A; OFFICIAL STATE JANUARY, 1935 PUBLICATION ^ANGLER? Vol. 4 No. 1
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PUBLISHED MONTHLY BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS b\ the
Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commissioners
S3 S3 S3 OLIVER M. DEIBLER Commissioner of Fisheries
Five cents a copy c^> 50 cents a year C. R. BULLER Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries Pleasant Mount
ES S3 S3 Q l& iZ ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor Members of Board South Office Bldg., Harrisburg, Pa. OLIVER M. DEIBLER, Chairman Greensburg
JOHN HAMBERGER J3E3E3 Erie
DAN R. SCHNABEL Johnstown NOTE Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER LESLIE W. SEYLAR should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee McConnellsburg either by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not ac EDGAR W. NICHOLSON ceptable. Individuals sending cash do so at their Philadelphia own risk. KENNETH A. REID Connellsville
PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contribu- ROY SMULL butions and photos of catches from its readers. Mackeyville Proper credit will be given to contributors. GEORGE E. GILCHRIST All contributions returned if accompanied by- Lake Corao first class postage. H. R. STACKHOUSE Secretary to Board
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Permission to reprint will be granted provided proper credit notice is given ^ANGLER/ Vol.4 No. 1 JANUARY, 1935
EDITORIAL Sucker Fishing game fish but to the boy who follows fishes. So general is their range, that the sport with a can of worms, cut pole waters in most sections of the state yield I believe that if a census could be and heavy line. thousands of them annually and they taken on the number of fishermen who consequently are an item of food in Fishing for suckers also has another indulge in various types of the angling many households. A catch of five appeal—it is restful and there is in the sport in Pennsylvania, sucker fishermen suckers, averaging one and one-half chill atmosphere along the stream a fine "would comprise an exceptionally large pounds in weight, is sufficient to pro chance to relax, to enjoy the comrade group. This form of fishing has been vide a family of five persons with suffi ship of other fishermen and often a constantly growing in popularity dur cient meat for a meal. fire of driftwood burning near the poles. ing recent years and suckers today rank Of course, there is not the thrill of rod When the .suckers gather in great as important fish in our inland waters. tip swishing to the surface as a bass schools at the juncture of tributary and Caught in autumn, winter and spring, makes its first run, but counter to it, main streams in the spring of the year, when their flesh is firm and sweet, they that deliberate and slight tugging as preparatory to their spawning run, loca are delicious food fish. the fish takes the bait creates just the tions of this type are usually popular Perhaps one of the most encouraging sort of suspense that makes fishing a fishing spots. It is not unusual to see, omens pointing to better all-round sport great sport. In those mild days that for instance, at the juncture of a tribu tary stream to the Juniata River, a great for Pennsylvania fishermen has been the often come in March and early April, sucker stream, perhaps fifteen or twenty rapid increase in number of the sucker when the call of trout streams becomes fishermen. On a good fishing day, when schools in many of our streams during increasingly strong as the season ap the suckers are actively feeding, catches recent years. This increase may be at proaches, many anglers find in sucker are often general. ; tributed to two factors, first, the outlaw fishing an opportunity to answer the ing of the spear or gig in taking suckers fishing urge coincident with early spring. The importance of variety in fishing and second, stocking of suckers when The sucker is by nature a bottom for our Pennsylvania anglers is clearly ever possible by the Fish Commission. feeder, and as such it has at times been illustrated in the instance of sucker fishing. Its wide range, and the readi It is significant, relative to the growth accused of destroying the spawn of other ness with which it takes the hook, offers °f interest in sucker fishing, that most fish. Its destructiveness in this line, an opportunity for the fisherman to en of oiir warm water streams containing however, has probably been overempha joy his sport when the season is not large numbers of these fish are usually sized. Lacking the aggressive ways of open on warm water game species such easily accessible to fishermen in various the bass, pickerel or trout, it is no match as the bass. sections of the state. Whether an angler for any game fish in combat. On the wishes to fish with rod and reel or with other hand, thousands of its young are There is much to commend still-fish the old-fashioned cane pole and sturdy available as game, fish forage, an impor ing for suckers and it is/deservedly be line, his chances of making a catch are tant consideration in any stream. In coming more popular here in Pennsyl equally good. Regarded in this light, preserving the proper balance in our vania. still-fishing for suckers is perhaps the fishing waters, this species is an impor most cosmopolitan form of angling. It tant asset. appeals not only to many fishermen who From an economic angle, suckers prob also enjoy fishing for bass and other ably rank with our most important Commissioner of Fisheries. 2 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Stream Improvement Work Pushed in Lancaster County By OLIVER M. DEIBLER Commissioner of Fisheries HAT stream improvement or rather T stream farming is being taken seriously by the conservationists among our fishermen is attested to by the fact that in many of our counties throughout the State, stream improvement projects have been inaugu rated, and some very commendable work has been accomplished. In quite a number of counties the sports? men have taken advantage of the Emergency Relief Funds made available for work pro jects, as practically all the cost involved in stream improvement work is labor, and in cases where material was required, the lo cal sportsmen have supplied these materials from their own funds. One of the foremost projects of this kind, and insofar as we know, the first to take ad vantage of these Federal Funds was the Lancaster County groups. Through the un tiring efforts of Mr. R. S. Sullenberger, the idea was sold to the County Commissioners and the Relief officials, and a very sizeable appropriation was approved for three of the important streams in Lancaster County. The Board of Fish Commissioners furnished their engineer, Mr. Thomas O'Hara, who went over these projects with Mr. Sullenberger and the foreman of the works, and assisted in lay ing out a program that has progressed most satisfactorily, and will without doubt result in a greatly improved condition of these streams. The carrying capacities will be ma terially increased, as the prime factors neces sary to increase capacities are measured by the amount of food available and the shelter provided. That these requisites have been supplied becomes self-evident the minute any one goes over the stretch of streams that have so far been completed, and for the benefit of those who may not be privileged to visit any of these projects in Lancaster County, we are presenting a number of photographs that were taken soon after the work was started. The substantial manner in which this work has been done and the amount of funds se cured for this work most certainly reflects great credit on the persistency of Mr. Sul lenberger and all those who in any way assisted in procuring for this county this appropriation. The Sportsmen of Blair County have also been most active and have some excellent results to show for their activities. Indiana and Center County projects have been approved and in quite a number of other counties they are now being worked out and it is hoped they may all be successful, and also that the conservationists throughout the State will avail themselves of the oppor tunity that is now presented of securing Federal Funds to assist in this work. In closing, I want to emphasize the fact that trout streams are not the only waters that should be considered from the angle of increasing carrying capacity for fish life. Streams harboring warm water species are also to be listed with those that can be definitely improved in this way for fishing. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER s
