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^rt>>OHiPUi i The General Assembly, in the 1973-74 session, enacted a statute giving the Fish Commission purview over all coldblooded creatures in Straight Pennsylvania. That was redefined in the Fish and Boat Code of 1980 to include all fish, amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic organisms. This was authority that the Fish Commission sought not only on its own sense of responsibility, but as mandated under the Federal Rare and Talk Endangered Species Act of 1973, which requires that all forms of life must be protected by each state or be preempted by the federal establishment. Following receipt of that authority, we appointed a Herpetological Advisory Committee of the acknowledged experts in amphibians and reptiles across the Commonwealth. They meet from time to time to advise the Commission of the status of various species, and make recommendations. Thus, the eastern timber rattlesnake, which still has the status of "indeterminate" and is still the target of a number of organized hunts, became the subject of a regulation adopted by the Commission at the April 1984 meeting, to be effective January 1, 1985, including the following language: "Sacking contests, as defined in subsection (a) are prohibited. Reptiles and amphibians may not be confined without water or shade or otherwise physically abused or handled roughly. Free-handling of venomous reptiles is prohibited." In recent years we've become aware of a number of persons suffering snakebites as the result of such contests. In one case, a hospital contacted us to find out who was going to pay the medical bills from someone's having been bitten. We believe that these contests are inappropriate for the protection SACKING CONTESTS and management of the reptiles. Manipulation of these animals in AND sacking contests does nothing to further their protection, and it fosters attitudes and uses of these animals that is contrary to the RESOURCE MANAGEMENT sound management of these wildlife resources. Although the sponsors of some of the snake hunts claim that these are educational to the public, we maintain that most of these events do not do much more than provide sources of funds for the local fire company, church or Scout troop, but also provide a forum for the masochistic traits for which some contestants need an outlet. We continue to study the status of these venomous snakes with limited resources for such research; although most will agree that the populations are dangerously low, we have not yet been able to call them "threatened" or "endangered." We do not believe we should take the chance of extirpating any species by permitting the activities which we are now about to prohibit. Consider the epilogue from a wonderful book, The Great Auk, by Allan W. Eckert: On June 3, 1844, on the island of Eldey, off the southwest coast of Iceland, the species of a large penguin-like bird, known as the great auk, became extinct from the face of the earth. This occurred when the last two living specimens were killed by Jon Brandsson and Sigouror Isleffson and the egg of these two birds was smashed by Ketil Ketilsson. Sixty-two years later, William Beebe, the great naturalist and explorer, wrote: "The beauty and genius of a work of art may be reconceived, though its first material expression be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet inspire the composer; BUT when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again."

Ralph W. Abele Executive Director Pennsylvania Fish Commission Pennsylvania ANGLER NOVEMBER 1984 VOL. 53 NO. 11 Official Publication of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission Last-Chance Trout by Fred Johnson 4 November offers some trout action, but you have to apply special smarts to fool the fish. An expert offers some success secrets. Winter Tackle Storage by Gary Diamond Q Don't just leave your gear heaped in the trunk or piled in a corner. Use these storage tips so your gear is in tip-top shape come spring. Picking the Right Jig by Mike Bleech •A -t Wedge heads, bullet heads, or round heads? How much do you really know about selecting the right jig? The author clears the air and provides some ideas to help you tie on the right jig. Mold Your Own Jigs and Bucktails by C. Boyd Pfeiffer •jo Increasing your stock and saving money are the bottom line in making your own, and the author shows you step-by-step how to create masterpieces in lead. The Palmer Potamanthus Dun by Chauncy K. Lively • 8 Tying this common mayfly can give you some fine trout fishing action next spring.

Boating Safety While Hunting by Virgil Chambers 22 When you use a boat for hunting, you also become a boater, so here are some safety tips that can save your life in an emergency. America's First Fish-for-Free Day 24 September 22 marked the very first "Fish-for-Free Day" in America, and thousands of first-time anglers participated in the unique event. 26 County Features—Union County by Dave Johnson, and Centre County by Paul Antolosky

Straight Talk 2 Anglers Currents 20 The Cover Fall fishing opportunities are golden as winter slowly grips the Commonwealth. Turn to page 4 for tips on cashing in on some last-chance angling, and for a head start on organizing some winter projects, turn to page 13. When you're ready to store your tackle, read the article on page 8. Competitive types won't want to miss the Molding jigs page 13 information on page 24 concerning the second Pennsylvania Angler lure-making contest. Staff

EDITOR / Art Michaels PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION BOATING ADVISORY GRAPHICS / Ted Walke Ross J. Huhn, President BOARD PHOTOGRAPHER / Russ Gettig Saltsburg Clayton Buchanan, Chairman CIRCULATION / Eleanor Mutch Marilyn A. Black, Vice President Pittsburgh STAFF ASSISTANT / Jayne Povleski Meadville Nicholas Apfl Walter F. Gibbs Theodore T. Metzger, Jr. Fairless Hills POSTMASTER: Send 3579 forms to Pennsylvania Titusville Johnstown Charles Chattaway Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA Leonard A. Greer i Joan R. Plumly Monongahela 17105-1673, Pennsylvania Angler (ISSN0031-434X). Jenkintown Sherwood Krum ®1984 is published monthly. Second class postage paid at Carlisle Harrisburg. PA. Subscription rates: one year. $5; three Calvin J. Kern Jerome E. Southerton Hawley years, $14; single copies are 80C each. For subscription and Whitehall Honesdale Leon Lyon change of address, contact Angler Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105- Robert L. Martin J. Wayne Yorks Bellefonte 1673. Address all other correspondence to: The Editor, Penn­ Bellefonte Benton sylvania Angler. P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. The authors'views, ideas, and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission or its staff. *»-i^jl •" *

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-/ r*)^<**- November trout fishing success is best possible when you use some of the author's ideas. Last- Chance

