Pennsylvania October 1985/80^

ANGLEThe Keystone State's Official Fishing MagazineR

jfff and most of the participants were poised just a crop failure or flood involved almost daily in technical away from widespread famine. In sessions with their Chinese spite of abject poverty by our Straight counterparts. We dealt with the standard, the people are clean and Beijing Municipal Research Institute their children are beautiful. of Environmental Protection, the But back to the purpose of our Talk Tianjin Scientific and Technical visit, which was to discuss water Exchange Center, the Nanjing quality and how to improve it. One of Environmental Protection Agency, the the basic tenets one learns at the very South China Environment Research beginning is not to drink the water— PERSPECTIVE ON A Institute, and the China Guangzhou unless it has been boiled. We stayed in TRIP TO CHINA Science and Technology Exchange government guest houses, but we Center with Foreign Nations. understand that even the joint-venture These technical exchanges were western-type hotels had the highly In July and August we took most helpful—these people are eager decorated thermos of boiled water in advantage of a great opportunity to to know the latest in technology every room—primarily for tea. You spend three weeks in the People's related to air and water pollution can let it cool off and drink it and Republic of China through China- control. They want information on brush your teeth with it. Even in a U.S. Scientific Exchanges, a non­ the state of the art and are, frankly, highly sophisticated water supply profit foundation. This trip, at our trying to catch up to the rest of the company facility with the most up-to- own expense, involved 29 Americans, world after decades of delay. They date equipment, and guarantees from most of them from Pennsylvania, and were warm and friendly, and although the operators that there was no included Commissioner Leonard it was never far from our minds that harmful bacteria in the water, they Green, Clifford L. Jones, Walter this was indeed a Communist country, answered our question, "Would you Lyon, Representatives Cole and what has brought the United States drink water from the taps here?" with DeWeese, Professor Jack Nesbitt, and and China together were not common the reply: "The Chinese are so Richard Rabold and William Morris, ideals, but common interests. China is accustomed to drinking boiled water both officials in water supply an overpopulated nation with a per that they will continue to do so." companies. Ten of us were capita annual income that averages We have a long way to go in this accompanied by our spouses. about $20 per month in the cities, and country to improve the quality of our The purpose of the trip was to perhaps half that much in the drinking water, and Pennsylvania, exchange ideas and information on countryside. although making significant strides in water quality management, water Although about 60 percent of the this direction, is struggling to supply, and environmental protection. principals' time was spent in technical eliminate waterborne disease, and sessions, we did get to see some of the even to prevent widespread epidemics. sights that made us think that we were If there was any message that our really just walking through the pages group carried to the Chinese, it was of National Geographic. Although we that while they are expanding had prepared ourselves with extensive industrially and economically that reading, it is still difficult to realize they do everything from the beginning that we were actually there. with the best available technology and We saw the Great Wall north of keep it modern. At the same time, Beijing, which is still 3,750 miles long China, with over one billion of the and the only man-made structure that world's most gifted people, can can be seen from satellites. We saw become an economic giant in the next the Ming Tombs, Mao's Mausoleum, century, and as China enjoys more the Forbidden City, the rapidly benefits from its cooperation with the developing industrial cities, and a West, it will be ever more reluctant to hard-working populace that is still turn back to the road to the East.

QTUJ^ Ralph W. Abele Executive Director Pennsylvania Fish Commission Pennsylvania October 1985 Vol. 54 No. 10

ANThe Keystone State'sG Official Fishing Magazine ^ Indian Summer Steelhead by Chuck Beckman From boats and from shore you can get in on the action 4 Falling Spring—The Teaching Stream by Harry W. Murray You can put these lessons into action on many Pennsylvania trout streams. 7 Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth by Larry Shaffer PLAY membership offers kids a lot, and judging from the increasing number of memberships, kids and parents think so, too 11 Danger Lurks in Your Small Boat by Art Michaels Semivees and John boats of 12 feet to 14 feet have special safety requirements. And you can bet your life on that 12 Volunteers—What Would We Do Without Them? by Lois Howard Since the establishment of the Fish Commission some 120 years ago, volunteers have played a vital part in this conservation agency. Here's their story 15 The Bronze Speck by Chauncy K. Lively When trout are taking the small stuff, this all-purpose dry fly fits the bill 18 Be Quick to Strike by Rich Faler, Jr. Was that a weed that slowed your lure, or was it the biggest fish you've ever missed? 24 County Features—Bradford and Susquehanna Counties by Ted Keir ... 26 Jig 'n Pig: The Big Bass Lure by Bill Anderson Learning the ins and outs of using this offering can help you fool Pennsylvania's biggest bass 30 Straight Talk 2 Anglers Currents 20 The Law & You 20 Notes from the Streams 21 Anglers Notebook 22

The Cover This month's front cover, photographed by Chuck Beckman, shows Rich Beckman releasing an 8- pound steelhead at Elk Creek. For the details on steelhead fishing success, turn to page 4. The back cover, photographed by Russ Gettig, shows a portion of Penns Creek in Union County.

Pennsylvania Fish Commission Boating Advisory Board Marilyn A. Black, Calvin J. Kern Clayton Buchanan, President Whitehall Chairman Meadville Robert L. Martin Pittsburgh Theodore T. Metzger, Jr., Bellefonte David Coe Vice President Joan R. Plumly State College Jenkintown Johnstown Helen B. Lange Jerome E. Southerton Walter F. Gibbs Sharpsville Titusville Honesdale • HBH • ••• Leon Lyon Steelies page 4 Leonard A. Green J. Wayne Yorks Carlisle Benton Bellefonte Edward J. Rogowski Staff Ross J. Huhn Saltsburg Holland EDITOR / Art Michaels POSTMASTER: Send 3579 forms to Pennsylvania Fish Commission , P.O. Box 1673. Harrisburg, PA GRAPHICS / Ted Walke 17105-1673. Pennsylvania Angler (ISSN0031-434X), ®1985, is published monthly. Second class postage paid at Harrisburg, PA. Subscription rates: one year, $5; three years, $14; single copies are 80 cents each. PHOTOGRAPHER / Russ Gettig For subscription and change of address, contact Angler Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. CIRCULATION / Eleanor Mutch Box 1673. Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Address all other correspondence to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Editorial contributions are welcomed, but must be STAFF ASSISTANT / Jayne Povleski accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Submissions are handled with care, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return or safety of submissions in its possession or in transit. The authors' views, ideas, and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission or its staff. Indian Summer

sum* kmai

B

ES

# /: * % #a?

^S^" bout 20 years ago, anglers had to fish a sprawling Pacific Coast river to tangle with a full-blooded A steelhead. Times change, and along with the introduction to the Great Lakes of other Pacific Coast fish, coho and chinook salmon, came plantings of West Coast steelies that bolstered late-season angling. Formerly, in the time between the last game of the World Series and Christmas, only ore freighters plied the often tempestuous waters of the shallowest Great Lake. These days, the dream of catching a trophy steelhead or brown trout becomes a distinct possibility for those Erie anglers blessed with patience, luck, and Mother Nature's full cooperation. Good news travels fast By now, anglers are aware of the fine fall coho and chinook salmon action found along the 40 miles of Pennsylvania's lakefront. The steelhead, if anything, would seem to be an improved version of its coho cousin. While steelhead also darken in the last two months of the year, unlike the salmon, they'll live to see another turn of seasons. Steelhead remain voracious feeders that strike realistic lures well into October, and will take bait right through to the new year. And while Lake Erie treats its September visitors If you don't own a noodle rod, don't despair: alternatives more kindly, with frequent stretches of calm, pleasant range from medium-action spinning rods to heavier fly rods fishing, the late-season angler who has the advantage of with a spinning or spin-cast reel taped to the handle. A choosing his days can experience clear, pleasant scenery, medium-large reel, spooled with 8-pound-test line, and unforgettable memories of that first strike of the compliments the rod well. Terminal tackle varies with the morning. day and the conditions, but a good supply of size 6 or 8 The perennial efforts of the Fish Commission and other baitholder hooks and an array of sinkers, ranging from organizations such as the 3CU Trout Club favor angler splitshot to half-ounce slip sinkers, bring you one step success on bright, lively steelies ranging from 3 to 12 closer to success. pounds (the state record stands at a whopping 15 pounds, 12 ounces). My largest fish to date, an Oregon-strain trout just Bait over 11 pounds, stripped my reel to within feet of the knot By now, the paradox of steelhead fishing should be at the spool arbor before 1 managed to bring it in. evident: you'll need to use as light a tackle as possible to The salmon run, now famous for its large run of hard- entice the fish to strike, at which time you'll need as heavy a fighting fish, draws crowds that descend upon the tackle as possible to land them. Fresh salmon roe is the tributaries each autumn. On last year's popular Fish number one fish getter, but fresh spawn doesn't keep for Commission-sponsored "Fish-for-Free Day," well over 250 long, so most anglers freeze the eggs. Salmon sacks (loose people turned out to cast at the mouth of Trout Run, a eggs encased in nylon mesh—better for stream fishing stream that, at its confluence with the lake, one may easily where a tougher bait is needed), nightcrawlers, lively hop across. Luckily for steelheaders, crowds thin minnows, and five or six grubs strung on a small hook all appreciably as the season stretches into November. The produced well in the 1984 season. To keep the bait streams then become almost deserted, as many sportsmen suspended slightly off the bottom, add a small piece of exchange fishing rods for bird dogs. styrofoam or a marshmallow to the line. That steelhead at the end of your line, big as he is, will Essentials typically only mouth the bait, sometimes for as long as two Like any superb fishery, Lake Erie is already attracting minutes. Too frequently, anglers strike at the first tap on its own conclave of legendary steelhead anglers. There are the rod, only to pull the bait right from the trout's mouth. some anglers of whom it is said that, not only can they tell When using light weights or slip sinkers, let the trout run the size of the fish by the way it strikes, but they can also off a few yards of line before firmly setting the hook. As tell what side of the mouth the fish is using to taste the bait. can be predicted, fish in this case take bait deeply, which is True or not, the story points to one of the essentials of Erie sometimes unfortunate, because most Erie regulars prefer to steelheading: a light, sensitive rod. release trout of less than 20 inches to fight another day. The ideal rod for Erie fishing is a 9-foot to 12-foot "noodle rod," available at any tackle shops catering to Lake Where to go Erie anglers. Popular rod makers now market noodle rod Lakeshore fishing is undoubtedly the most popular form blanks for anglers with the time and temperament to of Lake Erie steelheading. Unlike inland stream trout construct a custom rod. Here, too, times have changed: my fishing, Lake Erie fishing is hardly lonely by nature. 8!/2-foot fly rod now looks puny next to the high-tech 12- Nevertheless, the peace-seeking angler may have his elbow foot rods towering over the lake shore. room and score on fall steelies.

