WATERSNAKE WITH TROUT MAY , 1941 TEN CENTS V^ A ^V OFFICIAL STATE VOL. 10—No. 5 PUBLICATION ^ANGLER? MAY, 1941

PUBLISHED MONTHLY ARTHUR H. JAMES GOVERNOR by the COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS

Publication Office: Telegraph Press, Cameron & Kelker Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. Executive and Editorial Offices: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commis­ sioners, Harrisburg, Pa. CHARLES A. FRENCH Commissioner of Fisheries Ten cents a copy—50 cents a year MEMBERS OF BOARD CHARLES A. FRENCH, Chairman ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor Ellwood City

South Office Bldg., Harrisburg, Pa. MILTON L. PEEK Radnor HARRY E. WEBER NOTE Philipsburg Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER EDGAR W. NICHOLSON should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee either Philadelphia by check or money order payable to the Common­ J. FRED McKEAN wealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. New Kensington Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. JOHN. L. NEIGER Scranton PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contribu­ JOSEPH M. CRITCHFIELD tions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper Confluence credit will be given to contributors. CLIFFORD J. WELSH All contributions returned if accompanied by first Erie class postage. H R. STACKHOCSE Secretary to Board Entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office of Harrisburg, Pa. under act of March 3, 1873. C. R. BULLER Chief Fish Culturist, Bellefnnte

IMPORTANT—The Editor should be notified immediately of change in subscriber's address Please give old and new addresses Permission to reprint will be granted provided proper credit notice is given Vol. 10. No. 5 \ANGLER7 MAY, 1941

EDITORIAL

From the flood of letters received from sportsmen's groups in practically every section of the State, there is little doubt that the large trout stocked this spring has been a very popular move and the beginning of a sound program to provide really worthwhile sport for the fishermen. Not only do larger sized fish provide much more of a thrill and do their share in affording a real battle, but most fishermen who really enjoy a fine trout breakfast will be content with fewer fish for his family meal.

True, not all the fish stocked this spring were large fish, but they were all legal and by far the greater percentage were well above the legal size.

In connection with our policy to stock larger fish, I am pleased to announce that our program of line breeding is well under way. This experiment, beginning with brown trout and scheduled to start with brook and rain­ bows this fall, we believe will solve the problem of stocking annually trout that will average 10 to 12". The original trout used in this experiment are now at the Bellefonte Hatchery and their growth has been remarkable.

I sincerely hope every fisherman in the State, who has an opportunity, will pay a visit to the Bellefonte Hatchery as often as possible and keep in close touch with this line breeding program as it develops.

Now that the 1941 season is under way, let me suggest that you stick to your favorite fishing spots and when weather and water conditions adjust themselves, we feel sure you will enjoy a very fine fishing season.

Commissioner of Fisheries PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER M*l WET FLIES FOR TROUT By WILLIAM R. WALTON

ET fly fishing for trout is that variety Royal Coachman standing first, Fig. 1, is one leave the matter in that condition is o" Wof angling art practiced by our grand­ of the gaudiest, most unnatural of flies entirely fair. Anyone familiar with troi1' fathers and their progenitors—that is such of and yet as every experienced fly angler soon learns that the prime desire of the ft5" them as fly fished at all. It is in other knows is among the most effective inmates is for food, and even more food, and '® words, the original style of American fly of the fly box. The second fly, Fig. 2, really that reason the wet fly fished either as s fishing and one which is still in wide and resembles quite closely a number of land drifting animal or pulled through the wate1' effective use. insects, but does not bear much of any re­ is usually mistaken for something good *' Anglers in general apparently labor under semblance to aquatic forms of insect or eat. the impression that skill in wet fly fishing crustacean life. Number 3, on the list "Par- In his recent admirable studies of troi> is more easily attained than with the dry machene Belle," Fig. 3, is another anomaly food, Dr. Paul Needham, of the U. S. ~S'^ fly. However, except for the more difficult so far as small animal life is concerned. It and Wildlife Service, apparently demo11' tricks of the latter art, it is extremely doubt­ has been contended that its undoubted kill­ strated that over 66% of the food taken W ful whether this is true. For instance, the ing qualities in some waters is due to the brook trout consisted of caddice flies, ttfmayflies. Furthermore, cad" basking before he makes his cast, and fur­ trout, Fig. 4. However, if this is the case, dice fly larvae (or young) were the fi^ thermore can almost invariably see him attention is called to the fact that the red choice of the trout during 7 months of & when he accepts the lure. On the contrary, and white stripes in this pattern, as or­ year, it is therefore reasonable to assu111 the wet fly caster may have no warning dinarily tied, are reversed, in other words, that, at least the neutral colored wet flie5' whatever of the strike until, or if, he feels it represents the fin turned bottom side up! when fished beneath the surface are n»9 it and therefore must exercise a swiftness We might except the pectoral fin for sake of taken for members of sub-surface aqua", of nervous reaction not usually required of argument but this particular fin is usually insects. The evidence for the feeding ® the devotee to the dry fly. However, after not nearly so brilliantly colored as the both rainbow and brown trout on such SUP' the fish is hung, the advantage usually is ventral and anal fins of this trout. Also surface insects was even more significa1™ with the wet fly man, as the leader and there is in the fin a black longitudinal for it was found that the former took 93f< hook used may be of a considerably stouter streak, absent in the fly. But anyhow, does of its food in this way while the latter to"'1 character, a fact which provides a better the brook trout in nature, go around feed­ 91% of similar food. In view of this coO' chance of landing his prey. ing on the fins of its mates? What I am vincing evidence it would seem that the co"' As regards the most effective wet fly leading up to in all this is that the selection tention of Cholmondeley-Pennel, so long afJ patterns, much has been said and written of these funny flies by so excellent a cross as the 1860's, that all one needed to ca^ during the past 300 years. In case your section of American fly men apparently puts trout were a few hackle flies of differ6*" conk, like mine, is frosted and you have the kibosh on our rather general impression colors and sizes was not so far from the tru^f' been a student for years of fly fishing litera­ that flies, to be effective, must resemble It should be appreciated, however, that * ture, you may perhaps remember that for some form of insect or crustacean life con­ many streams, there occurs a period ea1^ a number of years prior to 1923, in New tained in the particular stream fished. year when there is a scarcity of caddl^ York, a now unfortunately deceased and Of course all this reverts to the moot ques­ fly and other aquatic nymphs. This is p lamented monthly periodical, "The American tion of "what does a trout see in the form period following the annual transformati" a e Angler," filled a niche in the national angl­ and color of an artificial fly?" Who knows? of the insects when they leave the W * ing heart at present so admirably occupied, Probably only his Creator. Just what a trout to mate and reproduce their kind. i° , u in a more restricted territory by your mistakes a wet fly for to be seems a good tunately, not all such insects have an arin ^ 0 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER. Well, along in 1919, deal of a mystery and although the litera­ life cycle, or in other words, it takes fr 11 there was published in this magazine a so- ture of fly fishing bulges with theoretical 2 to 3 years for some of them to beco* .. e called symposium entitled "Three Favorite writing on this point, since no man has ever full grown. This is the case with the * orlfl Flies" which was summarized in the July been a trout all theories of what, if any­ known hellgramite and some other f fj nseC issue of that year. I say "so-called" because thing, transpires in the cold brain of a trout but the great majority of free-living i .n this really was a poll taken among a repre­ are worse than futile. I say this in the forms inhabiting streams become mature sentative cross section of expert fly men knowledge that some enthusiastic investi­ a single year. Now, this undoubtedly ^*j c most of them wet fly anglers. In fact the list gators have donned diver's helmets and lain an important bearing on the kind of artifi ' of personages represented contained most of on the bottom of waters to try and tell how fly that' is effective during the period wW* aC the then members of "Who's Who in Ameri­ things may look to a fish. Well, even grant­ such insect life is scarce under the surf can Fly Fishing." An idea of the personnel ing that the visual organs of a fish re­ This period, roughly speaking, begins involved may be gained by the following semble those of a mammal, no one in this mid-May and ends in late August, W short sample of the men who responded: world is able to tell what message these period of the year when sunlight is of gre?jc Henry Van Dyke, David Starr Jordan, Bob organs convey to the central nervous system est intensity and duration. The peak of *"; Davis, George La Branche, Louis Rhead, of the fish. According to reliable scientific period is from mid-June to August A1?, Charles Antoine, Ellis Parker Butler, O. W. investigators, during 1940, the black bass depending on latitude, which also, as **\ Smith, Morris Ackerman, Emerson Hough, distinguishes the colors in the order given: experienced fly man will recognize, is *\ James A. Henshall, W. J. Jamison, and a host red, green, yellow, black and blue. But the time when the dry fly reaps it best harV«s. of other real dyed-in-the-wool fly fishermen. last two were less distinctly perceived. But At this time many species of caddice *v Now the result of this poll, as one might remember dear reader (if any) that this mayflies are laying their eggs and A03*11!*; expect, was a list of mostly well known and does not mean the colors mentioned were on the surface, and the fish are not S>° tried fly patterns as follows: necessarily seen as we see them. For in­ to become aware of it. . u 1, Royal Coachman; 2, Coachman; 3, Par- stance, for all we know red may look black Of course, there are many streams wh1 ,i machene Belle; *4, Cahill; 5, Professor; 6, or green may be perceived as yellow by the abound in small crustaceans or Brown Hackle; 7, Black Gnat; 8, Gray fish? The eye sees the color, but the brain "shrink Hackle; 9, Montreal; 10, Cow Dung; 11, tells the animal what it perceives, and there which are present all season. This is ^^ Silver Doctor; 12, Queen of the Waters and may be all the difference in the world. How­ to be the case in Pennsylvania streams . so on down a long list. However, the 12 ever, these findings confirm the experience the limestone regions which contain fl** leaders are adjudged the most significant. of bass fishermen that red is a very effective water cress and other water plants, j) 1 An inspection of this list indicates some bass color so far as lures are concerned. such streams, theoretically at least, a si* But, to get back to our discussion of wet wethety flyar eshoul feedind gtak aet trouall. t consistently w*1 rather remarkable things of which perhaps 50* the more astonishing is that two of the first flies for trout. I said that apparently the In Eastern States, where the trout sea* . 3 favorites resemble nothing in the way of effectiveness of gaudy flies kinda puts the closes June 30, there is undoubtedly ^ insect life found in Temperate America. The finger on the close imitation fan. But to some of the best dry fly fishing of the ye 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLES

white red

All flies somewhat enlarged to show construction. TY&TT:

SUir) return again to our wet flies, as a latter case some unnecessary strain on the have adopted a middle course for some kinds (gv . to appropriate imitations of the scuds, ferrules results but usually this is not serious of wet fly fishing by placing on the leader Ivrr?111^' water sowbugs and most of the if the rod is at all well made. Recently a second light colored fly some feet above the L ™ of water insects, the colors should rod dealers have acquired the habit of de­ end fly. This is a favorite trick of Ray i neutral such as olive green, gray, light signating the line which is considered ap­ Bergman whom I quote herewith: L>n or yellowish. That is if you still propriate for each stock rod and this may "At all times I have found a light colored y, eve in accurate imitations after what safely be taken as a guide by the purchaser. fly tied well up the leader a great aid in Sa Co id in the early portion of this dis- If it can be afforded, a good tapered line this sort of fishing. The Royal Coachman 53 rse? Such experienced fly men as Ray is best for this style of fishing; this is, how­ serves very nicely for this purpose. It is a lw ?man stress the effectiveness of wet flies ever, not absolutely essential as excellent consistent fish getter and one can see it ty. ^g scanty dressings, or hackles and work can be done with a level line of good under conditions when a fly of more somber ^ ^s- There is certainly logic in this view quality. Good lines never were more abund­ hue would be invisible. At the slightest un­ t>U] ^ are effective when properly mani- ant and cheaper than at present, for the ad­ natural movement of the Royal Coachman 8^,ed °r fished. To be killing, such flies vent of the synthetic fibers has helped this (indicator or handfly) I always strike im­ Cau ke **ed on rather heavy hooks that greatly. A tapered leader of appropriate mediately with the result that I frequently se them to sink promptly in swift water, weight is also best and it should be 6 feet find myself fast to a fish that otherwise I (j s to the rod for wet fly fishing, it is or longer as may be necessary. would never have, known was striking."* ty, a% considered that this should be some- Until about 20 years ago it was the uni­ Nymph fishing is a phase of wet fly angling f0r t more limber or whippy than that used versal custom of wet fly anglers to fish with which is only now coming into general favor. sho l y ^y wor'c- Most writers think it 3 flies strung tandem on the leader by means Artificial nymphs, Figs. 5 and 6, are more or estU . e from 8 to 9% feet lon& but great- of loops and tippets. The far, or end fly, was less, (generally less) faithful imitations of ati l6n^ sfaction will be had by adapting the called the stretcher, the next upper was the young, water-born insects or such small of the rod to the height of the man first dropper and the one nearest the hand crustaceans as scuds and water sowbugs. ho is to use it. For instance a short man was called the hand fly. Many old timers The rubber hellgramite which has been in - a longer rod than a very tall one who still cling to this method and undoubtedly existence for many years is the prototype ijjjj find a rod ^k feet long most to his it. has its virtues. For instance, the stretcher of these lures. As nymphs are intended to eSs S> as the tall man has the advantage, traveled under the surface, the dropper on be fished from the bottom upward, they e cla l6v . Uy while wading when the water or near the surface, while the hand fly skip­ should be tied on hooks of heavy wire to in­ if rises nearer the hand. In any event, ped across it and often rose fish that were sure their sinking promptly when cast. As it , rather stiff rod is the only one available not moved by the other two flies. But this they are supposed to be slow moving crea­ ld be fitted with a lig lt tip which is triple cast also had bad faults, for on tures for the most part, they should be fished esSe n • ^ . tial to good wet fly work. brushy streams of small diameter it assisted slowly and with a more or less jerky move­ t^. 'nost important item is the weight of the angler to decorate the brush with his ment. At times they are consistent fish get­ itlg e t° ke used m any kind of fly fish- flies rather than place them on the water. ters but most of them are very difficult to see to i •'•his should always be heavy enough Then, too, the chance of becoming entangled after the cast is made and for this reason are etlc baei ^ the rod well backward when the with all sorts of underwater snags and not easy to fish without danger of snagging 6*iaki Cas* motion is stopped. This should brush was tripled over the single fly method on the bottom or stumps and logs. Some com­ Sty: the cast to be made with a mere of fishing which has been adopted quite gen­ mercial patterns, tied with white and black It . § of the wrist and with little exertion, erally in recent years. The almost universal chenille, Fig. 5, look quite visible, but you t^, much more serious to make the mis- adoption of the eyed fly rather than one will search a long time without finding any (Qr . °* fitting a rod with a line too light tied on a tippet has no doubt hastened this water-dwelling insect that is pure white l' than one a little too heavy. In the change. Some very wise and skillful anglers (Continued on Page 16) PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER I*>7 Natural Insects and Their Imitations By CHAS. M. WETZEL Copyright 1940 by Chas. M. Wetzel PART 4 "IRON BLUE DUN" Order—Ephemeroptera Family—Baetidae Genus—Leptophlebia Species—johnsoni 8 sub imago Description: Length of wings, 5/6" to %"; wings, bluish black; abdomen, brownish olive; legs, brownish black; tails, brown. Iron Remarks: Around the latter part of May, . tiy Spinner o this fly may be seen rising from the swift water streams and making its unsteady flight towards land. It exists about four days in this stage, then it sheds the sub imago skin and appears as the Jenny Spin­ ner. I have raised one of them in cap­ tivity, and had the opportunity of observing its metamorphosis—a most interesting proc­ ess. Sometime before this metamorphosis occurred, the fly changed to a duller color, Yellow Drake due to the loosening of the sub imago skin. This skin finally split open on the head and thorax, and in a short time the fully de­ veloped Jenny Spinner pulled his shining body from the husk. His wings were now clear and glassy, his front feet and tail had Yellow Sally Willow or Needle PI greatly increased in length, and his color had changed to an entirely different hue. Imitation: Hook No. 16, wings, coot; body, condor quill dyed olive brown; hackle, dark blue dun; tail, brown hackle fibres. \ "JENNY SPINNER" Order—Ephemeroptera 3^ Family—Baetidae Genus—Leptophlebia Species—johnsoni Iron Blue Dun Jenny Spinner imago, $ Description: Length of wings, *4" to %"; wings, glassy, with brownish front border, «*. '• extending from tip down to one third depth of wing; head and thorax, reddish brown; abdominal segments, two to seven, white— eight to ten, reddish brown; legs, brown; tails, whitish and ringed with reddish brown. Yellow Drake Remarks: This fly is the metamorphosis of the Iron Blue Dun. It is a dainty insect and probably the most active mayfly that the s^:; angler will encounter. Towards evening, the males appear in companies, rising and falling in an amorous dance over the water, and at such times the imitation will be found the most successful. Yellow Sally Willow or Needle Fly Imitation: Hook, No. 16; wings, starling or light mallard quills; body, white floss silk, with a few turns of crimson at the tip; Remarks: This insect appears during the stained a pale yellow; body, natural ra^ hackle, brown; tails, white hackle fibres. re early part of July, and continues more or grass; hackle, badger; tails, mandarin fib "THE YELLOW DRAKE" less in season for the next two weeks. Just "YELLOW SALLY" Order—Ephemeroptera at dark the female fly starts laying her eggs, Order—Plecoptera Family—Ephemeridae and at this time she may be noticed flying Family—Perlidae Genusv-Ephemera low over the water. Her favorite place for Genus—Isoperla Species—varia this performance is over the riffles, leading Species—bilineata ^> 9 imago into the slow moving pools, and while so Description: Length to tip of wings, ^ Description: Length of wings, %" to employed, she may be seen constantly rising to Vz"; wings, greenish yellow; abdorfl6 11/16"; wings, pale yellowish, with a few and falling rarely ascending more than a yellow; legs, yellow; tails, yellowish bro^ small brownish patches; thorax, yellowish few feet above the water; on her descent antennae, yellowish brown. . e brown; abdominal tergites, yellowish white she rides the current for a foot or more Remarks: At dusk, this stonefly may ^ with black streaks—sternites, creamy white; down stream, and it is at this time when noticed in great abundance flying back aP front legs, femur and tibia brownish; middle voiding her eggs that she is eagerly preyed forth over the riffles. It appears rather l3^ and hind legs, creamy white; tails, yellowish, upon by trout. in the season, and is commonly obser^ and ringed with dark brown joinings. Imitation: Hook No, 10; wings, mallard, throughout the month of July. Among ** J. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

