MARCH 1980 "ENNSYLVANIA He the Keystone State's I Official FISHING BOATING
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MARCH 1980 "ENNSYLVANIA He the Keystone State's I Official FISHING BOATING • •• 40$ Ji n.gler_ r Single Copy; Coal Problems — In Pennsylvania much has changed over the last 25 years. The original Clean Streams Legislation, one of the models used when national legislation was being prepared in the 60s, has been strengthened. Federal funds helped to clean up point source problems and effective treatment plants have made possible repeated miracles, as what appeared to be incurably fouled streams were brought back to life. Along with the streams, the towns and cities on the banks of these streams were themselves revived and given new life. Pennsylvania has an estimated 45,000 miles of streams, the highest in the nation. Extrapolating on our last survey and coordinating this with DER's information, by 1983 we will expect that only 8,557 stream miles will be degraded for most recreational use because of mining activity. Because one source on one small stream can pollute many miles of a major receiving water, there are great opportunities to reduce that polluted mileage within a reasonable time. In view of this, it is not unusual that we, whose mission requires stewardship of the quality of our water resources, are somewhat skeptical about the claims of the mining industry when they assure us that they have been reborn and that their current activities will not further damage the water quality. Comparison of a map of areas mined in Pennsylvania in the past with that of streams degraded for fishing shows an almost exact fit. Preservation of the quality of the water to maintain viable fisheries is a more difficult task today than ever. This is the case because of the only recently discovered phenomenon called "acid precipitation." As we reported previously, the Commission review of 19 randomly assorted high quality mountain watersheds revealed that the average alkalinity dropped from 14l5 ppm to 7.6 ppm in the 13 years of the survey. This rate of decline is alarming, and with the slightest bit of extra acidity, such as a small release of acidic water from mining activity, the typical stream included in our reviews could suffer a total loss of trout fisheries. Our comments related to areas unsuitable for mining at the Governor's Coal Conference included the following lands which we believe should be designated as unsuitable for mining under Section 522 of the Federal Act: 1. All watersheds containing Exceptional Value Streams, including wilderness trout streams. 2. Watersheds which support outstanding wild trout populations. 3. All other high quality and coldwater fishery watersheds with an alkalinity of less than 20 ppm. The greatest impact on our streams is sediment from soil erosion — the bulk of this from haul roads. Much of the topography in trout country is so steep that it is almost impossible to mine — using even today's sophisticated methods without endangering our streams. And what is good for fish, is good for people. Ralph W. Abele Executive Director Pennsylvania Angler Pennsylvania's Official Fishing & Boating Magazine Published Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Richard L. Thornburgh, Governor MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION John A. Hugya, President Johnstown Leonard A. Green, Vice President Carlisle Walter F. Gibbs Reno Calvin J. Kern Whitehall Sam Guaglianone Johnsonburg Jerome E. Southerton Honesdale William O. Hill Erie James J. Stumpf Laughlintown MEMBERS OF THE BOATING ADVISORY BOARD Nicholas Apfl, Chairman Fairless Hills Clayton Buchanan Pittsburgh Sherwood Krum Hawley Charles Chattaway Monongahela Leon Lyon Bellefonte Volume 49 - No. 3 CONTENTS March, 1980 Pennsylvania's Limestone Streams by Gerald Almy 8 Hooks & Horns CO-OP Nursery by Bill Porter 16 New Collectibles — Old Magazines by Don Shiner 18 Pioneering in Catch & Release by Dave Johnson 19 "Mac," the Mudpuppy by Carsten Ahrens 22 Snapper Soup by Jean I. McMillan 24 A Fish is a Fish by Leo A. Bressler 26 ON OUR COVERS Students of the Blue Mountain Middle School were treated to an electrofishing demonstration conducted by Fish Commission personnel on Bear Creek. The results of these demonstrations can come as a "shock" to many. Quite often a good fish population can be found in streams thought to be "fished out." Our back cover this month is a departure from the Angler's usual "don't you wish you were here" theme. It's a sad state of affairs when man's thoughtlessness results in such tragedy. The monofilament user's "bird's nest" is actually a bird trap. (For more, see "Outdoor Menace," page 31). Cover photos by Dennis Scharadin MONTHLY COLUMNS LEAKY BOOTS 2 FLY TYING 28 WATERSIDE WANDERINGS 4 STREAM NOTES 30 MEALS FROM THE CREEL 6 ANGLER'S NOTEBOOK 32 James