sn OFFICIAL STATE PUBLICATION

VOL. XIX—No. 9 SEPTEMBER, 1950

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION

Division of HON. JAMES H. DUFF, Governor A PUBLICITY and PUBLIC RELATIONS J. Allen Barrett Director PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION MILTON L. PEEK, President RADNOR PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER BERNARD S. HORNE, Vice-President South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. PITTSBURGH

WILLIAM D. BURK MELROSE PARK 10 Cents a Copy—50 Cents a Year GEN. A. H. STACKPOLE Subscriptions should be addressed to the Editor, PENNSYL­ DAUPHIN VANIA ANGLER, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. Submit fee either by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth PAUL F. BITTENBENDER of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. Individuals sending cash WILKES-BARRE do so at their own risk. CLIFFORD J. WELSH ERIE PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contributions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper credit will be given to con­ LOUIS S. WINNER tributors. Send manuscripts and photos direct to the Editor LOCK HAVEN PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa.

Entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office of Harris­ EXECUTIVE OFFICE burg, Pa., under act of March 3, 1873. C. A. FRENCH, Executive Directot ELLWOOD CITY IMPORTANT! H. R. STACKHOUSE The ANGLER should be notified immediately of change in sub­ Adm. Secretary scriber's address. Send both old and new addresses to Pennsyl­ vania Fish Commission, South Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa. + Permission to reprint will be granted if proper credit is given. C. R. BULLER Chief Fish Culturist THOMAS F. O'HARA Construction Engineer Publication Office: Telegraph Press, Cameron and WILLIAM W. BRITTON Chief Fish Warden Kelker Street, Harrisburg, Pa. Executive and Editorial Offices: Commonwealth of ROBERT P. DEITER Comptroller Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Harris­ burg, Pa.

TT COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION HARRISBURG, PA.

The Angler CREED *7^ Iteue . . . OF THE

Fishing Streams 2 Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock By Dick Fortney *

The Fallfish 4 W E WHO love angling, in order that it may By Bill Wolf enjoy practice and reward in the later generations, •* mutually move together towards a common goal—the Try Tying Hair Bugs 6 conservation and restoration of American game fishes. By Don Shiner « HOWARDS +bis end we pledge that our creel Tackle Box Extras 7 limits s'hall always be less than the legal restrictions By Keith C. Schuyler and always well within the bounty of Nature herself. •

The Sea Lamprey in the Waters CNJOYING, as we do, only a life estate in of Lake Erie 8 By Gordon L. Trembley and the out of doors, and morally charged in our time E. F. Westlake, Jr. with the responsibility of 'handing it down unspoiled to tomorrow's in'heritors, we 'individually undertake annually to take at least one boy a-fisfiing, instructing him, as The Hellgramite or Dobson ... 10 By A. B. Champlain best we know, in the responsibilities that are soon to be wholly his.

The Muskellunge II By Lou S. Caine ^OL'DING that moral law transcends the legal statutes, always beyond the needs of any one man, and

holdiing fhatvexample alone is the one certain teacher, Penna. Reptiles & Amphibians 12 By Hal H. Harrison we pledge always to conduct ourselves in sucfi fashion on the stream as to make safe for others the heritage w'hic'h is ours and theirs. Our Northern Pike 13 By Don Blair

• • • .

S+reamside Life 18 By Robert Leo Smith •

Lakes of N. E. Penna 20 By Joseph A. Yanchilc

*74e @oven,...

September: Summer wains on the ponds and st'""earns . WEETEST song in the ears of a I remember one night, in the middle Obviously, riffles are the restaurants S fisherman is that of a riffle. of a bass-fishing expedition, a friend of the fish world. It may be the merry gurgle of fresh, and I made our way along a stream And if fish are in the habit of feeding cold water tumbling over and sliding from a large pool to the next one up­ in riffles, the wise angler also does a around rocks that lie in the course of stream. We walked along a rock- lot of his fishing in that type of water. the stream. strewn shore past water which was Not all stream riffles are worth fish­ Or it may be the rushing, angry ruffled and roaring and wholly un- ing, however. roar of white water smashing against suited to the type of angling in which There are some that are so shallow any obstruction lying in its path. we were engaged at the time. that every rock on the bottom can be To spot our location—for the walk seen. That word rock should be used The gurgle of the riffle of a trout advisedly, for in this type of riffle the brook can give a man a feeling that was a rather long one—my friend turned on the beam of his flashlight. word stone would be a better defini­ all is well with the world; that nature tion. The point, however, is that riffles is laughing merrily with him—can We saw that we still were some dis­ tance from the pool we wished to fish, which are shallow and flat afford little even lull a man to sleep with its gentle or no hiding places for fish, hence fish- * song. so my friend turned the beam of his light on the rushing water just to our But the roar of a big stream riffle is right. a challenge to man. It is nature in a bold and defiant mood. It makes the As the round beam of the light angler stop to consider whether he struck the water a fish of truly tre­ wishes to pit the strength of his body mendous proprotions literally took off against the white-capped fury of the for the far shore. It bashed its huge Fishing Streams stream in which he fishes. body against the side of a rock in its fright. It sent spray flying in such Large or small, however, the stream quantities that it could be seen in the By Dick Fortney riffle is an angler's favorite water. It light. Above the purr of the riffle we holds mystery, too, for the broken sur­ could hear its splashing course out of Part Two face of its water can easily cover good our sight. fish from human eyes. The little stream riffle always flattens That big fish was in the riffle for just one purpose. It was busy feeding. out into a sigh of fast water at the head ing them—at least in the daylight of a pool. There it loses its voice and It was pointed out in the first article hours—is largely a waste of time and much of its force. The riffle in the big of this series that most of the natural energy. stream undergoes the same transfor­ forage on which fish feed is to be found in riffles. Here, also, the move­ It should not be forgotten, at the mation, and also loses its voice. But its same time, that often under the cover giant strength is only slowly dimi­ ment of the water dislodges nymphs of darkness fish will move into pre­ nished, being hidden under the guise and larva from the bottom and sends cisely this kind of water to do some I of a smooth surface. them moving through the water. Here, of their most enthusiastic and active The mystery of the riffle is one of also, insects lay the eggs that perpet­ feeding. That is a fact that should be its greatest attractions. uate their species. kept in the minds of night anglers. The riffle that is really productive can be easily spotted. If its water is so rough and its depth sufficient that the angler cannot see to its bottom easily, the chances are that it is a good riffle. For fish feed in a riffle that is deep J enough and rough enough that they i cannot be spotted easily by the crea- | tures that prey upon them. A good riffle contains pockets—that is, areas of water of various sizes that are deeper than the rest of the riffle. These may be formed by rock forma­ tions on the bed of the riffle. They may be spaces which the action of the mov­ ing water has hollowed out in the vi­ cinity of rocks. Whatever the cause, these areas of deeper waters are good fishing spots, because here the force ' of the current is weakened, and here the fish are able to hold their posi­ tions comfortably while feeding. Fishing a riffle is not difficult. All [ the angler has to do is to maneuver his "bait or his lure so that it gets into the vicinity of rocks and other obstruc- ! tions and into these pockets where fish I wait. Of course, this involves such problems as getting bait or lure down near the bottom in swift water; float­ This foaming riffle is tough-looking, but fish do not hesitate to brave its force in search ing a dry fly on a quiet pocket of a of food. Big rocks protruding above the surface form little eddies of quiet water that are very much worth the angler's attention. , riffle without the neighboring currents

2 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER dragging it under, and so on. But enough has been written and spoken on those problems that there is no need to take up space with a discus­ sion of them in these paragraphs. The point to be emphasized—that every good angler must always remem­ ber—is that no more productive spot in a stream can be studied and fished properly than a riffle. Fast Stream Currents Tied in directly to any discussion of stream riffles is mention of the swift currents that riffles usually set up in the heads of stream pools. They per­ form two primary functions—carry­ ing food from the riffles into the pools and also keeping a flow of freshly aerated water moving into the bigger pools of the stream. These head-of-the-pool currents are favored feeding grounds of big trout. Instinct has taught these large fish that it is far easier—and safer—to prowl the fast water currents than it is to enter the riffles in search of in­ sects, minnows, and other natural food. Here is a typical riffle in a trout brook, It contains numerous little areas of quiet water Incidentally, you surely have noticed where fish are likely to lie in wait for the food the current dislodges for them. that at the head of a large pool these of a pool usually is an area of deep If pool-head currents are a boon to currents that stem out of the riffles water. This is an important fact to a fish, they also are kindly water for are very definitely marked in many know, for the deep water gives the fish fishing. They will carry a delicate cases. Foamy bubbles will drift down protection, a safe place in which to dry fly high on their surface at good into the pool on the exact course of take up positions to await the food the speed. They will tug at a wet fly, the currents. Usually, if there is no current may carry down to them from streamer, or bucktail and make it easy visible evidence of the current such as the riffle. for the fisherman to give these lures this, a careful observation of the move­ In water such as this the small- appearance of life. They provide ment of the surface of the water will mouth bass will not hesitate to pursue enough resistance to bring out the indicate the exact location of the fast a school of minnows, and trout will flash of a spoon, the glitter of a spin­ Water. feed on insects floating down from the ner, or the enticing action of an under­ Beneath these currents at the head broken water just upstream. water plug. Remember that the water of a pool- head current is highly charged with oxygen, as a result of its tumbling through the riffle, and also is quite likely to be of lower temperature than that of the stream pool. That is one more reason why it is a favorite haunt of fish. These currents have one feature similar to that of the riffle—they con­ tain pockets of deeper-than-average water which are a great attraction for fish, and the angler will reap divi­ dends from seeking out these spots as carefully as he does the pockets of a riffle. One more point—trout have a habit of feeding just on the edge of these riffles and deep-water runs, in quiet water fairly close to shore. This pro­ vides water to be explored thor­ oughly with such lures as a wet fly. Riffles and fast water—they are the elements that give streams life and character and beauty. They are worthy of every hour the angler is willing to spend in studying them. Worthy, also, of the angler's A ledge of rocks extending from the left-hand shore turns the course of this stream and best efforts in fishing them. forms a gentle riffle along the right-hand shore. The surface looks comparatively flat, but as a matter of fact there are several deep pockets in this one small riffle. (To be continued)

S E P T E M B E R — 1 9 5 0 .'! The Fallfish By Bill Wolf HREE times I have caught a fall- (Editorial note: Trout, bass, walleyed pike T fish large enough to rank well up and similar major game fish hold the spot­ with those considered much better light in Pennsylvania's angling interest, but "game" fish. That is, they were 16 to there are many lesser fish which also pro­ vide good angling, or are of especial impor­ 18 inches long. And each time, the tance as bait or food for the larger fish. fallfish put up as good a battle as any This is another of a series of articles dealing trout or bass its own size and weight. with these minor fishes of our State.) For this reason, and because they will rise to the fly as readily as any fish in our waters, I consider them one of when camping again along the Lehigh. Pennsylvania's best sport fishes if fish­ I was using a dry fly for trout, when ing for fun—and not for food—is the my younger daughter who shared that object. trip told me she saw a rise in some The first really large one I ever very fast water. I cast to where she caught was an 18-incher taken a good indicated, and caught a small chub; many years ago when on a camping but she insisted that she had seen a trip along the Lehigh River below its much larger fish. So I cast again. The junction with the Tobyhanna. I was dry fly hit the rushing water and plug casting for smallmouth bass at danced lightly in swift flight down­ the time, dropping the lure near the stream. Again, there was a silvery flash cliff face which formed the bank op­ as the fish "killed" the fly, but this time posite the sandy one from which I was I was close to see at once that it was fishing. The water near the cliff face a huge fallfish—and a moment later I was deep and dark, so that I couldn't knew I was in for a fight. see too clearly what was happening There was no holding it because its A large fallfish caught on a plug when fishing when there was a smashing strike at weight and the rush of the fast water for bass. the lure; but I did catch a glimpse of were too much for the light leader. I a silvery fish that couldn't have been either had to lose the fish or go along seen anglers, so bent on catching trout a bass. with it, so I went along, stumbling only, throw fallfish out on the bank He was hooked securely, and at first downstream over the rocky bank, oc­ after muttering something about I thought a nice rainbow trout had casionally applying some pressure to "damned chubs." steer the fallfish from a projecting taken the small lure I was using, but This is a clean-living fish, preferring then it didn't fight like a rainbow rock which threatened to snap the leader, but most of the time just help­ much the same waters as trouts and normally does near the surface. It smallmouth bass. It thrives nicely in made a few leaps, but most of its lessly following along until it began to wear out a bit from its furious battle. the rushing currents of large streams, battle was a bulldog affair under the in the quiet pools of smaller creeks, water and I grew more puzzled as I Finally, I was able to snake it out of the water and look at it for a moment and in lakes. Where it is too abundant, gradually worked it across the wide it is a serious competitor with bass stream. Finally I could see its bluish before returning it. A trout could not have put up a better fight. and trout because it likes the same back, its silvery sides and the familiar food they do; but where it is present in touch of red about its gills and front Anyone who fishes much with normal numbers it helps the bass and fins, and knew that I had caught one streamers and wet or dry flies in Penn­ trout population since small fallfish big fallfish. sylvania waters is bound to catch fall­ are ideal food for them. fish. I have taken many smaller ones The second time I was bass fishing Their value as a food fish for other again, but this time on Deer Creek in than the three mentioned. They were the largest and ran near the fallfish's species is one of the reasons why they Maryland, a short distance below the shouldn't be cast contemptuously on Pennsylvania line. The same thing extreme length, which may go to 22 inches on rare occasions. But, large the bank, or even scorned when they happened, but I thought I had a nice slime up a dry fly while fishing for bass on that occasion. or small, I have enjoyed catching everyone of them. And, yet, I have trout. I'll admit it is exasperating The third time occurred last year when small fallfish drown dry flies while trout fishing; but there are times when trout won't strike, and the fallfish are always there, ready and willing to take your lure and give you a good fight. Little more could be asked of any fish, except that it provide good eating, and the fallfish is not to be despised even here, as we shall see. They are just about the first fish to take a fly in the early spring, and there is no better training for trout fishing in mid-April than to go fly fishing for fallfish in mid-March. They KWaW- 'H-V strike very much like a trout, which will sharpen your reflexes in setting The fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) is the largest member of the true minnow family in our the hook, but their mouths are softer waters, sometimes reaching a length of 18 inches or more. It is a sporting fish, especially on a fly rod, although the larger ones will take plugs. than a trout's, and it actually requires

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER greater skill to bring them to net. If I had to teach a novice fly fishing for Pennsylvania Fish Commission Activities trout, I'd take him first to a stream Joint Meeting of the Fish Commission and the Penna. Sportsmen's Federation holding many fallfish and put him to casting. At a joint meeting of the Fish Commission and the Pennsylvania Federation of Sports­ Because of their surface feeding men's Clubs held at the Spring Creek project, popularly known as Fisherman's Paradise, habits, they are the near-perfect dry the Commission discussed the various resolutions which were passed at the Federation fly fish. They will rise to dries from meeting held in Harrisburg during the month of February together with other subjects the earliest warm days in the year, pertinent to the fishermen of Pennsylvania. and, since they often live in schools, The Commission is hopeful that this can become an annual meeting, for in this way it is believed the Federation and the Commission can more wisely discuss and solve the they will dimple the entire surface of problems affecting the public fishing program throughout the Commonwealth. a quiet pool in the evening feeding period. Since they are easily fright­ Commission Organizes—The reorganization of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission ened, they will teach the dry fly be­ was effected at its meeting held July 7, 1950 when Milton L. Peek of Radnor was re­ elected president; Bernard S. Home of Pittsburgh, vice president; and C. A. French, of ginner the patience and caution and Ellwood City, Executive Director. skill he must possess later to catch trout. Bait Fish—The many difficulties encountered in connection with the sale of bait fish It seems odd to call a fish that can resulted with the Commission setting up standardized forms. These forms will not only run to 20 inches or more in length, be of assistance to the hatchery selling bait, but will also serve to protect the fishermen who have them in their possession. and several pounds in weight, a min­ now; but that's what the fallfish really Nursery Waters—The following sites were set aside as nursery waters: is. It's the largest of our eastern min­ Blair County—Kneidingers Dam, Logan Township, 1/3 acre nows, if we except the imported carp McMahons Dam, Logan Township, % acre which also belongs to the minnow fam­ Dr. Mattes Dam, Logan Township, % acre ily of Cyprinidae. The scientific name At the request of the Altoona Wildlife Conservation Club, the above areas were set of the fallfish is Semotilus corporalis. aside as nursery waters until July 31, 1953. or Semotilus bullaris in an older no­ Somerset County—At the request of the Berlin Sportsmen's Association, menclature. To Pennsylvanians, it is Brush Creek, was set aside as a nursery water until July 31, 1952. almost always known as the fallfish, Northampton County—At the request of the Monocacy Field and Stream but it has many other names where- Association, the race running parallel to the Creek along the Bat Pike in ever it is found east of the Al'leghenies. northeast section of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Northampton Coun­ North, in New York State, it is pop­ ty, was set aside as a nursery water. ularly called the Mohawk chub. Else­ Nylon Netting—Lake Erie— The nylon netting action taken by the Commission on where it is known as chub, silver chub, January 9 has been rescinded. At the January meeting the Commission set up regula­ chivin, white chub, windfish, corporal, tions prohibiting the use of nylon netting which reads as follows: or even as a dace. That in accordanace with Chapter 3, Article 2, Section 100 of the Act of Its distinguishing characteristics are May 2, 1925, P. L. 448, the use of small-mesh nylon netting in the waters large scales, steel blue back, silvery of Lake Erie under the control of the State of Pennsylvania is hereby sides, with a flush of red on the belly prohibited and it shall be unlawful for anyone engaged in commercial and fins of breeding males in the fishing in Pennsylvania to have in the waters of Lake Erie 4% inch mesh spring. Unlike other minnows which nylon netting which shall exceed 15,000 yards at any one time (that the aforesaid yardage be strung in any manner that will best fit the needs of have rather stupid mouths, the fallfish the operator; that the length of the net, or the number of nets per box, has the grim lines of a fighter about or the number of boxes, may be any fractional part of the permitted 15,000 its jaws, and its body is sleek and yards) It is further required that said 15,000 yards, or any fractional part Powerful. Altogether, it is a handsome thereof be lifted at least once in every twenty-four hours between the fish. dates of June 1 and October 15, inclusive, except in extenuating circum­ Some of its considerable energy is stances where breakdown or severe weather prohibits craft from carrying shown by its spawning practices. The on their daily assignments. male builds the nest by carrying peb­ The Commission made every effort to secure the cooperation of the bordering states bles and small stones in his mouth to of New York and Ohio and the Dominion of Canada. However, either they stated they the selected site. Some idea of the in­ could not make any regulations or, the law prohibited them from doing it. tense labor this involves can be gained In response to many letters of protest received from persons fishing out of the Port by the dimensions of a nest observed of Erie, the Commission agreed to rescind its former action and notify all fishermen that the regulations on nylon netting would no longer be in effect. However, the Commission some years back in the lower Ausable is still of the opinion that the regulations as set up were for the best interests of the River of New York. It measured 3'3 industry and as a whole would have contributed much to the future fishing of the Lake. by 45 inches at the base and was shaped like a cone with a height at Lake in Southwestern Pennsylvania—The Commission agreed to continue its efforts to the apex of 10 inches. Imagine the secure a lake site in southwestern Pennsylvania. thousands of pebbles it must have taken to build that huge mound. Meeting Held August 7, 1950 You can fish for them with bait if you want, and they will take almost Reclassification—The Commission adopted a reclassification covering employees of the anything offered, but why go to the Commission to become effective August 15, 1950. bother of obtaining bait when they District Supervisors—Examinations are to be given for the position of six District Fish Will hit artificials? It's impossible to Warden Supervisors and all the men on the regular force will be given the opportunity say what artificials are best for them to take the examination if they so desire. because they have hit small plugs for tne, small spoons, large and small dry New Warden for McKean County—Mr. Wilbur Williams, Mt. Jewett, was appointed as the regular officer for McKean County, succeeding John H. Toomey who resigned. flies, any kind of wet fly and streamer, or fly-and-spinner combinations. How­ Bulletins—The Commission approved the publishing of booklets covering trout and bass ever, when they are hitting freely on waters and amphibians and reptiles of Pennsylvania. (Turn to page 17) (Turn to page 20)