CATCHES BIG PIKE ON NORTH BRANCH Famed for its smallmouth bass fishing, the Montgomery Sportsmen North Branch of the Susquehanna River, yielded a big wall-eyed pike on November 20 to Grant Peifer of Watsontown. Peifer's catch, measuring 27% inches in length and Honor J. Hansell French weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces, was one of the largest pike to be taken from the Branch in recent years. It was caught in the vicinity At their 46th annual meeting, more than of Wyalusing, favorite fishing ground for 200 members of the Montgomery County many Pennsylvania fishermen. Fish, Game and Forestry Association ex tended congratulations to J. Hansell French, At the time he made the catch, Peifer their Vice-President and a leader in conser Was fishing with his friend F. H. Schulze of vation activities of the Association, who has Wyalusing. They were using spinners de been named by Governor Earle to serve as signed by the Watsontown fisherman when Secretary of Agriculture in his administra the big fish struck. It was landed after half tion. A resolution adopted at the meeting an hour of careful playing. highly commended Governor Earle for the DISPLAYS FINE BASS AT wisdom of his choice for Secretary of Agri EASTON MEETING culture. The November meeting of the Easton Fish The members heard and enthusiastically and Game Association was held on Tuesday approved this resolution read by Attorney evening, November 27. There was a fair Carroll G. Hoover in which he lauded the attendance. fine work Mr. French had accomplished dur ing his presidency of the Association, and Henry Diehl, one of the most successful spoke of his outstanding capabilities and the anglers of small mouth black bass which personal magnetism that has won him a host he landed during the last week in Septem of friends. ber. It measured 19 and a fraction inches in length and weighed 5% pounds. Mr. Diehl Attending the meeting, regarded as one of states that this is not the largest bass he the most successful ever held, were three caught in 1934 and that he had landed charter members who could recall the first some beautiful specimens of pike at Lake session held in Norristown 46 years ago. Wallenpaupack. They are Samuel Cope, George T. Herr and Harry Elston. Each recalled incidents that Mark Hilburn, chairman of the fish com had occurred at that time. mittee, made a report of the stocking that had been done since September 28, when he During the business session, reports were made his last report. The report was very heard on the various activities of the As sociation and the following officers were re gratifying. The stocking included trout, J. HANSELL FRENCH bass, sunfish and tadpoles. elected for 1935: President, Judge Harold G. Knight, President of the Montgomery County The Association will hold a Christmas P. Reiff, George Sinclair, E. C. Clymer, Party at their meeting on the evening of De Courts; Vice-Presidents, J. Hansell French, Burd P. Evans, H. H. Ganser and Charles C. George H. Steinmetz, Henry G. Unger and cember 28. There will be a Christmas tree, A. J. Wilson. Santa Claus and everything that goes with Hughes; Treasurer, B. Frank Nyce; and a Tuletide affair. Secretary, J. Warren Zeigler. Members of The speaker of the evening was C. R. the Executive Committee who will serve in Buller, Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries. The question of identification buttons to addition to the standing committees include Taking as a topic, the black bass, he told of be worn by members of the club was taken U J. H. Beidler, A. T. Bertolette, Dr. Edgar S. its habits and the distribution system now P and after some discussion a committee w Buyers, S. H. Cope, Charles A. Dillon, Arthur in effect for the stocking of this popular as appointed to ascertain if there would R. Francis, H. C. Fratt, W. R. Gordon, game fish. The vital necessity of balanced be any benefit derived from the use of George W. Haag, Howard Hampton, Lloyd stocking of our waters was emphasized and them. Heebner, Stanley H. Hunsicker, Harry J. the speaker then explained the co-relation The treasurer reported two new members, Kulp, Leon Nester, Andrew H. Pflueger, John of species in the various streams and lakes. making a total of 575 and a balance in the treasury of $417.91. PREFER NORTH BRANCH FOR FISHING BETTER IN LEHIGH AGE OF FISH BASS FISHING RIVER According to studies made by Dr. Ralph Bass fishing is a hobby with Mr. and Mrs. For years, pollution in the Lehigh River Hile of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, the a Charles Welteroth, of Kingston, who have from coal culm and sulphur water has re §e of fish may be determined by the "year lured the battling bronzebacks from waters tarded fishing in that stream. But now, ac ring" in their scales. He says that the in many sections of the United States and cording to Warden Joel Young, of Fullerton, yearly growth of fish leaves its mark in the Canada. But when it comes to sporty bass apparently better catches are being made. scales in much the same way growth rings ar fishing, according to Warden Russell J. "This year," he writes, "I paid special at e left in trees. Fish scales suspend growth Womelsdorf, of Kingston, they declare that *h winter and when they begin to grow again tention to the fishing in the Lehigh. I found ln the North Branch of the Susquehanna River fishermen at Hokendauqua catching yellow the spring a new ring is formed. These tops every stream they have ever tried. r'ngs may be counted under a microscope perch and catfish, while at the mouth of the It is an appealing bass water, in their t° determine the age of fish. Catasauqua Creek they were catching yellow opinion, nothing marring its winding beauty. perch, catfish and suckers. At the Hamilton NOVEMBER PIKE Riffles and eddies are mixed in just the right Bridge, in Allentown, catches of yellow proportion, inviting fly or bait. Ten seasons perch and catfish were made, while fisher Warden Frank Brink of Pike county has of fishing on the Branch have rewarded them, reported that during November the famous men were taking suckers and silver chubs without exception, with fine creels of small- at Kimmetts Lock below Allentown, catfish, Upper Delaware, Pennsylvania's premier mouth bass. On a number of occasions last wall-eyed pike stream, yielded other big sunfish and occasional rock bass at Bethle season, each landed 10 bass. They favor hem, suckers and trout at the mouth of Mon- °atches of these fine game fish. helgramites and stone catfish as lures. Roscoe Gurley of Milford landed 8 pike, ocacy Creek, and yellow perch, catfish and each weighing over 5 pounds, and another // the native says there's no fishing, give suckers at Easton near the mouth of the Weighing 6 pounds, in a day's fishing. Joe it a try yourself. The fish may he on the river. Have noted more sucker and eel fish Laton, Dingman's Ferry, caught a pike weigh- lookout for some new bait, and you may ing this fall than I have for a good many lng 7 pounds, 4 ounces. hare it. years in all the streams in this district." PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Concerning the Weight of Smallmouth Bass
O many of our Pennsylvania fishermen, T the weight of our most popular game fishes—namely, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, wall-eyed pike, trout, brook, brown and rainbow, and pickerel is a subject of consid erable interest. How much should a finger- ling bass weigh, and proportionally, how about the larger members of the fighting bronzeback species? In line with this thought, we are turning back the calendar to 1895, thirty-two years after the first smallmouth bass were stocked in Pennsyl vania waters. The earnest efforts of a fine sportsman, Weightman Stelwagon, who con fined his fishing to the famous TTpper Dela ware in the vicinity of Egypt Mills, Pike County, during that year, made possible this article concerning his highness, the small mouth bass. Perhaps a bit of description concerning the Upper Delaware at that time would not be amiss. It may be truthfully said that the ascendancy of the smallmouth from the standpoint of numbers was nearing its peak during the '90's. In the great shallows of this rock-bottom stream, swarms of forage THE UPPER DELAWARE IN THE '90S fishes existed; vigorous measures outlawing netting and other destructive activities had in other words, marks the emergence from It has been possible, in recent years, to been taken to protect fish life. As in other each year's hibernation period. Stelwagon observe the growth of thousands of bass held Pennsylvania streams to which it had been made his study from the angle of a practical at the hatcheries, and the tendency of cer introduced, the voracious smallmouth had fisherman and his findings are exceptionally tain individuals to develop more rapidly found an ideal home and its growth in size interesting since they cover an early period than others is well known. Bass, like other and number had been amazing. Probably in the history of the bass in Pennsylvania. species of game fish, are natural cannibals. only one fisherman as compared to twenty- It will be noted in glancing over the chart Anything alive and moving, whether a min five today tested their skill against this hard- that the bass caught at various lengths now, crayfish or another of their own kind fighting game fish. were remarkably uniform from the weight will be struck without hesitation. In the That the forage factor, the presence of an angle. Glancing at one group, that of