sunday chicken with a crumbs and toss until well mixed. New York strip steak or an Iowa pork Combine with the vegetables, add the chop because the cost per pound will parsley and dill seed and toss until eat up a food budget faster than an ice blended. cube can melt at today's room temper­ Cut the center portion from a large ature. But I would suggest you dig into musky, stuff with either of the above the freezer and use some of the filets and bake at 350°. Use a guideline of you've been saving for next Friday's 10 minutes cooking time per inch of dinner. thickness after the fish is stuffed. Combine the filets with a moist The end portions of the musky will brown rice or vegetable stuffing and be excellent when steamed and flaked you'll have real "company" fare. off the bones to make the following MEALS casserole. Fish should be steamed just long enough to remove the skin and from the strip meat from the bones. BROWN RICE STUFFING While fish is steaming, place a half CREEL stick butter or margarine in pan with 2 cups cooked brown rice (cooked one large onion chopped fine and allow by Margaret Karch Zaimes according to package directions) to simmer over very low heat until 1 can cream of mushroom soup onions are tender. Add two to three 1 small onion, chopped fine and tablespoons freshly snipped parsley, sauteed in butter or margarine salt and pepper, juice of one lemon and 1 tsp mixed seafood seasoning, a dash of paprika to the butter and rosemary or parsley onions. salt to taste Spread flaked fish in a flat bake- JLf your family can predict the weekly '/4 cup fresh or canned mushrooms and-serve casserole, pour the butter menu in advance it is time to make a Mix everything together and let it mixture over and toss lightly until well change. We can all fall into the habit rest for an hour or two until flavors mixed. of chicken on Sunday, leftovers on have blended. Place half the filets skin Sprinkle with bread crumbs and Monday, pot luck on Tuesday and so side down on a greased bake-and-serve space dabs of butter over the crumbs. on till Sunday and chicken roll around baking dish. Brush flesh sides of filets Cover pan with lid or foil and bake at again. with lemon juice. Spread stuffing 300° for 45 minutes. Remove cover Traditionally, Friday had once been lightly over the filets and top with and bake for an additional 45 minutes. "fish day" in most households and in another filet of the same size (skin side Spoon heated undiluted cheddar many continues to be. This dates back up). Cover dish and bake in 350° oven cheese soup over each portion when to religious customs and before frozen for 20 minutes. Remove pan cover, serving. Refrigerate any leftovers for or canned fish arrived on grocery brush fish skin with melted butter or future use. shelves. During that period, house­ margarine and sprinkle lightly with Another good way to use the ends is wives were known to let beds go flour. Continue baking for another 10 to steam the fish until it skins and unmade and breakfast dishes remain minutes or until fish flakes easily and flakes easily. Remove skin and flake on the table in their attempt to be first skin is nicely browned. Garnish with meat from bones, being careful not to in line at the local fish market . . . sprigs of parsley and lemon wedges break the flakes. Chill and serve as you Thursday was the day that fresh fish and serve from the pan. For variation, would a crab cocktail with your favor­ arrived from the coastal wholesalers. add a cup of cubed cooked chicken, ite cocktail sauce and a wedge of Breaking the Friday fish habit, like ringneck or other wild fowl to this lemon. More economical and equally

30 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER as good as any shrimp or crabmeat omelet cooks, lift the edges gently to leftover fish cake I had saved from the cocktail. allow uncooked portion to run under­ previous night's dinner — he did like Breaking the toast and Java for neath. those fish cakes. It was then I decided breakfast habit can be difficult, but it Omelet is cooked when top is firm to combine the two for that day's sure is worth a try. This is perhaps the and underside is lightly browned. Fold lunch. That's how the following recipe 'flost important meal of the day. A over and remove from pan to heated was born. good substantial breakfast will provide plate. Serve with any of the reheated tri e energy needed to cope with a leftover cheddar cheese soup. FISHBURGER WITH horning filled with household or busi- Add flaked smoked fish to the basic PEANUT BUTTER TOPPING ness chores. Just as kindling and logs egg and milk mixture and it will make ar e needed in your wood burner to an omelet as tasty as any ham or bacon 2 cups cooked and flaked fish Produce enough energy to beat the omelet. 1 tsp finely minced onion w'nter cold, your body needs good s If you have a peanut butter and jelly 1 tsp parsley °Hd fuel to keep it at peak efficiency. addict in your family, that habit may 1 tbsp butter or margarine be a bit more difficult to break. 1 1 egg beaten remember our younger son and his salt and pepper to taste °Af£Lf T WITH FISH passion for that sandwich. All through Mix parsley, onion, salt and pepper elementary school he dashed from the with melted butter and add with the 4 eggs school down the street to eat a peanut beaten egg to flaked fish. Mix thor­ 2 tbsp milk butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. oughly. Shape mixture into cakes and Leftover fish from casserole Now I know peanut butter is nutri­ coat with very fine bread or cracker 1 or 2 tbsp cooking oil tious and my homemade jelly had crumbs. Chill in refrigerator at least a ' tbsp butter or margarine. plenty of fresh fruit juice and no addi­ half hour before browning both sides Beat eggs and milk together and stir tives — but, there is a limit to what a in hot oil. n a ny fish left from casserole or fish mother can take. While fish cakes are browning, mix c°cktail. It was a real catastrophe the day I '/> cup peanut butter with >/4 cup Heat oil and butter in skillet or discovered the working jar of peanut mayonnaise until well blended. Spread ^rnelet pan until sizzling hot but not butter had only a dab or two left in it over burgers and put under preheated oking. Pour in egg and fish mixture and no backup on the shelf. Racking broiler until topping bubbles. Serve on nd cook over medium heat. As the my addled brain, I remembered the a toasted bun.