SEPTEMBER—1950 thread tight. This knot is very im­ portant for if it is not made properly Try Tying Hair Bugs By Don Shiner the lure will quickly unravel and come apart. For added security, coat the HE hair bug has contributed hair and hook and pull the thread knot with lacquer or cement. T greatly to the many fishermen tight. Notice how the hair will stand The last operation is to take the turning their attention to 'fly-fishing' erect. 'furred hook' from the vise and begin for black bass, for it is an undisputed Push this cluster of hair toward the to trim the hair close to the hook, fact that surface lures in the form of rear of the hook. Then select another gradually shaping the body. At the small bugs are one of the most effec­ bunch of hair and tie on in the same bend of the hook select two clumps of tive lures the angling .fraternity can manner. Alternate with one bunch hair on opposite sides and allow this use for these game fish. of dyed green hair, then one of natural to remain rather long to form the legs Probably you have used these bugs white. In this way various colored or on the frog. If the bug is made to regularly on your fishing jaunts, mar­ striped effects are achieved. This gives represent a moth or other winged in­ veled at the little lures, and wondered the bug a true appearance of a frog, sect, select a clump of hair on opposite how they were made. They are so having a green back and a white belly. sides of the hook near the eye and al­ well trimmed and smooth, it is rather low this to remain for the wings. Continue to tie on groups of hair With the completion of the trim­ hard to believe they were made from until the hook is nearly filled to the deer hair and the tiny stubbles are the ming, the hair bug is complete. Actu­ eye. It may have the appearance of a ends of the hair. Yet, this is the ma­ ally as can now be seen, it is not diffi­ terial that was used to make them, and 'brush heap,' however, this bushy cult to tie these bugs, but on the con­ used quite simply too. resemblance will soon be transferred trary is quite simple. You may vary into a well shaped body. Should you desire to try your hand the patterns and appearances of these at making a few of these bugs, (and Finish the bug by tying a whip knot lures simply by using different color you should by all means), undoubtedly at the eye of the hook. Make this knot hair. An ounce of hair dyed red, yel­ the very first bug you make will amaze by holding a tooth pick above the eye low, green, black, brown and natural you in its appearance, may amaze you of the hook. Then wrap a number of white will tie many of these lures. Tie still farther by luring bronze-backs turns of thread around the tooth pick some to represent frogs, moths, bum­ from hiding. and hook and insert the free end of the ble-bees as well as some that are pure Making these bugs is truely a fas­ thread through the loops. Pull the (Turn to page 17) cinating pastime, especially on eve­ nings when there is little else to do. . It requires only a minimum amount of tools and materials, namely, a fly- tying vise and a pair of scissors. For materials, all that you will need is an assortment of dyed deer hair and a spool of good strong thread. Hair of the bighorn mountain sheep or white-tailed deer is ideal to use to make these lures, for the hair is hollow. Thus, when a small bunch of hair is placed parallel with the shank of the hook and a few turns of thread placed around it, when pressure is applied it will cause the ends of the hair to flare upward. Crushing the hollow centers causes this and unless the hair used is of this type, hair bugs can not be made. In this manner, small bunches of hair is tied to the hook, the hollow centers crushed so that the hair flares outward, the entire body of the bug is formed. The bushy looking lure is then trimmed to the desired shape. This entire operation will not take more than a few minutes and in a short time you will be turning out bugs of first rate quality. For a more detailed description of how these bugs are made, the first step is to insert a hook into the jaws of a vise. The hook held in this manner will allow you to work with both hands. Then, attach a piece of good strong thread to the hook near the bend. The illustrations show a frog being constructed. A small bunch of green (dyed) deer hair is cut and placed horizontally or parallel with the shank. Make a few turns of thread around the From tools and material needed, to the finished bass catcher. li PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER necessary if you want a first class re­ pair job on your fly rod. However, a Tackle Box Extras By Keith C. Schuyler good temporary substitute comes in the form of ordinary fingernail polish. N RETURNING from a recent pegs. I wouldn't be without one. Less bulky and hence easier to carry, fishing trip, I rearranged my O Another item which shares a place the polish is equipped with a conven­ tackle box and untangled the mess that in the top of my box among the plugs ient little brush. The polish also works usually results from an extended trip and spoons is a small pair of scissors. fine in touching up loose ends on your that includes much night fishing. The They are especially handy in trimming rod wrappings. And, if you find your­ accumulation of articles other than knots and cutting line and leader. Too self without red-striped spoons when lures amazed even me. many times a fellow will slice his water they are in order, the fingernail polish However, when I had finished softened fingers in an attempt to break can dress up a plain spoon so even the straightening out the box and putting a strong line or leader, and such a cut manufacturer wouldn't know it. For back in everything that I consider es­ can become very irritating. The long that reason, it is well to choose a bright sential to a fishing trip, there was points of the scissors are fine to make a red. At best, the polish is only a tem­ nothing left outside. Experience has close cut to the hook deep within the porary substitute, but it is a good one. proven that everything that goes to fish's mouth if one has swallowed the bulge my tackle box is necessary to a bait that you do not wish to keep. I Extra reels, while not absolute es­ successful angling expedition. sometimes use the scissors to mark the sentials, give you a feeling of security when you are a long way from home Countless writers dwell on this and fins or tails of fish I return to the water in the hope of catching them another and the nearest sporting goods store. that favorite lure which they would Although most reels of current manu­ Hot be without at any time. I am in­ day. I have also used a standard paper punch for the same purpose. facture are trustworthy, none of them cluded in this class. What we do not are fool proof. And, too, frequently stop to realize sometimes is that our A sheet of sandpaper or emery cloth we are tempted to hang on to the old favorite killer might be a dud in waters comes high on my list of musts for the standby when we know it might mo­ where some readers are located al­ tackle box. Sharpening hooks and mentarily be due for a trip to the re­ though there are certainly some arti­ brightening them, working down sticky pair shop. ficial baits that are good in any water. rod joints, rounding out the taper in a Sut, if every fisherman carried every Along with extra reels, it is good to repaired bamboo end before attaching have an extra casting line. Coated or guaranteed lure, about which he has the joint ferrule—these are some of the read, he would be unable to carry all impregnated fly lines are usually much many uses to which this handy extra stronger than the leader used and are the tackle boxes necessary to contain can be put on a fishing trip. them. less apt to become frayed or weakened. Ferrule cement has but one major If they do, their faults are much more Although any experienced fisherman use, that of repairing ferrules. Never­ obvious before you leave home. How­ enjoys reading about new lures and is theless, it is worth its weight in gold ever, casting lines, since we always use Willing to try anything once, he still when a rod breaks and you are in the greater lengths while fishing, some­ employs his old favorites most of the midst of good fishing. The same goes times develop weak spots well back on time. If one of the new ones pays off, generally for a spool of silk thread ex­ the reel. A big fish, or a deeply hidden it is included among those that he car­ cept that this is also useful in repairing stump, can take our line and the best ies all the time. For, that is the way old bass flies and fastening to the hook part of a fishing trip with them. If experienced fishermen become expe­ certain types of live bait. you, too, like to use a light weight cast­ rienced. Another strictly repair item which is ing line so that you can handle the We must all agree that certain lures fine to have along is rod varnish. It is (Turn to page 19) a*"e best for certain times and places, and it is not necessary to carry all of them all of the time. However, there are certain items that can, and in my °pinion should be, carried at all times and which are valuable to any fisher­ man anywhere. These are the tackle °ox extras that come in so handy so ^any times. None of them will insure a successful fishing trip, but any one of them can do much toward the contin­ ued success of such an excursion. One of the most important is a small Pocket knife, or clasp knife. Although f^any anglers carry a belt, or sheath j^nife, the small knife is much handier *°r repair work on fly rods. The little blades will often do a job that the larger sheath knife cannot accomplish ^ell. In an emergency, the clasp knife ^ill substitute as a screw driver, open °il cans, cut lines and leader and many °ther little jobs for which you usually c9rry more efficient equipment. If you carry a small clasp knife as standard tackle box equipment, you can forget [° bring your belt knife and still not be h^ndicappe, d too much in paring pota- toes , cleaning fish and cutting tent

SEPTEMBER — 1950 Pennsylvania fishermen will be glad to learn that the sea lamprey (Petro- myzon marinus), which is blamed for the startling reduction of lake trout The Sea Lamprey in the numbers in the upper Great Lakes, does not appear at present to be a serious problem in Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie. Unless attached Waters of Lake Erie to fish, lampreys are seldom seen by by man except when sexually mature adults run up streams in the spring to GORDON L TREMBLEY, Chief Aquatic Biologist spawn. Therefore most attempts to EDWARD F. WESTLAKE, JR., Assistant Aquatic Biologist count or control this fish parasite have been carried on in streams. Several methods were used in ob­ taining information on the status of jfrnmemmmtmuS, the lamprey in Lake Erie. These studies, which were conducted in the spring of 1950, included (1) contact­ ing commercial fishermen, (2) use of a lamprey weir, (3) hand collecting by walking tributaries, and (4) shore seining. The period of study was about one month during what was considered the height of the lamprey run. The study was made at the re­ quest of Honorable Charles A. French, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, who is a member of the A silver lamprey. Dorsal fin is continuous. Note eggs are protruding where body wall has Great Lakes Sea Lamprey Committee. been cut. The commercial fishermen inter­ viewed said they had seen no increase in lampreys or scar marks on their catches during the past 30 years. When shown a specimen of the sea lamprey, several claimed never hav­ ing seen it before. In the single weir, located at the mouth of Crooked Creek near North Springfield, only two sea lampreys were taken although three others were taken by smelt fishermen just below the weir. Three additional sea lampreys were picked up by hand from other tributaries of Lake Erie. During shore seining operations in early spring, seven small sea lampreys were collected. Thus a total of only 15 sea lampreys was taken—eight

A sexually mature sea lamprey. Note that there are two dorsal fins with a space between.

A mature brook lamprey (above) and a young sea lamprey (below). Note difference The mouth or "business end" of a sea lamprey. distances between dorsal fins.

PENNSYLVANIA ANGLE* Bad Streamside Conduct We are happy to pass on to our readers a part of a letter received from William C. Callihan of Johnstown, Pa. Mr. Callihan poises the problem which the sportsmen's clubs and fishermen generally have been trying to solve for years. Streamside con­ duct and behavior is very important to the success of our outdoor recreation. Here is Mr. Callihan's report on the subject. "Some­ thing is going to have to be done about people leaving garbage, tin cans, etc. laying around and also throwing beer cans and bottles in the streams. I saw a couple of places lately that looked like somebody brought their tin cans along from home to get rid of them. Why don't fellows realize that while they are spoiling the fishing for others, they are also spoiling it for them­ selves. I certainly think something should be done about it." The ANGLER would like its readers opinions as to just what they think should be done. Another Nursery Planned The Western Clinton Sportsmen's Assn. has just completed another trout nursery with a capacity of about 10,000 trout. Another is nearing completion with at least that capacity, the club is aiming at a final Lamprey weir used in a tributary of Lake Erie. Only two lampreys were caught in this weir. or ultimate capacity of 100,000.

sexually mature and seven young. This is only a trifling few when com­ pared with the nearly 25,000 trapped Blockhouse Creek—Anglers' Opportunity in a weir in a single tributary of Lake Huron in 1949. In a sense of the word fishermen who use of the farmers. There has been much talk Two other species of lamprey were a 10-mile section of Blockhouse Creek are about each fisherman establishing his own collected in the tributaries: the silver on probation. A group of landowners who good relationship with the farmer. have kept their properties posted against All those things can go a long way to­ lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) fishing for two years have been induced to and the brook lamprey (Entosphenus ward opening up more streams to public open the stream again. fishing. If the Blockhouse Creek plan works lamottenii). The silver lamprey is There are two benefits to be derived from out, we can see other NO FISHING signs reported by commercial fishermen as the move. More miles of stream are added coming down. A new understanding between being more commonly seen in Lake to fishing in Lycoming County and if the fishermen and farmers can be visualized. Erie than the sea lamprey although stream remains open, the prospects are bright That is one of the most important ways to We took only six. It is also a fish para­ for stocking the creek which has been un- add to the miles of fishing streams in Ly­ site but damage done by it does not stocked for a number of years. That means coming County and in Pennsylvania. more and better fishing. seem important. The little brook lam- It is to be hoped that a few won't spoil Prey spends its life in streams and is But there is a big "if" in the picture. That it for the many. If they do, the Blockhouse if is based on the conduct of anglers who Creek NO FISHING signs will probably go not parasitic on fishes at any stage. use the stream. Farmers closed sections of The accompanying photographs will back up again.—Editorial, Williamsport Gaz­ the creek several years ago when they de­ ette & Bulletin. aid in distinguishing among the three cided they couldn't take any more of the species. damage done by the fishermen. Dr. Milton B. Trautman states in a For instance, they found pasture gates left decent paper that the Franz Theodore open by fishermen and dairy cattle roam­ Stone Laboratory at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, ing along the highways and away from the has offered a prize of one dollar for farmer's land. They discovered planted fields each sea lamprey taken in Ohio tracked over by cars carrying anglers to Waters of Lake Erie. Over a period fishing holes along the stream. Such things °f several years they have obtained were dollar and cents damage to farmers' means of a making of living. So NO FISH­ °nly about one a year. It is his belief ING and NO TRESPASSING signs went up. that the tributary streams of Lake State stocking was stopped and the miles of Erie are generally less adapted to fishing streams in this county were reduced. lamprey spawning and to the rearing Now, 21 property holders along Blockhouse °f young than are the clear water Creek have been induced to reconsider. They trout streams entering the upper have given their permission to Liberty Boy Great Lakes. Scouts to remove the no trespass signs and Sea lampreys seem to prefer trout erect in their places Mr. Fisherman signs. as hosts—perhaps due to the ease with The latter emphasize the importance of right conduct, consideration and care on the part which they can penetrate the skin. of fishermen when they use farmers' land However, in Lake Huron, where the during fishing excursions. lake trout population has become so Organized sportsmen groups have urged Linda Bechtel, three-year-old daughter of Walter Bechtel of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, reduced, the lamprey is beginning to their members to respect the property along proudly displays the 21-inch, 4 pound small attack other species such as bass, wall­ fishing streams. Efforts have been made mouth black bass caught by her father on August 19, 1949. This fine fish was taken from eyes, perch, and whitefish. to promote the idea that anglers are guests the Perkiomen Creek near Collegeville,

SEPTEMBER — 1950 their way into the water, where they pass their entire early life. These The Hellgramite or Dobson larvae are carnivorous and feed upon the young or larvae of other aquatic ISHERMEN know the value of the insects, readily crawling or swimming F "hellgramite" or dobson in fishing By A. B. Champlain about and making their homes beneath for bass and others of the finny tribe, Chief Entomologist—Pa. Dept. Agriculture stones or among the vegetation at the. but their knowledge is usually limited bottoms of running streams, preferring to the stage of the insect most prized places where the water flows swiftest; and net-veined and are folded back they breathe by means of gill tufts as bait. over the body when at rest. It has Anglers whom I have known, arranged along the under sides of the a broad head, six legs, and prominent body. especially around Harrisburg, Penn­ mandibles or jaws, while the antennae When nearly three years old, the sylvania, on the Susquehanna River or feelers are many jointed. and tributaries, consider the larvae of larvae have reached their full growth; hellgramites equal to any bait for The adults are active and crawl and during the latter part of May, or black bass. In addition, they may be about or fly readily, usually at night early June, they leave the water at used with good results in catching and are attracted to arc-lights or any night and migrate to the shore, where numerous other game fish. They live strong lights, especially those situated they burrow into the soil, beneath and move about for a long time when along or near streams. They are short sticks or stones, or in an old stump. on the hook, and for that reason were lived and their main function is mat­ It is at this time that they may easily great favorites as bait for outlines be­ ing and egg laying. The female re­ be collected, and usually in numbers. fore the latter were prohibited by sembles the male in many respects, After entering the burrows or cells, law. One local fisherman tells me but the latter can easily be distin­ they change to the pupae or quiescent that his best all-round bait was hell­ guished by the greater length of the stage. The pupae are dirty-white in gramite larvae, treated in the follow­ mandibles. color. They are too soft and watery ing manner—Cut off the head and run After mating, the females, which to be especially prized as bait. the hook in at the tail, drawing the are the longer lived, are ready to lay The hellgramite, in this stage, is body up over the hook with the in­ their eggs; these are laid in blotch­ practically defenseless and for this side out, the legs pulled up above the like masses, chalky-white in color at reason utilizes a burrow or cell in hook on the leader. Then free the first, later a dirty-white, each mass the ground. No food is taken in barb of the hook on account of the about one inch in diameter and con­ this stage, but the energy stored up tough skin, and in this condition there taining from one to three thousand in the larval stage carries it through is exposed a tough but strong scented, eggs. These eggs are attached to the this period, lasting about a month, attractive bait, that is often taken by stone work or timbers on the under when the adult or winged insects fish when every other bait fails. side of bridges, to stones or the trunks emerge from the cells. They are plentiful where they occur, of trees overhanging a stream, so that The adults are used for bait, but and, as the insect lives nearly three when the eggs hatch the young hell­ the wings are usually pulled off first. years in the larval stage in the water, gramites or larvae will easily find —Forest and Stream. they may be found and collected at any season of the year. The best method of collecting the larvae is to wade into the stream against the cur­ rent, with a net, turning over the stones in front and the hellgramites will float down the stream into the net. In the winter time the larvae curl up into a sort of ball when dis­ turbed, and they are easily collected in this manner. Fishermen desiring to keep hell­ gramite larvae at home for con­ venience, will have no trouble if the following directions are carried out: In a wooden box place a layer of gravel about one inch deep on the bottom. Put a few loose boards over the top of the gravel, thus making a place for them to hide. A lid on the box will prevent their escape. In the lid there should be a small hole in which to pour water, just enough to keep the gravel moist, the surplus running out at the crack. Do not place too many larvae in one small box, as they will attack and mutilate each other when too numerous. Keep in a cool place. The adult or mature insect, often called fish-fly, hellgramite fly or dob­ (Photo by Evening Chronicle, Allentown) A view of the Little Lehigh which winds through picturesque Lehigh Parkway at Allentown son fly, is about two inches long, with and a sectional illustration of the Seventeenth Annual Live Trout Contest held there on Sunday a wing expanse "of about five inches. July 9. The affair was sponsored by the Lehigh County Fish and Game Protective Association who stocked the stream with their own trout raised at their own hatchery, the former Trexler The four, brownish wings are large Hatchery of Allentown. From all reports this trout-field day, was a grand success.

