Pennsylvania ANGLER The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine Out of almost 12,000 prosecutions effort, and some positive results are Straight for violations of the Fish and Boat beginning to show. More than 300 Code and other statutes within our sites in northwestern Pennsylvania authority, 565 cases of water pollution have been identified where oil wells, Talk and stream disturbances were pits, and pipelines have leaked oil into investigated and prosecuted. Of those the streams. Due to oil spillage, many cases, 498 were closed, and 67 are still of the once prime trout streams in the pending. The types of pollution and Allegheny National Forest are now stream disturbances involved included incapable of supporting a reproducing poisons/ pesticides, manure, food trout population, while others are products, chemicals, metals, oil and totally sterile. The industry claims that gas drilling, water systems, railroads, these spills are minute, but the boat discharges, stream channel­ deleterious effects on the streams are RESPONSIBILITY AND izations, stream crossings, evidence that these spills and leaks are EXPLOITING NATURAL erosion/ sedimentation, construction, quite significant. Brine is even more fertilizers, coal mining, paper deadly to the streams. RESOURCES products, petroleum products, sewers, Fortunately, this new enforcement swimming pools, truck spills, effort is getting some results and After our February comments on this pipelines, stream banks, stream filling, cleanups, either by the industry itself page related to soft coal, we had two wetlands, and siltation. or by the Coast Guard's contractors letters of protest, but we also received If we had to pick on the source of with the final bill paid by the a significant number of comments the most cases, we would have to say producer. indicating agreement with our it is the petroleum production and/ or Perhaps one of the beneficial results viewpoint. One of the comments that mishandling of petroleum products. of the current OPEC disagreements was critical of our position came from Looking back over almost 15 years and the downward plunge of oil prices someone whose ox was apparently of commenting on this page, we have will be the effect of discouraging being gored, and they asked why we referred to those activities more than irresponsible development. It is almost weren't doing something about other 10 times. The newest complaints on predictable that some automobile polluters. We thought we had clearly our part came at the same time as the manufacturers will bring back gas- explained that we were just talking most recent energy crisis and the guzzlers as they look at this very about coal in that particular item, so muddying of our waters by oil and gas short-term phenomenon in the use of we thought best to give you a little exploration and development. In finite resources. more detailed picture of the whole 1986, we had to take a stream off our Ten years ago we quoted the thing. stocking list because of posting National Academy of Science as protesting the relatively new oil and saying, "The next generation is gas law. These people have been destined to be the major participant in relatively unregulated for so long that a process whereby in a brief instant of even the current rather mild historic time the entirety of the regulations are too much for some underground resources of liquid and of them. gaseous fossil hydrocarbons will have Oil and gas development, been irreversibly consumed. Yet we particularly in the northwestern part have scarcely begun to arrange for of the state, had accelerated what is to happen when the stores of immensely, and because of the petroleum and natural gas will be problems that accompany such exhausted during the lifetimes of development, it has been necessary for persons already born." the U.S. Environmental Protection During that short period, it is not Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, the asking too much for us to demand Pennsylvania Fish Commission, and total responsibility on the part of DER to spend much time on their on- those exploiting natural resources. the-ground strike forces to clean up Their individual motivations are not what has been lumped together as necessarily evil, but added together "one large oil spill." they are not adequate for safeguarding In less than a year, the agencies the values of a democratic community. Ralph W. Abele have spent over $2 million in the Executive Director Pennsylvania Fish Commission <^^JL ad- OTUJU, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Fish Commission Marilyn A. Black, President ANG Meadville May 1986 Vol. 55 No. 5 Theodore T. Metzger, Jr., Vice President Johnstown The Hatches of May by Dave Wolf Walter F. Gibbs This month offers something very special to fly fishermen 4 Titusville Leonard A. Green A Pennsylvania Walleye Fishing Seminar by Darl Black Carlisle Pennsylvania walleye fishing experts tell their secrets of success 6 Ross J. Huhn Saltsburg Boating and the Effects of Alcohol by Larry Shaffer Calvin J. Kern Heed the warning of this insidious danger 11 Whitehall The Black Caddis Revisited by Chauncy K. Lively Joan R. Plumly Take a fresh look at a classic producer 12 Jenkintown Jerome E. Southerton County Features—Schuylkill County by Gary L. Stutter and Honesdale Northumberland County by Ronald L. Hoffman 14 J. Wayne Yorks Benton Shad-Taking Techniques by Dave Wonderlich Let this information help you bone up on the tactics to score Boating Advisory Board on shad in a variety of fishing conditions 20 David Coe Chairman "Do-Nothing" for More Crappies by Jim Gronaw State College This easy technique can help you catch more panfish 24 Clayton Buchanan, Pittsburgh Catfish by the Bushel by Gary Diamond Leroy Guccini Catching catfish isn't as easy as you might think, but if you use these Greentown ideas, you can increase your chances of hooking up with big ones .... 26 Helen B. Lange Sharpsville Edward J. Rogowski Holland Staff EDITOR/Art Michaels Straight Talk 2 GRAPHICS/Ted Walke PHOTOGRAPHER/Russ Gettig Byte2'- '^lili V Anglers Currents 28 pSflji-1'^. ' J^SJCfe, CIRCULATION/Eleanor Mutch •• «C*«-^~.; Anglers Notebook 28 STAFF ASSISTANT/Jayne Povleski Notes from the Streams 30

• • mm POSTMASTER: Send 3579 forms to Pennsyl­ vania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harris- burg, PA 17105-1673. Pennsylvania Angler (ISSN003I-434X), © 1986, is published monthly. Second class postage paid at Harrisburg, PA. The Cover Subscription rates: one year. $6; three years. $ 16; single copies are 80 cents each. For subscription The front cover, photographed by Chris Dolnack, shows an angler on and changes of address, contact Angler Circula­ Hicks Run, Cameron County, netting a trout that took a streamer fly. tion, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Address all For more details on fly fishing for trout this month, see the article that other correspondence to: The Editor, Pennsylva­ begins on page 4. If shad fishing interests you, the information on nia Angler. P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg," PA 17105-1673. Editorial contributions are wel­ page 20 could be useful. Panfish enthusiasts will want to check out the comed, but must be accompanied by a self- angling strategy detailed in the article beginning on page 24, and addressed, stamped envelope. Submissions are handled with care, but the publisher assumes no anyone who wants to catch some nice walleye shouldn't miss the responsibility for the return or safety of submis­ feature on page 6. sions in its possession or in transit. The authors' views, ideas, and advice expressed in this maga­ zine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or offi­ cial position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commis­ sion or its staff. There is death among the waters of the trout. Not that type of death that one mourns for very long — if at all. But rather the life-and-death struggle of nature, the formation of the food chain so essential to life there. Perhaps the fly fisherman will add to the chain by killing a trout, perhaps he will not. Still, the decision of what part he plays will be his — and his alone. The coffin fly hovers overhead, dipping and diving so that it might land on the surface film of the river, to perform its last act — that of egg laying that will assure the survival of By 6 o'clock, I had caught and month to be there. I would begin a her species. Beneath the surface a released over 60 trout ranging in size typical day, fishing caddis imitations trout, born of the river, notices the from 5 inches to 18 inches. in the morning, terrestrials during the struggle, and with little hesitation Little did I realize that the best was afternoon hours, and meeting the utilizes the resource provided to him. yet to come, because around 7 the hatch in the evening. Unknown to the trout, a fisherman spinner or coffin fly started to dip and As in all fly fishing, observation is lays a long line on the water. Attached dive over the water. I took 20 more the key. A trout sipping during midday to the end of a 6x leader, a neatly tied trout from 7 to 9:30. Three were over along an overgrown bank is more drake cocks upon the moving water, 16 inches and one was over 20. But than likely taking terrestrials. A well- the trout again notices the fly, rises that is the exception, not the rule. cast and floated ant or beetle should quickly, and finds the sting of the I also recall a year in which the take him. Evening hatches should be barb. The food chain is now complete. drakes did not appear at all, or so 1 easy to identify, but don't let a larger You will find the river in May with thought. 1 had scouted the lower fly conceal the smaller one, as with the all the glorious hatches from the section of the Fork night after night. drake hatch, masking the spinner fall famous Green Drake to the old On the Fork, the lower section waters of sulphurs. The trout were simply not standby Cahill and March Brown. But warm first and the hatch starts there taking the drakes. They were sipping the river in May is teeming with life, and progresses to the headwaters, with the smaller sulphurs, ignoring the and trout are well aware that food is the hatch moving upstream from one drakes completely. A little observation abundant now, perhaps more so than night to the next. If the hatch can be goes a long way. any other month. Especially the found on the lower sections, one can mayfly hatches that now come nearly enjoy two full weeks of the drake Caddises nightly and caddises that dip and dive following the hatch upstream. In May I like the caddis, in over the waters. Each night I would scout the river particular the grizzly caddis on a for signs of the drake — nothing. number 16 as a searching pattern. Green Drake hatch There were drakes clinging to the There are usually enough caddis flies There have been many good Mays streamside vegetation but no hatch around in May so that the trout are for me, especially where the Green could be found. They had to hatch accustomed to seeing them. I have Drake is concerned. Nothing is after dark. I found them on a probably taken more trout on this concrete in fishing, and I like it that moonless night around 10 p.m. The pattern than any other. way. But usually, the tag end of May hatch was good and the trout were Beware of your float. You may signals the start of the Green Drake taking well, and I did have good have the best pattern in the world, but hatch, perhaps the most impressive fishing after dark, but 1 prefer my if it is not floated over the trout hatch to take place on Pennsylvania fishing of the drake during the properly it will be ignored. I like light waters. I often think that all the daylight hours. leaders, 7x on flies 16 to 20, because I hoopla comes from the fact that the Still, other years high waters would feel that it helped my drag-free float, drake is such a large fly, not to go not allow the fishing of the hatch. The but don't be afraid to cast down and unnoticed by even the most casual high murky waters cancelled fishing across the current in order to achieve anglers. entirely, and all one could do was wait the desired result. And most large trout cannot resist for the following year. Frustrating, Finally, don't give up on a trout the tempting offering. Most assume watching a hatch in progress, and not that continues to feed. The right float that the largest trout of the year to be be able to fish. will take him. I have cast over the taken on dry flies are taken on the same trout as many as 30 times before drake imitation. When conditions are Sulphur hatch he has taken, and 1 did not change right, they will receive little argument. Still, despite all the clamor over the patterns or leaders. The float was The drakes are best attended during drake, the sulphur may even be better. I finally right and he took. the evening hours when the spinner have found hatching drakes mingled The month of May. A good rod, a fall is most prevalent. Duns usually with a spinner fall of sulphurs, and vest full of patterns, a fine leader, and are present during the evening, too, although the sulphur is much smaller, the proper float will bring trout to the although they may appear in the the trout took the sulphur spinner net. But it is in the living of it that you morning or even throughout the day. over the drake time and again. will find a greater understanding of My most memorable experience Sulphur hatches seem to be more the life-and-death struggle of a trout with the Green Drake was on the First consistent and often in greater stream's inhabitants. Perhaps a Fork of the Sinnemahoning when by numbers than the drake, and fishing a circling hawk will greet you, a wild luck I ran into a good drake hatch at spinner fall of sulphurs is hard to turkey may talk to you, and a 11 a.m. The flies were coming off the beat, especially on limestoners. whitetail will gaze at you. But most of water in good numbers. It was a cool And big trout do come to sulphur all, you might find yourself in the overcast day, and the drakes spinners. My largest was a good heavy month of May. [77] continued to hatch for a period of six 24-inch brown from the waters of hours, hardly a usual situation. There Kettle Creek. A larger brown came was a minor hatch of Cahills in from the Paradise three years ago, but Dave Wolf coordinates the Fish progress at the same time, and I I would not dare to estimate its size. Commission A dopt-a-Stream enjoyed the circumstances immensely. Regardless of the hatch. May is the program and heads media relations. Mav 1986 5 A Pennsylvania Walleye Fishing

