COMMON SUNFISH JULY 1939 TEN CENTS 4 OFFICIAL STATE JULY, 1939 PUBLICATION ANGLE if Vol. 8—No. 7

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PUBLISHED MONTHLY COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

by the BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS

PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS m

Publication Office: Front and Reno Streets, New Cumberland, Pa. Executive and Editorial Offices: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commis­ CHARLES A. FRENCH sioners, Harrisburg, Pa. Commissioner of Fisheries

W. MEMBERS OF BOARD Ten cents a copy—50 cents a year CHARLES A. FRENCH, Chairman Ellwood City

MILTON L. PEEK ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor Radnor South Office Bldg.. Harrisburg, Pa. HARRY E. WEBER Philipsburg

NOTE SAMUEL J. TRUSCOTT Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Dalton should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee either by check or money order payable to the Common­ wealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. EDGAR W. NICHOLSON Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. Philadelphia

FRED McKEAN New Kensington PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contribu­ tions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper H. R. STACKHOUSE credit will be given to contributors. Secretary to Board All contributions returned if accompanied by first class postage.

Entered as second class matter at the Post Office of C. R. BULLER New Cumberland, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Chief Fish Culturist, Bellefonte

••!: =&' IMPORTANT—The Editor should be notified immediately of change in subscriber's address Please give both old and new addresses Permission to reprint will be granted provided proper credit notice is given Vol. 8 No. 7 *ANGLER7 JULY, 1939 EDITORIAL

BROOD STOCK VITAL IN BASS CULTURE NE of the important factors in fish propagation is to have available a O dependable continuous supply of proven brood stock. For a number of years the Board's bass work was handicapped because they were not successful in raising the needed parent fish under hatchery conditions, and had to depend entirely upon fish taken from the wild state to produce the fry for stocking the nursery pools. This method was far from satisfactory. Bass transferred from wild waters to hatchery ponds, were rarely induced to take artificial food, with the results that minnows and other live natural foods had to be provided,—this very often was difficult and costly to obtain. They could only be depended upon to produce an egg crop the first season. Those held over for use the second year proved in most cases to be sterile. This was probably due to food shortage and the work of internal parasites. Most fish living in a state of nature are carriers of various kinds of parasites. Under natural conditions these organisms may not cause the fish any serious harm. However when fish so infected are held under crowded Hatchery condi­ tions, a serious loss may be expected. This loss is not necessarily limited to the fish brought to the hatchery, but may result in spreading the organisms among the hatchery pools, causing a high fish mortality. About eight years ago the Board retained a number of fingerling small-mouth bass at the Pleasant Mount Hatchery, with the thought of growing them for brood purposes, and each succeeding year, the same practice has been followed, so that at the present time there are between five hundred and a thousand hatchery reared bass reaching sexual maturity each year. This number has been sufficient to take care of the normal loss of the parent fish, and also furnished those needed, due to hatchery expansion. The small-mouth bass used for reproduction purposes at all of the hatcheries are hatchery reared, a number of which have just passed through their fourth spawning year. These older fish are in a perfect condition and are preferred as brood stock to those of four or five years of age. Pleasant Mount Hatchery is one of the proven bass plants both in the produc­ tion of small-mouthed and large-mouthed fingerling, and under the present day system of management, little difficulty is found in growing small-mouth bass to adult size. The reverse, however, has proven to be the case with the large- mouthed bass, and annually, for seven years, the results have been a failure. The unsolved mystery is that while the Bellefonte Hatchery is outstanding in the growing of fingerling small-mouth bass, efforts to grow the fish to maturity, have not been any too satisfactory, while the large-mouth variety is being grown with marked success. The domesticated bass for brood stock is important because it permits selective breeding to be carried on with the thought of improving the fish to the same or even greater extent than has been done with trout. It gives a fair assurance of an annual egg crop. Where bass had to be obtained from the wild waters each year there was an uncertainty of obtaining the number needed. Feeding the adults is greatly simplified, as the domesticated fish feed upon artificial food, and the ever-present danger of introducing disease organisms in the hatchery from wild fish is eliminated.

Commissioner of Fisheries 2 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JULY HAIR MINNOWS AND STREAMER FLIES FOR BASS By WILLIAM R. WALTON

HE popularity of the streamer fly in all tion. Otherwise, the head may serve to decrease The hair minnow above described is practical, T of its many forms has grown rapidly in the clearance between the shank and the barb effective and very durable. The principal wear recent years. These flies are effective and sufficiently to prevent hooking the striking on them is caused by the scratches produced by easy to cast except in windy weather. Even fish—a most important consideration as I have the teeth of the fish and can be repaired easily then the addition of a small spinner, preferably learned to my sorrow in partly hung fish. when the tackle is overhauled. brass or gold in my case, renders them Such heads dry hard within a few hours practicable during a gale when the wise fisher­ In tying this or any other fly, examine first when placed in a warm place. It is advisable man will seek some less enjoyable occupation. the soundness of the hook used. Even the best to construct them in two layers, most of the of hooks procurable may have their imperfec­ material being applied at the first operation and In the course of fishing for large mouth tions and by all means sharpen the points even bass in recent years, I have found that a hair the hollows or uneven parts filled or smoothed though they may seem sharp. For this purpose minnow constructed as hereafter described, has with additional material an hour or so later. nothing I have found equals the small hard, proved not only very effective but has landed When perfectly hard the excess material may many fish of a size large for local waters. It be whittled away with a sharp knife and after­ "lilly white" Arkansas oil stones made for is tied on number 1 to 3 model perfect hooks ward smoothed perfectly with fine sandpaper. sharpening wood carving tools. With such a but smaller sizes may be used. The finer sizes of garnet paper, 7/0-240, is stone a keener point can be put on a hook even better for this purpose. Any plastic wood than by any other means readily available. As The body and "wings" are constructed of the which may remain on the fingers may be re­ compared with the ordinary fine carborundum tail hair of the impali (impala) antelope which moved by a rag wet with nitrate lacquer thinner stone, as made for sharpening hooks, the may be purchased either in the white, or dyed purchasable from paint stores. Arkansas stone is as the modern hollow point standard colors, from dealers in fly-tying materials at a reasonable price. This hair is In finishing the heads of hair minnows the hook is to the spear point. somewhat finer in texture than that of our eyes may be painted on but I prefer to insert Among the hair streamer flies of ordinary native deer, has a life-like action in the water number 3 to 4, glass, birds' eyes having a shape that have been somewhat ballyhooed is and dries quickly after removal therefrom. yellow iris and black pupil. These may be one that somebody has named the "Micky purchased from dealers in taxidermists' supplies Finn". This is really a hair version of the old A long shank hook may be used if preferred at not to exceed 3 cents per pair. but I prefer the standard length for this type and well known Colonel Fuller, i.e. yellow with of lure as it has been my experience that bass The operation is simple, viz : holes slightly a red center streak, deservedly popular among grasp the head of such a fly first, and when the larger than the eyes are drilled in the hard anglers for small mouth bass and which was hook barb is not located close enough to it the material to receive them; a little waterproof demonstrated to the writer many years ago by fish fails to hang. cement is placed therein and the cavity is im­ his old fishing pal Walter B. Powell of Waynes­ mediately filled with fresh plastic wood. The boro, Pa., than whom there is no better fly One of my favorite hair minnow patterns is eyes, which come in pairs mounted on soft fisherman. I say fisherman not tournament white belly with a scarlet red back; red hackle iron wire, are then cut off leaving about one caster, not to throw any dead cats at a game with jungle cock shoulder as illustrated in sixteenth inch of wire on them, and pressed that "is fine for them as likes it". But the figure 1. firmly into the soft material in the cavities. Micky Finn differs from the Col. Fuller in Lemon yellow belly with a black back is The excess material thus forced out must be that it has a flat-tinsel body overwound with another effective combination. In this case quickly removed with a small flattened wire oval silver tinsel. It is a rather easy fly to tie black bear hair is satisfactory for the upper tool and the edges smoothed down while still except for the oval tinsel and if there exists a works. soft. This completes the operation and when meaner, cantankerouser material to handle, not firmly set much force is necessary to disturb excepting silk floss,—you tell'em. It consists This minnow is tied in the ordinary way them. These glass eyes add considerably to the of some loose, slippery fibers, overwound except that for hair flies I recommend the ap­ attractiveness of this lure. Plastic wood and spirally with thin flat tinsel. When cut, it plication of plenty of waterproof cement (pro­ nitrate lacquers are highly inflammable, so unwinds faster than the liberated mainspring curable at the "5 and 10" under many names) when working with them, do not smoke. of a Waterbury watch. When you grasp the on the hook ends of each section of the hair as end of it and begin to wind it on the body, the tying proceeds. When hardened, this cement I usually paint the heads of such hair tinsel slips over the slick silk core and by the attaches the hair to the body so that even the minnows in imitation of a minnow, with a time the fifth turn is applied this is likely to " rows of fine teeth of "old bronze-back" cannot white throat and green upper parts. A dash consist mainly of white silk and in your grasp tear it loose. of scarlet red at the gills is a useful addition. is a mess of crinkled up tinsel. Although the nitrate lacquers are very con­ On the No. 1 standard length hook there venient in painting such heads, as they set I have found that this difficulty is overcome should be at least one half inch between the quickly and produce a high gloss, they are not largely by soaking the lengths of oval tinse' eye of the hook and the base of the hackle, so durable as the better enamel paints which briefly in clear nitrate lacquer and drying before ; including the tied-off head. This distance contain tung oil. These are relatively ex­ attempting to tie it. This has the additional should be increased to three fourths of an inch pensive but the extra cost in this case is advantage of delaying tarnish subsequently. A on a long shank hook. This space is for the lfl justifiable. knot tied in the loose end is a real help finished head which is then built up of the grasping it. Oval tinsel is a relic of the, substance called plastic wood. This is merely A layer of plastic wood applied to the tied- Victorian vintage of salmon fly-tyers and I finely ground wood-pulp partially dissolved in in heads of ordinary hair flies or other large should be abolished. In case you can find sui' a nitrate solution. It is entirely waterproof, 1 flies, adds greatly to their durability. After it table sizes of silver wire, this is not only mud may be molded with the fingers into any desired is smoothed down as previously described they stronger but quite as good and easy to tie- shape while soft and is tough and hard when may be painted any desired color and they take Some day I hope we shall have among othef perfectly dry. A little experience is necessary in enamels beautifully. In covering the heads of much desired improvements, chromium plated handling it readily as it sets very rapidly and such flies with the plastic wood, a lump of it is tinsel that will defy tarnish indefinitely. sticks to almost any surface including the applied first to the under side of the shank and fingers as you will soon perceive. However, then worked around and upward with the Practically every book on fly-tying in my n"1 by wetting the forefinger and thumb with moistened fingers. Any excess may be pinched so small collection, cautions the reader not t° saliva before attempting to shape it, this into a sharp ridge (see figure 2) at the top handle the tinsel with the fingers as this cause5 difficulty is avoided. By working rapidly the of the head and left there to harden, when it tarnish. However, if there are on the America1* head may be quickly molded roughly into shape. may be whittled down into the desired lines. market hackle pliers that will grasp tinse' In this operation be sure to place the head This is much easier than to attempt to remove securely enough to stand the strain of winding mostly above the shank as shown in the illustra­ it while soft. they have evaded me as I have tried at leas' 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER a dozen patterns in vain. Mr. T. E. Price- Tannatt, 1 illustrates and describes pliers that look efficient, as they are made of heavy spring steel and have jaws lined with integrating teeth. But these were made to his order by a maker of surgical instruments. If you wish to retain your Christianity, and rfmp/e I believe that fly-tyers possess, or at least should possess, more than the usual modicum of c/eorance such, use your good fingers to wind the tinsel Zo/7(7 s/?(7/7/f~ J °n grasping it tightly with the finger nails and smoothing the turns with the left fingers While doing it. After it is on, the tinsel can be cleansed if necessary with a camels' hair brush dipped in chloroform or carbon tetra­ chloride which evaporate almost instantly. A Excess coat of clear, thin, nitrate lacquer may then be applied to the tinsel without difficulty on most bodies.

In tying tinsel bodies for streamer flies, especially with the medium and wide sizes of tinsel, the beginner may experience difficulty "i persuading it to wind on evenly. This may be largely overcome by first tying on a smooth slim body of fine thread and then applying the tinsel so the edges do not overlap. When the body is to be overwound with wire or oval tinsel, a narrow space may be left between the turns which is afterward occupied by the over­ winding.

Among the important but somewhat tedious operations in finishing a large fly is the whip- tying of the head. The writer has tried several Widely advertised devices for this purpose but "as finally fallen back on the one illustrated in "gure 3. It consists simply of a darning needle Set in a wooden handle or small pin vice and "as a large eye, easily penetrated by the tying silk. After two or three turns are taken, deluding therein the needle, the end of the f'k is slipped through the eye and the needle ls then withdrawn, pulling the bight of the 'bread with it. When this is pulled tight and severed, the operation is complete.

. * "How To Dress Salmon Flies," A Handbook foi Amateurs, Adams and Charles Black, London, 1914.