10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Plus, a powerful, tempered split-bamboo rod, EDITED BY 9 feet in length with No. 2% ferrule. With The Muskellunge Lou S. Caine this is used an automatic or single action reel like the Imperial with a D level line or HCH tapered, and backing, if desired. Wire Many colorful adjectives have been used quite easily from the other two members of leaders are recommended when fishing for to describe that giant member of the pike the pike family, the northern pike and the muskies because of their numerous sharp family, the might muskellunge. It is said to pickerels by the squamation, or scaling, on teeth. be solitary, ferocious, mean, tough, vicious, the cheeks and gill covers. Still-fishermen use most any kind of tackle voracious, sly, capricious, sulky and lone On the muskellunge, only the upper halves just so it is heavy enough. The best live wolfish, among others. of the cheek and gill cover are scaled; on bait seems to be a large sucker, and the All of these undoubtedly fit at one time the northern pike the cheek is entirely musky should be given ample time to or another, depending upon the mood in scaled but only the upper half of the gill swallow the sucker before the hook is set. which the fisherman finds the muskellunge. cover; the pickerels have scales entirely Musky fishing is a fascinating sport and Since every angler yearns to catch a fish of covering both the cheek and the gill cover. although the man hours per fish may be tackle-busting proportions, the muskellunge The world record is a 69-pound, 11-ounce much greater than on other species, the time is a prize package, indeed. giant taken on rod and reel in Chippewa spent will be repaid with thrilling, rugged It is our largest freshwater game fish, next Flowage, near Hayward, Wis., by Louis battles.—Heddon Fish Flash to the lake trout, capable to staging a Spray, October 20, 1949. terrific and spectacular battle—but, is not Although the Wisconsin Fish and Game always in the mood to do so. Catch it in Commission reported a muskellunge over 75 FBI Indirectly Lauds BFI one of those pugilistic stages and you will pounds being caught in Minocqua Lake, in William E. Merritt, Better Fishing Chair­ experience the fishing thrill of your lifetime, 1906, the average size of those caught by man of Mount Airy, N. C, has been taking provided your fish has attained a respectable sportsmen will run from 15 to 25 pounds. the underprivileged children of his area on size Natural Foods consist of: Minnows, weekly fishing trips. These angling outings In addition to many spellings of the proper suckers and any small fish including its own have worked so well in curbing juvenile de­ name Muskellunge (such as Maskalonge, species; also frogs, snakes, mice, squirrels linquency that the FBI, in its June Law Muskalunge, Muscallonge, etc.) the common and the young of muskrats and ducks. Enforcement Bulletin, gave Merritt, Mount Airy Police Chief, Monte Boone, and James nicknames are Musky, Barred Muskellunge, Among the more successful lures are the Chautaqua Muskellunge, Great Lakes Mus­ Shaw of the Juvenile Court, a pat on the large surface lures like the Giant Flaptail back for their work. kellunge, Leopard Muskellunge, Tiger Mus­ and Crazy Crawler and underwater plugs Because some of the underprivileged chil­ kellunge, Mississippi Muskellunge, Northern like the River Runt, Giant Vamp and Vamp Muskellunge, Ohio Muskellunge, Spotted dren of Mount Airy were becoming delin­ Spook, spoons like the Queen or King, buck- quent, the Police Department and Juvenile Muskellunge, Unspotted Muskellunge, Wis­ tail combinations and large live minnows; Court were looking for some constructive consin Muskellunge, Ohio River Pike, Jack also fly lures such as the Wilder Dilgs, Bass outlet for the "juvenile stream." The Better Pike, Longe, Lunge, Allegheny River Pike, Bug Spooks and fly-spinner combinations. Fishing Program was a natural and Mount Chautauqua Pike, Blue Pike and Great Pike. Underwater lures like the Vamp Spook, Airy wasted no time setting up a schedule. In addition to the main species, Esox Giant Vamp and River Runt are outstanding Since the establishment of fishing events, niasquinongy, there are two sub species, for casting or trolling; and in weedy spots, James Shaw of the Juvenile Court reported Esox masquinongy ohiensis and Esox mas­ spoons like the Queen or King will work that there has not been a single case of quinongy immaculatus. Here are the dif­ best. juvenile delinquency reported in the city. ferences: Trollers use much the same tackle as that Chief of Police, Monte Boone, seconded Esox masquinongy: Often called Great used for casting. Some prefer a straight Shaw's statement and added, "The program Lakes or Spotted Muskellunge. Olivaceous handle "Pal" rod with a large single action has been of inestimable value in its con­ °n back, shading into gray on sides; at times reel like the Winona which gives them much tribution to the curbing of delinquency and has a golden-olive sheen. Lower parts are greater line capacity. has established good relations between the silvery and belly is white. From gill covers Fly casters use heavier rods like the Power police and the children." to tail and from slightly below lateral line, tt has dark spots and markings on body and fins. This species is native to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes basin, also "Fishing is Great" Anglers Report found from New York and Vermont, west through southern Canada to Michigan and Seasoned anglers who come from all over lbs.; Theron D. Conrad, Sunbury, 20-inch Wisconsin. the nation to try their angling skill in the black bass, weight 4 lbs.; Dick Eves, Blooms- Esox masquinongy ohiensis: This sub waters of the Susquehanna and its local burg, Pa., 25-inch walleye pike, weight 4 lbs., sPecies is commonly called Ohio or Barred tributaries report that fishing is the best it 10 oz.; James Stair, Bloomsburg, 23%-inch Muskellunge. Found in Lake Chautauqua, has been in years. The fact that the State walleyed pike, weight 4 lbs.; Harry Keeney, Fish Commission has again stocked the Wyalusing, 20-inch black bass, weight 3 lbs., the Ohio River and tributaries, in north­ x western Georgia and Tennessee to New York streams and the weather conditions have and 18 /2-inch black bass, weight 3 lbs. All State and Pennsylvania. Coloring is bronze been just right is attributed to the over­ of the above fish were snagged near Sugar °n back, shading into light sides marked whelming success of most of the anglers in Run. With dark spots or bands which extend to bringing in their limit. Of course not to be Romeyne Sterling reports that DeWitt fins. overlooked is the individual skill on the Wheeland of Sunbury, Pa., brought in a 21- part of each sportsman in obtaining their Esox masquinongy immaculatus: Fre­ inch black bass near the Sterling home in catch. quently called Mississippi or Northern Hornets Ferry recently. Muskellunge; found in lakes and streams of The word of the good fishing has spread Wesley Wheeler of Wyalusing also caught Wisconsin and Minnesota, and the waters of fast and furiously since bass season opened two 18-inch black bass fishing at the mouth so successfully on July 1. Hotels, tourist Canada tributary to Hudson Bay. Although of the Wyalusing Creek near the Susque­ homes, cottages have been filled and trailers, Marking of this fish vary according to loca­ hanna. tents and cars line the banks of the river tion, general color is bluish-gray cast with with eager fishermen pulling big ones in The biggest catch reported was made by °hve tinge, with indistinct dark bands usually regularly. Albert DeLong of Milton, Pa., who fought distinguishable. for a long time with a 36-inch, 24 lb. carp Al White of Sugar Run has kept a chart and landed it with the help of two other men. The muskellunge prefers sheltered spots this year showing the big catches of the He was using a 3-lb. test fly leader. ground logs, weed beds and deep holes where season in that vicinity and the report is as J t can hide until a likely victim comes within follows: Wood Norconk, Wyalusing mail carrier, r each. Occasionally it is found in small Donald Clark, Dallas, Pa., 21-inch black also is among the big fish catchers of the c ''eeks, but usually in larger rivers or lakes. bass, weight 4*4 lbs.; Carl Cechman, Watson- season having landed a 29%-inch walleyed All three muskellunge can be distinguished town, Pa., 18%-inch black bass, weight 3Vz; pike.—Wyalusing Rocket.

8 E P T E M B E R — 1 9 5 0 11 PENNSYLVANIA REPTILES ^AMPHIBIANS

(Edited and approved by M. Graham Netting, Curator of Herpetology, Carnegie Museum)

No. 18 Turtles

USINTKAL PAINTED TURTLE (Chrysemys picta marginata) . . . EASTERN PAINTED TURTLE (Chrysemys picta picta) . . . Maximum Maximum carapace length 7 1/3 inches; this is the common painted length iya inches; like Central Painted Turtle, has yellow stripes on turtle of Western Pennsylvania; has a large, dark blotch on its plastron head and throat; red markings about the edge of carapace; Eastern (bottom shell) which serves to distinguish it from the Eastern Painted has uniform yellowish carapace; longest claws on forelimbs of male Turtle; commonly seen basking on logs in ponds and lakes; 4 to 10 painted turtles are two or three times as long as claws on hind-limbs; eggs laid in sand or soil in June or July; eats more plant than animal has been collected in 10 counties of the Delaware drainage; painted matter; recorded from 12 counties in Ohio and Erie drainage. turtles from 13 counties in Susquehanna drainage are considered mixed Eaetorn anrt Central stock.

St j

MAP TURTLE (Graptemys geographica) . . . Maximum length 10% inches; aquatic turtle with carapace (upper shell) covered with net­ RKD-BELLIED TURTLE (Pseudemys rubriventris rubriventris) . . . work of fine yellow lines which resemble lines on a map; a deep-water Maximum length 18 inches (female), males reach only 12 inches; a turtle that is particularly hard to catch; feeds upon fish, crayfish, shy species inhabiting deep water; is one of rarest of Pennsylvania insects, snails and carrion; lays 10 to 16 elliptical eggs in June or July turtles in Museum collections; carapace high-domed, colored olive or in sand or soil; eggs may not hatch until following spring; recorded brown marked with red; plastron red or dark orange; like snapper and wood turtle, this species is of commercial value as human food; has from 9 counties in the Erie, Ohio and Susquehanna drainage. been recorded only from Bucks, Lancaster and Philadelphia counties in Ppnmvlvania.

SPINELESS SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE (Amyda mutica) . . . Maximum length 14 inches; only two records exist for Pennsylvania; one was SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE (Amyda spiniiera spinifera) . . • collected in the Allegheny River at Foxburg, Clarion County, prior to Maximum length 15 inches; completely aquatic; may be recognized 1888; the other, is a specimen reported taken from the Ohio River readily by its leathery, spiny-edged carapace; general flat appearancj near Pittsburgh in 1899; it is as savage as its commoner relative, the and pointed head also make it easy to distinguish; very active an° Spiny Soft-shelled Turtle; unlike that species, the Spineless lacks the agile both in and out of water; bites savagely and effectively; like tne row of conical spines along the front edge of the flabby carapace. snapping turtle, it lays spherical hard-shelled eggs; sold as food 1" Photo courtesy A. H. Wright. some markets; found in 10 counties in Ohio and Lake Erie drainage only- i\ Esox Lucius is one of the world's most widely distributed fishes, accord­ OUR NORTHERN PIKE ing to the encyclopedia. Not long ago, however, Warden Whence came the Great Northern By DON BLAIR 'Rosey' White, well known to most Pike we have been catching with in­ western Pennsylvania sportsmen, un­ creasing frequency in northwest Penn­ with these slim and vicious fishes, earthed some scraps of evidence to sylvania? Ten years ago we neither and I kept hunting and fishing for the effect that these fish were intro­ saw nor caught Esox Lucius in the them. I finally caught one longer duced, as fry or fingerlings, into the Allegheny River or in French Creek than the 22 inch size limit (at that upper reaches of Big Sandy Creek, (variously called Frenchmen's Creek time) and cooked and ate it. The near the town of Sandy Lake, in the or Le Boeuf's River). Nor did we flavor was almost exactly as local early years of this century. The story catch these fish in the lower reaches muskelunge and we liked it. Some goes that the young fish were brought of Big Sandy Creek in Venango don't. in by rail, and stocked by members of County at that time. As the years passed the fish became a now defunct sportsmen's club of In the summer of 1938, while pros­ more and more numerous. We caught that city. pecting a swampy stretch of Big Sandy more and larger specimens, and we Warden White was engrossed with Creek above Raymilton, I was caught began to catch them in The Allegheny the same question that was in my in a sudden and drenching thunder­ and in French Creek. They have mind; Why, if these fish have always storm. I remember vividly being multiplied enormously in the last been native to Big Sandy Creek, or equipped with a light seven and a half dozen years, and so, I can assure you, were stocked there nearly fifty year foot fly rod and some bass size has the angling fraternity multiplied ago, did they lie dormant for so many streamer flies. After the storm I en­ in pursuit. years and then all at once begin to countered the pike. It was a thrilling Shortly after Commissioner Lam­ grow and multiply and expand their experience. Here was a fish I had berton identified the pike I showed territory? The answer to that ques­ never before caught. And it was fast one to my grandfather, who had done tion, I think, lies in a little noticed and furious action in the two hours his boyhood fishing along South Sandy change that has taken place in these between storm and nightfall. Creek in what is now Game Lands waters, plus a habit of the Great Those fish were not exceptionally No. 39. He said he had speared such Northern Pike themselves. large, though somewhat longer than fish as a boy, and they had called In the early days, grist mills and the smallmouth bass ordinarily pres­ them 'grass pike'. And the reason, he water power were the common thing ent in such waters. They ran between thought, the name had stuck in his throughout Pennsylvania. Big Sandy 18 and 20 inches long. There seemed to memory was because there wasn't Creek was well supplied with mill be an endless supply of them. And any grass growing in South Sandy dams at Pecan, Polk, Raymilton, though I could not positively identify Creek when he was a boy in the 1870's. Reed's Furnace and Sandy Lake. them, I did not let that fact spoil my It had then been 60 or 65 years since French Creek had a substantial dam fun. The fish struck with a savage he had seen such a fish. If he was at its very mouth in Franklin. I be­ killing fury and jumped like torment­ correct, and the fish were the same, lieve these dams prevented the free ed demons. then it would appear these fish have migration of many fishes, and that I soon learned they did not fight always been native to these parts. like smallmouth bass or brook trout, This seemed entirely possible, since (Turn to page 19) with an all out effort, but would in­ tersperse bursts of energy with long pauses of inaction. And that, though you could lead them almost at will with the light fly rod you never could anticipate the instant the frenzy might be resumed. Another thing I learned, and quickly, was that beside having tooth and jaw structure almost exactly like the muskelunge, these fish had several assorted razor blades built into their gill covers. And these could cut your hand sharply as you struggled to hold the fish in order to get the hook away from his mouth. I emerged from the evening's ex­ citement with both hands cut and bleeding, and at the same time tre­ mendously excited over catching this, to me at least, new and savage fish. A few days later Game Commis­ sioner Lamberton went with me to the creek. He, having had consider­ able experience as a Canadian fisher­ man, was able to identify the fish as Great Northern Pike, and also to point out the low opinion many people had of the species. Low opinion of others or not, I Ed llubuz, of Sharpsville and the 26J£ inch, 8% pound brown trout which he caught in Spring Creek, Forest County during the past trout season. This is an exceptionally fine trout knew I had had fast and furious action from that area.