October 1985 5 First on the list are the streams themselves. Elk and New Salmon Fishing Publication Walnut creeks on the west side of Erie, and Sixteen Mile and Twenty Mile creeks on the east side, all provide good The Fish Commission has a new, 8-page fishing on those Erie days when freightcar-sized waves pound the beach. When fishing the streams, be considerate publication that details information on Lake Erie of fellow anglers. Too many times, I have seen fishermen salmon and steelhead fishing. Included in the wade out chest-high into the small streams to assure publication are subjects like best baits and lures, themselves of the presence of fish, before plucking a bait or tackle, boat fishing, boating safety, shore fishing, lure into the hole. Spooked trout stay in plain sight but charter fishing, fish identification, and sulk, closed-mouthed, so remember to make a stealthful accommodations. In addition, the brochure includes a approach to the stream. Furthermore, regulations map of Lake Erie and vicinity. For a free copy, send a governing the streams have changed, so if you have any self-addressed, stamped business-sized envelope with questions concerning the rules, contact the Commission's requests to: Publications Section, Pennsylvania Fish Northwest Regional Law Enforcement Office at 1281 Otter Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA Street, Franklin, PA 16323. The phone number is 17105-1673. 814-437-5774. Another method of steelhead angling is quite productive on clear, calm days, and requires polarized glasses and comfortable walking shoes. Steelhead and brown trout, like salmon, are nomadic fish, quickly able to cover large areas of water. On balmy, Indian Summer days, steelhead and browns often cruise in the cobble-colored shallows, chasing baitfish and making barrel-sized swirls. While walking the shoreline, eyes peeled for signs of fish, anglers should cast small flashy spoons and spinners to likely looking spots. Although fish caught using these tactics are fewer and farther between, they typically run larger than fish caught on bait. I'll never forget the 20-minute gut-busting fight a streamlined 8-pounder gave me one sterling day last October.

Action from boats Perhaps the most overlooked method for Indian Summer steelhead is boat fishing. As of mid-October, most anglers have already mothballed their boats for winter. Many Erie anglers, however, now keep their boats ready until at least Thanksgiving, for the days when the wind calms and the water clears. A good rule to follow here would be to troll flashy, realistic lures such as Johnson Sprites, size 3 Rooster Tails, size 2 or 3 Mepps, or small Rapalas in clear water, and to fish with fresh spawn and bobbers in coffee- colored conditions. Again, when trolling, be sure to fish the isolated shoreline away from the creeks when the water is clear. Finally, whatever method you choose, the most important part of late autumn fishing is the elements: the angler with the luxury of choosing days has the distinct advantage. Of course, not all the rewards of late fall fishing depend on the weight of a stringer. One December day several years ago, I arrived at the mouth of Trout Run amidst a heavy south wind that had broken the waves and had driven the leaves into separate tempests. I barely had time to admire the intense blue of the sky that day, and to shed an unneeded sweater, when my rod bowed hard with the weight of a steelhead in deep spawning colors. Tailwalking across the surface of the water, that fish, coupled with the rugged splendor of the Lake Erie shoreline, provided memories for the winter to come—when the steelhead would prowl safely beneath a cover of ice, when even the freighters would rest in their berths, and when I would turn to repairing and restocking the tackle that Lake Erie steelhead tear apart all the rest of the year. LMJ 6 Pennsylvania Angler Falling Spring— i ne ** Teaching Stream by Harry W. Murray ' • " ~s^J^A*'i' \- - ' —.. te*^** 1 * r

...'-• .*. •.- . . .:- ' • "~"X-~~~~~ ~ .: -

* •: "^H| • . - • -**wT'

- • •- - - • V.", „*.

J -*w „ *

V <««^ ' A, g«* ftp*. •^. '

. »• -_.

plioloslni thr author

f you really want to get into the nitty gritty and I learn something about serious trout Ashing, the wild trout in Falling Spring Run at Chambers burg and in other limestoners can teach you lessons that you can use in trout fishing throughout Pennsylvania. Delicacy tinll accuracy offly presentation h«ne ingredient'tofofilifig W' wild trout, fh addition,i fightin&Qttd' o landing a big fish onJhelS-f^ot louder.', tapered.to Sx requires ple#f£ of title'

Each year when I fish for wild duns. After 15 minutes of frustrating undesirable drag or pull on the fly, trout, 1 am reminded of a college refusals, I stopped to figure out what producing an unnatural presentation. course I had in anatomy. Going into was wrong. As 1 sat back and watched There are many casting techniques to the final exam, we were responsible him feed, I was aware that my arm use in an attempt to overcome this for the material in two textbooks of resting on my knee had positioned my unnatural drag, such as the lazy S over 500 pages each, 150 pages of watch almost in a straight line to the cast, the bounce cast, the reach cast, class notes, and 24 lab experiments. It trout. 1 decided to time him. In 60 and the curve cast, to name only a sounds almost impossible to seconds that brown took 67 natural few. I tried all these and the trout comprehend all this material, and we flies. rudely voted each one down as fast as breathed a sigh of relief that we only I brought it up. I simply moved up or had to go through school once. Drag downstream a few feet and made the But just look at what's available for The situation was about as presentation from that position. trout fishermen. There are separate straightforward as you can hope to Easing my way back down to the books on brown trout, rainbow trout, find when trout fishing. Many stream. I crawled into position five and brook trout. You have two books variables had been eliminated. I feet upstream from the spot from on caddis flies, two books on definitely knew the trout's exact which I had been working the trout stoneflies, and four books on mayflies. location. There was no doubt in my earlier. On the first drift over him, the There are two books telling how to mind what he was feeding on. I was brown gently tilted up and sucked in fish only dry flies, two for the sure I had not spooked him. I had my fly. Relocating let the artificial streamer fishermen, and five if you taken several other good fish on the dun ride naturally in the trout's want to learn only nymph fishing. fly pattern I was using, and the 8x feeding lane, unimpeded by the leader Maybe the college course was easier. tippet should be providing a natural being pulled by the mixed currents. With this mountain of literature, it drift—or was it? I had not been aware The trout on Falling Spring readily becomes readily apparent that you of any unnatural drag on my leader as put all their cards on the table, and must separate the wheat from the my little size 24 duns drifted over the there is always an open chair if you chaff. This is where the wild trout in trout, but just to be on the safe side I want to sit down and play. The catch Falling Spring and in other decided to try a trick I learned many is that you must learn to play by their limestoners come in. years ago. rules if you hope to succeed. In Once, on a beautiful little limestone Even the finest leader tippets, when learning these rules and how to play spring creek, I was outsmarted by a acted on by the mixed surface by them, you can learn a tremendous good brown feeding on natural trico currents, could produce an amount about serious trout fishing. 8 Pennsylvania Angler These tough trout quickly teach you they may both be on at the same time. feet away. Rods requiring lines which fly to use. A size 12 March It does make a difference which you heavier than a 5-weight seldom Brown dry is an outstanding pattern, show the trout. Sure, some will take perform well at this distance. and it takes many nice trout on the either, but why not put the odds on There are also certain demands for freestoners when the Stenunema your side by watching to see just lines and leaders for this type of vicarium is hatching, but as a friend of which one a particular fish is fishing. I use both weight forward and mine found out, it is useless on Falling feeding on? double taper fly lines here, and I think Spring when the tricos are hatching. each can do a good job. I strongly Thinking he could not handle the light Anticipation disagree with cutting the first two feet leaders and small flies, my friend The little olives can be a real trick of the line as some suggest. In fact, insisted on sticking with an old hatch. These delicate little flies come I'm working with one line dependable, which worked so well on off several times a year, and it can be manufacturer right now in an attempt the mountain stream close to his more difficult to anticipate the exact to develop some special dry fly lines home. emergence dates than with the sulfurs with even longer front tapers. and tricos. On several occasions, 1 The most common problem I see have mistakenly assumed a certain confronting new anglers on trout was rising to terrestrials, and limestoners is the inability to control only after many refusals and checking the 12- to 15-foot-long leaders they the water closely did I notice these are casting. Not only are these little olives. Naturally, if the hatch unnecessary, but when fishing to a becomes concentrated enough, many trout 20 feet away with five feet of line good fish lock in on these flies and and 15 feet of leader, they are making .don't even look at a beetle or ant. work out of what should be fun. I am constantly amazed by the way The final lesson these wild trout these little olives seem to write their teach is the proper procedure they own rulebook, and only the trout can require in being fought and landed. understand it. I have been on the The large fish here and the light He may as well have stuck it in his stream every day for four or five leaders required present many ear lobe on the first cast, because 1 consecutive days and had good problems seldom encountered on don't think a single trout in the whole hatches only to return the next day many other Pennsylvania streams. I stream gave it a second look. For two and find hardly any flies. like to try to anticipate what a big fish hours he was completely skunked. One evening after a full day fishing, will do before he does it. Often When most of the spinner return was my partner and I were comparing reducing the rod pressure on a hooked over, I finally convinced him to try a notes. I was very surprised when he trout can be more beneficial than size 24 trico male spinner because said the olive hatch on his part of the applying extra pressure once he has these usually bring up the rear of the stream had been one of the heaviest made up his mind to head for a hatch. In the next half-hour, he was he had ever seen. They were few and brushpile or a weedbed. You are into eight good trout. far between in my area. The amazing kidding yourself if you think you can Though there are primarily only part of this is that we were only a horse a 20-inch trout on an 8x leader. three mayfly hatches on this stream, half-mile apart. I have seen this Try to stay below your trout and there is a wealth of information to be happen on freestone streams, but outsmart him. gained from the ways the trout feed usually the stream bottom and flow Finally, remember that a 1.75-mile on each. Again, watch the fish to rates are quite different, such as a section of Falling Spring is a learn the rules. About half-way slow silty area versus a rocky riffle or Limestone Springs Wild Trout Water, through the trico hatch, for instance, I a heavy boulder run versus a gentle and that in this section, no-harvest, have seen some trout locked in on gravel riffle. Here we have an entirely fly-fishing-only rules apply. For more emerging duns and others which had a different habitat for the insects but details, see page 23 of your 1985 definite preference for the returning this was not the case that day on Summary of Fishing Regulations and female spinners laying eggs—just keep Falling Spring. Laws. your eyes open. Just as those fish taught me about By showing these trout adequate During the sulfur hatch, many good currents, feeding patterns, casting, and respect and learning to play the game fish continue to work on the nymphs insect hatches, they also showed me by their rules, you may find that one and emergers long after the surface is that some tackle was much better season on a limestone stream will covered with adult duns. Another suited for delicate fishing than other. teach you more than five seasons on angling friend who was one of the most other streams. most capable regulars on this stream Tackle had a sparse wet fly that he always Due to the delicacy and accuracy D=3 used well into the hatch with these fish demand, I find I get my best Writer-photographer Harry W. outstanding success. Later in the day results with rods that balance with 3- Murray is a teacher, angling guide, you really have to keep your eyes weight, 4-weight, or 5-weight lines. On and lecturer. His favorite waterways open to see if the trout are working on many occasions, you find yourself include the Letorl, Falling Springs, the duns or on the spinners, because working over good fish less than 20 Penns Creek, and Big Spring. October 1985 9 Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth by Larry Shaffer