TRUSCOTT IS SPEAKER AT ing that it is much easier to conserve fish and proval by the Fish Commission and the waters ASAPH MEETING game stock than to restore it. will then be stocked with fish from the state He complimented the Tioga County sports­ hatcheries. The Asaph Rod and Gun Club held a men on their extensive program and also on President Milan Butler, in charge of the P'endid meeting in April. The Club, which the large percentage of sportsmen who have meeting, introduced the following visitors: ha;s become one of the most active. sportsmen's joined organized clubs. He said that in 1938, Mr. Truscott, Mr. Roby, Kenneth Aley, of ganizations in Tioga county, was addressed the Commission sent out over four million trout Galeton, Potter county Fish Warden, Warren J S. J. Truscott, of Dalton, Pa., a member of to streams of Pennsylvania, of which over Olman, of Galeton, Potter county Game . e Fish Commission. Fifty-one members and one-fourth were legal-sized. Warden, Leslie Wood, of Wellsboro, Tioga 8 guests attended. The average annual cost of operation in the county Game Warden and Leland Cloos, of Fish Commission is $600,000 he asserted. This Holiday, Tioga county Fish Warden. Members •™Ir. Truscott commended the Asaph Club includes $101,000 for salaries of Wardens, and from various other clubs were also present. /* its fine progress. He went on to explain the balance is used for conservation and The business meeting was brief, and only the .at one of the Fish Commission's first object- most important matters were discussed. Ar­ es hatchery operation. About $600,000 is received p is to add an amendment to the Fish annually from fees for licenses. rangements were made to make willow plant­ °de, which if passed will allow bait fish to Cody Roby, of Morris, president of the ings on the right-hand branch of Strait Run. taken on Sunday in the same manner as on One group worked on the project April 8, and a Tioga County Federation of Rod and Gun *eek day. Clubs, outlined some of the plans for stock­ another group April 12. Members of surround­ **s the Code now stands, bait fish must be ing Tioga county streams in the near future. ing clubs were invited to take part in this tak en on Sunday with hooks and lines only, Mr. Roby announced that starting soon the project, since it is to provide shelter for some Whe reas a net may be used during the week. old mines, which now empty into Babbs Creek, of the new stock of trout and will benefit all Hr- Truscott also talked on conservation, stat­ will be sealed to make the stream fit for ap­ fishermen. 4 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JULY "BACK-TO-NATURE" BASS Introducing A Plan for Improved Bass Fishing

By ALEX P. SWEIGART

UST tab the following suggestions relative J to our favorite game fish, the smallmouth bass, a "Back-to-Nature" plan and the title will be adequately descriptive. Essentially it is not and cannot be a panacea for the present scarcity of bass in many of our waters but, as one fisherman to another, we figure that by taking nature into partnership a definite move in the right direction will have been made. Primarily, of course, and we've hammered along this line for many moons in the ANGLER, the foundation for permanent improvement in our bass fishing rests in restoring the supply of natural forage upon which this splendid game fish relies. Have you observed your favorite bass stream this summer? Notice the fine growth of aquatic vegetation in many of the flats ? This is the groundwork, the foundation, for a come­ back in natural forage, one of the bright spots in an otherwise unpromising picture in some of our waters. Granted that crayfish pro­ duction at the hatcheries can be stepped up to sizable proportions, and other types of forage stocking also be carried on intensively, there is reason to hope for a strong comeback in natural food in many of our streams. To make nature has displayed her greatest handiwork ever known, for he has taken enough top- this improvement most effective and lasting, in the fresh water. ranking smallmouths to form a most accurate it is becoming increasingly apparent that more For the past several years, a certain stretch estimate. He agreed that the smaller bass I stringent regulations governing the possession of the two was at least 20 inches in length, limits on and taking of fish bait and bait fish of water on Tuscarora Creek in Juniata county (a stream, incidentally, that would make an the other between 21 and 22. The larger ! from the public fishing waters are needed. Such fish was jet black in color, the other a yellow­ action must be regarded as one of the most ideal test stream for the "Back-To-Nature" plan) has been a constant source of wonder ish bronze. Picture fish, you'll agree, and as I essential factors in betterment of the bass fisher­ we watched the two we shared the hope that man's sport. to the writer because of the great number of small bass observed. Last September, Chas. no angler's barb would serve to disrupt this j In bass production in a wild state, three K. Fox, accompanied us on a light lure casting "natural hatchery" so vital to the bass supply basic factors contribute to its success. First jaunt over this stretch. In a certain deep in a hard fished stream. is the nature of the parent fish. At all times pool, overshadowed by a giant ledge, we saw pugnacious, the male smallmouth, guardian of that day the answer to our "young bass The "Back-To-Nature" Plan the nest of eggs and young, apparently exhibits stretch" as we had termed- it. Cruising grace­ the peak in this tendency when over the nest. fully and seemingly without effort close to the The success of any plan relative to improv­ water surface were two smallmouth bass, the This insures, under favorable conditions of ing fishing is contingent, first of all, on a period kind of bass you read about and dream about temperature and clearness in the water at of trial. We stand convinced that a three- catching. Frankly we believe Charlie to be spawning time, an amazingly successful hatch year trial period on a selected water would one of the best judges in size of bass we have of young. Granted the protection of the sire, prove sufficient time in which to test the merits I the fry soon absorb the yolk sac, swarm to­ or defects of the "Back-To-Nature" plan. ward the surface, and then, when the swarm Because Tuscarora Creek, from the angle of breaks, seek suitable tiny coves along the cover, supply of forage and suitability of water shore where vegetation provides cover. Hardi­ is typical of many of our smaller bass streams, ness of the young bass as with other members it would serve as an excellent experimental of the sunfish family is the second factor. ground. Here are the features of the plan. While subject to some diseases, as are all First, at intervals of approximately one mile i fishes, the bass fry that we have observed seem over 30 miles of the stream, with the coopera­ to adapt themselves to environmental condi­ tion of landowners, establish stations to be tions, in the stream in which they are spawned, known as "Bass Spawning Stations," same with amazing rapidity. The third factor, and to be posted by the Fish Commission against one of vast importance, is the fact that, at all fishing from May 1 until July 1, opening j bass spawning time, most warm water streams of the regular season for bass in Pennsylvania teem with tiny organisms such as the Cyclops inland waters. Preferably, the water selected ' and Daphnia. Their growth spurred by this should be a long flat ranging in depth from | natural food supply, the young bass rapidly one foot to three or four feet, and having approach the stage at which they are capable a good growth of aquatic vegetation. Second, of taking larger forage, tiny minnows, helgra- into each of these Bass Spawning Stations, j mites and young crayfish as well as nymphal sometime between May 1 and May IS, release forms of insect life. Observation of bass dur­ one pair of smallmouth bass, the fish to range ing spawning season and during the subsequent in weight from two to three pounds or over. development of the young has convinced us To achieve even better results, this allotment that, in the instance of this spiny rayed fish, Bass fry on the nest. of adult fish might well be increased to two 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 5

Pairs of bass to each flat. For this purpose, wild fish should be released. Two possible sources from which these bass could be taken without resorting to removal of bass from our inland waters would be in tidewater, below the Conowingo Dam on the lower Susquehanna River, or in Lake Erie. We understand that in tidewater, at a point approximately four miles below Conowingo Dam, a splendid supply of well-conditioned wild spawners is available for an experiment of this kind. This Would seem a logical ground from which to take the spawners for experimental purposes and the test requirements would not exceed, for the water in question, 120 adult bass, evenly divided as to sex. In order that the fish become thoroughly acclimated to their change >n environment, it would seem advisable that they be stocked as early in May as possible. Protection of the spawning stations consti­ tutes a third and vital consideration for success of the plan. In this, the landowners and organized sportsmen, numbers of whom are each year appointed as special fish Wardens, could cooperate with notable success, We believe. Coordination of this protection could be achieved under the direct supervision °f a regular warden on the test stream. Since, in most instances, the spawning stations or flats set aside for the purpose would rarely exceed a quarter of a mile in length, ample Water would be available in other sections of the stream for the warm water fishermen prior Photo by M. J. Myers to opening of the bass season. Of course, with Ttys is the type of stream flat we hav e in mind as a Bass Spawning Station. the opening of the season, all stream sections Would automatically be thrown open to the Public for fishing, and we firmly believe that whether for fish or game, has an inimitable sire, these young would follow through the 'he plan would prove popular with the rank way of seeing to it that the strongest of a normal natural process of absorbing the yolk and file of our fishermen, for the presence of species survive. Weaklings in any brood of sac, swarming and finally dispersing in small the big bass used as spawners in the stream fish soon are outstripped in the keen competi­ groups to scatter in shallow coves of vegeta­ would make the season sport more appealing. tion for food and fall by the wayside, thus tion throughout the flat. Their subsequent One sentence serves to sum up the program insuring survival of the strongest specimens growth on minute organisms and development after the wild spawners have been released and for carrying along a species. through later feeding stages would be strictly Siven protection: Let nature do the rest. on a normal, natural basis. They would be Assuming that normal stream conditions exposed, as are all wild fish, to the incursions Why "Back-To-Nature" Bass? exist when the brood bass spawn in a pro­ not only of larger members of their own tected flat, it is not illogical to hope that the species, but to the depredations of sunfish, It is plain and simple logic that nature, in hatch may easily approximate 2000 young fish pickerel and other fish life. Reptiles such as e " r culling process in a wild environment, on each nest. Granted the protection of the the watersnake and certain species of turtles could be counted upon to exact their toll from the brood of baby bass. This is as it should be, for nature is a stern and exacting mistress. In the end perhaps, only 500 of that brood of bass might enter the fall feeding surge of their species in preparation for the winter dormant period. But count upon it, these young bass would have been tempered by the harshest code in the world today, the struggle in which only the fittest survive. They would be, so to speak, the cream of the brood and as such should be worthwhile insurance for continuance of a good stock of bass in the water area where hatched. Naturally, there will be even a more widespread scattering of the young fish as they increase in size. By the time the dormant period is about to set in, some of the hatch may well be scattered to ether flats and pools, upstream and downstream, for the distance of a mile. By the third year, when members of the first broods should be ready to spawn under normal, wild conditions, definite proof as to the success or failure of the "Back-To- Nature" plan should have been established.

Granting that a shortage of suitable forage is a major handicap to a sharp comeback in number of bass in many of our waters, we still Smallmouth bass weighing from 3 to 4 pounds would make ideal breeders to stock under the (Continued on Page 16) "Back-to-Nature" plan. G PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JULY DEAR MISTER EDITER —

Anonimus Visits the Spring Creek Project

EAR mister Editer of the ANGELER; what did you ketch and he says I hooked a is the very best bate there is for a brown trout D I bet I couldent tell you nothen about big one and they wont bite on nothen but a because he hadketched so many on it only they this here you know Fishermens Paradice up black nat and I lost mine in one of them there wasent a hitten it this morning and he dident on Spring Crick what you dont know allready big old trees so I cant seem to git no more see why not. And I says to him mister I says but a couple of days ago I says to myself I bites he says and aint that a h of a note do you know what it might be worth to you says Im agoin up there jest for the h of it and purty soon another feller he tole me that to fish with that there bate in here and he and I went. nobody was agitten no strikes excepten on says what do you mean and just then his There was lots of people afishin and nobody Mickey fins and he dident have none along and pardner come along and he says you d old dident ketch nothin while I was a looken so I says what are they like and he says they fool dident you read them rules they give you I says to myself if I dont say nothin nobody got red tops and yeller bellies and I says hes and he says no I dident and mabe I had oughter. wont know Im here and I kin still come back all wrong because them mickey Finns would be And he looked at me kindof funny and he and fish five times if I want to I dident see no Irish and them irish has got warm hearts and says do you work here and I says no not today coal miners around because them fellers was cold feet and he never even laffed onct so I says Im just alooken around the place. A all down on Yeller Crick where they wouldent I give him up and went to watch a great big whole lot of people ast me if I was aworken be too fur off when this here you know mr. feller afishen. This big feller had took one of there all the time I was just alooken around CIO Louwis says that nobody but them kin these here you know canvas life preserves what and mabe it was because I tried so hard to be work in a coal mine but there was aplenty of goes all the way around and he had took out polite and if you are awful polite they think other people afishin mostly at the bridge. all of the cork out of it sos he could put fishen you work there. tackle in it and it was clear full same as another mr. Editer you would think them dumb rain­ So then this big feller starts apullen boxes feller I used to deer-hunt with what owned bows would have lernt that it dont do em no out of his life preserve and I never seen so a drugstore and when he went hunten he put good to hide under a bridge only they grow up many fish flies in my whole life before and he it in his hunten coat sos he would have it so fast they aint got time to git no sense, and says I make all them things myself he says along if he happened to need it. if you looked in off of the bridge it looked and I kin git all the feathers I want because like out in Oregun where some salmon is So I set down by where he was a fishen where I live he says I go to all the cock fights spawning and a million rainbows atryen to grab and watched to see if he would bust his little and they give me all the necks when they git the eggs and sometimes a salmon gits mad and rod every time he casted but he dident and it killed so I ask him where did he live and he grabs a rainbow only this time a rainbow got must of been an awful good little rod or he told me confidenshul and if I was to tell you mad and grabbed a bucktail and it weighed four wouldof. And I says to him mister I says sometime you mussent never let on. pounds and a haff. kin I see that there bate of yourn and he says I seen a real nice looken feller and I says yes you kin and he showed it to me and it And when 1 was alooken around the ladys pool I seen a cute little trick afishen dryfly and she said she hadent had no bites since she had lost her black nat in a big tree too but when­ ever she found her gang she would make them give her another one and I rubbed mud on her leader to make it sink but dident do no good. She had this here you know red stuff all over her fingernales like what you waterprufe your tyoff with and I ast her did she tie her own flies and she says no but my husband does. And | by and by I seen her asetten along the bank where a feller was atryen to throw acrost to where a fish was arisen and maken a right fair job of it till his fly ketched on the back- cast and it wrapped his line all around his neck and she says real loud that is what we have been awaiten for she says and he looks j and seen her and he says you go to h he says and I ast her was thet there her husband and she says yes it is. And she ast me did I know a kind of heavyset feller around here and I says yes I do and that is mister Art Snyder and I says I will bet you a purty that if you was to ast him did he remember that time you was here four or five years ago he would say yes and he would make you believe it even if you hadent never been here before in your whole life and she says well she says • aint it grand that somebody is around here | like that to keep you feelin good even if you dont ketch no fish and its a good thing they got him. Then I went back to set some more at the bridge just in case another one of them dumb I rainbows might git mad again and a feller j come along and dropped his self on the fur end of the bench like he was all tuckered and 1 was alooken at a fat little feller standen around in a high pair of waders what he could of wore in one of these here you know noodest camps and still got by, they was so "When I was alooken around the ladys pool I seen a cute little trick afishen dryfly." powerful tight fitten and I says how come 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER you think a feller would lug them things around on a hot day when rule 10 says you mustent wade for no purpose permitted and he says them aint got nothin to do with waden because I am acquainted with that feller and he is mortal skeered of snakes and them waders ls so as if he mistakenly sets on a snake while he is afishen he cant git snakebit but I just now seen something a dumsight comicaler than him he says up here in the upper project above wis here Paradice one he says and they was a gang up there four or five of them and one old feller he starts ashowen off what he could do casten with his flyrod and the rest astanden awatchen him and about the time he had did a couple of fancy rolls and starts astraightnen out *°r some longrange stuff the gal in the outfit says lookout Pop she says them cows is right square behint you. Cows bedammed says Pop aint I just told you that your backcast dont "ever come down to the level of no cow if you are adoin it right and keepen your thumb Whur it belongs and with that he hooks his °ig old bucktail smack into the flank of a half Srowed heifer. Fetch the landen net says the Sal hes agoin to need it. Leave him go it alone says another feller, if he kin land that there caff all by his self he aint go no call t° take water from ary fish in Spring Crick he says stick to her Pop! Come on here says "°P and help me ketch this caff sos I kin git "ty streemer back and he starts cobossy cobossy ar>d sneeken up on the heffer that was akicken aWay at the bucktail like a hossfly was abiten "er and about the time he gits purty close, aWay she trots with Pop afolleren all over the Redder agiven her line and tryen to keep clear °f the rest of the cows and cobossyen for all e " was worth and the rest of the gang apassen "This big feller had took one of these here life preservers sos he could put fishen tackle in it." reniarks till he seen that the barb was sunk and it wasent no use so he give a jerk and bf oke his leader and he says well he says maybe Well mister Editer someday when you want Creek flowed into the race instead of over the that is how some farmer figures on gitten him to have a real good time you go to the fisher- playground of the big trout. some good fishflys apasturen his durned old mens Paradice and just set around like I done It is well for residents of this community c °Ws in a projeck like this here one and I and it dont count nothin agin the five days to do everything possible to safe guard the ^'sh him good luck afishen with that there you kin fish if you want to and if you are awful lives of the big trout which have advertised str eemer of mine he says. polite, everybody will think you work there Bellefonte throughout the United States. That is a main good fish story I says to and ast you questions and they will tell you the Messrs. Poorman and Seibert deserved hearty the feller and he says if you dont believe it only thing that they are abiten on today only commendation for their quick-wittedness and y°u kin go right up there your own self and they lost theres or maybe they dident bring action in this matter. ee it sticken in her flank he says and I says none along, and one feller he told me he says n° I wont because that there farmer just might they call this here place the Fishermens orne along and allow maybe it was mine. Paradice because it is where so many good little fish flys has went to their final restingplaces. LOGAN BRANCH TROUT Yours truly, KILLED ANONIMUS. Hundreds of fish, including trout and suckers were killed on the night of May 18 in Logan Branch, Centre county, when a poisonous sub­ stance is said to have over flowed into the stream from the Central Pennsylvania Gas QUICK ACTION SAVES Company's plant at Axemann. BELLEFONTE TROUT Scenes reminiscent of the fish hauls made by Coleville residents several weeks before Bellefonte's pride and joy, the big trout when hydrated lime found its way into Buffalo below the falls in Spring Creek, might have Run were re-enacted by persons living along perished or been made a little groggy at least Logan Branch north of the gas plant. The when some liquid residue from gas mains trout, ranging anywhere from 5 to well over accidentally found its way into Logan Branch, 20 inches in length, were killed by the sub­ had it not been for the quick thinking and stance flowing into the stream and were action of a well known local sportsman. gathered up by tub and basketsful as the word The instant he heard of the pollution in spread quickly around that vicinity. Logan Branch, Samuel H. Poorman former Fish Commission officials who were investi­ president of the Bellefonte Sportsmen's Asso­ gating the pollution and were interviewed by ciation, notified James D. Seibert, superinten­ The Keystone Gazette, stated that dead fish dent of the Bellefonte water department, who were found as far down the stream as Griffith's ordered the gates leading into Gamble mill Turn. The pollution was entirely accidental, was maken a right fair job of it till race opened so that water above the falls and however, they claimed. The maximum fine for hi,s fly ketched on the backcast and wrapped his line all around his neck.'* below the point where the Branch joins Spring polluting a stream is $100, they said. 8 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JULY GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ELIMINATES POLLUTION By M. E. SHOEMAKER