SEPTEMBER —1950 13 Bedford County PENNSYLVANIA FISH LAW VIOLATIONS Ruby, Mrs. Belva, R. F. D. No. 1, Artemas, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 CASES SETTLED DURING THE MONTH OF JULY 1950 Walter, Virtus D., Imler, Pa. One under­ sized bass 10.00 Adams County Scalise. Frank, 741 Saline St., Pittsburgh, Weyant, Donald L., Sunnyslde Rd., Bed­ Pa. Violation of the Rules and Regula­ ford, Pa. Fishing without a license .. 25.00 Bailey, Floyd J., South Mt. Sanitarium, tions of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Mt, Alto, Pa. Fishing In posted waters $ 25.00 Serniak, John, 517 Dewey Ave., Bridge- Berks County Doss, Thomas, R. D. 1, Llttlestown, Pa. ville, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 Fishing without a license 25.00 Sinn, Charles E„ Kilbuck Rd„ Glenfield, Becker, Edward L., 635 Carsonla Ave., French, Alvln, R. D. 1, Llttlestown, Pa. Pa. Fishing in Idlewild Hatchery 100.00 Pennside, Reading, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Lending a fishing license 25.00 Stewart, Richard J., 1st Ave., Tarentum, Close, John N., 39 Carroll St., Reading, Hamm, Kenneth, Hanover Shoe Farms, Pa. Violation of the Rules and Regula­ Pa. Two undersized trout 20.00 Hanover, Pa. One bass out of season 10.00 tions of the Pennsylvania Fish Com­ Dudash, John, 425 N. 10th St., Beading, Slagle, Francis J., 327 Lincoln Way West, mission 20.00 Pa. Illegal device 20.00 New Oxford, Pa. Rods hot under im­ Tarasi, Louis, 719 Allegheny River Blvd., Fenstermacker, Mrs. Minnie M., 1109 N. mediate control 20.00 Verona, Pa. Violation of the Rules and 13th St., Reading, Pa. Rods not under Staley, Paul, R. D. No. 2, Gettysburg, Pa. Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commis­ immediate control 20.00 Exceeding creel limit 10.00 sion 20.00 Reinoehl, Henry C, 319 Fuston Ave., Trusz, Michael St., 1208 Muriel St., Pitts­ Reading, Pa. Two undersized bass .... 20.00 Allegheny County burgh, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Schlessman, Arthur, 546 S. 11th St., Read­ Baron, Walton, 1308 Harvard Ave., Natrona Ursetta, Joseph J., 3722 Orpwood St., ing, Pa. Interference with officer 100.00 Hgts., Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 Pittsburgh, Pa. Violation of the Rules Schlessman, Clarence, 546 S. 11th St., Bell, J. A., 321 Boggstown Ave., Pittsburgh and Regulations of the Pa. Fish Com­ Reading, Pa. Borrowing a fishing li­ 10, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 20.00 mission 20.00 cense 25.00 Bible, Bernard E., Siefords Apts., Glen- Wiggins, Dean K.. 400 Biddle Ave., Pitts­ Shomo, Allen J., 1316 N. 10th St., Reading, dale Ext., Carnegie, Pa. One frog in burgh, Pa. Violation of the Rules and Pa. Rods not under immediate control 20.00 closed season 10.00 Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 25.00 Stoudt, Richard W., 309 2nd St., Shilling- Braun, Walter E., Plumb St., Elizabeth, Williamson, James D., 9513 Frankstown ton, Pa. Borrowing a fishing license 25.00 Pa. Rods hot under Immediate control 20.00 Rd., Pittsburgh, Pa. Violation of the White, Robert B., 926 N. Front St., Read­ Call, Earl C, 145 Loyal Way, Pittsburgh Rules and Regulations of the Pa. Fish ing, Pa. Operating motor boat with­ 10, Pa. Rods not under immediate con­ Commission 20.00 out a license 10.00 trol 20.00 Yeager, Richard L., 305 Mill St., N. Brad­ Chuia, Lucy D., 323 Monongahela Ave., dock, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 Blair County Glassport, Pa. Fishing without a li­ Young, Alfred L., Indianola, Pa. Operat­ Ashcroft, Harry H., Altoona, Pa. Resist­ cense 25.00 ing motor boat without a license 10.00 ing an officer 100.00 Cobb, Harold, 2089 S. Court, Pittsburgh 5, P'leck, Merle I., 215 1st Ave., Altoona, Pa. Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Armstrong County Operating motor boat without a license 5.00 Corry, Thomas, 5330 Dresden Way, Pitts­ Hewitt, Andrew, Altoona, Pa. Operating burgh, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 Johns, Andrew, R. D. No. 1, Adrian, Pa. One pike in closed season 10.00 motor boat without a license 5.00 Drango, Joseph R., 406 Oak St., Terrace, Hubert, Gerald R., 1453 Clay Ave., Tyrone, Homestead, Pa. Operating a motor boat Chestnut, Samuel, R. D. No. 2, New Beth­ lehem, Pa. One bass in closed season 10.00 Pa. Exceeding creel limit 30.00 without a license 10.00 Hubert William L., 1453 Clay Ave., Tyrone, Fabinno, Mary R., 2545 Braddock Ave., Groves, W. Edgar, 146 Wallace Ave., Leechburg, Pa. Operating a motor boat Pa. Rods not under immediate con­ Swlssvale, Pa. Fishing without a li­ trol 20.00 cense 25.00 without a license 10.00 Hilty, Eugene, 419 S. Penna. Ave., Apollo, Hubert, William L„ 1453 Clay Ave., Tyrone, Ferraro, Bernard J., 6727 Rowan Ave., Pa. Exceeding creel limit 50.00 Pittsburgh, Pa. Fishing without a li­ Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Johns, Ralph, R.D. No. 1, Cowansville, McElwee, Mrs, Josephine, 310 Hudson cense 25.00 Ave., Altoona, Pa. Two bass in closed Fuze, Theresa J., 44B Potomac Drive, Mc- Pa. One pike in closed season 10.00 McClelland, Ross L., Dayton. Pa. Viola­ season 20.00 Kees Rocks, Pa. Fishing without a li­ Montgomery, Thomas G., R. F. D. No. 1, cense 25.00 tion of the Rules and Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Duncansville, Pa. Violation of the Rules Glatz, Edward J.. 119 Wilble Run Rd., and Regulations of the Pa. Fish Com­ Millvale, Pa. One frog In closed season 10.00 Mechling, Leonard T., R. D. No. 5. Kit- mission 20.00 Glose, James, 538 N. 5th St., Allentown, tanning, Pa. Operating motor boat without a license 5.00 O'Shell, William R„ 230 Chestnut Ave., Pa. Four undersized pickerel 40.00 Altoona, Pa. Lending a fishing license 25.00 Grahum, Joe W., 2009 Carson St., Pitts­ Panciera, Wade, Seminole, Pa. Fishing in posted waters 25.00 Risconsin, John, 1461'/2 Washington Ave., burgh, Pa. Rods hot under immediate Altoona, Pa. Violation of the Rules and control 20.00 Wolfe, Lester, R. D. No. 1. Adrian, Pa. One bass in closed season 10.00 Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Green, Ralph D., 321 Boggstown Ave.. Scheafer, Richard H., 304 Pleasant Valley Pittsburgh, 10, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 20.00 Blvd., Altoona, Pa. Operating a motor Hartman, Charles B„ Second St., Eliza­ Beaver County boat without a license 10.00 beth, Pa. Rods not under Immediate Channel. Everett A., 618 Sixth St., Beaver Tromm, Charles A., 319 Walton Ave., control 20.00 Falls, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 Altoona, Pa. Rods not under im­ Hoffman, George T., 133 Aria Drive, Pitts­ McAllister, Mrs. George, South Heights, mediate control 20.00 burgh 20, Pa. Operating a motor boat Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Zimmerer, Alfred C, 1457 Washington without a license 10.00 Rossa, William, 234 11th St., Beaver Falls, Ave.. Altoona, Pa. Violation of the Hopkins, R. C, 3141 Churchview Ave., Pa. Operating motor boat without a Rules and Regulations of the Pa. Fish Pittsburgh 27, Pa. Operating a motor license 10.00 Commission 20.00 boat without a license 10.00 Hudak, Edward A., 1267 Hodgkiss St., Pittsburgh 12, Pa. Fishing without a license '. 25.00 James, S. W., 323 N. Ralph St.. Bellevue, Pa. Operating motor boat without a license 10.00 Kulikowski, Henry P., 5315 Camelia St., Electric Fence May Be Answer To Lamprey Pittsburgh 1, Pa. Fishing in Slippery Rock Creek without a license 25.00 Lanaer, James, 324 Allen St., Pittsburgh The slimy, unattractive sea lamprey, which the river mud. Then they develop into 10, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 spends its life gnawing holes in fish, has "neophytes" and start down the rivers to Large John Sr., R. D. No. 3, Elizabeth, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 practically conquered the Great Lakes. Since their hunting grounds in the Lakes. Lesniak, Clement, 5205 Carnegie Ave., the first invasion of lampreys by way of the Pittsburgh, Pa. One undersized bass .. 10.00 Starting too soon may be a mistake that Lynch, John, 5015 Jordan Way, Pitts­ Welland Canal (.Time, June 16, 1947), they will cost the lampreys their conquest of burgh, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 have almost wiped out the lake trout and Mellin, Gilbert W., 107 Washington Ave.. the Great Lakes. In April, when the young Oakmont, Pa. Operating motor boat are now going after the whitefish. The loss lampreys are on the move, the water is without a license 10.00 in trout alone, according to the U. S. Fish Moran, G. A., 2006 Carey Way, Pittsburgh, still so cold that no baby fish are abroad. Pa. Rods not under immediate control 20.00 &. Wildlife Service, is costing fishermen some The observant Cook Co. designed an elec­ Mueller, Walter, 6505 Rowan St., Pitts­ $3,200,000 a year, and the lampreys have burgh, Pa. Operating motor boat with­ trified fence to throw across the rivers. out a license 10.00 only begun. Neophyte lampreys passing between its Nestor, Leslie A., 19 S. 6th St., Duquesne, Recently came the first good news for meshes are electrocuted. If the fence is Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Nettrour, Charles E., 52 N. Harrison Ave., fishermen, the first bad news for lampreys. taken away before the water gets warm, Bellevue, Pittsburgh, Pa. Operating The Cook Electrical Co. of Chicago an­ baby fish are unharmed. motor boat without a license 25.00 nounced that it had developed for the Gov­ Ofchinick, William, 713 Hickory St.. N. Killing the neophytes headed for the Lakes Braddock, Pa. Violation of the Rules ernment a lamprey-killing electric fence might eventually wipe out the lampreys, and Regulations on Youngwoman's which works fine on laboratory lampreys Creek 20.00 but Cook is also trying to figure out a way Pickl, Herman J., 218 Sample St., Millvale, and shows promise of killing them in the Pa. Illegal device 20.00 wild. of dealing with adult lampreys headed up­ Poslusney. Joseph M„ 349 44th St., Pitts­ stream to spawn. The trouble is, lampreys burgh, Pa. Illegal operation of motor The approved way to attack a pest is to boat 10.00 study its life cycle in hope of finding a weak move upstream at the same time as valuable Rllke, Michael Jr., 5142 Natrona Way, spawning fish. The Cook people are looking Pittsburgh, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 spot. Observers noted that the lamprey, an Rizzo, Gilbert J., 722 Naylor St., Green­ eel-like creature about two feet long, reaches for something that will annoy and delay field, Pa. Operating motor boat with­ out a license .* 10.00 maturity in the lakes and then migrates up lampreys. If the lampreys could be made Saveikis. Anthony W., R. D. 1, Oakdale, the rivers to spawn. The young are fragile to hang back, they could be safely electro­ Pa. Operating motor boat without a license 10.00 larvae that spend three years burrowing in cuted after the fish had passed by.

14 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Zimmerer, Herman M., 3132 Oak Ave., Buck, Robert, R. D., Woodland, Pa. Pish­ Medintz. Michael, 222 E. Main St., Altoona, Pa. Violation of the Rules ing in posted stream 25.00 Mechanicsburg, Pa. Operating motor and Regulations of the Pa. Pish Com­ Conaway, Ben, Kaethaus, Pa. One un­ boat without displaying license plates 10.00 mission 20.00 dersized bass 10.00 Rearick, George D., 17 Big Spring Ave., Fleck, Norman, Winburne, Pa. Violation Ncwville, Pa. Violation of the Rules Bradford County of the Rules and Regulations of the Pa. and Regulations of the Pa. Fish Com­ Camp, Rev. Russell R., Canton, Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 mission 20.00 Operating motor boat without a license 10.00 Nickerson, Joseph L., 136 W. Long Ave., Thornton, Richard, R. D. No. 3, Pish, William H. Jr., 234 Center St., DuBois, Pa. Pishing in posted stream 25.00 Mechanicsburg, Pa. Fishing in a closed Athens, Pa. Operating motor boat Stewart, M. A., 101 S. Jared St., DuBois, stream 25.00 without a license 10.00 Pa. Operating motor boat without a Uglow, Albert, 343 Fort St., Shippensburg, Johnson, Charles, R. D. No. 6, Towanda, license 10.00 Pa. One frog on Sunday 10.00 Pa. Selling five hellgrammites 50.00 Thomas, Herbert, 1304 Turnpike Ave., Wagner, Park L., Allen, Pa. Fishing in Sink, D. Thomas, R. D. No. 1, Rome, Pa. Clearfield, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .. 90.00 a closed stream 25.00 One undersized brook trout 10.00 Smith, Harold, R. D. No. 1, Canton, Pa. Clinton County Dauphin County Operating motor boat without a license 10.00 Ammerman, Frank, 895 E. Baldeagle St., Bell, David Jr., 1635 Paxtang St., Harris- Vanderpool, Walter, R. D. No. 6, Towanda, Lock Haven, Pa. Fishing in a posted burg, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Pa. Exceeding creel limit . .• 50.00 stream 25.00 Dehrdorff, Leon, 1122 S. Cameron St., Floruss, Harry D., 659 Wood Ave., Flem- Harrisburg, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Bucks County ington, Pa. Violation of the Rules and Garner, Ellie S., 1932 State St., Harris­ Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 burg, Pa. Violation of the Rules and Haag. Edward, 1955 Dixon Ave.. Croydon, Floruss, Harry D., 659 Wood Ave., Flem- Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commis­ Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 ington, Pa. Violation of the Rules and sion 20.00 Home, Richard, 821 W. Broad St., Quaker- Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commis­ Garner, Ira W., 1933 State St., Harrisburg, town, Pa. Pishing in a closed stream .. 25.00 sion 50.00 Pa. Violation of the Rules and Regula­ Lawrence, Mae, 114 Crescent St., Pendell, Morton, Harold, 939 Bellefohte Ave., Lock tions of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Pa. Pishing without a license 25.00 Haven, Pa. Violation of the Rules and Kohler, Walker, Harrisburg, Pa. Violation Newmann, Wencel A., 1009 Evergreen Rd., Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commis­ of the Rules and Regulations of the Morrisville, Pa. Operating a motor boat sion 40.00 Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 without a license 10.00 Hunt, Irvin W., 210 E. Water St., Lock Landis, Roscoe N., 423 Muench St., Harris­ Haven, Pa. Fishing in a posted stream 25.00 burg, Pa. Violation of the Rules and Butler County Jones, Gene A., Ill Mill St., Lock Haven, Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Allen, Edgar D., 219 S. Jackson St., Evans Pa. Violation of the Rules and Regula­ Lilley, Max E., 635 Woodbine St., Harris­ City, Pa. One undersized trout 10.00 tions of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 burg, Pa. One bass in closed season .. 10.00 Hoftman, Richard, Harrisville, Pa. Pish­ Stover. Paul, 110 Washington St., Lock Peline, E. A., 3101 Butler, St., Pehbrook, ing in a closed stream 25.00 Haven, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Snyder, Laird, 140 N. Washington St., Zlaus, John A., Star Route, Renovo, Pa. Evans City, Pa. One undersized trout 10.00 Violation of the Rules and Regulations Delaware County of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Delgrego, Paul J., 101 E. Township Line, Cambria County Kirklyn, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .. 20.00 Columbia County Dunn. John J., 718 Kerlin St., Chester, Cooke, Robert, Vintondale, Pa. Feeding Pa. Exceeding creel limit 20.00 fish from bridge 20.00 Waters, Henry E., 208 Orchard St., Ber­ Cornelius, Ray N., R. D. No. 5, Johns­ wick, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Francisco, Katherlne, 707 Potter St., Ches­ town, Pa. Illegal operation of motor ter, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 boat 10.00 Crawford County Hartman, B. W., Box 43, Drexel Hill, Pa. Cox, Nelson H., 406 Pershing St., Galllt- Allen, Robert K„ 1151C Cozy St., Mead- Exceeding creel limit 20.00 zin, Pa. Violation of the Rules and ville, Pa. Operating motor boat with­ Haynes, Elton H., 28 S. Orange St., Apt. out displaying license plates 10.00 1, Media, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Regulations of the Pa. Pish Commission 20.00 Morrison, Alfred W., Bethel Rd., R. D. Dixon, David A., Glasgow, Pa. Violation Baker, Roy, Box 177, Harmonsburg, Pa. No. 1, Chester, Pa. Fishing without a of the Rules and Regulations of the Pa. Unlawful removal of fish from com­ license 25.00 Pish Commission 20.00 mercial nets 50.00 Geirth, John, 410 Mclntyre Ave., Patton, Bradley, Lawrence W., R. D. No. 2, Con- Schab, Joseph, 604 Maddoc St., Crum Pa. Fishing a posted stream 25.00 neaut Lake, Pa. Operating motor boat Lynne, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 20.00 without displaying license plates .... 10.00 Lapenna, Michael A., Flinton, Pa. Fish­ Elk County ing a posted stream 25.00 Cooper, Boyd, 698 State St., Meadville, Pa. Rodkey, Fred W., 442 Dorothy Ave., Fishing without a license 25.00 Meyers, Theodore M., 421 W. Mill St., Johnstown, Pa. Violation of the Rules Davis, Charles A., R. D. No. 3, Titusville, St. Marys, Pa. One frog in closed and Regulations of the Pa. Fish Com­ Pa. Violation of the rules and regula­ season 10.00 mission 20.00 tions of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Ryva, John, 172 Iron St., Johnstown, Pa. Gigone, Howard A., 226 E. Mt. Vernon St., Erie County Fishing without a license 25.00 Titusville, Pa. Fishing without a li­ Burt, Harold C 118 Meadville St., Edin- Seliga, Julius, Winbur, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 cense 25.00 boro, Pa. Operating motor boat with­ Striker, William, R. F. D. No. 1, Johns­ Kapanik, John Jr., R. D. No. 2, Meadville, out a license 10.00 town, Pa. Pishing without a license 25.00 Pa. Unlawful removal of fish from Carpenter, James, 754 E. 14th St., Erie, Weaver, Harold D., Sidman, Pa. One bass commercial nets 50.00 Pa. One undersized bass and viola­ in closed season 10.00 Post, Samuel, R. D. No. 2, Hartstown, Pa. tion of the rules and regulations of Whited, W. Ray, Barnesboro. Pa. Viola­ One frog in closed season 10.00 the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 tion of the Rules and Regulations of Post, Samuel, R. D. No. 2, Hartstown, Pa. Cross, F. R., 921 W. 31st St., Erie, Pa. the Pa. Pish Commission 20.00 Resisting arrest 100.00 One undersized trout 10.00 Rutter, William, Conneaut Lake Park, Pa. Ester, George H., R. F. D. No. 1, Water- Carbon County Operating motor boat without display­ ford, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 ing license plates 10.00 Leininger, Harold G., 8 W. Main St., Arthur, Stanley, Beaver Meadows, Pa. Fairview, Pa. Failure to display li­ Fishing in a closed stream 25.00 Cumberland County cense plates on motor boat 5.00 Gayeski, Martin, 609 E. Abbott St., Lans- ford, Pa. Interfering with ah officer 100.00 Handshew, Clarence, R. D. No. 2, Carlisle, Liebert, Frank, 1824 Wayne St., Erie, Houser, Harry H., 225 E. White St., Sum­ Pa. Three bass in closed season 30.00 Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 mit Hill, Pa. Fishing in a closed stream 25.00 Petruska, George, Beaver Meadows, Pa. Violation of the Rules and Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 25.00 What's the Matter With the Fishing? Stroka, Peter, 627 E. Bertch St., Lansford, Pa. Refused to show a license 25.00 By Bill Walsh a fish, he must fish his bait or plug slowly. The bass is not ready to expend too much Centre County Every year as we enter into the summer energy in chasing food during warm weather. Confer, Richard, Howard, Pa. One under­ sized trout 10.00 doldrums we hear complaints about the fish­ Heavier lures are the answer for the plug Pranik, John M., 306 10th St., Phillips- ing. What's the matter—we know the fish caster in getting his bait down into "fishable" burg, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 McGirk, John D., 17 N. Front St., Phil- are there, why don't they bite? The answers water. Drifting slowly over deep spots is lipsburg. Pa. Violations of the Rules are many and varied and the real answer the answer for the live bait fisherman, keep­ and Regulations of the Pa. Fish Com­ mission 20.00 is probably a combination of all of these. ing plenty of weight on the line to get the Neale, David, Moshannon, Pa. Thirteen There are some things, however, which the bait down. Undersized trout 130.00 Neale, David, Moshannon, Pa. Exceeding angler should remember about mid-summer Fish that are sulking in the deeper spots creel limit 10.00 fishing which might improve his luck. all day are apt to work into the shallows Chester County In the first place, the game fish are not on cool evenings. When the fisherman notices St. John, Senia, 130 Pikeland Ave., Spring to be found in the warm waters, particularly a sudden drop in temperature along toward City, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 during the daylight hours. Bass, for ex­ evening he should try the shallow spots Strohl, Leroy S. Jr., Bra'ndamore, Pa. Operating motor boat without a license 10.00 ample, at this time of the year, will be found (which cool off quickly) for a feeding fish. hiding out in the deeper waters of the lake The same is true in stream fishing where Cla rion County and the bay because these waters are cooler. the rapidly moving waters of the shallows Hetrick, V. Roy, New Bethlehem, Pa. Operating motor boat without a license 10.00 At this time of the year they are not so are cooler than the sluggish waters of the Landers, George, Main St., Clarion, Pa. ready to strike at any lure that comes pass­ deep pools when the sun has left them. Operating motor boat without display­ ing license plates 5.00 ing by. The weather has slowed them down Minnows or huge wet flies are best for this and they are not actively on the feed all evening type of stream fishing, for bass or Clearfield County the time. For this reason, after one has for trout. The addition of a spinner often Buck, Perry, R. D., Woodland, Pa. Fish­ ing in posted stream 25.00 found a deep spot which is likely to harbor helps.