ne of the most pleasant experiences anglers O throughout the state can enjoy from time to time is taking a youngster fishing. It's a rewarding, satisfying feeling to know you have helped introduce a young person to fishing and to the great outdoors, to nurture a strong bond with nature, and to help the young boy or girl learn the ideals of true sportsmanship and to appreciate the environment. Understanding this idea, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission developed an educational program designed for young people that has proved to be very effective in helping youngsters better understand the complex world we live in, while also helping them improve their fishing skills and learn about boating safety. The Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth (PLAY) is geared primarily toward the fourth, fifth, and

' .y '- AA/VVV1..

£$ "^*- M-v,al ^

-A*

10 Pennsylvania Angler PL A Y is geared primarily to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, but kids of any age Bill Hess, Director of the Warminster can join. Township Parks and Recreation Department, displays the certificate six grade levels, but kids of any age Good sportsmanship is a vital goal recognizing the department's can join. In addition, many teachers, of the PLAY program. We feel sponsorship of 350 PLA Y scout leaders, and others who work confident that youngsters who learn memberships. with youth have found a membership the importance of true sportsmanship to be an important source of teaching early in life keep those values as materials. adults. PLAY Sponsorship The cost is nominal. For just $2 a Remember that membership in year, each member receives a PLAY costs only $2 for the year, and Even though thousands of kids membership card, a colorful emblem with each renewal the member gets a are learning about fishing, boating, to sew on his or her jacket or add to a new packet of publications, a different and conservation in PLAY, many collection, a packet of Fish emblem, and a new series of quarterly more children haven't yet Commission publications, and a newsletters. The colorful emblems are discovered PLAY. With your help, quarterly newsletter. Each member fast becoming collector's items, and though, they can. Individuals, also has access to a Fish Commission members look forward each year to organizations, and businesses can correspondence center to get answers receiving the new patch. now become supporting members to questions about fishing, boating, Many sportsmen's clubs and of PLAY by sponsoring 10 or more and conservation. numerous individuals have sponsored $2 memberships for children. For PLAY is unique, because its memberships for some youngsters complete details, contact PLAY at primary objectives are to help they know. These clubs have taken on the address at the end of the article. youngsters become better anglers, safe this commitment as an important, boaters, and more appreciative of the worthwhile project, knowing that the aquatic environment that is theirs to youth of today will be tomorrow's enjoy and so important to their lives. leaders in the struggle to preserve our Put all together, it gives the natural resources. youngsters a chance to show a real If you would like more information concern for our rivers, streams, and about PLAY, send a self-addressed, lakes, and for the life that inhabits stamped business-sized envelope to them. PLAY, Pennsylvania Fish The newsletter, delivered four times Commission, P.O. Box 1673, a year, is filled with tips to help kids Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. catch more and bigger fish; articles about the different kinds offish, G3 insects, and other life that calls Larry Shaffer creates and produces Pennsylvania waters "home"; boating the Fish Commission's weekly radio information important to young broadcasts, from which this article is people; and a review of the problems adapted. Commission broadcasts can of pollution and conservation in a be heard on 70 AM and FM radio way that young people can understand. stations throughout Pennsylvania. |i3Pf|Kfil ••;v •>.•.,•*«>.„

;-». Duki: II*

>S*.-vJf

'""..ag^w-1"

aSpRS'^Si Danger Lurks

along the bottom in hopes of fooling Is anchoring from the stern in a by Art Michaels catfish, but their ploy didn't last long. current always dangerous? You bet it They had anchored from the stern of is, and it's one of several dangers that the boat. As soon as the anchor are special to small boats. If you own gripped the bottom, the water level a 12-foot to 14-foot semivee or John quickly rose toward the top of the boat, take heed of hazardous small- stern. The boat listed dangerously boat situations, consider your boat's closer to the waterline each time the limits, and learn the ins and outs of angler nearest the engine moved small-boat safety. fter a day of steady rain last toward the stern, so the two anglers summer, the Susquehanna huddled helplessly near the bow at the Anchoring A River was high and swift, but mercy of the swift, relentless current. Take, for example, those guys who not too muddy. Mid-morning Another boater nearby came to anchored from the stern. No one sunshine heralded a clearing trend, their rescue. Cutting the anchor line should anchor from the stern in any and anglers who were encouraged by was the only escape, so with the swipe boat, but a small craft like a john boat the clearing weather launched their of a sharp knife, the boat stern is doubly dangerous because even in boats. popped up, free again, and the safe operation it has only a small Two fishermen in a 14-foot john embarrassed, frightened anglers amount of freeboard—the distance boat were anchoring in the current, motored expressionless toward the between the waterline and the top of getting set up to drift live minnows access ramp. the gunwale. so that the boat is held perpendicular to the current is also dangerous. If the bow line breaks or becomes untied, or if the bow anchor becomes *A, *" * * s* disconnected underwater, you are left .**>* with only the stern anchor and the •>*" OM likelihood of a swamping from the stern. •*« .*-.—»««* .) liiim :^L>. .g>^P^-- ; ^ ^' r ••-, n^j^.-,, ' -. ,-y i f", j.', .„ ', Anchoring only from the bow is the best course. You could use line guides mounted at the bow and inside the boat at the top of the gunwale to control the anchor from the stern, where you might often sit, or you could purchase a device made specially for securing the anchor at the bow.