Seminar by Darl Black he walleye is one of the most sought-after fish in from a 14-ounce on up will snag too much on the bottom. the Commonwealth. Unlike the bass or musky, the AMMON: I suggest the angler go to Marsh Creek and Twalleye's popularity is due more to extraordinary fish points, stream inlets, and the mouths of coves. Look eating quality than to its on-the-line fighting ability. But for hard bottom and rocky shoreline. With the water don't underestimate the walleye; a six-pounder can put up temperature below 50 degrees, fish water depths of 20 feet, quite a tussle, and a 10-pounder can test your stamina. or maybe as deep as 30 feet. In water temperatures above To achieve a well-rounded understanding of fishing 50 degrees, the fish can be caught in 8 to 15 feet of water. I approaches for this fine fish, 1 talked at length with would use '/g-ounce and '/i-ounce jigs, or a crawler on a knowledgeable walleye anglers around the state who pursue worm harness. ole' glass-eyes in a wide range of habitat. HORNSTEIN: My advice would be to fish Pymatuning • Mark Amnion hails from Wagontown in the southeast because the walleye have started to recover from the spawn section of our state. He lists Marsh Creek Lake, Blue and usually feed heavily during the entire month of May. Marsh Lake, and Struble Lake as favorite waters. Mark Pymatuning is an off-color, shallow lake that warms earlier caught his largest Pennsylvania walleye in early August of than other area waterways. The water temperature should 1982 in Marsh Creek Lake at 10:30 p.m. in V/i feet of water be in the 50s. on a surface lure. I recommend very slow trolling with lures such as Hot 'N • Ralph Corvaglia resides in the city of Erie, so with 10 Tots, Wiggle Warts, and Benos over stump flats with 8 to years on the big lake, he stakes the claim as our Lake Erie 12 feet of water, allowing the crankbait to tick bottom authority. That's where his largest walleye (just over 10 every once in a while. Also, try a nightcrawler harness later pounds) came from in 1984. in May as the water warms. • Dave Hornstein of Meadville has spent 20 years fishing CORVAGLIA: There is no closed season for walleye on western Pennsylvania for every species of fish, but is partial Lake Erie, so anglers can begin fishing for them soon after to walleye. Dave's home waters include Pymatuning Lake, ice-out. In May, your best bet is to cast or troll Rapalas, or Conneaut Lake, and French Creek. Pymatuning gave up an other shallow-running plugs, in 10 to 15 feet of water near 11 pound 'eye to Dave a few years ago. the mouths of tributary streams. The rainbow trout pattern • Bill Huffnagle resides in Bloomsburg, but he spends so Rapala is a favorite of mine for early season walleye. much time on the Susquehanna River near Sunbury that he calls it his second home. He says the Susquehanna is "the By the middle of summer, walleye have changed locations most underfished river in the Commonwealth." With over and altered their forage preferences. Describe your favorite 30 years of walleye fishing in his pocket. Bill's biggest was a tactics for summertime walleye. 12-pound walleye caught from his favorite stretch of the HUFFNAGLE: I switch to lakes! Walleye are just about river. non-existent in the river in the summer. 1 am convinced that most of the walleye move down river to the wider stretches Pennsylvania walleye season opens early in May. A where baitfish are abundant. While some are taken at night, Pennsylvania angler asks your advice on where to go in there is no daytime activity. your region to catch a mess of eating-sized walleye. To For summer lakes, I suggest Wallenpaupack, Raystown, what water would you direct the angler and what tactics or Kinzua. You need to fish slow and deep just above the would you recommend? thermocline, which you can locate with a temperature HUFFNAGLE: I would direct the angler to the area just probe. If you don't have a probe, a common thermometer below the Fabridam on the Susquehanna River at Sunbury. will do. I use the same lures in the summer as in the The water will probably still be high, and if it hasn't spring—jigs and live minnows. warmed yet, there will be some hold-over winter walleye AMMON: During mid-summer, 1 fish shallower waters around. along weed beds in depths from 2 to 10 feet. I use a trio of I would use the same thing there I use most of the year to lures—small Rapalas, Augertail jigs, and crawlers on a catch walleye—jigs. Try a white or yellow deer hair jig; a harness. yellow Mister Twister; a silver Super Shad or Sassy Shad; I begin by trolling a worm harness or Rapala back and or a plain jighead with a 3-inch to 5-inch minnow. forth across an area known to hold walleye. When I pick I use a 1/ 16-ounce jighead most of the time, but will up a fish, I back off the area and throw jigs. Sometimes the drop to a 1/32-ounce or go up to a '/s-ounce depending on fish only take a jig bounced on the bottom; other times you the current. To fish slow enough to be effective, anything have to swim the jig several feet off the bottom. 6 Pennsylvania Angler photos by the author

been from water with a depth of less than 50 feet. My experience shows that you will rarely find walleye more than 5 feet off the bottom in water less than 30 feet deep. However, as you move to deeper water, suspension becomes more of a factor, and the fish may be at any depth. Trolling artificials has accounted for the majority of my walleye, with worm harness rigs in second place. By mid-summer of 1985, Lake Erie was in the midst of the most incredible walleye season ever for sport anglers. We quickly learned that walleye would hit salmon lures, so tinsel flies and squids trailed behind dodgers, as well as spoons like the Alpina Diamonds or Northport Nailers, were all added to our walleye arsenal. The largest concentration of walleye this past season was located out of Walnut Creek in the First and Second trenches, 4 to 7 miles out. Most of the walleye were suspended 35 feet below the surface over bottom depths of 55 to 80 feet; some were right on the bottom. Early in the season 1 began using wire line to get my lures to the fish and to remove the hassle of operating downriggers while controlling the boat in rough and windy conditions. My top producing artificials in 1985 were Bagley's Killer B 11 in blue or green foil; Bagley's Salmon Snack in green or orange fluorescent; Bomber Model 8A in fire tiger, black, or red; Storm's Wiggle Warts in chartreuse, green with black stripe, white, or perch; and flutter spoons in yellow/ green, blue, pearl, or green. Besides wire line trolling, other effective techniques were: running flutter spoons behind a Pink Lady, Deep Six, or Dipsy Diver; plugs, flutter spoons, or worm harness rigs off downriggers; and flat-lining monofilament with 3 to 4 ounces of lead to take the bait down.

What are your recommendations on rods, reels, and lines for walleye fishing? AMMON: 1 like to use medium-action graphite rods in 6'/2-foot to 7-foot lengths. My spinning reel is spooled with 6-pound or 8-pound test. HUFFNAGLE: I am an ultralight nut, and 1 make my For complete details on Pennsylvania's biggest walleye l own rods. 1 like a rod length of 4 / to 5 feet, with 2- to 6- caught in 1985, study the information on page 10 — 2 pound-test line. You'll lose more lures with light line—lures, gleaned from the Angler's A wards offered for walleye in the not more fish—because the outfit can handle the walleye. If Commission's Angler Recognition Program. you're not hung up every third or fourth cast, then you're HORNSTEIN: In summertime, my favorite method on fishing your jig too fast. natural lakes is to fish with a nightcrawler along the outside HORNSTEIN: 1 recommend using a good quality edge of weeds. 1 just use a size 6 or size 4 Aberdeen hook— graphite or boron rod, especially when jigging or using live an Eagle Claw 214 or Mustad 3261— and splitshot on 8- bait. Use a quality line and re-spool often. I only use open- pound-test line. face spinning reels with anti-reverse because 1 always back 1 stay in the fringe of the weed bed, with the depth reel a big fish when it makes a run, rather than relying on somewhere around 9 to 12 feet; the depth of weed growth the drag. varies, depending on the water clarity. I try to find For fishing jigs, or working weedlines with crawlers or something out of the ordinary in the weedline, such as a minnows, 1 use a 5'/4-foot or 5%-foot bass-action rod and 6- finger with sparse weed growth. Simply cast parallel to the or 8-pound-test monofilament. When trolling, I use a 6-foot weedline, let the crawler sink, and reel in very slowly graphite bass-action rod with 8- to 14-pound test (lighter dragging the bait along the bottom. Take a lot of crawlers lines on clean bottom, heavier lines for areas with a lot of with you! rock or wood). CORVAGLIA: The summer walleye fishery on Lake CORVAGLIA: It takes several outfits to cover all the Erie has undergone radical changes in the last two years, options on Lake Erie. with walleye now found suspended in deep water. Although For casting bait and lures: a 6-foot to 7-foot, light or some walleye are still taken in the near-shore area, during medium action spinning rod, with 6- to 10-pound-test recent seasons, less than 10 percent of my total catch has quality monofilament. For flat-line trolling: a 7-foot to 8'/2-foot, medium or medium-heavy action long-handled casting rod; a fast-ratio level-wind reel with star drag; and 8- to 10-pound-test monofilament. For wire line trolling: a 7'^-foot to 8>/2-foot, medium or medium-heavy long-handled casting rod with a soft tip and good backbone; a level-wind star-drag reel; and 12- to 15- When you fish Lake Erie for walleye, be sure your boat is pound stainless steel trolling wire. I usually fish a 16- to 20- appropriate for offshore trips, and equip it properly. A pound 36-inch monofilament shock leader between the wire good compass, a VHF radio, and Loran play key roles in and the lure. your safety and in your fishing success.

What time of the year or under what conditions do you fish live bait instead of artificials? AMMON: I use crawlers or minnows when 1 can't catch any walleye on lures. I usually go to live bait on clear, bright days. CORVAGLIA: My favorite live bait rod is a nightcrawler on a willow leaf spinner. The walleye are often picky over colors, so be sure to have several different color blades with you. I can't list the conditions when Erie walleye prefer live bait; it's just a matter of experimentation. HORNSTEIN: In the spring and fall cold-water periods, my favorite lures are jigs or jump-type baits. During the late spring and summer periods I prefer to troll crankbaits. I use crawlers in the early summer into fall. In the early fall I like suckers; but as the water gets colder in November and December, I switch to shiners because they have more flash and are livelier in cold water. HUFFNAGLE: I prefer live bait over artificials in cloudy water. When the water clears up, lures do better. Here is my rule of thumb: If you stick the top section of your rod in the water and can still see the tip when the water reaches the first guide down from the tip, then the water is clear enough to get fish on artificials.