SEPTEMBER —1950 15 Sereno, James, 429 W. 11th St., Erie, Pa. Curto, Bobert, 626 N. Main Ave., Archa- Pierce, George A., 130 S. Queen St., Altering a Ashing license 25.00 bald, Pa. Operating a motor boat Lancaster, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 without 'displaying license plates 5.00 Pugh, John A., 735 Beaver St., Lancaster, Fayette County Gentile, Peter, 44 Hospital St.. Carbon- Pa. Operating a motor boat without Bayles, Charles N., 238 Crossland Ave., dale, Pa. Operating a motor boat displaying license plates 10.00 Uniontown, Pa. Operating a motor without a license 10.00 Ra'nnels, Charles Jr., 329 S. Marshall boat without a license 25.00 Kennedy, Jack D., 203 4th St., Blakely, Pa. St., Lancaster, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 Sebeck, Eugene, Grindstone, Pa. Op­ Operating a motor boat without dis­ Ruby, Raymond, 26 E. Front St., Marietta, erating a motor boat without a license 10.00 playing license plates 5.00 Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 Thorpe, Alfred, Box 349, Smithfleld, Pa. Man, E. Lester, 212 Fairview Bd., Clarks Sinclair, Robert, 255 Marthart Ave., Operating motor boat without lights 10.00 Green, Pa. Operating motor boat with­ Havertown, Pa. Fishing in a closed out displaying license plates 5.00 stream 25.00 Morris, Harman, 318 Wilbur St., Scran­ Spotts, Paul, Bowmansvllle, Pa. Illegal Forest County ton, Pa. Operating a motor boat with­ device 20.00 Cooper, Joseph, 303 Cherry St., McDonald, out displaying license plates 10.00 Wool, Clyde, 305 N. Mulberry St., Lan­ Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 Petkus, Peter, 121 Pike St., Carbondale, caster, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Johnson, John, West Hickory, Pa. Ex­ Pa. One bass in closed season 10.00 ceeding creel limit 10 00 Petroske, Stanley, 348 E. Locust St., Lawrence County Beddlck, Clark H., West Hickory, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Illegal operation of motor Exceeding creel limit 10.00 boat 20.00 Bell Lorenzo, 719 Preston Ave., New Pulaski, Anthony, 1495 S. Sherman Ave., Castle, Pa. Lending fishing license to Scranton, Pa. Three pickerel in closed wife 25.00 Franklin County season 30.00 Haines, Ernest, Fountain Hotel, New Fisher, Harold B., R. D. No. 5, Chambers- Towanick, Peter, 121 Montgomery St., Castle, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 burg, Pa. Bods not under immediate Moosic, Pa. Operating a motor boat Haines, Ernest, Fountain Hotel, New control 20.00 without displaying license plates 10.00 Castle, Pa. Bods not under immediate Golden, Charles T., R. D. No. 1, Fayette- Wettelet, August, R. D. No. 3, Moscow, control 20.00 ville, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Haverstock, Clarence, 821 S. Main St., Lebanon County Chambersburg, Pa. One bass in closed Lancaster County season 10 00 Deluca, Fred A., 314 W. Main St., Myers- Pepple, Glenn A., B. D. No. 2, Green- Becker, Albert, 426 Chestnut St., town, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 50.00 castle, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 Columbia, Pa. Operating motor boat Seiger, Bobert, Palmyra, Pa. Fishing with Saunders, Roy D., 272 S. Main St., Cham­ without displaying license plates 10.00 a borrowed license 25.00 bersburg, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .. 10.00 Hildebrand, Kenneth, Pequea, Pa. Op­ Sperrow, Rudolph, Lebanon, Pa. Viola­ Smith, James J., R. D. No. 2, Mercers- erating a motor boat without display­ tion of the Bules and Regulations of burg, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 ing license plates 5.00 the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Howells, Bobert B., 318 Atkins Ave., Lan­ Tice, Leroy M., 1131 Walnut St„ Lebanon, caster, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .... 30.00 Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 Fulton County Humphreville. Alton C, 401 W. Orange St., Lancaster, Pa. Fishing in posted Peck, Chester J., Needmore, Pa. Illegal Lehigh County device 20.00 waters 25.00 Peck, Chester J., Needmore, Pa. Fishing Kauft'man, Raymond, Washington Boro, Roth, David H., 447 2nd St., Slatington, without a license 25 00 Pa. Operating a motor boat without Pa. One frog in closed season 10.00 Peck, Chester J., Needmore, Pa. Taking displaying license plates 10.00 Roth. David H., 447 2nd St., Slatington, bullfrogs with an artificial light 25.00 Manning, Lloyd, R. D. No. 1, Washington Pa. Fishing in a closed stream 25.00 Peck, Chester J., Needmore, Pa. One Boro, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Sawruk, Walter, 949 Gordon St., Allen- undersized pickerel 10.00 Miller, George J„ 28 N. Pine St., Lan­ town, Pa. Fishing without a license .. 25.00 Walls. Lloyd D„ Needmore, Pa. One caster, Pa. Fishing in posted waters 25.00 Smeltz, William, Jr., 1934 Virginia St., undersized bass 10 00 Miller, Paul E., R. D. No. 1, Pequea, Pa. Allentown, Pa. One bass in closed Walls, Lloyd D„ Needmore, Pa. Illegal Illegal device 20.00 season 10.00 device 20.00 Walls, Lloyd D., Needmore, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Walls, Lloyd D., Needmore, Pa. Taking bullfrogs with an artificial light 25.00 as close as anybody to putting into words Greene County What's New the thought-world of the angler without Boden. Arthur, Box 166, Bobtown, Pa. losing its form on its delicacy, is Howard Exceeding creel limit 10.00 T. Walden in his book Upstream and Down. Reviewed by Hugh Johnson This is a reissue by the Macmillan Company Huntingdon County (New York, N. Y.) at a $3.00 price of a Arnold, Henry, Robertsdale, Pa. Viola­ tion of the Rules and Regulations of book originally published in 1938 by the the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Derrydale Press at approximately three times Hetrick, Fred, 410 Washington St., Mt. Union, Pa. Violations of the Rules in Fishing Books the price. Mr. Walden writes charmingly and Begulations of the Pa. Fish Com­ and honestly about Fishermen (the Bare­ mission 20.00 foot Boy, the Old Timer, Artists and Sci­ Norris, Solomon G., James Creek, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 entists, the Purist, the Hog, and other types), Norris, Solomon G., James Creek, Pa. about Times and Weathers, Luck versus Three undersized bass 30.00 The average fisherman has no trouble at Norris, Solomon G., James Creek, Pa. all in telling his wife and friends the con­ Skill, Places, Gear, Fish Sense, and other Interfering with an officer 100.00 crete things that happen to him on a trout subjects, and it is all unsually enjoyable Shunk, Frank, 203 Spruce St., Hunting­ don, Pa. Fished with worms 20.00 stream—the number of fish caught, the big reading because you get the weird but ex­ Stallman, Cloyd S., B. D. No. 1, Mt. one that took leader and all, the size of the citing sensation that you are in Mr. Walden's Union, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Steel Boy D., Aitch, Pa. Fishing without snake he killed, the ferocity of the bull that waders and that it is you expressing your­ a license 25.00 chased him, and the slippery stone that crept self rather than the author. Here, without up behind him and tripped him head-over- sentimentality, is real angling philosophy, Indiana County heels. These are tangible little adventures, the articulation of what the civilized trout Dufialo, Jan, 178 Bldge Ave., Homer City, Pa. Two pike In closed season 20.00 the surface manifestations of trout fishing. fisherman really enjoys about his sport. Fellcko, Steve O., 24 Penn St., Clymer, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 But most of us have long since given up Upstream and Down is concerned only Miller, Bede B., St. Benedict, Pa. Fish­ trying to tell others, especially non-fisher­ incidentally with the technical virtuosity ing without a license 25.00 men, of what we think about while stream Baymond, Carl B., R. D. No. 1, Ebens- which adds an extra trout or two to your burg. Pa. Exceeding creel limit 20.00 fishing for trout, what goes on in our minds, creel. It's not a how-to-catch-more-and- Vukoder, Mike, Altman, Pa. Illegal of the third-dimensional area of trout fish­ bigger trout book, but it is—in the finest device 20.00 ing experience. The difficulty is that what tradition of Henry VanDyke and Bliss Perry Jefferson County we feel and think about on a trout stream —a series of essays direct from a real fisher­ Philips, Paul, 310 Pennsylvania Ave., stems from the inarticulately intimate, sen­ man's heart, representing a credo of angling Punxsutawney, Pa. Exceeding creel sitively strung relationship between the which most fishermen will recognize im­ limit 10.00 Repiscak, Samuel, 916 7th Ave., Brock- "inner man" and the beautifully isolated mediately and fondly as their own. Mr. way, Pa. Violation of the Bules and world through which a trout stream flows. Walden loves fishing, but he also has a fishy Regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Vance, Harold Jr., Tannery Bd„ Falls These thoughts and feelings that come to eye for the artificialities that have grown Creek. Pa. Illegal device 28.00 us as we fish, other than those directly con­ with it, as when he writes: I know of no Walchack, Bobert J. Delancey, Pa. Trans­ ferring fishing license 25.00 nected with the catching of fish, are vigorous sport so riddled with taboos, so gangrenous and life-giving and right in every way when with snobbery, so reeking with cant, as trout Lackawanna County we keep them to ourselves, but when we try fishing. The purist is an aristocrat, the fly Anscavage, Andrew S., 37 Ollendike St., to put them into words on paper or in con­ fisherman a gentleman, and the wormer 0 Throop. Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Baryla, John, 1828 Clearvlew St., Scranton, versation, they either trail off into noth­ boor, according to the dicta of all that which Pa. Operating motor boat without ingness or are reduced to squashy sentimen­ is cheap and false in this great diversion. displaying license plates 5.00 Bonitz, Guss, B. D. No. 3, Moscow, Pa. tality. This is a book with backbone and glowing Exceeding creel limit 10.00 One fisherman, however, who has came personality, and I recommend it highly. l(i PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Luzerne County Williamsport, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Blanchard, Joseph, 415 Foote St., Duryea, Johns, Clarence, Box 82, Newberry, Pa. Pa. Exceeding creel limit 20.00 Violation of the rules and regulations Carey, Vincent, 15 Green St., Edwards- of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Try Tying Hair Bugs vllle, Pa. Fishing in a closed stream .. 25.00 Koznowski, Adam, Ralston, Pa. Fishing Chapman, Fred L., 191 Willow St., Wilkes- in a closed stream 25.00 (From page 6) Barre, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 Libby, Charles A., 121 E. Church St., Facciponti, Shirley, 6 W. Railroad St., Williamsport, Pa. Fishing in a closed Plttston, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 stream 25.00 Gazey, Abraham J., 214 High St., Wllkes- Lundy, George J., 227 Hughes St., Barre, Pa. Six bass in closed season .. 60.00 Williamsport, Pa. Fishing in a closed Jatkowski, Thomas, 3 Weaton St., W. stream 25.00 Wyoming, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .. 10.00 Stewart, Hurley E., 864 First St., yellow, red, white and brown. You can Kozak, Frank, E. Centre St., Shaver- Williamsport, Pa. Fishing in a closed town, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 stream 25.00 very easily fill your tackle box with Krapf, John, 522 Lincoln St., Hazleton, these lures and be prepared and ready Pa. Illegal operation of motor boat .. 25.00 Kunicki, John J., 117 Smith St., Dupont, McKean County for the times when black bass are sur­ Pa. Illegal operation of motor boat .. 10.00 Gould, Norman E., 7 Merrow Ave., Brad­ face feeding. Mentlone, Faust, Rear 31 E. Railroad ford, Pa. One undersized trout 10.00 St., Plttston, Pa. One bass in closed Miller, Charles W., Ceres, Pa. Fishing Armed with a fly rod and an assort­ season 10.00 without a license 25.00 Museleno, Vincezo, 2250 Fern St., Free- Oaks, Leonard, R. F. D. No. 1, Bradford, ment of these hair bugs, you can rest land, Pa. Two undersized bass 20.00 Pa. Operating a motor boat without assured that you can take bass in any Nause, Clyde, W. Market St., Sheppton, a license 10.00 Pa. Fishing in a closed stream 25.00 Palmatier, Leonard C, Hetula, Pa. Nine part of Pennsylvania as well as from Olsheski, Peter, 104 Chittenden St., undersized trout 90.00 Duryea, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .... 20.00 Maine to Florida. Not only are you Pascavage, Joseph,.- 32 E. Grove St., Ed- wardsville, Pa. Fishing in a closed Mercer County able to equip yourself with a good as­ stream 25.00 Diegan, James, 1175 Sharon Ave., Sharon, sortment of these lures, but catching Richards, John, 58 Hughes St., Luzerne, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Pa. One pickerel in closed season 10.00 Lilly, Robert, R. D. No. 2, Sharon, Pa. bass on bugs constructed by yourself Richards, Thomas, 9 George St., Pittston, Illegal operation of motor boat 25.00 will add a charm to angling that is Pa. One bass in closed season 10.00 Searfoss, Earnest, Jr., 1026 Exeter Ave., otherwise unknown. Pittston, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .. 10.00 Mifflin County Szhlewski, Vincent, 221 Chestnut St., Arnold, Charles C, 707 Maple Ave., So try tying some hair bugs now, Dupont, Pa. Two undersized pickerel 20.00 Lewistown, Pa. Operating a motor boat you'll find it a delightful pastime. Thomas, Robert, 1 Wayne St., W. Hazle­ without a license 10.00 ton, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 20.00 Bartlett, James H, R. D. No. 2, Lewis- town, Pa. Violation of the rules and regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Lycoming County Eckley, Robert L., Granville, Pa. Rods Philadelphia County Blair George P., 1008 Memorial Ave., not under immediate control 20.00 Blum, Milton A., 2445 S. American St., Wllliamsport, Pa. Violation of the Harshbarger, Warren A., R. D. No. 2, Philadelphia, Pa. Fishing without a rules and regulations of the Pa. Fish Lewistown, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 license 25.00 Commission 20.00 Shawver, Nevin E., R. D. No. 2, Lewis- Chippendale, Edward W., 4658 James St., Colburn, Malcom F., R. D. No. 2, Muncy, town, Pa. Violation of the rules and Philadelphia, Pa. Fishing without a Pa. Fishing in a closed stream 25.00 regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 license 25.00 Fulmer, Donald, 1737 Lycoming Creek Taylor, Curtis L., R. D. No. 3, Lewis- Cullen, James, 1206 S. Ruby St., Phila­ Rd., Wllliamsport, Pa. Violation of the town, Pa. Violation of the rules and delphia, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 rules and regulations on Slate Run .. 20.00 regulations of the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 Curtis, Richard, 955 E. Chelten Ave., Getgen, Herman, 515 Depot St., Williams- Philadelphia, Pa. Fishing without a port, Pa. Operating motor boat with­ license 25.00 out displaying license plates 10.00 Montgomery County Lehman, Clarence J., 218 W. Chew St., Hershey, Clarence H, 424 Mulberry St., Beve, Albert, 69 Jamison St., Lacey Park, Philadelphia, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 Montoursville, Pa. Fishing In a closed Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 Magilner, Albln, 1746 E. Washington Lane, stream 25.00 Chuck, Julius, 2nd Ave., Royersford, Pa. Philadelphia, Pa. Operating a motor Jennings, Laughlin B., 1119 Franklin St., Lending a license 25.00 boat without a license 10.00 Chuck, Michael, 53 Second Ave., Royers­ Mahammitte, Charles V., 1923 N. 12th ford, Pa. Fishing without a license .. 25.00 St., Philadelphia, Pa. Fishing without Dickey, Wilson Sr., Skippack, Pa. Viola­ a license 25.00 tion of the rules and regulations of Mancier, Joseph, 1107 Parrish Place, Phila­ the Pa. Fish Commission 20.00 delphia, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 The Fallfish Haylnum, Rich, 666 Woodcrett Ave., Ard- Schoellman, William, 203 Chelten Ave., more, Pa. Fishing in a closed stream .. 25.00 Philadelphia, Pa. Reckless operation (From page 5) Irvin, Samuel W., Gravel Rd., College- of motor boat 75.00 ville, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Weinstein, Philip, 2444 S. American St., Kessler, Joseph M., 757 Cricket St., Philadelphia, Pa. Fishing without a Ardsley, Pa. Exceeding creel limit .. 20.00 license 25.00 Nast, John E., R. D. 1, Lansdale, Pa. Wyatt, Jack, 4725 Oakmont St., Phila­ Operating a motor boat without dis­ delphia, Pa. Lending a fishing license 25.00 the surface, I employ a large dry fly, playing license plates 10.00 Onufer, John J., 744 Farley St., Sweeds- such as the white or Gray Wulff, burg, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Potter County Trunk, Carmen, 515 East Ave,, Glenslde, Phillips, Walter L., Box 114, Shingle- simply because it doesn't drown as Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 house, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 quickly as more delicately tied dries. I have never found anything wrong Northampton County Schuylkill County Benner, Charles H., 1153 Westover Lane, Bova, Lovis, R. D. No. 1, Ringtown, Pa. with the fallfish as food, except that Bethlehem, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 Two undersized pickerel 20.00 Frace, Bertram C, 2121 W. Broad St., Chapasco, Daniel, 333 W. Oak St., Shenan­ they are rather bony. This is easy to Bethlehem, Pa. Fishing in a closed doah, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 overcome, though. When the big stream 25.00 Friday, Alfred, R. D. No. 1, Ashland, Pa. Gotzon, Francis, 1399 E. Eighth St., Illegal device 20.00 scales have been removed from the Bethlehem, Pa. Fishing without a Kocher, William, 506 N. 2nd St., Potts- cleaned fish and it is being prepared license 25.00 vllle, Pa. Operating a motor boat Gotzon, Francis, 1399 E. Eighth St., without displaying license plates 10.00 for the pan, take a sharp knife and Bethlehem, Pa. Fishing in a posted Rehatchek, Edward, 175 Penn St., stream 25.00 Tamaqua, Pa. Fishing without a li­ score it several times on both sides Pusch, John, 1241 First Ave., Hellertown, cense 25.00 the entire length of the body. Make Pa. Fishing in a closed stream 25.00 Sakusky, Anthony, 264 Blaine St., Mc- Selveiki, Donald, 1393 E. Eighth St., Adoo, Pa. One undersized bass ... 10 00 the cuts deep enough to go through Bethlehem, Pa. Fishing without a Schoffstall, Clarence. 1819 Elk Ave license 25.00 Pottsvllle, Pa. Fishing in a closed the small rib bones. Then, when the Selveiki, Donald, 1393 E. Eighth St., stream 25.00 fish is fried or broiled, the heat will Bethlehem, Pa. Fishing in a closed get to these small bones and cook stieam 25.00 Snyder County Ritter, Ernest E., R. F. D. No. 2, Winfleld, them into nothingness. The same Northumberland County Pa. One bass In closed season 10.00 thing, by the way, can be done with Anderson, Michael M., 821 Clay St., Ritter, Ernest E„ R. F. D. No. 2, Winfleld, Shamokin, Pa. One undersized pickerel 10.00 Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 all fine-boned fish. Angelo, Leonard A., Keyser, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 I, for one, would miss the fallfish Angelo, Leonard A., Keyser, Pa. One Somerset County bass In closed season 10.00 Beistel, Walter, R. F. D. No. 1, Hoovers- if it disappeared from Pennsylvania Cutis, Michael, 115 N. Hickory St., Mt. vllle, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 streams, and am glad that it has full Carmel, Pa. Violation of the rules Durst, Henry, R. D. No. 3, Somerset, Pa. and regulations of the Pa. Fish Com­ Fishing without a license 25.00 status as a game fish. Perhaps I like mission 20.00 Durst, Henry, R. D. No. 3, Somerset, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 it most because it has saved me from Guydo, Alex J., Senior, Pa. Fishing In being completely skunked on more Perry County a closed stream 20.00 J. F. Bensel and Kenneth Horting, New­ Henry, Oscar, R. D. No. 3, Rockwood, Pa. than one fishing trip. port, Pa. Antl-dating a fishing license 100.00 Illegal operation of motor boat 10.00