Trout by Fred Johnson

he sun had arisen in the southeast hours before, an outgrown stump on a pectoral fin, convinced him that but the trees still cast long shadows, and in their this was a stocked fish, to which it now bore little T shade, the fallen foliage which matted the forest resemblance. The rounded snout of this firm 12-inch floor was still pasted white with frost. The only sound beauty told him it was a female, which had probably reaching the lone angler was that of a triangle of geese added two inches length and doubled in weight since far above, noisily speeding south to escape the released six to eights months before. approaching frigid northern winter. An hour of casting A slightly twisted lower mandible added to the story; an imitation ant had been rewarded by only a flash or the fish had either broken loose or had been returned by two beneath the surface, or was it only his imagination? another fisherman. He silently thanked the angler whose He'd waited for one last warm day before putting his generosity may have made this catch possible, and as she fishing equipment away, and the promising forecast of slowly swam toward cover, promised himself to try for the previous evening convinced him this was that day. her again the following spring when the brown caddis The stream came bounding toward him over the emerged anew. boulders, which created mysterious pockets and short Fishing in November? Oh, maybe for muskies. walleye, moving pools that held the angler as if in a trance. The or tarpon in Florida. But trout — why waste good brook, no wider than two lengths of his fly rod, had grouse hunting time when everyone knows that the trout risen somewhat from its late summer lethargy, and its have either been caught out, spawned out, or are ready temperature chilled the man's feet enough that he was to hibernate? thankful he'd patched the tiny hole in his boot the night Yes, I know that most of us stash our trout fishing before. He paused to reflect on the beauty of his stuff away by Labor Day, start getting better acquainted surroundings—the sparkling stream surrounded by the with our bird dogs, and cut firewood for the deer camp. forest floor of frosted reds, oranges, and yellows, That's fine, but you might just be missing out on some highlighted by the sun slashing through the remaining pretty fine fall fishing. foliage which clung to the oaks and maples, interspersed by verdant hemlocks. Tradition and change His gaze was drawn to the widening circle in the There isn't a very long local tradition for this aspect of miniature pool ahead. Was it a fallen leaf, or could it the sport. The trout season in Pennsylvania closed at the have been a rising trout? The glimpse of a tiny mayfly end of July, except for a few special regulated waters, rising clumsily from the water made the appealing second until 1957, when it was extended to Labor Day for choice seem more logical. He crouched lower and slowly approved trout waters. Except for a few died-in-the-wool eased closer to the vanishing circle, twisted the ant from fly fishermen who frequented the special regulation his leader, and replaced it with a small Blue Wing Olive waters (and still do), there was no fall trout fishing in dry fly. His casts lengthened until one just above and to Pennsylvania before 1970. It was the "Rods of Spring" the side of the circle's center was allowed to glide gently and the "Guns of Autumn," pure and simple. In 1970 to the water. Slowly, confidently, the fish appeared selected streams remained open for an extended season beneath the fly and inhaled it. (3 trout) until the end of October; in 1975, all approved The trout was strong and fought well, reaching toward waters were open to this date. In 1978, the season for the large rock and log in the pool that had sheltered it approved (stocked) waters was further extended to from danger before, but was denied these sanctuaries by February 28. the leader's invisible force. As the brown was brought to So now there is unlimited choice. Turkeys in spring hand, the angler noted the bright, profuse colored spots, and bass, muskies, walleye, or trout in the fall. yellow belly, and fully developed, sharp fins. Most would Contrary to popular misconceptions, many of our have mistaken it for a wild fish, but the large number trout streams do contain significant populations in the and randomness of the red spots, and the telltale hint of autumn. Of course, there are about 3 million fewer November 1984 5 catchable fish than at any one time in the first month of "smarter," both getting a better return on stocked and the season, but there are also a million fewer anglers wild trout and also wasting fewer fish. Delayed harvest pursuing them, which means that if you select the right regulations are a good example of this idea. water, there are many more fish per angler in the fall This offshoot of "no-kill" permits recycling (catch and than in the spring. release) of stocked fish in early season, and creeling them In addition, when the leaves turn, an angler's later in waters where few if any stocked fish are expected philosophy has mellowed. The autumn angler usually to carry over (survive until the following spring). isn't intent on killing "his" limit of trout before someone If you are convinced that some trout do remain in else catches them. He's alone, competing with no one, November, here are a few tips on late-season angling that able to obtain a great deal of pleasure from his outing— may improve your chances of connecting with a few of more aware of his surroundings—and the fish he may them. catch, and will probably release, are not the sole reason for his being there, but rather an excuse for devoting one Where more shortening day in the outdoors along a favorite All approved trout waters are open from mid-April to stream before the snow falls. March 1. This includes waters stocked by the Fish Commission and those under special regulation. After Revealing experiences Labor Day, just three trout may be taken daily from Last October, I had worked into a weekend in Monroe these waters, while special regulation creel and size limits County and decided to accomplish a rod and reel survey are as listed in the summary of fishing regulations of the Big Bushkill Creek fly-fishing-only section while booklet. No trout may be taken from "wild" or enroute back to Harrisburg. The stretch 1 selected was "wilderness" streams after Labor Day. The latter are, for around Ressica Falls. The low, clear water made locating the most part, smaller tributary and headwater streams trout a simple task. Every pool contained several cruising that are closed in part to protect spawning fish in the (feeding) brown trout. All were holdovers; there is no autumn. evidence of brown trout reproduction in this section of Suggested waters, in addition to special regulation the Bushkill. If a careful approach was made, the trout waters, include limestone spring creeks and streams with readily took either wet or dry flies. They were obviously bottom discharges below reservoirs. Also try large hungry. Most had suffered notable weight loss, and streams that may have been too warm during the although 11-14 inches in length, I doubt that many summer months for good trout fishing. These streams' would survive the winter. Here is a heavily fished stream, remaining populations, which may have taken sabbaticals close to the nation's largest metropolitan area, which is to cooler locales during the dog days, should be back at still loaded each fall with stocked trout, most of which their regular posts by November. have probably been caught and released at least once. Do not expect to catch many stocked brook trout in Another example: Every fall, I fish a small stocked November. Most are taken within two weeks of planting stream that flows alongside a heavily traveled state in the spring. Rainbows also tend to disappear before highway, minutes away from a densely populated area. summer. During exceptionally warm November weather, My log reveals that the last time I fished this stream in simply try any favorite stocked stream that supports a 1983 was on election day. I reached the water at eleven— carry-over or wild population of trout. Except for small after casting my ballot. The action was slow for the next unstocked headwater streams, this usually means brown two hours; only a streamer fly would move an occasional trout. fish, and I managed to hook only a few of them. It was 1 p.m. before I saw the first rise form, but for the next When four hours I was kept busy catching fish that were I've had exceptional fall angling into the middle of steadily rising to a small brown caddis. The fish were November, and I've observed angler success at stocked rainbows and mixed stocked and wild browns, Thanksgiving. A pleasant, sunny day with the which somehow had evaded capture by the spring temperature in the mid-50s are my minimum criteria. hordes. You'll have the most success if the water temperature is All were firm, well-colored, and considerably larger at least 50° F. The best action on flies usually occurs than they would have been in May. The air temperature from 11 to 5 where the sun is on the water. on this lovely fall afternoon registered 66° F; water, 55° F. Best of all, as the cars whizzed by, I did not encounter How another angler, where in May or June I might have met Fall is fly fishing time. Use the terrestrial imitations a dozen. As these fish were in such good condition, it is such as hoppers, ants, and crickets. If a late-season hatch probable that unlike in the Big Bushkill, many would is on the water, such as the Blue Wing Olive, caddis, or survive to the next spring, given a favorable winter. stone flies, there should be rising trout. A number of caddis flies have revived hatches in the autumn. Wet flies Operation FUTURE seem to work well on the large streams, but be prepared These are not isolated examples of November trout to change patterns until you discover what's taking fish, fishing. Under Operation FUTURE, it is likely that even and don't forget nymphs fished deep in pocket water. more streams will retain good populations of wild and They are always around, as are minnows, which can be holdover trout into November and through the winter. imitated by streamers or spinners. Be sure to try the This is because under the new concept, we are stocking latter if the water is up a bit or slightly off color. 6 Pennsylvania Angler *&&>«;

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- Sretf Johnson

Fall fishing may mean low water, even in November, the fortunate, mature fish to escape the hazards of a full so it's advisable to keep low and distant from the fish, season on a stocked stream and is now prepared to and move extremely slowly to avoid detection. The fish perform its most important function; perpetuation of the don't come to your hand looking for food as they did in species. Kill him or her and it may just ruin your winter, the spring. Keep close tabs on water temperature; if it too. starts to fall in the late afternoon, it probably means you That's about it: the beauty, solitude, and serenity of a might as well go home and catch the tail end of the lovely fall day spent in the outdoors on a favorite trout football game. For the best of both worlds, hunt until stream. It will restore the soul and be yours to recall lunch, and then try a few hours with your rod. through those long winter nights as you await the first One more point. You may see spawning brown trout buds of spring (Or is it the white trucks?), harbinger of in November. (Except in some spring creeks, most another trout season. __ brookies spawn earlier than this.) These fish are involved r*l with romance, not food, but have been known to strike a Fred Johnson, Fish Commission water resources lure that impinges into their spawning arena. A real coordinator, has been fishing Keystone State waterways sportsman will never kill such a trout, which is one of for 45 years. He'd rather fish for trout with fly rod gear than any other method. November 1984 7 Caring for your tackle now can help ensure its smooth operation next spring. Winter Tackle Storage by Gary Diamond

f you're like most anglers, 24 pressure on the back side of the rod, hours before the opening day of causing a set to form those crazy I trout season you'll be anxiously looking curves in the blank— searching closets, the attic, and any especially on the lighter glass sticks. other hiding place for your fishing If the wraps are frayed, a good coat gear. In desperation you open the of slow-drying epoxy cures the trunk of the family car and discover problem and prevents future that your two-piece rod is now a episodes of entanglement with the three-piece model. The reel is line as it passes through the guides. covered with dirt, cracker crumbs, its operation, and store it in a clean, and rust, and the handle doesn't dry place. This task is life insurance Waders and boots have a chance of turning without for your reels—in fact, they'll last 10 Most of the newer hip boots and sounding like a corn grinder. times longer and perform better than chest-high waders are manufactured If all this sounds familiar, don't be you ever thought possible. with a chemical to keep them soft surprised. The department stores and pliable—ozone. Unfortunately, and tackle shops are loaded with Rods the product evaporates, causing the individuals each spring who When was the last time you rubber component of the boot to experience these same problems. looked down your fishing rod? become brittle, and cracking may Yet, most of those difficulties could Notice how it makes a left turn or occur if the waders aren't properly have been prevented and you could how it corkscrews? No, this isn't a stored. Many years ago, when most save a lot of money come spring by new design for casting around trees; boots were made of gum rubber, all spending just a single evening in it's from leaning the rod in the boots were stored on hangers in the preparing your tackle for winter corner over an extended period—the closet and they were ready for use at storage. entire winter. Although this any time. Manufacturers now particular problem is difficult to recommend that the boots be stored Reels correct, it can be easily prevented by in a tightly sealed plastic bag and If there's any single item that building yourself a rod rack— powdered with talc on the inside to suffers from pure neglect, it's your nothing fancy, just a strip of wood prevent ozone cracking. The sealed reel. In many ways, you can and a few coffee cup hooks. bag prevents the ozone from compare it to your wristwatch. Hang the strip of wood about five leeching out of the rubber, keeping When it works, everything is OK, feet above the floor and screw in the your boots or waders soft and but when it stops working, you're in coffee cup hooks at about 4-inch pliable. real trouble. intervals. A 4-foot length of a 1x3 The day after you decide that it's furring strip is good for about 10 Line too cold to go fishing, gather all rods up to eight feet in length. There's not much you can do to your fishing reels from their hiding Before storing your rods be sure prevent monofilament line from places and methodically take them to wash them with soap and water deteriorating—it's one of those apart one at a time, clean all the using a soft scrub brush or sponge products that goes bad every day parts in WD-40 or a similar agent, to remove the stubborn debris. After you own it. Remove the line at the and lubricate them with silicon cleaning, check the guides and wraps end of the season and replace it with grease. If you don't have a parts for wear. Worn guides cut line faster fresh line at the beginning of the breakdown sheet or schematic than a hot knife goes through soft new season and you'll have little or diagram of the reel, be sure to place butter, resulting in many lost fish. If no problems with losing the big the parts in a row in the order they everything looks good, lubricate the ones. Dacron, however, is usually were removed, or you'll end up with reel seat with WD-40 and hang it on good for several seasons and need a few screws left over when you're the rack. Do not hang the rods with not be replaced more than every two finished. Re-assemble the reel, check the reels attached. This puts a lot of or three years. November 1984 9 angle. If it digs in with little pressure, the hook is sharp enough to penetrate the bony mouth of any fish. The best method to sharpen hooks is to use a small Mill file. Place the hook in a fly tying vise with the open side facing up. Then rest the file along the hook at a 45-degree angle and file toward the bend of the hook, not the point. Repeat the operation on the opposite side of the hook and you'll have a cutting edge that will penetrate the toughest mouth with the least amount of hook-setting pressure. Spinners and spoons should be polished with fine steel wool or metal polish and then coated with WD-40 to restore their luster. Be sure to remove the hooks before polishing or you could end up with those newly sharpened hooks A few hand tools are all you need to take apart any reel. sticking in your hand. Most plugs and poppers are coated with acrylic Fly line should be cleaned before Lures, hooks, and rigs lacquer or epoxy and need a little storage or it could develop flat spots Most hooks are attached to lures elbow grease with detergent and and crack. Simply spread toothpaste with split rings and are easily water to remove the grime. If they or powder on a damp cloth and removed with the aid of a pair of need repainting, model paints that draw the line through it a few times split ring pliers. If the hooks are come in one-ounce bottles usually until the line returns to its natural rusty, replace them with new ones match the color or come close color. Rinse thoroughly with warm that are nickel-plated or cadmium- enough so that the fish won't know water, dry and rewind it loosely on plated, but be sure to sharpen them the difference. your reel. If the line appears rough, first. More fish are lost to dull Finally, remember that your it may be lubricated with a suitable hooks than any other reason I fishing tackle is a lot like your car— fly line lubricant, but use this know. To check a hook for if you take care of it, there's a good product sparingly—it collects dirt sharpness, draw the point lightly chance it will last much longer than and grime quickly. across your thumbnail at a slight you think. 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For about $3, you can buy a pack of brass cup hooks and a strip of pine that makes an excellent rod rack. IPw*F