T>nus> yellow and green predominate. Needle Fly in any great abundance, yet it is Imitation: Hook No. 10, long shank; wings, lally when Isoperla bilineata is over the eagerly taken by trout. Its rather long pale yellow hackle tips, tied on horizontally; ter> it is accompanied by a smaller bright wings are rolled at rest, which gives it a body, orange wool; hackle, pale yellow; legs, Sreen species, Alloperla imbecilla; and on needle like appearance—whence its name. yellow feather fibres, knotted to represent such t occasions, the fly fisher would do well It may be noticed flying low over the stony joints. nave imitations of both species readily riffles and in such places its imitation will "WHIRLING CRANEFLY" Mailable. be found most successful. Order—Diptera fellow Sally imitation: Hook No. 14; Imitation: Hook No. 14; wings, brown Family—Tipulidae i ;?§s> duck quills, stained a pale yellow; mallard; body, dubbing of mole's fur; hackle, Genus—Tipula .av. dubbing of yellow fur; hackle, pale brown; tails, brown hackle fibres. Species—bella or furca §6r; tails, mandarin fibres, "ORANGE CRANEFLY" Description: Length of wings, %" to %"; ^-reen Stonefly imitation: Hook No. 16; Order—Diptera wings, grey and black streaked; body, green­ ^gs, duck quills, stained light green; body, Family—Tipulidae ish brown; thorax, brown; legs, greenish jj ^en floss silk; hackle, light green; tails, Genus—Tipula brown. §"* green. Species—bicornis Remarks: This fly comes from a water "WILLOW" or "NEEDLE FLY" Description: Length of wings, 7/16" to worm found in the muck along the stream. Order—Plecoptera . 9/16"; wings, clear and faintly tinted with It is commonly seen clinging to the damp Family—Nemouridae yellowish orange; body, orange; legs, pale vertical face of stone cliffs rising from the Genus—Leuctra yellowish. water; and near such places, they often ^ Species—grandis Remarks: This fly is commonly observed swarm in great numbers. esc to nption: Length to tip of wings, %" around slow moving waters, especially in Imitation: Hook, No. 8, long shank; wings, „ vl6"; wings, pale reddish brown; body, damp swampy regions. Its mating flight grey hackle tips, tied on horizontally; body, a ^'sh brown; legs, brown; tails, brown; occurs around twilight, when quite fre­ olive wool; hackle, olive dun; legs, olive ^ennae, brown. quently both 2 and $ fall on the surface feather fibres, knotted to represent joints. eniarks: I have seldom encountered the in copula. "BLUE BOTTLE" Order—Diptera Family—Muscidae Genus—Lucilia Species—caesar Description: Length of wings, %" to 7/16"; wings, glassy; body, greenish blue; eyes, brown; legs, bluish black. Remarks: This is the well known blow fly that lays its eggs on meat and dead animals. On windy days it is quite often blown on the water; and its imitation is considered by many a valuable fly. Orange Cranefly Imitation: Hook No. 12; wings, mallard; Whirling Cranefly body, blue floss silk, ribbed with black silk thread; hackle, black. "SAW FLY' Order—Hymenoptera Family—Tenthredinidae Genus—Pontania Species—? Blue Bottli Description: Length of wings, 5/16" to %"; wings, glassy, with a black spot in front near the tip; body, black; legs, black and white spotted; antennae, black. Remarks: This fly gets its name from the female, whose ovipositor is equipped with two flattened pointed saws. It is not an aquatic insect but like many other land flies, irown it is frequently blown on the water by strong winds, where it furnishes food for trout. Imitation: Hook No. 14; wings, starling; body, black floss silk, ribbed with fine gold wire; hackle, grey. "THE BROWN QUILL SPINNER" Order—Ephemeroptera Family—Baetidae % 0 Genus—Siphlonurus Species—quebecensis Ors 2 imago !i*anefly Whirling Cranefly Description: Length of wings, 9/16" to %"; wings, glassy, long and narrow; thorax, reddish brown; abdomen, conspicuously ringed, tergites, reddish brown, sternites, ; yellowish white; legs, brown; tails, yellow­ Blue Bottle

pother a meddlesome old hen when by re- jfOte control the latter worthy endeavored 0 Put in her two bits worth and expressed *? experienced husband-handling expert's leW of trout and fishermen in general and in barely too elaborate detail. And in ap­ peasement and horrified atonement for the ?acrilege, Jack's fifty bucks so carefully oarded away for a new dry fly job went jj*stead next day into the till at Kippen- ysen's Emporium—while old Kippy's truck slivered a shiny new outdoor ensemble, °ck, shoes, hat and unmentionables, to the Sanctity of the late battleground. And thus en<*ed the first serious difference of opinion, r Perhaps it might better be termed diverg- ftce of taste . . . and the truce which iossorned resembled not a treaty of peace, ather a festering, slumbering armistice . . . **« both principals wary, watchful and ever 11 the alert for a telling opening. , Of such trouble, Jeanne as yet had none, ut of pointers she absorbed aplenty, and J* apt pupil that dainty little chunk of ™eetness, always practical, chartered the °Urse of battle—before and not after her §*S moment signed up for life—as Mr. u°odlebug. Now back of all the current vexatious filiation lurked a most innocent faux pas, 6 last sledding and skiing party of the 'jevious winter, an ill-advised trip on which e boys adventured only with reluctance, ^ ? after a merciless din of high pressure .al°lery, solo and in duet. The gang, a a°Uble le foursome, thought it great fun to ase around through the snow up here in , 6 wilderness during January and February; a« a dozen visits had been made, but as 'liter waned surfeited ardor cooled and J^terest lagged apace. In hesitating, the - surmised aright too; a climbing mid arch sun had already changed the snowy radise into a different world, soft, soggy , "le flats, with ever widening dirty blotches ,. nfi the so recently celestial hillsides. To appearances the party was a flop. ana** ^en ** happened! Purely by accident i ' Perhaps for the twentieth time that win- "LAY STILL, YOU SILLY TH/N

ITH the British Isles engulfed in war, W our thoughts often turn to the magnif­ icent chalk streams of England. Probably no nation on earth has, in the past, carried to such a fetish point trout culture and trout fishing as did Britain. Centuries ago, the gentle prioress, Dame Juliana Berners and immortal Izaak Walton brought to literature their thoughts on a quiet, lovable pastime, angling for their trout, Salmo fario, the brown. In the years that followed, not only the art of fishing with the fly but trout culture advanced by leaps and bounds in Britain. Thoroughness apparently was the This old brown trout shows evidence of a falling off in condition, and is no longer to be watchword in both angling and trout rais­ regarded as a desirable flsh for the stream. ing. A custom that was fairly well estab­ lished on the chalk streams was for the fly Since its introduction to American waters, in body formation. In adult specimens tbe fisherman to carry his fly tying kit with the brown trout has occasioned a great deal head is large and frequently in extreme^ him. Upon observing a rise, he would cap­ of comment in the trout fishing fraternity. old individuals, the jaws are long and hooke'j ture one of the insects appearing over the We have already noted in former issues the at the tips. The breast, pectoral fins afld water, tie one to duplicate it as nearly as fact that it today ranks as perhaps our anal fins are often yellowish in color. Scal^ possible and start fishing. If an exceptionally craftiest game fish. This moodiness or wari­ are larger than those occurring on the broo* good fish was marked on the rise, the angler ness, call it what you will, makes it perhaps trout. would generally concentrate on taking it, the ideal fish for stocking in many of our The very conditions which serve to deple^ to the exclusion of others, until the fish had most intensively fished waters in Pennsyl­ suitable waters of brook trout and rainbo^ been either hooked and creeled or lost. vania. While the brown trout is slower trout seem to militate to slight extent, In the culture of trout, the British have growing during the earlier stages of its de­ any, against the aggressive brown. Not tb* long been outstanding. Their culturists in velopment than is our native brook trout, it is more shy than the others. We belie** many instances conducted stream environ­ after this fish has attained a length of 8 the reverse in this respect to be true, for <& mental studies extending over periods of ten inches, its growth is extremely rapid in our more than one occasion while astream % years duration. In particular did they stress waters affording an abundant food supply. have had feeding brown trout come to ^f improvement of stream conditions, checking Coloration of the brown trout varies some­ surface virtually at our boot tops. In & carefully on watersheds to determine the what in the different streams to which it has moody rises, frequently only lasting 10 f food carrying capacities of different waters, been introduced. In body color, it may 15 minutes and nocturnal feeding, partic' seeking to locate and eliminate various types range from light golden brown to brownish ularly in the instance of big browns, reS of drainage found to be detrimental to trout black. Present on the head, upper portions at least plausible reasons why this game fi5*! welfare, and to establish suitable areas in of the body, dorsal fin and adipose fin, that holds its own in some of the hardest A3*16,, which natural spawning of the brown trout fleshy projection behind the dorsal, are num­ streams of the east. It is definitely a 6s could be carried through to the best possible erous black and red spots. These spots may for the angler-opportunist advantage. Care of the fry and fingerling occasionally have pale borders. The brownie, Problems frequently crop up with the i*1' j trout to insure a good carry-over of young under conditions affording an abundance of troduction of any species of fish foreign '" fish to replenish adult stock reduced by natural forage, is usually short and stocky our waters. In the instance of the bro^" catches was an outstanding feature in their trout, the infrequency with which it indulge* program. It is to be stressed, however, that in surface feeding after attaining a \ea&^ much of this outstanding research work of 20 inches may be considered its maj" relative to the brown trout was conducted drawback from the angle of the fly fishe1" by private fish culturists, although in some man. Despite the fact that it grows to * instances these men worked in conjunction greater size than does our native brook tro* with the government. In general, British or charr under identical environmental cd1' trout waters are privately owned and, with ditions, there is little reason, we believe, *° many of the wealthy landholders, expendi­ attribute to it stronger cannibalistic tended ture of vast amounts of money to improve cies than those present in the native. Ca^' their waters was made. nibalism is characteristic with all of °fiu f One feature in particular of the brown popular game fishes, the smallmouth bp*5, trout program in Britain should be stressed. largemouth bass, pickerel, walleyed P'^f They regarded brown trout over the stage of muskellunge, brook trout and rainbow trO1 17 or 18 inches as undesirable in their All adults feed at times upon living fiske waters. After that stage, it was contended present in the same waters and when proiflP that brown trout are no longer to be re­ ted by hunger draw no line of prefereHc garded as free rising fish, tending more to as to prey. bottom feeding, and therefore no longer good It is not unusual for brown trout, when J"' fly fish. Eliminating these old stagers by troduced to waters in which brook trout ar worm fishing was a practice long resorted found, to achieve lengths of 22, 24 or eVe to, and men were frequently detailed to do 26 inches, whereas the brook trout t(M just that. The studies of trout included to rarely exceed a top length of 16 inches. *B a notable extent a keen research program larger the fish, the more food required * < in the life habits and frequency in occurrence its existence. Where water areas are limit6 of various nymphal forms of aquatic insect in size and where trout of various sizes a.^ n V life. That the comprehensive findings of of necessity crowded together, old i ^ 1s this intensive program may be preserved to duals very often become confirmed cannib3^ posterity is the ardent hope of many trouters Thousands of brown trout legal size and over, Smaller trout, swifter and more active, ^. in America today. are stocked each year by the Fish Commission. heavy toll from the available supply of J*8 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 9

ral food in such waters; to the more pon- erous, bulky fish, minnows, suckers and arger types of forage are essential. Big rowns turn into cunning predators in a sh°rt time. Relative to brown trout after they have Passed the so-called free rising stage, Wilson **• Arrnistead, eminent British trout culturist, ad this to say in his splendid treatise "Trout Waters": A male trout is at its best for breeding Purposes from four to seven years of age, *"» during that time he is a fine, vigorous porting fish, rising freely to the fly. After even years he begins to fall off in condition, 0 become a bottom feeder and a cannibal, ftd is altogether useless and harmful to the ?Ver> Such fish should be destroyed, and "e best way to do this is to allow a certain ^°unt of worm-fishing. Restrict the use * Worms to competent hands, by all means; "« occasional bait-fishing is necessary, and ~tyone who has studied any given piece of water will know the places to angle for the Unrig or can play a nightcrawler ach contents revealed a fine brook trout Berks County. This brownie fell for a worm. jeleath shelving banks where the big fel- which had apparently been taken only a It was 30 inches in length and weighed 8 "W8 lie, seem the most effective agent in short time before. That same year, Harry pounds. tooval of cannibal browns. Squibbs of Leidigh's Station, took a brown On the assumption that the record tells ^et's go back over some of the record trout in Yellow Breeches Creek, Cumberland the story, the deadly effectiveness of the atc hes of brown trout taken in our waters County, that weighed 8 pounds. It was also minnow and nightcrawler in taking outstand­ caught on a minnow. ing brown trout in our waters seems defin­ An exception to the rule that big browns itely established. In glancing over these of record proportions inevitably fall to the catches of big brown trout which, in. at minnow or worm fisherman was provided least one instance, had known cannibalistic the next year by Bill Percival of Matamoras, tendencies, a distinct service was rendered Pike County. Fishing a large fly in the waters in which they lived by minnow Lackawaxen River, Bill hooked into a mam­ fishermen and worm fishermen. Make no moth brown and finally succeeded in landing mistake about it, a clever angler with min­ it. His catch measured 30 inches in length, now on double hook behind a swivel or an J had a girth of 15 /2 inches and weighed 9 effectively played and active nightcrawler pounds 7 ounces (not dressed). The two is as expert in his line as some of our other giant brownies caught that year re­ best fly fishermen. To understand the feed­ sponded to the lure of a nightcrawler and ing habits and weaknesses of mammoth minnow, respectively. William Zucuskie of brown trout is a practical and intensive Tamaqua caught a brown trout weighing 8 study. Just how to impart the darting, pounds 15 ounces on a nightcrawler while tantalizing motion to a spinning minnow, fishing in Still Creek Dam on Pohopoco necessary to bring a strike, has required, Creek, and John Hobba landed a brown for many of our best minnow fishermen, tipping the scales at 7 pounds 15 ounces in years of study. Of course, the well con­ Spring Creek, Centre County, while using structed bucktail may also at times prove a live minnow. productive in bringing big browns to time, Wayne Long, New Cumberland minnow but our records would indicate that in this fisherman, caught one of the largest brown type of fishing, the man who uses minnows trout reported in 1935 while fishing in the is well in front. lower section of Yellow Breeches Creek in Here in Pennsylvania, our trout fisher­ Cumberland County. His catch was 26 men constitute a well balanced array—dry inches in length and weighed 6 pounds 8 fly men, wet fly men, nymph fishermen, ounces. The record brown for 1936 was another Lackawaxen fish, 29 inches in length anglers expert in the use of the bucktail and tipping the scales at 7 pounds 4 ounces. and streamer fly, worm fishermen and min­ A live minnow was the lure used in its now fishermen. And because many of our vvara ^Bftt n GeorSe James of Carlisle displays the taking by Bill Vandermark of Milford, Pike best minnow fishermen concentrate on giant 'ft i.Pound brown trout taken by Harry Squibb County, who on the day he scored his brown trout, their role must be considered me Yellow Breeches Creek, Cumberland County. record catch landed two other browns, 22 directly beneficial to our trout waters. 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER May Bamboozling Bass on the Fly Rod By BOB HANSON