SEPTEMBER —1950 17 Plpta, Mrs. Julia, 91 School Ave., Jerome, York County Kenmore, Bernard 119 Fairfield Ave., Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Kenmore, N. Y. Operating a motor Eose, Herman L., Box 73, Senior, Pa. Kuhn, Ralph, 765 Carlisle St., Hanover, boat without a license 10.00 Fishing In a closed stream 25.00 Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 Lubniewski, Stanley, 117 Prospect St., McMahon, Charles, 251 N. Second St., Binghamtoh, N. Y. Operating a motor Susquehanna County Columbia, Pa. Operating a motor boat boat without a license 10.00 without a license 10.00 McFadden, Richard B., 2452 Delaware Ave., Drasler. Rudolf L.. 112 Vine St., Forest Buffalo, N. Y. Six undersized trout .. 60.00 City, Pa. One bass in closed season .. 10.00 Out of State Norris, Walter, 61 E. 177th St., New York Hale, Theodore F., 630 Catala Ct., Santa City. Fishing without a license 25.00 Tioga County Clara, Cal. Fishing without a license 25.00 Terzo, Nicklos T., 889 Bushwick St., Boom, Bay, Westfleld, Pa. Two under­ Eastburn, 315 Cranston Ave., Wilming­ Brooklyn, N. Y. Fishing without a sized bass 20.00 ton, Del. Fishing without a license .. 25.00 license 25.00 Conva, Frank, 15 King St., Wellsboro, Nestor, John W., 215 Edgewood Dr., Vought, William C, Box 185, Roxbury, Pa. Three undersized bass 30.00 Wilmington Del. Fishing without a N. Y. Fishing without a license 25.00 Holley, Thomas Jr., Morris Run, Pa. license 25.00 Allied Terminals, Inc.. 1700 Standard Lending a fishing a license 25.00 Kintuer, Edwin L., 839 Locust St., Bldg., Cleveland, Ohio. Polluting with Houghtellng, Leonard V., Box 15 Buffalo Winnetka, 111. Illegal device 20.00 oil in Presque Isle Bay 100.00 St., Elkland Pa. Fishing without a Miller, William S., 5442 Winthrop Ave., Heck, Ralph W.. Columbiaho, R. D. 1, license 25.00 Chicago, 111. Fishing without a license 25.00 Ohio. Operating a motorboat without Jessup, Howard E., Blossburg, Pa. Fish­ Bonebrake, Charles W., 309 Bryon Place, a license 25.00 ing without a license 25.00 Hagerstown, Md. Fishing without a Kline, Betty J., Box 233, TJniontown. R. Loslnger, Russell M., R. F. D. No. 4, license 25.00 D. 1, Ohio. Fishing without a license 25.00 Wellsboro, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 Shell, Arthur T., 7102 Taylor St., Land- Kline, Earl E., Box 233, TJniontown, R. over Hills, Md. Giving false informa­ D. 1, Ohio. Fishing without a license 25.00 Union County tion to secure license 25.00 Lawrence, William, 778 E. 93rd St., Cleve­ Capko, Joseph, 186 Cambridge Ave., Gar- land, Ohio. Trespassing and fishing in Dingle, Fred J., White Deer, Pa. Op­ Held, N. J. Fishing without a license 25.00 State Fish Hatchery 100.00 erating a motor boat without display­ Kemmeyer, Clyde, 345 Depue St., Dumont, Horabaugh, Jack, 2393 Klngsley Dr., ing license plates 10.00 N. J. Fishing without a license 25.00 Akron, Ohio. Fishing without license 25.00 Filco, George, 25651 25th St., Long Island, Hinicker, Jerome J., Falls Church, Va. Venango County N. Y. Fishing without a license 25.00 Operating motor boat without a license 10.00 Ahrens, Richard, Imperial St., Oil City, Pa. Fishing in a closed stream 25.00 Archer, Garland A., Franklin, Pa. Op­ erating a motor boat without display­ ing license plates 5.00 Beggs, John, 1009 Elk St., Franklin, Pa. Streamside Life Operating a motor boat without a license 10.00 Bernstein, R. L., 35 Big Oak Drive, Franklin, Pa. Fishing In a posted THE YELLOW BIRCH stream 25.00 Burchill, Arthur L., 19 Hazel St., Franklin, Pa. Operating a motor boat without By Robert Leo Smith a license 10.00 Gercnday, Joseph, Route 1, Oil City, Pa. Fishing in a closed stream 25.00 When the angler finds along the stream- green. The leaves, 4 inches long and borne Warren County side a tree with bronze colored bark that is in pairs, are oval, pointed and sharply Shepard, Wilbur. Russell, Pa. One frog peeling off in loose, curly sheets around the toothed, dark green above and yellow green In closed season 10.00 trunk, he can mark it down as a friend. It Sweet. Charles A., R. D. No. 4, Sugar beneath. Grove, Pa. One frog In closed season 10.00 it the yellow birch, to the outdoorsman one A typical hardwood of northeastern of the most useful trees. The aromatic bark United States, the yellow birch is found on Washington County of the smaller twigs is as tasty to chew as rich soil in moist woodlands, especially along Carey, Evelyn, 139 Shrub Ave., Wash­ ington, Pa. Fishing without a license 25.00 young wintergreen leaves. The papery bark streams and the borders of swamps. Here Doyle, Alfred F., Marlanna, Pa. Ex­ is highly inflammable even when wet, burn­ it is associated with beech and maple, hem­ ceeding creel limit 10.00 Gessler, Carl J„ 32 W. College St., Can- ing with a fragrant, oily smoke. Many have lock, red spruce and balsam fir. Although nonsburg, Pa. Fishing in nursery found yellow birch bark tinder the only foresters consider the yellow birch more or .waters 100.00 Hampson, John E., > Meadowlands, Pa. sure way to start a camp fire on a rainy day. less an inferior species, it is nevertheless Fishing without a license 25.00 Not only is the yellow birch a very prac­ a valuable tree. It is one of our leading Mack, Isiah, 74 Erie St.. Washington, Pa. Rods not under immediate control .. 20.00 tical tree but it is one of our most beautiful furniture woods; it is used in the manu­ Mucko, Julius, Box 420, Daisytown, Pa. as well. A young yellow birch, with curly facture of flooring and millwork, boxes, Illegal operation of motor boat 10.00 Nara, Louis, 8 Mellon Ave., Donora, Pa. bark tinted bronze and yellow and golden- baskets and crates, handles, spools and bob­ Illegal device 20.00 grey, clutching a mossy streamside boulder bins. In addition it is the source of oil of Papettl, Leonard C, 556 Tannerhill St., among the deep green growth of hemlocks wintergreen, obtained from its twigs and Cannonsburg, Pa. Fishing in nursery waters 100.00 and rhododendron is a sight any angler will wood by distillation. Thus the yellow birch Pusatri, Michael, 110 N. McDonald St., cherish. It is a woodsy tree, one that would serves not only to enrich the beauty of the McDonald, Pa. Exceding creel limit .. 10.00 Reyay, Edward, R. D. No. 2, Burgetts- be entirely out of place anywhere else. It streamside but also to enrich our daily living. town, Pa. Fishing without a license .. 25.00 is the epitome of cold mountain streams and Trembath, Arthur L., Millsboro, Pa. Ex­ ceeding creel limit 20.00 the cool, pungent smell of the forest. Since it is a prolific seeder, the yellow Westmoreland County birch is a prosperous tree. Its winged nut­ Eamigh, Charles, Box 144, Latrobe, Pa. lets are so light that they are easily carried Fishing in Hatchery Waters 100.00 Gay, Joseph, 1207 Pennsylvania Ave., by the wind; and the seeds readily sprout Jeannette, Pa. Operating motor boat on any moist place. Moss-covered boulders without displaying license plates 5.00 Lasik John M., 103 E. Hill Drive, New and partly rotted stumps are often the rest­ Kensington, Pa. Operating motor boat ing places of the seeds. Here the seedlings without a license 10.00 Markosky, Stanley, R. D. No. 3, Irwin, thrive and grow, sending their roots down Pa. Rods not under immediate control 20.00 over the boulders and stumps to the ground. Martin, William A., 424 Green St.. N. Belle Vernon, Pa. Fishing without a Through time the stumps rot away, leaving license 25.00 the birch tree standing on "stilts." Marto, Samuel A., R. D. No. 7, Box 340-A, Greensburg, Pa. Rods not under Im­ The staminate flowers appear early in mediate control 20.00 spring with the leaves and develop from Martz, George O., R. D. No. 1, Murrys- vllle, Pa. Fishing without a license .. 25.00 catkins several inches long. The pistillate McCune. Samuel K., Box 644, Trafford, or female flowers grow in small cone-like Pa. Exceeding creel limit 20.00 structures, reddish above and green below. Peters, L. M., Van Meter, Pa. One undersized bass 10.00 This pistillate structure eventually develops Sloan. Gerald R., Box 150, Coakville, Pa. into a "cone" containing the winged nutlets. Fishing without a license 25.00 Suzio, Felix, 730 Fifth Ave., New Kensing­ The yellow birch is a medium-sized tree ton, Pa. Exceeding creel limit 10.00 from 60 to 75 feet high and from 12 to 24 Wolfe, Donald C, Box 132, Salina, Pa. Two undersized buss 20.00 inches in diameter when mature. It has a Zeltner, Donald, Latrobe, Pa. Fishing shallow, spreading root system and an ir­ in Hatchery Waters 100.00 regularly rounded crown. The bark of a •v Wyoming County mature tree is plate-like and reddish brown Crew. Henry, Osterhout, Pa. Illegal device 20.00 in color and the twigs are brown, grey and

18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER dry lures before returning them to the tackle box, to wipe off your fly rod Our Northern Pike before placing it back in its case or as a Tackle Box Extras temporary bandage if your knife slips. (From page 13) If the big one gets away, you can use (From page 7) it to dry your tears. All of the above items are ones that lighter lures as well as the heavier I believe that every angler should they halted completely the travels of ones, you would do well to carry an carry in his tackle box in one form or the Northern Pike. With the increase extra line. another. They have proven their value of roads and railroads the mills fell For night fishing, or for just getting many times over for me, and I sin­ one by one into disuse, and the as­ in an out of an out-of-the-way fishing cerely believe that you will, or have, sociated dams have now finally suc­ spot back in the brush before or after found a use for all of them at one time. cumbed to the force of the waters daylight hours, a good flashlight is a These to me are the musts. One tool until none remain. The dam near friend in need. If you have need for a omitted, because I carry it in my fish­ Sandy Lake was the last to wash away, flashlight, there is always a good ing jacket, is a tiny screw driver. It is and the expansion of these fishes into chance that you will have need for invaluable when it becomes necessary other waters would appear to coincide extra batteries or an extra bulb. I to take apart a reel or work on some of with its removal. always carry all three. your lures. You can obtain one with a Now I believe it was the presence pencil clip such as I have or one of the of these mill dams, stopping the free A good grade of machine oil has a little combination sets that fit several migration of pike to and from their rightful place in anyone's tackle box. screw drivers compactly within a case spawning beds in the upper reaches The manufacturers of reels recommend only as large as the handle on the of Big Sandy Creek, that held their a drop of oil at the crucial points of largest screw driver. numbers to a minimum. I believe wear before each fishing trip. You it because I know these fish may be can't forget to oil your reel if you carry In addition to all these, I also carry a small wrench for the outboard, extra found far up in trout brooks trib­ your oil with you. Or maybe the out­ utary to the Allegheny and to Big board motor needs a few drops. If you shear pins, stringer, hook extractor, single edge razor blades and anything Sandy Creek wherever there is no happen to drop your reel in dirty barrier to their progress. But none water or sand, it might need a thor­ else that I think I might need. I have the same amount of useless of these other brooks contain the weed ough cleaning. And, after cleaning, it beds necessary to successful hatching takes oil. plugs and spoons and assorted junk lures that I carry around the country of the pike fry. Again, I do not ex­ An extra roll of film, or film pack, the same as you do, but I'd part with actly know how high the barrier in may make the trip for you. More than any or all of them before I'd be caught the stream must be. Most of the be­ once I have come home from a success­ on an extended fishing trip without fore mentioned mill dams had a fall of ful fishing excursion without any fish. any of my "tackle box extras." perhaps six to ten feet. In some of It was the picture of Ed losing the big the trout brooks a barrier only a foot one, a buck drinking at the water's or so high would seem to halt the edge, a flock of ducks that allowed us Constructive Criticism Pike. It is an interesting problem. to approach close enough for a good July 31, 1950. I can say this, however, that it is picture or some other equally interest­ Editor of THE PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER of no great importance now whether ing shot that gave me my money's Dear Sir: the Great Pike is an original inhabi­ worth. If one of the opportunities I notice on page 24 of your July issue a tant of these waters, or whether he is comes up just after you have finished recommendation for keeping fly fishing lines an immigrant of only 30 or 40 years the last shot on the film in the camera, over winter. I am sorry to say that this is standing; it looks as if he is here to extra film becomes a much needed about the worst possible way'to do this. The stay and we should make the most of must. coatings of dry fly lines get injured through it. oxidation and exposing them to air is just That fish scale? Well, being a fish­ the way to injure this coating. The lines Finally, never let one of these fish erman, I know that I'm entitled to ex­ should be protected from the atmosphere trick you into thinking he is exhausted aggerate some without actually being entirely. I use a bath of white mineral oil just because he lets you lead him called a liar. But, I don't like to do it. such as Alboline and immerse the lines in easily up to the boat. Ninety-nine I like to know just how heavy the big this completely all winter. This oil is com­ times out of a hundred he is plotting ones are after they are caught. That pletely inert chemically and absolutely ex­ new deviltry while he rests. You little scale is quite accurate, and it gets cludes the air. I have lines which were kept cannot say he is yours until he is checked once in a while just to make this way for over 12 seasons in perfect shape. Lines can also be kept immersed in water completely in your grasp—and well sure. Since it is impractical to carry a away from the water! fish home without removing the in- if this has been boiled to exclude the air and contains an antiseptic such as benzoic The epithet 'snake' hung on the sides, I like to take their weight as soon acid to prevent any moulds forming or bac­ Great Northern Pike in some sections as they are caught to compare them terial action. Whatever is done don't leave derives somewhat from his appearance, With ones caught before. If everyone lines exposed to the air. true; but it also gives the tenderfoot Would check their fish the same way, Sincerely yours, a good clue as to the character of the We wouldn't hear about so many big EDWARD R. HEWITT, critter. Enough said! ones reported from someone's imagina­ R. F. D., Parksville, N. Y. tion, and fellows like you and me Wouldn't be so hard pressed trying to The largest catfish ever recorded was al­ Large Black Bass From Elk Lake keep up with them. leged to be 6 feet 2 inches long and weigh 160 pounds, according to Eddy and Stuber's What is regarded as the largest smallmouth That old bandanna handkerchief has "Northern Fishes." black bass ever caught in Susquehanna a multitude of uses. You can use it to County was taken recently on a South Bend surface lure. The Bronze back weighed Wipe your hands after catching a fish THE FALL MEETING OF THE PENN­ seven pound, twelve ounces, measured 24 and not run so much risk of losing SYLVANIA FEDERATION OF SPORTS­ inches long and had an 18*4 inch girth. your casting rod on the next heave MEN'S CLUBS WILL BE HELD IN The catch was reported by Fred Narr of With slippery fingers. It can be used to HARRISBTJRG, OCTOBER 14TH, 1950. Ardmore, Penna.