nine- instance of a bass that develops faster than immense quantity of live food for bass in inch fish, we find that the four taken varied its fellows in a hatchery pond, this fish, our waters during that period, was of major but slightly, from 5% to 7 ounces. The 10- unless removed, will soon become a con importance in compilation of the Stelwagon inch group, most numerous, were also fairly firmed cannibal, deriving even faster growth Bass Chart is attested in his report. He uniform in weight, running from seven to when nourished on the rich flesh of other observes concerning the length and weight 10 ounces. bass fingerlings. To overcome this tendency of bass: "From the facts gathered, 1 draw the following conclusion: that a. yearling bass will measure six to eight inches and weigh from two to four and a half ounces; that a two-year old will measure from nine to eleven inches and weigh from six to twelve ounces; and that a three-year old will weigh from fourteen ounces to one pound five ounces. It is possible that it is assuming too much in this last weight and that it is an exceptional three-year old bass that will weigh as much as one pound and four ounces. I have no data as to the ages of heavier fish and all figures would be mere guesswork." Modern fish culture has eliminated, how ever, much of the guesswork from ascertain ing the age of bass. Today it is possible to arrive accurately at the age of even say a four-pounder by studying the waves or growth cycles on a scale from the fish. In northern bass waters, these game fish go into a period of semi-hibernation or dormancy during the winter months, emerging when the water temperatures rise in the spring. Each of these waves, it has been claimed, represents a year in the life of the fish; or SMALLMOUTH BASS PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER
The Stelwagon Bass Chart Length Weight of Each Fish (Ounces) 5% inches .1M 6 inches .!% G% inches .2, 2, 2%, 2, 2,2%, 2, 2, 2% 7 inches .3, 3, 3, 3, 2%, 3, 3, 3%, 2, 2, 2% 7% inches .4, 3%, 3%, 4, 4, 3%, 3, 4, 3%, 4, 3% 8 inches .4, 4%, 4, 4%, 5 8% inches . 5, 5, 5%, 5, 5, 5%, 5,
9 inches! 0, 6, 5%, 7 BASS FORAGE SHINERS 9% inches . . 7, 8, 7, 7, 8, 9, 7, 7, to the greatest possible degree, frequent eight inches, at this point the tables be 10 inches . 10, 9, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, Sortings are necessary. come of service. It will be noted that 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8, Now, let us turn again to StelWagon's re- there are more than double the number 10, 9, 9, 8, 10, 9, 8, Port. His observations follow: recorded of the three lengths, six and one- 8, 9 "It may not be generally known that half to seven and one-half inches, than in 10% inches . .11, 10, 9, 10, 10, 9, 9, young bass can readily be distinguished the four lengths, five and one-half—the 11, 11, 10, 11, 9 from all other small fish by a black mark smallest caught—six, eight and eight and 11 inches . 11, 11, 11, 10, 11, 12, at the tip of the tail. This is so well de one-half inches. There is another sudden in 10, 12, 11, 12, 11, fined that persons unaware of this distin crease in the number caught at ten, ten 11, 12 guishing feature, upon seeing a small bass and one-half and eleven inches. These are, 11% inches . .12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 12 in the water, will at once call attention to of course, a year older than the first group. the mark. It aids greatly in investigating My records show in weights, not in lengths the habits of these fish. —that I catch a larger proportion (as com preceding summer we had remarked tue pared with the seven and one-half and eight- amazing number of tiny bass in the river. "Until about the middle of July or the inch fish,) of the six and one-half and seven They were in decidedly larger numbers than first of August bass eight inches long or inch bass early in August than I do early Mr. Ford had ever seen and he had been Under can be seen singly and in small in September, and that I catch more pro fishing the Upper Delaware since 1878. At schools in the still and shallow water close portionally of the nine and one-half or ten almost any point along the shore five to ten to the shores. Until this time but few are fc inch fish early in the season than I do late. of the black tailed fish would be in view aught, bass being fished for in deep or This simply shows the growth in the time at one time. The small bass we were catch rapid water—the first of this size hooked in mentioned. It is possible that a few of ing was the result. This conclusion was as 1895 being on the sixteenth of July; in 1892, the yearlings attain a length of eight or disappointing as it was unavoidable, we hav August 4th; 1893, July 24th; 1894, July 7th. nine inches at the end of September and ing had the impression that yearling bass After the first of August they are seldom se that some of the two-year-olds are of the were half-pound fish. en along the shore having gone to deeper same length early in June. vvater as shown by the fact that they are "A pair of scales almost invariably reduces then caught while fishing for larger fish; and "My attention was first called to the com the weight of fish and I know it to be a they become a great nuisance. I have also paratively slow growth of bass in 1892. In fact that four out of five fishermen along caught a few of this size in June and early August of that year your president, the Hon. the Upper Delaware call the ten and eleven- 111 July when fishing for bait, but have merely Henry C. Ford, with whom I have spent inch bass—pound fish. There was some dif estimated their length. many seasons in Pike county, and myself ference of opinion between us as to the size were greatly annoyed by the large number these yearlings would be in 1893. At all "Before they go to deep water in late July a of bass weighing from two to four and one- events we found there were unusual num close. observer can see still smaller bass half ounces that we caught—six and one- bers of seven to twelve ounce fish in the c'°Se to the banks—bass measuring two in- e half to eight-inch fish. In talking the mat river. I caught more of this weight—141— hes and less hiding behind stones and in ter over it was recalled that during the (Turn to page 9) lhe grass. These are of the May and June spawning. They are a sturdy looking little fsh and are as great a nuisance in August Xyhen fishing for bait as their older brothers are in the same month when fishing for 'arger fish. I have frequently been forced to 'nove when fishing for bait by these chubby 'ittle fellows. The black spot on the tail is Very much in evidence. In late August and early September some of these have at tained a length of fully three inches. It is a Well known fact that bass go to deeper Water as the season advances and the water becomes cold, and but few fish smaller than a Pound are then caught. In view of this 1 should say that the fish of the spring hatch are in winter quarters by the middle of October and have ceased to feed and grow. They are now three or four inches In length. They reappear in April to be come the six to eight-inch fish which are Seen in the shoal water in June and July and which are such a nuisance to anglers ln August. "As I have followed the growth of the 'ass from two Inches and under to six to YEARLING BASS PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Elementary Fly Tying By CHAS. M. WETZEL DRY FLIES
LL of us have our favorite flies—those which are illustrated in fig. 2—to silk, let wings, spreads the feathers and gives the A old reliable ones that we religiously tie ting it hang. fly a better balance; and by clipping out on, year after year. We developed an extra From two matched white duck wing the wedge in the hackles, the fly will rest ordinary fondness for these—not because feathers—rights and lefts—cut out a section, more natural on the surface; its body will they are the best in the world, but because about one-fourth an inch wide from each. not be concealed and it will usually alight, of some pleasant memory associated with See fig. 1. Place these sections back to back, right side up. them in the past. Probably the reason we with convex faces together—straddling With the needle pick out the fibres of take most of our trout on these old "stand- hook, as shown in fig. 3. Lash feathers in hackle which were doubled under. Put a bys" is because of our confidence in them; place, with about three turns of the winding drop of celluloid varnish on the head— and with the confidence inspired by the silk, letting butt ends hang down as shown. trim off the excess ends and the fly is com knowledge that the fly is good, we very Shellac the hook and when this has partially plete. likely use a little more care in its presenta dried, grasp downward projecting butt with While writing this, I have been actually tion, trying to emulate the manner in which right hand, with left hand grasp tip of engaged in performing the various tying op we scored such outstanding success before. wing, moving both