OLLUTION — the archenemy of pure process of handling the materials. The em­ P streams and the fishermen—and sanita­ ployees in this plant were no exceptions. tion are two widely separated subjects. Yet Losses of milk and milk products did occur when they are associated with "good house­ from time to time and found a direct way into keeping" they are brought more closely to­ the sewer and eventually into the stream. gether. The pollution is eliminated; sanitation This seemed the only way to keep the plant and pure streams are realities. clean following the accidents. Scientific research in the past has helped to The sanitation law compelled this plant, as eliminate or prevent some of the pollution it does others, to keep their place clean above which has claimed more than 80 percent of our all other things inasmuch as the products are fishing streams in Pennsylvania. Financial used as food for human consumption. The sacrifices have been willingly made by some floor was one place that must be kept clean at concerns to install and maintain numerous all times. Inspectors insisted upon it. Any­ types of filtration systems, some of which have thing that was spilled received immediate failed. But "good housekeeping"—an entirely attention and was washed into the sewer. new method of attack—has been the means of Result: A badly discolored, nauseating and eliminating the pollution from one of Pennsyl­ polluted stream for several miles below vania's best trout streams, the Little Loyal- Dushore. sock Creek, in Sullivan county, until it is The fact that milk waste is one of the most practically a pure stream again, insofar as the difficult types of pollution to control and main source of pollution is concerned. regulate is well known among sanitary On this stream, near the headwaters at engineers. There is no pollution that gives off Dushore, is the Harrington and Company a more nauseating and offensive odor during Plant, manufacturers of bottled milk, condensed hot weather. It settles on the bed of the stream milk, ice cream and ice cream mix. These and forms a thick grey slimy condition which products find their way to local and city decays and defiles the stream. Its effect on markets, covering a wide territory in northern fish life is . extremely bad. It robs the stream Pennsylvania and southern New York State. of the oxygen content which is necessary to The daily average of raw milk received at maintain fish life. The result is a Ashless this plant is 50,000 pounds. However, during stream and an open sewer which adds nothing the summer months it is increased consider­ to nature's pleasant surroundings. ably. There are more than 70 employees Harrington and Company have not been The stream, 30 feet above sewer outlet. maintained by this company in this small ignorant of these facts and have spent a lot Sullivan county village, and to expect this of time and money to find some method of number of employees to be interested in pre­ abating the pollution in this stream. They from the stream during the summer months. venting the pollution of a stream seems some­ were aware of the recreational advantages and They knew that something would have to be what remote. Yet this actually has been values of good fishing, also of the money spent done to eliminate this pollution before force­ accomplished. in the community by the fishermen and others ful methods were applied by the authorities. In any manufacturing concern it is to be from distant points throughout the state. They They were unfortunate in every venture to expected that accidents will occur during the were conscious of the offensive odor coming correct the conditions. They were more fortunate, however, in hav­ ing, among the employees, men who were vital­ ly interested in the general conservation pro­ gram. They had shown from time to time a keen interest in conservation, recreation, sportsmanship, sanitation and pure streams. The management had a keen desire to have a pure stream to enable the fishermen to enjoy their fishing; a sanitary condition for their friends and neighbors who lived along the stream. The business was growing and the. amount of raw milk received was increasing which would increase the pollution load to the stream- It was imperative that something definite be found to prevent the further pollution of the stream. The management knew that the destruction of the forests of Sullivan county would not help to increase the flow of water in the stream enough to carry off a heavier pollution load. A conference was held early in 1936 and rt was decided that an immense filtration system would be immediately installed. A large system would take care of any increase in the business- Numerous companies and individuals who were well versed in sanitation engineering were con­ sulted. The systems required to take care o* the refuse were selected. Bids were requested, and five bids were submitted. They ranged i" price from $13,320.00 to $22,000.00. 1 Harrington and Company main plant. The problem seemed solved at last eve* 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 9 though it was to cost a considerable sum of money. But it must be done. Plans were nearly completed to start the construction. However, further research indicated that the filtration system would soon fill with solids and allow the waste materials to get into the stream even though it passed through the filtration system. This seemed worse than a direct sewer to the stream which would not cost thousands of dollars. It seemed like money entirely thrown away. The filtration System idea was discarded and the old method of discharging direct to the stream by sewer remained intact. No treatment was found to solve the problem. By August, 1937, a high discharge of waste to the stream during the summer had made a very unsanitary condition. State authorities were notified and they requested that some­ thing definite be accomplished to abate the Pollution without delay. Further research, time and money was used without any satisfactory results. Time passed 'nto fall and winter to relieve the pressure until spring. March, 1938, soon passed, and still nothing of a definite nature had been ac­ complished to insure a pure stream for the The stream, 30 feet below the sewer outlet. coming summer months. The management were at their wits' end to know what to do or which way to turn tor help. They exhausted every effort to find Dr. Trebler made a statement that hit a time ? Could the waste be kept from the sewer ? responsive cord. That thought was "Good If so, how? Housekeeping." The representative visualized The representative was completely sold on the a way out of the dilemma. One thought led "Good Housekeeping" idea and it was moving to another in the mind of this representative forward to achievement. His thoughts were: until something of a concrete nature presented "If good housekeeping methods can keep things itself. It was: "Instead of having the waste in order in the home it can work here. The go into the sewer, why not eliminate the waste waste can be eliminated and the pollution pre­ so far as possible. Keep the necessary and vented. Careful management in every depart­ unavoidable waste out of the sewer and it ment will mean good housekeeping." will not get to the stream and the pollution A meeting of the heads of all departments will be prevented." was called. The idea was presented. It found He returned home with this "good house­ responsive minds. Plans were inaugurated. keeping" idea fully impressed upon his mind. (Continued on Page IS) But he could not do it alone. He must have cooperation. Could this be secured from the employees in the plant? Empty cans draining before washing. Waste received at extreme left. He spent some time surveying the entire plant to see just where any waste could be eliminated to reduce the pollution load to the some feasible plan to correct the condition, stream. He studied methods of just how the finally, early in May they learned of a meet- waste could be kept from entering the sewer. lng which was to be held at State College Could this be successfully accomplished? relative to the control of milk wastes. A rePresentative of the company attended this His first point of contact was the raw milk meeting to learn of anything which might be as it entered the plant. It must be emptied °' interest and help to solve the problem. from the cans and the cans had to be thoroughly One of the speakers was Dr. Trebler and washed. Here was the first point where ex­ nis general run of comments were along the cessive loss and waste could be eliminated by •>ame old lines of the past. Things seemed using more cans in emptying the cans of raw nopeless. Would nothing new ever develop milk. The empty cans could be more care­ 0 take care of creamery wastes? Finally fully drained after they were emptied. They could be drained into some receptacle to keep the former waste milk from the floor. A new process of washing the empty cans could cut down the pollution load by using less water for can washing. Careful draining of the cans would not leave as much milk in them as before and less water would be required to wash them. Drippings from the cooling systems, bottling machinery and many other places were noted and studied. The loss of ice cream to the floor while filling the containers was noted. Ice cream mix was being spilled on the floor. Condensed milk suffered severe losses during its handling. All of these losses were just the same as money being washed from the floor and into the sewer. Could these losses be "ails under bottling machine keep any milk Milk is mopped from the floor. Note mop off floor. eliminated and still get the products out on wringer and receptacle. 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JULY

10,000 FISHERMEN WILL READ THIS AD but - - WHAT WILL THEY DO ABOUT IT?

With more people turning to our streams and inland waters each day in search of pleasure and sport, we must follow a definite and aggressive conservation program so that this increasing army of pleasure seekers may have a fair chance to enjoy the use of our water resources and the many associated recreational advantages. In order to enjoy "water sports," we must have WATER. If this water is to pro­ vide the maximum advantages, it must be CLEAN and reasonably PURE. We do have water; nature has endowed this country of ours with a large supply of water that was originally clean and pure but, unfortunately many of our streams are at present so vilely polluted as to render the water unfit for any public use. Each one of us knows of some stream that would provide ideal fishing and bathing if it were not for the fact that the stream bed is clogged with rubbish and the water is polluted with oil, acid and sewage. This catch of eight brook, brown and rainbow trout, 7 to 14 inches, was made in Big This deplorable situation will not correct itself, pollution is man-made, and man Wapwallopen Creek by Tom Beldonig of can correct it. Some of our streams can never be reclaimed but a great number of them Nanticoke. can be restored to their original state of usefulness. The Huntingdon County Game, Fish and Forestry Association is waging an active campaign to improve our streams and eliminate pollution—MAY WE HAVE YOUR SUPPORT? SCHUYLKILL ANGLER RECALLS EARLY SPORT JOIN THE Samuel H. Daddow, of St. Clair, who has Huntingdon County Game, Fish & Forestry Association, Inc. been one of Schuylkill county's leading anglers for more than half a century, thinks the sport Active Membership and Annual Dues - - $1.00 these days "ain't what it used to be," writes Jack Richards of Pottsville. Junior Membership and Annual Dues - - .25 He admits for one thing, that trout are a little harder to catch now than when he was REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS; 3rd THURSDAY a boy fishing with his father, the late H. L. Daddow. His father was recognized as the Some of Our Accomplishments During the Past Three Years .... peer of all veteran fly fishermen in this county. Sponsored the first large scale planting He died in 1921. Distributed 2,250 nut trees and planted of "blight resistant" chestnut in Hunting­ The brown trout have wrought a great change over 5,000 evergreens. don County; have planted more than in Schuylkill county streams, Mr. Daddow says. Operated "vermin control campaigns" 8,000 seeds of this variety. Rainbow trout also are a new species which that have accounted for the destruction of must be fished for in a somewhat different Assisted in stocking over 150,000 trout over 3,000 crows, hawks and owls and manner than the brook trout which abounded and bass in our streams. more than 1,500 watersnakes. when he was a boy. Purchased and distributed over 3 tons Both new species are harder to take than of grain and more than 200 bu. of ear Obtained and planted 250 hybrid chest­ the brook trout and since World War days, corn for winter feeding. nut trees valued at $2,500.00. Mr. Daddow has been compelled to learn all Spent over $1,000 for CONSERVA­ Secured over 40,000 fingerling trout for over how to fish, he says. TION. stocking in county streams. At the time he enlisted in the army for European service, most trout streams in this This Ad Is Sponsored By The Huntingdon County Game, Fish and Forestry Association county were well filled with brook trout. When And Contributed To By The Following Merchants: C. H. Miller Hardware Com­ he returned the brown trout had gained a foot­ pany, Corcelius Hardware Company, Ross E. Goodman and W. J. T. Jones. hold in streams and with brook trout rapidly succumbing to civilization, Mr. Daddow was compelled to try new methods of taking them. He has succeeded fairly well during those Novel Ad used in a membership campaign by the Huntingdon County Game, Fish and Forestry years since 1918, but he feels that it will take Association. many more years until he can catch brown trout with the same degree of success that he has taken brook trout. present day rods, because they were limber go. If the trout is feeding in midwater then Mr. Daddow has been a fly fisherman for and rather unwieldy. A level leader and level one must place the lure there and if the trout more than SO years and was able to cast a line were almost invariably used and Sam has is feeding on the surface then it is time to use fly before he entered the first grade of school, no recollection of tapered lines. He used a the dry or floating flies. thanks to the excellent teaching of his father. light line, his dad favored a heavy one. It Asked if his enthusiasm has dimmed over j But Sam also learned to fish worms at an was a pleasure, he says, to watch his father the years, Mr. Daddow says he gets the fishing even earlier age, giving them up soon when he handle rod and line, tossing a fly with amaz­ fever more strongly each year and about mid- j learned that fly fishing was much better sport. ing accuracy gained from years of practice. March can hardly wait for the season to begin. His father, who died in 1921, was born in Sam does not remember the first pattern of He fished every Sunday last year and much of Virginia, coming to St. Clair during the Civil fly he ever used, it being so long ago that he the time between Sundays. This year he is War. The elder Mr. Daddow made a pal of has forgotten. But he believes that it is not trying out a new type torpedo head line. his son and together they had some splendid so much the pattern that counts as it is the way Asked what is his favorite stream he says he trips together,. Their favorite streams in those the fly is presented. He fishes both wet and prefers those of the Poconos, but he also likes early days were Wolf Creek and Little Wolf dry flies, preferring the dry, but also when to fish at High Bridge and in Clark's Creek, Creek, near St. Clair, Wild Creek in Carbon occasion demands and he cannot take trout on near Tower City. County and other Pocono mountain streams. either he uses nymphs or minnows and at times He doesn't know where he will fish the Years ago, Mr. Daddow says, one did not even stoops to the use of the worm. first day this year, but it will probably be have the tackle the modern angler enjoys. Sam's theory is that one must put the with one of his friends, Jim Malia, Joe Foster Most rods of that day he says were made lure where the trout is, that if he is feeding or Russell Carl of St. Clair, all of them expert of lancewood, but they were not at all like on the bottom, down to the bottom one must wielders of the rod and line like Sam. 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 11