10 Pennsylvania Angler Jig by Mike Bleech

icture a lead-head jig in your mind. P If all you see is a simple lure that you hop across the bottom, you are selling short one of the angler's top tools! The lead-head jig works with any retrieve speed, from extra- fast to sitting still on the bottom. You can swim them, crawl them, or hop them. By altering the shape of the head they sink fast or slowly, and they can be as snag-resistant as any lure. The round head, I suspect, was the first lead-head jig style. About 25 years ago, I pinched a splitshot onto a bucktail streamer and did my first jigging in the Allegheny River. The first jig was likely invented in the same manner. Round heads are the most common jig-head style, and they are made in a wide variety of sizes. They are the general-use head, offering no particu­ lar advantage, but suitable for most jigging situations. Bullet heads, as the name says, are bullet-shaped. They are fast sinking and stable in a current, so they are good for river use. On the negative side, they are very susceptible to getting hung on the bottom. Oval heads fit into this same category. Wedge heads, or walleye heads, share most of the same characteristics with the bullet heads. The primary difference is that the leading edge is wedge-shaped, instead of rounded. This gives them a slight side-to-side wiggle, making them a top choice for a swimming retrieve. They are perfect for any of the action-tail plastic bodies. They are poor bottom-bouncers, though, because they are prone to snag, and they fall on their sides when at rest on the bottom. hook and a tail starting near the bend of the hook). In the smaller sizes they are a good choice for use with plastic bodies, because barbed collars are difficult to mold in small sizes, such as panfish jigs. Other considerations Jig head size has two variables. First, the size of the head and hook must be appropriate for the species and size of fish you are seeking. Second, the weight must be increased as the water depth increases. Matching jig size to fish size is visually apparent. Matching jig weight to water depth is best determined by experimenting. Jeri Bleech Many things affect your ability to Bottom-bouncers are much better They are vertically flat, rather than fish a jig at any given depth. It takes off with a banana-head jig. Because horizontally flat. Flat jigs sink fast and more weight, for example, to pull the most forward part of the head is cast like bullets, and are used primarily down a large-diameter line than a the hook eye, they are relatively snag- in salt water. They are not suitable as small-diameter line. Other important proof. For this reason, most of the jig- freshwater bottom contact lures, and factors are head style, buoyancy of the and-pig heads are this style, or a they sink too fast for most freshwater- jig body, and retrieve speed. Current is modification of it, with a built-in weed speed retrieves. a factor in stream fishing, as are waves guard. This is by no means a complete list in any water. Even the wind can be a The banana style may be the most of jig-head styles, and new ones are factor! useful for walleye anglers. With a frequently invented. But most styles fit You must make your best guess at screw tail or other buoyant plastic into one of these categories. After all, the proper head size in each situation, body, the hook rides up when the jig is there are only so many things you can and work from there. That guess hopped or crawled across the bottom. do with a jig head! Changing the shape becomes more accurate as you gain Stand-up heads are even better at of the head only makes limited varia­ experience. Charts that suggest jig keeping the hook riding up. The head tions in the way the jig behaves. weights for various depths are only is designed so that it always sits on the vague generalizations, unless they bottom in the same position, with the Collars specify head style, line brand and size, hook pointing up at about a 45-degree A secondary jig head design variable and other fishing and climatic angle. This makes it the perfect live is the collar. The collar's purpose is for conditions! bait head for bottom fishing. the attachment of the body. There are Regardless of the multitude of The big disadvantage with most collars designed specially for hair variables facing the jigger, most stand-up heads is that they snag easily. bodies, and others for plastic bodies. anglers do not need to carry every type Some stand-up heads are just modified The universal style is the straight of head. I use three basic types for banana heads that are reasonably snag collar. It works fine for tying on a nearly all of my jigging: banana, free. bucktail body, or impaling a plastic walleye, and slider, and about 90 Another special purpose head is the body. percent of my jigging is done with a shad dart. As the name implies, they Flared collars are for hair bodies. banana head! dart about in the current in hopes of The main purpose is to flare out the Still, it is important to know that enticing a shad. They are frequently body hairs, but they also secure the there are specialized jig heads trolled or just fished straight behind a hairs more firmly than a straight available when the need arises. For the boat anchored in a current. collar. The flared hairs undulate, or average angler this may amount only Equally specialized is the slider breathe, as the jig is retrieved. to a day or two per year when the right head, also called the glider or coin Barbed collars are for use with jig head will make it a big day. Big head. It was designed for use in still plastic bodies. They are basically days, though, can be tremendously water, and it sinks slowly. The flat straight collars with a built-in hook, worthwhile, so it pays to know what's shape makes it glide through the which keeps the plastic body from available in jigs and make an informed water. Sliders are at their best in slipping off. Straight collars can be choice from this versatile arsenal. [7T] quarter-ounce sizes and smaller, rigged converted with pliers. Just pinch a with a plastic bait, such as a 4-inch small portion of the collar, creating a Mike Bleech edits Drop Off, the plastic worm on an eighth-ounce slider burr. newsletter of the Pennsylvania head. A smoke-colored grub on a slider There are jig heads with no collars. B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation. He's head is a favorite among the most These are tops for fishing live bait on a fished in Canada, Vietnam, West successful Pennsylvania bass anglers. bare jig head, and they are the best Germany, and all over the United The slider's counterpart is the flat jig, choice for doll flyjigs (Doll flies have a States, and he's been fishing which may also be called the coin head. body wrapped around the shank of the Pennsylvania waterways for 32 years. 12 Pennsylvania Angler Mold Your Own

/ Tools and materials necessary for making your own buck tails including molding ladle, molds, hooks, tail material like the FisHair shown, and thread.

by C. Boyd Pfeiffer

igs and bucktails are among expensive lure. The result is more 2 Special bent-shank jig hooks must the easiest of all lures to use, fish from those impossible places be used in molds. These are placed J and they rate highly for all that everyone else ignores. in the mold cavity as shown. The species of freshwater gamefish. There are two ways to make your hooks must be both the right size Fortunately, they are also among the own jigs. First, you can buy the and positioned properly. Note that easiest to make, and they are dirt molded jig heads of the shape, size, the three hooks to the left are cheap to turn out in quantity. With and hook style you want. This either improperly placed, too large, the right mold, a few hooks, some avoids the molding process because or too small, and thus will cast tail material, thread, and some all you have to do is tie in a tail and improperly. "zjZeZ paint, you can make jigs whose paint the finished lure. quality rivals, if not surpasses, The second method is to buy a commercially available models. mold and hooks, mold the lead The low cost of making your own heads, and then tie in a tail and lures has other benefits. You fish jigs finish the lures. This method is far in places where you would not more economical if you are making ordinarily try for fear of losing an quantities of lures; the cost is only photos by the author November 1984 13 3. Pouring the lead into the mold sprue holes from a ladle. V

6. Excess lead from the sprue opening is cut off with wire cutters. No Usually on a good mold, this is the only trimming required.

5. Examples of 4. Examples of casting in which the lead good castings in or mold or both were too cold and an Erie-style the lead did not fill the mold cavity. walleye bucktail Note that the collar area on each of mold. the castings is not complete. Some of these castings, however, could be used, while others would have to be discarded.

the expense of the hook and scrap halves is critical to prevent any size and style of Mustad or Wright lead. The price of the mold is leakage of lead at the seam (called and McGill hook to use in the mold. amortized in time. One way to cut flash), which requires filing and Be sure to use only recommended jig the cost of molds, if you make more trimming after molding. hooks; others will not fit properly or than one type of jig, is to get Good multiple-cavity molds are mold well. together with several fishing friends. available for about $20 to $25. Most For economy, buy jig hooks in Each buys a different mold and molds have from four to eight boxes of 100. In addition to the loans the molds to others as cavities and make several sizes of the mold and hooks, you also need lead. required. same style bucktail. ("Commercial" For jigs and bucktails, use pure lead, or "production" molds are also although you can get by with scrap Molds available with identical size cavities.) lead from junk yards, plumber's Molds are available from a Styles include the gamut of jig heads lead, wheel weights from garages number of different suppliers, available, including shad dart, (these are greasy and should be including both tackle shops and mail banana head, arrow head, bullet cleaned before melting), and other order outfits. Generally, it helps to head, lima bean, round head, boxing lead alloys. get the best-quality mold, even glove, and so forth. The problem with these other lead though it might cost a little more, Better molds have wood handles products is that they are alloys or because the fit of the mold's two for easy handling and also list the mixtures of both lead and tin or

14 Pennsylvania Angler 10. Wrapping the tail material down involves holding the material on and over the collar and wrapping lightly with the thread for several turns. After several turns, pull tightly to flare and spread the tail material around the collar.