UR bass fishing here in Westmoreland bass bugs but from sheer experience F| O County is at a premium and what wat­ advocate and do use a six or eight foo* ers we have to fish are owned by the various leader and when the water is low and clear coal companies and none are stocked by and the bass are extremely skittish and shy either the state or federal fisheries. Some a twelve foot leader is better. More good of these reservoirs are permitted to be fished than harm can be derived from a longe* and others only when the watchman is away. leader. If you haven't a good natural gu* You are the fish if you're caught, to the tune the synthetic will work very well providing of ten dollars and costs for trespassing. I it is not too light. The synthetic gut & might mention that I contact a great number extremely limp when wet and will advis8 of fishermen from both Westmoreland and nothing less than ten pound test to avoid to" Allegheny Counties that are, in the true much folding and kinking. A six pound test sense of the word, sportsmen enough to pay in natural gut is advisable providing thai any reasonable increase in license fee, as you gently play bass with it. I have als" contemplated. They are of one opinion, give been using one of the new trueflow tapef us more places to fish regardless of the price lines for the last two years and have noted for the privilege, providing that this privilege that it has improved my accuracy, and wit*1 fee is used for better and more places to fish. less effort, has added greater distance to my I'm going to relate my experience on a casts. It proved itself a dandy when casting particular fishing trip I have in mind. To whipped the frog out near the pads and pro­ bass bugs and bucktail frogs. Every fisher' do my fishing on this trip I took my self- ceeded in like manner of letting the bait rest man has his pet lure, the one on which he made, double-built, nine foot bamboo fly-rod. motionless on the surface for from ten to catches more fish than any other in his tackl* The condition of the water was as fine as twenty seconds before retrieving. Zowie! box. The writer's pet lure is the bucktaU one would wish, smooth and still as a mill and again the frog disappeared beneath the frog, when surface fishing. When you fasted pond. Attaching the favorite of my surface surface in a spray of mist as another bass one of these lures to your leader you m&! lures, a bucktail frog, to the seven foot lead­ tried to swallow it. I had the satisfaction of rest assured that you will experience sort1 er and greasing the latter right up to the feeling the solid weight of another fish as action. It casts easily and is easily worked frog I made the cast to the edge of some lily it made its mad dash for deeper and safer over eddies, in weeds, pads, coves and pads. I watched the frog alight on the sur­ waters. I gradually played out the line to streams where the bass are always lurking face of the water about thirty feet from him and tried the experiment of checking With a little practice on the part of tbe where I stood. For perhaps twenty seconds its rush too soon with the bend of the rod. angler, this lure can actually be made i0 or more I allowed it to lie motionless on the Out came the bass viciously trying to free act as a live frog swimming back to the surface and then began it on its swimming itself of the lure and as the frog still held, retrieve. I gave the frog short twitches of it started rushing off in another direction and not more than an inch at a time as this gives shortly came out again in another nice leap the hair legs of the frog a swimming affect. that permitted me to see that it was about The legs had not made more than two or as large as the first one I had taken. How­ three thrusts when, to my pleasure, a com­ ever, the strain of my double-built rod began motion occurred at the end of my line and to tell as the scene of the battle steadily the frog disappeared below the suruface of moved toward my landing net. Carefully the water. A bass was rushing away with it. working the fish closer I slipped the net I raised the tip of the fly-rod and set the under him and finally had the fish in my hook. The battle was on and what a fight. possession. All this while I had been using After about eight minutes of trying to re­ what is called the bleeding frog, the under­ lease the hook the bass permitted me to side being red, resembling blood, and white, bring it slowly up to my waiting landing net. the back being the usual greenish brown It was an eighteen inch bass that had fought color. By this time I had decided to use so gallantly for its freedom but to no avail. another frog that I had in my kit that I sat and admired the fish for a few minutes was the same as the first one, except, for and then went about my fishing. The second the underside being white and yellow. I cast was near the spot of the first. This had fared just as well with this one as I did time the lure was retrieved about four feet with the first, for the next catch was a nice before another bass made an attempt to get twenty inch bass, being landed only after it away with what appeared to be easy prey. gave a very good account of itself. In This time my finny antagonist tried just catching, game fish I derive my greatest about all the tricks that bass are capable of pleasure out of allowing the fish to go performing but only to find itself in my land­ through its vicious actions of trying to free ing net after such a grand attempt for free­ itself. If their attempts are futile beneath dom. This one I released because its size the surface they make a try at regaining fell within my sixteen inch minimum cate­ their freedom out of their elements, with gory. I am sure that this fish will some day some success. give a good account of itself on the hook of The places I fish are fished very hard at some other fisherman. I hooked a third after all times but I happen to know that it is the second cast only to have it get away after very hard for a bass to pass up a real live a very smart exhibition of diving, swerving, frog at any time and the bucktail frogs I dashing and creating what appeared to be a was using on this trip certainly must have whirlpool. I smiled to myself after witness­ looked like the real thing to these wise old ing this performance. Within the vicinity bass in and around those lily pads. For my of this patch of lily pads appeared to be a bass fishing I use a nine foot, double-built gold mine for bass, for all of my casts were bamboo fly-rod with bass bug action and within this vicinity with results that proved usually an automatic fly reel. Some fisher­ favorable on almost every cast. I again men and authorities on fishing advocate These fine largemouths were taken on t* three or four foot leaders for bucktail and bucktail frog by W. P. Kuntz. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 11

safety of the shore. I have found and ad- y^e the following flies when fly fishing for £*«• Use No's. 6 and 4, Light Tiger, Dark **B«, Black Ghost, Grey Ghost, Light Mon- eal Streamer, Parmachene Belle Streamer, °Jack and White Bucktail, Red and White "ucktail, and Grey and Silver Bucktail. If f^jtface fishing with these is unsuccessful U°W them to sink and retrieve them with h { ort qUick jerks. If you have found the Oregoing lures, using both methods unsuc- essfully, the fish are simply not biting. The eer hair mouse is a good floating bass bait j are floating feather minnows; among the vorite of these are the black and orange, 3d the black and yellow. Other floaters *at work well are the Black Queen that Jfembles a black butterfly and the White host resembling a big white moth. The .kjte and red, the grey and red and black ~nd red deer hair Devil Bugs are worthy of lotion. The fly-rod Trix-Oreno with the "station rubber pork rind has provided ,?jy a bass fisherman with surprises of its wlity to attract bass. It is important, when j^g surface lures, to allow them to rest °tionless for at least twenty seconds after asting. Retrieve for a short distance in ^ **t jerks and allow to rest for about fif- H. J. Bicnncman, left, and Neyman McNally, both of New Castle, with their string of calico bass |*> seconds. Repeat this over and over. taken at Conneaut Lake. The calicos measured from 15J4 inches up and had a total weight of . fo the fisherman who is thinking of tak- 714 pounds. Ji*LUp fly castinS. let me state that there is othing really difficult in this art if the rod 1 OVER 300 AT GATEWAY DINNER Bubb won first place and Richard F. Wil­ r ^ line fit each other. Such being the case, liamson second for bass lures. ,.u can, with little practice, acquire enough More than three hundred sportsmen and women, "children of nature whose train­ Prize for the best fan-wings went to G. ^tance to your casts to catch any fish at- Norman Wilkinson, and he also was winner acted by flies. Many pleasant fishing trips ing and experience enable them to do things for themselves and make them the corner­ of a cup for the most unusual exhibit—a are *n store for the fly-rodders. stone of Americanism in the Keystone State," giant burlesque of a fan-wing fly. In the gathered around the festival board at the exhibits division, A. W. Bausinger had the Elks Ballroom for the second annual banquet largest and Joseph Bausinger the most artis­ IN MAY of the Gateway Sportsmen's Association at tic. There were 16 prizes. By Robert F. Keagle Dubois. John Alden Knight, noted angler and writer, was chairman of the committee of Was mighty fine in April to find oneself It was a typical sportsmen's gathering, enriched by a wealth of prominent person­ judges. Tying demonstrations were given by astream John N. Hearton, Howard T. Weaver, C. Umbering up the old casting arm and ages who have played heavy roles in keeping Pennsylvania a step ahead of all other states Robert Snyder, Richard F. Williamson, G. j. Working off the steam Norman Wilkinson, Dorsey N. Ringler, and u"t up by a winter of longing and waiting in the matters of hunting and fishing, and, while the spirit of sport dominated the at­ Ralph Bower. Rod work was shown by and planning too Harold C. Bostley and A. John Smith. (The kind of wishful thinking that trout mosphere, there was a peculiar under­ Assisting Mr. Knight as judges were Mr. j. fishermen always do) current of patriotism that ran through the Weaver and Mr. Hearton, who won top ut now to get down to business! as my ang- long program of speeches and pictures that held the large assembly in rapt attention. honors in the 1940 show. Neither entered 'ing brothers say, the competition for show prizes this year. And enjoy a bit of the ultimate with This spirit of patriotic Americanism was floating flies in May. reflected particularly by Congressman James E. Van Zandt and Chairman Ross Leffler of Tnhe new fern will be springing up through the State Game Commission, two of the prin­ the old leafmould, cipal speakers of the evening. MILLER ELECTED ASAPH •The ground flowers will be budding safe CLUB HEAD >»_ from winter's cold, "e wood-birds will be caroling the songs LYCOMING SPORTSMEN'S SHOW Clarence Miller was elected president of they always sing the Asaph Rod and Gun Club at a regular At the long and lovely reception that OUTSTANDING session of the association recently. v. Nature plans for spring; Capacity audiences were attracted by the Other officers named were Homer Camp­ u' best of all the mountain streams will be second annual sportsmen's show, sponsored bell, vice-president; and M. R. Butler, secre­ running clear and low in Williamsport by the Consolidated Sports­ tary-treasurer. And you and I with floating flies will men of Lycoming County and featuring the It was reported that 336 ringnecks were simply have to go! work of amateur fly tyers and tackle makers. released last year, at a cost of 8 cents per There were nearly two score exhibits, and bird. The secretary was instructed to make e Would not agree on the pattern that demonstrations of lure making and rod re­ application for 300 day-old chicks for this Would lure the largest trout pairing were given during the display. year. Reports on tree plantings on Strait •^nd the choice of the right, location we First prize for dry flies was won by J. Run last year were given and the secretary £ might argue about Clifford Creasy, with C. Robert Snyder was instructed to make application to the 1 am more than certain that our minds second, Joseph Piedi third, and Harold C. Forests and Waters Department for 1000 Would be as one Bostly fourth. Joseph Bausinger won first larch to plant on Asaph Run this year. *n naming the kind of trouting that yields prize for wet flies, with Dorsey N. Ringler A report was heard on the Tioga County w„ the most in fun second, and Mrs. C. Robert Snyder, one of Consolidated Sportsmens' Association Febru­ ften skies are softly smiling ... to­ three women in the show, third. Clyde C. ary banquet, at which Asaph Club was host. gether we would say: Bastian carried off top honors for bucktails John Campton, Fred Smith, Lewis Bowers, ^lve us a day on our favorite stream with and streamers, with Albert Morehart, second Ted Muncaster and William Butler were ap­ floating flies in May. and A. W. Bausinger third. Walker M. pointed directors to the County Federation. 12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER M»J

the car. Try to anticipate every need, and you will not have to return to the tackle bo*- Here are some recommended baits for pan' fish: Perch, worms and minnows; Chubs> worms, crickets, and grasshoppers; Catfish' angleworms and helgramites; Sunfish, sm^ pieces of night-crawler or whole angleworm5 or helgramites. Carp bait pretty generally is of the prepared dough-ball type.

Try a bushy streamer for trout at nigh* or when the stream is high and discolored' At night the streamer imitates large insect OME afternoon, when trout seem to spurn ing trip for trout. Scientists say that when which are abroad and on which trout feed' S every kind of bait you offer them, hunt the temperature of the water is more than In muddy water the streamer looks l&e around for one of those big beetles which are about 70 degrees, only a miracle will cause a minnow and is easy for the fish to see bf| found along the shores of a creek. Beetles trout to take either live or artificial lures. cause of its bulk. are good trout bait. Many an angler has found them stuffing the stomach of a good Don't crush flies in a shallow container of Crickets work best as trout bait when fish. any kind. Overcrowding of the fly box re­ they are used during the period of dusK> sults in crushed hackles and tails that are late in the day. One reason many anglers have no faith in bent out of shape. And flies in such a con­ a spinner as a lure for trout is that they dition will not do their work properly no When walking through a patch of woods have fished with too large sizes. It is just 5 matter how carefully they are used. carry the rod with the butt forward. Th* about impossible to get too small a spinner is particularly wise with a fly rod. for trout angling. And it is well to re­ The bucktail is not exclusively an under­ member that a spinner that has two tiny water lure. Many anglers like to skitter blades is generally superior to one with a Many sizes of spinners and many varieties buck-tails over the surface, imitating a of flies for use with them are on the market single large blade. This rule, incidentally, minnow fleeing for its life. The same skit­ applies to bass as well as to trout fishing. today, but the writer has had the most sue tering method is good when applied to the cess with spinners that have two small blade* We are indebted to a dentist friend for heavy-hackled dry flies used in night fishing. combined with streamer flies of red-and' this bit of philosophy—Nobody would eat white and orange-and-black color combina' the flesh of an animal that had been A three-foot leader of about .015 size is tions. drowned. Yet many fishermen let fish die plenty husky enough to hold any fish that in their creels instead of killing them as the bait angler will catch. Archie G. Eppley, Jr., of Marysville, Perry soon as they are caught. Fish "drown" in county, reports some excellent catches ° the air just as an animal would drown if Trout are found in deep water early in carp from the Susquehanna River near tha held under water long enough. the season and are not inclined to move point on night crawlers during the paS about much because of the low temperature season. The carp, he writes, were exceP' It is all right to fish a favorite pool often of the streams. But they are hungry after tionally heavy, the largest fish caught weigh' during the early part of the season, but as their long winter fasting, and bait or lures ing 17 pounds. "I have been catching sorcf the weeks move along it is wise to look for sent deep to them will produce results. nice bass from the river this summer," sal" fishing places that are not so attractive. Rarely are trout taken on or close to the Eppley, "and have also killed quite a f«* Some experts believe that fish actually come surface during the first weeks of the season. watersnak»s, from which I derive gre*1 to know fishing lures for the frauds that pleasure, for I know that I am helping *"* they are and that trout will refuse to accept Save time by loading the hat band or fly Fish Commission in doing so, and also aJ" them after being fished over for a while box with a variety of lures before leaving saving potential fish for the years to come. at the beginning of the season.