Of all the electronic and mechanical aids available to the angler today, which ones do you find valuable to your walleye fish ing? HORNSTEIN: I think the most important aid to an angler today is some type of depthfinder. I rely on my flasher 90 percent of the time. Once a good structure is located on the flasher, I take a closer look with a chart recorder. However, if I could only buy one piece of equipment, it would be a flasher. AMMON: I use a flasher or LCD to locate structure and baitfish. I use a temperature probe to check different depths for my records. In the summer, walleye move into very shallow water at night to feed when the water temperature is around 70 degrees. CORVAGLIA: The first two pieces of equipment that I HUFFNAGLE: As far as river fishing is concerned, there would put on any boat for Lake Erie are a good compass isn't much deep water to make a depthfinder practical, and and VHF marine radio. These basic navigation and the temperature is basically the same from top to bottom. communication aids play a key role in successful angling on For the river angler, reading the current is vital and there this large body of water. The information gathered on my is no electronic device to do that, just experience and good radio has given me the location where fish were being vision. When the river is at normal flow it is best to search caught, color of lures, and depth. the main river for obstructions that create slack water next The next instrument would be some form of sonar. A to swift current. Walleye don't like to fight the current, so flasher, video, or graph recorder provides the operator with they lie right at the edge. When the river is high, look for similar information. current flowing in the opposite direction of the main river The last piece is a Loran C, which has become one of my flow. High water is a good time to hunt fish in the most important offshore fishing tools. Its pinpoint backwaters. navigational capabilities enable me to return consistently to 8 Pennsylvania Angler the same spot on the big water where visible markers are because the lakes and rivers I fish all peak at different not available. times. When one slows, I switch to another. Pymatuning is hot in May, followed by Conneaut Lake in late June and What do you consider the peak time of year for catching early July, Lake Erie in late July and August, and finally walleye? French Creek in November and December. Generally, I CORVAGLIA: The peak time of the year for walleye on would say that summer is the peak time for numbers of Erie has been from the end of June through the middle of fish, but fall is best for trophy walleye. September. HUFFNAGLE: The peak time in the river is from In your opinion, what is the best time of the day to fish for November until the river freezes over. If you're lucky, you walleye? may be able to fish into January, but the river usually gets AMMON: Early morning and early evening into dark. slush ice by Christmas. CORVAGLIA: Normally, morning and evening are best, HORNSTEIN: This question is very hard to answer but in deep water, the walleye hit any time during the day. May 1986 9 HORNSTEIN: I like the low light period of early morning and late evening. As a general rule in summer, if skies are overcast, the walleye will bite all day. But in late fall, a sunny day may turn the fish on. HUFFNAGLE: In summer, 1 would say a half-hour before dark to a half-hour before daylight. In winter, I don't think it really matters.

What additional tips do you have for Pennsylvania walleye anglers? AMMON: Walleye can hit very lightly at times, so don't go with a heavy-action rod or heavy line. CORVAGLIA: On Lake Erie, fish can move in and out of an area quickly, so it is important to know what is happening on a daily basis. The best places for up-to-the- minute information are bait shops, boat ramps, and the VHF marine radio. HORNSTEIN: Try to fish lakes or rivers when they are peaking. Pennsylvania has enough quality walleye waters to keep you busy during the entire open-water season. Don't put your rods away on Labor Day—fall is lunker time. HUFFNAGLE: The worst possible conditions for fishing are probably the best conditions for catching walleye. Cold, miserable, windy, and rainy—that is walleye weather. I have sat in a boat when I thought I was going to freeze to death, and still caught walleye. You don't have to be crazy, but it helps! Dj*3

Senior Angler's Awards for Walleye— 1985

total of 35 Senior Angler's Awards was offered A for 1985 walleye catches. Here are the details of Pennsylvania's best walleye catches in 1985. Of the 35 total, 17 were caught in Lake Erie, five were caught in Lake Arthur, four were fooled in the Allegheny Reservoir, three came from the Allegheny River (one each in Allegheny, Forest, and Armstrong counties), two were taken from Lake Wilhelm, two were caught in Beltzville Lake, and one each came from Opossum Lake (Cumberland County) and Maiden Creek (Berks County). Here are the months in which anglers made their catches with the number of walleye taken: January, 1; February, 3; March, 0; April, 1; May, 2; June, 7; July, 5; August, 5; September, 5; October, 5; November, 0; and December, 1. Live baits accounted for 10 big 'eyes. Two were taken on minnows, worms fooled five, and suckers brought in three. A combination spinner and worm caught one. Artificials accounted for the rest, 24. A plastic worm took one, jigs caught four, spinners and spoons each caught one, and diving plugs accounted for 17. For more details on the Fish Commission's Angler Recognition Program, which includes Senior Angler's Awards, send a business-sized stamped, self-addressed envelope with requests to: Publications Section, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Boating and the Effects of Alcohol

Why? What happens with even just a moderate intake of alcohol? Several things. Lack of stability, for one. Even though undetected by the person involved, his balance is greatly lessened. Falls overboard and capsizing of boats under 16 feet are the primary causes of boating fatalities, and alcohol simply compounds the problem. These small crafts are a poor place to experiment with balance. Studies show that, inebriated, a person is probably unable to swim, even though sober he may be an excellent swimmer. What's worse, thrown unexpectedly into the water and a bit tipsy, he's confused, scared, and cold. The water is dark and murky. He is just as likely to swim downward—to drown—as he is to swim up to safety. Also affected by alcohol is the capacity to receive and integrate signals sent from the various sensory organs to the brain. It is difficult to sort out these signals and combine them into meaningful actions; reaction time can be doubled. Furthermore, alcohol reduces A pre-arrest breath test, exhibited inhibitions, especially in risk-taking by Deputy Waterways Conservation situations. A person under the Officer Don Heiner, Cumberland influence is more apt to try dangerous County, is used to help an officer feats or stunts that he would not determine if a boat operator should be consider when sober. Mr. Milquetoast given a more formal breath test at a suddenly and tragically becomes by Larry Shaffer municipal police department or a state macho-man. Mk s we move into the warmer police barracks. Finally, vision is affected by alcohol ^\ months of the year, we and becomes especially critical at M^m anxiously look forward to night. Recovery time from glare spending as many fun-filled days on innocently enough. A couple of following exposure to bright lights can the water as we possibly can. Boating friends in a boat or canoe, out for an be delayed 20 to 50 percent, and may in Pennsylvania is growing by leaps afternoon of fun and relaxation. They take up to six hours to return to and bounds, but unfortunately, not may be on a river, a smaller stream, normal or to pre-drink glare recovery without problems. or one of the many lakes in time. In addition, intoxicated persons Boating accidents continue to be a Pennsylvania. It's a warm day, and a lose their ability to see primary colors fact of life—or in too many cooler full of beer seems to be one at night (such as red and green). Isn't instances—a fact of death. During way to find relief from the heat. it frightening when we realize that red 1985, 16 persons lost their lives in But then something happens; the and green lights control traffic on our boating accidents in Pennsylvania, craft capsizes for one reason or streets? and in many cases, alcohol played a another, or someone simply falls Drinking while boating is danger­ part in the tragedy. Studies have overboard, or there's a collision. In ous. Think about it. shown that alcoholic beverages are a any event, someone ends up CE3 contributing factor in more than 50 unexpectedly in the water. He's percent of the boating fatalities probably physically fit and a good Larry Shaffer creates and produces recorded nationwide. That's a swimmer, but in spite of that, the the Fish Commission's weekly radio frightening figure. afternoon ends in tragedy. An broadcasts, from which this article is Drinking and operating a boat is no investigation shows a high level of adapted. Commission broadcasts can different from drinking and driving an alcohol content in the blood. Another be heard on 70 AM and FM radio automobile or truck. It all starts needless loss of life. stations throughout Pennsylvania. Mav 1986 11 Fly fishing has been the beneficiary of The Little Black Caddis many a technological advancement, and fly tying has similarly benefitted from the advent of man-made mate­ Revisited rials, especially plastic. John Betts has been a pioneer in the adaptation of synthetic materials to fly tying, and many of us owe him a debt of gratitude for his pathfinding efforts. His contributions range from aerody­ namic mayfly wings of polyethylene film (from Ziploc bags) to near-perfect tailing material of synthetic sable artist brush fibers. In the February 1984 Angler, we de­ scribed the Palmer Dark Blue Quill pattern, a mayfly-type dry fly that util­ izes Betts-style wings of trash bag plas­ tic. This material is lightweight and tough. 1 particularly like Hefty Steel- Sak bags in 1.5 mil or 2 mil thickness; however, I'm sure other brands of sim­ ilar weight provide excellent winging material. The Steel-Sak bags are metal­ by Chauncy K. Lively lic gray on one side and black on the photos by the author other, making the material suitable for other fly tying uses, such as nymph wing cases. It is also eminently useful for cer­ tain caddis fly wings. So it was that a