A R c H — 1 9 8 1 31 THE ANGLER'S NOTEBOOK by Richard F. Williamson

FISH FACT: Did you ever catch an Streamers with a bit of fine lead wire A long, thin, floating plug with a spinner lctalurus Nebulosus or a Cyprinus Car- wrapped around the hook about three- at the head or tail, or sometimes with both, pio? Of course you have. The first is the eighths inch behind the eye are effective. is an excellent surface lure. It should be scientific name for the brown bullhead, The weight makes the streamer dive down cast to a weedy area or along the edge of a and the second is the scientific name for near bottom, and a lift of the rod tip brings bed of lilies, then twitched very gently, or it the carp. it up nearer the surface. Thus it imitates a can be moved slowly and easily over the minnow feeding on the bottom. surface, with occasional stops. As shown, Most hatches of aquatic insects occur in lures of this type are available in a goodly the afternoon, after the water was warmed A wet fly with white wings or some other variety of finishes. a bit, early in the season. As the weeks colorful part is good for the top dropper on pass, the hatches usually come later in the a cast of two or three flies. The brightly day. In the hottest period of the summer, colored fly is easily visible to the angler, expect hatches at dusk or even at night. and by watching it he can follow the drift of the cast or detect a strike on a flyh e For the first month of the trout season, cannot see. the Quill Gordon, Dark Hendrickson and Adams are excellent wet and dry fly A dead tree extending into the water patterns. along a shore is an invitation to the angler to test his skill. The water probably is A finger is better than a brush in apply­ shallow, which calls for a quiet approach ing color preservative and rod varnish to and delicate casts. The dead tree provides rod wrappings. A brush can cause air shelter for gamefish of all kinds and also bubbles, which must be smoothed out, and for minnows on which they feed. also can deliver more liquid than is desired. Both color preservative and rod varnish Big or small lure? Try one, and if that should be applied very thinly. does not get action try another, either

Undercut banks provide excellent shady There's a good reason why trout often hit cover and feeding stations for all kinds of Don't worry if you cannot find or buy a wet fly when it reaches the end of its fish. A bait or lure will be most effective if night crawlers. As a good substitute, bunch float, then rises in the water as the retrieve it is cast into the current that has hollowed three or four small worms on the hook, is begun. In such a situation, the rising fly out the bank and allowed to drift into or being sure to let their ends free to wriggle. actually imitates a nymph rising toward just along the outer edge of such a hiding the surface of the water. place. Buy and use the best tackle you can afford and never shortchange yourself on Clean fly lines regularly, even though hooks. Buy only the best, and if you are they are made of nylon rather than silk. using bait, carry a variety of sizes of hooks Every time a line is used it picks up dirt of to match the size of the baits you use. some kind from the water, and unless this is removed, it will cause friction that will Make sure a spinner is really working make proper casts difficult. Line cleaner when fishing with a fly rod. You can do also helps to keep a floating line on the this by giving the rod a sharp twitch as surface by removing matter that weights it soon as the spinner drops into the water. down. That sets the spinner blade into action. Short-shank hooks are best when salmon Wet a knot in monofilament with water eggs are being used as bait. They can be or saliva before pulling it tight. The knot completely hidden in the bait, and they ^C~~* will hold more securely. also hold it more firmly in place.