Falls overboard If you stand in a small boat, perhaps to cast or play a hooked fish, you are creating another dangerous situation. Small semivees and John boats are not made for standing. Anglers who stand in them sometimes fall suddenly and unexpectedly into the water. Unlike larger craft, small semivees and John boats have flat bottoms and no keel-like stabilizing structures. For this reason, a small boat is the least stable craft. When an angler stands in a small boat, edging closer to the gunwale, the boat can slide easily and quickly behind him, throwing the angler headfirst over the side. The problem with anchoring from enough to relieve the pressure on the Falls overboard are dangerous for the stern is that the rushing current transom or free the anchor. surprising reasons. According to Fish pulls the boat transom closer and Anchoring from the bow and stern Commission data, drowning victims closer to the waterline as the boat hangs in the flow. When a boater discovers the predicament, his Publications for page booklet that covers topics like reaction is to rush to the boat stern cold-water survival, PFDs, anchoring, and pull up the anchor. But the added Small-Boat Anglers weather, dams, choosing a small boat, weight of an angler moving closer to and maneuvering in rivers and For more details on small-boat safety, the stern, combined with the weight of streams. the Fish Commission has available a an outboard motor, is often enough to These three publications are free. variety of publications. Here are some plunge the transom below the • Pennsylvania Basic Boating is the you may want to consider: waterline. When that happens, Fish Commission's 84-page book on • Survival in Cold Water is a nothing can prevent a swamping. the rudiments and requirements for all pamphlet that describes the Commonwealth boaters. The book's In most cases, cutting the anchor dangers of immersion in cold water. 26 chapters detail information on boat line quickly is just about the only Topics include what specifically types, equipment, navigation, safety, measure that can prevent a sinking. happens to the body in cold water, emergency measures, and a skipper's But if you can reach the oars without what to do in the water to conserve duties. This book is available for $1 pushing the transom underwater, you heat, how to be prepared, and first aid postpaid. Makes checks and money might be able to row upstream for victims. orders payable to Pennsylvania Fish • Personal Flotation Devices is an Commission. Above are two Delaware River illustrated pamphlet that shows the To receive these publications, hhermen demonstrating good safety different kinds of PFDs and how each contact: Boating, Pennsylvania Fish habits. They are anchored in the is used. Commission, P.O. Box 1673, current from the bow, and they are • Sportsmen and Small Boats is a 16- Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673.— AM remaining seated while playing and J landing a fish. October 1985 13 who fell out of small boats were in and all non-swimmers are required to Accident data reveals that boats reasonably good physical condition wear PFDs on Fish Commission and improperly loaded in this way plow- and were fair to excellent swimmers. state park waterways. through the water—the boat bow They weren't injured by the fall itself, On the other hand, you might want rides way up, the transom, very low. either. Indications from accident to wear a type III PFD, a more An angler who discovers that his boat investigations are that the hidden comfortable device made to be worn isn't planing properly often cuts the danger in falls overboard is the at all times. Some type Ills double as engine quickly at high speed, and the sudden, unexpected immersion, fishing vests. backwash rushes easily over the low especially in cold water. Top-quality type III PFDs, and freeboard at the transom, swamping The effect of cold water—water other life vests, are available in all the boat. that's less than 70 degrees—is much kinds of sporting goods, fishing, and like the shock we've all experienced of marine supply stores, and they're also Low-head dams the warm shower water suddenly available from mail order firms such Another danger for small boats is turning cold. It stuns. But the grip-like as Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, and low-head dams. Pennsylvania has effect of cold water on an Sears. The cost of a type III device is about 2,000 of them! The term "low- unsuspecting victim is so around S30-S50. and they come in a head" doesn't necessarily mean a overwhelming and frequently lasts great variety of sizes, enough to fit "small" dam. "Head" refers to the long enough so that the victim cannot anyone. amount of water the structure holds recover and get his or her bearings in Most anglers equip their small back, even though in most cases low- time. boats with type IV throwable devices head dams just happen to be small. that are used as seat cushions, which These dams are doubly dangerous. PFDs meets the legal requirements. From upstream you can't see them, One way you can greatly maximize Nevertheless, the type IV throwable and if you capsize over one, escape is your safety in a small boat, especially device isn't a substitute for the greater terribly difficult if not impossible, in falls overboard, is to wear a PFD— safety of wearing an appropriate even for those excellent swimmers personal flotation device. In boats up device. who are wearing PFDs. to 16 feet long, you are required to Remember that the key to falls The action of water going over the have a type I, II, III, or IV approved overboard is the sudden, unexpected dam is this hazard's main ingredient. device available for each person on immersion. The main idea is that The water is first shot out from the board. You're not required by law to wearing a PFD often lets a victim stay base along the bottom and then pulled wear a PFD. But putting on a PFD is at the surface so that he or she can back toward the dam on the surface. very difficult while you're treading recover quickly and affect his or her Then it's pushed down toward the water, especially when you're suddenly own rescue. base of the dam and out again. immersed in cold water, and that Fish Commission and Coast Guard Escaping this deadly cycle is very doesn't include the additional data match on this PFD point: An difficult, and debris near the base of dangerous ingredients of wind or estimated 85 percent of all boating the dam can cause additional injury, current. accident fatalities would not have also contributing to drowning. Low- Wearing the appropriate device is perished if the victims had been head dams are particularly dangerous the safest choice. Type I and type II wearing PFDs. in spring because the water is cold and PFDs, which are designed to turn an the flow is swiftly increased. unconscious person face up vertically Overloading To avoid low-head dams, you have or slightly on his back in the water, Another safety concern for small- to know the waterway you're fishing. are a bit uncomfortable, but children boat operators is overloading, because Get river maps to locate dams, or find and nonswimmers should wear them it's frequently a cause of capsizing. out where they are from local tackle no matter what. Type I and II PFDs Sure, you want to take everything and bait shops or marinas. have the most flotation material, so with you that you think you need, but Sure, the areas below dams are they are the right PFDs for children consider the information on your good fishing spots, but going near a and non-swimmers, and for others boat's capacity plate, and heed it. low-head dam for any reason requires when immediate rescue is unlikely. In Improper loading can also cause a extra-special consideration. fact, children under nine years of age capsizing. Be sure your gear is Finally, remember that small boats properly stowed so that the weight in have special safety requirements and the boat is distributed evenly. problems. By becoming aware of the For example, a full 6-gallon gas safety matters common to small tank weighs about 50 pounds, and a boats, you can avoid danger and get deep-cycle battery weighs about 50 the most from your craft. [77] pounds. Both items are frequently placed at the transom. Add your weight and the weight of the engine to Art Michaels is editor of Pennsylvania the stern load, and you may already Angler and Boat Pennsylvania. He's a be improperly set-up, especially if the 16-year veteran of small-boat angling, only bow load is a lightweight person frequently fishing from his 12-foot or some fishing tackle. aluminum semivee. 14 Pennsylvania Angler \fohmteers-What Wbuld We Do Without Them? by Lois Howard

he Pennsylvania Fish Commission has been in Texistence for nearly 120 years—and over the years it has been greatly assisted by volunteer help. Right from the beginning, volunteers of one type or another have stepped forward to help in many ways. Those of us in the Office of Information spend much time telling sportsmen what the Commission is doing for them—let's turn it around and tell the other side of the story. In the early days of the Commission, much of the assistance involved fish planting. Before 1931, interested citizens applied for fish and the fish were sent by rail to the individual who was responsible for stocking them. In 1870, private citizens purchased and released 450 smallmouth bass in the Delaware River near Easton. Shortly afterwards, a number of other Volunteers man some 187 cooperative nurseries throughout Pennsylvania. public-spirited citizens living along the Susquehanna and Schuylkill rivers In that same year the people of waterways conservation officers in purchased a number of bass from the Pleasant Mount, Wayne County, stocking more than 5 million trout in same locality on the Potomac and turned over the deeds to the land nearly 5,000 miles of approved trout released them in these two streams. where the Pleasant Mount hatchery waters each year. Thus, they began some of the best now stands. The occasion was made a smallmouth bass fishing on the East general holiday in the town. Cooperative nurseries Coast. In 1905, the people of Crawford Pennsylvania anglers are also In 1897, the legislature adjourned County donated land for a hatchery indeed fortunate that a dedicated without making an appropriation to which was located one mile from group of sportsmen in the carry on the work of the Fish Conneaut Lake. This hatchery, Commonwealth believes that raising Commission. Again, the public rallied however, was abandoned in 1911. fish is as much fun as catching them. in support of the Commission and Today, things are different. Fish are These sportsmen, who man raised the necessary funds to enable reared at the Commission's modern Pennsylvania's 187 cooperative the Commission to continue its work fish cultural stations, and transported nurseries, deserve considerable public of restoring the state's fisheries. to the streams in aerated tank trucks attention and acclaim for their efforts Six years later, in 1903, the citizens by Commission personnel. One thing on behalf of the Keystone State's of Bellefonte, Centre County, raised hasn't changed, however. The anglers. $3,500 to pay for the land to build a Commission trout stocking program From a modest beginning more fish hatchery and also the cost of would be an impossible task without than 50 years ago, the cooperative extending a railroad siding to the the help of local sportsmen who each nurseries have increased in number. hatchery. year assist hatchery personnel and October 1985 15 of their appointment they receive over 300 hours of training. Deputies perform numerous duties in addition to general law enforcement patrols, including fish stocking, public speaking, testifying in court trials, collecting evidence, conducting investigations, and inspecting suspected sources of pollution that may involve hazardous substances. They also assist in stream habitat improvement projects and the review of permits for stream crossings, mine drainage applications, and channel changes. I & E Corps One of the newest groups of volunteers is the Office of Information's Volunteer Information and Education Corps. This group of 14 volunteers was organized in 1982 when increasing workloads on Commission field officers made it obvious that additional manpower was needed if the Commission were to continue many of its programs. This Volunteers of the Philipshurg Rod and Gun Club in Centre County, for one group's activities include public group, have been helping the Commission raise and stock trout for more than speaking engagements, manning 50 years. Commission displays and exhibits, conducting fishing and boating and there are now units located in 50 contact with some of these dedicated seminars, presenting programs in counties. Although most of them are volunteers, probably most fishermen public schools, and speaking to engaged in trout production, several and boaters at one time or another sportsmen's and civic groups. rear warmwater species and salmon. have met one of the Commission's These volunteers must have a good Many people have donated land on deputy waterways conservation knowledge of the Commission which to establish these nurseries. officers (DWCO). programs and be able to deal with the These locations are varied, and many These people are the part-time public. They must be able to work are unique. For instance, the Oil City officers who work many hours in evenings and weekends and have a better- Chapter of the Izaak Walton League varying climatic conditions (mostly on than-average knowledge of fishing and of America used a children's circular weekends and holidays), use their boating. Workshops are conducted in boat ride in a Venango County personal vehicles, and buy their own the spring and fall to review what the amusement park for its first nursery, gasoline. Although this group of 495 Corps has achieved and to seek new and the Eldred Conservation Club in well-trained men and women (there directions in improving methods of McKean County built a nursery from are four female deputies) can earn a providing information to redwood storage tanks. Today, most minimum hourly wage ($4 per hour) Pennsylvania sportsmen. units are constructed of cement or when directed by one of the Due to the overwhelming requests cement blocks. Commission's district waterways for the services of this group, the Although vandalism, rising food conservation officers, in 1984 they Commission is seeking additional costs, disease, and weather have logged 72,016 hours of service to the members, particularly near the always been problems, these dedicated anglers and boaters of Pennsylvania metropolitan areas of the state. men and women don't give up easily. for which they received no Interested persons should contact Steve The Cooperative Nursery Program compensation. Ulsh in the Commission's Office of goes on and is still growing. In 1984, Deputies must buy their own Information in Harrisburg. The these volunteers stocked more than a uniforms, equipment, radios, and address is P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, million fish in Commonwealth waters weapons that are prescribed by the PA 17105-1673. The phone number is for the enjoyment of their fellow Commission. Although this expense is 717-657-4518. anglers. basically a one-time cost, it averages about $1,560. "Adopt-a-student" DWCOs All deputies must attend a basic Another Office of Information Although many Pennsylvania training school within the first year of volunteer group is its "Adopt-a- anglers may never actually come in their appointment. Within three years Student" program. This program was 16 Pennsylvania Angler started in 1983 when the director of the Office of Information, Mike Bickler, was faced with a workload crisis that resulted from a combination of the opening day of trout season, thousands of requests for the Commission's publication, "Trout Fishing in Pennsylvania," and an avalanche of subscriptions for its monthly magazine, Pennsylvania Angler. Bickler put out a call for help to Harrisburg area high schools. The response by the area students and their school principals was remarkable. With their help in opening mail, entering magazine subscriptions into the computer, and assembling packets of literature to be mailed, the public's requests were answered in a timely manner. During the past two years, these student volunteers have assembled the panfish packets used in the Commission's Fish-for-Free Day seminars. Even the fish themselves have benefited from the volunteer help— many streams have been made better places for them to live because of the stream improvement work done by countless volunteers— Boy Scout troops, school conservation clubs, and sportsmen's groups. The variety of activities has grown, and the list of volunteers is long. Their dedication and self-sacrifice enables all of us to continue to enjoy the exciting lifetime sports—fishing and boating— and helps preserve our great outdoor heritage for future generations of Pennsylvania anglers and boaters.