7. Examples of both molded and bought jig heads, ready to be finished with tail material and a coat of paint.

8. Examples of castings made from a poor mold or made under poor conditions. Note the incomplete bodies and the large amount of flash around the body area.

9. Beginning to wrap the tail on a jig head. Note that the thread is wrapped around the collar a few times and then crossed over the previous wraps to hold the thread in place.

antimony, which makes them both removes castings from the molds. fill each mold with hooks, carefully harder, more difficult to get good This "mini assembly line" works close the mold, and begin pouring. castings in finely detailed molds. great and allows the maximum The lead should be molten with a They require higher heat to melt number of pourings in the shortest slight purplish sheen to indicate that properly. They also don't pour as time. it's at the correct temperature. Any readily, so molds may have to be slag or impurities float to the top modified by enlarging the sprue hole Safety considerations and should be skimmed off before (the funnel-shaped hole where the Before beginning, open the molding. Pour carefully, working lead is pouring in) for quicker windows or turn on the kitchen fan over a thick layer of old newspaper pouring. if you are working indoors, because or a scrap of plywood for protection Begin by laying out all the melted lead gives off fumes. of counter surfaces. If the mold is necessary tools and materials, along Maintain ventilation during and not warm enough, the first few with gloves to hold the mold handles shortly after the molding time. Wear moldings might be incomplete. If and pliers to help remove the cast an appropriate mask to avoid you continue to have trouble with heads. If possible, work with a breathing the vapors. this process, you might have to partner and with several molds. That Heat the mold slightly to warm enlarge the sprue hole for faster way, one of you can pour while the the inside of the mold but not pouring, or you may want to other fills the molds with hooks and enough to damage the mold. Next, blacken the mold cavities with a November 1984 15 11. Material spread around the collar with the forward part of the tail material trimmed off and the wrapping almost complete. Thread must be wrapped around until all tail material is covered.

MM

H.Completed wrap with half hitch being tied to hold the thread in place. Use several half hitches or a whip finish to secure the thread.

13.Getting ready to dip the completed bucktail in paint. The entire jig head plus wrapped collar area is dipped to protect the threads while covering the head.

candle flame, which aids in complete the hook in a fly tying vise and use down, maintain tension on the cavity filling. regular fly tying or light rod thread or tie it in a half hitch to It takes time to bring the mold building thread. Begin by wrapping keep the thread from loosening. and lead to the right heat, so the twice around the jig and then bring Trim the tail material forward of the best process is to pour several the thread over the previous wraps wrapping. Trim closely, then wrap hundred or more jig heads at one to secure the thread. Then pick the the collar area completely with time, to make up a selection of tail material—marabou, feathers, thread. When the wrap is even and heads that will last you and your bucktail, FisHair, living rubber, smooth, use a whip finish or several buddies a full season. impala, etc. Cut strands that are half hitches to finish off the wrap. Cut the thread, and your jig is ready Once the castings are cool, use about the length of the jig, so that for painting. wire cutters to remove the sprue the tail extends about a half to one (that part of the lead attached to the hook length beyond the bend of the jig head at the sprue opening). This hook. Hold the tail material in place Painting lead can be remelted for future and loop several turns around the jig The easiest way to finish the jig is moldings. If necessary, use a file to and tail. Pull tightly. to paint it, covering both the head smooth this mold mark or any flash With small jigs you can usually and the thread wrap with paint. The that may have occurred along the manipulate the tail material so that result is a uniform color while the seam lines. it surrounds the hook shank. With paint soaks into the thread to larger jigs, you might have to place protect it and keep it from fraying. Oxidation tail material on in several batches to There are several methods of When the cast heads are ready to position it evenly around the hook painting, including dipping, use, give them a coat of white base shank. While many jigs are made brushing, and spraying. Spraying paint, unless you are planning to with only one tail material, you can usually wastes paint. It's also finish all of them in a few days. also combine them by using different necessary to use a "guard" or shield Oxidation begins on the lead heads colors of bucktail such as a white to protect the tail and hook from in a few days or weeks from the base and red or black top. the paint. Brushing is satisfactory, molding, and no paint adheres well Furthermore, when using feathers but dipping in a slightly thinner to oxidized lead. The white paint for a tail, be sure to tie them with paint works best. Thinning is protects the jig head and lets you most of the feathers flared out for necessary to prevent drips of paint finish the lures at your leisure. maximum action in the water as you from adhering to the head of the jig while it hangs to dry. The best Finishing the jigs is no different retrieve the lure. paints are those specifically designed from very simple fly tying. Clamp After the tail material is tied 16 Pennsylvania Angler 15

15. Eyes on jig heads can be made easily with different-sized nail heads. Use large head for the eye and small head for the pupil.

16. Drying rack made of bead chain to prevent heads from sliding.

17. Examples of completed jigs with both fur and plastic tails.

14. Painted head, dipped a second time in a contrasting color of paint. Note the drop of paint on the end of the head, which will have to be removed by blotting, or allowed to drip clean. and sold for jigs, although a fine substitute is automotive touch-up Jigs and Senior Angler's Awards paint, which is available in all colors. It adheres well to metal and Need a little inspiration for making those jigs this winter? Records of comes in small one-ounce to four- last year's Fish Commission Senior Angler's Awards Program reveal ounce bottles for minimum expense that jigs account for a surprising number of award-winning fish, and waste. including two state records. When you have a finished coat of • For both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, about one m 10 paint, you can dip the jig a second hawgs was fooled with jigs. These include simple jigs and wiggling time in a different color to create a plastic tails and jig combinations with other offerings, like pork rind, two-color lure. In addition, it is easy pork frog, bucktail jigs, and so forth. to paint eyes on your jigs by using • Of the nine entries last year for striped bass awards, four were taken 3 different-sized nail heads. Use a on jigs, including the 27-pound, 13-ounce 41 /4-inch state record that large nail head dipped in paint for George D. Krause dredged up from Raystown Lake. the eye and a smaller head for the • A total of 11 walleye awards were registered at Fish Commission pupil. Hang the jig heads after each headquarters, and three of those fish, 27 percent, ambushed jigs. painting on a special rack. One easy Similarly, three Senior Angler's Awards were made for saugers, the way to make a rack that prevents newest fish added to the program, and two of them were caught on the jigs from sliding together (this jigs. All three saugers were nailed in the Allegheny River in Allegheny happens from the weight of the jigs County. on any wire or cord) is to use a • In the crappie category, the Fish Commission made 50 awards, nine hanger of bead chain, available in of which were taken on jigs (18 percent). any hardware store. • Three out of 13 muskies, about 23 percent, took jigs, too. The beads keep each jig separate • Finally, there were 18 American shad awards made last year, and 15, and allow them to dry. Once or about 83 percent, were caught on shad darts—jigs, of course, completely dry, the jigs are ready to including the current state record. Anthony Fortebuono caught the 9- use or to store in your tackle box pound, 7-ounce state record American shad, which jumped on a shad until needed. For long storage, use dart in the Delaware on April 30, 1984. individual poly plastic envelopes to Considering the great variety of lures and baits with which anglers prevent any scarring that occurs take Pennsylvania's largest fish, jigs are just about the most reliable with painted jig heads when they fish-getters.—Sam Everett rattle around in a tackle box. [?*] November 1984 17 The Palmer Potamanthus Dun by Chauncy K. Lively

Mayflies of the genus Potamanthus are among the prettiest and most graceful of all the upwings. In Pennsylvania P. distinctus is prevalent in many of our larger trout streams, where the nymphs live in accumulated detritus and silt on the bottom of slow-water stretches. They are large mayflies with three tails and range in color from pale evening and extends into darkness; temperatures remain tolerable they cream to yellow, and the wings however, on dark, cloudy days they may furnish fine dry fly fishing. generally have weak markings. may appear in late afternoon. It is To those of us who become Hatches of Potamanthus usually unfortunate that they emerge during bleary-eyed from squinting at dusk occur from late June to late July, hot weather when some of our big to follow a midge on the water, the but it is not uncommon to find a freestone streams become warm and appearance of the big, easy-to-see few stragglers emerging in August. the trout find refuge in the cool duns is a welcome sight. They Emergence generally begins in late tributaries. Still, on streams whose generally ride the water for good

«<* /

•••—43t^

*-"•%

3. Select two cream hackles with 1. Clamp a size 12 dry fly hook in barbules as long as lx/i to 2 times the vise and tie in yellow 6/0 the hook gap length, and strip off prewaxed thread at the bend. For the lower webby barbs. Tie in both tails, select six pale guard hairs and hackles together in front of the tie them in as a bundle. Then 2. Dress a pair of Loyalsock Wings wings, at right angles to the shank, separate the hairs into three pairs shaped from two matched cream hen on edge and with the dull sides and bring the thread between them back feathers. Bind them in position facing the eye. Then bind the stems to angle the outer hairs outward and by their stems taking care to achieve back along the shank and trim the upward. Wind the thread forward to proper wing alignment. Then apply excess. Wind the thread forward to the wing position, one-third the a drop of model airplane cement to the eye. shank length behind the eye. the base of the wings.