Don't cast a fly too close to an obstruction in a stream under which you suspect a trout may be hiding. The line of vision of a fish is a straight line, naturally. So the lure must be some distance out in the stream, depending on the depth of the water, for the fish to be able to see it. Shallow, rocky stretches of water that lie between deep pools are ideal places to find feeding trout.

A dry fly will bring rises from trout in fairly deep water—but one thing is essential. The fly must be cast again and again until it finally attracts the attention of the fish lying five or six feet below the surface. It may take 20 or 30 casts, but if the angler persists the chance is that the lure will finally be spotted—and investigated—by a fish.

A word of advice to beginners with the dry fly—use one of those bushy-looking bi- visibles. It floats to perfection, and even a chap with defective vision can see it plainly, even on broken water. Besides, bivisibles are trout killers.

There really is something to this business Pictured here are members of the Consolidated Sportsmen of Lycoming County helping to stoc of carrying a stream thermometer on a fish­ a Central Pennsylvania stream with fine trout from the Bellefonte hatchery. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 13

Question: When, usually, does what they Answer: Brook trout usually come of call the shadfiy hatch come on Spring Creek, spawning age in the second year. Centre county?—J. B. Question: Have read so much about the Answer: Usually about the latter part of muskellunge and what a fine fighting fish May. Fishermen in that section generally it is, that I am prompted to ask why it has figure that the hatch comes to a peak about not been introduced to some of our larger Memorial Day. While some fishermen use lakes and streams in central and eastern artificials tied with the upward tilted ab­ Pennsylvania—K. C. T. domen to imitate the natural insect, others Answer: While the muskellunge rightfully prefer the straight tied body. It has also ECKON I ain't never seed sech a crowd is ranked as outstanding "big game," for the been found that the light ginger spider „ V o fishers on our trout runs ez they wuz fisherman, several serious angles must be s works to good effect when the shad fly hatch , yere. Cum sunup, it wuz mitey hard considered in stocking it in waters other than is on. * And a hole thet didn't hev 2 er 3 fellers those to which it is native. Attaining a great i Jt, so I sez to myself, Jerry figger we best Question: How is the olive dun dry, tied on size, up to sixty pounds, this giant member e d up inter the gap. It's jest a fare hike about a 14 hook for fishing streams in Centre of the pike family is noted for the voracity i the second falls, an I wuz fishin' in er- county?—M. F. R. with which it takes other forms of fish u t an hour. Them mountain trout don't Answer: All of the dun flies are good and life. While its outstanding natural food in n too big, but the Lord never put no this is always a good bet to have in the fly the lakes in northwestern Pennsylvania in Artier colorin' on a fish. By the time I hed box when fishing Spring Creek, Penn's Creek which it occurs is the sucker, it does not • "ed down ter the first medder, I hed and Elk Creek. The quill flies also are ex­ hesitate to strike other species including game cellent and the light ginger quill is a hum­ curt d 4 °' the reddest bellied ^out a feller fishes such as the bass. It has been estimated IbiL want- They run in size frum 9 ter dinger. Hook sizes preferred by many are that to attain a weight of thirty pounds, a «* inches an' I turned back 15 er 20 12s, 14s and 16s. muskellunge may well have consumed a ton /byways, most o' them leetle critters Question: Some friends and I are going and a half of other fish. To stock a fish of to Potter county for a week-end of trout cJ°Und 5 ter 6 inches. Well, by heck, the this type in waters having a limited food „ °Wd hed purty well left the medders by fishing late in May. How many trout would supply, it can readily be seen, might seriously . et time, it wuz eround 11 o'clock, an' rite each of us be entitled to bring back on, say, affect the fishing for other popular fishes in *n at the buttonwood hole, I hooked inter a three day trip? How many may be legally such waters. trout thet I figgered ud beat enny speckled had in possession at any one time?—N. F. h. 0Xl Answer: Under the Fish Law, each of you Question: I have a IVz foot fly rod, weigh­ sl t I ever ketched. Thet trout jest hit . *like an' chugged on the worm like a would be entitled to bring back with you the ing 3 ounces, and having a pretty whippy daily creel limit of ten trout. A fisherman action. What size double taper line would o,8 sucker ud do. Then I give him the butt j, the rod an' man, how he laced eround. may not have in possession more than 10 you suggest for it?—R. H. Y. rst dives under the roots tryin' ter tangle trout, the daily creel limit specified by law. Answer: From your description, would ^ Up but he didn't manage ter git way Question: How old is a brook trout before say that a good, oil impregnated fly line, j r1 thet. Next he bored downcrick an' it spawns?—B. A. N. size HEH, should about fill the bill. Ure wuz g ao got me a lin l - * ^ed gude strong erty of the Fish Commission and used as j e- Musta tusseled with him fer nigh onter ests and Waters and the Game Commission, unless the request comes direct from the auxiliary hatcheries, their request to open 0> /minutes afore he started ter show signs oein licked. Ain't never seed a more agency having the land under control. them to public fishing could not be granted. n Request of Clinton County Fish and Game Lake Dom—-Westmoreland County le ^ fis then thet brookie. He went a ter u ^etter'n 16 inches an' wuz thick thru Association That request of the Westmoreland County That the request of the Clinton Fish and boot. Wayed him an' he went just 2 Sportsmen's Association be approved and Game Association be approved. Cedar Run that posters be prepared setting up restric­ was posted against night fishing between the o^ j6etns l&e what we needed most ter maik tions as follows: e hours of 9 P.M. and 5 A.M. No swimming. t_/ trout fishin' wuz a gude rain. Thet Request—Federation Sportsmen's Group- Daily creel limit of not more than five fish 0 days o' clear weather afore seezun ne Centre County of any species. 6o d brot our trout runs down ter jest The same regulations as last year. This °Ut ez low ez I reckalect seein' 'em for a group requested the same regulations be an o' time. A gude raze in the cricks otter set up on the portion of Spring Creek above CORRECTION sj,^ Up the fish. When I opened thet big the Penitentiary Property. No Sunday fish­ In the April issue of the ANGLER a notice ckled trout I ketched, I found a gude size appeared in connection with fishing at the n e ing will be permitted again this year and Jij !^ an' a crab in its belly. Don't reckon fishing in this section of the stream must two power dams, Safe Harbor and Holtwood, e y ° ketchin' enny bigger'n thet baby this be between the hours of 5 A.M. and 9 P.M. on the Susquehanna River, stating that fish­ 0j.. *• There be sum big brown trout in the Request of Erie County Sportsmen's League ing will be permitted during certain hours. otV* at thet,. tho,. an' a feller kin ketch 'em That request of the Erie County Sports­ This was an error as through an agreement «h, e gits 'em in the rite mood. men's League be granted and posters be pre­ with the Pennsylvania Board of Fish Com­ pared governing trout fishing in Lake Pleas­ missioners and the Safe Harbor Water Power ant. To provide for a daily creel limit of Corporation, and Pennsylvania Water and ,,6 SPECIAL REGULATIONS six trout, boat limit twenty. This is located Power Company fishing will not be per­ ^Uest for Closing Waters or Setting Up in Venango County. mitted near the generating plants.- Proper special Regulations on Public Lands Request of Lake Forest Club—Forest City, signs have been posted declaring the areas b6 "at • no restrictions of any kind should Penna. and notifying the fishermen where fishing Pro UP on waters within the confines of That Frank J. Matos, Secretary, Lake and will be strictly prohibited. The action has St-Perties owned or controlled by the United Forest Club, be advised that inasmuch as been declared necessary and is taken in the es Forest Service, Department of For- White Oak, Miller and Long Ponds are prop­ interest of National Defense. 14 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER May

7fie Jedeftatkh Ten and one-half pounds of rockfish taken from Wreck Thoroughfare by Ernie Hermann, popular Philadelphia sportsman.

NE of the most significant and sports­ O manlike gestures that has recently come to my attention is Resolution No. 32 of the lake&Qo&i 1940 group, just under discussion at the joint "The problem of striped bass in our eastern coastal waters is of concern to every conserV meeting of the directors of the Pennsylvania tionist who would preserve our natural heritage for the future generations of sportsmen! Federation of Sportsman's Clubs and the Pennsylvanians set an excellent example of sportsmanship by adopting a resolution tW„ Board of Fish Commissioners in Harrisburg definitely shares the responsibility with her neighboring coastal states. Now for Actio11, on January 12. Zlie resolution as written in the minutes caught within the boundaries of our Com­ resolution to the effect that any such la reads as follows: monwealth?" Huh! Why indeed? The Penn­ might have to be of federal origin since the8 Resolved: To endorse legislation pro­ sylvania Federation is made up of sports­ are an Atlantic coastal fish. If, however, t" hibiting the sale of striped bass or rock- men's clubs and any problem of conservation delegates were thoroughly familiar with t" fish less than sixteen inches in length. is one for sportsmen the world over. Espe­ circumstances that brought about that reS°,'i To the casual reader, this resolution has no cially, when they can render a definite lution and knew of the work done by a srna especial significance, except, perhaps, to service. group of Pennsylvanians to put their sta* make him wonder, "Why in the name of Evidence that the delegates themselves on record as a leader in a national project d sl common sense the Pennsylvania Federation were not sure of the proper action to take, conservation; then, there would be no he f should bother about a fish that is known to or what, if anything, could be done is tation about the proper action to take, P inhabit only our coastal waters, and never evinced in the notation accompanying the would be quick and decisive. buQiMiamJ.mu.^.

Earl Simpson of Germantown caught these stripers while trolling in the back channel at Little Beach. That big one he's holding weighed just seventeen pounds. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 15

SO-

s 1uidd ing is the popular method used by sportsmen In surf-fishing for stripers. Two well known Pennsylvania anglers are George Gaul, vice-president of the Association of Surf Angling Clubs and Peter J. Schwab, writer and authority on casting.

One cold night in February 1939 a group sportsmanlike methods. There were no clubs in this community interested and carry of Sl x men were assembled in an office at striped bass in the state and we could not it to a point where the Federation will even­ . * Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, discuss- control the citizens of our Commonwealth tually take over. Once we get the organized 8 a problem that, from the serious expres- when fishing in the coastal waters of our sportsmen of this state to see that it's their °n on their faces, required some real crea- neighboring states. No! The most we could responsibility to help . . . then we'll get , e thinking to solve. The chairman, an do would be to give assistance to those states action, and plenty." uerly gray haired man, was none other in enforcing their existing laws by pro­ The term "big job" does not begin to na v *i the late Edward M. Gramm, M.D., a hibiting the sale of illegally caught fish describe the difficulty encountered by that teran of many a battle for the conservation within our boundaries. committee in getting it started. Many of the atid Propagation of wild and marine life in Every year in Philadelphia tons of striped clubs contacted were only slightly interested. V,er ica, also a factor in Pennsylvania's fa- bass are imported from coastal states where It was pretty hard to convince these sports­ ^Us anti-pollution fight. they have been taken by illegal—not to men that it was their duty, in the interest ,, *t that time Dr. Gramm was in charge of mention unsportsmanlike—methods during of fish conservation, to work for the pres­ . e legislative activities for the Dover Fish- the spawning season. Yes, piscatorial boot­ ervation of a fish that few of them had ever 8 Club of Philadelphia and he had been legging was being practiced, and the markets seen. Red by the president of that organization in our state were encouraging it. Here, at The commercial fishing interests also man­ ,. CaU a meeting of his committee to inves- last, was a condition within our control. aged to manufacture a few hazards, just to sate the position of a Pennsylvania Fishing It was Dr. Gramm himself who suggested make the going a bit more difficult. By the ,UD in the controversy that was raging a plan of action whereby we could eliminate clever use of subterfuge they managed to i nS the coast from Maine to the Carolina's this market and thus assist our neighboring gain representation in an outstanding or­ Ween the recreational fishermen and the states in enforcing their conservation laws. ganization of sportsmen to the extent that "Unercial fishermen over the striped bass Or, at least, discourage the breaking of those that body came out openly in defiance of any A,' as it was commonly called, rockfish. laws. such action as was proposed by the com­ , eady much of the preliminary work had "That's a big job, Doctor," one of the mittee from the Dover Fishing Club. They k etl done. Over four hundred letters had committee said. "It'll take a long while and were even partially successful, since the six­ J"*** sent to coastwise sportsmen's clubs to cost a lot of money." teen inch measurement in the adopted reso­ °t>ta;11 1 a true picture of the situation from "Of course it's a big job! As a matter of lution was the result of this opposition. s angle. The commercial aspect had been fact, it's too big a job for this club alone. Step by step the committee's work began bft 6st'SateWashington. o 0r several hours the committee perused a 6 data collected and finally concluded that striped bass were becoming scarcer each j^91"' but properly regulated conservation to asures would enable this fish to increase s a, orne appreciable degree of its former o Ulldance and assure the future of one of ift6 gamest, if not the gamest, fish that swims bo °U.r c°astal waters. Limited space will not }j ^'t, nor would it be ethical, to re-print j re some of the evidence obtained showing • t how completely the commercial fishing >j erests were in command of the legislative w"ers of the greater number of our coast- s of e states. With the exception of the State o, "laine all existing laws for the protection Jj striped bass were weak and ineffective. u°rcement measures were almost a joke. /jTiat then could this group do? Surely t "J no coast line the Pennsylvania State > S]slature would laugh at any attempt to produce a bill making this a game fish, and 6y ent it being taken by any other than The gamest of our fighting fish to be found in our eastern coastal waters 16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Ma? Wet Flies For Trout Oh My Goodness! (Continued from Page 3) (Continued from Page 7) or nearly so. Some of the grubs of the a clandestine blitzkreig loomed ahead of the two-winged flies, such as the deer flies, are old brownie, and wholly contrary and abso­ dirty white but they burrow in the mud and lutely in defiance of most minute and definite are seldom visible. instructions only recently and painstakingly Of course, a leader having a tippet of fine extorted by a trusting hubby and a none-too- gut should be attached to these nymphs, sure boy friend. The gals had been warned and this is quite safe with the now avail­ not to set foot on the old rotting bridge, the able nylon material which is very strong lads wanting no untoward disturbance to for its diameter. mar the next go with their tormentor, and Nearly everyone who has fished the deadly as before mentioned timed for that witching and easily cast streamer flies understands hour just as twilight shadows began to merge that their effectiveness resides principally with darkness. in their resemblance to small minnows. They Thus did two little minx nurture treason- should therefore be designed with this fact after all it should not be so hard to fool a in view and fished with a motion like those dumb fish—men with their fandangles and of a frightened minnow. As to color, my foolish doodads only made it appear so. preference is for longtitudinal stripes as in The strategy was simple and direct; so Fig. 7, as there are many species of similar simple, so direct, that perhaps only a very minnows that commonly inhabit trout young woman could concoct such durance streams. One of the most prevalent is the vile . . . fish like anything else eat when black-nosed dace which may be rather hungry, so it follows merely offer the big closely imitated with black and white hair, boy something good and why worry—nothing goliath rushed and thundered; out of &e with the body (hook shank) wound with could be easier? And not a bad plan at water he came in a series of gymnastic* wide silver tinsel. By all means put jungle that when one is able to surmount all the then sullenly toward the end of the pool be cock eyes on the head end because this, I details; unfortunately it is the "something sounded and the rod tip crumpled with i believe, helps a lot. If you tie your own good" which frequently bothers the humble sickening hiss. and use many of these feathers, it will pay and often frustrated masculine disciple of The girls were on the bridge, the trout i" you to buy either a whole or half neck of old Izaak. the water. Hence it follows if the fish ult>' the bird because there is a considerable sav­ Now neither damsel knew for a certainty mately arrived on the bridge floor, someone ing in price and you may then select the just how to go about digging a worm nor had to haul him up hand over hand; bj£ size of feather suitable for any given fly. would either have touched a nice juicy red trout are just not given to committing su*' Figure 8 is a glass eyed feather and hair night crawler had one ambled across the cide by jumping from their native eleme11' streamer fly, with a plastic wood head. It little glade. Anyhow who knew but what unto the harsh flooring of overhead bridg^8' is pretty much a matter of choice whether fish might not like cheese; that looked like How they did it or how long the time—i" you tie streamer flies on turned down eye, just about as good bait as anything, and recounting the adventure afterward neithef Fig. 1, or on ringed (straight) eye hooks, besides maybe no one had ever tried it? lass was ever very coherently certain. SofflC Fig. 8, but if they are to be used with a Visibly pleased with their cunning, the blond how or other, likely the lack of a flintf? tiny spinner, a deadly combination, by all and brunette brain trust turned to the me­ leader and the luck of the rank amate^ means tie them on the ringed hook. For chanics of the job. seemed with them and finally Francine a" clear water the gold or brass spinner of very Against a nearby tree, ready assembled, Jeanne found the big warrior, still might/ small size is just what the doctor ordered. leaned Jim's 7-% ft. special dry fly rod, slim, elusive, bouncing hither and yon amid the** As to the general technique of casting the willowy and as sensitively poised as a thor­ scurrying ankles. Safely out of water, bu ! fly, I shall not waste space on that subject oughbred racer. No leader seemed in evi­ still far from submissive. because it is now described in hundreds of dence, but neither maiden cared a whit— Meantime the uproar, the shrill pipi^ pages and even in catalogs of fishing tackle. leaders, bosh! just more dizzy ideas on the squeeks and screams, trills and crescendo* Moreover, there is only one way of learning part of the dumb male. Out of the nearby penetrated the upstream fastness and W* to cast, and that is to take your rod and line tackle kit came a dangerous looking hook, vagrant males became mightily concerned' to some suitable water and cast until you but with eyelet much too fine for the heavy Such a din was at once unaccountable artd get the hang of it. It is no more possible to fly line; besides there was a tidy loop at the alarming; it might mean anything or nothing learn this game otherwise, than it is to end to save cutting away the precious taper. something desperately serious or hopeless" acquire skill in baseball by reading the rules. Blissfuly unaware of the magnitude in the trivial—perhaps only a prowling bear cf, We learn these skills by doing, and improve crime, Jeanne solved the looped end with investigating the picnic lunch, a baby bir by practice. The height to which any in­ a hacking slash of the butter knife ... the out of the nest or more perilous possibly ' dividual may rise in the game is, however, loop just wasn't there any more. The same dangerous snake, mayhap even a blink^ limited by one's natural aptitudes, nervous tool proved just dandy to scrape some of toad had ambled unto the festive board—0' reactions and physical endowments—beyond the finish from the tip of the line and im­ exchanging amused glances, perchance l a certain level, predetermined before birth, mediately the silken core passed through the big beetle or other equally ferocious appear'j he may not hope to rise, for all men are not balky eye. In a jiffy the hook was attached ing but wholly harmless bug had dropPe "born equal" in mental and physical endow­ —even the knot about the eyelet loomed per­ down a fluttering open neckline and V& ment, and perhaps you are one of the lucky haps as large as a BB shot. Then onto the even now using the tender and intima^ ones. But, happily, all physically normal barbed sliver of steel went a fateful bit of recesses between shimmering silk and bar men or women who really crave the out of cheese rind, further reinforced and abetted skin as an inprisoning parade ground. door sports and life, may acquire enough with a wrapping of soft yarn. All ready, Through the last brushy barrier broke ** skill in fly casting, by the exercise of a little the culprits boldly approached the forbidden two errant males, gasping for breath in b» practice and persistence to enjoy it hugely. bridge and dangled the cheese into the cur­ sobbing heaves. Up ahead a strange dra^ rent. Down toward the eddy on its maiden unfolded. A hasty glance immediately d>s' •Just Fishing by Ray Bergman. The Penn Pub­ voyage darted the curdled tidbit; almost lishing Company, Philadelphia, Pa., 1940. closed the two culprits on the forbidtp" immediately and without warning there came bridge; about their feet flopped somethJ1| a mighty swirl and the fury of the brownie's with a light colored belly and which cow Natural Insects and Their lunge threw unwary Francine against the only be a big fish. Imitations rickety railing. Screaming with apprehension Even as the relieved lads slowed down *° and perhaps not wholly unjustified fear of a jog, the crescendo of trills and shrills roS~ (Continued from Page 5) being yanked bodily into the stream, the to a higher pitch. Francine was hopping,1* Imitation: Hook No. 12; wings, light mal­ embattled lass held on until Jeanne too and down trying to stamp on the floppy lard; body, peacock quill, tipped with green grabbed the butt of the rod. Twenty-one victim; Jeanne hopefully hammered a*~f chenille; hackle, reddish brown, commonly inches of brown trout is quite a hunk of fish at the elusive quarry with the remnants ° known as red; tail, mandarin fibres. and in its native element capable of rather a Jim's prize rod, recklessly smashing f^ (To Be Continued) sturdy battle. Hither and yon the old fancy reel and the equally expensive l*" 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 17