Getting involved Would you like to help? Let us count the ways. In addition to considering joining the Volunteer Information and Education Corps or becoming a deputy waterways Boy Scout troops and school conservation groups frequently volunteer to clean conservation officer, there are many up waterways, collecting litter. other ways you can become involved. The Commission is planning to initiate a very active Adopt-a- groups may also donate land and pinpoint the source of that pollution. Stream Program in the near future. waters to the Commission for the use The Pennsylvania Fish Commission Organizations and individuals of present and future anglers and is proud of its past and all the interested in improving the boaters. volunteers who have helped us environment and the quality of Sportsmen are also urged to report through the years. As we prepare for Pennsylvania's fishing waters may all suspected water pollutions or fish the future generations of fishermen participate in programs such as litter law violations to the nearest and boaters, we ask for your control, poaching control, water waterways conservation officer or continued help and support. |—. quality monitoring, stream surveys, regional office. This might not seem habitat improvement, and other important, but the sooner a pollution Lois Howard is an information writer projects to nurture the water and is reported and investigated, the better in the Commission's Office of surrounding environment. Sponsoring chance the Commission has to Information.

October 1985 17 photos by the author When your eyes have long passed the The Bronze Speck age of consent, it's a pleasure to cast a big floater, watch it alight, and follow its progress over sinewy currents. Then, even in deep shadow, if a trout takes, there's no doubt whether the rise is to your fly. It's a visual treat you remember a long time. Sounds Utopian, doesn't it? Unfortunately, in the real world of Pennsylvania spring creek fishing, large flies are generally far outnumbered by the tiny "unseeables," which trout seem to love dearly. When was the last time you saw a hatch of size 10 or 12 mayflies on Big Spring, or on the Letort? On the other hand, during most bright days on a typical limestone meadow stream, you'll find dainty sippers in flat water, tipping up in quiet riseforms to take the sundry minutiae the stream offers. The fare may consist of chironomids—the midges—or gnats, tiny beetles, ants, leaf-hoppers, and any manner of as­ sorted flotsam. Many have speculated that from a purely economic standpoint, a trout can't afford to expend the energy required to rise to such miniscule food. I vLby Chauncy K. Lively But rise they do, to the everlastingjoy of the small-fly angler. Actually, trout often lie just under the surface when

Secure a dry fly hook (size 20 to 24) in your vise, and tie in / • 6/0 black prewaxed thread at the bend. Select three bronze peacock herls and tie them in, tips together at the bend. Trim the excess tips. Hold the herls and thread together and wind them for- Hold the herls together and • ward to form a full body. Tie wind the thread around them 3 off the herl behind the eye, allowing 2• in spaced turns for a length of space for the hackle and the head. Trim about 3 inches. the excess herl.

18 Pennsylvania Angler taking the tiny stuff, and the only be 1 '/2 to 2 times the length of the hook works, so go with what they want. energy they expend is for the short gap, a proportion that not only pre­ Besides, trout sometimes cooperate return to the feeding position. I have serves the overall smallness of the fly unexpectedly. seen autopsies of trout whose stomachs but contributes to correct balance on I remember an evening on a narrow were literally crammed with minutiae; the water. stretch of Falling Spring when a stiff obviously, abundant nourishment from Fishing the tiny stuff on 7X can be an breeze began blowing cross-stream. I sheer numbers. exhilarating experience, even for those was fishing a Bronze Speck tight along The Bronze Speck is an all-purpose whose eyes have been demoted from my bank to a riser at the edge of the small dry fly to cope with smutting 20/ 20. In the dim light of late evening or overhanging grass. On nearly every cast trout. It makes no pretext of repre­ on overhung streams in deep shade, the the wind would deposit the long leader senting a specific insect, but it has been best eyes are put to the test. The trick is in midstream, far off the mark. I productive for me on many occasions to watch the direction in which the end berated myself for not having changed when trout were surface-feeding on of your line is pointing, and if possible, leaders when the gusts began, but now it small insects. The pattern is simple, your leader. With these guides you can was too late and too dark to fiddle with comprised only of a full body of bronze generally judge approximately where terminal gear. Then I punched a hard peacock herl, overwound with one or the fly should be. Then treat any rise in cast and hoped it would deliver the fly two dun hackles dressed reverse-palmer. the general vicinity as a take to your fly. along my bank. 1 didn't see where the fly If you are using genetic hackle capes, More often than not, you'll feel resis­ landed but there was a soft rise across- one hackle should be ample because of tance when you react. stream, tight against the opposite bank. its generally superior usable length. But react gently or the fly and part of To this I paid no heed, but as I prepared With ordinary capes you'll get better the 7X tippet will become the property to make another cast, my line began coverage with two hackles. In either of the trout. The strike really shouldn't moving upstream. Cautiously raising case, strip off the webby barbules next be a strike at all; actually, slowly raising my rod tip, there began a thrashing near to the root of the stem; otherwise, the the rod tip does the job because trout the opposite bank, and I found myself hackle will become mushy when wet, a feeding on small insects tend to sip their attached to the trout I had ignored. condition that precludes good flotation. food almost in slow motion. Eventually, I landed a fat, 17-inch brown with the fly lodged so deeply that An important key to the success of Admittedly, fishing tiny flies you I had to extract it with tweezers. That any small-hackle fly is in the length of can't always see on the water is not trout actually caught me, but it's just the hackle barbules. A size 22 fly generally as visually satisfying as using a sample of the unusual situations dressed with hackles suitable for a 16 is larger, more visible stuff. But when you may encounter when fishing the simply a size 16 fly, not a 22. In the trout are really programmed into "unseeables." I"] Bronze Speck, the barbule length should minutiae, it's rare when a large fly

f Whip finish at the bend, as r% shown. Press the finish winds A Select one medium or dark V^ • forward, cut the thread, and /k dun genetic hackle (or two lacquer the exposed windings. ^m • imported hackles) with bar­ bules as long as 1 '/2 to 2 times the length of the hook gap. Strip off the lower webby barbs and tie it in a right angle to the shank with the edge facing you and the dull side toward the eye. Secure it Clamp your hackle pliers to with criss-cross turns; then bend the the tip of the hackle and make stem along the shank with three turns, • a full turn in front of the body. and trim the excess stem. Wind the 5 Then wind it in spaced turns to the rear thread in spaced turns over the body of the body and tie it off. Trim the back to the bend. Half-hitch it behind excess hackle tip. the body. October 1985 ANGLERS CURRENTS

Q. My father advises me that there THE LAW AND YOU are special regulations in effect on Q. May I hunt and trap on Fish Lake Erie and its tributaries during by Perry D. Heath Commission property? the coho season. Is he correct? A. Legal hunting and trapping are A. Yes. There are special regulations Q. Where may I fish for trout during permitted on property owned or that are applicable during the period the extended season? controlled by the Commission in from midnight on Labor Day until A. The extended trout season is in conformance with the Game Law, midnight on November 30. Consult effect from the day after Labor Day unless otherwise posted. the summary of laws that you receive until the last day of February of the with your license for these special following year on approved trout Q. Our club wants to clean out a regulations. waters and downstream areas, plus stream to make it wider and deeper. lakes and ponds. Do we need a permit? Q. Do I need a New Jersey fishing A. Yes, you will require a permit. license in addition to my Pennsylvania Q. My friends and I want to build an Contact the nearest Fish Commission license while fishing in the Delaware ice fishing shanty and leave it on a Regional Office for additional River between Pennsylvania and New Fish Commission lake this winter. Is information. Jersey? this legal? A. No. A. No. Only ice fishing shanties or Q. Do I need a special salmon stamp shelters of a type that can be taken for fishing in Lake Erie for coho onto the ice and removed when salmon? Perry D. Heath is deputy chief of the fishing for the day is finished are A. No. A salmon stamp is not Commission Law Enforcement allowed. required in Pennsylvania. Division.