photos by the author

18 Pennsylvania Angler distances before flying off, and trout Wing. Devised by John Igoe of Potamanthus Dun is important make the most of this opportunity. Monroeville, and named for his because it furnishes the necessary air Their twilight emergence sometimes favorite trout stream, it is a resistance to ensure upright delivery sounds the dinner bell for some of departure from the usual-shaped on the water. Six pale guard hairs the big, night-feeding browns that feather wing. In dressing Loyalsock (from muskrat, mink, or beaver) are one rarely sees in broad daylight. Wings, two matched webby feathers first tied in as a bundle, Tall, sail-like wings are the are selected and each of the fibers is conventional-style, and separated mayfly's most dominant feature, and stripped from one side of the rib. into three pairs by windings between fly tyers have attempted to represent The fibers should be stripped from them, causing the outer pairs to them in many ways. Early in the opposite sides of the feathers, angle outward and slightly upward. history of the dry fly, English resulting in a right and a left wing. Cream hackle barbules may also be anglers tried to fashion realistic Then the desired shape is achieved used for tails, but they are not as wings from large fish scales. by trimming or burning. In the tough and resilient as guard hairs. Subsequently, such materials as quill finished wing the rib is the leading The rest of the pattern is the sections, flank feathers, breast edge and a perfect airfoil is formed. typical reverse-palmer dressing, with feathers, hackle tips, hair, synthetic The design is aerodynamically the body dubbing wound from front fibers, and sheet plastic have been sound, and it is more tolerant of to rear and the hackles wound open- used to suggest mayfly wings. In the slight misalignment than most large, palmer in a similar reverse direction. past decade or so, realistic wings cut shaped wings. The whip finish is made at the top or burnt to shape from webby In our Potamanthus pattern the of the bend, underneath the base of feathers have appeared prominently. wings are shaped from two cream the tails, and an inverted "V" is Dressed correctly, they are quite hen back feathers, matched for size. trimmed from the hackle underneath effective. There have been critics of Wing burners do a fine job of the body. cut or burnt wings who claim they shaping the feathers, and I On some of our mountain streams cause leader twist, but in almost particularly like the Wing Thing, a Potamanthus is one of the season's every such instance this fault is set of burners in several sizes final hatches of large mayflies. caused by the wing not set in perfect manufactured by Bob Shoup. They Coming at a time when hot weather alignment or mismatched in size or are versatile tools; by varying the has generally set in, it is a bonus texture. angle of the feather, the shape of hatch for the diehard fly fishermen In the Palmer Potamanthus Dun virtually any kind of insect wing who have stuck it out after their we use a relatively new type of may be achieved. buddies have migrated to the golf shaped wing called the Loyalsock The spread of the tails in the course. [77]

4. Wax a length of thread next to the hook and apply a tapered dubbing of pale yellow fur or synthetic. Wind the dubbing from front to rear to form a tapered body 5. Clamp hackle pliers to the tip of ending at the base of the tails. the rear hackle and make one full turn in front of the wings. Then 6. With fine-pointed scissors, trim an wind it to the rear in spaced turns inverted "V" from the underside of and tie it off over the base of the the hackle. tails. Repeat with the second hackle, following the path of the first. Trim the excess hackle tips and whip finish the thread under the base of the tails. Apply lacquer to the whip finish.

November 1984 19 ANGLERS CURRENTS Accident Stats Boating Statistics 1983, the U.S. Coast Guard's publication that provides the details on recreational boating accidents, reveals the facts and figures of Pennsylvania boating mishaps. First, boating accidents can be expensive. Of the total number of 79 accidents reported in 1983, the amount of damage was estimated at $180,200. Some 95 vessels were involved in reported accidents, 36 of which were involved in collisions with another vessel. This number, about 38 percent, is the single most common accident in Pennsylvania.

Ralph W. Abele, Fish Commission executive director, accepts the deed for some 33.44 acres of Centre County land from William Sea ton, Nittany Division manager of the West Penn Power Company. The land includes about 1.5 miles of Spring Creek, including McCoy Dam. The company offered to donate the land to the Commission because it no longer used it to Dedicated to the sound conservation of our aquatic resources, the protec­ protect the water supply for its retired Milesburg station. Commission plans tion and management of the state's for the tract include opening the land to public fishing. diversified fisheries and to the ideals of safe boating and optimum boating opportunities. EXECUTIVE OFFICE Ralph W. Abele, Acid Precip Article Where's the Hybrids? Executive Director Howard T. Hardie, Administrative Assistant Fred Johnson, Fish Commission For the last few months, there's Dennis T. Guise, Water Resources Coordinator, wrote been a mystery brewing in the Chief Counsel Ross E. Starner a two-page article in the Susquehanna River between Comptroller Shickshinny and Wilkes-Barre. Seems July/ August issue of Pennsylvania BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATIVE Forests, titled "Will Pennsylvania like anglers there are catching white SERVICES 717-657-4522 Mountain Ranges Support Forests bass/striped bass hybrids, all right, Paul F. O'Brien, Director and Trout in the Twenty-First but the only stocking of the hybrid Allison J. Mayhew, Personnel Century?" This thought-provoking occurred in the lower Susquehanna John Hoffman, Real Estate piece summarizes the effects of acid River. Glen Reed, Federal Aid Mary Stine, Licensing precipitation on the state's trout The riddle was recently solved by BUREAU OF FISHERIES fisheries (which have appeared in Rick Hoopes, the Commission's AND ENGINEERING 814-359-5100 previous issues of Pennsylvania Warmwater Unit leader, who Edward R. Miller, P.E. Angler) and also provides determined the source of the white Assistant Executive Director Delano Graff, Fisheries considerable evidence of the increas­ bass/striped bass hybrids: Whitney Eugene Smith, ing effects of acid precipitation on Point Reservoir in New York. This Construction & Maintenance waterway was stocked by New York's K. Ronald Weis, Eastern forests. Angler readers Architectural & Engineering interested in this perspective can Department of Environmental BUREAU OF WATERWAYS send for a free photocopy of the Conservation in 1983 and again this 717-657-4538 article. Contact the Editor, year. The reservoir's high flow- Gene Sporl, Assistant Executive Director Pennsylvania Forests, 410 E. Main through rate brings the fish into the Edward W. Manhart, Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Susquehanna, of which it's a Law Enforcement Include a business-sized self- tributary. Virgil Chambers, Boating Education addressed, stamped envelope with In any case, if you tie into one of OFFICE OF INFORMATION 717-657-4518 requests. these fish, remember that the fish Michael J. Bickler, Director must be 15 inches in length before Larry Shaffer, Publications they are legal to keep. Stephen B. Ulsh, Education Dave Wolf, Media Relations 20 Pennsylvania Angler The Pennsylvania Fish Commission announces

Prizes worth more than $200

A spinner, surface plug, diving All entries become the property of the spinner category will receive a crankbait, cork panfish popper, and a 3o the Pennsylvania Fish Fenwick one-piece glass, medium-light- deer hair bass bug are the categories in Commission for use in P.L.A.Y., an action spinning rod of 63 inches. the second Pennsylvania Angler Contest. educational program designed to teach Winners of the diving crankbait and This opportunity lets you match your youngsters about fish and fishing, surface plug categories will each receive skills against other tackle makers and boating safety, and conservation. Fenwick 5 1/2-foot one-piece graphite contribute to a worthy cause—all Each category entry must include 5-power casting rods. The winner of submissions will be used in the Fish 4o the name, address, phone number, the panfish popper category will receive Commission's P.L.A.Y. (Pennsylvania and age of the entrant, sealed in a plain a 7-foot, 8-inch 2-piece glass Fenwick League of Angling Youth) Program. white envelope. fly rod, and the deer hair bug category This year's contest will be judged by a Submit lures in small, protective winner will receive a Woodstream 2- well-known angling expert. Here are 5a containers. Pennsylvania Angler will piece, 8 1/2-foot fly rod for 8-weight the rules and how to participate: handle all submissions carefully, but is line, made of glass/graphite composite. You don't have to be a current not responsible for entries lost or Prizes will be awarded by mail o Pennsylvania Angler subscriber, like damaged in transit or in its possession. immediately after notification, and last year's contest—anyone is eligible. Entries must be postmarked by winning entries will be displayed at the However, if you grossed more than 6o January 4, 1985. Winners will be Fish Commission exhibit of the $300 in calendar year 1983 making announced by February 1, 1985, and Harrisburg Sport Show, February 9-17, lures professionally, you are ineligible. will be notified by mail. The judge's 1985. Each category entry must consist decisions are final. Judging will be based on 2o of one of the lures listed below. Prizes for this year's contest were consistency, neatness, overall You may submit an entry in any or all 7o graciously donated by appearance, workmanship, and categories, but send only one entry per Pennsylvania's own Fenwick/Woodstream creativity. category. Corporation, of Lititz. The winner of