Question: Occasionally, while fishing ponds vegetable matter, combined with the small and lakes in northeastern Pennsylvania, I have waterflow through the area, has caused a very noted a condition which apparently strongly intense working of these areas. The working "•Sects the fishing. People living in that section of a lake does not, as a rule, kill fish, although c all it "working of a pond" and few fish have their resistance is at a very low level, and they come my way when this took place. Could you consume very little food during this period. tell me what causes this condition?—J.R. This is caused chiefly by the low oxygen content of the water during the purging period. Answer: This peculiar phenomenon is Insofar as the welfare of the fish is con­ frequently called water bloom—blooming or I bin afishin' fer bass an' hangin' eround our cerned, it is believed that less harm is done breaking of a lake. This condition is nature's big crick fer nigh onto 35 yeres cum this where the water area is permitted to work to method of cleansing or purging the water seezun an' it shure hez bin wuth a lot ter me purify itself in the natural way, than where area of surplus or waste forms or organic ter see the changes thet haz tuke place. Back artificial methods are employed. •natter, consisting of both animal and vegetable around 1914, they wuz mebbe 1 fisher ter 100 on Matter. In nature's chemical laboratory the our crick now. In them days, nary a flat but decayed vegetable and animal matter under­ hed a dandy lot o' bass in it. Big bass, sum goes a change and is broken up in many fine Question: Do your records indicate at just o' them, too, an' the best I ever tuke wuz Particles, and carried as suspended matter at zvhat time the calico bass was introduced to cought on a stone cattie. Thet fish wuz in or near the water surface. The chemical change Pennsylvania waters?—H.L.K. Dobbs' flat an' it wayed better'n 5 pounds. that takes place at this period, among the 'Twuzn't no trick then ter go ter a shaller er debris on the lake bottom, is accomplished by Answer: We find the following reference 1 o' the leetle runs at nite an' ketch enuf catties various forms of gases. In many cases these to early stocking of this species in the report fer a day's fishin' in 1 er 2 scoops o' the minnie minute particles absorb sufficient gas to bring of the State Commissioners of Fisheries for net. Now a feller hez ter work like blue them to the surface. Being suspended at the 1892-93-94: "The phenomenal success met blazes ter ketch a dozen. The same goes fer surface, they undergo additional chemical with in stocking the rivers, lakes and streams crabs, clippers er helgermites ez you call 'em, changes by coming in contact with light and of the state with black bass, led the com­ shiners an' nigger chubs. Semes like ter me, 0xygen, the oxidization being hastened by the missioners to try the experiment with other an' I'm jest a plain fisher, thet this here food Wind and wave action. This condition general­ members of the bass tribe. Among the first supply hez a whale o' a lot ter do with our ly takes place in midsummer, when the surface to be introduced was the calico bass, a fish bass fishin'. You can't keep cattel, er horses °r the lake becomes covered with layers of which loves deep and sluggish waters, which er other stock in gude shape ef they don't heve Material resembling green paint or thick pea yet will thrive in streams that are cold and plenty o' grub an' the same thing goes fer the soup, accompanied by odors distasteful to those rapid running. In 1876 some two hundred one bass an' other fish. w and two-year fish were captured at the Licking ho use the area for recreation and other Back in them days, cum lait May, on every Purposes. reservoir, about 10 miles from Newark, Ohio, and brought to Pennsylvania. During the next flat a feller cude see the bass over their nests, The association of plants and animals in a not jest 1 er 2 nests on a big flat neether, but J two years more than 2000 of this species of ake exists in a definite and necessary chain of fish were shipped from Ohio and placed in the mebbe 6 er 8. Ef you ketched a bass in them relationship. That is, in the food chain of waters of the Juniata, near Hollidaysburg. The days an' it wuz a foot long, you cude bet yer "shes, the larger fish eat the smaller fish; the calico bass thrived wonderfully well, sur­ bottom doller thet it ud scale a gude pound, smaller fish eat Crustacea, adult insects and mounting all difficulties and soon found their 9 times outer 10. Nowadays, we ketch bass, weir larvae; and the larvae feed upon various way into the Susquehanna, where they are sum o' them 19 inches, thet is long an' racey forms of plant life, particularly the microscopic quite numerous, particularly about Harrisburg." an' mebbe onley way thet much. Jest offhand, forms of algae, present in the water. By mid­ I reckon ol' lady nature kin show us a whale summer, many of the plants, not consumed by o' a lot fer makin' better fishin'. Them bass the larvae, die and settle to the lake bottom. 20 yeres back wuz plumb hefty an' chunky fish Question: To settle an argument, what was High water temperatures cause a rapid thet maid a feller figger when he tied into them the biggest largemouth bass ever to be reported thet he wuz fast ter sumthin thet musta fed on ^composition of these organisms, together to the ANGLER? Where was it taken? I main­ dynamite. With the rapid breaking down of vegetable tain that the fish caught in Stillwater Lake in "tetter carried in from the surrounding drain­ 1937 by Prank Kramer of Orwigsburg, Schuyl­ Even thru the erly 20's the bass semed ter age area, or accumulated from the previous kill County, was tops but a friend of mine says hold thare own rite gude in the crick, but since dear's crop of aquatic plants, causing the water a Lake Gordon, Bedford county, bass heads the then, yere by yere, they bin aslippin'. Thet's to become foul or polluted. When waters are list.. Who is right?—J.D. why I figger thet stockin' feed fer them'll do Polluted by organic substances, a form of blue- a lot more good then just stockin' more bass Sreen algae becomes very abundant and in most Answer: You both are. Kramer's fish ter throw the works more outer balance. cases is responsible for the lake, when work- caught that year measured 24 inches in length, m Funny thing, too, when the bass wuz plenty, g, taking on the pea soup appearance. had a girth of 18J4 inches and weighed 8 it wuz mitey seldom a feller'd hook a gude pike The drought period of the past eight years pounds 12 ounces. A Lake Gordan fish caught er pikerel, ez you call it. When the bass got as greatly lessened the water overflow from by Harry Wiltrout of Rockwood that same rite scarce, semed like the pike got more plenty. "teny lakes and ponds. As a matter of fact, year, however, tied the Stillwater bass, also Figger again, mebbe, the food in the crick hed many 0f them have become stagnant, or semi- tipping the scales at 8 pounds 12 ounces. This sumthin' ter do with thet. Rite now, we're ^tagnant, for the greater part of each year, bass had a length of 25 inches but a smaller ahopin' in this neck o' the wood thet ol' lady this condition has been conducive to a very girth, 17 inches. Both of these all-time record nature kin be given a chance ter help bring our oense growth of aquatic plant life. The largemouths in Pennsylvania, were taken on bass fishin' back. Reckin she kin, too, ef she's annual decay of this dense accumulation of plug, our records indicate. given haff a chance. 12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JULY THE PLEA OF THE BLACK BASS

By WALTER D. PERRY

AM the spokesman for all my species balance of power clicked smoothly on—life cool shadows nlone the shores, affording us I which your men of science have named was orderly, if severe, directed by some mighty seclusion and regulating the temperature of the the Micropterus and which your people com­ Being or power that has been the wonder and water. Insects and their larva falling from monly know as the Black Bass. To you who the mystery of all creation. these trees formed an important portion of our seem to have dominion over all things of the A few thousand years ago there appeared food supply. earth, we are making an appeal for our future a strange people on the shores of our lakes These were the conditions under which we existence. and streams. They were wiser than any lived until the arrival of what has proven to We are a peculiar race, found only in the creatures we had ever known before. They, be our greatest enemy and arch destroyer, creatures whose ways are not nature's ways, lakes and streams of North America and too, preyed on our kind. For a while we a people we fail to understand, the white man. especially in the section that you call the United feared this newcomer, thinking that perhaps States. We have fought a brave fight for he, with his clever devices, would cause our Your pioneers cleared the forests and tilled many discouraging years, only to find our extermination. Then we noted that he also the soil. After a while we noted great fluctua­ numhers growing fewer and our living waters preyed upon our enemies, which gave our fry tions in the water level of the streams, there were frequent floods and periods of very low I steadily reduced in area. So we are wonder­ a better chance to mature. We also noted that water. Then we noted a strange element, mud, ing wherein lies this freedom of which you this stranger had no intent to destroy, he took in the water and on our spawning beds—much boast or to what avail is this brave fight. only that which he needed. We were finally convinced that the Indian was also one of of our spawn was destroyed by this sediment We may have had our origin, eons ago, in nature's children, that he fitted well into the so that our reproduction was greatly reduced another geographical age, from certain salt great natural scheme and that the balance of but, inasmuch as your people preyed heavily water fishes which became landlocked in one power was not disturbed. on our natural enemies, we noted that a greater of the ancient inland seas, which erosion and portion of our offspring reached maturity. Bordering our shores, extending in all drainage changed into fresh water lakes con­ While our general numbers were greatly re­ directions and ending we knew not where, nected by running streams, so that we evolved duced, there still remained a fair adult popula­ stood the "Forest Primeval." This great into a fresh water species. We have every tion of which these newcomers took a heavy drainage regulator played a mighty part in reason to believe that our race has lived in toll. The balance of power was disturbed. our life and development. Its carpet of leaves these waters for many thousands of years, and, and matted roots acted like a great sponge no doubt, our ancestors witnessed the great Finally, great cities appeared along many which absorbed the rain and the melting snow, changes in the drainage system caused by the of the larger streams. They used these water­ holding it back and releasing the water slowly glacial periods. Throughout these ages we courses as convenient sewers to carry away so that the streams were afforded a steady have been a victor in the game of life, which discarded matter. For a great distance below flow of clean, pure water. There were no feat is so aptly phrased by Charles Darwin these populous centers the water was rendered sudden, disastrous floods, neither were there as "The survival of the fittest." We were unfit for our existence and we had to move any periods of low, stagnant water, only once here long before any appearance of the genus on to purer water. In many places you erected each year did the streams experience violent homo to which we are told you belong; we, factories, some of which released vile dis- f flood conditions, and that was in the early therefore, claim the streams, the rivers, the charges of chemicals into the streams. This spring when the ice broke up and moved down. lakes and the ponds as our natural heritage. poisoned the water and killed every living | It was the annual housecleaning that scoured creature for many miles down their courses. ! the stream-beds leaving clean stones, gravel and Nature has decreed that our race should Many streams that we inhabited drained sand on which we spawned. Its network of be carnivorous, so we accept nature's laws country that contained minerals, and especially roots held back erosion, its towering trees cast and expect that many of our members must coal—this, you, of course, minded. In coal ' be consumed, as we, in turn, consume count­ less numbers of smaller fish and other organ­ isms. In order that we could be able to survive the foraging of our enemies, nature has en­ dowed us with the capacity for prolific repro­ duction. We have many natural enemies. Reptiles, such as snakes and turtles, consume millions of our smaller members every year; scavenger fishes prey upon our spawn if we are removed while guarding it; certain aquatic mammals, such as the otter and the mink, take their annual toll; greater and stronger fish, such as the pike and the muskellunge consume vast numbers of our kind. But this nature, of which we have spoken, moves in strange ways; while the greater fishes prey upon us, we, in turn, prey upon their fry and smaller members so that, all in all, a balance of power has been established that, so long as it is not disturbed by outside agents, maintains a constant ratio of the various aquatic species. This balance of power has been directing aquatic life in never ending cycles. When our numbers became too great and consumed the other inhabitants to a point where our food supply was insufficient, we have preyed upon our kind, thus reducing our ranks until this balance was properly adjusted. So through the ages these cycles would come and go as the years rolled on—rivers changed their courses, lakes drained themselves out and the landscape gradually changed but, in spite of it all, this Frank Krebs, Jr., of Philadelphia caught this fine 4'/2 pound largemouth bass on plug last fall while easting in the Bristol canal. 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 13