New Coho, Commission Establishes although the names and addresses of Steelhead Records Pollution Hotline those reporting pollutions will be held in the strictest confidence. On Friday, August 2, Jack Scheirer, The Fish Commission has taken Abele emphasized that the hotline who lives in McMurray, was fishing another giant step in its continuing number should be used only for with a group of 39 anglers from the fight for clean waters with the reporting pollution cases. All other Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. establishment of a 24-hour toll-free inquiries should be directed to the The group was fishing on nine charter pollution hotline. The hotline lets the Commission's regional offices or its boats. Jack was trolling in the second sportsmen of the Commonwealth join headquarters in Harrisburg. "trench" at 88 feet in about 130 feet of the Commission's fight to preserve the "The fight for clean water is a water when he caught a 15-pound, 5- Keystone State's fishing and boating continuing battle," said Abele. "We ounce coho salmon, a new state waters by reporting any suspected must continually be on guard to record. The fish had a girth of 21 Vi pollution cases. preserve our waters not only for this inches. "We are asking anglers and boaters generation, but for future generations Three days later, on August 5, to be our 'eyes and ears' and call the as well. We invite all concerned Joseph Sziraki, of Leechburg, was hotline number immediately if they anglers and boaters of the trolling with a downrigger from a see any signs of dead or dying fish or Commonwealth to join us in that charter boat at 66 feet in about 125 detect any unusual odor, color, or fight." feet of water when he caught a state turbidity of the water," said Ralph W. The 24-hour pollution hotline record steelhead. The fish weighed 15 Abele, executive director of the number is 800-854-7365. pounds, 12 ounces, was 34 inches Commission. long, and had a girth of 17 inches. The Commission is asking Sziraki was using a blue No. 41 Luhr- sportsmen to give the date and time Correspondence Tip Jensen Alpena Diamond (flutter they notice the pollution, the name of spoon), and 20-pound-test line. the waterway, the county in which it is If you ordered subscriptions, The previous state record steelhead located, a good geographic location, publications, and other items from the weighed 15 pounds, 9 ounces, and was and the suspected type of pollution Fish Commission, and if you need to taken by Charles P. Hines in Trout (industrial, agricultural, mine correspond with the Fish Commission Run at Lake Erie in 1982. The fish drainage, etc.). The Commission also about your order, be sure to include was 37 Vi inches long. requests that sportsmen give their in your letter the 7-digit number on Bernadette Marley, of Farmington names, addresses, and telephone the back of your cancelled check. This had held the state coho record since numbers so that the Commission can number appears directly below the 1983, when she caught a 14.23-pound, return the call if more information is stamp, "Pay to the order of the state 30-inch coho in Lake Erie. desired. However, that is not required, treasurer."

20 Pennsylvania Angler incredible strike on his line. After he approached I noticed that one wading worked the fish closer to shore, the fisherman was making motions as if he group of people that had gathered got a were taking a bath. The other wader glimpse of a large carp. Finally, a half- was also pretending that he was taking a hour later, the fish was brought into the bath. Ignoring them at first, I walked shallow end of the lake where Gerald over to a young boy who was fishing Cute, of Philadelphia, waded about 20 and asked how he was doing. He said feet into the water to net the fish. The that he hadn't had any luck, but pointed Beaver tale huge carp weighed 14'/2 pounds and to his father, standing in the river, who The opening day of the 1984 trout measured 32 inches long. After admir­ he said had caught two bass. Looking season proved to be a bit unusual, at ing their catch, the Gangloffs released toward the two waders I said, "You least on Beaver Creek. At 8 a.m. in a the fish.—DWCO Frank Colantonio, better pick your rods up before the river fair-sized pool called Jefferson Station, Montgomery County takes them away." For the next 10 the lines and baits hit the water, and the minutes or so it was hilarious watching adults and children anxiously awaited the two swimming around the river, their first trout of the new season. Crutch caper bobbing up and down trying to find However, one area resident objected While on routine patrol at Octoraro their rods. After a while I summoned strongly to all this activity, and he took Lake with trainee W. Henny, we ob­ them ashore and issued field receipts for action against the fishermen. The cul­ served a 14-foot john boat being pad­ fishing without a license.—Robert C. prit in this instance was a beaver. It dled across the lake. Trainee Henny Houser, Jr., deputy waterways conserva­ swam through the hole among the lines, told me to look through my field glasses tion officer, Cumberland County then climbed out onto the bank to at what this person was using to paddle. check out the situation. After looking I saw the person using his crutch that he Cub Scout cleanup things over, it re-entered the stream, had in the boat for his broken leg. This - swam through all the baited lines again, person did not let a broken leg stop him The Neshaminy Creek, altho gh the and slapped its tail on the surface of the from enjoying his favorite sport, and he site of numerous violations, is a pro­ pool. Once again, it left the stream to was moving along at a good pace.— ductive fishery for those who take stand on the bank and assess its James E. Wagner, WCO, southern advantage of its many hotspots. Now, handywork. As of 9 a.m., no trout had Lancaster County one of those areas is becoming more been caught from this portion of Beaver attractive, thanks to a group of young Creek; the beaver repeated its antics Fire company kudos boys from Bensalem, Bucks County. over and over again. I don't think that With the help of Harold Schawab, Last June, 1 was investigating a leader of Cub Pack 201, the Bensalem any of the adults or youngsters there pollution involving a fuel tanker truck really minded not getting any trout. The and Hulmeville areas of the creek have that had wrecked and was spilling its benefited from cleanup efforts in the show put on by the beaver was some­ contents. Some of the fuel oil got into a thing to see! I was told later that the past year. Through the placement of stream. Due to the quick response by trash bins and a bi-weekly cleanup, beaver was still at it at 10:30 a.m., and the volunteer fire companies of Rich­ that it had quite a gathering watching these young sportsmen have done a fine land and Scalp Level, the pollution of job in making Neshaminy Creek a nicer the show.—Robert J. Cortez, water­ the stream was minimal. There's no ways conservation officer, Clarion County place to fish.—Timothy Mack, D WCO, doubt that these volunteers are dedi­ southern Bucks County cated people, along with all the others New TU chapter throughout the Commonwealth. They The most recent conservation group did a job well done.—Robert L. Kish, to form here in Elk County is the new waterways conservation officer, Cam­ bria County. Elk County Chapter of Trout Unlim­ Trout Fishing Hotspots is the title of ited. George Kutskel is the president. a 2-page guidesheet that lists more He was formerly president of the Splish-splash, taking a bath? than 300 of Pennsylvania's top- Allegheny Mountain Chapter at Du- One evening last August, Officer producing waterways for trout in all Bois. The chapter has had a few Keller from northern York and Adams 67 Keystone State counties. Included meetings and is getting going now.— counties was assisting me on patrolling in the region-by-region list are areas Bernie Ambrose, waterways conserva­ the Susquehanna River. Pulling into with special regulations and additional tion officer, Elk County one "of our most active areas, 1 said, details on how to get a copy of Trout "Anything can go here, and I've seen it Fishing in Pennsylvania, the Fly rod surprise all," or at least I thought so. Several cars Commission's comprehensive trout This past Memorial Day weekend, were parked along the river, so I told fishing guide. The guidesheet is free, Harry Gangloff and his son, Stephen, Officer Keller to ojserve while 1 went but with requests include a self- of Penllyn, were fishing for trout at down to check licenses and for fish. addressed, stamped business-sized Loch Alsh in Ambler. Using a bubble, Before going down the bank, I noticed envelope. Send requests to: dry fly, and 6-pound-test line, they had that two people were fishing on the Publications Section, Pennsylvania landed six trout during the morning. bank while two others were wet-wading Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Then at noontime, Gangloff got an just a short distance from shore. When I Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673.

October 1985 21 one or two exceptions ever since. A date is set, a good meal planned Saying "thanks" to The Mercersburg program works with some light entertainment, and this way. Invitations are mailed, lots of pleasant conversation ensues. landowners including a return postcard, with There were 202 guests at this year's acceptance rates of between 75 and 80 April dinner—fine attendance for the Have you taken a landowner to percent of invitations mailed. Before recognition of services rendered by dinner lately? Among others, the the mailings, names of cooperating property owners. Work was done by Mercersburg Sportsmen's Association owners have been secured from the club committees with a big assist in in Franklin County has. In 1968, the district waterways conservation the kitchen from the Ladies Auxiliary. club began its gesture of appreciation officer, the district game protector, The Mercersburg Sportsmen's to area landowners who permitted and by checking the club's consideration for landowners is a hunting and fishing on their property membership to make sure that no terrific example of what can be done and have continued the practice with landowner was missed. to keep streams open for fishing.

PENNSYLVANIA -^ umissfi:

o Cooling water temperatures mean going r deeper for bass and other gamefish. As the Dedicated to the sound conse ' vation of our aquatic resource surface vegetation dies, the fish stay near 6 the protection and managem nt the vegetation that's still alive, deeper and of the state's diversified fisherieS' deeper until cold weather and sufficiently and to the ideals of safe boat^ cold water temperatures kill all the and optimum boating opporW111 vegetation. ties EXECUTIVE OFFICE Ralph W. Abele, Fishing dry flies downstream in Executive Director waterway sections where a traditional dry Howard T. Hardie, fly presentation is impractical could help Administrative Assistant Dennis T. Guise, you catch that elusive, big trout. Just cast Chief Counsel the fly downstream and start paying out Ross E. Starner line, but keep your eyes on the fly so that Comptroller you don't miss strikes. BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATE SERVICES 717-657-4522 Don't get caught holding your rod tip Paul F. O'Brien, Director high when you want to strike. When the Allison J. Mayhew, Personnel rod tip is low, you coax the most power John Hoffman, Real Estate from the rod and line. If the rod is high, Glen Reed, Federal Aid o Mary Stine, Licensing You may already be aware that lowering it to strike may slow your sharpening hooks helps increase the reaction enough to miss the fish, or you BUREAU OF FISHERIES may miss the hit altogether. AND ENGINEERING number of hookups you'll have, but you 814-359-5100 have to hone those hooks correctly if you Edward R. Miller, P.E. want the work to pay off. A triangulated Rubber-core sinkers make good Assistant Executive Director additions to carp and bullhead rigs. Go as Delano Graff, Fisheries sharpened hook has the best holding force, Eugene Smith, so always sharpen the top of the hook light as you can on the sinker size, but Construction & Maintenance twist the line around the sinker core about K. Ronald Weis, point on two sides at 45-degree angles, and Architectural & Engineering hone the bottom of the hook point flat. 12 inches above a size 6 or 8 baitholding hook. BUREAU OF WATERWAY5 717-657-4538 Always check your boat's drain plug as Gene Sporl, part of your launching procedure to make Assistant Executive Director sure it's tightly connected. Edward W. Manhart, Law Enforcement tiO" Virgil Chambers, Boating Educ* Need fly tying supplies for this winter? Check your cache now so that you OFFICE OF INFORMATION 717-657-4518 can order what you need in time for your Michael J. Bickler, Director winter tying sessions. Larry Shaffer, Publications Stephen B. (Jlsh, Education o Lois Howard, Media Relations illustrations by Rose Boegli Dave Wolf, Adopt-a-Stream Coordinate