Categories

1. Spinner (2 1/2-inch length limit, 1/4-ounce maximum weight) 2. Surface plug (wood, plastic, or cork body; 3 1/2-inch length limit; must have two size 8 or size 6 treble hooks; bodies must be hand-shaped) 3. Diving crankbait (hand-shaped wood, plastic, or cork body; 3%-inch length limit; must have two size 8 or size 6 treble hooks) 4. Panfish popper on a size 8 hook (cork, plastic, or wood) 5. Deer hair bass bug on a size 1/0 hook Mail all entries to: LURE MAKING CONTEST, Pennsylvania Angler, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Remember—entries must be postmarked no later than January 4, 1985. November 1984 21 Boating Safety While Hunting

remember is that if you do fall into the the thing to do is to assume a position wo duck hunters lost their lives in water try to stay calm, and assume a on your back with your feet at the Tthe cold waters of the Susque­ position on your back. Clothing can surface of the water pointed down river. hanna River. The pair had been hunt­ help, and will, if you refrain from This will help you fend off rocks or ing from a shoreside blind using a small struggling or trying to swim conven­ other river obstructions and keep you john boat to retrieve their kill. What tionally (crawl stroke). Quickly but from trying to stand. When you reach caused the boat to capsize is unknown. carefully get on your back and hand deep or very shallow water, get to the Perhaps one of the men reached too far paddle. Disrobing in the water is an river bank. over the side and with the current exhausting practice as well as a needless Proper preparation is important working on the bottom of the craft it technique. when using a boat while hunting. By flipped. Perhaps someone stood up to Keep in mind that heavy clothing is following these suggestions, your chances shoot. In any case, their bodies were not a substitute for a life jacket (per­ of survival in an emergency increase: recovered several weeks later. Neither sonal flotation device), but with the % Always tell someone where you are was knowledgeable of boating or water knowledge of proper survival behavior, going and when you expect to return. safety. clothing left on can save your life. When hunting (or fishing) form a small This story is all too true and occurs If you capsize or fall overboard in group and take several boats along. too often. However, the prevention is cold water, all efforts should be directed • Dress properly for the cold. Several simple: boating and water safety to getting out of the water. With prac­ layers of light clothing offer better awareness. tice, most small boats can be righted protection than a single heavy layer. The boater who hunts from his craft and re-entered. Most boats even filled Next to the diver's wet suit, wool may rarely take the time to familiarize with water will support the weight of clothing offers the best protection. himself with boating and water safety their occupants. If at all possible right • Always wear a personal flotation practices. Typically, he uses the craft your boat, re-enter it, and bail the water device (PFD) when on the water. It is during the hunting season as a means of out. If the boat has capsized and cannot extremely difficult to put on a PFD in transportation, although a brief review be made right, climb on top of it. cold water. of what to do in case of a capsizing or Leave the boat only if it improves Should you be so unfortunate to find fall overboard would be invaluable. your personal safety; if rescue is not yourself suddenly and unexpectedly in Survival in the water depends on two imminent, or on moving water if a low the water, think survival. Try to keep factors: the condition of the water (is it head dam or set of rapids is ap­ calm and don't thrash about. If you do high, moving, or cold?) and the be­ proaching, strike out for the nearest have to tread water, do it slowly while havior of the victim. There is little you shore. remaining on your back. This will can do about the condition of the water, Should you capsize in moving water, reduce heat loss and aid retention of air but the behavior of the victim can be keep upstream of the craft (keep the trapped inside your clothing, which can controlled. boat in front of you). A 15-foot boat provide buoyancy and insulation. There's an old tale that says the first hurled against a rock by the current in Slowly hand paddle to safety. thing to do if you find yourself suddenly even a slow-moving river can have a Enjoy the excitement of hunting and unexpectedly in water over your holding force in excess of several tons. from a boat, but know .the risk and head is to remove your clothing because It would be like closing a vise on the prepare yourself accordingly. Remem­ it will drag you to the bottom. The capsized boater who allowed himself to ber that a successful hunting trip is the person who started this myth apparently be trapped in this situation. result of good planning, good company, never fell into the water with his clothes It is important not to attempt to good hunting skills, and attention to on, or if he did, he thrashed helplessly in stand in moving water at knee deep safety, both in the field and on the water. the water exhausting himself without levels and deeper. The possibility of knowing what to do. foot entrapment is great, even in slow- ED Most clothing floats because air moving water. Drownings have occur­ Virgil Chambers is chief of the Fish trapped under it provides both pro­ red when a capsized boater has had a Commission Bureau of Waterways tection from the cold and buoyancy. In foot or leg caught between rocks or Boating Education Section. He serves fact, the more clothing you have on, the under a log in a current—force of the as chairman of the Boat Pennsylvania better you float. The important thing to water will keep you submerged. Again, Editorial Advisory Committee. 22 Pennsylvania Angler If you capsize or fall overboard in cold water, direct all your efforts to getting out of the water. With practice, most small boats can be righted and re-entered. If the boat capsizes and you cannot right it, climb on top of it. Leave the boat only if it improves your personal safety—if rescue is not immediate, or on moving water if a low-head dam or set of rapids is threatening.

E

A Iways wear your PFD when on the water, because putting a life vest on while treading water is very difficult, especially when the water is cold and when you suddenly and unexpectedly capsize, or if you fall overboard.

November 1984 23 America s First Fish-for-Free Day "All in all we were really pleased with our first Fish-for-Free Day," stated the Commission's executive director, Ralph W. Abele. "We had excellent crowds at most seminar sites and we achieved our goal of reaching large numbers of non-fishermen." "We talked to a lot of people, handed out a lot of material, and at some sites we had more requests for loaner rods and reels than we had available," said Mike Bickler, director "I'm ready to retire and just wanted to see if I would like fishing," the gray haired woman said. "I caught three today, and 1 know I will be giving the sport a try." The woman, a first-time angler, was one of the participants last September 22 in the Pennsylvania Fish Commission's first-ever Fish-for- Free Day. Thousands of anglers participated in the nation's inaugural free fishing day. Many of the Commission's 25 seminar sites scattered across the Commonwealth were crowded, and reports indicated that most of the state's waterways received heavier fishing pressure than usual. Zebco, and Shimano donated According to Bickler, one large Everything from carp and bowfin to hundreds of rods and reels for the use audience the Commission hadn't bass and bluegills were creeled as of novice anglers, and along with Mr. really anticipated was single parents Keystone State residents and visitors Twister and Gaines Popper Company, and their children. "Fish-for-Free Day took advantage of the lifting of license which donated panfish jigs and saw a lot of single mothers bringing requirements for the Commission's big poppers, the tackle manufacturers their youngsters to the Commission's day. went a long way in helping make seminar sites," Bickler said. "Our In addition to fishing and casting Fish-for-Free Day such a success," waterways conservation officers heard demonstrations and seminars, anglers Bickler said. the same story from many single at many sites were treated to fish What may have impressed moms—'My children have been filleting and cooking demonstrations. Commission officials most was the bugging me to take them fishing, but I All these activities were conducted by wide variety of individuals who didn't know how or where.' Fish-for- the Commission waterways participated in Fish-for-Free Day. Free Day was the perfect conservation officers, Office of Participants ranged from a 74-year- opportunity." Information personnel. Volunteer old woman at the Crooked Creek Because of the success of the first Information and Education Corps seminar site in Armstrong County, Fish-for-Free Day, the Commission members, and a host of other Fish who caught the first fish of her life, to plans to do it again next spring with Commission people, a family from New Jersey that had an expansion of the number of of the Commission's Office of never before fished anything but salt seminar sites throughout the state. Information. Bickler complimented water, but got their first taste of "We are already planning next year's the national tackle manufacturers for freshwater angling at Springton day," said Abele, "and we expect to their participation. "Garcia, Daiwa, Reservoir in Delaware County. announce the date in the near future."

24 Pennsylvania Angler Commission law enforcement personnel, Office of Information people, and other Fish Commission employees conducted fish filleting and cooking demonstrations. Talk about "hands-on"work! Here Bill Hartle, Northcentral Region assistant supervisor, assists a first-time fish cook in the delicate technique of filleting. The Mulranens—Joe, Linda, and their two children, Joey and Jennifer—tried their luck at Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County, one of 25 Commission seminar sites. Many families like the Mulranens, non-licensed and first-time anglers, took advantage of Fish-for-Free Day. Union County by Dave Johnson uarded on the east by the scenic West Branch of In Union County, however, access is usually by private the Susquehanna, Union County narrows to the drives cutting out toward the creek, where ingress should G west to a "tight end" where the fabled Penns be by permission only. Happily, most landowners do Creek enters. permit access when they are asked. There is no public camping along the creek, but there are two private campgrounds—Hoffman's Riverside Penns Creek Campground, 3 miles west of Glen Iron, and Penns Named for John Penn, this mighty limestoner is Creek Campground, a few miles farther west at Trails characterized by long pools and heavy riffles from the End. bridge at Glen Iron to the Mifflin County line—a Except for the water from Coburn in Centre County distance of 10 miles. to Weikert, Penns and its major tributaries flow through Penns Creek has a good population of streambred farm country; consequently, after heavy rains, fishing brown trout, and there are approximately nine miles of conditions can turn sour for days from high, muddy stocked water from Glen Iron upstream to the special water. Anglers are advised to inquire of water conditions regulation water. before setting out for Penns Creek. About 3'/2 miles west of the village of Weikert begins the 3.9-mile catch and release section (one mile in Union White Deer Creek, Rapid Run County). This stretch of Penns Creek is the widest Class A As part of Operation FUTURE, trout stocking stream in the Commonwealth. There is no stocking in this allotments have been revised. Two streams for which area; it supports an excellent population of streambred quotas have risen sharply are White Deer Creek and brown trout—many in the 12-inch to 16-inch class. Rapid Run. Because Penns is essentially limestone brown trout The angler who wishes to cast over lots of trout, water, catching fish is usually a challenge. In the "open" stocked browns and brooks with some natives and water, bait fishing with light-action spinning outfits is holdovers, should try White Deer. It's lovely water, and popular. Minnows are the top fish-getter, with worms with 19 miles of fishing in Union County, there's plenty and salmon eggs a close second during the early season. of elbow room despite heavy pressure opening day Fly fishing is good on Penns. From the Caddis flies weekend and immediately following each in-season and Hendricksons in late April and early May to the stocking. renowned Shad Fly (Green Drake) hatch around the first Reach White Deer Creek by taking Route 15 to the of June, there are few Eastern waters that can match village of White Deer, then going up Legislative Routes Penns for the richness and variety of its insect life. 629 and 59031, or hit it farther upstream off 1-80 at the Access and parking can be a problem. The land Mile Run exit. bordering Penns Creek in Union County is There's a 2'/2-mile fly-fishing-only stretch about 10 privately owned, which makes it advisable to ask miles upstream, starting where the Cooper Mill Road permission before parking or entering on private land for joins the White Deer Creek Road. fishing. Once access is gained, however, Penns Creek in Another good bet, heavily stocked with browns and this area is all public water. brookies, Rapid Run boasts a good population of Legislative Route 59002 parallels the stream all the way carryover trout, plus some natives in the more up from Glen Iron to Legislative Route 59001, leading inaccessible stretches. As its name implies, Rapid is a from Laurelton to Cherry Run. Either road can be reached swift-flowing stream, characterized by deep pocket water leading east or west from state highway Route 45. There and heavy riffles, capable of holding some bragging-sized are bridges at Glen Iron, Trails End, and at Weikert. At trout. the.Weikert bridge is a state forest bureau parking area. Take Route 192 out of Lewisburg to the village of From here you can fish either up or downstream. Cowen where Rapid joins Buffalo Creek. The stream Up in the catch-and-release area is a Fish Commission parallels the highway for 11 miles to R. B. Winter Dam. parking area above which is 2.6 miles of walk-in-only Coming east, pick up 192 at Centre Hall, going to the fishing. An abandoned railroad grade, restricted to non- R. B. Winter State Park. From there down is good motorized travel, follows the creek to Coburn and fishing. beyond.