'here exists an element that you call iron Pyrites that, when sealed in the coal, is harm- 'ess but, when exposed to the oxygen of the air, has a chemical reaction which produces sulphuric acid. This acid, naturally, drained directly into the water courses. All such streams are now devoid of any aquatic life. As far as fish life is concerned, the country surrounding your city of Pittsburgh is now a desert. We have been driven far from you in many streams that were once the finest places °f our abode. Our physical growth depends almost en­ tirely on the amount of food we consume. In Southern waters we do not experience seasons °f complete dormancy and are able to feed during the entire year, consequently, in that sector, our size is much larger than in Northern Waters where, during severe cold weather, we must hunt the deeps and lie in a state of hibernation during this cold period. We emerge in the Spring in a weakened condition and must feed to the point of being gorged in °>"der to build up a vitality that will permit us Pomeroy's Dam on Tuscarora Creek, a central county bass stream. t° perform the strenuous duty of spawning. When this season is over, we must again feed heavily to build up a fat reserve to carry us —put up a great fight which lasted for over PIKE ASSOCIATION HAS FINE 0ver the dormant winter period. This explains an hour, but his great strength could not *hy we are so easily taken by your lures in forever hold against the never-tiring spring PROGRAM these Northern waters and especially those of that rod. Becoming completely exhausted, 'akes of your neighbor, Canada; because of he finally gave up. The man handled him A livewire sportsmen's association in Pike these conditions plus your sportsmen's easy gently, looked him over and pointed a black, County that has gone to the very core of the access to these waters, many of Canada's box-like article toward him. Bill heard it conservation education problem is the Little Slorious chains have been all but fished.out. click. He then talked to Bill (or just talked Mud Pond Association, a member of the State There are no more frontiers for our kind. to no one in particular), and said, "What a fish Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs. *ou have penetrated our hidden fastnesses and and what a fight! I have been fishing for you for two solid weeks, but this is worth it—and have journeyed to the extreme limits of our Following is one of their posters that has now, old boy, I am going to reward you." habitation. First by canoe and portage—rail­ been tried with outstanding success: roads followed—paved highways can now be Then he did a strange thing; he carefully re­ '°und in a great network that crosses our moved the hook, which had no barb, and per­ streams and skirts the shores of our lakes. In mitted my old friend to swim away, unhurt. ATTENTION PARENTS! 'he name of sportsmanship, thousands of your I have since found out that that fisherman People have used these roads and highways and was William Dilg. It was he who, a number This Association solicits your aid in teach­ have camped upon our virgin shores. They of years ago in your City of Chicago, met ing our BOYS and GIRLS Conservation of Wild "ave taken us in vast numbers, for what pur­ with fifty other earnest men and founded the Life. pose we do not know. They could not pos­ Izaak Walton League. This organization has 1st By "Personal Example" of true sports­ sibly consume all they took, - so countless proved to be our greatest friend. Being national manship. thousands of our kind have been permitted in scope, it has been responsible for much good t° rot and decay in sorry heaps, whose ghastly legislation that has resulted in better condi­ 2nd By impressing, in a manner interesting, spectacle is indeed a fit monument to their tions for our species. It teaches your people rather than authoritative, how important, to thoughtlessness and wanton greed. to conserve and not to destroy what you have their future enjoyment of hunting and fishing, left of wild life. Through its example, many Among your people there are some who is, the need of Conservation of Fish and Game. of your anglers now use barbless hooks and understood us and have done a splendid work keep only as many fish as they can use. 3rd Do not expect too much or curb your °r our conservation. Our first great friend children's instinct to hunt or fish. They too Was your Dr. Henshall, whom your sports- So, to any who may have our problems men call the "Apostle to the Black Bass." He at heart, to any that want to see the polluted love the "Strike to Rod" and the "Kill to Gun." *as the first to recognize our situation and streams made pure again, to any who want 4th Praise lavishly where praise is due, 0 seriously study the conditions under which to see forests replace the denuded hills, to chide sparingly all mistakes. ^e were striving to survive. It was through any who love nature and the wild things it 's writings and his teachings that many of contains, we believe that you could take no If you but accomplish little of all these ^°ur sportsmen saw that something had to be better step than to join with the Izaak Walton points, you have done much in the moulding 0tle. This resulted, eventually, in laws being League and other conservation-minded organi­ of our Sports—"Men and Women." ! assed for our protection in nearly every state zations and help them in their splendid fight. 11 your great country and that of your splendid Our fight for existence is now beyond our n Little Mud Pond Association «'ghbor, Canada. control; your disruption of nature's balance f An old friend of mine, William Broadfin places the burden of our future squarely on Member: State Federation of Sportsman. rom the upper Mississippi, told me of a very your people. If you would have our kind The results of this poster campaign were ffusual experience. "Bill" had a lair behind perpetuated, it is necessary that further pol­ far beyond the expectations of the club, accord­ . shelving rock at the foot of a long riffle, lution must stop, sportsmen must obey the laws, Us ing to member Al Snyder of Edgemere, Pike t where it entered a very deep pool. For to go further than the law and stop before the county. Where before small fish were to be everal days he had noticed a peculiar bug or legal limit is reached; they must know that found decaying along the shore of the lake, y lighting and rising from the water. After all of fishing is not the killing of fish; they since inauguration of the educational program, while he swam out to investigate, and finally must learn that lasting joys do not come from Qe

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING cooperating. They were being recognized through some of their ideas being put into ELIMINATES POLLUTION practice by the plant. They felt like a part (Continued from Page 9) of the business and were fired with an enthusiasm to help establish "good house­ Then every employee was assembled for a keeping." general meeting at the plant. One employee was specially assigned to in­ The idea of "good housekeeping" and the spect the entire plant to detect points where plans were outlined. A history of the past losses were occurring. He passed through the Pollution situation was carefully covered. Every plant hour after hour, day after day. For employee was told that he or she had a six months he looked for nothing but waste of responsibility to assume and an obligation to the milk products and the points from which fulfill. They were advised of the cost of a the wastes occurred. Not even a defect where filtration system and told that the money could a single drop of milk was escaping and falling be of far more value to them if it could remain to the floor was overlooked. All employes Hi the business where they would have some cooperated with him in every way. As the chance of receiving some of it instead of the points of loss were noted they were immediately company possibly being forced to resort to some eliminated by new equipment or some change unpleasant duties due to the extra cost of the in what had already been established. filtration system. They were told of the un­ As an example: The milk in passing over sanitary conditions caused by the pollution and the cooling coils was constantly being lost by bow it could possibly be prevented. They spattering to the floor as it fell into the trough Were shown that by eliminating useless waste below. Good housekeeping was keeping the by carelessness there would be an increase in floor so clean that this spattering was easily the finished product to swell the financial detected, where before it had been impossible. ''eturns from which they received their wages. This spattering was eliminated by installing They were informed that better fishing would splash boards of stainless steel on either side be assured for themselves and their friends of the coolers. Every possible chance of a 11 the stream were unpolluted, because more drop of milk escaping was checked and fish could be stocked by making the polluted eliminated. It no longer was necessary to use area fit for carrying fish. They were advised a vast amount of water to keep the floor clean. that a more healthful condition would prevail The milk simply was not on the floor to be A closed sewer drain has kept this spilled milk •n the stream by elimination of the offensive from the stream. This waste will he mopped washed into the sewer. up later. °dor during the summer months. They were However, accidents could not be entirely pre­ told that conservation is a good thing to practice vented and the milk products were occasional­ ln industry because industry depended upon materials from the floor into the sewer. There ly spilled on the floor but this waste was not 'he conservation of the natural resources. was a 90% reduction in the total pollution load washed into the sewer as before. Good house­ Every employe responded by a willingness to the stream. keeping was in order. It was maintained at to cooperate and the plans were adopted. The In spite of the fact that much new equip­ all times. Every department was furnished responsibiIity of the officials in carrying the ment was installed at considerable expense, with a sufficient supply of mops and receptacles entire load was considerably lightened. The the saving of raw and finished products were which were equipped with wringers. These Program started at once and soon amazing more than enough to pay for the new equip­ were suitably located and all losses were being results were evident. ment. mopped up and retained in the receptacles. The Employes made suggestions here and there The plans have now been in effect almost milk as it was mopped up was immediately to eliminate waste. The management was being one year and new ideas are still being tried wrung out into the receptacles and the mop damped with suggestions. New equipment out. One of the most recent ideas put into placed where it could be ready for instant use. Was being installed. Every employe was effect is that of preventing any loss of milk These losses are utilized by employes who live going into the sewer regardless of accident or on farms and feed the waste to their pigs. otherwise. Every sewer drainage opening in All employes were now pulling together. the plant is now closed during the daily opera­ Good housekeeping was a reality. The plant tions and any spilled milk or waste is im­ was immaculate. The stream was clearing. mediately mopped up even though the amount Monthly meetings of all employees were being is a large quantity. The great care exercised held to further impress upon their minds the by the employees is quite evident when it is necessity and value of sanitation, cleanliness and noted that the mop containers—which hold but good housekeeping. 10 quarts—are rarely emptied more than once A chart was kept in the office for every per day. department, its activities and ideas, to show The net results of this clear thinking and the net results after the new ideas were in­ good management were: stalled. Some proved successful at once. First: There has been a large saving in raw Others needed expansion and some slight and finished material; Second, A large financial alteration which was not delayed. saving in the construction and maintainance Every department was proud of its achieve­ of a filtration system which might have been ments and was trying to outdo the other in only temporary relief; Third, The entire plant sanitation. A slogan, "Don't get anything on is cleaner than ever before; Fourth, There is the floor" seemed to be automatically adopted a pure stream to insure fish life again: Fifth, and practiced by every worker. The plans the objectionable odor has disappeared; Sixth, were working so well that it seemed that Public health has been given a brighter out­ nothing new could be added to keep the plant look. any cleaner. Harrington and Company are to be con­ By October, 1938, a marked difference was gratulated for putting "good housekeeping" noted in the stream. The offensive odor had into actual practice and upon the map in the disappeared. There were no stenchy, slimy, manufacturing industry. Their activities should stagnant pools in the stream. Fish life was meet with the approval of every sportsman and returning to the former polluted area and trout fisherman in Pennsylvania. Other industries were being caught nearer Dushore. Tests were would do well to follow their example. made in the stream and the oxygen content This plant is open to inspection by an in­ had increased considerably, it was found. dividual or concern who may wish to study There was an 80% reduction in the quantity and duplicate this worthwhile plan of "good Where waste empties. of water formerly used to wash the waste housekeeping." 16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JULY

"BACK-TO-NATURE" BASS (Continued from Page S) contend that this plan of having nature carry through restocking of such waters has one outstanding advantage. The supply of wild bass or other game fish is regulated in direct proportion to the available food supply. This means that while .the number of bass pro­ duced on controlled spawning areas may be sharply reduced, the survivors are fish ideally adapted to conditions existing in any body of water at the present time. For the past two years, in the central counties, we have been seeing our bass fish­ ing slip steadily downward from the angle of catches. We must recognize the fact that, to date, this downward turn of the cycle has not been halted. For that reason, our main hope rests in taking nature into partnership to reestablish a good stock of bass in most waters. Generally, most bass waters are in better condition from the angle of forage production, cover and maintenance of consistent water levels than are many of our trout streams. While, it is true, the forage supply in these natural bass areas has been seriously curtailed through taking of fish bait and bait fish for fishing purposes, there is reason to hope that this condition will be improved through in­ tensive restocking of organisms that comprise the chief diet of the bass. It is sincerely believed that reestablishment of a basic supply of bass in any suitable water through the plan outlined will work to the benefit of the fisher­ men, even though it must be recognized that nature, in her balancing process, will in all probability restrict the number of bass in a stream strictly to the supply of food available. The fact remains that a supply of wild spawners, limited though it may be in number, will provide the nucleus for rapidly improving bass fishing as the available forage in that area stages a comeback. The "Back-To-Nature" bass plan obviously will not make possible a check-up as to number of fish produced in any given area. We stand convinced, however, that the vast majority of our bass fishermen are concerned primarily with improvement of their sport. If, after a fair trial, this plan proves workable, the results will more than justify the experiment. We cannot express the plan in any better way than this: Let nature supply the answer! NOTE : The inews on bass stocking expressed herein are strictly personal and are not to be construed as reflecting the attitude of the Board in its program. Ponds in the state of George Gaub and Clyde Beers, veteran Meadville rauskie fishermen with two muskies taken Delaxvare annually produce largemouth bass in in French Creek. The larger fish weighed 25 pounds. the record class. Complete protection from May 1 through June is accorded the spaumers in these famous ponds. McKEAN SPEAKER AT BAGDAD BOY, 2%, LANDS BIG RAINBOW DINNER "Jimmy" Miller, 2j4-year-old son of Mr- The annual banquet of the Bagdad Distrist and Mrs. Eugene Miller of near Bellefonte, Sportsmen's Association proved a huge success. deserves credit for hooking and helping to land "What would be the proper thing to say Bill Ashe acted as toastmaster. Among the a large trout while fishing in Spring Creek if, in carving a duck, it should slip off the platter speakers were J. Fred McKean, New Kensing­ at the railroad trestle at Red Roost. The and into your neighbor's lap?" ton, Board of Fish Commissioners; Rollin youngster was fishing for chubs with a worn1 "Be very courteous. Say, 'May I trouble you Heffelfinger, Irwin, Division Game Supervisor; attached to a bare hook that had once been 8 for that duck?'" Ray McKissick and Bob Reed, game protectors fly when a 3-pound 18-inch rainbow trou' of Armstrong and Westmoreland Counties. decided that lure looked inviting and grabbed Walter Miller, secretary, Armstrong County the fly in its mouth. Then followed a terrific Sportsmen's League, and Burton Welch, s Lady Driver (after crash) : "I gave the deputy game protector. R. Clyde King, Apollo, struggle in which "Jimmy" assisted by hi proper sign for the direction in which I was showed wildlife movies. Music was under the father finally landed the prize. The trout, half turning." direction of Prof. Logan Ashbaugh of Leech­ as long as "Jimmy" is tall, was proudly eX' Male Ditto: "I know it, that's what fooled burg, Rev. E. C. Good, Leechburg, pro­ hibited in the Keystone Gazette office and othef me." nounced the invocation. places about Bellefonte. 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 17

FISH-O ATTRACTING MANY Hatchery in Indianapolis, Ind. The Indianapolis many summer camps will feature Fish-O in Casting Club and the Marion County Fish their outdoor programs. FOLLOWERS and Game Association held a joint Fish-0 Boy Scout interest has been expressed by meet. Rex Edwards tallied top score with a It used to be that fishermen only fished on Fred C. Mills, national director of the Health 76. These same two groups staged a second days when the waters weren't muddy or the and Safety Service of the Boy Scouts of Weather was right or they had a chance to Fish-0 tournament on April 30, with a regular America, who said: "it certainly sounds in­ get away from daily chores for the event—and summer series of meets to follow. teresting and I believe will be valuable for lt was an event. Even now, many of them A little later, the Metropolitan Rod and Gun promoting the sport." complain that they don't have enough time Club of Brooklyn, N. Y., conducted an for fishing or it costs too much to take the Even Congress is "casting" an eye at this amateur fly, bait and surf casting tournament time. intriguing casting game. If the Senate and at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, one of the first House of Representatives stay in session team events in the eastern states. Washington, Few anglers ever seriously thought that through the summer, which is more than D. C. is planning an official Fish-0 tournament the day would arrive when they could "fish likely at the moment, the Capitol Hill solons this month. without any fish around to bite," for it seemed may be taking their Fish-O diversion on the an idle dream to suppose that fishing would National organizations—social and employe e lawn after office hours. ver have a practice medium that might be groups in industry—are indicating that Fish-O So widespread and extensive has the national Played whenever anglers took the notion, will be one of their regular sports events regardless of weather or time. interest in Fish-0 become, the sponsors of the during the summer months. The Elks, for game are working out a program of prizes to instance, with 1,300 clubs in the United States Now—day or night, summer or winter, rain be awarded winners of regional Fish-0 turna- or snow—they can fish. And they can do —and the membership is sixty per cent fish­ ments and finalists in one national tournament it in the backyard, on the country club lawn, ing conscious—have greeted Fish-0 with cheers. to which regions and states can send their m the gymnasium or at camp in the mountains High school and college athletic units are champion casters. miles from the faintest kind of stream. All assembling target layouts, women are getting because the new bait and fly casting game, into the game, fraternities and sororities have Rules booklets are available through the Fish-O, sponsored by the American Wildlife requested rules booklets and it is- certain that American Wildlife Institute, Washington, D. C. Jnstitute, Washington, D. C, is making it Possible to "practice fishing."