22 Pennsylvania Angler Fewer Boating Fatalities

Although the number of boating fatalities is down considerably over this same period last year (there were 20 in the first eight months of 1984 compared to 11 in 1985), Fish Commission boating safety education specialists think that many of these fatalities could have been prevented if victims had worn the proper personal flotation devices. An analysis of the 1985 boating fatalities so far this year points to the same old story. A 50-year-old male lost his life when his 10-foot John boat capsized. There were two type IV PFDs still in their plastic bags. A 16- year-old male died when his canoe The second Izaak Walton League (I WLA) Chesapeake Bay Conservation Stamp capsized. The type II PFD on board Print was released for sale nationwide last August. Net proceeds from the sale of was tied to the canoe seat, and the the print and accompanying stamps and bronze medallions will be given in the type IVs were not used. A 46-year-old form of grants to worthy Bay restoration projects. fisherman fell overboard from his 12- The 1985 Stamp Print, titled "The Chase," is the work of Stanley Meltzoff, one foot rowboat. There were no PFDs on of the world's most renowned painters of gamefish. The signed, limited-edition board. print is a watercolor depicting three large striped bass (known as rockfish in the Of the 11 fatalities this year, three Bay area) pursuing their prey at the bottom of the Chesapeake. The striper was involved canoes, five involved chosen to symbolize the plight of the Bay because of its popularity as a gamefish runabouts over 16 feet, one a 10-foot and its recent addition to the Bay's endangered species list. john boat, and two, rowboats. For complete details, contact: IWLA, Suite 1100, 1701 N. Ft. Myer Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22209. SUBSCRIPTIONS Pennsylvania 1. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: label here; print your new address Please give us 4 weeks' notice. Attach your magazine label here; print your new address above in section 2. (If below in section 2. JpJK you have a question about your subscription, be sure to send us your label with your letter.) 2. NEW ORDER OR RENEWAL: 3. TO GIVE A GIFT: To start a subscription to Pennsylvania Angler or to Enter your name and address above and your recipient's extend your current subscription, enter your name and name and address below. address and check the subscription term you prefer. • 3 years $14 (36 issues) • 1 year $5 (12 issues) (Please print clearly) Gift card to read "From "

Your name TO_

Address Apt. Address Apt. City State Zip • 3 years $14 (36 issues) • New subscriber City State Zip Return this form to: D 1 year $5 (12 issues) D Renewal (attach mailing label) PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION Angler Circulation Signature P.O. Box 1673 Account # if renewing Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673 (Account number appears above name on label.) Be sure your name and address appear both on this form and Make checks payable to: Pennsylvania Fish Commission on your check.

Please photocopy this form if you don't wish to cut your magazine. October 1985 23 Be Quick to Strike # by Rich Faler, Jr. y line hissed as it arched over Again, the lure dipped into a clump With extremely sharp hooks, my dad the rolling swells. A slight of weeds. Likewise, I immediately swept and I may have taken a few walleye by M water spout marked the entry back with conviction and sureness. I've waiting for hard hits. Past experience of the large wooden lure into the water. found no better way to get out of the has shown us that many of the fish I flipped the reel's bail and began a slow weeds with the greatest chance of taken that day, walleye of 22 inches in retrieve. having a clean lure, one without a sprig length and longer, would never have felt After about 10 feet of retrieve, the of vegetation on the hooks or lip to foul the hooks with the usual angling tech­ line snagged some weeds. The lure the rest of the retrieve. This sweeping niques. A few fish would have moment­ action was dampened and felt slightly action also gives the lure the appear­ arily been detained by a glancing hook heavier. I jerked back on the rod with a ance of a weed-hiding baitfish that sud­ point, sure. Because the fishes' strikes quick, hard sweeping action. Reeling denly breaks out fast because of a close seemed only to be a form of mouth- fast to regain a striking position with predator. This action frequently brings closing and gentle "please stay here, the rod, I managed to maintain a slow an instantaneous, reflex strike. lure," it would have been easy to misin­ retrieve. The lure action once again sent Whoa! This second rod sweep didn't terpret the strikes. They would have steady pulses to the rod tip. free the lure. Instead, the weight in­ been recognized as "weeds." Many creased and the dead line began to anglers don't give hard, punctual reac­ throb! This was no weed—it was a fish. tions to "weeds."They miss out on a lot Keeping the rod up and line tight, I of excellent action. gave another quick snap of the wrist. This lesson is valuable to serious Nothing like insurance when trying for anglers. Many fish, and I'm speaking of hard-jawed fish. The rod continually large keepers, can strike in deceiving, grasped for the wave tops as the strug­ subtle ways. Another angler I know has gling fish made depth-seeking darts, a different kind of fish deception to one after another. Occasionally, the overcome. drag purred as the fish took line. Vig­ ilance paid, and the fish finally con­ Light line ceded to a boatside give-and-take. He fishes for steelhead with beautiful My dad readied the net alongside the dedication. He has developed his own boat. The entire scene changed when lures and spends many days fishing for the angle of the fish's travel, the amount the fresh lake-run rainbows in Erie of line out, and the position of the net County. He knows steelhead well. He is intersected. The head of the tacking fish familiar with their bottom-hugging and hit inside the net's meshes as my dad feeding habits. Thus, he bounces egg- raised the handle. imitating lures right in the bottom rocks A flurry of tackle redeployment and shale of the Erie tributaries. A big marked the final struggles of the fish as steelhead can suck in a current-riding he hit the inside of the boat. This wasn't lure and spit it out in a twinkling. A our first fish of the day. As a matter of heavy line—2- to 4-pound-test. fact, it was our seventh. All were gold Another problem with detecting the and bronze walleye taken on crank- strike is the continual bouncing of the baits. All were taken with the same lure on and alongside the bottom rocks. retrieving style and the same manner of These work the line and rod tip more striking. than an actual strike does. The answer for this is refreshingly easy. Strike at any and all line movement. Follow the line as it drifts in the current. As it ticks the side of a rock, give a firm flick of the wrist. As it bounces on a piece of bot­ tom gravel, again, sharply flip the rod tip. As a 2-foot steelhead samples the lure, and this is the payoff, solidly set the hook. The two illustrations show how wall­ eye and steelhead can be easily missed by many anglers. A great many fish, »•••••••••••••••••••••••••• though prone to spectacular strikes in key to latching onto these finicky types unknowing angler reel his lure back. many situations, may be very subtle at is to notice the hit and to react. Stay at This hit can be a discouraging expe­ other times. The smart angler watches the rod, keep an eagle eye on it, and rience when the fish waits until it's in the for this type of strike and works his strike the split second you see or feel a angler's sight to spit up the lure! technique accordingly. The savage hit wiggle. The remedy for this type of situation will take care of itself. Just as a game- The other class of strikes is the "snag" is to strike firmly at any change of lure fish reacts to a suddenly fleeing baitfish. strike. A lot of bass, walleye, and pike action or resistance. Yes, a lure may be the angler reacts to a hard strike. hit like this. The lure or bait suddenly snagged and lost. More importantly, loses action and seems to have gained a though, the largest fish of the day, or Subtle touches slight weight. There's no sudden ravag­ lifetime, may be hooked. I class subtle touch strikes into two ing or hard run. The lure simply stops Be a smart angler quick to set the categories. One is the dainty strike. This or is slowed down. This strike is particu­ hook. At first, unknowing fishermen is the sampler that gently takes a slight larly deceiving when in weedy or brushy observing your quick wrist may secretly taste before rejection. Trout are often in waters. A snag is the logical deduction. accuse you of snagging. But before the this category. Aside from the natural When the angler doesn't strike back, the day is over, they'll be openly envious of use of light lines and small weights, the fish simply opens his mouth and lets the your angling success. I"] October 1985 25 Bradford and Susquehanna Counties by Ted Keir

radford and Susquehanna counties are located in northeastern Pennsylvania bordering New York Bstate. The area was heavily glaciated and has been deeply carved by the North Branch of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries. There are rolling hills and lush valleys with many miles of streams flowing down the mountains to join the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers. Bradford County Sunfish Pond Sunfish Pond is a 35-acre body of water located in Sunfish Pond County Park south of LeRoy. Take Route 414 west from Monroeton toward Canton, and turn left at LeRoy and follow the signs. It is easy to launch boats here, but no motors are allowed. There are largemouth bass, perch, pickerel, bluegills, and trout in the pond. The Fish Commission recently began stocking brook trout, here, and in the spring and fall, minnows, small spinners, and worms fool the trout.