"to the rasping sandy floor, hitting most Francine and Jeanne were sorry, humbly Verything but the trout Deciding upon a sorry, and that was perhaps as the all wise , ew line of attack, Francine went down on Supreme Ruler of the Universe and Sky 6r hands and knees, and a poorly aimed willed it. And perhaps the big brownie had i ack of the flailing rod and reel smashed not died in vain. For henceforth from that er tender knuckles a bruising blow. An- day two city bred gals strove to become out­ =*red and wild with excitement, the brunette door pals to two swell fellows, two lads with .^led a backhand haymaker at the little the great outdoors entwined in their very i °nd, and the latter worthy, already off souls, two guys who despised the confining fiance, fell sprawling on her back into the prison of the city street more than they ever 1 rD Coming up, Jeanne grabbed her pal admitted to anyone and who only endured y tthv e hair and gave a dirty yank, but the poisonous smoky air for six days with a^cine was oblivious to all that. Momen- the hope they might spend at least part of Jj^tty rid of the Doodlebug, thanks to the the seventh in God's country, with God's tyrriaker, the dark haired gal solved the children, under God's sky and in the way °blem of the weakening adversary by God intended that man should live. growing herself bodily onto his lordship, Francine and Jeanne are promising fly a"no fario, crushing him to the grimy floor tossers now and love it, and little dark , tactics not unlike those of the roving haired Jackie, Jr., and little blond headed nQiron hero when corraling a loose ball. Jimmie, Jr., each in his own right and ac­ victors at last!—Just as the girls were un- cording to his own toddling years voice ^gling Jack and Jim came trotting up to vociferous approval, except when hungry, , efully survey the ruins. Two half-grown and are on a fair way to become living ar cubs left alone with an unpacked picnic prototypes of the old man, and neither nc mommie would have it otherwise. I~ 'i could not possibly have wreaked so rM navoc *n so little time. Jim's fancy Adios! old timers and tight lines! And j* 'ay there broken in two places, the reel don't be too techy about all this. Already "^s the handle, a ten dollar line trampled, it is one of life's fondest epics. Now you • utted and ruffled over coarse dir' into laugh—together; some day, you may cry— alone! As passing time takes its toll only a^*y nothingness. Jeanne's blouse haunted as inexorable time always will, many the '"ent across the bosom to a degree that Typical of many central Pennsylvania trout • aesty screamed in outraged affront; a tear may course down a lonely cheek, some­ streams is beautiful Weiker Run in Union County. °* safely anchored in the blond tresses times a heart may flutter a bit faster—and j, a Perilously close to a grimy swollen ear. life may seem a bit more liveable—all for length." The bill was introduced by Messrs. , ancine's knuckles were bruised and bloody, memories . . . memories . . . memories of Cullen and Breth, two members of the legis­ r hair hopelessly full of sand and down a day which was. And after all isn't that lature who are thorough sportsmen as well 6r what makes life worth while? CL the eyes, a slimy smear ran down the as salt water anglers. e„j. > across the dainty rosebud mouth and Recognizing the inadequacy of the sixteen qu. § somewhere about the point of a inch limit as specified in the original pro­ lVe v nng chin, already half crying with The Federation Takes Over posal, they have added two more inches to k ation, humiliation and bodily hurts. From (Continued jrom Page 15) the minimum size which will include many half doling bruised lips came a plaintive to take effect. Finally the problem was more fish that have not yet had an oppor­ tie hysterical half sobbing, "Oh, my good- brought before the representatives to the Ss tunity to spawn. A twenty inch minimum or jc - Oh, my goodness!" The truly magnif- Philadelphia County chapter of the Federa­ no minimum at all would have been better, o ?"* trout lay merely a hapless, crushed tion where the resolution was framed. Then sme n but a giant stride has been taken in the hal/ Hi g hunk of flesh, a blot of skin it was accepted by the Southeastern division right direction and the next step will be up the size of a child's hand torn entirely aWi without hesitation. Pennsylvania sportsmen to the individual sportsmen. ay from the back, the tummy mashed a were beginning to see its merit. And so, Do the sportsmen of Pennsylvania realize hn d, °°zy, the head flattened as if someone when the delegates to the State Federation just what it will mean to the entire angling ev hit the victim squarely between the assembled at the Capitol in 1940, after being yes with a club. fraternity if they insist on the passage of this ably presented to that body by representa­ bill? What it will mean if they not only We nything but a gay party wended its tive William Burke of Philadelphia, the reso­ y insist that their representative vote YES, but K silent way homeward that evening, lution was approved and written into the also put teeth in the new proposed law by j^. 'assies were not unmindful of the igno- minutes. adding a severe penalty for every violation? y of their crime; the lads filled with "Then we'll get action, and plenty." Un­ They will not only be aiding the sportsmen a*l U.lne chagrin that so gallant and so hefty fortunately Dr. Gramm did not live to finish of our neighboring coastal states in enforcing °ld aristocrat should have fallen in such the job started by his committee. Less than what few inadequate laws they have so far }^, ignoble manner. The girls morosely been able to pass, but will encourage them thp § together in the darkest corner of three months after his problem of striped in their fight for more adequate laws. Fur­ t^ ^ar knew in their subtle feminine way bass conservation was taken over by that or­ thermore, they will be placing a tremendous d f were in disgrace; they had ruthlessly ganization which he so greatly respected, he &. r°yed many dollars worth of fine equip- succumbed to a heart attack while in the act obstacle in the way of the anti-conserva­ tionists that will eventually discourage them sj S they had broken a trust; the very of distributing "Wild Life Stamps" to his in their unsportsmanlike practices. Ped silence of the fellow sportsmen in the Dover Fishing Club. que His active leadership of the conservation Don't misinterpret the above by concluding men spoke more elo- group in the community was, and still is, that Pennsylvania holds the key to the entire o Htly tnan a thousand words . . . between missed, but his prediction of "action and situation. No indeed! The resources of the e]u . they had killed a dream, a vision, an plenty" by the Federation became the slogan commercial fishing interests are many. Other iVe Utopian something that had kept Jack of those who wished to carry on. They knew markets will undoubtedly spring up in sec­ ftil * cheerfully, vibrantly, zestfully hope- that Pennsylvania would soon be working tions of the country where illegitimately too • ^e past three months, a beckoning alongside of her neighboring coastal states caught stripers can be safely vended. But *Ud adding bouyancy to their every step for the common interest of the sports-angler. today Pennsylvania, without any restrietions gl_ a mischievous sparkle to each dancing Well, it took nearly a year to get things on the marketing of this fish within the ^e lTas on*y ^aen t^ley began to understand a eritage of a million years, what makes started, but it looks as though 1941 will be boundaries of the Commonwealth, is eer- a man, the ever slumbering adven- eventful and just packed full of "action and tainly aiding those who would see the tn•"es o plenty." On February 24 of this year there gamest fish that ever inhabited our coastal 0 orne sporting spirit of the hunting male, lif Se^ over by the niceties of every day was introduced to the General Assembly of waters completely annihilated. And no real aHv always present just the same in Pennsylvania a bill listed as House Bill No. sportsman or sportsmen's organization in the Keystone State is going to stand idly by and (i0 ^ale who's worth his salt. And deep 524, "To prohibit the sale of striped bass or 11 in their fearful, brimming hearts, rockfish under eighteen (18) inches in permit such a dastardly condition to exist. 18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Mrf

Although the striped bass is a stranger to the waters of this State, there was a time, during the period of its abundance, when anglers in the lower Schuylkill enjoyed the thrill of fighting them with light tackle, a sport that is only equaled by salmon fishing on the West Coast. They also frequented the Susquehanna as far as Luzerne County. The most distant inland fresh water on the Atlantic Coast from which striped bass have been recorded is Quebec on the St. Lawrence River. Others have been taken from the Hudson River at Albany, the Delaware River at Lambertville, the Potomac River at Great Falls, the Alabama River at Montgomery, and out on the West Coast, two hundred and fifty miles up the Sacramento River in California. With the exception of the last named, the above records have long since become his­ tory, and it would seem that the coming generation of anglers will never see such days as those experienced by the past. Sta­ tistics, however, prove the contrary. The remarkable reproduction of the striped bass in the State of California, where it has been given every protection, has shown that it has the ability to reestablish itself, under favor­ able environment, within a short period of time. But, unless the strain on the stock of fish in our eastern waters is eased appre­ ciably, only the past glories of this superb game fish will remain for the future genera­ tions to contemplate. THE MARABOU STREAMER Across the Delaware lies the State of New By Russell O. Skinner Jersey with a great wealth of coastal waters that are the "mecca" of thousands of salty- E READ many informative articles on One of our favorite methods of fi^jjj minded Pennsylvania anglers each year. To W how to fish the wet fly, bucktail and this lure on the Spring Creek is to "dou" the nymph but rarely, or ever, do we see up" on an obstinate trout. Two ang*^' the sportsmen of that state we doff our hats, tiv-' anything pertaining to the Marabou streamer, would cast to a certain spot i.e., as for through the well-known New Jersey ca League of Surf Anglers they have, for sev­ a lure that will take trout thru out the first cast was fished out the second j?jj eral years, waged a war against the com­ trout fishing season. In the writer's humble dropped his lure in the same spot. *-\.e opinion it is the most deadly underwater method was used only when the trout Ve . mercial bogey. In spite of continual defeats r this group has persisted with the result that lure made. hard to raise. And it is always good f° the league is gaining thousands of sym­ The Marabou streamer consists of two, trout or two. . e pathizers, some even from the ranks of the sometimes three of the marabou stork plumes In the course of our experiments with & enemy. in solid, or combination of colors, tied on Marabou, we found the smaller sizes m" j a long shank hook, size four or six. A effective at all times than the no. 4's aj\ This year the defenders of striped bass solid oval gold or silver tinsel body, red no. 6's, with one exception; the overSj* conservation are stronger than ever. A bill ra throat latch and jungle cock eye at the all black no. 4 with silver body would f is now in the New Jersey Legislature await­ shoulder complete the lure. The logical trout on practically every cast right afte^.e ing their action. The main features of this thought back of the oval tinsel body is its heavy rain when the stream was rising. *./ bill are: No netting, a limit of five fish in ability to reflect considerably more light rise was steady till the water got too "^l^ one day, closed season from December 1 to than the flat type. and ended fishing for that day. This &\ ea April 30, inclusive, and a fine of $20 for This streamer has been thoroughly tested and color is also very good for all h each violation. Unfortunately, we can't help on that stretch of Spring Creek, Centre water, dark days and late evenings. the New Jersey sportsmen pass that bill, but county, affectionately known wherever The beginner at this type of streamer "nj We can help discourage the violators, of anglers gather, as the Paradise. Also on dif­ ing will make several mistakes we are . which there will be many. And we don't ferent types of streams and ponds through­ more or less guilty of. Two of the i° j have to wait until their bill becomes a law out Pennsylvania. On the Margaree and common are working the lure too fast, ^ to decide in favor of our own striped bass Little River's in Cape Breton, N. S., it proved giving up too soon on a particular sp°* e legislation. a killer in all kinds of weather. the stream that you have reason to bel,e Clubs in Pennsylvania that are affiliated harbors an old lunker of a trout. .f with the Federation—and what club isn't?— When a trout comes out over a strea11? . can discuss this important conservation it is a sure indication the lure is 6et\i,e problem at their meetings and instruct their away from him. As a streamer imitates . delegates to see that the Federation leaves flash and action of a live minnow, the &° j{ no stone unturned to speed the passage of when jumping over the lure, (tailing)' ^ "House Bill No.*524." All real sportsmen are seems their intention is to stun the strea^ at heart conservationists and will refuse to or minnow and then take when falling °*\* This is one of those times to slow down, *\j be motivated by any self-interest. They c realize that it is their duty to preserve our the retrieve if possible, but how many natural heritage for the future generation of I can't. 0(, sportsmen. While the timing of the strike is impor^,, working the cast out to cover all the VT°? M Yes, the Federation has taken over, and so tive water is just as important. Fish aU J& far they've done a mighty good job. Now for water with this lure as many good trout { some action, but that's up to the individual / £&Ju<-Hort taken off the riffles at certain times o* sportsmen. Will they come through? year. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 19