•^ Clamp a size 16 or 18 m regular-shank dry fly JL. % hook in your shank length behind the eye. Select one each brown and black hackle of good quality and strip off the webby lower barbules. Hold the hackles together, ^% Grip the tip of the rear perpendicular to the shank with the Wax the thread next to ^k hackle with hackle dull sides facing the hook eye. Tie in %~J % pliers and wind, open- the hackles with criss-cross turns and 2 palmer fashion, to the bend. Tie off bind the stems back along the shank the shank and apply a and trim the excess hackle tip. Repeat with three or four turns. Trim the • thin dubbing of black this step with the second hackle, excess stems. fur or synthetic. Wind the dubbing following the course of the first. from behind the tied-in hackle to the 12 Pennsylvania Angler bend, forming a tapered body. favorite caddis pattern was given new, length. Fold the strip lengthwise and right hand grip. The wing should now longer-wearing clothes. make a sharp crease by pressing your be in place with the bottom edges The early Black Caddis, which we thumbnail along the folded edge. If aligned with the shank. Make three firm first described on these pages in Novem­ Steel-Sak material is used, fold it with turns toward the eye and trim the excess ber 1972, was dressed with a wing cut the metallic side inside. Then trim a plastic. from a black-dyed duck wing quill. It taper along the outside edges to reduce The left-handed procedure protects was pre-coated with vinyl cement for the width of one end of the folded strip the hackling, which would be crushed if durability and folded lengthwise to to about one-half the other. the wing were held conventionally with simulate the rooflike posture of caddis At this stage the pattern's body and the left hand. wings. As everyone knows, quill wings hackle will have been dressed, and you The Little Black Caddis represents are notoriously fragile, and trout, with won't want to disturb them. The thread the Chimarrha caddis flies common to their needle-sharp teeth, show little will now besuspended just ahead of the many of our streams. Although they respect for frail materials. The vinyl body's fore end. With the right hand, generally emerge from late April to coating, though it added a little weight pick up the folded wing by the tip of the early June, 1 have seen them scurrying to the fly, extended the wing's longev­ narrow end and hold it in place over the through the dew-covered grass along ity. Even so, the quill material would body, creased edge up. With the edges Falling Spring early on August eventually split, and the essential straddling the shank behind the eye, tie mornings. caddis-like shape was altered or lost. in the wing as you would wet fly Most caddis flies are of varying The Little Black Caddis now has a wing wings—but left-handed! shades of buff, brown, or gray, and it is of trash bag plastic, and not only is the Actually, if you're a righty, this is not often possible to interchange patterns fly lighter in weight, but its useful life is as awkward as it sounds. Simply hold successfully provided the size is consist­ longer. the material with the right hand and use ent with the naturals. However, the Our method of dressing plastic cad­ the pinch-grip to guide a slack loop blackish appearance of the Chimarrhas dis wings is a simple, straight-forward made with the left hand. Draw the is so distinctive, it's difficult to find a procedure, if not a bit unorthodox. thread firmly downward; then, without successful substitute from the more Here's how it's done: releasing the right hand grip, repeat somber patterns. That's why I always First, cut a rectangular strip of the with another slack loop and tighten. like to have a supply of the Little Black material 3/ 16-inch to /4-inch wide and Allow the thread to hang under the Caddis on hand. Sizes 16 and 18 are as long as 1 Vi times the overall hook weight of the bobbin and release your appropriate. f"1

I

i^r For the wing, tie in a m\ folded strip of black V^ % trash bag plastic (see Wind the thread in text for detailed information). Then, spaced turns toward the as shown, cut the rear of the wing at JM With fine-pointed 5• eye, taking care to an angle; then trim the hackle £jL scissors, trim the hackle avoid binding down the wound hackle underneath the body. Finally, build a • • close to the top of the barbules. Half-hitch at the fore end of neat head with thread, whip-finish, shank. the body. and apply head lacquer. May 1986 13 Schuylkill and Northumberland

Once the lake gets a safe covering of ice, fishermen using Counties mealworms and jigs do well in the upper third of the lake. Perch are caught year-round, with the best angling occurring after ice-out when they are spawning. Ice fishermen also do well using jigs and small minnows for Schuylkill County perch. Most muskies are caught by fishermen who seek other types of fish, usually on large minnows and lures. by Gary L. Slutter Boating is permitted, but electric motors only are allowed. There is a boat rental on the lake, which is open chuylkill County's varied terrain of forested weekends from the beginning of trout season until June, mountains, rolling hills, and deep valleys offers the when it's open daily until September. A launch ramp, Sangler an array of fishing areas and types. From fast- overnight mooring, picnicking, and sanitary facilities are flowing trout streams like Cold Run to the slower-flowing available at the park as well. Schuylkill River, through the small reservoirs like Pumping To find the lake, go to Barnesville, which is on Route 54 Station Dam. to larger impoundments like Tuscarora Lake, between 1-81 and Route 309. Follow the signs to the park. fishermen can expect to catch trout, bass, walleye, crappies, catfish, and muskies. And the fishing outlook is getting Sweet Arrow Lake better all the time. This 96-acre waterway is northeast of Pine Grove Borough. Head north out of Pine Grove on Route 125, Tuscarora Lake then make a right turn on Sweet Arrow Lake Road. The This 100-acre lake, located in Tuscarora State Park, has lake is two miles away. Most of the lake is bordered by this the greatest variety of fish in the county. Here fishermen road on its north shore. Also on this road is the Sweet catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, tiger Arrow Lake Fish Commission access area, which has a muskies, trout, crappies, perch, bluegills, catfish, and boat launch, overnight mooring, and parking available. suckers. Electric motors are allowed as well as non-powered craft. The best bass fishing is at night, after the activity of the Fish available here include largemouth bass, pickerel, park has stopped. The best baits are minnows and tiger muskies, crappies, perch, bluegills, catfish, and imitation-minnow lures. Most walleye caught at the lake suckers. The best time to fish for bass is right after ice-out, are also taken at night, and minnows and nightcrawlers are and at night during the summer. Prime baits are minnows, the top baits. A great time to fish here for stocked trout is purple plastic worms, and black Jitterbugs. Angling from a after the June stocking, using mealworms and spinners, and boat will allow you to fish near and under the many docks in October and November, again with mealworms and on the private south shore. spinners providing the best action. Crappie action is at its best in spring, with hair jigs and This 6-pound largemouth bass was caught in Sweet Arrow Lake early in spring, in March just after ice-out. small twisters ranking tops. Ice fishermen do well on The outlet of Locust Lake is a popular opening day and pickerel and crappies, with minnows the best bait. Any time early season trout spot. there is a good rainstorm, you'll find sucker fishermen where several small streams enter the lake. They do well with small worms. Schuylkill River The finest fishing in the Schuylkill starts near Landingville at Auburn Dam, and gets better as you get closer to the Schuylkill-Berks county line below Port Clinton. On the 200-acre Auburn Dam pool, fishermen and boaters have a Fish Commission access area from which to launch their boats. Fishermen catch largemouth bass, crappies, catfish, and suckers in this part of the river. Fish along the outside bend of the river under the brush with black plastic worms for the best action, and near the lily pads is another good bet. You will have to look for crappies, but the dam area is a good place to start. Catfish can be caught any place you can gain access to the river. Near the upper end of the dam where Red Creek enters is the best place to fish for suckers, especially after a hard rainstorm. Most fish seem to hit from early spring until late fall. On weekends, during warm weather, it is best early in the morning before the water skiers get started. Minnows and worms are good selections for all-around fishing, with plastic worms and plugs filling the bill for bass. June. The top baits include worms, salmon eggs, and Below the dam, access is available only where roadways spinners. This stream is stocked from the Quarry east of cross the river, such as Route 895 near Auburn, Route 61 Summit Station to just west of Auburn. below Port Clinton, and several small roads in between. Fishermen can expect to catch largemouth and smallmouth Deep Creek bass and catfish in this section of the river. Top baits are The Fish Commission stocks 9.4 miles of this stream, minnows and nightcrawlers. Walleye were stocked in 1985 which is in the Hegins Valley. Almost all this stream near Port Clinton, and one day they will also be available. meanders through farmlands and it receives two stockings A good way to fish the river between Auburn Dam and of brown and rainbow trout. Best time to fish is opening Port Clinton is to float it. The waterway has several bends day to June. Good baits are spinners, minnows, and worms. that are not near any roads, and you usually have these Access is available by the many roads crossing the creek areas all to yourself. from Route 25. The creek is stocked from below Barry Elementary School to Valley View. Almost all this stream is Little Schuylkill River float-stocked by the Lavelle Fish and Game Club with help The Little Schuylkill River starts below McAdoo and from local high schools. Lavelle Fish and Game also stocks flows through Tamaqua and New Ringgold before joining Deep Creek from its cooperative nursery. the Schuylkill River at Port Clinton. Fish caught in the river include trout, smallmouth bass, perch, and catfish. Little Catawissa Creek The stretch below New Ringgold to Port Clinton is the best This northern-most stocked stream in the county receives water for bass and catfish. Trout also show up here on two stockings of brown and brook trout. This stream is occasion. The Little Schuylkill is stocked with trout by the located near Ringtown. The best time to fish is opening day Fish Commission where Locust Creek enters the river to its to early June, and good baits to use are worms and junction with Panther Creek in Tamaqua. The Little minnows. Fish deep and slow early in the season because of Schuylkill Conservation Club also stocks fish from its cold water temperatures. The upper section from Reservoir cooperative nursery, beginning at Locust Creek, Road into Columbia County is Class A wild trout water, downstream to New Ringgold. Best offerings in the river and is not stocked. include minnows, worms, and spinners. Access is from Hecla downstream to Port Clinton. Care must be taken not Pumping Station Dam to enter the Atlas Powder Company property near This 9-acre impoundment near Brandonville is stocked Reynolds. with brook and rainbow trout. Fishing is at its best from opening day to June. Baits to use include spinners, salmon Bear Creek eggs, and worms. Come prepared for some tackle-busting This stream flows for 8.2 miles along Route 895 and is trophy palomino and rainbow trout, which always seem to stocked with brook trout for preseason and rainbows in find their way here. Stocking takes place preseason and season. The best time to fish is from opening day until early several times in season. 16 Pennsylvania Angler The park has 282 campsites available from the second Friday of April to the third Sunday in October with many of these located on the lake shore. There is a camp store at the park with limited amounts of fishing tackle and bait for sale. The lake can be reached from Route 209 at Middleport and from Route 54 in Barnesville. Follow the signs to the park. Northumberland County by Ronald L. Hoffman orthumberland County has a population of over 100,000 with the cities of Shamokin and Sunbury Nthe major population centers. The county is mostly agricultural in nature, and the eastern end of the county is a major Pennsylvania coal producing area. From a piscatorial viewpoint, Northumberland County would have to be considered primarily a warmwater, river- fishing area. It has over 56 miles of river system, with this mileage made up of the Susquehanna River North Branch, Susquehanna River West Branch, and the Susquehanna Main Branch. The trout fishery consists of the Little Shamokin Creek, Schwaben Creek, Roaring Creek South Branch, Mahantango Creek, and the Zerbe Rod & Gun Lower Little Swatara Creek Club Pond. Called Rock Creek by the local anglers, this stream flows parallel to Route 895 for more than 6 miles between Little Shamokin Creek Summit Station and Pine Grove. Stocked with brown and Little Shamokin Creek is a tributary to Shamokin Creek. rainbow trout, this stream offers the angler some of the best It meanders through farmland and woodlots along Route trout fishing in the county. Due to the efforts of the Pine 890 between Sunbury and Trevorton. It receives brown Grove Sportsmens Club, this waterway is open to public trout and rainbow trout on a one-time preseason basis. fishing for its entire stocked length. It receives preseason April and May are the best months for fishing the Little and inseason stockings, and the best times to fish are from Shamokin, and worms, minnows, and salmon eggs are the opening day to June. Best baits are spinners, salmon eggs, best producers. The stocking area runs from near the Route and worms. Fishermen also catch pickerel and smallmouth 61 bridge upstream to the Route 890 bridge where L.R. bass. A good place to try is on Game Lands 160, which is 49033 joins Route 890. This distance is approximately 8.8 about 3 miles east of Pine Grove on Route 895. miles.