clockwise, until wings erations ; and as a small token of apprecia Among the commercial tied flies my fa are in a vertical position. The butt of wings tion, for the very nice things the editor of vorites are the Royal Coachman and the Bi- will now be sloping back towards point the ANGLER has said about me in the Visibles. Since the advent of the fan wings of hook and should be securely lashed in September issue—I will give him this fly— —the Royal Coachman tied in this style place. Clip off the excess butt of wings hoping that when he uses it the east wind has been greatly improved, especially for and with tying silk continue out to bend will not blow, and that his success with it taking brown trout. This fly seems to be a of hook where the tail and body material may prove phenomenal. universal favorite and has come down must be fastened on. For the tail, use a few through the ages, battle scarred and victor fibres from a golden pheasant feather and Fan Wings ious, and still adding to its host of ad for the body material—red floss silk and These flies are difficult to tie and regard mirers. It was first tied in England, and an peacock herl is required. less of how well they are tied, the wings in excerpt appears below from David Foster's Herl is the name given to the long fibres time will lose their original erect position. book, "The Scientific Angler," which is no or filaments of peacock's tail feather. Lash Extreme care should be used in selecting the doubt correct and probably the most re tail, red floss silk and herl securely in place feathers so that they will be exact rights liable history obtainable of the originator and continue with tying silk back to eye of and lefts and for proper balance the wings of this fly. In his direction for fly casting, hook. Lay the red floss silk back and be must be applied centrally over the hook. The he remarks: tween the wings. The fly will now present feathers are short and curled and I prefer those from a mallard duck. "A thorough command of the rod and line, the appearance of fig. 4. Start winding the is as essential and important as the wield herl around the hook and over the red floss Strip the down from the feathers and clip ing of the whip in the case of the tandem, or until a nice ball is formed. Now take the off a few fibres on each side of the quill as four-in-hand drive. We are reminded of floss silk and wind over the end of herl, shown in fig. 7. Varnish the hook lightly this analogy, that the most skilful caster binding it down; and continue winding with and follow the same procedure in attaching we ever knew, wielded the whip. We refer the floss silk, until a smooth band is formed the wings as in the dry fly previously cov to the famous Royal Coachman, Tom Bos- in the center. Bring the tying silk front and ered. Clipping off these fibres gives the worth. Old Tom had, in the early part fasten end of floss silk with a few turns. wings a firm foundation and prevents twist of his life, driven three successive British Clip off excess end of floss silk. ing. After butt ends have been lashed down sovereigns, namely the fourth George, the and clipped off (see Fig. 8) continue with With tying silk fasten another peacock winding silk to bend of hook, when the tail fourth William and finally for a lengthened herl in place, and continue with tying silk period, Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. and body material should be fastened. No back to eye of hook, letting it hang, with further difficulty should now be experienced "As a successful fisherman, Old Tom, when hackle pliers attached. Strip the down in completing the fly. known to the writer, was unsurpassed. He from a brown hackle; turn back the fibres, would often fish in the wake of several so they stand out at right angles to quill and Quill Flies rodsters, whose energy would exceed their place the butt of hackles between the wings, Quill flies such as the ginger quill, red skill, and would extract, not infrequently, and with tip extending to right. Lash hackle quill, etc. derive their names from the color three times over the weight of fish by skil in place with a few turns letting it extend of fiackles. The so-called blue quill Gor ful and careful casting over the awkward, out as shown in Fig. 5. don, was named after Theodore Gordon, a and most unlikely spots, which the majority Wind this second herl on, and fasten end famous fly fisherman of New York. of anglers would never dream of trying. in place, with tying silk, just back of wings. Quills for making the bodies are obtain "A favorite freak of his, with the whip, Now grasp tip of hackle in the right hand, able from two sources: first, by making an was to take the pipe from the teeth of a and wind two turns around the hook, just incision, with a knife, in a quill of a feather passing pedestrian by a carefully calcu back of eye; then once between the wings, and stripping off this section; and second lated whirl of the whip, and his aptitude around the hook and front again. Wind a from the eye of a peacock feather. Peacock was as remarkably exemplified for a limited few more turns in front of wings, then quills are generally used for they possess a distance in his use of the rod. Bosworth fasten with three half hitches. I use a lustre and sheen that is particularly pleas originated the Coachman fly, so much ap whip finish, but as these knots are rather ing. Near the tip of a peacock's tail feather, preciated for night fishing." difficult to explain we will use the half this eye is found—a vivid blue circular spot, We will now tie this fly. Place a No. 12 hitches. Sometimes I wind the hackle en standing out prominently against the feather. or No. 14 hook in the vise. The hook should tirely in front of wing and finish on the Strip off a fibre or herl from the eye and be light, with a turned down eye, and I back. This will cause the fibres to slope remove the flue or short tinsel like hair. prefer the type known as the "model per towards the front but since I generally clip The easiest way I have yet found to re fect," for all dry flies. Wax a piece of No. out an inverted V, just under the body on move the flue is to grasp the tip of the herl 000 tying silk, and lay it on the shank, just all my dry flies, this labor seems unneces in the left hand, and with an ordinary behind the eye. Fasten in place by wind sary. needle in the right hand, press down on the ing over its own end and clip hackle pliers— Winding the hackle back between the herl over some smooth surface. Pull the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER
Fig. 10. Fig-U. Fig-)£. 9- SKETCH"£TS &r TV/? /9VTMOF
°6rl with the left hand, and one stroke will Lay the hackles, one above the other, two tions of a dark floating fly all day long, Usually suffice to remove all the flue. A on each side and with glossy side under especially when the sun now and then beats ftoooth section of quill about one and a half neath. Put a drop of varnish on the fringed down on the water with a dazzling glare. Wches long is now ready for making the ends and with criss-cross lashing secure in This buoyant fly is especially good for fish b°dy of the fly. place. Continue with tying silk out to bend ing swift water, and has met with enthu Spent Wings of hook, where tail and body material should siastic response from all who have used it. These flies are supposed to represent the be attached. Lets hope that its designer may spring natural insect as it drops exhausted and Bi-Visibles another pleasant surprise on us, by creating i*ert upon the water after laying its eggs. The angling fraternity is indebted to that another equally as good.. With apologies to , ey are usually in the spinner stage, and veteran angler of the Neversink, Mr. E. R. its originator, I tie the fly as follows: j^e wing hackle should be stiff and glossy Hewitt, for originating the bi-visible fly. It Place the hook in the vise. Lay the waxed .n aPpearance, in keeping with the natural is a hackle, Palmer type, with two tone color tying silk on the shank, just back of eye, 'nsect. i prefer them clipped, as shown in effect, having a wisp of white hackle wound winding over its own end, and continue out e sketch, in preference to using the tips, on the head to aid visibility. Aside from to bend of hook letting silk hang with hackle as the wind resistance is less and they re- its remarkable fish-taking propensities, this pliers attached. This fly will be a brown a'n their position longer. color scheme alone is sufficient to commend bi-visible, so we will clip off a number of . with the scissors clip off the fibres leav- it to everyone ; for there is nothing so strairl- fibres from a brown hackle, and lash this 8 a fringe similar to those in the fan wings. ing on the eyes as trying to follow the gyra tuft in place allowing it to project out be- PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER
yond the body about one-quarter of an inch. extremities are a peacock herl, wound in a There was no hurry now, for a kind friend Two hackles are usually required, one hav small ball; tail is three fibres of a wood had given me the key to his hunting camp ing shorter fibre than the other. Select the duck feather; brown hackle and the wings where I intended passing the night; and so larger hackle so that the fibres are equal to are the short curled feathers of a mallard in this leafy retreat I settled down to the length of hook. Fasten tip of brown duck, dyed pale green,—the fly being tied await the evening rise. From the mountain hackle and herl from an ostrich feather fan wing style. side, a pheasant drummed noisily, and over (dyed brown) at bend of hook. (See Fig. all hung the hush of a perfect day in the 10). Many tiers wind the hackle direct over The Trout in the Pool at the Devil's Elbow woods. For a long time I sat there. Then the bare hook but I prefer the herl, as it Whenever I tie the fly described above, a few drakes, resplendent in their sparkling gives a body to the fly, although probably my thoughts swing back to an evening when new spinner coats started gracefully rising not visible to the trout. Strip the hackle I was fishing a certain stream in our state, and falling over the water. They were the so that the fibres stand out normal to the the name of which I shall not mention. For scattered remnants of the previous day's quill and take winding silk back to eye of there lurks in one of its pools, an old cannibal hatch which I had missed. hook. Wind on ostrich herl and fasten back brown trout which I would like to catch; Upstream at the beaver dam, a few small of eye with three half hitches. and against which I hold a special and per trout were joyously leaping among the sonal grudge. I have never told anyone about Fasten pliers to tip of hackle and with freshly peeled aspen logs which floated on it—had forgotten even to mention it to my first finger of right hand in ring of pliers— the surface, and whose conoidal cut ends closest fishing friend—for all anglers are wind in the hackle, using the needle in the still showed plainly against the dark water more or less prone to such memory lapses left hand to pick out the fibres which be in the gathering gloom. It was tempting to when a big trout is at stake. come doubled under. When this hackle has sit there, idly watching these rising fish. been wound on, hold down the butt with Time after time, I had fished this stream, but the memories of the old lad held me a few turns, lay the tip of the larger hackle sometimes with fair success—other times to the spot. Then just as I was preparing over it and fasten both with three half indifferent, but always the pool at the Devil's to move up to the beaver dam, a sudden swirl hitches. Clip off surplus butt of small Elbow was intriguing and conspicuous by its caught my eye. hackle. With "pliers now attached to tip of absence of swirls from rising fish. Never Close at hand near the head of the pool larger hackle—wind this one, fastening back had I taken a trout from its depths—nor just when the water settled down after of eye with three half hitches. Now, at to my knowledge had anyone else. swirling around a huge gray rock—a fish same place, fasten on a white hackle. Take The pool is long, deep and log choked; was rising—rising persistently—sucking three turns around the hook and fasten with and to reach it unobserved, one must crawl down the flies with an audible smack which three half hitches. Clip off surplus ends, through a seemingly insuperable mass of was good to see. I could not be mistaken. touch up the head and the fly is finished. green briar and rhododendron. The longer "It's the old lad!" I thought exultantly. Fig. 11 shows the finished fly. 1 fished this pool the firmer grew my convic "He means business, too," tions that it was the lair of a giant trout Drake or May Fly Nymph In a fever of anticipation, I cast the arti who held tyrannical sway there, repelling ficial drake above the rock! It was a good I will not say much about these nymphs, or eating all others. floater and as it came down stream, I began iis my success with them has been indifferent. Then came a day of bright sunshine, when stripping in line. Usually, while fishing with them, and in re the stream ran low and clear and the log Then just as I was preparing to lift the sponse to a query of "What luck?" I am spanning the pool, rested high and dry fly off the water a dark-looming shape swift forced to confess "Nothing but experience." above the surface. This was the opportunity ly appeared in its wake—and the drake dis I have tied a variety of them and have I had been waiting for to confirm my sus appeared in a ripple of small concentric given a number to my friends, who seem picions. rings! to think that the one illustrated in Fig. 13 From the mountain which rose up steeply is the best. Keyed up to a high pitch over the sudden from the water's edge I carefully searched sight of that shadowy form, I struck hard The legs, as shown in Fig. 12, are small the pool. Not a fish was visible and dis appointedly I erossed to the other side. At —too hard—and the line flew back in the pieces of peacock herl and should be secured rhododendron and hung there in limp sicken in place before the body of dubbing is put the lower end of the pool, where the water, mirror-like, reflected the rhododendron clad ing coils. The drake was gone and also my on. At the bend of hook fasten three fibres trout! of a wood-duck feather for the tail. With banks, stood the rotting stub of a large pine; and among its gnarled roots, which lay bare It was poignant disappointment and dark tying silk—well-waxed—clip off the fur from ness had long spread its cloak over the land the belly of a muskrat—the short silvery and exposed, where the water had under mined the bank, I first saw the trout. before I recovered. Back in the woods the looking fur—then felt this fur on the silk, whip-poor-wills set up their unearthly din twisting same around it as much as pos I will not dwell on his size—for all fisher and high above the beaver dam, in the crook sible. Now wind this for the body, leaving men seem gifted with elastic imaginations of the "elbow," the moon appeared, casting the legs stick out as shown in Fig, 13. which —but I will say that it was a real fish. Fly its ghostly radiance over the pool at the after fly I floated over his lair, all of which illustrates the completed nymph. Devil's Elbow, which slumbered on silent the old lad ignored with a studied indiffer General ence which made me all the more deter and opaque, again unruffled by rising fish. For dyeing the various feathers, etc., mined to catch him. And this is the story of the trout in the diamond dyes give good results. Celluloid pool at the Devil's Elbow. I have not been Then elapsed a period of two years, dur back since; yet I have a feeling that in its varnish should be thin and may be made ing which time the trout as usual continued by dissolving a few pieces of well-cleaned depths he still sulks, domineering and de his abode in the pool. Twice I had seen fiant, every ready to rush forth and give camera film in equal parts of acetone and him in this interval, but never once could I amyl acetate. When it thickens, thin with savage battle to any trout who might dare lure him to the fly. At last came a memor invade his domain. acetone. When tying the half hitches I able day when we met on an equal footing. generally slip the needle in the loop, holding I had not been out fishing much that year it taut and then pulling it tight. This dubb and having only the day, I fished the stream ing needle is an ordinary darning needle, rather hurriedly hoping to reach the pool CORRECTION driven tight in a wood handle. For procur at the Devil's Elbow when the evening hatch In the article on how to distinguish rock ing the various hackle pliers, feathers, etc., of flies was over the water. bass from sunfish which appeared in the consult the advertising pages of any sport Cautiously I crept through the rhododen November ANGLER, it was erroneously stated, ing magazine for firms who specialize in dron to the pool's edge, and this position, through omitting a line, that rock bass could fly tying equipment. once attained, offered a sweeping view over be legally taken at any time of the year, Sun From the various flies that we have now the pool and to the bend above, where, since days excepted. Rock bass, however, are tied, no trouble should be experienced in my last visit the year before, a colony of classed as game fish, and the season for them tying the green drake which I described in beavers had built a dam. Time had made no runs from July 1st to November 30th, both the August issue, and for the benefit of those changes in the pool at the Devil's Elbow, dates inclusive. It is hoped that this cor who have mislaid their copy, I will here its water still flowed lazily and now glowed rection will clear up any confusion on the repeat its dressing. The body is a pale, straw red to the setting sun. Soon the flies would taking of this' species of fish. Sunfish may color floss silk with silver tinsel ribbing, the appear. be taken the year round, Sundays excepted. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER !)