For the older anglers and experienced con- servationists, who have developed scientific fishing skill, Fish-0 will be doubly welcome: ^ will provide them with diversion on off- days and will do for the amateurs what they, the adult fishermen, have always wanted to see done. And to the younger, "rarin' to go" rod- and-reelers Fish-0 will be what skeet is to the Wing-shot, what water-wings are to the sWimmer, what the minor leagues are to the majors.

As a game it is all simplicity; only a few rules govern the play; standard tackle is mandatory and the rest of the equipment is s° easily assembled that the cost of creating a Fish-0 layout is within the budget of the average contestant or club. Ten targets— rings that can be placed horizontally on any "at surface, a lawn or a lake or a pool—con­ stitute the equipment. These targets are of two diameter sizes, 30-inch and 18-inch, six °t the larger type, four of the smaller. All targets are used in the bait casting events of fish-O, five of the 18-inch rings are utilized m the second division of the game, the fly cast- ltig events. . In fact, Fish-O is the nearest thing to fish- )"S that anglers can possibly get, which, in "e Words of one experienced sportsman is summed up as "a darn swell game that is so asy to play and so interesting to follow that °ne wonders why nobody ever thought of it ?efore this." Yet, nobody did think of it until 11 Was born in a Chicago conference of fishing- mnded enthusiasts this past spring and since , s first public appearance has been growing y ieaps and bounds.

State reports are arriving in the offices of "e game's sponsors with news that Fish-0 cams are being organized and tournament p'ay planned. Among the first towns in the country to express interest in Fish-O were ethesda, in Maryland, Norris, in Tennessee, cneva, in Ohio, and Kalamazoo, in Michigan. tne y g t actual tournament reported ver rs Harper Wall, expert Dalton angler with two line pickerel taken last season In Baylor's Fond. °ccurred on April 23 at the Riverside Fish The larger fish, according to Fred Erb of Dalton, measured 24>4 inches and weighed SVz pounds. 18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUL*

sure becomes high they rise to evade the BAROMETER FISHING PROVES EFFICIENT added weight of more air plus water, and thus relieve the strain on their air bladders. By BRAINARD C. SNYDER In support of this theory, certain pecuhar deepsea species, so constructed that they caI1 live only at specific ocean levels where ^tre. Courtesy "American Field" is a given water pressure, will be found dead when hauled to the surface. The lack of their accustomed pressure has literally caused then* and "how" to fish. But the time to fish has HEN Abraham Lincoln, an obscure innards to explode. Crappies brought up sud­ run the gamut of unproved theories from stick­ country lawyer, named the new town denly from forty or fifty foot water likewise W ing a wet forefinger into a west or south wind of Lincoln, 111., for himself in 1853, he remarked: die as they reach the top. to following moon phases, with no certain "Nothing named Lincoln ever amounted to a Fish, unlike deep-sea divers, have no decom­ tinker's dam." results. St. Regis Indian guides, whose personal pret­ pression chambers available for them. They Yet, eighty-five years later, a small group of "roll their own." Nature prompts them t0 Lincoln Sportsmen's Club members, cooperating ence is to horse in St. Lawrence muskies on a in light clothesline without benefit of rod or reel, move upward as atmospheric pressure ' with the writer in the field of fishing-weather creases, and thus avoid the discomfort of 'tne research, has definitely proven what is hailed as tell upper New England Sportsmen: "You might find your luck anywhere." But they bends." the greatest boon ever offered to the tribe of can't say "when." The barometer fishermen found that during American fishermen—the elimination of guess­ inactivity in deeper water under low pressure work between good and poor fishing hours. When the big fellows stop hitting, Ontario Indians in the White Shell region east of fish apparently go without feeding for con­ Barometer readings taken on US fishing days Winnepeg, come closer to the answer with siderable periods of time. If the pressure rise during the past season in various sections of the "big fish go down deep—storm coming." is particularly sharp they will be found feed­ country establish the fact that 94 times out of ing avidly. The storm comes—never doubt it—but the 100 fish bite best under high atmospheric Ontarios are utilizing the fish's action as a pressure and least under low atmospheric Why Fish Bite in Rain barometer rather than using barometic read­ pressure. ings to tell how the fish will react. The daily observations, representing the re­ Regardless of wind direction, wind intensity! A pressure reading in advance would have eS ports of two to twelve fishermen each, covered rain, temperature, clarity of waters and chang' prevented the informed fisherman from placing still-fishing, casting and trolling, and included of baits, it was noted that fish universally effect before cause. He would have known virtually all species of inland fish. refused to bite immediately before a storni> that muskies were going deep and were not yet became active when the low pressure ares Even salt water amber jack, barracuda and interested in spoon-hooks, and that it was time lifted. king-fish off the Florida coast, as well as trout to batten down the camp's hatches. stl in the Rockies, were found to bite best on a ris­ The answer was found, too, to why n Many old timers in the North Country, as often bite during a rain. The center of tn ing or continued high barometer reading, and weather-wise as the next, often shrug off least on a low. And the same rule applies, the storm had passed and the atmospheric pressur Ashless hours with "fish bite when they're was rising. Some of the finest fishing reporte tests showed, to bass, crappies and catfish in hungry." But when are they hungry? Illinois, and to pike, muskies and other varieties occurred during rather foul weather, but only when the needle was on the upswing. in Minnesota, Michigan and Canada. One-half of the readings represented in four­ Explanation Is Simple Five months of observations in lakes an streams of Logan County, 111., showed fish'nD teen months of investigation revealed that the The cause and effect of this atmospheric was good on thirty-five days when the baro­ barometer needle had been dropping or was low. phenomenon that has gone virtually unnoticed meter was rising and on three days when tn Fishing was either a blank or was negligible by fishermen since the men of Galilee spread barometer was falling from sustained hign under those atmospheric conditions. their nets may some day be made the subject periods. The other half of the observations showed of a thesis by science. Poor fishing was recorded on twenty-seven rising or high readings, during which catches This test was designed to weed out unfit days when the barometer was falling or loW> were recorded in every section, ranging from 1 fishing time for modern, busy fishermen and and on one day when rising. On one of t' sea level to 9,000 foot elevations. not to offer scientific explanations. Yet the low pressure days bass up to 2j"4 pounds wer answer seems exceedingly simple—as simple taken in the forenoon when the reading """f35 First Tests in United States as reading a barometer to ascertain weather relatively high. The day's barometer declme conditions of the next few hours. occurred in the afternoon, when there wer Final tabulations on the research, hailed as In the absence of natural history surveys no fish reported. the first organized movement in the United to explain the "why," the theory devolved is States to test the belief that the weather observa­ simply this: Guide Becomes Convert tion in the immediate locality of the day's fish­ When atmospheric pressure is low fish go ing is the chief reliable guide to fishing condi­ down to equalize the pressure of air and water. David Rhoads, at Walker, Minn., found tions, established 94 per cent efficiency for the They must even up their own bodily inward between July 4 and July 10 that wall-eyed P^ barometer as a fishing indicator. pressure with the outward pressure created by and calico bass hit only when the barometer Unwilling to accept the theories that the air and water. When the atmospheric pres- was up. He took the limit on a high barometer calendar or almanac can govern or indicate the and found boats reporting few or no fish when feeding habits of fish any more than they can the reading was low. foretell flights of wild ducks, sportsmen pioneer­ "I sold the idea to my guide. He wanted ing in the tests carried barometers with them on my barometer, so I gave it to him," his rep°r Summer trips. These were kept in the fishing concluded. cabin or tent or were carried in the tackle box, John L. Gordon, weather bureau observe*"' and were consulted twice or three times daily. encountered a week of stormy July weathe It was quickly found that poor fishing hours at Iron River, Mich. After three fruitless days could be eliminated from the vacation schedule. of fishing on a falling barometer, the weatne Once they knew when the odds were in their cleared at midafternoon of the fourth day. Tn favor fishermen had a sporting chance under late afternoon's catch was nine wall-eyes, rang' high percentage conditions, and the size of ing from three to six pounds. _ their catches became a matter of individual Brainard C. Snider, William Madigan, D- N skill or luck. Parks and Emmett Weakley found wall-eye so plentiful in rough Lake Kabetogama nea Many Unproved Theories International Falls, Minn., that some 6* could be taken daily over a two weeks' nnd' Fishing, the oldest profession of mankind, A fine catch of brown trout scored in Spring Summer period irrespective of wind ° Creek, Centre county by Gust Swanson of has never lacked for sage advice on "where" Lanse. weather. Their barometer readings, however 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 1!) showed the limit of thirty-nine to fifty-two Pike per boat were taken when the reading was r^ve 28.SS (uncalibrated to allow for change 71 elevation), and "poor luck" of eight to a °zen pike per party, was experienced on days *hen the readings were below that figure. At Eagle Lake, Ontario, they found muskies .^d the immense northern pike with which the ,^e abounds were rising to lures only during 'Sh pressure periods.

Trout Tests One Hundred Per Cent A month's fishing trip in the Jackson Hole c°Untry of Wyoming in September brought observations from John R. Parker, Lynn R. farker and Dr. W. B. Perry indicating one "Undred per cent that rainbow, speckled and Cl,tthroat trout, grayling struck only on a high ?r rising barometer. Storms came up quickly n the mountains and soon cleared. Trout in- Variablv refused to rise under low pressure °nditions, yet a sudden barometer rise would .r'ng catches of twenty to thirty trout with- n an hour. In Snake River and Spread Creek, j.1 7,000 to 8,000 feet, the Wyoming expedi- '°n, to thoroughly test the barometer theory, .shed a number of days from daylight to dark 'Sht through succession of rainstorms. On Trout nursery ponds at the Spring Creek project, Centre county. ne of these days two small trout were taken .n a falling barometer during the forenoon. storm rose at 3 p. m., after which the baro- ef were taken on flies, bass plugs, spinners and Says Charles E. Wheeler, Stratford, Conn., . er started up. Large catches of speckled who makes his own trout flies: i 0t,t, up to two pounds, were taken during the live minnows. T hours. Fly casters, on June 19 and 20, when the "There doubtless is something relative barometer reached a season high of 29.S0, further illustrating the changing conditions between the activities of fish and the weather, 4Ulr; lorded it over the bait casters, who had some­ for I recall that when I used to fish com­ 'ng a single day, the party, on another what lesser catches. During this red-letter £casion, took ten trout in the morning when mercially it was a fact that on the day pre­ e eight-day period of sustained high pressure ceding an easterly storm all surface feeding fish ,, barometer was up three points, fished hard readings, even the bank line fishermen reported r°ugh an early afternoon rain with no luck, would bite ravenously, fill up and then dis­ heavy catches of catfish. Panfish were biting appear until after the blow had subsided. The and then as the barometer started up late in e freely, and skiffs came in off the Illinois River approach of an easterly storm in this vicinity s afternoon experienced heavy catches until was as many as sixty striped bass. P. m. is usually indicated by a rising barometer and an exceptionally clear atmosphere." u'l creels of cutthroat, from twelve to Then came a stormy period to put a e5% inches, were taken on rising or high temporary damper on fishing. The barometer To a rare few of Nature's noblemen, com­ stat:'onar y readings, yet when the barometer dropped to 29.06, and for thirty-six hours few muning with the out of doors, the enjoyment a s u . falling or continued low their, records fish of any kind found stringers or skillets. of solitude or the lapping of wavelets on sun- lv ersally showed a maximum of two or three Count not that day lost, however, when the kissed rocks is ample compensation for Ashless boat gear is packed and the disciple of Walton days. But to the great majority of anglers f„ \L. Dempsey, fishing in lakes above 9,000 finds the barometer at low ebb. Nor a day there is scant comfort in not catching fish. j>et in the Wild Basin country of Colorado in mm one of perfect promise because the barometer It is now possible, with every fisherman his Vv^ er and Fall, found that, although the is "high as a cat's back." own "weather expert," to toss into the dis­ ather might appear good at the lake, fish Atmospheric changes frequently come with card those dreary hours in which he knows „ ti'd not bite if a low-pressure area was fishing "will not be worth a tinker's dam" satheeri 'ng . He found fishing good when the little warning. A sudden veering of the baro­ \ye. is the claim. , ther cleared, especially when sustained a metric needle upward may occur at any time, dayortwo. bringing several hours of fine fishing when ( luck has been poor. A midday decline, on the Jkeecnobee| whose bass are world famous other hand, will be found to blot out fishing s size and numbers, had an inauspicious 1938 j s°n opening day May 20 when for three completely, after a fore-noon of good catches. *s the barometer was low and falling. More 9»* At Eagle Lake, Ontario, Dale Clark had LYCOMING ANGLERS VIE FOR ^ an twenty anglers, casting in waist-deep great sport with thirty-pound muskies on a er PRIZES fr off Observation Island, six miles out Fall fore-noon. Eagerly he resumed his quest ba ni ^'Derty Point, averaged but two or three after lunch, but the "Tigers" had vanished. s e The Consolidatel Sportsmen of Lycoming ach over the three days of falling weather, There was not a solitary strike. stf-v ouSn plentiful, bass were not in a County announced that anglers having fish to !n A group of Indians, rigging set-lines along enter in the association's annual competition jt ' g mood during this adverse period, and 'o k°°k Persistent toil from sunrise to sunset the shore, explained: "Storm coming." The must have membership cards to show when rin late afternoon sky was as cloudless a gem as they present their catch for registration. la g in a respectable collective catch. The -Sest weighed eight pounds, one seven, one it had been in the morning. But at 2 a. m. a Because membership books were not general­ s storm broke, toppling trees on the tent of the and eight scaled four pounds each. ly distributed prior to the opening of the ln party's island camp, and all that prevented the t0 °is bass likewise are extremely sensitive trout season, permission was given to accept atrn washing away of their motorboat was the fact op ospheric pressure. The 1938 season, fish for measurement without evidence of ln that it was high on a rock on the lee shore. 4 g June 16, in the central zone, witnessed membership in the association, such membership p,eek of the best black bass fishing in years. In furtherance of the revolutionary findings to be acquired subsequently to make the fish >r s eight days the barometer was high and of the first year's fishing-by-barometer tests, so entered eligible for the competition. May ka IS was set as the deadline for registration in rTgr. y- Limit catches daily were frequently fishermen in additional sections of the country J^6jn rted around Liverpool, on the Illinois have been invited to cooperate this season to this form. After that date, proof of member­ T' They averaged two pounds each and add to the tally. ship must accompany the entry. 20 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUL*