Lizzard Creek Schwaben Creek This easily accessible stream flows from Schuylkill Schwaben Creek is a tributary to Mahanoy Creek. It County to Carbon County along Route 895. It is stocked parallels L.R. 49010 from the village of Red Cross to the from just below Route 309 to the Carbon County line with village of Greenbrier. It receives both brown trout and rainbow and brown trout. The Fish Commission stocks rainbow trout on a preseason and inseason basis. Like most both preseason and in season. The Sportsmens Rod and of the streams in Northumberland County, the Schwaben Gun Club also stocks from its cooperative nursery. Creek is a seasonal fishery. The best months are April and The best time to fish is opening day to the end of May, May. Some good brown trout fishing can be had after and good baits are small spinners and salmon eggs. Respect dark. Worms, minnows, salmon eggs, and corn are the best the landowners, and obey the "No fishing zone" signs. baits. The stream is stocked over the entire reach listed above. The best water for fishing is on the lower end. The Locust Lake stocking distance is about 6.6 miles. Located in Locust Lake State Park, this 56-acre lake receives brook, brown, and rainbow trout for one Mahantango Creek Preseason, four inseason, and one winter stocking. The best Mahantango Creek is a tributary to the Main Branch of fishing times are from opening day to June and then again the Susquehanna River. It forms the border between in December to February when solid ice covers the lake. Northumberland County and Dauphin County. It is Fishermen catch some fish in the deeper water during the stocked for a distance of 20.4 miles from the bridge below summer and fall months. The best baits to use are spinners, the village of Malta to the confluence with the Little worms, mealworms, and salmon eggs. Boating is permitted Mahantango Creek in Schuylkill County. The best fishing with electric motors only. for trout is during April and May, with trout taken

May 1986 17 For excellent smallmouth bass action in Northumberland County, try the Main, North, and West branches of the Susquehanna, in addition to Mahantango Creek. Schuylkill County's best largemouth bass action occurs at Auburn Dam, Sweet Arrow Lake, and Tuscarora Lake.

throughout the summer and fall. Nice smallmouth bass are Zerbe Rod & Gun Club Pond a fairly common occurrence as are rock bass. Zerbe Pond is a 2-acre waterway located in "Doodle-Bug Mahantango has also produced some nice muskellunge, Park" in Trevorton. The pond and property are owned by walleye, pickerel, and channel catfish. The Mahantango the Zerbe Township Rod & Gun Club, and through its Creek is a fairly large stream flowing through farmlands at cooperation and public-minded spirit, it has provided the base of Mahantango Mountain. Worms, minnows, another opportunity for trout fishing in Northumberland salmon eggs, spinners, spoons, and plugs all work well. It is County. Among the preseason stocked fish were a number particularly important on a stream of this size to match the of trophy-sized palomino rainbow trout. bait or lure to the species you are after. Trout season, and in particular the opening day, Zerbe Thanks to the Fiddlers Run Sportsmen Club, float Pond takes on an almost carnival atmosphere. Young, old, stocking is used throughout the stocking area. This method experienced, and inexperienced alike all compete for the spreads the trout stocked over a more complete area and rainbows. Of course, all forms and types of equipment and greatly increases the fishing quality and opportunities on baits are used, and most enjoy some degree of success. To this stream. get to the pond take Route 225 to Trevorton. At the eastern end of town, turn toward the bottom of the valley, cross the South Branch of Roaring Creek railroad tracks, and the pond will be in front of you. The South Branch of Roaring Creek sits on the eastern boundary of Northumberland County and Columbia Chillisquaque Creek County. It receives both preseason and inseason stockings. The Chillisquaque is a warmwater stream that traverses The stocking area is approximately 3 miles in length and the county between the boroughs of Northumberland and runs from the confluence of Roaring Creek and the South Milton. It flows through the county for about 7 miles. Branch of Roaring Creek to above Knoebel's Grove Though not stocked, it is a tributary of the West Branch of Amusement Park. the Susquehanna River and as such contains the same April, May and June are the best months. Worms, species you would find in the river. It receives its water minnows, salmon eggs, corn, and spinners all work very supply from the PP&L power generating facility in well. The upper end of this stream is managed by the Montour County. The spring of the year is the best fishing Commission as a Class A wild trout fishery. and rock bass are the species most frequently caught. 18 Pennsylvania Angler Access to the Chillisquaque can be gained from Route 405 County about 3 miles west of the City of Danville, it flows near its mouth, Route 45 at the eastern edge of the county, through Bradford County, Wyoming County, Lackawanna and from Route 642 just east of the town of Pottsgrove. County, Luzerne County, Columbia County, and Montour County. It is the larger of the two branches. Its length in The Susquehanna River Northumberland County is just over 10 miles. The North Branch and the West Branch of the Most of the facilities for launching a boat are found in Susquehanna River meet in Northumberland County. The the Sunbury/Northumberland Borough areas. Parkers West Branch and the Main Branch serve as island, whose southern end makes up Shikellamy State Northumberland County's western-most border with Park, boasts excellent boat launch facilities. At Hanover Union, Snyder, and Juniata counties. Street in Northumberland Borough, there is a launching ramp, and at "Norie Point" in Northumberland Borough West Branch Susquehanna River there is another. The North Branch is certainly on par with The West Branch has its origins in Clearfield County, the West Branch in opportunities to catch fish. In flowing eastward forming parts of the Centre and Clinton September 1981, muskellunge fingerlings were stocked by counties border and into Lycoming County. From the Commission in this stretch, and again in September Lycoming County, it enters Northumberland County 1984, more were stocked. Although the walleye fishing has several miles above Watsontown. The West Branch serves not been in recent years what it was in the past, the as part of Northumberland County's western border with smallmouth bass fishing is very good. Channel catfish over Union County. 20 inches are common here, and rock bass and crappie The West Branch suffered greatly in the past from mine fishing in the spring is excellent. discharges to the west. However, it is making and has made an admirable comeback. Fishing for all our more common Main Branch of the Susquehanna River warmwater species can be rated as very good in the This stretch of the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County section of this branch. Northumberland County runs from the confluence of the As soon as the ice is off in the spring, excellent sucker West Branch and the North Branch of the Susquehanna fishing can be had at almost any location you choose. Small River at Sunbury downstream to the Northumberland/ garden worms are the ticket to success. Smallmouth bass Dauphin County line. This distance is approximately 23 and walleye fishing in the fall is popular with some nice fish miles. This part of the Susquehanna River forms part of caught. Plugs, spinners, minnows, and worms all work Northumberland County's western border with Snyder very well. County. Access to this section of the Susquehanna is The top spots are from the confluence of the West and primarily on the Snyder County shoreline along routes 11 North branches at Northumberland Borough upstream to and 15. the Winfield area, and from the Borough of Montgomery However, numerous access points can be found on the in Lycoming County downstream to the old ordinance dam Northumberland County side from Route 147. At the area. The real star of this show has to be the muskellunge. southern end of the City of Sunbury along Route 147 is the Muskellunge are caught with good frequency along this Sunbury Access Area. This access area was constructed by entire length of river. Fish big plugs, spoons, or large live the Fish Commission in 1982 and 1983 and provides baits. These are big fish and as such appropriate equipment excellent access to the river between the Sunbury Inflatable is recommended. Dam and a low-head dam approximately 1 Vi miles In September 1983, the West Branch received downstream. muskellunge fry, and in April 1984, the Fish Commission This is an excellent fishery, and well-known for its stocked walleye fry between the confluence of the North walleye and smallmouth bass fishing. Spring and fall are and West branches and the Northumberland/ Lycoming the best times with the early morning hours the most County line. productive. All baits and lures work well here, but the real This stretch of river is about 23 miles long and can be killers are crayfish, minnows, and twister-type jigs in described as quite shallow with various pools and riffles. yellow. Access to the river is adequate. There is a Fish Commission In September 1984, muskellunge fingerlings were stocked access area at Montgomery. From there traveling in this stretch. This area of the river abounds with islands. downstream, a boat launch is available at the Watsontown It has many deep pools and channels with sudden dropoffs bridge, another is located at the southern end of and ledges. In the spring, aside from the excellent walleye Watsontown, and another at the Route 11 bridge in and smallmouth bass fishing, the action for suckers and Northumberland. channel catfish continues round the clock. The most There are numerous locations along this stretch where effective baits and methods are minnows and worms for the small cartop boats can be launched. It should be noted that channel catfish and small garden worms for the suckers. with the exception of the area around the Route 11 bridge, Although most of Pennsylvania's gamefish species are which is commonly known as Lake Augusta, and several available in very good numbers in this section, the real star other small pools, this entire length of river is only suitable of this show is the smallmouth bass. It is present here in to very small boats. If you plan to use a motor-powered excellent numbers, and the entire area lends itself ideally to boat in this area, extra shear pins are a must. this species. (r»]

North Branch of the Susquehanna River Gary L. Slutter is waterways conservation officer for The North Branch of the Susquehanna River has its Schuylkill County. Ronald L. Hoffman is the waterways origin in New York state. Before entering Northumberland conservation officer for Northumberland County. May 1986 19 You can catch shad in a variety of weather and water -•^fcyuc*hi j. conditions if you put a variety of tactics to work. fi**sri* The author shows a 6-pounder that fell for a 1/32-ounce fluorescent green dart at the tail of a long pool.