F. Yoder, Editor b^T""""—~—_____^ _^ The p*AST ER: All 3579 forms to be returned to the office of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120. nns Harris? ylvania Angler, (ISSN 0031-434X), Copyright 1980, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, %( DUrg, Pennsylvania. Second Class postage paid at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at additional mailing offices. Subscription rates: Not ^ar7-$4.00; Three years—$10.00; 40 cents per single copy. Send check or money order payable to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Do r n< ecejvej * Cash. Changes of address should reach us promptly giving both old and new addresses, including both zip codes. Subscriptions rtsPon v"1' processed by the end of the month will begin with the second month following. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission will not assume P*8tai y ^or unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or illustrations while in their possession or in transit. Communications pertaining to the *J«snijlne should be addressed to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. C|ted materials, manuscripts, or photos will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope for their return. handled. The Vibert box (a screened box One must consider the factor that is aire*"- containing trout eggs, planted in a selected limiting the trout population. For exaflip1' part of the streambed, allowing the trout if the stream can support eggs and •'• fry to develop, protected inside the box) through the fall and winter but cam1'1 should be considered under certain condi support fingerlings or adults through " tions where stocking and natural reproduc spring and summer due to high #*'' tion are not feasible, upon completion of temperatures, then an egg planting progr*' the study. I know the Commission's feel is of little value. ings in the past have been less than favor The Fish Commission will certainly t° able toward the box, but as I see it the overlook the possibility that Whitlo'"' possibility exists to have fishing in streams Vibert boxes have a use in a very that are marginal or that have none. instances, but we do not regard "WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT" Where stocking a questionable stream, due approach as generally useful for pr°v'sl\, to excessive PH levels, siltation, water of a "wild" trout fishery. We have no pl^ Ralph W. Abele, Executive Director quality, and temperature levels are too to develop any program for using "* Pennsylvania Fish Commission high, the Vibert box could give the answer device. of fish survival at a minimum cost. Over the years a number of groups ' Dear Mr. Abele: It has been successful in other parts of Pennsylvania, mostly Trout Unlim'1'. Thank you very much for your letter in tfl the country. I know our streams are not the chapters, have attempted programs ( support of my opposition to S. 1403, the Madison or Yellowstone but the box could Vibert boxes. We are not aware of any fl| proposed amendments to the Surface fill a void here. I do not feel that it could had noticeable results — most have re* Mining Control and Reclamation Act of ever replace stocking, and streams having ized you can't fool Mother Nature. 1977. ,|, natural reproduction are better left alone, The future of wild trout in PennsyK» (j You might be interested to know that we but it could be a supplement to both meth liees in maintaining good habitat "", recently were able to turn back an effort to ods if used as I described. The bottom line managing for wild trout. Full recognition " promote this ill-conceived piece of legisla is "nothing ventured, nothing gained." It the value and importance of Pennsylvania tion in the House Interior and Insular could also save money — after all, the wild trout resource should be one of 9 Affairs Committee, of which I am chair streams are a natural "hatchery," and the results of the ongoing stream inventory a" man. Although future battles remain, I am Fish Commission has the ability and the resource classification program. Manag^ confident that we will be able to preserve resources. It's worth a try to experiment. ment by resource classification will be , the integrity of a law for which we all more beneficial to our wild trout than »*' fought so hard. JOE BRENNAN, SR. attempt to add more trout by making * You also might be interested to know Philadelphia artificial addition of eggs. that you are not alone. Hundreds of civic Your concern for, and interest in ?e^ organizations, state and local officials and Dear Mr. Brennan: sylvania's wild trout fishery is appreciate"1- private citizens from all over this country Your recent letter concerning Whitlock- also have written in opposition to the Vibert boxes has been referred to me for Sincerely, attack on the strip mine law. I urge you to response. Richard A.