Caught This One Twice Charles L. Wetzel of Beavertown shares the enthusiasm of his son, Charles M. (you've been reading his articles in the ANGLER and we'll say right here they're corkers) for fishing. One of the best fishing in cidents we've heard this season was related by Charlie's dad recently, and It happened on Middle Creek in Snyder County. Mr. Wetzel was fishing for suckers in October and hooked a fish that broke his line. One week later, ac companied by a friend, the angling veteran returned to the same place. As he pulled in the line for another cast,something beneath the surface came to life in no uncertain manner. After a lively tussle, Mr. Wetzel suc ceeded in landing a 10-inch pickerel unusually heavy in girth. His line had caught on the one that was lost, and the fish on the broken line had oblig ingly stayed put until caught a second time. Any doubt that it was the self same fish and broken line was re moved when Mr. Wetzel examined the sinker which was a home-made prod uct and therefor immediately recog THIS SNAPPING TURTLE MUST MEAN BUSINESS nized. record, established several years ago, to top 1,269,580 FISH AND FROGS if they are to best the mark set by Dr. E. ANOTHER RECORD BASS K. Tingley, Marietta, and Clayt Reed of STOCKED DURING A recent report on big bass caught during Ambler. NOVEMBER 15)34, received by Warden Joseph Mellon. Eishing in Page's Pond near New Milford. Brook trout, brown trout, sunflsh, catfish, Philadelphia, from William Quinney, 133 East Susquehanna county, Dr. Tingley, who is frogs, yellow perch, bass, minnows and Green Street, West Hazelton, indicated that noted for the splendid strain of field trial pickerel featured November stocking of another record for largemouth bass in Penn pointers he has developed, and his companion Pennsylvania streams by the Fish Commis sylvania has been set. Quinney caught his caught two unusually large perch. Dr. Ting- sion. Of the total number of the various hig bass in Stillwater Lake on October 5. He ley's fish measured 20 inches in length and species distributed, 207,704 were brook trout Writes: tipped the scales at 2% pounds, while Reed from 6 to 12 inches in length; 7,200 finger- "The dimensions are: length—23 inches; landed a perch measuring 19% inches and ling brook trout; 2,830 brown trout, 10 to 13 girth, 18 inches; weight 9% pounds. Tt was weighing 2% pounds. inches; 429,325 sunflsh, 2 to 5 inches; 79,15(5 *% inches through. I am having it mounted catfish, 3 to 9 inches; 184,740 frogs in the '''nd I am not sure when it will be finished. CONCERNING WEIGHT OF BASS embryo stage; 3,700 yellow perch, 4 to 8 " will be on display at Tom Merriana's, the (Continued -from page 5) inches; 2,880 bass averaging 4 inches; 350,- ^Porting goods store on Broad Street in than of all other sizes. We now began to 900 minnows, one to 3 inches, and 1,145 «azelton." speak of them as 'Regulars.' In 1894 they pickerel averaging 12 inches in length. showed themselves again and at this time Following were the streams stocked in the WATER LEVELS UP IN TIOGA they weighed fourteen ounces to one pound various counties: and five ounces. I caught double as many STREAMS Armstrong—trout, Cornplanter Run, Pat Heavy rainfall last autumn proved one of of these weights in that season than I ever did before in any one summer—fifty-one in terson Run ; catfish. Allegheny River, Rays- he greatest boons to trout in Tioga county's town Branch of Juniata River, Brush Creek; m all. The first question between us upon °untain streams during recent years, ac frogs, Allegheny River; sunflsh, Allegheny meeting after a day's fishing was as to the cording to Warden Horace P. Boyden of River. ^"ellsboro. On a number of these streams, number of 'regulars.' It was a very de Beaver—trout, Brady Run. * writes, stream improvement has bettered sirable size to catch indeed. In 1895 I did c'°nditions under which trout must live. not go to Pike county until the tenth of Bedford—trout, Cove Creek, Bobs Creek, . 'During the hunting season," he reports, July, and the river was too low for good Three Springs Creek, Flintstone Creek, saw a good number of large brook trout fishing. However, of the fish caught weigh Raystown Branch Juniata River; cat and brown trout on spawning beds. Many ing over a pound, three-fourths of them fish, Raystown Branch Juniata River, Brush r these beds were located in stream head- weighed between one pound six ounces and Creek; sunflsh, Raystown Branch Juniata aters near large springs." one pound ten ounces." River, Brush Creek; frogs, Raystown Branch High water was general in the mountain Juniata River, Brush Creek. •°Untry and many of the mountain springs Berks—trout, Northwest Branch Perkio- re GOOD BASS FISHING IN ' full and running good streams of low NESHAMINY CREEK men Creek; yellow perch, Little Swatara temperature water. Anglers in southeastern Pennsylvania have Creek, Conestoga Creek, French Creek, been making some nice catches of small- Monocacy Creek; catfish, Little Swatara SPEAKING OF PERCH mouth bass in Neshaminy Creek near Doyles- Creek, Conestoga Creek, French Creek, Raiisin g yellow perch is an important fea- town this autumn, according to Warden J. Monocacy Creek. Fe in the Fish Commission's hatchery pro- H. Mellon of Philadelphia. A 19i-inch small- Blair—trout, Canoe Creek, Bells Gap Run, am. Through extensive breeding for size, mouth was taken by Elias Wismer of Quaker- Bobs Creek, Big Fill Run, Blairs Gap Run. strain of perch has been evolved at Pleas- town, while H. W. Eyster of Philadelphia Bradford—trout, Scharder Creek ; catfish, it Mount hatchery in Wayne eounty that landed one measuring 18 inches. Rockwell Pond, Cooks Pond, Blakeslee Pond. as become justly famous not only for Fishing in Stillwater Lake, John Kubishiu Moody Pond, Sunflsh Pond, Stowell Pond. sweater size but for fine coloration. Reports and John Tarpschack of Hazleton had a Beaver Meadow Pond, Barnes Dam on Strong ^ceived during the past year indicate that catch recently of five bass, four pickerel and Creek; sunflsh, Rockwell Pond. Cooks Pond. any unusually fine perch were taken. But, three yellow perch, all over 15 inches in Blakeslee Pond, Moody Pond, Sunflsh Pond, that, perch fishermen have an unusual length, and two large catfish. Stowell Pond, Barnes Dam on Strong Creek; 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER
minnows, Cooks Pond, Sunfish Pond, Beaver Ireek, Hunter Run, Hemlock Creek; catfish, Cherry Creek, Pohopoco Creek, Pocono Creek, Meadow Pond. Allegheny River; sunfish, Allegheny River; McMichaels Creek, Timber Hill Creek, Buck Bucks—catfish, Maple Beach Pond, Silver frogs, Allegheny River. Hill Creek, Buckwa Creek; catfish, Lake Lake, Queen Anne Creek. Franklin—trout, East Branch Conoco- Mineola, Half Moon Pond, Mill Pond, Gregory Butler—t rout, Little Comioquenessing cheague Creek, East Branch Little Antietam Ice Pond; sunfish, Lake Mineola, Half Moon Creek, Cornplanter Run, Bear Creek; catfish, Creek, Trout Run; catfish, Conodoguinet Pond, Mill Pond, Gregory Ice Pond; minnows. Oneido Dam, Thorn Run Dam, Boyertown Creek; sunfish, Conodoguinet Creek; frogs, Lake Mineola, Half Moon Pond, Coleman Dam; sunfish, Oneido Dam, Thorn Run Dam, Conodoguinet Creek. Pond. Boyertown Dam; frogs, Oneido Dam, Thorn Fulton—trout, Little Aughwick Creek, Montgomery—catfish, Perkiomen Creek. Run Dam, Boyertown Dam. Oregon Creek, South Brush Creek, Little Northwest Branch Perkiomen Creek, Gulf Cambria—trout, Killbuck Run, Big Laurel Brush Creek. Mill; sunfish, Perkiomen Creek, Northwest Run, Mudlick Run, North Branch Blacklick Huntingdon—trout, Tatman Run, Blacklog Branch Perkiomen Creek. Creek, Beaver Run, Little Conemaugh River, Creek, Licking Creek. Northampton—trout, Martins Creek, Mono- Cedar Run, Blacklick Creek, Bens Creek, Indiana—trout, Toms Run, Mardis Run, cacy Creek, Saucon Creek, Bushkill Creek. South Fork Little Conemaugh River, Rogues Little Rellow Creek. Hokendauqua Creek; catfish, Bowers Dam Habor Run, Saltlick Run. Lackawanna—trout, Gardners Creek, Le on Bushkill Creek, Paint Mill Dam on Mono- Cameron—trout, Hicks Run, Lick Island high River, West Branch Wallenpaupack cacy Creek; sunfish, Bowers Dam on Bush Run, Wykoff Run. Creek; catfish, Newton Lake, Crystal Lake, kill Creek, Paint Mill Dam on Monocacy Carbon—trout, Aquashicola Creek, Buckwa Moosic Lake, Chapman Lake, Deer Lake. Creek; yellow perch, Paint Mill on Monocacy Creek, Stoney Creek, Hunter Creek, Quakake Heart Lake; sunfish, Heart Lake, Newton Creek, Bowers Dam on Bushkill Creek. Creek, Pine Creek, Hayes Creek, Big Bear Lake, Crystal Lake, Chapman Lake, Moosic Perry—trout, Laurel Run, Shermans Creek, Creek, Lesley Run, Mauch Chunk Creek; cat Lake, Deer Lake. Houstons or Shaffers Run; catfish, Juniata fish, Forth Run, Leslie Run, Bisby Creek; Jefferson—trout, North Fork Red Bank River, Susquehanna River, Shermans Creek; frogs, Leslie Run, Forth Run, Bisby Creek. Creek, East Branch Mahoning Creek, Little sunfish, Juniata River, Susquehanna River, Centre—trout, Sinking