by Dave Wonderlich Shad-Taking photos by the author

sn't that just the way it usually happens? You pursue a particular Techniques i•typ e of fish for years with more than respectable results, then a season comes along that makes you feel completely inept. Trout anglers are 20 Pennsylvania Angler Don't risk losing a nice shad after a long battle. A wide-mouthed landing net is a must for successful shad fishing. used to this dilemma of on-again off- happened. Anglers were still in the later. After two hours, David and I again action to the point that it has same areas with the same darts hoping still hadn't caught a shad; while John, become a part of the challenge and for a strike. Elizabeth, and my wife, Jetty, had the mystique of their preoccupation. One Sunday early in the season, the stringer almost full. Shad fishermen, on the other hand, key became clear to me after a lesson Of course it wasn't my fishing abil­ are used to fairly constant action in by my children. ity or David's that caused our fish- typical spring conditions for the time My family and I were anchored in a lessness, nor was it the superior of the season when the run hits their favorite shad pool north of Strouds- craftsmanship of the Snoopy rod. It area. Trout are afforded their legend burg. It was a bright day with over­ was a matter of where the little rod because of their seeming intelligence; cast sky and calm, low water. David, put the small dart, and how it made shad are expected to be caught the my eldest son, 8 years old at the time, the imitation work in the water. same way in the same places year after and 1 cast far out and downstream A lot of valuable lessons were year. with large red and white darts. John, learned last season (in addition to When seasons roll around that my younger son who was then five, realizing that a number of extra sheer throw poor conditions at the shad cast about half as far with a lighter pins should always be carried for the angler, there is no need to be defeated dart, and Elizabeth, my 2 Vi -year-old outboard motor) by those who tried by something that appears to be daughter, did well in casting a light varying the size and types of imita­ beyond the fisherman's control. Shad dart about 15 feet behind the motor tions. There were still periods during are just as smart as any snobby trout, with her Snoopy rod. We were look­ each day when conversation among and the water and weather conditions ing toward the large flotilla of anglers friends was the only action, but look­ are no more barriers to catching the around us when..."Daddy, Daddy!" ing at the low water and uncoopera­ silver anadromous fighter than they You guessed it. The Snoopy gear tive fish as a challenge of skill rather are to catching trout. was bent double and Elizabeth was than luck made the season one of the The 1985 shad run provided the reeling for all she was worth. David most interesting ever. most extreme case of uncooperative and 1 reeled in, but before John got The methods used in the varying fish in recent memory. The Delaware his dart to the boat he was also fas­ water levels last year provide a foun­ River water levels were lower than tened to a good fish. Elizabeth's little dation for shad-taking techniques no low, and the run seemed to be in an rod brought the buck in quickly, and matter what the conditions, as long as area and back out before anything we netted John's roe about 10 minutes the water is fishable. The variations May 1986 21 are line size, dart size, use of lures, The dart size together with line ally, the line of boats arching along casting distance, and best fishing diameter and water speed determine the river is a good indication of the locations. where the lure rides. For a general key channel. The "old hands" can follow to success, try the principle of high the main channel throughout miles of Line and swift water, larger darts and their favorite haunts, so watch these Six-pound monofilament is the placement just above the bottom; low people and where they are anchored. accepted standard weight for shad and slow water, small darts presented There is plenty of room, but fishing. In heavier water, or off- a foot under the surface. Choose the remember to use good boating colored conditions, 8-pound can be a line according to water clarity, and manners and don't crowd someone by plus, although extra weight may be then vary the dart according to clarity coming up close below him, where he needed because the larger diameter and current. was working his darts downstream. line keeps the lure riding higher in the In large pool areas where the cur­ water. A lighter test line is best for Different offering rent is spread out over a deep area, low water and very clear conditions. If One very calm evening, Angler edi­ one narrow channel may not be you use your 6-pound or 8-pound line tor Art Michaels and I were fishing a defined and boats can be dotted and aren't getting a strike, slip on a glassy pool where you could see every throughout the width of the river. spool of 4-pound test and see if the stone on the bottom. Even the 1 / 32- Riffle areas that have a deep run smaller line with its diminished visibil­ ounce darts seemed big. Art switched which filters into a broad slick are ity helps. Last year, I went all the way to a No. 2 Flicker Spinner and shortly prime water. Anchor in the deep run down to 2-pound test. It takes a little the calm ended. The small gold and cast the darts quartered down­ longer and demands more patience, spinner hummed and vibrated. The tip stream. Vary dart size according to but good shad can be landed on light of Art's rod quivered rhythmically. the speed and depth of the current, line. You could tell that when the lure and then hang on! Earlier in the sea­ picked up river debris, the rod tip son and until the main run has gone Dart size stopped its cadence and became dead. through, these areas are good Dart size is probably the most For the next hour. Art was always throughout the whole day. Later, after important variable in your bag of busy playing a shad fastened securely the main run is over, work these areas shad fishing tricks. When the water is to either a Flicker Spinner or Shad until about 5:30 p.m.. then head for deep and swift, as it is in a usual King—two of the best low-water shad the pool. Shad will come to the shal­ spring, eighth-ounce darts work well. lures. Sizes 2 and 3 seem to be top lows from the deeper water, and you If you aren't getting hits, try a couple producers. I finally switched to one of will be at the edge of the current to of splitshot 1 Vi feet above the dart. the little golds and started picking up intercept them. It is tricky to catch When the water is lower and slower fish. them at this time, but varying the and probably clear, 1/ 16-ounce and methods and finding that evening's 1/32-ounce darts not only suspend Lure depth best technique can bring fishing with­ out compare. themselves well, but give good life-like Don't forget that the amount of action. line out on the cast helps determine Take every opportunity to fish with Remember that in low, slow water the depth at which the lure rides. other shad anglers; watching and fish­ the shad don't have to hug the bottom More line allows a deeper ride, and ing with them can provide valuable to conserve energy for the run. In less line a shallower ride. A heavier insight. Talk to other anglers at the drought conditions the shad still like dart can be worked closer to the sur­ boat ramp and ask questions. Most deeper channels, but they can be face if it is on a short line; I've caught fishermen are only too glad to share found closer to the surface. This is plenty of shad on a quarter-ounce their wisdom, if not their favorite true especially in conjunction with dart early in May a very short cast spots. Every time Michaels and 1 go pools. As the fish travel through behind the motor. out on the Delaware with Floyd Kel­ pools, or hold in swifter pool areas in If you slowly reel in the dart, it will logg, one of the best shad fishermen times of low water, shad will take a also ride higher in the water. I like to around, the "captain" comes up with small dart swimming just below the give the rod occasional twitches which something new that fools the shad. surface. seem to precipitate strikes. Slow reel­ Approach shad as you would trout, The smaller dart versions are also ing (very slow) with small intermittent with an open mind and plenty of great after the major run has passed twitches seem to drive shad into strik­ respect. Have your tackle box well- and it is time to fish the pool flats for ing. Try it. supplied with different sized darts, spawners. When the fish come in early and bring along an extra spool of in the evening, they cruise just under Locations lighter line. Vary the depth and dis­ the surface. Smaller darts 6 inches to a Of course, fishing locations are tance of your presentation, and try foot below the surface seem to inter­ important to success. When you first reading the water to determine where cept them and draw heavy strikes. If begin, it is almost impossible to know the shad will be. the water is higher, and the fish travel where river bottom channels are Lucking into shad is one thing, but deeper before getting to the edges of located. You'll want to fish the chan­ adapting to the widely varying condi­ the slower pool water, use larger darts nels because this is where the shad tions you could encounter and fishing to keep the imitation working at the tend to run; they hold in the deeper accordingly can help you greatly proper depth. portions of the slower water. Gener­ increase your success. 22 Pennsylvania Angler

"Do-Nothing" for more Crappies

A^:>/ by Jim Gronaw photos by the author strong forearm snap with my graphite stick, and it was a Basic do-nothing approach launched the 1/ 16-ounce welcomed addition to my growing As its name implies, the "do- A jig just beyond the area stringer of slabs. nothing" jigging technique means just where I knew submerged brush would I wasn't doing anything special to that—don't work the lure; let it work attract crappies. Immediately I flipped entice those crappies. Actually, 1 was itself. The real tactic is to maintain the bail and pinched the fine 4-pound doing nothing to impart action to the immediate contact with your jig—as it mono with my thumb and forefinger. jig. And it's this "do-nothing" falls or if it is suspended from a By watching my rod tip and feeling approach to crappies that can help bobber. This requires the use of the line, I detected a slight heaviness you make better catches, year-round, quality high-visibility monofilament to the jig. A quick wrist snap resulted in a variety of crappie fishing lines of 4-pound test or 6-pound test. in a pound-sized crappie doing battle situations. Don't waste your time with cheap, 24 Pennsylvania Angler springy monos. You'll never be able to splitshot to your line. Sometimes, stick with it. If the fishing is slow, detect soft-striking slabs. Also, crappies want a fast drop, and you don't be afraid to go to colors like hot sensitive graphite and boron rods put can use several BB-sized shots pinched pink or electric blue metalflake. Once the odds in your favor on strike 16 inches ahead of your jig. Then in a while, an off-color produces sensitivity. again, the fish may be in a lethargic exceptionally well. Two basic tactics keep you in mood and prefer a very slow drop. Not everybody uses today's touch. One is simply to keep a tight For these situations, only one or two commercial scents for their fishing. line as the lure falls through BB-sized shots should be added, and But I believe that with picky, light- submerged cover. Gently hold the line sometimes none at all. Each crappie striking slabs, a scent attractor can with your thumb and forefinger and fishing excursion dictates a preferred put the odds again in your favor. It keep a sharp eye on your rod tip for rate of fall, so some experimentation doesn't necessarily attract the any deviation during the fall of the jig. will be needed to pinpoint that rate. crappies, but serves primarily as a Your lure may feel just a tad heavy, so cover-up to mask the odor of set the hook. It could be a crappie Color rotation and scent gasoline, oil, or that sandwich you that gently took it on the drop. Set Sometimes you'll hit on a color had for lunch. the hook! Of course, the customary combo that knocks the crappies dead I prefer the Fish Formula II and "bump" of a crappie may be the for an hour, and then the action dies Fish Formula Shad for crappie jigs. normal strike routine, and it's easier off completely. It pays to keep a The Berkley Panfish Scent is another to detect. variety of colors on hand. My three excellent cover-up. The other tight-line approach is to favorite colors for crappies are white, Keep in mind that the do-nothing use a sensitive bobber. Although there chartreuse, and black, and I usually crappie jigging tactic occasionally is a tight line between your jig and rotate my twistertails in that order. If coughs up a bass or walleye during bobber, it's the line between your white doesn't bring a strike or a fish in your angling efforts. This dynamite bobber and rod tip that's important. 20 minutes, I switch to chartreuse. panfishing technique can be applied to Keep your line tight. You may have to After 20 minutes (if no strikes), 111 go other fish as well, with excellent utilize a slow retrieve to accomplish to black. In this way, I can fish three results. The do-nothing approach this. For most situations, 1 prefer a 2- distinct colors in any hour and pattern should be in your arsenal this season inch wood bob (painted fluorescent my fishing accordingly. Of course, because, quite simply, it works! |p*j orange) for suspending jigs down to 4 when one color is producing well, I feet. It casts like a bullet and goes down easily on the strike. For anything deeper, I use the free-falling technique.