SEPTEMBER —1950 19 bobber disappeared but he missed this fish. Lakes of North-East Pennsylvania After that the action ended. We tried bugs, worms and more live bait, but in vain. In­ By Joseph A. Yanchik cidentally, this lake is loaded with small live bait and it is better to have large ones Lake Westcolang esting things about this lake which others do in your minny bucket. not possess, in as large a number, perhaps. Our two companions in the other boat Thrilling fishing awaits the angler at Lake Some large egrets stood about the shoreline, came by a few minutes later and related the Westcolang. One of the finer lakes in Pike like poised sentinels. Some of them with their story of how the biggest pickerel they ever County, Penna., it is particularly well stocked heads under their wings. A large, pelican saw got away on them when it ran under with pickerel. It was the author's pleasure like bird flapped its wings lazily as it flew the boat and got fouled on the anchor rope. on Saturday, October 1 '49 to fish this pond over our boat. Its wing spread must have When they saw our three pickerel, they and it was the most enjoyable day's fishing been 5 or 6 feet. However, the antics of hated to go home, but the day had waned and I have had in many months. After driving some young ducklings, which dove under the the way home was very long. We left Westco­ into Hawley, Pa. we took route 590 across water near our boat, was very entertaining. lang and are looking to a return trip before the Lackawaxen River and wended our way One of them dove in, was gone for a while the snow flies. Mighty big pickerel in a along a steep, narrow road, which has more and then popped up right near my end of delightful lake. Put it on your agenda for curves in it than the steps of an inebriated the boat. I could have caught him with my your next season's big fish hopes. You'll like sailor on a holiday leave. Extreme caution bare hand if I had expected him there. He this lake. We did. in driving is essential on this highway. Any did scare me. I thought it was a big fish. idea of speeding on this road is insanity. Flocks of big ducks circled about the lake, Lake Tink-Wig There are abrupt curves on this highway their dark bodies silhouetted against a pale that are perfect angles. If you can imagine You can visit two other lakes on your way October sky. They flew into the colorful fall to Lake Westcolang: Lake Tink-Wig and a road with such curves appearing at fre­ foliage of the trees about the lake. quent intervals, then you may well realize Lake Tedyuscung. Route 590 takes you to how hazardous the journey really is. How­ My companions were becoming restless. them. Lake Tink-Wig is the middle lake be­ ever, slow driving eliminates the danger. The highly touted pickerel were conspicuous tween Westcolang and Tedyuscung Lake. It There are many country roads stemming by their absence. A few small perch, catfish is in Pike County, situated between low from this highway and one can become lost and sunnies gave us some action. An occa­ slung mountains and a heavily wooded val­ in a jiffy. The best idea is to get to Lake sional perch would gulp a live bait and it ley. It is right near the highway but is not Tink-Wig, first, and then keep to your right seemed as if the pickerel were started. Dis­ discernible on account of the big forests that until you come to a bridge that completes appointment, again? embrace its waters. It is a long, narrow lake; a sharp "L" curve. You continue for a mile We spent the whole morning among the quite deep in spots and as wild and wooly or two and then you turn to the right on a floating islands with little success. After some looking as any of the dozens of lakes I have dirt road which is several miles long. At persuading, I managed to coax our oarsman fished in the Pocono Mountains. At its the lake entrance you turn right to Jame's to go back to where we started from along entrance is a rustic cabin made of what ap­ landing, which is one of the few public land­ the docks where the water seemed even pears like red wood and the nearest thing ings on the lake front. deeper. We pulled anchor and went. to the cabins seen on Canadian Lakes. This After bucking the waves we came near the is strictly a private lake and the price of the The first view of the lake is disappointing docks where the water was much calmer. We boats depends upon the whim of the proprie­ since you see so little of it. It is "L" shaped cast in our live bait with great expectancy. tor. It ranged from a dollar per person during and much of the water is hidden from view For once my judgment was right. Two corks the pickerel season, and less during the for this reason. The shore lines are filled disappeared into the water simultaneously. regular non-game fish period. About every with lily pads which extend out into the As I gave more line to the fish, I was watch­ species of fish abound in this lake. It can be lake for a considerable distance. The lake ing my companion struggling with his catch. said that the owner stocks his lake well and is not very wide but is quite deep in spots. He had his hooked and his bamboo was gives the angler a break in that manner. At the right of the lake and veering to the arched like a half of a circle. Then, I gave Pickerel are supposed to be the prize catch sharp left "turn, are many floating islands the hook to the fish on my line. It felt heavy. in this little lake and well they should be of dried tufts of several varieties of grass Suddenly the other lad with us yelled with for the owner has signs posted warning that which grows to seven or eight feet in height. glee as his red bobber took a nose dive into pickerel under 14 inches must be thrown Between these islands are canal like openings the green water. He had hooked still an­ back. Naturally, the pickerel grow large here that adjoin the stumpy part of the lake where other fish. Three pickerel bounced in our and some fine catches are made. many lily pads grow wildly about. The boat a few minutes later. Marty had the best Like other lakes in Pike County, Tink, is water under the floating islands is very deep catch; twenty-four inches of fighting pickerel. and that is where Mr. Pickerel is supposed pretty heavily fished. Fine boats are available Junior's was the second largest, eighteen; and are at a premium during the game fish to lurk. The side of the lake near the high­ while mine was a measly sixteen incher. That way contains many fine cottages but there season. It was our luck to get there when was just the tonic we needed and hurriedly all of the boats were hired, but I did see are a few dilapidated ones in their midst. we baited on the minnows. Again Marty's The countryside is pleasant and the smell of some fine catches of pickerel taken by some apples from nearby orchards was plainly discernible. Stately trees surround the cot­ tages and some willows dip their branches Pennsylvania Fish Commission Activities into the waters lapping the shore. Boats are scarce and rent for two dollars (From, page 5) per day. The one we were in was of shallow draft, quite long, but very shallow. It was strongly built and dry. Its narrowness made Rules and Regulations Governing the Operation of Motor Boats it seem like we were riding in a canoe. I The rules and regulations governing the operation of motor boats from April 1, 1951 stayed put in this boat being afraid to move. to March 31, 1952, were approved with the instructions to strengthen the sections hav­ That took a lot away from the pleasures of ing to do with the protection of the public and those engaged in other forms of recreation. the trip. I do not believe there is more than a dozen boats for rent on the whole lake. We Program Covering Acquisition of Streams, Construction of Lakes, Repairs to were lucky to get there in time to get two. Dams, etc. Well supplied with live bait, we went to The Commission has made definite progress in its program to create lakes, repair and beyond the "L" shaped part of the lake dams, and the acquisition of fishing rights on streams. among the dozens of floating islands. The A complete report will be made by C. A. French, the Executive Director, in the water was very choppy and the wind a bleak, October ANGLER. chilly breeze. We anchored in about 12 feet Dr. Trembley will also make a report to the State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of water. While we waited for action to begin at its meeting in October. His report will cover the biological studies which have been our attention was drawn to the many inter­ made during the last two summers.

20 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER men who came to shore for their lunch. It we politely moved on. Then, it gracefully pulled him out from under and he bee lined was with reluctance we left this lake but I alighted on the nest to keep the chill of the it for the open lake again. "Play him," shouted had the opportunity to size it up and it air from a potential duckling family. my buddy. I did and brought him close to looked so promising that I have made plans The water is quite deep in this little lake the boat again. Another try with the net and to fish it later. and we estimated it to be at least 25 feet in this time it happened, the net was caught During my sojourn to these many lakes its greater depths. on the fish's hook, on the bottom. My friend over many many years of intensive fishing I In the shallower waters we caught some scooped up the net but he also pulled the am convinced of one thing and that is that fine perch and fat bluegills. Pesky shiners, hook out of the pickerel's mouth with the fishing is gaining more and more recruits darting through the green scum would hit net and the prize which I had waited for each season. Therefore, boats are getting our bait viciously and we moved quickly so long slipped into the water and disap­ scarce since hundreds of fishermen are being away to preserve our remaining worms. peared. No one spoke for a moment. The turned away from many lakes. Many of Anchoring into about 20 feet of water we occasion was too solemn for speech. We them cannot fish on our lakes because of the waited for something big to come along. We simply folded up our gear, pulled up anchors lack of the proper facilities. As high as 35 pondered as to the wiseness of this move and rowed shoreward. At the hotel we told cars filled with fishermen have been turned when sunnies, not longer than three inches of our disappointment. Some of the old timers back at a private pond on which I fished not in length, began to hit our hooks, and the just shook their heads. long ago. Many of the men were bitter. big fish just weren't hitting. Then it hap­ "Was he sort of a yeller looking feller Some had traveled as high as 100 miles. pened! I was hoisting up a small sunfish from with teeth like a buck-saw and about this Imagine the money involved in the cost of this great depth and had it near the boat long?" The question was asked by an old these thwarted trips. Of course, many of when a big pickerel's mouth, with large bearded gent with eyes that looked keenly them end up the day at Wallenpaupak, where teeth, took the sunny from my hook, gave into mine. the real big fish are. Still, it means that we one terrific tug, and then nose dived into the "It was!" I replied. need more lakes for more fishermen; better green water. Its great tail splashed me in "Was he about a yard long?" He continued. boats and more fish. Imagine what would the face as I leaned over to watch this "It seemed so." I replied. have happened to our fishing if we didn't brazen theft. Talk about palpitations of the "Consarn that pickerel. He gets caught have our fish commission to take care of our heart! I shook like a leaf. I've been trying twenty times a year. Did you notice the state stocked lakes and the individual owners to catch a huge pickerel all of my life and leaders hanging out of his jaw?" who sink their money into private stocked here I saw one that looked like the original "I did." I answered. lakes? You can bet your bottom dollar one planted here ages ago. When I recovered, "Well, when I catch him I'll get into hard­ that without them you'd be doing your I placed a larger hook on my leader; placed ware business and sell fishermen their own fishing in the bath tub. a big night walker on it carefully and dropped hooks." He chuckled reminicingly. "You see, Yes, Lake Tink-Wig is another good lake, it in the same place. How I was praying for young feller, I had that pickerel on my line if you get a chance to get a boat to fish it. the sunfish to spare that bait! Presently, every year at least once. You get him near Positively no shore fishing, even for kids. something began to tug at my line. Another . that upright log almost in the middle of the I'll tell you about lake Tedyuscung in a minnow, maybe. The tugs continued and dam. He's made more monkey's out of fisher­ subsequent article. WE call it Big Chief lake then my pole almost was jerked out of my men than any fish I ever heard of. We call and when the day is right at this lake your hand. I swished my line sideways and I him OLD GRAND DAD. Reckon he'll still Wrist gets sore from pulling them out. hooked what appeared by weight, to be a log. be in the dam after November 30." I had no cork on my line and I began to reel I was at a loss for words but 'till this day Bloomingdale Pond in as fast as I could. Then, I grabbed the all I need do is close my eyes and think of line and began to pull it in without the that day at Bloomingdale, when a grand Off the beaten track, this little lake or pond reel's aid. Presently, I saw the same monster prize was in my grasp and I muffed it. Well, has had a certain fascination for me that is that stole my sun fish. He must have been that's the fate of many fishermen and I am Veritably irresistible. It was originally used thirty inches long. He was brownish in color no exception. However, it is better to have as a power station and its cascading waters and whipped the water into a churn as I get lost than not to have had that thrill at all. moved a tremendous wooden wheel which him closer to the boat. My companion As we watched the sun set on Blooming­ turned the great circular stones that ground grabbed the landing net. He made the attempt dale Pond my eyes were set on the spot near the grain for the farmers for many miles to land. The fish dove under the boat. I the protruding log. Under that part of the around. The water still spills over a high Wall into the deep gully below, but the Wheel and the mill is gone into the realm of antiquity. The waters from the dam pour "So You Think You've Seen Everything" !nto the aforementioned ravine and create a creek that possesses some of the finest trout By Don Shiner possibility this odd lure may even be suc­ Ui Pennsylvania. However, the entire length cessful. Many a bass has been fooled by Each year a greater variety of lures are °f this creek is posted and belongs to the less. "looming Grove Association. created for the sole purpose of deceiving In Pike County, Bloomingdale Pond is game fish. However, a lure found in Lake surrounded by permanent dwellers, many of Nuangola (Luzerne County, Pa.) undoubted­ their homes being situated right on the lake ly tops the list as the latest trend in angling. front. On the other side of the highway are The odd looking lure was found snarled ^any other homes which make up quite a among the lily pads. From all indications, community in this tiny village. It has a fine the lure wasn't lost for any great length of "otel near the old spillway, where the boat time, as the treble hooks dangling from each landing is and where they may be rented leg were shiny-new. from $1.00 up to $1.50 for the rental of the Upon retrieving the lure and observing it Cottage owners boats. closely, it was unmistakably an exact imita­ The lake is narrow near the hotel but tion of a miniature man. The legs, arms and Widens out considerably into a stumpy area head were jointed and wobbled frantically ^hose width is far greater than anticipated. when retrieved, giving the impression of a Green scum embellishes these ancient stumps man swimming. The lure was painted bright a»d they are as slippery as an eel. Tufts of red with the exception of the face which was | Srass protrude from the shallower areas and white, and had markings designating the are natural pickerel haunts. There must have position of the eyes, nose and mouth. Topping °een huge trees in this location once upon a it all was a small rimless hat. time if the width of these stumps is any Probably the theory of such a lure is that "idication. On one of the higher stumps we bass can at last get even with their long 'ound a duck's nest with seven brownish tormenting enemy—the angler—by smashing eggs. The duck flew off the nest just as we recklessly at the supposedly miniature man. came nearby and then quacked shrilly until Viewing it in this light, there is a slim

SEPTEMBER —1950 21 water was Old Grand Dad waiting for an­ other spinner, hook or plug to add to his Advantages of Propeller Change jaw's collection. Believe me, if this pickerel is caught, somebody will be sad. All too many false theories exist today best at 4,000 rpm's to turn at that speed. Yes, this pond is small but quite deep and concerning the role of the propeller in boat­ A motor turning over faster than it was below the surface there's plenty of fighting ing. Although many enthusiasts realize that intended may actually be turning so fast fury. Try it! the best performance of any boat and motor that the horsepower generated is less than combination is achieved only by the use of that at which the motor is rated. If the Indian Lake the correct propeller, relatively few under­ propeller is so large that it does not permit stand the basic principles underlying pro­ This is a strictly private lake and only the motor to turn over at the rated speed, peller action. Consequently, propellers are with a permit can one enter the grounds on it cannot turn out the horsepower it was often wrongly substituted on a motor and which it is situated. I decided to write it up designed to produce. Outboard motors are the best performance is seldom realized. because many of my friends who have cot­ quite flexible, however, and may turn Unless basic principles are understood, sub­ tages there, are ardent anglers, who have several rpm's faster or slower with no appre­ stitution should not be considered. good fishing right in their own back yards. ciable difference in the horsepower gene­ Indian Lake is among the smallest lakes As any outboard motor comes equipped rated. For this reason, reputable manufac­ which I have fished at in a long time. It is with a propeller that is scientifically de­ turers strongly advise boaters' to keep their j stocked by the cottagers who have formed signed to give excellent performance when motors equipped with the propeller issued, i an association and they have done a good matched with the class of boats intended, if the majority of their boating is done with | job of replenishing the various species of rule number one is that propellers should properly matched boats. Standard pro­ fish that the lake yields yearly to home own­ never be substituted unless the motor is pellers allow a long margin either way, and i ers and their friends. The lake is narrow and changed to a much heavier or lighter boat. can be used satisfactorily on boats that are not very long. Very few boats are available If change is required, basic principles should considerably larger or smaller than standard. to the angler, unless he owns his own or be kept in mind. When a motor is matched to the kind I gets his friends to loan him one. However, A propeller does a certain amount of of boat intended, and a lower pitched pro­ there are a number of fine docks extending work in a specific time. This work is ac­ peller is substituted, less work will be done I into the water from which one can fish. complished by traveling through the water by the motor, causing it to turn over con- i This lake is about twenty-five miles from a number of inches each time it revolves siderably more rpm than it should and Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and not far from Bear once. Just how much work it will do de­ efficiency will be sacrificed. Speed may be Creek Village. It is a beautiful lake with pends on the blade twist, or pitch. obtained, but at a sacrifice of the motor— sumptuous cottages, especially on the right A propeller works similarly to a wood by letting it turn over many more times of the lake as you enter this little colony. screw, the twist of the blades correspond­ per minute than it is made to do. This is On the left of the lake there aren't many ing to the threads of the screw, but instead one reason that reputable manufacturers cottages and heavy forests bank that side of of turning through wood, it turns through designate the correct rpm of any motor in it. Above the cottages on the right there is water. Just as the fine threaded screw will sales literature and advertising. heavy woodland. For a summer of rest and be much easier to turn through wood than Substitution of a higher pitched propeller peace this is the place! Lots maybe bought the coarse screw, since less work is done will give the motor more work to do. It on some fine remaining sites and building is on each turn, so, too, a propeller with a will turn over less r.p.m. than it was de­ booming along the lake front. When the roses slight twist to the blades will turn through signed to do, maximum horsepower will not are in bloom in the summer at this lake, you water easier than one with considerable be achieved, and performance will be cut can appreciate the beauty by walking past blade twist. down. the gardens which are well tended to. Some The propeller is a distinct influence on However, when a large motor is placed cottages are almost completely entwined in the number of rpm's the motor is capable on a boat lighter than the motor's design rambling roses. Take your color camera with of producing with a particular load. In calls for, the motor will be able to turn you if you ever get permission to visit this plain language, this means that the pro­ the propeller too easily and the rpm will grand summer resort. peller should enable a motor which operates mount up considerably, causing the motor From the stand point of the angler, the to lose efficiency and possibly cause me­ fish are not too plentiful, but there are nice chanical failure or, at the least, material- Calico bass and pickerel in its green waters. ally lessen motor life. Substitution is there- j Perch and the sunfish predominate with a fore desirable. A higher pitched propeller fine bass being caught occasionally. Like in should be substituted to bring the rpm down many lakes, the catfish are small. The water to the correct amount. is quite deep in places and one may troll Generally, it is seldom necessary to change with some success. This is not a public lake, blades on small motors, since the majority I but a pleasant one to see. of boats on which a small motor is used j varies little in size or weight. A Prize Winner for Sure For the Beginner One of the largest catfish ever caught in the area was reported by a Columbia angler If you aren't quite sure how to fish, here recently. are five cardinal suggestions which will prove Frank Kissinger, was the lucky fisherman beneficial: as he brought a 19 pound blue catfish to 1. Obtain as much information as you net while fishing in the Susquehanna River can relative to the water you are going to at Creswell. He used a live minnow to fish, the species of fish, location of bars, catch the huge specimen. weed beds, deep water, shallows and bottom For last year's heaviest catfish in the Safe types. Harbor Fishing contest was a mere minnow 2. Know your fish, their habits and feed­ compared to Kissinger's catch. The winner ing characteristics in the water where you was an 8.3 pound "cat" caught by, oddly are going to fish. enough, Frank Kissinger. 3. Fish for one species of fish and rig youi' tackle accordingly. \ There are two kinds of women: those that 4. Select bait or lures on the basis of what men look up to and those that they look is giving the best results. around to see. 5. Give the fish credit for having the in­ Phoenixville Daily Rep. Photo stinct of self-preservation. Don't underesti­ Some people dust off their religion only Al Zelger of Phoenixville, R. D. 2, displays mate their intelligence. You can be sure on Sundays, while others use it any time the 21J4", 4 lb. 12 oz. largemouth black bass that a bass didn't get to be a ten pounder which he caught in Pickering Creek near Wil­ they think they can make a dollar out of it. liams Corner. Zelger used a minnow as bait. by acting like a darn fool all his life.