Creek, Galbraith's _Mill Creek, Horum Run, Cathers Run. Little Shermans Creek; frogs, Juniata River, Sus Gap Run, Cold Stream, Pine Creek, Penns " Sandy Creek, South Branch of North Fork quehanna River, Shermans Creek. Creek, Logan Branch. of Red Bank Creek, Clear Creek. Pike—trout, Shohola Creek, Raymondskill Chester—trout, White Clay Creek, Birch Juniata—trout, Lost Creek; catfish, Creek, Dingmans Creek, Indian Ladder ; Run; catfish, Mill Pond, Black Dam on Pine Juniata River, Licking Creek, Lost Creek; Creek, Sawkill Creek, Big Bushkill Creek, ] Creek, Delchester Farms Dam on Indian sunfish, Juniata River, Licking Creek. Lost Kellam Creek, Middle Bushkill Creek, Twin ] Creek, Delchester Farms Dam on Ridley Creek; frogs, Juniata River, Licking Creek, Creek, French Creek; frogs, Black Dam on Lost Creek. Pine Creek, Mill Pond, French Creek; sun Lancaster—trout, Little Conestoga Creek, fish, Mill Pond, Black Dam on Pine Creek, Long Run, Swarr Run. Seglog Creek, Middle French Creek; yellow perch, French Creek, Creek, Fishing Creek: frogs, Conewingo Delchester Farms Dam on Ridley Creek, Del Creek, Big Chickies Creek; catfish, Mill chester Farms Dam on Indian Creek, Black Creek, Big Chickies, Conowingo Creek; sun Dam on Pine Creek, Mill Pond. fish, Mill Creek; yellow perch, Mill Creek. CZan'on—trout, Toms Run, Mill Creek, Deer Big Chickies Creek, Conewingo Creek. Creek. Lawrence—trout, Taylor Run, Big Run, Clinton—trout, Hammersley Fork. Little Neshannock Creek. Columbia—trout, Roaring Creek, Little Lehigh—trout, Cedar Creek, Little Lehigh Fishing Creek. River; catfish, Smoyer Milling Company Dam Crawford—trout, Middle Branch Sugar on Little Lehigh Creek, Maiden Creek, Orm Creek, Little Sandy Creek, McLaughlin Run, Rod Mine Hole; yellow perch, Smoyer Mill Little Sugar Creek; catfish, Lake Canadohta ing Company Dam on Little Lehigh Creek, Conneaut Lake, Muddy Creek; frogs, Lake Orm Rod Mine Hole, Maiden Creek. Canadohta, Conneaut Lake, Muddy Creek; Luzerne—trout, Wright Creek, Wapwall- sunfish, Lake Canadohta, Conneaut Lake, open Creek, Pine Creek, Little Shickshinny Muddy Creek. Creek, Arnold Creek, Bowmans Creek, Bol- Cumberland—trout, Mountain Creek, Big wards Run, Nescopeack Creek; catfish, Spring, Oldtown Run; catfish, Mountain Cristy Creek, Linesville Creek, Harveys Lake, Creek, Conodoguinet Creek, Susquehanna Ider Pond on Ten Mile Creek, Cranberry River, Means Run; frogs, Mountain Creek, Pond, Sugar Notch Dam, Cummings Pond, Conodoguinet Creek, Susquehanna River; Lakeside Pond; frogs, Linesville Creek. sunfish, Mountain Creek, Susquehanna River; Crissy Creek; sunfish, Ider Pond on Ten yellow perch, Means Run, Conodoguinet Mile Creek, Cranberry Pond, Sugar Notch Creek. Dam, Cummings Pond; minnows, Harveys Dauphin—trout, South Fork Powells Run, Lake, Ider Pond on Ten Mile Creek, Cum Stoney Creek, Clark's Creek. mings Pond, Lakeside Pond. Elk—trout, Medix Run, East Branch Lycoming—trout, Larry's Creek, Hogland Clarion River, Bear Creek, Crooked Creek, Run, Grays Run, White Deer Hole Creek. East Branch Hicks Run, Wilson Run, Paige Roaring Branch, Black Hole Creek; catfish, Run, Wolf Lick Run, Mix Run; catfish, Beaver Lake on Beaver Lake Creek; sunfish. Damon Dam; sunfish, Damon Dam; frogs, Beaver Lake on Beaver Lake Creek; min Damon Dam. nows, Beaver Lake on Beaver Lake Creek. Erie—trout, South Branch French Creek, McKean-—trout, West Branch Tuneguent Beaver Dam, East Branch LeBoeuf Creek; Creek, Two Mile Run, Kin7,na Creek, Portage sunfish, Lake LeBoeuf, Edinboro Lake, South Creek. Branch French Creek; catfish, Edinboro Mercer—trout, West Branch Little Neshan Lake, South Branch French Creek; frogs, nock Creek, Wolf Creek, West Branch Wolf Edinboro Lake, South Branch French Creek. Creek, Little Neshannock Creek, Johnson Fayette—trout, Mill Creek, Little Sandy Run, Lackawannock Greek. Creek, Laurel Run, Big Sandy Run, Mill Run, Mifflin—trout, Laurel Creek, East Branch Buck Run, Rubles Run, Dunbar Creek, Kishacoquillas Creek, Treaster Valley Run. Meadow Run. Monroe—trout, East Branch Tobyhanna Forest—trout, Coon Creek, Little Coon Creek, Middle Creek, Dotter Creek, Big BILL ZUCUSKI. TAMAQUA, WITH Ho Creek, Lamentation Run, Bear Creek, Little Bushkill Creek, Pensyl Creek, Tobyhanna HIS 8 POUND. 15 OZ., BROWN dot Hickory Creek, East Hickory Creek, Spring TROUT. RUNNERUP RECORD Tw Creek, Aquashicola Creek, Lake Creek, BROWNIE FOR 1934 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 11 eek, Lakes Creek, Little Bushkill Creek; catfish, Twp.) ; pickerel, White Oak Pond, Brookings uck Promise Land Pond, Pecks Pond, Lake Wal- Pond, Bigelow Lake, Howell Pond, Long *ake lenpaupack; minnows, Lake Wallenpaupack, Pond (Paupack Twp.). Seth Says ;ory Promise Land Pond, Pecks Pond. Westmoreland—trout, Loyalhanna Creek, oon Potter—trout, Nine Mile Run, Eleven Mile Furnace Run, South Fork Mill Creek, Shan I reckon as how we're >ws. Creek. non Run, Indian Creek, Middle Fork Mill a-goin' ter do some nan Schuylkill—trout, Little Catawissa Creek, Creek, Camp Run, Furnace Run, Roaring right good sucker fishin' Pine Creek, Mahoning Creek, Beaver Creek, Run. hereabouts this winter. sek. Pine Creek. Wyoming—trout, Meshoppen Creek, Beaver Jest a few days ago Jer }ulf Snyder—catfish and sunfish, Penns Creek, Run, North Branch Mehoopany Creek, Me- ry Tims an' me fished rest Richfield Dam, North Branch Mahantango hoopany Creek; catfish, sunfish and minnows. down by the covered Creek. North Branch Susquehanna River. bridge an' by gorry, Jerry ketched him a fflo- Somerset—trout, Kooser Run, Iser Run, York—bass, Susquehanna River; trout, Or sucker that weighed three pounds. We got aek, Big piney Run, Shafer Run, Sandy Run, son Run, Furnace Run, Toms Run ; catfish, a right smart mess o' fish an' I'm sayin' )am Drake Run, Negro Glade Run. Silver Lake on Bennett Run, North Branch they was mighty tasty fer the folks. >no- Susquehanna—trout, East Branch Lacka Bermudian Creek; minnows, Susquehanna Well, sir, as Jerry an' me was fishin' we lsh- wanna River, West Branch Lackawanna River; sunfish, North Branch Bermudian starts a-talkin' about how much better the acy River, Nine Partners Run, Starrucca Creek, Creek, Silver Lake on Bennett Run; yellow sucker fishin' has got these past ten years. acy Harding Creek, Tunkhannock Creek; catfish, perch, Silver Lake on Bennett Run, North Time was, Jerry sez, when the sucker run North Branch Susquehanna River, Stearns Branch Bermudian Creek. jest didn't git up ter our parts o' the crick sek, Lake, Alford Pond, Idlewild Lake, Wrighter like it does nowdays. Thinkin' back, it ain't ata Lake, Hells Half Acre Lake, Big Elk Lake, much wonder. Jest about every riffle hed ek; Arrowhead Lake, Bigsby Pond, Cottrell Lake, hoop nets in it, an' more'n oncet, when the ver, Fox Pond; sunfish, North Branch Susque FISHERMAN'S MEASURE run was on, a feller'd ketch a net jammed Jus- hanna River, Stearns Lake; minnows, North Many schemes have been used to carry a full in a night, An' nettin' wasn't no worse measure in the fishing equipment, where it then the giggin'. The boys an' fellers from kill Branch Susquehanna River, Stearns Lake, Alford Pond, Idlewild Lake, Wrighter Lake, will not be lost and will always be conven other places used ter come at night an' with der Hells Half Acre Lake, Big Elk Lake, Arrow ient. Most of these have proven unsatisfac pine flairs gig a bushel basket full o' fish. ;ek, head Lake, Bigsby Pond, Cottrell Lake, Fox tory, according to Charles H. Boyd of Har- An' suckers was most o' what they got, for svin Pond; pickerel, Wrighter Lake, Hells Half risburg. they was sluggish an' fair easy ter hit with Acre Lake, Big Elk Lake, Cottrell Lake, Fox "The most satisfactory way, to me, is to the gig. An' boy, them fishing' parties they Pond. put the measure on the rod," he writes. hed with seins in them days sure did cut Sullivan—trout, East Branch Fishing "The method of application is this: rub the inter the sucker schools, I'm sayin'. Creek, Muncy Creek, Mill Creek, Rocky Run, varnish on the butt joint of the rod at Jerry an' me figgers, ter our way o' think- Sullivan Branch, Lopez Creek. places marked off, as 0-6-9-12, etc., with cro in', thet we're heaps better off now thet the Tioga—trout, Kettle Creek, Four Mile Run, cus cloth or fine ink eraser, being careful not gig, net an' sein ain't used no more. Now. Phoenix Run, Cedar Run, Mill Creek, Big to go through to the bamboo. every man hes a even chance ter go out, fish Run, Norris Brook, Tioga River. '"Then mark figures with Higgins' Water fair with pole an' line, an' bring in a mess Union—trout, Sheesley Run, Sand Spring proof India Ink and a ball pointed pen, let o' fish. An' I'm tellin' ye, most o' the boys Run. ink dry and clean surface with dry bread in this neck o' the woods feels likewise. Our Venango—trout, East Branch Sugar Creek, crumbs or art gum. fishin's gettin' better an' that's the proof in South Branch Sandy Creek, Upper Two Mile "Apply spar varnish with the fingers, let the puddin'. Run, Horse Creek, East Sandy Creek, Panther this dry hard and rub down with