Jigs and trailers To utilize the do-nothing approach for crappies, you need a good supply of 1 / 32-ounce and 1 /16-ounce jig heads and a variety of plastic twister tails and tube tails. Colors should be black, white, smoke, lime green, chartreuse, and hot pink. When used with 6-pound test, jigs with wire hooks can often be straightened from snags and promptly reshaped for action. With 4-pound test, you'll most likely lose many jigs that become snagged. Although the traditional one-inch to two-inch plastic twistertails are fine for most situations, there are times when tubetails outfish them. The tubes are 1'/2-inch, hollow plastic trailers with small "legs" cut in the back of the tube. When used with the jig heads, they create an effective lure that sinks slowly and provides tantalizing quivers on the fall. Simply thread the tube on your hook the same as you would a twister and let it do the work for you. Jig heads in 1/16-ounce and 1/32-ounce sizes with a variety of tube tails To obtain the proper rate of fall on and plastic action tails are good crappie offerings. Try trailers in black, tne jig, it may be necessary to add white, smoke, lime green, chartreuse, and hot pink. May 1986 25 **% J

J£-v*

( hicken livers, pightcruwlens, and cravfish often product excellent catfish catches in lakf\ and slow-ntoving rivers.

with a big channel cat in the raging over 10 pounds. The reasons behind by Gary Diamond waters of the Susquehanna. Otherwise, their success are complex, but once they would change their tune and sing you've mastered the art of enticing one the praises of what can be considered of these brutes to take your offering, very good fishing area of the one of the best-tasting fish that inhabits you'll be among the elite group who United States has its "ugh" fish. our area. comes home with a cooler full of fillets E These are what's better known Many myths have been extolled per­ instead of talking about the ones that as "undesirable" species—the ones that taining to catfish. Some unknowing got away. usually get thrown back because they anglers think they don't put up much of won't win a beauty contest among pis­ a fight, while others emphatically state Feeding habits catorial animals. However, anglers fish­ that the species is unfit for human con­ First, let's dispel the myth that cat­ ing the waters of the Keystone State are sumption because they feed on the bot­ fish feed exclusively on the bottom. fortunate in that we consider those tom. Both statements are unequivocally Sure, they eat bottom-dwelling animals same species to be desirable. Thousands false. However, this too has its better such as crayfish, but they also have a of Pennsylvania fishermen spend mil­ virtues—it leaves more fish for those of keen appetite for small bluegills, min­ lions of hours enjoying these fish. us who ardently seek this whiskered nows, worms, and other baitfish. If Catfish, in particular, are among denizen of Pennsylvania's rivers and their diet sounds somewhat familiar, those "unwanted" species. Even in our lakes. that's because it mimics the menu of own state, some trout and bass purists Catching big catfish isn't as easy as every other gamefish swimming in our claim that the fish are nothing short of many anglers believe. In fact, only a waters. Largemouth and smallmouth disgusting—but these same uninformed small dedicated group of anglers can bass, trout, walleye, and others have the individuals have likely never hooked up boast of having caught channel cats of same dietary preference. 26 Pennsylvania Angler The one thing catfish possess, how­ than their line, and a drop sinker of meal batter and pan fried in vegetable ever, is a keen sense of smell that allows sufficient weight to hold bottom. oil. them to locate food at far greater dis­ Hook size ranges from 2/0 to 5/0, I recently had the opportunity to tances than other species. This sense, of depending on the size of the bait used. taste smoked catfish fillets and found course, works to the advantage of the The areas beneath the base of the dams them to be outstanding. The brine solu­ ardent catfish angler when the correct are protected from erosion by covering tion consists of two quarts of water, bait is used. the bottom of the river with large one-half cup of non-iodized salt, one boulders. This means you'll lose lots of cup of brown sugar, one teaspoon each Bait selection rigs. To save your line and hopefully the of lemon extract, onion powder, and Although you can catch catfish on fish at the end. use lightweight monofil­ garlic powder, and two tablespoons of most live and preserved baits, the larger ament to attach your drop sinker. If you Old Bay Seafood Seasoning. fish feed mainly on large baits. Big shin­ happen to get snagged, the only item After soaking the fillets in the solu­ ers are among the top producers, fol­ you'll lose is the sinker. tion overnight, bake them for approxi­ lowed by small bluegills and cut bait. mately 25 minutes at 325 degrees and These are most effective when fished in Fishing tactics then smoke them for three hours with the fast waters at the base of dams. In most instances, fishing for catfish hickory chips. The smoked fish keeps in Unfortunately, the water conditions are is simply a matter of casting your bait the refrigerator for periods of up to not always just right, and in some out and waiting until a hungry cattie three weeks and in the freezer for up to instances, traveling to the dam might be comes along. However, when you're six months. a long trip if you just want to fish a few fishing from catwalks at the base of Now, extend your fishing season hours after work. This problem is spillways, you'll have to impart some considerably by heading for a Keystone solved by heading to the nearest lake action to your minnow or baitfish to be State catfish hotspot and filling a and fishing in relatively deep water. successful. Dam anglers carefully work bushel basket with tough-fighting, fine- Chicken livers, nightcrawlers, and live their baits beyond the end of the boiling tasting catfish. [PA] crayfish often produce excellent catches water. Then, with a slow jigging action, of huge catfish in slow-moving rivers they move their offerings back and and lakes. The trick is to use a bait large forth to simulate an injured baitfish. If Pennsylvania's Best enough to entice the big fish while keep­ results are not achieved within 10 min­ ing the little guys off the hook. One utes, the process is repeated using var­ Catfish Action angler who fishes Conowingo Pool as if ious weights to change depths and Here is where you will find above aver­ it were some sort of religion places position. chicken entrails in a burlap bag and age to excellent action with channel cat­ Once you hook up with a big cattie, sinks it where he intends to fish. The fish and flathead catfish throughout you'll likely find more in the same spot. bag is marked with a float attached to Pennsylvania. The action usually continues during the nylon rope and left for a day or two. • Pymatuning Lake (Crawford entire day and well into the night. County) Usually, within 24 hours, the bleach Slow-moving rivers and larger lakes • Allegheny River (Forest, Allegheny bottle float is erratically bobbing as the are places where patience is required to counties) catfish try to get at the contents of the catch hjg catfish. Because the currents • Ohio River (Allegheny County) bag below. Now it's merely a matter of don'^carry the scent of the baits • Lake Arthur (Butler County) 1 casting your bait next to the flat, and rapidly; it will take the fish somewhat • Monongahela River (Greene within seconds you're hooked up with a longer .o find your offering. However, County) struggling, whiskered adversary. when the action begins, it's usually non­ • Ten Mile Creek (Greene County) When the fishing day ends, be sure to stop until you run out of bait. • Susquehanna River (Cumberland, remove the chum bag so that it doesn't Dauphin, Perry, York, and Lancaster become a navigation hazard. In addi­ Cleaning and cooking counties) tion, using a chum bag attached to a With the exception of the spikes • Mahantango Creek (Dauphin, Nor­ rope is legal, but do not use cans of food located on the dorsal and pectoral fins, thumberland counties) that can't be retrieved. This is littering, catfish have the same bone structure as • Juniata River (Perry County) which is illegal. do most game species, thus dispelling • Lake Marburg (York County) the myth that these fish are too boney to • North Branch Susquehanna River Tackle requirements eat. The secret to cleaning catfish is first (Columbia, Lackawanna, and Mon­ The area you're fishing and the water to remove the spikes with a pair of wire tour counties) conditions determine what type of cutters. Then, with the skin still in place, • Lackawanna Lake (Lackawanna tackle you need to be successful. In fillet the cattie as you normally would County) most instances, heavy spinning gear or any other fish. Once the fillets have • Newton Lake (Lackawanna County) a level-wind boat rig is best for fishing been removed, place the fillet skin-side • Delaware River (Monroe, Bucks, the base of dams. The strong currents down on a board and gently remove the Philadelphia counties) dictate using reasonably heavy sinkers skin with the knife. • Chester-Octoraro Lake (Chester to hold bottom. Most veteran catfish There's nothing better tasting than County) anglers rig up with a three-way swivel freshly caught catfish. They can be pre­ • Schuylkill River (Philadelphia attached to the line, 10 feet of monofil­ pared in a variety of methods, but most County) ament leader testing a few pounds less anglers prefer them dipped in a corn

May 1986 27 ANGLERS CURRENTS

Outdoor Writers Association 1985 Angler Contributor annual writing and photography Wins Award awards program. The winning photo was the July 1985 cover of C. Boyd Pfeiffer, president of the Pennsylvania Angler, which shows an Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers early morning scene of an angler Association and long-time Angler trying his luck on the Juniata River contributor, won the Pete Greer near Thompsontown (Juniata Memorial Award for the best single County). photo, as part of the Mason-Dixon

Dedicated to the sound conserva­ tion of our aquatic resources, the Instead of using red and white bobbers, Which color combinations are best for protection and management of the o try orange and white ones. You may find shad darts? Red and white are traditional state's diversified fisheries, and to that they're easier to see in the water. winning combos, but many shad are taken the ideals of safe boating and each year on fluorescent green and orange optimum boating opportunities. Check your anchor line for wear. If it darts. If you catch nothing in one spot in EXECUTIVE OFFICE needs to be replaced, nylon line is a good about 20 minutes, try a different color and Ralph W. Abele. choice because it stretches, and can absorb a different size dart. Executive Director the shocks that anchoring sometimes Howard T. Hardie, A dntinistrmive A ssistant involves. When you wade in cold, deep, swift Dennis T. Guise, water, always use a staff. In addition, Chief Counsel loosen your wading belt to let some air Ross E. Starner. Loosen the drag on your spinning reel Comptroller spools after each fishing trip. In this way, out, and then tighten it again. This tactic the drag will last much longer and work gives you a balance between holding some BUREAU OF better because the parts become worn air in your waders, but not so much air ADMINISTRATIVE more slowly than if you kept a tight drag that the extra buoyancy easily causes you SERVICES 717-657-4522 to lose your footing. Paul F. O'Brien. setting all the time. Director Allison J. Mayhew. Personnel Fishing the Delaware for shad in 12- Try fishing dry flies downstream by John Hoffman. Real Estate foot to 14-foot boats is common, but be Glen Reed, Federal Aid casting and then paying out line. This sure to heed a vital safety tenet: Don't Mary Stine, Licensing tactic lets you cover water you wouldn't stand up in the boat. Small boats are o ordinarily work with a dry fly, and the fish BUREAU OF FISHERIES unstable, and many accidents occur could easily be fooled there if they're not AND ENGINEERING because victims initially stood up in their 814-359-5100 used to seeing such an offering. boats before falling overboard. Landing a Edward R. Miller. P.E., shad is exciting sport, but to be on the safe Assistant Executive Director Lock your trailer tongue to the tow Delano Graff, Fisheries side, stay seated! Eugene Smith. vehicle hitch ball. In this way, stealing the Construction & Maintenance trailer while you're on the water is The best insect repellents on the market K. Ronald Weis. difficult. are those that contain the most DEET, the Architectural & Engineering active ingredient that does the repelling. BUREAU OF WATERWAYS 717-657-4538 Gene Sporl. Assistant Executive Director Edward W. Manhart. Law Enforcement Virgil Chambers. Boating Safety Education OFFICE OF INFORMATION 717-657-4518 Larry Shaffer, Publications Stephen B. Ulsh, Education Dave Wolf, o Adopt-a-Stream Coordinator. illustration by Rose Boegli Media Relations Art Michaels, Magazines 28 Pennsylvania Angler PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION Wiconisco Creek Division of Fisheries Watershed Association STATE-FEDERAL TROUT STOCKING PROGRAM INSEASON -1986 Receives Award TROUT SCHEDULED TO BE STOCKED The Wiconisco Creek Watershed Association (WCWA) was recently PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION STOCKING PROGRAM: honored as the "Outstanding (State Hatcheries) — Nine (9) Hatcheries and 43 Distribution Units Watershed of the Year" in Number of Number of Number of Total Trout Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Areas Miles Acres Scheduled Association of Conservation District Directors during the awards banquet Streams 674 4,304.40 20,585.80 2,093,600 at its 38th Joint Annual Conference, Lakes 92 4,734.20 540,000 held in northern Dauphin and western 766 4,304.40 25,320.00 2,633,600 Schuylkill counties. FEDERAL STOCKING PROGRAM: Organized in 1983. WCWA is a Two (2) Hatcheries and three Distribution Units citizens group consisting of municipal (Allegheny Hatchery) officials and concerned citizens who Streams 11 46.80 143.80 21,000 have been working hard to bring back a sense of pride and appreciation of Lakes —•_ 46.80 143.80 21,000 the natural resources in northern 11 Dauphin and western Schuylkill (Lamar Hatchery) counties. In past decades, the upper Streams 3 3.50 30.80 11,550 basin of the Wiconisco Creek Lakes 4 967.60 16,250 Watershed was plagued with acid 3.50 998.60 27,800 mine drainage, abandoned deep and TOTALS FOR STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS: surface mines, cropfalls, and coal silt- Eleven (11) Hatcheries and 46 Distribution Units laden tributaries as well as the main channel of the stream. Other natural Streams 688 4,354.70 20,760.40 2,126,150 Lakes 96 — 5,702.00 556,250 resources related problems throughout the watershed include: raw sewage, 784 4,354.70 26,462.40 2,682,400* soil erosion, loss of wildlife habitat, 'Species: Approximately 19% brook trout; 37% brown trout; and deteriorated water quality. 44% rainbow trout WCWA has repeatedly COOPERATIVE NURSERY BRANCH (Estimate) 750,000 demonstrated that something can be GRAND TOTAL OF ALL TROUT SCHEDULED done and will be done to change the (State, Federal, Cooperative Nursery) 3,432,400 deteriorated natural resource conditions that presently exist.