32 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 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 Chief Counsel Administrative Assistant Comptroller Dennis T. Guise Howard T. Hardie Ross E. Starner Office of Information Willard T. Johns, Director 717-787-2579 Conservation Education, Stephen B, Ulsh 717-787-7394 Pennsylvania Angler, James F. Yoder, Editor 717-787-2411 Special Publications, Larry Shaffer 717-787-7394 Angler Circulation, Eleanor Mutch 717-787-2363

BUREAU OF FISHERIES & ENGINEERING Edward R. Miller, P.E., Assistant Executive Director Robinson Lane. Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 Tel. 814-359-2754* i'l nk'ss 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* Robert Hesser, Fishery Resources Biologist* FISHERIES DIVISION* Delano Graff, Chief T|,out Production Section, Ken Corl, Chief* Fisheries Management Section, Richard A. Snyder, Chief* ^armwater Production Section, Shyrl Hood, Chief. 814-683-4451 Research Section, Vincent Mudrak, Chief 814-355-4837 Bo* 127, Linesville. Pa. 16424 Benner Spring Fish Research Station, Box 200-C. Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 'sheries Environmental Services Branch, Jack Miller, Chief* Cooperative Nursery Branch, Paul Byers, Chief

FISH CULTURAL STATIONS ^UEFONTE, William Hoover. Superintendent 814-355-4159 LINESVILLE, Charles Sanderson, Superintendent 814-683-4451 RD < Box 230, Bellefonte. Pa. 16823 Box 127, Linesville. Pa. 16424 BENNER SPRING, William Kennedy, Superintendent 814-355-4837 OSWAYO, D. Ray Merriman. Superintendent 814-698-2001 RD 1. Box 200-C, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 RD 2. Box 84, Coudersport, Pa. 16915 ~'<3 SPRING, Eugene J. Rozaieski, Acting Superintendent 717-776-3170 PLEASANT GAP, John Bair, Superintendent 814-359-2754 ox 341, RD 4. Newville, Pa. 17241 Robinson Lane, Bellefonte, Pa. 16823 °RRY-UNION CITY, Tom L. Clark, Superintendent 814-664-2122 PLEASANT MOUNT, Zenas Bean. Superintendent 717-448-2101 0rrV. Pa. 16407 Pleasant Mount. Pa. 18453

AlRVlEW, Neil Shea. Superintendent 814-474-1514 REYNOLDSDALE, Ralph Berkey, Superintendent 814-839-2211 °°0 Lohrer Road, P.O. Box 531, Fairview, Pa. 16415 New Paris, Pa. 15554

NTSDALE, Ted Dingle, Superintendent 717-486-3419 TIONESTA, Charles Mann, Superintendent 814-755-3524 °x 393, RD 5, Carlisle, Pa. 17013 Tionesta, Pa. 16353

ENGINEERING DIVISION* Carl H. Nordblom, Chief Construction & Maintenance Section, Eugene Smith, Chief* Architectural & Engineering Section, K. Ronald Weis. Chief*

BUREAU OF WATERWAYS Gene Sporl, Assistant Executive Director 717-787-2192 J°hl> Simmons, Administrative Officer 717-787-2192 Virgil Chambers, Boating Education 717-787-7684

LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION BOAT REGISTRATION/MARINE SERVICES DIVISION

gjtol. Buck, Chief 717-787-2350 Paul Martin, Chief 717-787-3042 ""ard w. Manhart, Deputy Chief 717-787-2350 Timothy Whitsel, Marine Services 717-787-3042 "V Messerle. Deputy Waterways Patrolman Coordinator 717-787-2350 Betty Stroud, Boat Registrations 717-787-4480

REGIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES "THWEST, Waller G. Lazusky, Supervisor 814-437-5774 SOUTHWEST, Thomas F. Qualters, Supervisor 814-445-8974 i ""9 Address 1281 Offer St.. Franklin, Pa. 16323 Mailing Address RD 2, Somerset, Pa. 15501 a,iori 1281 Otter St., Franklin. Pa. 16323 Location On Lake Somerset. Somerset, Pa.

Z THCENTRAL, Paul F. Swanson, Supervisor 717-748-5396 SOUTHCENTRAL, Richard Owens, Supervisor 717-436-2117 n l0" ® Address Box 688, Lock Haven, Pa. 17745 Mailing Address RD 3, Box 109, Mifflintown, Pa. 17059 ,on 129 Woodward Ave. (Dunnstown) Lock Haven. Pa. Location On Route 22, 3 miles west of Mifflintown, Pa.

14 H£AST, Clair Fleeger. Supervisor 717-477-5717 SOUTHEAST, Norman W. Sickles, Supervisor 717-626-0228 In ng Add'ess Box 88, Sweet Valley. Pa. 18656 Mailing Address Box 6, Elm, Pa. 17521 l0n On Harris Pond. Sweet Valley, Pa. Location On Speedwell Forge Lake on Brubaker Valley Road

BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES (State Headquarters) Pers Paul F. O'Brien, Director 717-787-6487 Bud °nnel & EmPl°yment. Joseph L. DiRienzo 717-787-7057 License Section, Mary Stine 717-787-6237 "eal c' Analysl' Vincent Rollant 717-787-2599 Federal Aid Coordinator. Glen C. Reed 717-787-6391 P„ s,a,e- John Hoffman 717-787-6376 Office Services Supervisor. Chester Peyton 717-787-2363 asi"9 (Harrisburg), Avyril Richardson 717-787-2732 Purchasing (Bellefonte). Dennis Shultz 814-359-2754