Generally speaking, streamer fishing is , re effective and more pleasure is derived Ca ^ .VVo2"king the larger streams. As a long j * Js necessary on the larger streams, it j^ aiso essential to the life-like action of the jh £abou plumes so attractive to the trout, ^fted just under the surface the lure can ty, ^y be seen at all times, and the rise en it comes, is vicious and spectacular. do 6r resort to shot to Set the streamer j. ^n as the extra weight is an abomina- t n on the back cast. The practice of add- 8 0{ ^eight is to be frowned upon in the case ,th6 Marabou, as the inanimate weight s QUAKER CITY SPORTSMEN s, the remarkable feather action so neces- /"y to the fly's effectiveness. When forced TO HAVE NEW CLUBHOUSE hsh deep, the writer's method is to cast Competitive casting of all kinds including Cricket Club is shown turning the first "• above and on the far side of a boulder surf, fly and plug as well as archery and spadeful of earth. ha °kstruction ;n ^he stream that may cricket will be promoted at the new $15,000 The building will be a two-story structure ^ roor a trout, and as the fly floats down s n Sportsmen's Club Home for which ground with locker room facilities for both men and r.. l ks naturally to the proper level. The l was broken on April 3d in Fairmount Park, women, a workshop, reception hall, kitchen, ^ fieve is then made by "pumping." This Philadelphia. trophy room, and spacious assembly rooms. ahi covers hoth sides of the boulder head s e rout ls Executive heads of the three leading or­ It will command a full view of the famous in tu *^ ^ ' hut hard on the extras ganizations sponsoring these sports, club Cedar Park Casting Field, which for the fj. ^e fly box, as the percentage of "snagged" members, and officials of the Fairmount Park past twenty years has been set aside by the ^is high. e Commission were present at the ceremony. Fairmount Park Commission for the use of ei " boulder strewn stretches with fast Shown in the above picture (reading left the Dover Fishing Club of Philadelphia in f. es and white water is also ideal water ^ it.. to right) are Harry R. High, Samuel S. conducting their casting activities. Included ^ '•'Us streamer. A cast directly over a sub- Fleisher, Chairman of the Fairmount Park among these are the annual intra-club tour­ ged boulder or large rock and retrieved recreation committee, Rev. John R. Hart, nament and the Fall open tournament sanc­ str °SS' around the side and through the down W. F. Lahner, Dr. Robert P. Elmer, eight tioned by the Association of Surf Angling ^ eddy is very effective. times national archery champion, J. W. Clubs. Robbins, David Mazzoni, local sportsman and 0j he past summer (1940) I had the pleasure In 1936 and 1937 the Association of Surf Jj- letting a line in a famous Margaree surf fisherman. Seated in front are C. E. Angling Clubs held the National Ocean City r Kellis, President of the Philadelphia Archery J . * in Cape Breton, N. S. The first lure Cup Tournament, the classic of surf casting, la eid? on that famous stream was a "baby Association and Louis Robinson, President on this field as guests of the Dover Fishing ta a oi 0{ * &ou (white)". There was a run on of the Dover Fishing Club of Philadelphia. Club. It is recognized as one of the finest ea trout and the marabou came through William J. Hole, President of the Fairmount casting fields in the East. a^ual. The river was loaded with trout J* every cast meant a hooked fish. And to you, brother angler, that the Red spinners are prohibited. Fishing with any in *^Oous to prove whether it was our faith Gods may smile on you, try this greatest of form of live bait such as angle worms, meat, ^nt ^y or *^le ^ys own merits> we pre- all trout lures, the Marabou streamer. or liver or any other type of bait is a viola­ ^ ted the natives with several variations of tion of the rules and regulations at the ha .Marabou, and one young fellow was Project. a * from the river in a few minutes with SPRING CREEK PROJECT WILL All fish taken in the men's fishing section Vo/^ttky trout, his first trout on a fly and OPEN MAY 9 of the Project must be over 10 inches in C] . much sold on the marabou. He 1 6 e cou Announcement was made recently byC. A. length to be legally killed and in the ladies had *- ^ ^ ^ have taken a dozen trout French, Commissioner of Fisheries, that the section a minimum size limit of 7 inches he Spring Creek Project popularly known as has been made. Anglers holding a Penn­ Me S outfldesiredt consiste. d of an 8 foot steel pole, a "Fisherman's Paradise" located on Spring sylvania fishing license will be permitted e ;,n? of cuttyhunk line, plug casting reel Creek near Bellefonte, Centre County, will to fish five (5) days during the special open a t0 very short leader. How he was able be formally opened this year on May 9 and season at the Project. J^ Cast a fly with this combination still will close on July 12, both dates inclusive. Other regulations announced today pro­ rtle t^e guessing. And thus the fame of The opening hour for the Project will be hibit the dressing or cleaning of fish on the Marabou spreads 8 A.M. to 8 P.M., Standard Time. No fishing property and require that all fish must be f^,"?Li?* cto ththe propenronerr rorocd for marabou streamer will be permitted on this Project on Sunday. weighed in when the angler checks out after (•oj^g. don't use your pet light weight fly Anglers will be permitted to kill two (2) completing his fishing for the day. No wad­ or t»0 , this kind of work as the plumes hold trout as his daily limit and ten (10) a day ing in the stream for any purpose whatever tfj k'krable water, which makes it rather may be caught. It was specified, however, will be permitted. te cast A fairiv stiff rod oi 9 feet that the angler must stop fishing after two The use of sinkers or weights not exceed­ 6ve - > W °Unce Is about right. As to the proper (2) fish have been killed. Only artificial ing a weight of 2 B. B. shot will be per­ an t)f0' y line that will spring the rod flies with barbless hooks or regular hooks mitted. It was stressed that violation of P^rly is O. K. for streamer fishing. with barbs removed, may be used and any of the Rules and Regulations will be 20 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER M»*

subject to a fine of Twenty Dollars ($20) or confiscation of the fisherman's fishing equipment or revocation of his fishing license The Value of Wildlife and if the Board deems it advisable all three of these measures will be taken. Conservation FISH CONTEST STAGED IN UNION (Editor's Note: This essay, written by Mary and wild animals must be protected. TJj Kathryn Hess, Columbia High School, won disappearing species must not be killed whw The anglers of Union County and members first place in the contest conducted by the their breeding stock is being built up. It b^ of the association will be given an oppor­ Lancaster County Federation of Sportsmen's been estimated that, unless the season »| tunity to demonstrate their skill as fishermen, Clubs). closed for a time, the waterfowl in this count" during the season, and receive a valuable can be made to vanish completely, by *H reward which will be given by the Union OUR centuries ago this land of ours was a natural paradise. Great forests and rich "deadly magic of lead pellets", within the B0m County Sportsmen's Association. F ten years. The committee which is composed of W. O. vegetation garbed the countryside. Nature's 11 Duck, chairman, Lewisburg; Asher Kniss, habitat sheltered wildlife of every kind—birds Besides providing keen sport for the hu '' Mifflinburg; W. A. Pursley, Laurelton; and beasts, large and small; flowers and trees, ers, our fur-bearing animals add greatly '" Charles Swank, Lewisburg; Mearns Arbo- fragile and mighty. Everywhere could be our economic wealth. The value of furs m gast, Lewisburg; W. L. Gerhart, Lewisburg; found some form of life, and each plant and cured annually in Pennsylvania alone excee'J' a million dollars. While really important, tb»» B. C. Specht, West Milton; W. E. Simpler, animal seemed to possess the particular fea­ 8 tures needed for thriving in its native haunt. resource is given little attention, except White Deer, have announced the following trapping time. The principal fur-bear)*" rules for the contest. Unhindered by man's destruction, Mother animals trapped in eastern farming section 1. This contest is open to any person Who Nature seemed to provide for all the needs are the muskrat and the skunk. The ha*1* is a member of the Union County Sports­ of her great family. Every spring the fresh, done by these animals is really very slig^ men's Association for 1941 at the time of luxuriant foilage that appeared promised a Besides their fur value, skunks benefit g catching the fish he enters in the contest. new food supply, for most of the wild creatures farmer by destroying many troublesome i"' 2. All fish entered in the contest must be feasted on the nuts, berries, seeds, and roots, sects and beetles. caught legally by rod and line in open and which were produced in abundance. The e un-restricted waters during the 1941 sea­ beasts of prey lived on smaller, weaker Another insect-killer is the bird, whose di son within the borders of the State of Penn­ animals. These, however, were sufficiently nu­ consists largely of these pests. The insect i°' crease in a single season is tremendous, bffl sylvania. Any contestant may enter as many merous to prevent any danger of extermina­ 1 fish as he desires. tion by their natural foes. the increase of birds at the same time preve' '* an insect plague. Millions of tiny eggs a* 3. Each fish entered in the contest must be Apparently the vast horde of nature's chil­ presented at one of the following places also destroyed by the songsters each wint^j dren was sheltered and fed quite successfully The real reason underlying the interest ^ where it will be weighed, and the length and —until the coming of the white man. Then girth measured. In all cases weight rather bird conservation is not their worth in doll^ the mighty forests began to crumble beneath and cents, however. It is the fact that the p^ than length will determine the winning en­ his axe; huge groves were destroyed by his lie wants to keep these feathered friends t>e' tries. Herbster's Mill, Laurelton; Mifflinburg careless use of fire. With no thought of limit cause of the beauty and pleasure they f?v Hardware Company, Mifflinburg; Lewisburg or bounds, he killed as much game as his to life. Hardware Company, Lewisburg; West Milton kill allowed. In the white man, the animals State Bank, West Milton; Post Office, Allen- tracked by the beasts of prey had found an The salmon fisheries in the United Sta'* wood; Donehower's Sporting Goods Store, additional enemy. Under this double oppres­ and Alaska provide an important food supP"! sion the smaller wild creatures soon began to but the welfare of this industry is be&° Lewisburg. 0 4. The contest for trout will be closed July disappear. In his ruthless drive for use and seriously threatened by the building of daJ '! possession of resources which he considered These obstructions prevent the fish from go*"* 31, 1941, and for all other species of fish in­ 0 cluded, November 30, 1941. unlimited, the white man was woefully waste­ upstream to spawn; and, as a result, salfl* 5. Prizes will be awarded as follows: Brook ful. are fast disappearing. By his heedlessness nJjj trout—first prize, automatic reel; second Finally came the realization that such reck­ is losing a fine food supply which he may *^ prize, level fly line. less extravagance could not continue. Then need in future years. , Brown trout—first prize, automatic reel; conservation laws were introduced and pro­ Another invaluable resource is to be f01*^, second prize, level fiy line. tective societies were organized. Nevertheless, in our forests. Pennsylvania, which raJ"^ Rainbow trout—first prize, automatic reel; we are today confronted with glaring evidence fourth among the states in maple sugar p1'.0 second prize, level fly line. of destruction. One-twelfth of our original duction, gained more than $225,000 from l" Small mouth bass—first prize, level wind forest land has been destroyed. Most of this sugar maple trees last year. Lumber roan** reel; second prize, casting line. damage resulted from man's thoughtlessness. facturing also yields great financial pro» ' Large mouth bass—first prize, level wind Every year about fifty million acres of grand, Much of the wood for this world industry , reel; second prize, casting line. majestic trees are reduced to charred ruins. produced in the United States, one-fourth Catfish—first prize, Telescope rod; second Numerous kinds of delicate flowers, once thriv­ which is still forested. The uses of wood ha\ prize, reel. ing and plentiful, have been tramped and greatly increased despite the introduction Sucker—first prize, telescope rod; second plucked unmercifully. Today they are draw­ substitutes, such as steel and cement. prize, reel. ing constantly nearer extinction. The bird's All our priceless resources of natural 1>£ Largest fish of any species excepting eels song, sweetest of all music, fast is fading from give Americans a rich heritage. This is *\ or carp caught by a junior member—fish our ears as these feathered songsters die for pecially obvious in our own Lancaster CotiOw' creel. lack of proper food and shelter. Wild animals which may truly be called God's CounWj 6. In all disputes the decision of the com­ that once roamed freely and used of nature's Here, among the peaceful, rolling hills 8**j mittee shall be final. store without restriction are now becoming a in stately wooded groves, a varied supply rarity to be seen only in zoos or parks. Some fish and game abounds. Our wildlife must P species have become entirely extinct. preserved in these wholesome, natural setting The scarcity of wildlife in America today Conservation committees are earnest in tn is a sad contrast to the profusion that once efforts to secure protective laws and reS}?A existed. Considering this disastrous change, our native beauty spots, but much more en° it is undeniable that conservation is very must be expended. In consideration of fut,J necessary. Conservation does not mean selfish generations, observation of the past must ce « hoarding of nature's gifts, but it does mean tainly make us realize the great importance protecting and developing them to the fullest our supporting intelligent conservation. permanent usefulness. Unless this is done, the great wealth of natural life we still possess Bibliography will soon disappear. 1. Conservation in "New Standard ™i One of the most popular brown trout streams cyclopedia". Funk and Wagnalls, 1931 ^ on the North Tier is Pine Creek's West Branch In order to satisfy the demands of seven In Potter County. million hunters in the United States, our birds 1934, volume VHI, page 318-320. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 21

"• Forestry in "New Standard Encyclo­ of Meadville as President at its annual organization, and officials and committee pedia". Funk and Wagnalls, 1931 and 1934, meeting in Meadville on March 31. members said plans are going forward to v°lume XII, page 343-344. Manager of the National Bearing Metals make it an outstanding event. • Lumber Industry in "New Standard En- Corporation plant and a former president J^opedia". Funk and Wagnalls, 1931 and of the organization, Williams succeeds b 4 * > volume XVIL page 442-443. Richard S. Strouss of Saegertown. Other LOYALHANNA TAKES IN NEW *• Wildlife, Conservation of, "New Stand- officers are: Vice-president, Dan McElhaney, r« Encyclopedia". Funk and Wagnalls, 1931 Titusville; Secretary, Dr. George Buehler of MEMBERS, PLAN TROUT "J» 1934, volume XXV, page 180. Linesville; Treasurer, C. W. Fay of Titus­ CONTEST Si Conservation of Natural Resources, "En- ville; Divisional Director, Wallace C. Dean Twenty-seven new members were ac­ - °Pedia Americana", Americana Corpora­ of Meadville and Alternate Director, Merle cepted and it was voted to affiliate with the te« . 1939, volume VII, page 546-548. 6, F. Bideaux of Woodcockboro. Westmoreland County Sportsmen's Associa­ Forestry in the United States, "Encyclo- Buehler and Fay were reelected, the former tion at the meeting of the Loyalhanna Pedi a Americana", Americana Corporation 1939, for his fifth term and the latter for his Sportsmen's Association in the Loyalhanna volume XI, page 477-480. third term. Hall. t, • The Waterfowl and Common Sense, Honored guests of the meeting were Mer­ Membership cards were given out to mem­ y^rgency Conservation Committee, New 0, rill C. Merritts of Altoona, President of the bers who joined the association at the pre­ * -k,(1937. Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's vious meeting and all new members will V, "More Food for Upland Game", Bulletin Clubs; Robert C. Lamberton, of Franklin, receive cards at the next regular meeting to ' Board of Game Commissioners of the Corn­ W alth of member of the Game Commission; J. Fred be held on April 20th, it was announced. s' « Pennsylvania, McKean of New Kensington, and Clifford Decision to join the county organization v • "A Year's Program for Bird Protection J. Welch of Erie, members of the Fish Com­ came after a unanimous vote on the proposal. s. Pennsylvania", Board of Game Commis- 0n mission. In addition to those who joined, quite a ers of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- Welch and McKean addressed the meeting number of other men from the district indi­ briefly and were cheered for their expres­ cated their desire to join the Loyalhanna I "• Conservation in "Compton's Pictured sions of cooperation with the Crawford group and the membership roll is expected ^cyclopedia". F. E. Compton and Co., 1937, 01 County sportsmen, while Merritts in a stir­ to swell considerably. «me in, page 343-344. ring appeal, urged the sportsmen to "take Among the suggestions approved at the svl "Wildlife in the Farm Program", Penn- y time out to give your kids a break." meeting was that to award a prize to the 'vania Game Commission, 1938. 2 "Teach these kids—the sportsmen and sportsman who catches the largest trout to* - "Conservation—Come and Get It", sportswomen of tomorrow—to be good clean during the coming season. The trout must y^ergency Conservation Committee, New Xot sports in the woods and on the stream. be 10 inches long or larger to be entered and K 1939. For today, you find Pennsylvania to be about must be caught in a radius of 100 miles of the last hunters' and fishers' paradise in Loyalhanna. America. It's yours, what are you going to Game Warden Robert Reed gave an in­ CRAWFORD SPORTSMEN HEAR do with it? Let's keep it a paradise forever teresting report on the recent small game MERRITTS' ADDRESS and a day." stocking program and urged closer coopera­ „ *he Crawford County Branch, Sportsman's The Council announced plans to hold its tion between the sportsmen and the wardens. outicil, representing about 1900 organized annual banquet at Conneaut Lake Park, Robert M. Statler was on hand and showed POr v tsmen in this northwestern Pennsyl- probably during the last week in May. This four reels of very interesting fishing pic­ ^a County, elected Emmett A. Williams will be the third annual banquet of the tures.