dental Run, Little Sandy Creek, Hemlock Creek. pumice and linseed oil to an egg shell gloss. Warren—trout, Fahnsworth Creek, East Then give whole rod a light, rubbed, coat Hickory Creek, Ackley Run, East Branch of simonize. TONS OF STONE USED IN Caldwell Creek, Pine Creek; catfish, Cone "This will take about ten minutes per IMPROVEMENT PROJECT wango Creek; frogs, Conewango Creek; sun- rod neglecting time for drying of varnish Warden Link Lender of Bellwood reports ash, Conewango Creek. and will last indefinitely. The convenience on the stream will be well worth the time." that the Williamsburg, Blair county, sports Wayne—trout, Johnson Creek, Middle men, have, in addition to deflectors, built Creek, South Branch Calkins Creek, North four Hewitt type dams in their stream im Branch Calkins Creek, West Branch Lacka- provement campaign on Big Piney Creek. Waxen River, Little Eqinunk Creek, Equi- "And an ingenious Spaniard says, that In one day they hauled 40 truck loads of >»«0k Creek, Shad Pond Creek, Calkins Creek, rivers and the inhabitants of the watery stone to build dams and deflectors. Two of Rooked Creek, Babbittville Creek, Big element were made for wise men to contem the nicest brown trout from Big Piney this 'Branch Dyberry Creek, Lehigh River; cat- plate, and fools to pass by without considera year were taken by Charles Colbert and Ted *;sh. White Oak Pond, Goose Pond, Justin tion, for you may note, that the waters Appleman of Williamsburg. Colbert's catch £ond, Cline Pond, Little Union Lake, Long are Nature's storehouse, in which she locks measured 19i inches and that of Appleman *ond, Adams Lake, Rose Lake, Brooklings 18 inches. ,°nd, Bigelow Lake, Lower Woods Lake, Cad- up her wonders."—Izaak Walton. law pond, Delaware River, Howell Pond, Crockenburg Pond, Freethy Pond, Lake La- ^°re, Keens Pond, Searles Pond on Big ^ranch Dyberry Creek, Long Pond (Preston BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS ^WP-) Spruce Lake, Long Pond (Paupak HARRISBURG, PA. £*P-) ; sunfish, White Oak Pond, Rose Lake, . ake Ladore, Kenns Pond, Long Pond (Pres- SUBSCRIPTION BLANK i on Twp.), Spruce Lake, Long Pond (Paupack i^-), Little Union Lake, Brookings Pond. Enclosed find fifty cents ($.50) for one year's subscription to PENN . "'gelow Lake, Cadjaw Pond, Howell Pond, ; r°»g Pond, (Clinton Twp.) : Minnows, White SYLVANIA ANGLER. j ak Pond, Goose Pond, Justin Pond, Cline L on
HERE \ THERE '• ANGLERDOM
Late October fishing for bass on the Alle North Branch in late September. Geno gheny River was exceptional, according to Watersnake Incident— Gavazzi, of Wyoming, caught an exception J. Albert Johnson, warden at Bradford. In ally fine smallmouth bass. It measured 21 a day's fishing. Harold and Jack McCutch- "In Two Parts" inches in length and weighed 4 pounds, ac eon, Bradford, landed 19 fine bass. A num When a watersnake along the Con- cording to Warden Russ Womelsdorf. ber of the fish were 17 inches in length. odoguinet, famous bass stream in Cumberland County, takes a notion to make a get-away in some hole along Stillwater Lake, in Monroe County, yielded Big Bend eddy on the Allegheny, accord the creek, according to George James, a whopper of a largemouth to Ed. Prime, of ing to Warden R. C. Bailey of Youngsville, warden at Carlisle, it doesn't fool. Philadelphia, in October. The big fellow was one of the most popular fishing places And to back up his contention, George measured 21% inches in length and weighed on the river. Anglers who fished there esti offers as evidence an experience he 6% pounds. mated that an average of 200 fish were taken had one day along the Conodoguinet. there daily. Early in the month, tadpoles At the time, he was patrolling the Ten smallmouth bass, from 10 to 15 inches ranked as favorite bait while later minnows stream and observed a large water in length and a pickerel measuring 22 inches were most popular. Some good catches snake swimming past him, apparently was the catch made one August day in the were also made in evening fishing on plugs. headed for a fissure in an abutment Juniata River by Fred Seitz of Altoona. ac Bailey reports one bass taken that measured of an old stone bridge. cording to Warden Bill Keebaugh of Huston- 22 inches in length and weighed just under town. Another big catch was that of Ed five pounds. The fisherman who saw the Anyway, as matters turned out, catch had not, however, learned the name of George and the snake arrived at the the lucky angler. hole almost simultaneously, the snake just far enough in advance to have crowded part of its body into the hole. Not hesitating an instant, though grabbed the snake by the tail, and as he has considerable weight to throw into a frolic of this kind, a real tug- of-war resulted. Believe it or not, that snake was so determined to stay in the hole and George was so set on pulling it out. that the result was a watersnake broken in half.
record of bass caught in the Allegheny totaled 109 legal size bass, many of which GEORGE CRAIG. SUBRA1 MARY were returned to the stream after being AND BILL W1LSKY WITH CATCH weighed and measured. Mrs. Anderson, OF PIKE. ROCK BASS AND YEL- LOW PERCH AT LAKE WALLEN when interviewed by Warden R. C. Bailey, PAUPACK had caught 113 legal size bass, and also re JOHN STELONSKI AND ED turned many of them to the water. Her STARKEY. OF PLYMOUTH. EX HIBIT 8 FINE LARGEMOUTH Fishing partners are Mr. and Mrs. M. W. largest bass, 16% inches in length, weighed BASS FROM WALLENPAUPACK Rader, of Clarion. Trying their luck at Big one pound, 12 ounces. Bend eddy on the Allegheny during July, Hudson who landed eight bass varying I Bailey writes, Mr. Rader hooked a 32-inch T. D. Repman, of Oil City, caught one of length from 10 to 14 inches. Muskellunge and succeeded after a hard tus the largest wall-eyed pike to be taken from sle in bringing it to shore. But just when the Allegheny in 1934. His catch measured Plugging in Bald Eagle Dam during Oe he thought the muskie subdued, the trace 28 inches and weighed 8 pounds. It was tober, Joe Bickel, of Lock Haven, lande' holding the plug broke. Mrs. Rader saved made near Alcorn Island and a plug was three pickerel, 20, 19 and 17 inches respef the day, or rather the catch, by jumping the lure used. Harry Lytle, also of Oil City, tively in length, writes Warden Georg1 into the water and grasping the fish. In caught a six-pound pike at Panther Run rif Sperring, of Lock Haven. finally landing the fish, she received a fles. Lure used—a live shiner. severe gash from one of its fangs on a finger. Five largemouth bass that had a combine' Lake Como, in Wayne County, provided weight of 19% pounds were caught by Al^ Perhaps two of the most enthusiastic good fishing in October, according to Warden Skinder, Pittsburgh, in Oneida Dam, Butie women anglers in the State are Mrs. N. P. L. E. Noll, of Pleasant Mount. Joe Olean, County, one day in October according 1 Wheeler of Endeavor, and Mrs. J. A. Ander of Carbondale, made a mixed catch consist Warden J. H. Bergman, of Butler. son of East Hickory. Both are capable ing of seven catfish from 10 to 12 inches in handlers of a specially built flat bottom boat. length and three pickerel, 19 to 21 inches. Fishing in the Harmony Junction dam I Mrs. Wheeler keeps a record of all fish William Strunsky caught 13 pickerel rasg- Conoquenessing Creek on October 13'* caught, including date of catch, number of ing in length from 16 to 22 inches. George Allsmen, Harmony Junction, caug*1 fish, where taken and whether returned to 6 smallmouth bass ranging in length tt% the water or creeled. During 1934, her Trying his luck with a crawfish in the 11 to 13 inches. *•» ^>j a rt tf fc* §'s CT ro CD Ull ,tli l\U «> tn «i a. 4
STOCKING TROUT Pennsylvania Angler Fisherman's Calendar, 1935
SUCKER FISHING TIME 1935 JANUARY 1935 1935 FEBRUARY 1935 1935 MARCH 1935 SUN IMON TUE WED THU i FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON I TUE WED THU FRI SAT Virji (Jwr.11 Full Mo.'na First Qus'.lO ""©"' 2 3 14 5 ""©"" 5 -r 5 1 2 5 1 2 7 I7FI 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 131 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 15 16 17 18 19 H 11 m 13 14 15 16 prt 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 21 22 23 24 25 26 m 18! 19120 21 iH 23 fif 18 19 20 21 22 23 12829 30 311 ®Vt" 12526 27 28 H 125 26 27 28 29 30 THE TROUT STREAMS CALL 1935 A] PRIL 1935 1935 MAi { 1935 1935 JUNE 1935 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN J MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT N.wM™j |F,F,< Ou»r.» •J—Meonl M F.r*Q».r.» r,nMHiM Lul OH.. » 1 2 3 4 5 6 © 5 '""ST" 1 2 3 4 © s © « 1 10 11 12 13 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 WrTROUT Pi IB iiH[ ii« 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 Ultl OPENS/lO H 13 H «^-!23 24 25 26 27 ill 20 21 222324 25 •117 18 19 20 21 22 Full Mar." in Un Our n [28: 29 30 T" ~r 111 27 28 29 m 31 1 HI 24 25 26 27 28 29 BASS, PICKEREL AND PIKE TEST FISHING SKILL 1935, JVIY 1935 1935 AUGUST 1!33 5 SEPTEMBER WED I THU SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT F.nt