22 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER As the discussion continued, more Among bait rod casters, it is a great of its colloquial names were uncov­ favorite, its powerful struggles making All Outdoors ered, including blue pike, dory, dead- it a very worthy opponent. eye, marble-eye, white-eye and glass- Again the species is called all kinds j By Johnny Mock eye (because of its opaque appear­ of names—some of them not printable. a A GROUP of fishermen recently ance), gray pike, jack, sauger (which Most common are grass pike, jack, s -Tx. were seated comfortably before a is a close relative), walleyed perch, snake, pickerel, northerner, lake pick­ * / huge fireplace in Northern Ontario. yellow pickerel, green pike, jackfish, erel, jackfish, common pike, giant One by one they had drifted from yellow pike-perch, jack salmon, golden pickerel and great northern pike. the supper table to bask in the warm pike and ogah, the name applied to it When someone brought up the sub­ 1 glow of the burning logs, literally by the Red Lake Indians of Northern ject of the great age the pike species pouring themselves into the rustic Ontario. allegedly attains, "Hank" Heyieman rockers and chairs. No doubt, there are others. of the Moredolphton Lodge, where the - ' The day had been one of those where Yet the pike-perch (which is the group was staying, came forward with r ' some were successful, others not so correct name), is a rank amateur when the following information: I. fortunate. The fishing calendars fore- compared with the crappie. A list of ^ "It has been established that the told good fishing, but other factors up­ its nicknames totals 57. Among them oldest pike ever caught was taken at set the predictions. Lake trout, wall­ are such non-descriptive terms as Kaiserlautern, near Manneheim, Ger­ eyed pike and great northern pike lamplighter, John Demon, sac-a-lait, many. The skeleton was for many Were the quarry brought in. papermouth, razorback, bachelor, years kept in a museum of that town. j I Smoke from pipes, cigars and cigar- Campbellite, gold ring, chinquapin, This famous pike reached a length of . ' ettes drifted slowly toward the rafters mill pond flyer, banklick, roach, tin- 20 feet and weighed nearly 975 pounds. ; in the ceiling. Not one word was mouth, new light and goggle-eye. spoken, the anglers content to recline "But no matter what you call it, it's "Moreover, it was revealed that a 1 leisurely while they communed with still the crappie," interrupted one of gilded ring which was found in the J dame nicotine and reminisced of the the party. monster bore the following inscrip­ tion, engraved in German: 'I am the day's activities. From the walleye, the discussion 3 drifted to the pike, a species whose first fish which has been thrown into "Gosh, if I had only put on a new this water by the hands of Emperor ^ line instead of using that old rotted one popularity is a matter of location. In 3 the European countries and in certain Frederick, II'. Consequently, when from last year!" caught, this Methuselah was 235 years "Why did I ever forget the landing sections of our own, it constitutes a prize capture. In other territories, of age." t net." Of course, none could dispute t "That guide of mine should have particularly among the more isolated parts of Canada, it is condemned for "Hank's" story, even though it sounded taken me where Bill's guide took him." very much like Baron Munchausen. t "Bet I would have done a lot better its cannibalistic and greedy appetite. While recognized as a ferocious and t if I had a couple of good frogs." cannibalistic fish, the pike's flesh is "If them Pirates lose another I'll considered by those who know as be­ 1 Put in all my time fishing." 1 ing of supreme delicacy, one with I "Wonder what the kids are doing?" which a chef can work magic. "Hope I can get up here for the bass Lake trout, the third species with J season." which the group had sport, were taken Were one a mind-reader he could only in a small number due to most of . I have read such thoughts as they ram- the fishermen being without the neces­ . [ bled through the minds of those gazing sary tackle. f at the flames leaping from one log to i another. Those who did have metal line were Eventually one of the party tossed successful and supplied a good portion J his cigarette into the fireplace, then of the supply which was necessary to ' Woke the silence. feed the hungry fishermen at a shore 1 dinner during the visit to Birch Island. "The pickerel we catch here cer­ tainly look a lot like the walleyed The "laker" also carries with it a Pike we get in Minnesota." number of localized names such as Mackinaw trout, tongue, salmon trout, "It is the very same fish," he was landlocked salmon, Great Lakes trout, advised. forktail trout, longue, namaycush trout \ Chimed in another: and white-spotted trout. "What about the dore of Quebec?" i "It's the same species you find in Incidentally, the world's records for ) Ontario or Minnesota," was the reply. the three species are: One by one others joined in the dis- Walleyed pike—22 pounds and four i cUssion, giving names they've come ounces, caught in the Niagara River across in various parts of the country, at Fort Erie, Ont, May 26, 1943, by all applying to the same fish. Patrick E. Noon. 1 At Pymatuning Reservoir it is called Great northern pike-—46 pounds and by its most common name, walleyed two ounces, taken by Peter Dubuc at Pike. Yet less than 10 miles away, at Sacandaga Reservoir, N. Y., Sept. 15, 1940. t / Conneaut Lake, it is known as the salmon and that also goes for French Lake trout—63 pounds, caught at Creek. Lake Athapapuskow, Manitoba, Aug. At Erie, where it is a commercial Eddie Baker, Jr. of Bellevue, Pa. and the ex­ 23, 1930, by Miss L. L. Hays. ceptionally fine walleyed pike which he him­ ' fish, it is termed the yellow pike. In self caught on July 1 near Tidioute. The fish ' the central part of the state the fisher­ measured 29<4" and weighed 6 lbs. Accom­ panying Eddie and his father was Andrew The man who imagines himself a budding men call it Susquehanna salmon. Stein of Pittsburgh. genius is often just a blooming nuisance.

; SEPTEMBER —1950 23 interested in learning better casting as an aid to better fishing. Due to a lack of fish today, Tips on Light Weight Bait Casting Reels we must be a better caster, and to be a bet­ ter caster we must have better equipment. By Clare Bryan number of years tournament reels have been equipped with aluminum spools for better Through Skish many fishermen have learned During the past year more fishing licenses casting. With these reels and light rods a the finer points of casting as well as the tech­ were sold than at any time in our history. cast of 80 feet can be made with just a flick nicalities involved in buying proper equip­ The majority being sold to anglers inter­ of the wrist. No swinging of the rod or ment. Through the Skishermen many anglers ested in the sporty way of taking game fish. hooking of the gunwhales on the back cast. have learned the value of these faster start­ Among this vast number, the bait casters Just a mere flip of the rod tip will start ing easier controlled reels. To compete with lead the field. In fact, it is safe to say, more the reel in motion. these target casters one must have equip­ fresh water sport fishermen use bait casting Among the bait casting reels on the market ment that rates on a par with the best. methods than all other methods combined. we have more than 100 to choose from, yet When we refer to the best we do not mean With this ever growing number of bait only a very few can be classed as light the highest priced. The best reels made casters we also have a definite trend toward weight reels. By light weight reels we mean today for bass fishing and target casting lighter equipment. As time marches on, this those made with an aluminum frame as well under the rules of the National Skish Board trend will become more pronounced with the as with an aluminum spool. These reels are far from what we may call expensive. increase of fishermen and the decline of our weigh no more than four or five ounces. All In fact, the price range of the light weight fish. The time has passed when we can get have a plastic arbor or large hub built into reels falls in the lower brackets. our limit on an equal number of casts. the spool. The purpose of the plastic arbor Fishermen and Skishermen wishing to Today, most fishermen make a hundred or or large hub is to eliminate the need for make long casts can do so with these light more casts for each fish caught. This wasted much filler or backing line. Beginners are reels and do it far better than with any other energy we might say, stimulates the need for more apt to fill their spools to the proper type. Even the youngsters using these reels effortless casting. When we speak of effort­ diameter and the overall weight will be less. have made casts beyond a measured 200 foot > less casting, we mean casting that is a pleas­ All good reels today have aluminum or mark. Not with what may be called a ure in place of a chore. aluminum alloy spools. Yet many require tournament line, but with one suitable for Not so long ago practically all fishing reels considerable effort on the part of the caster actual fishing. The National tournament were equipped with spools of German silver due to heavy gears or cranks which must record for men being 232 feet, more than or nickel plated brass. The weight of the be started in motion through the power of three times the distance needed for general spools made it practically impossible to cast the rod. Not all reels have light spools even fishing. Yet this record was made with a lures under % of an'ounce. The power we though they are made of aluminum. The stock reel that is available at a moderate needed to start the spools during the cast thickness of the spool flange, the weight of price.—Tackle Topics. meant the use of rather heavy rods. Lures the hub and other factors determine whether on the average were around % of an ounce or not the reel will start easy. Reels that Definition of a banker: A man who lends in weight. This equipment along with an start with little effort, yet have what old you an umbrella when the sun is shining, 18 pound line made casting difficult for all timers call a pull, are what all anglers should asks for it back at the first sprinkle of rain, except an expert. Even our best casters look for. The nearest approach to the ulti­ and doesn't own the umbrella in the first were troubled with back-lashes as well as mate is the light weight reels used by thou- place. fatigue. In addition to these slow starting stands of fishermen for Skish casting and spools we were further handicapped by hav­ bass fishing. Once an angler is accustomed ing no arbors to take the place of backing Some folks have no respect for age unless to these easier starting reels, he will never it's bottled. line. Beginners too often would attempt go back to the slower reels except for the casting with only fifty yards of line on the heaviest type of fishing. spool, whereas, no less than 35 to 40 yards of During the past three years Skish target Can You Name It? line was needed for a core. While the pres­ casting has grown rapidly. Much of this ent day anglers are interested in modern growth can be credited to fishermen who are THE HEMLOCK equipment, they should know the back ground of bait casting. Otherwise, they may make many mistakes in purchasing balanced tackle. Whether or Not Depends On Weather or Not Manufacturers have for a number of years been burning midnight oil trying to design No one, except some of these dry ice ex­ "When the moon wears a halo, or has a built-in devices for eliminating back-lashes. perts, can do anything about the weather, ring around it, look for rain. The same Even today we have a great number on the but if a camper or picnicker has some idea goes for a red moon. But when the moon market. Regardless of how well they are of what it will be like on the morrow he is a clear, bright 'white' you are pretty safe designed or made, they will not take the can prepare for the worst ... or best. in planning a trip next day. place of a delicate thumb. Many reels are Luis M. Henderson, noted artist and out- "When the sky is like black velvet and the equipped with brakes of various types. doorsman, has an interesting chapter on stars seem especially brilliant and more Whether the load is placed against the spool weather signs in his new book, The Out­ numerous than usual, look for rain or snoW flange or the end of the shaft, it still requires door Guide. These signs are not infallible, the next day. considerable power to start them in motion. but they are not based on superstition and "Big white, puffy clouds that look like While reels of this type may give the caster warrant the attention of any one who plans confidence when first learning, they are far balls of cotton mean fair weather, if they to go fishing or camping. stay scattered, but when they gather in a from ideal when casting the small plastic Regarding weather signs, Lu says: "If lures which are the most productive. When mass over one spot, such as a mountain ot the smoke from your campfire rises highly wooded hill, look out! it takes power to start the spool we have in a long, spiral thread, there's good weather inertia, and when we have inertia, we are ahead, but if it rises sluggishly for a short "Cirrus clouds, or 'Mare's tails,' those little apt to have back-lashes. Therefore, the distance, drifts off slowly and settles, then wispy affairs high up, are a bad sign. U best way to eliminate many of the back­ break out the rain gear. they are drifting rapidly across the sky> lashes, is to eliminate the inertia of the "If all the trees (particularly the maples) there is likely to be a storm within the next spool. This has been done in the new light are showing the undersides of their leaves, 24 hours. weight reels of today. look for rain within 24 hours. "Clouds that move at different levels and While tournament casting and tournament "Heavy dew on the grass pressages fair in opposite directions are a warning of un' ) reels are far from fishing and fishing equip­ weather, lack of it is likely to mean rain. pleasant weather ahead. ment, tournament casters have been the "Red at night, sailor's delight . . . red in "If the clouds float high about sundown spearhead in the design of our present day the morning, sailors take warning! The and are tinged with red, prepare for high reels for light fishing and Skish casting. That same rule applies to rainbows in reverse. wind to follow. effortless casting of the tournament caster A rainbow in the morning bodes no good, "When you see crows pitching and turn' has been brought to the fisherman through but a rainbow in the evening portends a bling about in their flight, take up on the changing the material of the spool. For a fair tomorrow. guy ropes . . . there's a gale in the making-'

24 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER :llilll!|||ll['«lliili!l!llllliilll!ll!llllllllllllll!«m PENNSYLVANIA'S ANTI-POLLUTION PROGRESS !lilllllllllllllllll!U!l!!l!iIl!llll!!lllllllllllll!lllllllllllllllll!!ll^ Dr. Vaux Notifies Operators Treatment Works Cost $800,000 Treatment Rules Established All anthracite breaker operators in the Scott Paper Company, world's leading Rules and regulations governing the treat­ Schuylkill River basin have been notified manufacturer of toilet tissues and paper ment of wastes from pulp and paper mills by the Sanitary Water Board that they must towels, has spent approximately $800,000 to have been adopted by the Sanitary Water make provision, according to the terms of date on waste treatment installations at its Board as another step in advancing the their permits, to prevent any discharge of Chester mill. The installations are proving Clean Streams program. The compilations silt to the streams from their operations an important factor in the great advance were made after exhaustive studies and an­ which might result from any situation, in­ being made in the clean up of the lower alyses of the several types of wastes, vol­ cluding breakdown of equipment used in Delaware River. umes, polluting strength and the methods of their desilting systems. The letter, signed The Scott mill operates around the clock treatment. The paper mills cooperated in by Dr. Norris W. Vaux, State Health Secre­ seven days a week and produces 10 million providing the necessary data and in making tary and Board Chairman, is occasioned by gallons of waste waters in each 24-hour the studies. The rules and regulations were the vast improvement which has resulted in period. All of those waters, containing pulp prepared after many conferences with a the water of the Schuylkill River and its fibers not recovered by the paper machine committee from the pulp and paper manu­ tributaries under the Clean Streams pro­ save-alls and other similar equipment nor­ facturers. gram. mally found in many paper mills, were Rules and regulations have now been Desilting systems have been in operation formerly discharged directly from the mill adopted for the treatment of wastes of five at all of the collieries for at least six months to the Delaware River. To reduce the different types of industries—milk, oil wells, preventing an estimated two million tons of amount of pulp fibers in its effluents and gas wells, steel mill pickling liquors and the silt and fine sizes of coal from going to the thereby abate the resulting pollution of the pulp and paper industry. streams annually. Since that accomplish­ river, the company has installed a battery Practically all the paper mills in this ment the waters have improved to the point of four Waco filters which are reclaiming State are treating their wastes to some de­ where comparatively small discharge of silt 95 per cent of the pulp fibers from the waste gree and many of them are now engaged in is immediately noticeable. The dark color of waters filtered. The fibers recovered, to­ developing and installing systems for higher the water which is seen in some areas is gether with the pulp used as the filtering degrees of treatment. This is also true in caused by the accumulation of silt on the medium, are returned to the mill and re- the cases of the other types of industries. river bed which is being removed by the utilized in the papermaking process. dredging operations of the Department of The company is currently erecting another Forests and Waters. new building at its Chester plant in which its Additional New Sewage Works tenth papermaking machine will be in­ The operators have been warned that "any stalled at an ultimate cost of about $4,000,000. Mifflinburg, Union Co., has joined the in­ discharge of polluting material or industrial creasing number of municipalities in Penn­ waste by reason of structural or mechanical sylvania which are taking steps to provide failure, leakage, or otherwise, violates the Sewage Bond Issues Approved sewage treatment under the Clean Streams conditions of the permit issued to you by the program. The Municipal Authority of that Board." The letter further states that "it is Ellwood City, Lawrence County, approved borough has awarded a contract for $81,- not, of course, the desire of the Board to a bond issue for $175,000 at the recent elec­ 649.20 for the construction of a sewage enter prosecution against any operator but tion to provide funds for the enlargement treatment works, and another contract for the Board's stream improvement program and improvement of the existing sewage $121,537.30 for the construction of inter­ has now progressed to the point where dis­ treatment works to increase the capacity. cepting sewers and additions to the existing charge of improperly treated waste even In addition to that sum there is'available sewer system. Mifflinburg is located along though due to mechanical or other failures, $65,000 remaining from a bond issue of $100,- Buffalo Creek, tributary of the Susquehanna are serious and must be avoided by proper 000 made in 1941. Scarcity of labor and River. preventive and maintenance measures." material as a result of the war did not per­ A new sewage treatment works was placed mit all the work planned to be done at that in operation May 1 in Dillsburg, York Co., time. which with the building of the sewers, was Permits Issued fcr Construction The municipal council of Grove City, Mer­ constructed at a cost of $160,000. cer County has also authorized the issuance The sewage treatment works at Torrance Sewerage permits with construction au­ of a bond issue of $60,000 to build additions State Hospital, Derry Township, Westmore­ thorization have been issued to additional to the sewage treatment plant which is one municipalities institutions and industries by land Co., has also been completed. Addi­ providing complete treatment. tions were built to the existing works to the Sanitary Water Board. Norristown voters authorized the issuance The latest permits are to Bloomsburg, in­ provide increased efficiency at a cost of of a bond issue of $1,350,000 for the construc­ $168,770. tercepting sewers, pumping station and sew­ tion of additions to the sewage treatment age treatment works; orders to construct by works to provide a higher degree of treat­ June 1, 1952 was previously ordered; Arm­ ment in compliance with orders from the strong Cork Co., Lancaster, force main and Sanitary Water Board. Mine Operators Violate Permits sewer; Matamoras, Pike Co., sewers and sewage treatment works; Ambler, Mont­ Nine coal mining operations have been re­ gomery Co., sewers; Texas Eastern Trans­ ported to the Sanitary Water Board by the mission Corp., North Union Township, Fay­ Permits Denied Operators Bureau of Engineering, State Department of ette Co., sewage treatment works; Middle- Because their operations would cause dis­ Health, to be operating their mines, for town Drainage Co., Middletown, sewers, charge of acid mine waters to clean streams, which the Board issued permits, in violation orders to construct a sewage treatment works the Sanitary Water Board has denied oper­ of conditions in those permits. The operators by June 1, 1952 was previously issued; ating permits to nine additional coal mining have been ordered to correct the violations Homestead, Allegheny Co., sewers; Quincy operators, all in the bituminous fields. at once. They have also been notified that Orphanage and Home, Quincy Township, Dr. Norris W. Vaux, State Secretary of if they fail to comply with that directive, Franklin Co., sewage treatment works; Health and Chairman of the Board has also further steps will be taken which may re­ Throop, Lackawanna Co., sewers; Chatten- ordered 10 more operators to cease their sult in revocation of the permit. ham and Springfield Townships, Montgom­ operations at once, it having been reported In each of the cases it is claimed that acid ery Co., sewers; Maryknoll Preparatory by the Bureau of Engineering that they are mine waters are being discharged to the College, Clarks Summit, Lackawanna Co., operating without permits from the Board, streams which is a violation of a condition sewage treatment works. which is in violation of the law. under which the permit was issued. An Object Familiar to Fishermen 6atv °k&w9lame 9£?

NATIVE TO THE STREAMS AND HILLS OF PENNSYLVANIA, PROVIDES A FINE LUMBER YIELD, BELONGS TO THE SOFTER WOODS, HAS BEEN ADOPTED AS THE STATE'S OFFICIAL TREE. NAME IT. (See page 24 for answer)