Long noted for Its brown trout fishing has been Slate Bun In Lycoming County. 22 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER M»? MIDDLE ATLANTIC N*^ ASSOCIATION OF CASTING CLUBS- An association of sportsmens clubs formed to promote tournament casting.enccwrage organization anx>naanaferja«ist in. conservation-and support all moves toward true sportsmanship.

The 1941 ANNUAL TOURNAMENT of Following a decision at a recent meeting the MIDDLE ATLANTIC ASSOCIATION of the Executive Committee of this Asso­ OF CASTING CLUBS will be held at Willow ciation, arrangements have been completed Grove Park on JUNE 8. The management for INTERCLUB CASTING COMPETITION of Willow Grove Park, which donated to the among member clubs of the M.A.A.CC dur­ 1940 M.A.A.CC. Tournament the handsome ing the months preceding and following the plaque pictured in the February issue of the 1941 Tournament. President Willard Bow­ PENNSYLVANIA ANGLES, has again promised man appointed Ernest Jenkins, of Narberth, Tournament Committee Chairman Joseph from the Lower Merion Rod and Gun Club, Vandegrift, of Willow Grove, that it will as Chairman of the M.A.A.CC Interclub furnish another beautiful trophy for the 1941 Casting Committee. This Committee subse­ Tournament. The M.A.A.C.C. is grateful in­ quently arranged a summer schedule of deed for this trophy, which last year pro­ "Home-and-Away" casting matches for vided one of the outstanding attractions of member clubs, to determine the 1941 cham­ the Tournament. Annually, the Willow pionship team. Grove Park Trophy is awarded to the Club which totals the highest number of points Boulder Valley Sportsmen's Association in first, second and third places in all events Welcome to this club, a newcomer in the of the Tournament day. M.A.A.CC! Tournament Committee Chairman Joseph A recent "Bull Shoot" sponsored by the Vandegrift told the members of the Execu­ Boulder Valley Sportsmen's Association for tive Committee of this Association, at a re­ the benefit of the MONTGOMERY COUNTY cent meeting, that he is again making exten­ FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS sive preparations for the convenience of was an outstanding success, for which con­ William H. Durr of CornweU's Heights, Ba^Js those who will participate in the Tourna­ gratulations are due William H. Wolford of County, who is not only one of the expert cast* Sumneytown, John Breyer of Green Lane, of the M.A.A.C.C. but who is a real fishermannJJ ment, and that casters are invited to bring well. Here we find him pictured with a 'J,)sB ] their families to the Park, where plans are Irvin Kulp, Charles Kline and William B. pound bass which succumbed to his angling last summer. being completed for their comfort, also, and Nace, all of Sumneytown, as well as Melvin where special attractions at special rates are Reiss of Hoppenville and other hard-work­ being arranged for their entertainment on ing members of this Association. 'Twas a they planned and carried out their plans * the Tournament day. pleasure and an inspiration to watch these this event. men "put their shoulders to the wheel," as Unusual activity characterizes the The M.A.A.C.C. says, "COME ON OUT 11 and BRING YOUR FAMILY to WILLOW met ' GROVE PARK on JUNE 8!" I At the M.A.A.CC. Annual Tournament, many prizes are awarded to beginners as well as to more expert casters. This custom arose from the knowledge that encourage­ DERATIO ment of the novice is actual encouragement toward increasing the number of experts. For, not only in casting, but in most of life's "MEN'S CLUB endeavors, it is PRACTICE that INCREASES PERFECTION; and we must all be novices before we can hope to achieve the successes of the skillful. It is also worthy of note at this point that, in most of the M.A.A.CC Tournament events, equipment is restricted to catalogued equipment of standard manufacture—i.e., ACTUAL FISHING EQUIPMENT. Casters, therefore, need not purchase for the Tourna­ ment special equipment which they cannot use while fishing throughout the remainder of the year. And the "everyday fisherman" win valuable prizes with their "everyday fishing equipment." The M.A.A.CC Committee Chairmen, who have been hard at work with President Wil- lard Bowman otj plans for the success of the 1941 Tournament, are as follows: Tournaments—Joseph Vandegrift, of Wil­ low Grove. Rules—William Enochs, of Philadelphia. Prizes—William Stoneback, of Lansdale. Membership—Howard DuBois of Norwood. Interclub Casting—Ernest Jenkins, of Nar- berth. Publicity—Mrs. Ellen A. Dietrich, of Up­ of Sumneytown; William Stoneback and his son "Billy" of Lansdale; John"Breyer of Sumneyto*"' per Darby. John Ruth of Lansdale and Melvin Reiss of Hoppenville. 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER g?* of this club not only in their "Bull ^ °oting," but in their other outdoors en- a ors fe ^ > as well—hunting, fishing, winter dl et^ «g of game, shoots for "Ham-and-Eggs," ar fe,,'' >d we'll safely wager that if these ^ °ws consistently use their fishing equip- ,. ?*• to practice casting, they'll develop some rod-and-reel champions in Sumneytown! y^li* omcers °f this Association, which will th nitS next meetinS on Tuesday, June 3, at Meadow View Inn, Sumneytown, are as Allow°Uowss : Resident—William H. Wolford. ice-pres.—Durrell Schatz. Sec retary—Winfield Schatz. Tr easurer—William B. Nace. Delaware County Field and Stream jL_, Association Jd you know that our club's new trout a5jn§ Ponds were dedicated on April 13?" /essir! And now they're all ready and ting for some nice trout for which we've e [j, ;) application to the Federal Govern- Th lar P°nds under discussion consist of a lah6 rearm§ pond which is to be used as a eac>!ra'' reserv°ir to supply two lower ponds, Some of the "Bull Shooters" in action on the Boulder Valley Sportsmen's Association grounds at atJ °f which has been constructed to hold the Meadow View Inn, Sumneytown. Left to right, Howell Dietrich of Upper Darby; William •^Proximately 10,000 young trout annually.' Chase of Conshohocken; Charles Faust of Poitstown; Walter Miesen of Narberth; John Munro of Cl , Ponds, of oak planking, were built by Wilmington, Delaware and Jacob Breyer of Green Lane. jD members. ] a s noteworthy that 420 were in attend- the Dover Song as a welcome to Art Hank- Gloucester County Game and Fish w e at this Association's Third Anniversary inson when he takes the club on their annual Association etln Se g, during which there were adopted expedition to southern (South Jersey) waters. While competing in the Plug Accuracy amen by T^ dments to the constitution and Call him up and reserve your place on the event on the first Expert Night at the Phila­ Ws Uo > including provision for the forma- boat, it won't be long now. Telephone delphia Motorboat and Sportsmen's Show, »:„.. °f an Executive Committee in the Asso- WAVerly 9837. la Carl Leisy of Mantua, New Jersey, a mem­ tion. Don't know where the Dover members dig ber of the Gloucester County Game and Dover Fishing Club of Philadelphia up all these Eel stories, but they sure can Fish Association, made a score of 100%, •Ho i^e meeting last month it was unani- tell 'em. It all started several years ago thus establishing a new indoor record for COII]J decided to give what support we when Dave Mazzoni caught something that the Eastern part of the United States. ne An l ^° * New Jersey League of Surf looked like a sea serpent down near Sea Also upholding the honor of this club at rs n ne r °f tif 'in *theiir heroic fight for protection Isle City. It registered ten pounds on the the Philadelphia Motorboat and Sportsmen's e ty , striped bass in our eastern coastal scale, if you allow for Dave's thumb and a Show was our little friend, Donald Ott—that eor e °n «?' ^ S Jefferies spoke at some length couple of lead sinkers stuffed in its mouth, thirteen-year-old wizard-of-the-plug, son of su \w hject, explaining that even if we and was about four feet long. Lorin Ott, of Mantua", New Jersey. On e a \y Pennsylvania club there were many Dave has told a different story about that Novelty Night, Donald (who is better known ys su in which we could help. Albert Freck eel each year or rather the same story with to his family and friends as "Snuffy") com­ e s6n^ ^ted that a telegram be sent to repre- something added to it, until some of us were peted with the adults, as usual, and walked a Je tive Meyers who is fostering the New beginning to believe him. However, Dave's away with first place by breaking, within y stri er bil1 ^isV P telling him that the Dover days as a narrator of eel-tales are fading one minute and fifty seconds, five balloons n 6tlj S Club with its entire membership fast, for out of the depths of seclusion into by means of casting at them a %-oz plug 0rse sb d the action of the New Jersey the limelight springs our old-timer Bob from which a needle protruded. s j ~men in their efforts to protect the Mills with a hair-raising bit of natural r Holmesburg Fish and Game Protective bass and tnat we felt that our atti science observation that tops any eel story 'Ud - Association Sh.„ Was shared by all other Pennsylvania ever told. Bob was eating lunch by one of P^smen. our freshwater streams when he saw a snake On Championship Night at the Philadel­ 524 6 ^eSram was sent. House Bill No. (don't know the species) dancing the Rhumba phia Motorboat and Sportsmen's Show, Wil­ trw V^ then read to the club with recom- with an eel on a slippery log that was ex­ liam H. Durr of Cornwell's Heights, Bucks \yj aations that each member write or other- tending ten feet out over the water. Yes, County, a member of the Holmesburg Fish he c°ntact his representative urging that Bob was just eating lunch. The whole story and Game Protective Association, certainly e is a little long for this column, but don't showed excellent form in the %-oz. plug p0r, °' in favor of it. Henry Asam re- agai ^a* tbe commercial men were back fail to ask Bob to tell you about it. It's accuracy event. When the championship w good. casting was concluded, it was found that y0^ ith their nefarious netting and that eou Durr had tied for second place with George fr0rn ld buy all the stripers you wanted At this writing we haven't received the a DeGorgue and Homer Hobbs, both of the h0rt quarter up. President Robinson re- complete returns of the Spring Intraclub tna Pennsylvania State Fish and Game Protec­ Scar . t he had received notice that a Casting Tournament but it is sufficient to say y 0I tive Association. Their score was 96 out (du striped bass in eastern waters that the new plan as outlined in the April a of a possible 100. When these three men at6(j ° i ck of proper protection) necessit- issue of the ANGLER was a complete success. ne then cast off the tie for second place, Durr fequ. cpmmercial markets getting their Looks as though we'll have plenty of new lre was "hitting 'em right on the nose"; and, PgL ments from the west coast. If the material out for the "cup team" this year although the official record on this event and be able to bring the good old silver Sav 1Vania BiH N 524 is assed H wiU credits him with his original score of 96, the e th m a 0I °' P > mug back to Philly with another new record. ejjho ^°t freight and other shipping score which he actually made when casting Why not come out to the casting field some Ivr off this tie was 100. s night and watch the boys practice? Even earn ' here and fishing has started in s1rf Kingfish have been reported in the you might be a caster. Arthur Clark, of Fox Chase, Philadelphia, nd Biersf °ff some of the South Jersey fishing For information about the Dover Fishing also upheld the name of the Holmesburg w >'e eakfish are now in the surf within Club or any of its activities address the Fish and Game Protective Association at sch. of °r R i sommee oorf mthe oettebetterr castercasterss (a(a pluplugg Secretary, Robert Morris, 2728 West Mont­ the Philadelphia Sportsmen's Show by plac­ ii\ o aiPn Bowman); and the croakers down gomery Av., Philadelphia, Pa., Phone STEv- ing second in the Plug Accuracy event on the e Delaware Bay are tuned up to croak nson 7679. first of two Expert Nights. ?A PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER w»y