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IIM| l|M*',• • ••• R. B. Winter (Halfway) Lake an 8-weight or 9-weight line is preferred by locals. Well-stocked Halfway Lake is a mecca for the The river here is a fair walleye stream, particularly in fisherman who chooses still-water angling. This 6-acre the fall. Large shiners are good bait, fished deep and impoundment is stocked by the Fish Commission with slow, around stream mouths, backwater areas, and rainbow trout, though occasional wild browns show up, shoals. Effective artificials are Rebels, Rapalas, and jig- some of them trophies. Boats aren't allowed, but and-twister, and jig-and-minnow combinations. shoreline fishing is good with worms, salmon eggs, and The West Branch carries a few largemouth bass. You'll live minnows. Wet flies and nymphs fished below a also find panfish—sunnies and rock bass—along with bobber are sometimes deadly when all other methods some crappies, recently introduced by the Fish fail. Commission. Bullheads and big channel cats are available, as are suckers, carp, and fallfish in good Buffalo and Spring creeks numbers. There are muskies—not a lot, though their Buffalo and Spring creeks are meadow-like streams numbers appear to be on the rise. flowing through farm country. Both are good early Unfortunately for the boat fishermen (that's the season bets. favored way to go on the West Branch) there is no There is a .85-mile stretch in the Borough of public access nor boat ramp on either the Union County Mifflinburg restricted to the use of persons 12 years and or the Northumberland County shore. A small boat can younger and persons deprived of the full use of a leg. be carried down the bank to the river most anywhere, Reach Buffalo Creek off Route 45 at Mifflinburg or but when the river is low, maneuvering one can be a real up from the village of Cowan where Route 192 crosses. challenge. Route 44, off Route 15 at Allenwood, hits Spring Creek When conditions are right, there is access at the several miles west of the town and parallels it for several eastern end of St. George Street in the borough of miles. Lewistown. The Winfield River Edge Campground along Route 15 below Lewisburg has a launching ramp Smaller streams available to campers. This stretch of river is top-quality Several waterways are stocked by the Commission and bass water. all, except Little Buffalo Creek, flow chiefly through the The best bet may be to enter from Shikellamy State Bald Eagle State Forest. The angler seeking a little Park and Marina at the southern tip of the county, solitude should discover it here. across from Northumberland where there is easy In addition to hatchery trout, these streams provide launching for all boats of all sizes. (The Fabridam at fair natural recruitment—largely brown trout but Sunbury raises the water level in Lake Augusta, backing supporting some native brook trout in the upper reaches. up to Winfield, about 3 miles upriver from the Marina). Water levels in these streams may be unacceptable in North of Winfield during periods of low water July and later during dry years. powerboating of any kind is risky. Canoes or John boats Most are reached via state forest roads, so a public use put the angler where the fish are. map of the Bald Eagle State Forest is helpful. Maps are Penns Creek from Glen Iron downstream to New available through the district forest headquarters in Berlin is bass water, too. Mostly you wade, though small Mifflinburg. boats are sometimes used on the larger pools. Minnows Approved streams include Bear Run (very small), are great bait, but crawfish, stonecats, hellgrammites, Little Buffalo Creek, North Branch of Buffalo Creek, and night crawlers are all used. Laurel Run, Spruce Run, and Weikert Run. Popping bugs can be a lot of fun with the fly rod— particularly at dusk—and you'll catch fish on most of the The West Branch spinning lures, including jig-and-twister combinations, Warmwater fishing in Union County means bass Rooster Tails, and the Mepps spinner and squirrel tail fishing to most, and for bass it's the West Branch of the combinations. Susquehanna River. Penns flows through private land in this area, and For 20 miles along the county's eastern boundary anglers should ask permission to park and enter the there's first-rate smallmouth water, thanks to improved stream. water quality in the past decade. June through October is Buffalo Creek from the village of Cowan downstream prime time, when both bait and artificials produce to the junction with the Susquehanna is smallmouth strikes. water, with pickerel an added attraction. The best bass Favored baits are live minnows, hellgrammites, water is from Mazeppa to the mouth. White Deer Hole stonecats, and crawfish. These can be fished with a Creek, near Allenwood and Route 15, has smallmouths medium-action spinning outfit or on an 8'/2-foot or 9- in the lower few miles, and there are channel cats and foot fly rod. You either float fish or find a hotspot and pickerel toward the mouth. drop the anchor. Proven artificials are eighth-ounce to quarter-ounce jigs, with twister tails in either white, chartreuse, or Centre County motor oil color. Rooster Tails are another favorite on the river, as are silver-and-black-back Rebels and by Paul Antoloshy Rapalas. entre County is officially the center of the When the river stage isn't high, fly rodders raise Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is deeply smallmouths with poppers. A 9-foot or 9/2-foot rod for C steeped in angler tradition. It is home to such 28 Pennsylvania Angler m&^M* ]%i^^^^^%#^S- WiM