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May 1986 29 tion, I asked to hear the horn and see his Anglers surveyed running lights. To this request, he ans­ Last year, at the Allentown and King "Notesfiwi wered, "They're not hooked up." I said. of Prussia sports expos, we surveyed "You have an inboard engine—may I licensed anglers. Readers might be see your fire extinguisher?" He ex­ interested in some of the results. the Streams"plained , "It's back in the car." On com­ Anglers were asked to indicate Safety stories pleting the boarding report, 1 said. "Sir, whether or not they had caught a legal- It was Labor Day weekend and you're in violation of five boating regu­ sized purebred or tiger musky in south­ DWCO Chuck Allih and I were prepar­ lations and I am at a loss to decide east or southcentral Pennsylvania. At ing the boat to go on what would be a which one to cite you for." The man both expos, 20 percent indicated that busy patrol. We were still at the dock said. "How about the cheapest one!" I they had made such a catch, and 80 decided the danger he placed the girls in when we heard a man shouting from a percent said they had never caught a was the worst and not necessarily the houseboat coming up river, "Hey, Coast musky in those two areas. On another cheapest! — Don Parrish, waterways Guard, there's a boat down river sink­ point, anglers were asked to indicate yes conservation officer, McKean County ing!" When asked why they didn't help or no on this idea: I favor a higher size limit on bass than the present 12-inch out, they replied, "It's under big trees size limit if it means that I'll catch larger and we can't get to them." We took off Pond poachers bass but keep fewer bass from Pennsyl­ immediately with the blue light flashing In Union County, a theft of about vania lakes. At both expos, 69 percent and the siren wailing. About a quarter- 400 trout from a private pond was said yes, 31 percent said no. mile downriver we saw a man standing reported. An investigation was initi­ in the water behind the boat trying to ated, and through information received Anglers were also asked their fishing hold up the engine. Everything that from various sources and with assist­ preferences. At both shows, the three could float was floating! Cushions, ance of the local police, it was deter­ most sought-after species in southeast­ vests, eight-track tapes, picnic lunch, mined thst three suspects were likely ern and southcentral Pennsylvania were, you name it. A woman was sitting on involved. When questioned, the indi­ in order, trout, bass (largemouth and the bow screaming, "Do something, do viduals admitted their guilt and offered smallmouth), and crappies. — Chuck to make complete restitution if no something!" 1 inquired, "What would Emery, fisheries technician, Area 6. charges were filed by the property you like us to do?" She hollered, owner. The property owner agreed. 1 "You're the Coast Guard, do some­ Find me a bargain wonder if these individuals realize just thing!" We tossed her a PFD and threw Last year while on coho patrol at how much of a break they received. a line over a tree limb to tie the boat off. Lake Erie. WCO Tom Kamerzel, two They could have been charged with deputies, and I came across a group of After pumping the water out. we theft and trespassing.— Terry F. Bower- gathered up everything we could and four party-oriented out-of-state college sox, deputy waterways conservation students. After leaving the "banks" of towed the boat ashore. While we were officer, Union and Snyder counties loading the boat on the trailer, the man Walnut Creek strewn with beer cans kept repeating how dumb he was for forgetting to put the plug in! One thing for sure, you never realize how much stuff you have onboard your boat until you see it floating around you. On another patrol down the Beaver River, we saw a sleek-looking Criscraft with four persons onboard. A man, a woman, and two teenaged girls in bathing suits. The boat registration number was neatly displayed in good contrasting color with the validation decal properly placed. The two girls smiled and flashed us a peace sign. No reason to stop this boat, I thought, not until an hour later on the Ohio River when the boat was going full throttle Fish habitat and jumping huge breakers that were rolling off a tow barge. The girls were Last January, some 25 people got together at Justus Lake, Venango County, to perched very dangerously on the tran­ cut, build, and anchor 25 fish habitat structures on the west shore of the lake. som of the boat. Out of fear for their These structures provide cover for gamefish and bait fish, spawning areas for immediate safety, 1 turned on the blue fish, and desirable habitat for aquatic insects. Because of the food and cover light and hit the siren switch. The provided by the structures, gamefish congregate near them, making the fish cruiser came to a quick stop. Once more accessible to Justus Lake's anglers. alongside, I informed the operator why Personnel included here are Fish Commission Law Enforcement Division and he was stopped and asked for his regis­ Fisheries Division staff, Two Mile Run County Park staff, and area tration card. He replied. "1 don't have it sportsmen.—Robert L. Steiner, waterways conservation officer, Venango with me." Proceeding with the inspec­ County 30 Pennsylvania Angler and litter, we moved in on them. After for bass out of season.— Greg Jacobs, explaining that littering is against the waterways conservation officer, Beaver law in Pennsylvania, they agreed to pay County their fines. They pooled their money, but came up a little short of cash, and This maneuver's for you they tried desperately to think of an­ Annual CPR training is a require­ other way of payment. The leader of the ment for all Fish Commission law group pulled out his wallet, and after enforcement officers. At a recent CPR fumbling around with his credit cards, certification session, our instructor was looked at WCO Kamerzel and asked, enthusiastically describing the training "Will you accept Visa or MasterCard? we were about to receive. He was doing — Paula Dubbs, Volunteer I&E Corps okay until he tried to describe the Heim­ lich Maneuver, which is used for chok­ Bass or walleye? ing victims. He was having considerable 1 was patrolling Hereford Manor trouble pronouncing "Heimlich," and L Lakes on the opening day of trout sea­ he brought down the house when he son last year when DWCO McMillan said that we were all going to get a lot of Commission again when the called me on the radio and asked me to practice on the Heineken maneuver!— Commission marks with pleasure and meet him on the opposite side of the WCO Kim Pritts, northern Lancaster honor his 50th year of service.— lake. DWCO McMillan was with a County Claude M. Neifert, waterways sportsman who saw another fisherman conservation officer, northern catch a largemouth bass and place it in DWCO Waiter marks 40 years Luzerne, Carbon counties his car trunk. The sportsman pointed of service out the fisherman and the car. DWCO If anyone deserves commendation, National Fishing Raymer and I approached the fisher­ DWCO Joe Waiter does. After a tour Week man and asked him to open his trunk. of duty with the Marines in the South June> 2-8, $$K He said that there was nothing in the Pacific, Deputy Waiter began service m trunk and then opened it. A rolled up with the Fish Commission as a deputy 1986 *Z: blanket flopped around the trunk. fish warden under Russel There was an 18-inch largemouth bass Wolmesdorf. He then served under in the blanket. I informed the man that I district officers Sherer, Buck, Yoder, was going to cite him for possessing a Manhart, and me. DWCO Waiter Angler-Poets bass out of season, and he told me that 1 should be highly commended, not was wrong, that the fish was a walleye, only for his long years of faithful Pennsylvania Angler would like to : and that he had caught the walleye service, but for his work above and Readers send in sublime poetry. before. I told him that walleye were also well beyond the call of duty. Every The rhyme scheme shouldn't stray out of season, and because both species aspect of his work has been performed From AABBA. were out of season, I would cite him for with much extra effort. I'm sure that We'd like limericks. On this let's whatever fish he had. We then settled DWCO Waiter will be with the agree. The subjects of these could be boating, Your favorite fishing, or dry flies floating. Any like topic you write Would surely be all right. But send no more than three for our voting.

We'll print the best ones, not the worst. And remember — we can't be coercec Into using limericks late Of our firm cutoff date. The deadline is July the first. Send reader contributions to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105- 1673. We can't pay contributors for Here are license buttons purchased by John "Jay " Hixson, of New Columbia. these poems, but we'll include the He bought them from two different issuing agents during consecutive years. See name of the contributor with each the numbers? What are the odds?—Gary W. Walter, deputy waterways limerick we publish. conservation officer. Union and Snyder counties May 1986 31 Z&OAS ^zZcdAs C^tfrmriidd^ori

Can you tell what kind of fish I caught? Where are some good places to fish near my home? How do you fish through the ice? Do copperheads cross with watersnakes? My friend says snakes don't die until sundown . . . Do frogs give you warts? I am writing a paper about pollution . . . What is acid rain? • May I have everything you have about fish, boats, snakes, turtles, and frogs? • / want to grow worms in my house. • / need a lot of new lures. I lost mine last summer. Do you have any? • My teacher told me to write a report. Can you help me? • Can you send me a picture of a trout? • Here is a story I wrote. How do you like it?

These questions and requests are typical of the many Just as some children take to little league baseball, we continually get from children during the course of scouting, and instrumental music, others take to a year — the main reason for starting PLAY. fishing. Some kids always seem to be fishing, bringing The intent of PLAY is to provide children who have in snakes and turtles to class, or when writing an interest in fishing, boating, and the aquatic assignments are given, they always make their project environment with information that will help them associated with nature. Every chance they have, their become more knowledgeable and skilled in pursuing noses are inside the pages of a nature or natural activities associated with these areas. history book. Do you know similar youngsters? Perhaps he or she might be inter­ ested in becoming a member of PLAY. A $2 membership is a small investment to make in starting a child on a lifetime of fishing pleasure. For complete PLAY details, contact Steve Ulsh, Pennsyl­ vania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harris- burg, PA 17105-1673.

You have a fishing friend in Pennsylvania