Lansdalc Sportsmen's Club Two men were crouching alongside a fence, "popping away" with their shotguns, when Mr. Farmer, also toting a shotgun, ran up to them, demanding: "Hey, thar! What's going on here?" "Why, we're shooting some crows, Mr. Farmer," was the hunters' reply. "Oho," apologized Mr. Farmer, as he re­ moved his hat to wipe his perspiring brow. "I hurried all the way up here 'cause I thought you was some of them thar city folks a-shooting at my chickens and I sure was ready to warm the seat of them thar good-looking huntin' pants fer you! But if that's what you're doing'—shootin' some of them derned crows—well, I think I'll jet right down here and help you shoot some!" Thus, after quiet had reigned for a few moments, a triple bombardment replaced the original shotgun duet. Mr. Farmer later assured the two members of this Club that he and other farmers in the neighborhood were grateful for the extermination of those black-feathered marauders. "That was dern good fun," concluded Mr. Farmer. "Come out again soon!" Lower Merion Rod and Gun Club The Lower Merion Rod and Gun Club wishes to express grateful appreciation to the PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION for its liberal stocking of the streams throughout Montgomery County, including Ready for a day's fishing for trout on Lizard Creek, Schuylkill County. At the rear, left to right; Mill Creek,, where to date the Club's fisher­ Louis Schietruropf and Fred Roberts, both of Tamaqua. In the foreground, Howell Dietrich men have had no end of fun. of Upper Darby. This Club is grateful, also, for the ringneck pheasants which were allotted to it by the Monocacy Field and Stream Association Eugene Muller, of Norristown, son °_ PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION Clubs in the vicinity of Bethlehem inter­ Adolph Muller, the former Pennsylvai11' and the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FEDER­ ested in joining the MIDDLE ATLANTIC Game Commissioner, won the much-talke ATION OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS for dis­ ASSOCIATION OF CASTING CLUBS about bull at the benefit "Bull Shoot" whi<* tribution on open hunting ground in Upper should contact Lawrence L. Lehr, of 924 the Boulder Valley Sportsmen's Club spo11' and Lower Merion Townships, as well as for Monocacy Street, Bethlehem, Pa., who is the sored for the benefit of the MONTGOMEB* the 1500 young trees with which this Club Secretary of the Monocacy Field and Stream COUNTY FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN* was provided from the nurseries of the Fed­ Association as well as a member of the CLUBS. This shoot was not only a "gran" eration—to "increase the game-holding M.A.A.C.C.'s Membership Committee. get-together" for the 300 sportsmen capacity of the fields and to aid in building Montgomery County Fish, Game and participated in it, but it was a finanO* up streams for more aquatic life." Forestry Association success as well. Do you have squirrels in your attic? If so, A total of 1500 Rainbow Trout was stocked Pennsylvania State Fish and Game and if you live in Lower Merion Township, by the PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMIS­ Protective Association . , report the matter to Joseph P. White, of Nar- SION above the dam at the new Montgomery Brook Dolan, world traveler and scient'5 berth, who is making arrangements with County Park, and 800 Brown Trout were who has lead many expeditions for & the Pennsylvania Game Commission for per­ placed in Deep Creek which runs into this Philadelphia Academy of Natural ScienceS' mits to enable a number of members of this dam, said Harry Z. Cole, of Norristown, a provided a real evening's entertainment J°, Club to trap squirrels on properties in the member of this Association and Bucks- members of the Pennsylvania State Fish a£ Township where owners complain of dam­ Montgomery Counties Fish Warden. The Game Protective Association when he sp°£ age done by these small animals. (Inci­ Montgomery County Park Dam, which was to them' at a recent meeting at which ^ dentally, we always believed that squirrels built by the Montgomery County Commis­ also showed unusually fine moving picture were well provided by Mother Nature with sioners for the enjoyment of all of the of salmon fishing in Norway and Canad^ fur coats for winter as well as summer residents of the County, has already sur­ Mrs. Dolan, we have learned, is also sfi months. But at least one Lower Merion passed the fondest hopes of the Commis­ enthusiastic sportswoman, proficient in "? Township squirrel decided it would like to sioners. Skating was enjoyed by thousands art of fly fishing for salmon, as well as • be the proud owner of two fur coats! For, there last Winter. And since "the trout have taking moving pictures of their interestir* to his dismay, Joe White one day received a been bitin'", fishermen have been numer­ faraway fishing expeditions. , telephone call from a frantic housewife who ous at the water's edge. (Charles Hughes, Another vote of appreciation is due "J., informed him that a portion of her good d of Norristown, reminds the sportsmen that liam D. Burk, of Melrose for the splen di fur coat had actually been carried away by they should do whatever they can to discour­ Cilii b one of those fur-bearing nut-crackers!) moving pictures which he showed his age throwing of paper, tin cans and other members on the occasion of this same toff- ,, At the recent Lehigh County Sportsmen's forms of rubbish around the Park "Let's try ing. Following a number of "camera sh"** Show held in Allentown, Ernest Jenkins, to keep it clean," he urges). taken last Spring when floral blooms °niVi of Narberth, placed second in the Plug Ac­ E. F. Browse, of Norristown, a member Old York Road estate were at their best, P'^ curacy event, with a score of 97; while Ed­ of this Association, as well as District For­ showed the group pictures of how he a" win Anderson, of Philadelphia, tied with ester under the Pennsylvania Department Mrs. Burk catch Black Bass on light tac^ r three others for third place, with, a score of Forests and Waters, aided by other mem­ in Florida waters. One of the fish captu .j a of 96. At the Philadelphia Motorboat and bers of the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FED­ and pictured weighed sixteen and one-" e Sportsmen's Show, too, Eddie Anderson's ERATION OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS, dis­ pounds. That's a bass that is a bass, * erS score of 93 held second place on the first tributed approximately 1500 small trees to Pennsylvania, Delaware and New J of two Novice Nights; while Arthur Miesen, each of the member clubs of the Federa­ bass fishermen agree! i5 of Ardmore, and Charles Spencer, of Upper tion. The trees were to be planted where In the absence of the President of ^V Darby, also upheld the name of this Club they would provide water shed protection Association, Hon. Edgar Nicholson, of Ar by placing second and third respectively, as well as game food and cover in Mont­ more, who spent a few weeks in Califor11; on the second of two Novice Nights. gomery County. one of the Association's Vice-Preside*1 1941 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 25

r c - Charles A. E. Codman, of Philadelphia, and Lower Salford Townships totaled 104, Wissahickon Field and Stream Association onducted the meeting and ascertained that and represented this club's share of the The Wissahickon Field and Stream Asso­ ^yone was, as usual, "well behaved." pheasants released from the Fisher State ciation's members have also been busily -The Pennsylvania State Fish and Game Game Farm at Schwenksville and from the engaged in Spring tree-planting, pheasant °tective Association won first place in Federation's pheasant pens at the Eastern liberation and stocking of fish, as well as in flu; Accuracy casting on Team Night at the State Penitentiary. making preparations for a good summer of Philadelphi a Motorboat and Sportsmen's John C. Markley, of Schwenksville, Sec­ fishing on the dam which they recently Sh, '°w- This Association's team average was retary of this Association, informs us that built in their vicinity. ,ci' The members of the Association's win- Clarence R. Kratz, of Schwenksville, Chair­ Hiram Reinhart, of Norristown, upheld £*g team were: George DeGorgue and man of the Entertainment Committee, has the name of this club by placing third on °oart Lavin, of Upper Darby, and Raymond procured for the meetings of this club the first of two Novice Nights at the Phila­ e irl6) 0f Berlin, New Jersey. On Cham- some excellent motion pictures on hunting delphia Motorboat and Sportsmen's Show. wonship Night, Charles Stocker, of Phila- and fishing. His score was 90 out of a possible 100. „ iphia, another member of this club, placed Royersford Hunting and Fishing Association s i , t wit••*v*hx «a OVISAscoreC Uofi %/i*97. O\-/lln thUiCe DC^WAilsecondi tJoAf The members of this Association express „*° Expert Nights, Hobart Lavin, Charles their appreciation to the PENNSYLVANIA BANNER BEDFORD RALLY •ocockel r and George DeGorgue placed FISH COMMISSION for the liberal stocking ADDRESSED BY BRETH of streams in Montgomery County; to the s ^t, second and third, respectively, their cor*e, s being 97, 96 and 95. On Novelty PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION and Urging landowners and sportsmen to work cooperatively with the Game Commission to N.^ht , also, George DeGorgue held second the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FEDERA­ ace by breaking, within two minutes and TION OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS for the preserve one of Pennsylvania's largest "in­ teen seconds, five balloons with a %-oz. pheasants and quail which were liberated in dustries"—the sports of hunting and fishing— Harris G. Breth, the sportsmen's radio repre­ to u ^rom which a needle protruded. Not Montgomery County during the early Spring t,. he outdone by the experts, Charles J. months; and to the Montgomery County sentative, addressed a throng of 700 at the ^sler, of Drexel Hill, on the second of Federation, also, for the 15,000 young trees annual banquet of Bedford County's Federa­ ° Novice Nights, took top honors for this with which each member club of the Fed­ tion of Sportsmen at Yellow Creek. sanation by placing first with a score eration was provided, to be planted where The Clearfield radio commentator, who they would "increase the game-holding ca­ has long taken an active interest in wildlife pacity of the fields and aid in building up protection, gave a most illuminating and Pin y°U know that Byard F. Brogan, of lla streams for more aquatic life." interesting address. He pointed out that t delphia, won a Field and Stream prize hunters and fishermen are responsible for c 'he 7-pound largemouth bass which he j, ught last summer? And did you know Upper Providence Fish, Game and Forestry more than half of the receipts of combined at Association sports in Pennsylvania. e Lou Dreuding, also of Philadelphia, 6a ed another big channel bass during the Tying trout flies during quiet winter and While large city dailies continue to feature jj^t summer? The exact weight of Lou's early Spring evenings proved to be a real baseball, football and boxing on their sports it slipped the mind of the writer, but diversion for the boys at Oaks. In fact, pages, he declared, the hunters and fisher­ j,^as well over fifty pounds. the President of this club, R. Howard Mc- men fail to receive the recognition their r«iomen Valley Sportsmen's Association Farland, Jr., did not have much success sport deserves. M> Jctensive planting of trees, liberation of with his favorite brand of trout fly last year Game and fish are among the state's lead­ j. easants, extermination of vermin, etc., and, for this reason, he tied some of a ing resources, he said. Purchases of sports­ tk e kept members of this club even more special new kind, he said. We have been men benefit everyone, and Mr. Breth's sta­ ^ n Usually active during the past Spring wondering whether the new trout flies have tistics showed without question why legis­ solved his fish-catching problems. lators, business men and others should

23 5* addition to planting its share of the Members of this club report that they interest themselves in the future of this j/>00j UO0 trees which were distributed among find the new smooth-bore .22 rifle (which sport. c= member clubs of the MONTGOMERY they use with their Mo-Skeet-O outfits) The speaker has travelled widely in Penn­ UUNTY FEDERATION OF SPORTS- an ideal gun also for shooting snakes from sylvania studying wildlife, its habits, food ^N'S CLUBS, the Perkiomen Valley distances up to 40 or 50 feet. This gun supply, etc., in order to gain knowledge tj rtsmen's Association purchased addi- affords an excellent weapon, Howard told us, of how to increase the numbers of game pi a* trees to augment this early Spring for snake-shooting around stone pits and animals, birds and fish. Sfiv program. Pheasants released this water where, in many instances, rifle bullets He gave his opinion that the preservation £r mg through this club in Skippack, Lower might glance off and thereby provide acci­ of this sport is not so much dependent upon aerick, Perkiomen and portions of Upper dent hazards. shortening the open seasons and reducing the limit of kill as upon providing more food and shelter. Mr. Breth gave figures on the number of acres of state owned lands and showed how the large timber on these and privately owned lands is sometimes harmful to wild­ life because the dense foliage of the larger trees shuts out sunlight and hinders the growth of underbrush upon which small animals feed. He stressed the importance of planting seeds of game food plants in fence corners and open areas, so there will be ample food for wildlife during the long winter months. By supplying the necessary food in the wooded areas the sportsmen can help to pro­ tect the farmers' crops from destruction by game, and thus have the good will of the landowner as well as insure the future of his sport. • , A very complete and interesting program was presented during the course of the evening by the sportsmen's clubs. A total of 640 persons were served in the Yellow Creek school at the banquet, the ladies handling the crowd with dexterity and serving the freflpj? thn e Boulder Valley Sportsmen's Association held a benefit shoot for the Montgomery County 9 Pen °' Sportsmen's Clubs, there were present men and women from the Southeastern part meal rapidly and without any delays. ennsylvania, as well as from Delaware and New Jersey. The above Is a part of the group that attended. Music was furnished by the Smith Voca- 88 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER M»?

HERE X THERE *M ANGLERDO

What will probably go down in the rec­ For the second time in the three ye*1! ords as the outstanding first day catch of which Conemaugh Township High Sch<^ the season, was the creel taken on Perms at Davidsville, Somerset County, has be6" Creek by G. M. Schreckengast of the State in operation a fishing club has been ot' Police, Harrisburg. "Schreck," as he is ganized under the direction of Howard Hel' popularly known by his many angling friends sel. Approximately 35 boys in grades 1 ** in central Pennsylvania, scored an amazing 12 are members of the club which mee_ catch of rainbow trout. Four of these rain­ once a week during school hours in a reSP*' bows were 22 inches apiece in length, two lar club period. . were 17 inches and the remainder of the Last year's program dealt largely ^}, catch were twelve inches. Fishing with tying flies and use of artificial lures, cast*?' Schreck on the first day was George Myers of technique, and a study of local streams. ^ Harrisburg who caught a fine heavy girthed club members this year intend to make &e rainbow 17 inches in length. own flies and have voted to make a bamk°° rod, as their year's project. The following first day catches were Officers of the club for 1941 are: M*, scored in Lancaster County waters, accord­ •Krajnak, president; Bob Saylor, vice-preSl' ing to a report received from Warden Horace dent; Charles Klimejt, Secretary-treasure^ Pyle of Coatesville. Earl Root of Ephrata Two other clubs of a sports nature org*", landed a fine 15 inch brown trout while ized at Conemaugh Township High Scho"' fishing in Cedar Run near Churchtown. Bill one of Pennsylvania's largest rural b"f Bixler, of Ephrata, R. D., caught five trout schools, having 1059 students in grades in Indian Run, the largest 14 inches in length. to 12, are rifle club and archery club. . Advisers of these organizations are Gi x Richard W. Grafflus of Spruce Creek, Hunting­ n From Warden G. Max Noll of Montrose don County, with the 21 !4 inch ZY> pounds brown C. Hess and Joseph Jones, rifle club; * trout he caught on opening day this year in Paul Berkebile, archery. comes the following report of first day Spruce Creek. The catch was scored on fly. catches on Starrucca Creek in Susquehanna County. Forty-four fishermen were con­ Highlights at the annual spring rally j Comments livewire Special Warden A. J. tacted; 17 had no catches, and 27 had 8 brook the Conway Hunting and Fishing Club ° Socher of Blawnox: "All last summer while trout, 35 brown trout and 24 rainbow trout. Beaver County were a fish fry and the she*, Best one man catch was six trout, four checking fishermen on the Upper Allegheny J ing of Alaskan movies, according to E. ^ fc browns and two rainbows. Largest trout River, I found more and more fishermen ] disch, Jr., club secretary. At the time ^ taken was a 16 /2 inch brown, while a 15 trying plug and fly fishing instead of bait club announced the winner in its sc»° inch rainbow and 10% inch brook trout fishing. If we want our boys and girls that essay contest, "What Conservation Means were also taken. The stream was high and are coming on to enjoy the sport of fishing, the Sportsman." First prize was won v. water temperature was low definitely affect­ we will have to say to ourselves 'I think I Sam Floride and second prize by Joe Fa^. ing the catches, according to Noll. shall start plug and fly fishing and leave Speakers were Cliff Iman, fish warden, Br*^ more fish food in the streams for the fish.' ley McGregor, game protector, and John ' There were more fish being caught and more fl Speaking of careful handling and landing Mock, outdoor editor for the Pittsburgh P L*f big fish, we know the following report will strikes from fish were being had with the Harry Depp, one of the original sponsors * * prove interesting. It • concerns Morgan little plugs than ever before. A. W. Bowser the annual deer feeding caravan, was Feehter of Altoona who landed a 21 inch lead the club well into September with a guest at the dinner. brown trout weighing 3 pounds 3 ounces on 19% inch smallmouth bass caught on a red a number 14 Grey Hackle one day last and white Shakespeare Midget Spinner and season in Spring Creek, Centre County. After the writer was second with a 17% inch Two exceptionally fine bass were ta> the fish had been hooked, it broke water smallmouth taken on a Green Perch finish in Pocono Lake last season by Edward Z*\t then headed upstream, swimming through a plug of the same make. South Bend's Fish- boni, Sr., and Thomas Sheffler of M^, coil of old fence wire on the stream bottom. O-Bite in the silver herring finish produced Carmel, according to a report received fr There it bogged down, and Feehter upon an 18 inch smallmouth and so it goes down Fish Warden Harry Carl of Elysburg. ^ investigating found the wire. He pulled the line to 14 inches, all caught on small boni's catch measured 18y2 inches in lensj^ the wire bundle to the surface, held it with lures. I have received letters from fishermen and tipped the scales at 4 pounds 10 oU^j one hand and pushed the rod through with who have had lots of sport with the Mack's Sheffler took a 21% inch fish weighing the other. Then retrieving the rod, he Minno Bug from Warren downstream. Even pounds 10 ounces. Both bass were taken again routed th« fish and succeeded in land­ with the size limit back to 9 inches on bass, minnow. ing it. there are lots of fishermen who are putting 10 and 11 inch fish back in the water if they Heading the Mount Carmel Game P^U Fishing in Whipple Run, Huntingdon are not hooked too badly. Nearly every tive Association this year is Norman Sta^ County, on the first day, Earl Pollack of weekend some of the boys meet up with Edgar Buck is vice president, Joseph Ye*»^ Mount Union caught two fine rainbow trout, Ross Bailey, the Fish Warden from Youngs- financial secretary, Michael Marenick, ,, 17 and 18 inches in length on worm. Joe ville. The boys claim he must be able to cording secretary and Clement Yeager, tre ^ Kephart of Mount Union caught three beau­ smell where a fellow is fishing and he is urer. This club has been very active tiful rainbows, 14 to 15 inches and Jay Pol­ always willing to be of service. I am strong all types of conservation work during ^ 1 1 lack scored with a 19 inch rainbow in the for plugs and flies when fishing." past and it is the club's desire to pre * same water. good clean sportsmanship at all time.

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