UNAMI SPORTSMEN SPONSOR JUNIOR PROJECT OPENED AT TROUTING "FORMULA" BOXING MILTON The secret of catching big trout, says Ed At their meeting on June 2, the Unami Fish The Milton Fish and Game Association's Kindred, Bell Telephone lineman and expert and Game Protective Association members young anglers' Paradise was scheduled to open angler of 327 Laurel street, this city, is (first) heard reports indicating that their fellow citizens on June 10 at 8 a. m. for the youngsters of to go where they are and (second) to get in Emmaus are solidly behind them in their Milton and vicinity between the ages of 6 and there when they are "on the feed," according efforts to replenish the eye glass fund. This 16 years. to Jack Richards of Pottsville. is to be accomplished through sponsoring an The Sportsmen's Association, with the co­ Kindred should know, for he catches more amateur boxing tournament in the Allentown operation of the Fish Commission, had been big trout on flies than any other angler in Fair Grounds. active for several weeks in stocking the pond this county, asserts Richards. with a sufficient supply of fish for the opening. He takes most of 'em in the Lackawaxen Vice President Harlem Weaver was in the River way up in the northeast corner of the chair in the absence of President Jesse DeEsch, A number of these fish were obtained from the Fries pond north of Milton through the co­ state, also the Lehigh River above Whitehaven, who was confined to his home with illness. and occasionally from Broadheads Creek, near Mr. Weaver is also the chairman of the Box­ operation of John Cooper, the present owner. About four weeks before more than 2,000 blue- Stroudsburg. Give him those three streams ing Committee, the other members being John and you anglers can have all the rest of them O. Romig and Ralph "Ted" Weidner. gill sunfish were donated by Philip Knouse, of Bloomsburg R. D. in Pennsylvania, he says. Mr. Weidner is also a member of the It is only through the fine work of the asso­ His friends, who number some expert fisher­ school board. The purpose of the Unami Eye ciation that this worthy project was carried men, often wonder how he does it, but when Glass fund is to purchase glasses for school out. Any sportsmen interested in this work Ed comes home from a trip they know they children who need them. Dr. R. S. Aurande can do their part by getting in touch with the can safely bet that he will have trout that is the examining physician. Mr. Weidner dis­ officers or members of the association and measure over 20 inches in length and weigh cussed the worthiness of the cause and stated becoming members. from tree to four pounds apiece. that the teachers and educators generally, as It is the desire of this association to furnish Ed has been fishing flies both wet and dry well as industrialists and the business people of a place for the youngsters of the vicinity to for about 25 years. The first fish he ever Emmaus were solidly behind the venture. enjoy good fishing and be taught good sports­ caught on a fly were crappie bass in the Lehigh Charles W. Ettinger, publisher of The Little manship. It is felt that if a boy or girl is given River. He made the fly himself from cord Stick & News Digest, sponsor of the amateurs, an outlet such as this in the channels into which string tied about a hook and a gray hackle assured the club members that a stellar array he or she would naturally stray, many of the feather he plucked from a rooster in a farm­ of amateur boxing talent would compete, in­ problems of juvenile delinquency would be yard nearby. He caught the fish so fast, he cluding several golden glove champions. "You solved. says, that the fellow with him could not string are not over-emphasizing if you assure your The pond has been posted with the rules them fast enough and finally gave up in dis­ friends that they will see the finest amateur governing its use and older members will attend gust, thus ending Kindred's fishing. boxing bouts ever presented on one program in to the gentle reminders that some forgetful Kindred has used worms and bait during the Lehigh Valley," Ettinger told the sports­ young Waltonians disobey. All angling must his years as a fisherman but not- within the men. He added that the round dozen bouts be done from the bank—no boy will be per­ past fifteen years. His early fishing friends presented, were enough of a magnet to draw mitted to wade in to release a hook or for any had a hard time changing" him over to fly fish­ an exceptionally large crowd. "Every extra other purpose. No boats or rafts will be al­ ing, but now he wants nothing better. His ticket you sell means that much more for the lowed on the pond. Only barbless hooks or favorite kind of fishing is with a dry fly but fund," he said. regular hooks with the barbs removed may he uses both wets and dries through the season Among Emmaus boxers who were to appear be used, with only one line, rod and hook and lias a couple of patterns he calls killers. are Max Schantzenbach, the light heavyweight allowed for each person fishing. Ed started out like most fishermen, by hope and Johnny Tomasic, crack lightweight. Each person fishing must become a member accumulating a huge pile of flies and then over a period of years gradually discarding The secretary was instructed to write to the of the Junior Sportsmen's Group and will pay them. He ties all his own flies and that he Fish Commission relative to reported pollution the small dues of 25 cents per year. For this is an expert at it is attested by the catches of Indian Creek. The fish committee reported he will receive a card and be eligible to par­ of trout he makes. planting cat fish and yellow perch in Stahl's ticipate in all activities of the junior associa­ dam and yellow perch in Smoyer's Mill dam tion, such as nature study, conservation and and Indian Creek Dam. sportsmanship. Parents may have no fear in Walter C. Busby and Clarence R. Ritter giving their children permission to become If Nature had hung men's arms so they were admitted to life membership. members of the junior group as older members could pat themselves on the back, what a will be at the pond. demand there'd be for two-coat suits! Clinton Knoll Jr., and Andrew Jasper con­ stituted the committee in charge.

HOMEMADE LURE LANDS BIG TROUT Using an artificial crayfish fashioned from a bit of wood and old rubber, C. Edward Witmer, of Lancaster caught a brown trout in Donegal Creek, Lancaster county, that measured 22 inches and weighed four pounds and three ounces. Witmer had used flies for bait without success and then resorted to his home-made lure fashioned during the winter with the aid of a pen knife. Robert Haller, Ephrata, reported that he landed a brownie in Indian Run that measured 19^ inches and weighed 2-)4 pounds. Earlier in the season George W. Kaley, Mount Joy R. D. 1, caught a brown trout in Wolgemuth's Run that measured 24J^ inches V-type and Inverted V-type current deflectors constructed in Fishing Creek, Lancaster county and weighed four pounds and 13 ounces. trout stream. This stretch of water was formerly shallow and sluggish. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 31

FISHING BILLS PASSED BY ASSEMBLY

The following bills were passed at the last session of the Legislature affecting the Fish Commission and are now in the hands of the Governor.

SENATE BILL NO. 160

This is a bill covering general amendments t(> the Fish Code. Briefly, the amendments are as follows: Section 20—Taking rock bass from pro­ tected class. Section 30—Removing size limit on rock bass. Section 40—Creel limits have been made to agree with rules and regulations as set up by the Board. Section 220—Allows residents and non­ residents to secure a new license for fifty cents upon affidavit when both the license and button are lost. Section 251—Provides a penalty of $10. for This giant limestone spring feeds many of the trout ponds at the Spring Creek project. each fish in possession contrary to rules and regulations as set up by the Board. HOUSE BILLS tion 265 of the Act of May 2, 1925. It Section 255—Clarifies closed streams sec­ provided local option for Sunday fishing. No. 224—This bill was introduced by Rep. tion so that Board may prescribe method No. 1328—This bill was introduced by Rep. of advertising. Boose, Somerset County which made it illegal to issue a fishing license to persons Taylor, Dauphin County. This bill pro­ Section 265—Provides for the taking of over twenty-one unless they had paid their vided for the appointment of a new Com­ baitfish and fishbait on Sunday. per capita school tax. mission which would appoint an executive director who would take the place of the Section 285—Provides for the purchase of No. 510—This bill was introduced by Rep. Commissioner of Fisheries. land and waters by the Fish Commission. Alspach, Lancaster County, amending Section 12 of the Act of May 2, 1925, permitting the use of goldfish for bait SENATE BILLS SENATE BILL NO. 982 providing they were not of a red or gold color. No. 206—This bill was introduced by This is a bill authorizing the Board to issue Senator Wolfenden, and provided that all Permits for certain nets and making it unlaw- No. 511—This bill was introduced by Rep. applications for licenses or permits must ul to make, sell, or purchase certain nets and Krise, Clearfield County, amending Sec­ be accompanied by a per capita school tax Pr°vides penalty. tion 310 of the Act of June 22, 1937, known receipt for the last calendar year. The as the "Purity of Waters Act." Under House amendment to the bill exempted The amendments are as follows: the amendment clay mines were exempted. Hunting and Fishing licenses. No. 569—-This bill was introduced by Rep. Section 53—Net permits. The Board may No. 491—This bill was introduced by Sen. Reagan, Union County, setting forth that issue permits to make, sell, or possess nets Dent, providing and regulating fishing in owing to the high cost of food, etc., living larger than four feet square or four feet reservoirs used for public water supplies. expenses of our citizens can be reduced in diameter. Such permits when issued if they are permitted to catch fish with No. 997—This bill was introduced by Sen. shall specify when and where such nets outlines, set lines, etc. Tallman, amending Section 220 and 285 of shall be used by the owner or the persons the Act of May 2, 1925, P.L. 448. This W possession thereof. No. 570—This bill was introduced by Rep. bill increased the fishing license fee from Reagan, Union County, amending Section Section 54—Nets unlawful without permit. $1.50 to $2.00, provided that the sum of 220 and 225 of the Act of May 2, 1925, and fifty cents from each resident fishing license It shall be unlawful for any person to permitted County Treasurers to appoint wake, sell, or have in his possession a net be used exclusively for the acquisition in the various issuing agents for the issuing the name of the Commonwealth by pur­ 'arger than four feet square or four feet of fishing licenses. w diameter without a permit issued by the chase or lease of public fishing rights and Board. The possession of a net without a No. 945—This bill was introduced by Rep. privileges in any of the rivers, streams, Permit therefor shall be prima facie evi­ Gates, Armstrong County, amending Sec­ lakes, or ponds in the Commonwealth. dence of the violation of this section. section 55—Penalty. Any person violating ar BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS >y of the provisions of Section 54 of this HARRISBURG, PA. Article shall upon conviction as provided in Chapter XIV be sentenced to pay a fine SUBSCRIPTION BLANK °f not less than one hundred dollars Enclosed find fifty cents ($ .50) for one year's subscription to ($100.) nor more than two hundred dollars PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER. ($200.) and to undergo imprisonment for a term of thirty (30) days for each viola­ Please Check Name . tion. » (Print Name) j> e following bills introduced affecting the • New Street and Number .n Commission, either remained in com- • Renewal City_ •»%e e or were killed on the floor. 22 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JUL?

DYNAMITE TROUT, PENALTIES NEW KENSINGTON PROJECT specifications are based on a study made by a HEAVY STOCKED nationally known line manufacturing concern. Choose HDH or D level for a medium bass Samuel L. McMullen and Clifford Varner, Kiddies of New Kensington should have a fine or heavy trout rod with stiffish action, good both of Tyrone, found it didn't pay to dyna­ time during the opening weeks of the "junior "backbone" and weighing from 4 ounces up. mite a trout stream. The former was fined fishing paradise" season at Memorial Park. Choose HEH or E level for standard action $100 and costs at a hearing before Ralph More than 2,000 sizeable carp were placed in rods of 3 to 4 ounces; or for softer, whippier ( Galbraith, Huntingdon justice of the peace, and the lagoon on June 1 by fish commission at­ rods up to 4J4 ounces. Varner was sentenced to 103 days in the Hunt­ taches, aided by members of the junior patrol. Choose F level for those "fairy wands" of ingdon county jail because he couldn't pay the Fish Commissioner J. F. McKean, who has 2y2 to 3 ounces with stiffish dry fly action. If fine of $100 assessed against him. been vitally interested in the park project the rod is very whippy, a G level may work Both were required also to pay the costs along with Izaak Walton League leaders, to better. which amounted to $6.50 and $2.50, respectively. whom the shipment was addressed, in addition Quick taper or torpedo lines most generally! The men were charged with dynamiting to city officials, pointed out that the shipment used are the HCG size, which corresponds for Spruce creek, Huntingdon county, on the was larger than all received last year. use intended of the HDH double taper. premises of the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Rev. R. V. Hartman, councilman in charge Diameter sizes of level lines are: H-25/1000- Club on the night of March 30. Arrests were of the park, said that he believed Monday and inch; G-30/1000-inch; F-35/1000-inch; E§ made by Lincoln Lender, fish warden in the Friday would be the most suitable days for fish­ 40/1000-inch ; D-45/1000-inch; C-50/1000-inch, ; Huntingdon district, who also prosecuted the ing at the park and that he would ask Walton- and B-55/1000-inch. A thirty-pound test line • men. ians, in drawing up their annual code, to in­ is of the same diameter as a G level line.! Lender said a third member of the party had clude those days. It was believed the "paradise" That's a pretty good indication of the strength not yet been apprehended. He also said both would open in mid-June, possibly on Flag Day of fly lines. McMullen and Varner had served time in to add emphasis to the observance of that jail for killing deer illegally. holiday. It has been suggested by Mayor Reeser that the lagoon be opened for fishing on that day about 4:15 p. m., and that the period end with a ceremonial of lowering the flag with a bugler's taps and a band concert. APGAR PRESIDENT OF ANGLERETTE OUTSCORES A brief patriotic address by some speaker TOWANDA CLUB VETERAN ANGLERS would be designed to reach the youngsters present. The directors of the Towanda Gun club Friends of Bert Ackerman and Ed Brent are have elected Merle R. Apgar president for the "Licenses" are being sold for the "paradise" coming year. He succeeds Russel H. White chuckling over the best fish story of the year. at the New Kensington police station, similar It appears that Messers. Ackerman and Brent, to the set-up of last year. Receipts were to who has been president of the organization Altoona hunters and fishermen of considerable be issued pending arrival of the buttons. for some time past. William Piatt has been experience, agreed to teach Miss Lucille chosen vice president; Harry N. White has Sheehan, secretary to State Senator Charles Last year more than 2,500 youngsters secured been re-elected secretary and William F- R. Mallery, some of the pet methods of lur­ "licenses" to fish in the lagoon, the restrictions Dittrich has been re-elected treasurer. ing the wily trout to the landing net. Miss of which are similar to those of the Bellefonte "fishermen's paradise" for adults. Members of the Board of Directors are Sheehan, also a fisherwoman of some ex­ F. D. Montanye, E. E. Voorhis, William Piatt, perience, was willing to learn some of the fine Merle R. Apgar, B. F. Crossley, C. R. Lewis, points of trout fishing so the trio spent a day Gerald Moore, William K. Breen and Louis on Spring Creek in search of the speckled FLY LINES Barnes. beauties. President Apgar has named the following The two men were successful in landing a Comments Michael Seaman in his fine out­ committees to serve through the coming year: | door column in the Harrisbiirg Telegraph fair-sized sucker, but Miss Sheehan landed House Committee — William Piatt, Mark apropos of fly lines: her legal limit of ten trout, and what trout Hagerman, Fred J. Schaffer. they were. The smallest trout in the catch Proper line, level or tapered, depends on the was a beautiful rainbow measuring ten inches Shooting Committee—Gerald Moore, Louis | rod action. The average fly rod used for all- Barnes, Dr. S. B. Black. in length and the largest was a fine speci­ round purposes—bass, trout, panfish — weighs l Fish Committee — William Piatt, James « men of brown trout measuring fourteen inches. anywhere from A /2 to 6 ounces. Nothing Experienced anglers who saw the catch pro­ lighter than a D level is good for a rod of Meredith and Ray Finlan. nounced it the best they have seen in years. this type. To be more exact, the following Membership Committee — E. E. Voorhis, George Smeaton and Vincent Connor. Legislative Committee — F. D. Montanye, Robert Bennett, and Stewart Borger. The club now has a membership of more than 200 and is very active in securing fish ; and game for restocking purposes. During the past year, the club has aided in stocking 8900 rainbow trout, 2000 brook trout, 2000 brown trout—all legal size; 5000 fingerling \ brook trout; 20,000 pike perch fry; 2500 bulk j heads, or catfish; 100 pickerel 16 inches >" I length; 6000 blue gills; several cans of minnows and 1000 black bass. Several hundred rabbits and 400 ringneck pheasants have also been released in the pas* I year through the efforts of the Towanda Gu" \ club. The organization is continuously work­ ing for the interests of the sportsmen and ha5 accomplished much. Just how extensive the conservation efforts are in this state is shown by a report of the Game Commission which shows that during 1938 the amount of game killed for iocfi Eggs of the smallmouth bass, (highly magnified.) purposes was 9,426 tons, 1939 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 23