1 - oSft&f? '-*-,••• ' streams as Spring Creek, long known by many anglers as contributed to the detriment of the once abundant the "home of the big trout"; Penns Creek, once rated as aquatic life. Those factors were then reversed, and with one of the 10 best trout streams in the United States; some transplants of nymphs, caddises, and mayflies, the Spruce Creek, with its headwaters located in Centre aquatic life now flourishes, along with the fish. County and which attracted former presidents Although the fish cannot be eaten or killed, there is an Eisenhower and Carter to its unique, productive waters; abundant population of wild trout, which provide Elk Creek, a classic trout stream with wild trout and a excellent fishing. During the mayfly hatch, mid-May to picturesque setting; and Logan Branch, with a good mid-June, using size 14s to 18s, an adept angler can population of wild trout found in various stream surveys expect a productive and enjoyable fishing experience. that also included some large trout in numbers that even Most fish will be 10 to 12 inches, but there are some amazed Commission fisheries people. larger fish, and the chances are good that they will break There are many more streams that provide good you up when using the 5X and 6X leaders that are fishing for stocked trout and an ample number of smaller required. Caddis flies in April and May, mayflies from streams that provide a genuine native brook trout fishing mid-May to mid-June, and terrestrials and some "tricos" experience for those who choose to pursue that type of into the fall offer a real fishing challenge on Spring angling. Sound interesting? It is, considering that the Creek. Although the current regulations permit any type Fish Commission's Operation FUTURE revealed that of lures or live bait on Spring Creek, few bait fishermen Centre and Potter counties were rated as the top two are angling there. "Fishermens Paradise" and the counties in the state for quality waters and wild trout "Exhibition" area in Bellefonte are two separate population. regulated areas and are well posted to that effect. Roads parallel most of the stream, and access, parking, and Spring Creek non-posted water is not a problem. If you desire to catch Spring Creek, a limestoner, long-time famous and still and not kill fish, Spring Creek's fly fishing only is it. very popular, affords fishing from the village of Oak Hall, located about three miles from Boalsburg on Route Penns Creek 322, downstream for a distance of 14 miles to its junction Next, consider Penns Creek, a supreme limestone with Bald Eagle Creek at Milesburg on Route 150. This stream. Fishing is permitted from Spring Mills on Route waterway is a dramatic example of the recovery ability of 45 downstream. Turn off at Spring Mills via a township some streams. For many years it was claimed as the best. road that parallels the stream to the village of Coburn. Then it was polluted with Kepone, and its derivative, Three areas are posted in this stretch, comprising about Mirex. Although the chemicals did not kill the fish, they three miles. From Spring Mills downstream to Coburn were contaminated, and in 1976 Spring Creek was the water is slow-moving, but it has adequate riffles and designated as a "caution consumption" stream. pools. From Coburn, with the junction of Pine Creek, Later, in 1983, it was changed to a "no-kill" stream, Penns Creek becomes twice as large and requires a which is in effect today. During the early 1970s aquatic different wading and fishing approach. A dirt road from life was practically non-existent on most of Spring Coburn to an old railroad tunnel comes to a dead end. Creek. Highway construction, sewage systems that were From there to the county line is approximately three being overloaded, and other pollution problems all miles, and walking the old railroad bed is necessary. November 1984 29 The extreme lower end in Centre County can also be and if night fishing is your bag, perhaps one of those reached by going to Poe Valley State Park, and biggies could be yours. numerous signs can easily direct you there. If you are the kind of fisherman who likes to roll out Penns Creek has received much publicity. It's a of your car and be 10 feet away from the stream, this beautiful stream and it does have a good population of waterway is for you—access is easy. Most fish are caught wild fish. It is good fishing for bait fishermen, who, on bait such as nightcrawlers, minnows, salmon eggs, using minnows, nightcrawlers, and spinners, have and sculpins. Fly fishing is fair with Sulphurs and Cahills accounted for some 20-inch fish over the years; fly in May and June and terrestrials thereafter. fishermen have good luck with the caddises, Sulphurs, and light Cahills along with some March Browns. Bald Eagle Creek But the fabled green drake hatch that continues to If wild trout fishing does not appeal to you, there is an draw hundreds of fishermen anticipating the "big catch" alternative. Bald Eagle Creek, starting just above the probably causes more frustration and crushed egos than town of Port Matilda, located at the junction of Routes any other hatch. I have fished this hatch for over 25 322 and 150, flows downstream 24 miles to Sayers Dam. years and have had exceptional fishing only four or five This stream parallels the road the entire distance and you times. I suppose that's what keeps them coming back, are never more than a five-minute walk away. Heavily but the thrilling experience of just seeing this stocked with browns and rainbows, it is an easy and phenomenon is something all fly fishermen should pleasant stream to fish. Some fish in the 20-inch category experience at least once. Trout are rising all around you, are taken from Bald Eagle Creek every year. Most fish thousands of naturals are on the water, and you cast are caught on bait, but some fly fishing is available until your artificial among them, hoping and praying, but you mid-June. get refusal after refusal. This puts a lot of things about Sixmile Run is a smaller stream reached from fly fishing into proper perspective. If you hit it right, Philipsburg on Route 504. The stream crosses the road you'll never forget it. If you don't, you'll still remember it approximately 7 miles from Philipsburg, and a dirt road for a long time—it's just that kind of happening. up and downstream parallels the entire stream. It is Penns Creek—it can be moody, fantastic, just so-so, fished mostly with bait such as worms, minnows, salmon and at times, very humbling. If there is such a thing as eggs, and crickets and hoppers in the summer. It has the ideal trout stream, one that has it all, Penns Creek some fly activity, but is difficult to fish in some areas. could very well be that stream. Black Moshannon Creek, located at Black Moshannon State Park on Route 504, flows out of Black Moshannon Elk Creek dam downstream for 14 miles. This stream offers fishing Elk Creek is located on Route 45 near the town of in a wild setting and is stocked with some 12,600 fish, Millheim. Turn left or right at the only red light in town, except for the lower two miles due to inaccessibility. The and the stream is readily accessible and easy to fish. Now upper end is reached from Route 504 and the lower end is classified as a wild trout stream, Elk Creek is a gem. It reached from the town of Moshannon on Route 144. holds a good population of wild brown trout, sometimes difficult to catch, but their sheer beauty makes it well Sinking Creek worth the effort. Minnows, worms, and spinners produce At the other end of Centre County is Sinking Creek on this stream. It offers early and late fly fishing, starting with its slow-moving, placid water. Some deep pools are in early April with the Blue Quill in 16s and 18s, then to the home of some brown trout that could exceed five Sulphurs and light Cahills from mid-May to mid-June, pounds. Its headwaters, located in the Bear Meadows with terrestrials following that into fall. Most fish are in area near Boalsburg off Route 322, afford some native the 10-inch to 12-inch size, but don't discount a trout fishing. It then flows into Colyer Lake and is well surprising 16-inch to 18-inch brownie. Best of all, you'll stocked from there downstream for 9!/2 miles to its have very little pressure from other fishermen. junction with Penns Creek at Spring Mills. It crosses "Logan Branch, Logan Branch," and I say that twice Route 322 near Tusseyville and Route 45 near Potters because it does that to me. So many times I have Mills. Using a map you will find that township roads put checked fishermen on Logan Branch and I say, "You you next to the stream for its entire distance. caught that fish out of Logan Branch?" and he replies, Most fish are caught on standard types of bait, but for "Logan Branch." This stream parallels Route 144 the larger fish, minnows and nightcrawlers are the best between Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap and is producers. It affords a limited amount of fly activity with approximately four miles long—not a big stream, and in Sulphurs and Cahills in May and June. fact, wading should be avoided. It is heavily fished and is Centre County also offers native brook trout fishing the most fascinating stream in my assigned district of mostly in the northern end. Route 144 from Moshannon 1,200 square miles. I have personally checked more large to Renovo puts you in a good overall location. Heading fish, from 20 inches and up, from this stream than any north on Route 144, on your left you will find Bougher other stream in Centre County. The largest was a 29'/>- and Spruce runs, located on Game Lands 100. Farther inch brown pushing 11 pounds. Electroshocking surveys out you have Fields, Burns, and Fish Dam runs. Most of revealed plenty of wild trout, and it is not stocked these are walk-in streams in rugged terrain. On your heavily with hatchery fish. The pressure is more than right off Route 144 you can find Panther, Sandy, Two normal for a stream this size, yet the fish continue to be Rock, and Walker branches. You'll need topo maps for there to be caught. It has a bountiful supply of sow bugs these streams, but the opportunity is there if you like and sculping, good water temperature, and a steady flow. fishing for the smaller brook trout—action that can be Perhaps the angling pressure makes the wild trout wilder, good to fabulous. 30 Pennsylvania Angler Much of Centre County's trout fishing action occurs on and a swimming beach make it an ideal vacation spot for small streams, so you may want to check out the following: the entire family. Try fishing the top end of the lake in Beech Creek—South Fork, Black Bear Run, Boy Scout the deep cover and you may be pleasantly surprised. This Dam, Cold Stream Run, Dicks Run, Eddylick Run, Little spot is a beautiful setting and the fish are there. Fishing Creek, Laurel Run (Flat Rock Creek), Marsh Creek, Moshannon Creek—Mountain Branch, Pine Creek, Sayers Dam Poe Creek, Wallace Run, and Wolf Run. Sayers Dam, 1,730 acres, is near Howard off Route 150. It provides muskies, largemouth and smallmouth Colyer Lake bass, exceptional crappie fishing, bluegills, brown Like lake fishing? Colyer Lake, comprising 77 acres, is bullheads, some walleye, and tiger muskies. This lake is a reached from Route 322 near Tusseyville and is stocked U. S. Army Corps of Engineers lake, but it is also the with brook trout—a pretty lake and perfect for the Bald Eagle State Park. A primitive camping area, family outing. Fish from shore or bring your boat, but plenty of picnic facilities, boat rentals, and a swimming only electric motors are permitted. Most fish are caught area provide all the ingredients for the complete family on salmon eggs, worms, cheese, and spinners. fishing outing. Several past bass fishing tournaments Colyer Lake is stocked with trout but also supports have confirmed that there is an excellent supply of both warmwater fish. This past season it produced a 10-pound largemouth and smallmouth bass to make the fishing for and 9-pound walleye. These are nice fish from any these species worthwhile. Standard baits and lures that impoundment. Occasional muskies are taken, and it also apply in other areas all get results on any of these Centre supports some panfishing. County warmwater areas. Poe Valley Lake, located in Poe Valley State Park, Centre County can provide a lot of varied fishing can be reached viar ten miles of dirt road off Route 322 opportunities. Draw a circle within a 50-mile radius of near Potters Mills. It is stocked with brooks and Bellefonte or State College and you could spend a rainbows, has a swimming area that opens after lifetime exploring the fishing available—and that's just Memorial Day, and rowboats can be rented then. This for trout. An abundance of quality waters plus wild setting is beautiful, and Poe Creek, flowing out of the trout, stocked trout, easy access, walk-in and wilderness lake, is also stocked to where it joins Penns Creek three areas, and very few posted waters all help to provide the miles downstream. Camping arrangements can be made ultimate trout fishing experience. with park officials. Warmwater fishing is interesting enough to provide a Enough warmwater fishing can also be found in change-of-pace fishing from too many ventures. Over 80 Centre County to make that type of fishing effort more percent of Centre County is forested and provides than worthwhile. Black Moshannon Lake, 237 acres, spectacular scenery, and we have good roads to get you reached from Philipsburg on Route 504, is a pleasant, to the many different fishing areas available. Penn State non-crowded lake that offers pickerel, crappies, panfish, University offers a multitude of attractions that can be largemouth bass, and muskies. This lake is shallow, combined as a fishing trip for dad and something else for averaging about six feet deep and has a multitude of mom and the kids. The fabulous flower gardens in July cover that includes plenty of stumps, water lilies, and and August, and football games in the fall, all can be assorted grasses that provide ideal cover for fish in those made into combination trips of fishing and doing areas. Electroshocking surveys revealed a 12-pound-plus something else. Centre County, the center of the largemouth bass living there. Electric motors only are Commonwealth, has it all for fishing enthusiasts. |PA) permitted on the lake, and cabin facilities, boat rentals, Paul Antolosky is the waterways conservation officer of Centre County.

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