STRANDED FISH ARE SAVED BY WARDENS Armstrong-Clarion County Fish Warden Charles Wensel and two deputies were credited With aiding fishing devotees after laboring most °f the night on May 18 to transplant "thousands" of fish that had become marooned With a recent drop in the stage of Crooked Creek. Aided by Deputies Clarence Mulhorn, of Vandergrift; and Miles Toy, formerly of Armstrong county, Wensel began transferring fish by hand from the isolated pool to Crooked Creek. The fish officials soon discovered that they faced an almost impossible task, then dug a trench from the pool to the main stream of Crooked Creek. After that they spent hours seining fish through the trench, to fresh water. "There were thousands of 'em," Wensel said. The rescued fish included crappie, small mouth and other varieties of bass, sunfish, carp, cat­ fish, all kinds of minnows. Fishermen along Crooked Creek first told the wardens of the stranded fish. The au­ thorities investigated, finding that with a recent drop in the level of Crooked Creek, a sizeable Pool had formed on the lower side of the creek, near its mouth. When the stream receded, the fish were un- *ble to leave the pool, and the wardens were '"formed that small boys of the neighborhood Photo by LaMarr Mumbar had been wading into the pool to "hand pick" Stream shore desecration of this type is sickening to those who find sport on our waterways. This heap of junk, with high water, will be washed into the Perkiomen Creek, popular Mont­ ^eir catch. gomery county bass stream. Wensel, Mulhorn and Toy picked up "lots" °f fish in their hands before contriving the trench through which they detoured the fish PARADISE VALLEY ATTRACTS a frequent visitor at Henryville House and hack to the main stream. fished the trout streams with religious zeal. ANGLERS Fishermen should be discouraged against making record catches, in "Don's" opinion. Paradise Valley, that pastoral, lush area He feels the catches should be cut down so that nestles tranquilly down among the Pocono as to conserve the sport for future genera­ mountains, in Monroe county, is properly HALFWAY DAM ATTRACTS tions. He has a picture in his workshop of named so |far as fishermen are concerned. ANGLERS an extra large catch he made himself some For Paradise Valley is paradise for trout years ago. "I'm not proud of that today. Halfway Dam was perhaps the most popular fishermen who come from all parts of the I've learned to love trout fishing for the sport rendezvous for anglers in Union County on the country and England to battle the game trout of it, not the catch. To me it's the most °Pening day of the trout season in Pennsyl- that inhabit its world-famous streams. fascinating sport in the world, and the trout Vania. An estimated number of 800 to 1000 No one knows the mysteries of the fly and a game opponent, worthy of one's best skill fishermen took at least a thousand trout from trout life of the Pocono streams better than and fishing ingenuity." Clarence Stogsdell, postmaster of Henry- 'h's dam, according to C. A. Kniss, prominent Many noted fishermen have plied the Paradise ville, known throughout the Pocono country­ ^'fflinburg angler. Four fishermen had re- Valley streams including Teddy Roosevelt, Jr., side as "Mr. Don" and recognized every­ Ported catching the limit of the speckled Henry Mead Williams, associate editor of the where as an expert maker of trout flies. heauties by daybreak. Most of the catches American Magazine, and Paul Gallico, sports ran "Don" is a native of Missouri. He spent ged in size from 8 to 17 inches with a few and fiction writer; in the old days Chancellor Under 8 inches. An actual count revealed that nine years in the United States navy and Levison, Thad Norris, Harry Pritchard, Charles P0, lights lined the edge of the dam at one then settled in Henryville in 1920. About A. Bryan and James Rice used to fish the tune during the night. Many fishermen were eleven years ago he went for trout fishing streams. So with a bang and since that time has been ^_ reported along Rapid Run in the Fourteen In 1895 the Fly Fishing Club of Brooklyn an earnest student of trout life and fly life "•"e section on the opening day. was organized with SO members at the Henry­ among the four famous Pocono trout streams: . A prolonged rain which began Friday even­ ville House. ts and continued throughout Friday night Broadhead, Cranberry, Hells and Paradise. JPoiled fishing in most streams in this section. "Don" goes out to the streams at dawn, °'d weather and intermittent rain made life studies the insect life, catches sample flies Here is a little bit of Natural History for Ov>tdoors unpleasant for the angler. and then returns to his fly laboratory where the disciples of Isaac Walton, written by Peter he fashions trout flies. Derosier, French-Canadian culinary expert. Successful fishermen were Palmer Hommel, He can tell you many "fish stories." One s °n of Mr_ Martin E. Hommel and John Hum- story that will stand the test, however, is De worm she is a funny thing; ?le! son of Mr. Harold M. Hummel of the one about the record catch made on the He got no leg, jio arm, no wing; "tifflinburg who, at Halfway Dam, both caught Pocono trout streams. It was in 1890 when She got no leg, but he can walk; ne trout. The trout ranged in size from 9 323 fish were taken from the stream by He got a mout,' but she can't talk to 16 nine men. The entry was made in the hotel She walk with no leg on de groun' inches. The 16 inch trout was the catch register of the Henryville House, first erect­ Back and 'fort,' and don't turn roun of John Hummel. ed in 1803 by direct descendants of Patrick He built so clos' down to de dirt, Others who secured fine catches of trout If she fall down, he don't get hurt; VVer Henry, and is legible today. The entry was e R. L. Stahl of Mifflinburg, J. B. Miller An wen she whoa an back he go, n<1 made by Chancellor Goold Levison, founder p D. Neil Pursley of Lewisburg and M. of the Anglers' Club of New York. He was Wher' is hees head, I lak to know? **rk gaker of p0ttsville. 24 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER JULY

A HERE nDTHERE •M ANGLERDOM

The Harrisburg Hunters' and Anglers' The ANGLER is always happy to present Association is sponsoring a fishing contest this reports on bass catches made in Lake Gordon, year. Opening on April IS, the first day of Bedford county largemouth water, because it the trout season, the contest will close on exemplifies just what a good food supply in November 30, ending of the season for bass bass waters can mean in producing heavy, and warm water game fish. Prizes will be ideally conditioned fish. Warden Harry Moore awarded for top fish of the following species: of Hopewell submitted the following catch brook, brown and rainbow trout, pickerel, wall chart of H. W. Hardy, Belle Vernon, in eyed pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, Gordon last season. Let it tell the story: (1) catfish and carp. A watersnake contest for Two bass, length of each 17 inches, weight for boys is also being sponsored by this live-wire each, when dressed, three pounds. (2) Two sportsmen's organization. For every boy who bass, length each 14J^ inches, weight each, presents as evidence IS watersnake heads to dressed, two pounds. (3) Two bass, length officials of the association or fish warden, a each 13J4 inches, weight each, dressed, two free fishing trip to the Spring Creek Project pounds. (4) Two bass, each 19 inches, weight of "Paradise" in Centre county will be of each five pounds, one, 20 inches, five pounds. arranged.

According to Warden Sam Henderson of Greensburg, a fine brown trout was taken at Ligonier in the Loyalhanna Creek by David A most interesting communication was Kinsley of Ligonier Township. Kinsey scored received the other day from Shirley Hulse, the catch, an 18 inch brown trout weighing ardent Bedford sportsman. We quote: two pounds 4 ounces, on a spinner. "Thursday morning I picked up a good sized snapper on a highway by a big millpond, evidently looking for a place to lay her eggs. Veteran angler James Walters of Foul It was about 30 hours till I had time to take Rift on the Delaware River annually catches the turtle apart and the turtle spent the in­ some fine bass in that great stream. Last terval on the tirechains in the back of the car. season he was reported to have landed a small­ There were 17 fully developed, ready-to-lay mouth bass 23 inches in length and tipping eggs and the shells were all hard—as un­ the scales at nearly six pounds. Crayfish are yielding to the touch as a hen's egg. I had his favorite lures. the general impression that all turtle and snake (reptile) eggs were alike and would give under finger pressure, with the exception of alligator Ranking with the largest smallmouth bass eggs which I have seen dug out of gravel bars taken in Pennsylvania waters last year was in central America with shells even harder Bobby Steinmetz displays a 19 Inch brown the smallmouth taken in Sweet Arrow Lake, and thicker than hen's eggs. I might add that trout taken on No. 14 fly in the Little Lehigh Schuylkill county, by Tom Hirst, Jr., of St- an alligator egg is the one thing I ever tackled by Howard Gangwer, AUentown. Clair, according to Warden Anthony Lech of when hungry that I couldn't go—all yoke and Cressona. The fish tipped the scales at 5 sulphur—but the natives regard them as While fishing at Perm Manor Lake near pounds 2 ounces. Lech informs us that afl delicacies and hate to give any up." Tullytown for smallmouth bass, Lloyd DuBois abundant supply of food is present in the lake of Merion had an experience that will linger and that removing any bait fish or fish bait long in memory. DuBois had taken five nice from that body of water is prohibited. Each bass, two smallmouths and three largemouths year some exceptionally fine smallmouth and on a light casting lure. "After landing the largemouth bass are taken. You probably have already read in this issue fifth bass," he writes, "I was going to fish a William R. Walton's splendid article on hair little longer, intending to release any other fish minnows for bass. Apropos of their use, Mr. caught. However, on the next cast, something Plugging scored a mighty fine bass catch Walton writes: "My experience with this snagged and the line stopped suddenly. The last season in Lake Wallenpaupack for William particular type of lure has been with large- lure? That's still goin', I think. Honestly, Weaver of Orwigsburg, according to Warden mouth bass in lowland ponds that contain fish that was the first time I ever lost a good John Schadt of Lake Ariel. Weaver's catch running up to 5 pounds and over. Most of plug and didn't feel bad about it." was a 22 inch largemouth bass having a girth these ponds are weedy, some of them so much of 16 inches and weighing 6 pounds 8 ounces. so that they cannot be successfully fished with casting rod lures because of the fine weeds One of the nicest rainbow trout to be taken such as sago pond weed and hornwart fouling at Spring Creek project this year, reports Mrs. Kathryn Diller of Kinzer, R. D. 1, is the large hooks carried on most of such lures. Fish Commissioner Fred McKean of New a bass enthusiast, according to Warden Bill Many of these ponds can be waded with good Kensington, was the fish landed by Chester Wounderly of Reading. Last year she scored effect and the open spots among the water- Heidel of Brackenridge. The rainbow was a catch of two fine smallmouth bass while fish' plants fished with light single hook lures cast 23 inches in length and weighed 4 pounds 4 ing in Octoraro Creek. The fish measured with the fly rod." ounces. 16^4 and \A% inches respectively. ^ly ^yin S My table is littered with feather and silk Of various colors and shades. There's fur from the rabbit, the squirrel and the deer, And scissors with delicate blades. A small pair of tweezers, a vise and some wax And varnishes glossy and white. There's hooks of all sizes and shapes in a box And tinsel all shining and bright.

With these things I fashion the delicate flies While out-doors the winter winds blow, As I sit there and work in glow7 of light I think of the places I know. How sunshine turns silver on rippling streams, How evening turns silver to gold. "•-A'U The tint of water o'er moss covered stones And trout that the amber pools hold.

A Cahill I'll make for deep glassy pool, The home of a grumpy old brown ; And a small Gordon Quill, a brookie to take At Rock Pool where white waters frown. This one to the rainbow that rose to my fly And fought with abandon and skill And lost, to his memory I fashion again. His favorite, Dark Ginger Quill.

And so the whole evening I sit in my chair There dream of the battles of yore, And see in my mind the tall pines and the streams And listen to white waters roar. These pleasures 1 know though it's winter out-side; What more could a fisherman wish? And so f can say though it's often been said, "There's much more to fishing than fish.''

SJIIM MEL,

. •,U<,-J.

Use Live Bait SPARINGLY;

Unhook Small Bass CAREFULLY.

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