Schrader Creek Schrader Creek is a 22-mile stream whose headwaters are in the southwest corner of the county near Wheelerville, where Bradford County borders Sullivan County. It can be reached at Powell, off Route 414 or from LeRoy off Route 414 past Sunfish Pond. Some 15.6 miles of this stream are stocked with trout. From the county line above Cold Springs to the old lumbering village of Laquin it is considered excellent trout water, with the best fishing The Susquehanna River and the Chemung River are occurring in spring and fall. excellent spots for smallmouth bass and walleye action in Schrader Creek also has two tributaries that are stocked Bradford County. In Susquehanna County, in addition to with trout: Little Schrader Creek, which can be reached by the Susquehanna River, try Lake Montrose and Page Lake the old railroad grade upstream from Laquin; and for walleye. Millstone Creek, which empties into Schrader Creek a mile upstream from Powell. Towanda Creek Schrader Creek has some natural propagation of trout, Towanda Creek is an easy trout stream to fish because and has a good carryover of stocked trout. The best fishing Route 414 parallels the creek from Powell to Canton. The water is only accessible by a Game Commission service stream is well-stocked both preseason and inseason with road from Laquin to the county line. This service road is brook, brown, and rainbow trout from Canton to West gated and kept locked from use by public vehicles. Franklin. Early season trout on Schrader Creek and its tribs are Early season anglers use minnows, corn, eggs, and size 0 taken on minnows, eggs, worms, and size 0 and 1 spinners, and 1 spinners, but this stream gets off-color quickly after a but as the stream warms up, the fly fishermen take their rain, and worms are often the best bait. There are some fly share. The Royal Coachman has proven to be one of the fishermen who get good results on this stream after the first best flies, with added success from the Blue Dun and few weeks of heavy pressure by the bait fishermen. The best Adams. fishing takes place in April through June. 26 Pennsylvania Angler A fall scene of the winding North Branch of the Susquehanna River as it flows past the village of Ulster. Bradford and Susquehanna Counties Trout Stocking In 1985, Bradford and Susquehanna counties received more than 92,000 trout in preseason and inseason stocking. Here for both counties are the best bets with the number of trout each waterway received. Susquehanna County Gaylord Creek 2,200 Martin Creek 4,600 Meshoppen Creek 2,200 Nine Partners Creek 2,400 Quaker Lake 10,000 Salt Lick Creek 3,200 Silver Creek 3,200 Snake Creek 8,400 Starrucca Creek 4,200 Tingley Lake 3,400 Tunkhannock Creek 5,400 East Branch Tunkhannock Creek 10,800 East Branch Wyalusing Creek 7,200 Middle Branch Wyalusing Creek 2,800 North Branch Wyalusing Creek 2,400 Bradford County Mountain Lake 5,000 Schrader Creek 8,200 Sugar Creek 2,400 Sunfish Pond 5,000 Towanda Creek 10,800 South Branch Towanda Creek 2,400 Tuscarora Creek 3,200

Ted K»ir Tuscarora Creek South Branch Towanda Creek Tuscarora Creek parallels Route 367, and it's stocked This waterway parallels Route 220 near South Branch. from the Wyoming County line to the Susquehanna The creek is stocked with brown and rainbow trout and County line, a distance of about 6 miles. There's good offers good spinning action and fly rodding early in the action for the stocked brown trout here in early May with season. The stretch between New Albany and South Branch either ultralight spinning gear and small spinners or fly rod is a good bet. offerings. A good spot to try is from L.R. 08115 to Silvara. October 1985 27 Bradford County are from the New York state line to just south of the Sayre access area; north of the Athens-East Athens River Bridge; Tioga Point or the Turn-of-the-Rocks at the confluence of the Chemung and Susquehanna rivers; the Broken Oar and Slope Wall section two miles south of Milan; the stretch upstream one-half mile above the Ulster- Sheshequin Bridge; south of the Hornbrook County Park in an area known as Frozen Banks; Squawhead area near the mouth of Sugar Creek; from the bridge at Towanda downstream to Wysox; the stretch upstream and downstream from the Terrytown access area; and between Wyalusing and Laceyville. Chemung River The Chemung River enters Bradford County after passing under Route 17 on the New York state border. The Route 220 bypass of Athens and Sayre runs nearly parallel to the river. After a distance of six miles, the Chemung empties into the North Branch of the Susquehanna River at Other trout streams Tioga Point. Other Bradford County waters that receive trout and that Many anglers prefer fishing the smaller Chemung to the you may want to fish are Mountain Lake, Sugar Creek, Susquehanna because the same fish are found in both, and South Creek, and Sugar Run. the best pockets are easily accessible by boat or by wading. The same methods and lures that are effective in the Susquehanna River Susquehanna work in the Chemung River. There has been The Susquehanna River enters Bradford County just some fine action on this stream for night fishermen using north of Sayre where the Fish Commission has an access large bass flies, popping bugs, and surface lures such as area. The river then meanders 46 miles, leaving the county Jitterbugs and floating Rapalas. Like the Susquehanna, north of Laceyville. The river may be reached from the there's excellent smallmouth bass action in summer and fall. south by taking routes 6 or 309 and from New York state Two spots offer easy access and good action. First, try by routes 17 and 220. the area near the Route 199 Bridge at Athens. Second, at For many years, this section of the Susquehanna has the New York state line, try the area off Route 220 at L.R. been famous for its excellent smallmouth bass and walleye 08067. fishing. Other fish caught here are muskies, northern pike, pickerel, channel cats, bullheads, carp, and suckers. Mt. Pisgah State Park Lake Muskies have been stocked for many years, and they are This man-made 78-acre lake is located east of Troy. To best caught by trolling. Fish in the 20-pound range are get there from Towanda, take Route 6 west toward Troy, common. The muskies go for large, deep-running plugs, and turn at West Burlington past state game lands 289. like Swim Whizzes, Rebels, and Rapalas. Fall is the best There is a boat launch ramp on the north shore of the lake time. with a mooring area for 40 craft. Non-powered boats and Bass and walleye fishermen have the most success in the registered boats with electric motors are permitted. early morning and late evening. Drift fishing is popular, The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, pickerel, both casting toward the shoreline with spoons, size 2 bluegills, and crappies. The summer and fall fishing has Mepps spinners, and crankbaits, or using live baits like been good, with some fine bass taken on minnows and stonecats, minnows, and nightcrawlers. Many fishermen worms, and some on surface lures in the evening. Look for drift with live bait and troll back upstream through the excellent bass fishing here and good brown bullhead action. same water with deep-running crankbaits. The advantage Good-sized crappies are caught using worms, small here is that if you hit a real hotspot, especially for walleye, minnows, and small spinners. you can anchor and fish the area thoroughly. A flat-bottomed John boat works best through this river Susquehanna Count stretch, because the water level gets low and you have to pick a channel through some of the riffles and shallow Quaker Lake areas. The trophy fish are usually caught in the summer and Quaker Lake is located near Brackney, east off Route fall. 167. This 147-acre lake is stocked with trout and also offers The river in Bradford County is also good for float trips. largemouth bass, perch, pickerel, and bluegill fishing. The A popular one-day float through excellent water is from the best fishing is from boats because shoreline access is Sayre access area to the Ulster Bridge, a distance of about limited. Early season fishing is best for trout during April 10 miles. Two-day and three-day floats may go from the through May. Wet flies, spinners, corn, and worms have state line to Towanda or Wyalusing. There are other access proven effective. The lake has a Fish Commission access areas at Ulster, Hornbrook County Park, Wysox Bridge, area and a IVi hp limit on motors. Boat rental is available. Wysox, Terrytown, and Wyalusing. Ice fishing here is good for perch and bluegills. Try Some of the hotspots of the Susquehanna River in mealworms and small jigs. 28 Pennsylvania A ngler Snake Creek This stream parallels Route 29 north of Montrose and is Tingley Lake easily accessible. The 10-mile stretch of well-stocked trout Tingley Lake is a 42-acre body of water located near water is considered one of the better trout streams in Harford off Route 547. The lake has largemouth bass, Susquehanna County. Eggs, worms, corn, and spinners are pickerel, and panfish. The lake is also stocked with trout. good fish-getters here, with some anglers using flies after The best fishing for trout is April and May, while bass hit the water warms a little and the heavy pressure is off the the best in late summer and fall. Minnows, worms, quarter- stream. Try Royal Coachmen or an Adams. ounce crankbaits, and 6-inch black and grape plastic worms account for bass. East Branch Tunkhannock Creek Hard-water action here is good for trout, too. You can Tunkhannock Creek may be reached by taking Route fool them with corn, jigs, and mealworms. 209 north to Gelatt. There is a 7-mile section of this main stream that is heavily stocked with trout. The East Branch Lake Idlewild has a 7.8-mile area that is also well-stocked with trout. The Lake Idlewild is a 62-acre waterway located a mile north fishing is best on both branches from April through June of West Clifford off Route 106. Summer and winter fishing with spinners, salmon eggs, worms, and minnows. This is excellent for largemouth bass, pickerel, and panfish. creek also has a variety of panfish to keep young anglers Extra large crappies are found here, too. Largemouths are busy. taken on minnows and large plastic worms, and on dark nights with large surface plugs. Ice fishing is popular here as North Branch Susquehanna River well as boat and shore fishing. The North Branch of the Susquehanna River leaves New York state and meanders in a westerly swing through the Stearns Lake northern section of Susquehanna County before it again Stearns Lake has 38 acres of water and is located west of crosses the state line north of Oakland. There is a Fish Gelatt, off Route 92. This lake offers excellent summer and Commission access area near Great Bend. It can be reached fall fishing for largemouth bass and pickerel. It is also by taking Route 11 or Interstate 81 to Hallstead, then east known for good perch fishing and larger-than-average on Legislative Route 57063 about two miles. There is bluegills, with small minnows, flies, and popping bugs another access area two miles north of Oakland on Route effective. There are also trout in this lake, stocked by a local 92. conservation club. There is a boat livery on the lake, but The river is primarily fished from small boats, canoes, or many anglers fish from shore, and some ice fish using by wading anglers. There are smallmouth bass, walleye, minnows on tip-ups or jig with lures and small spoons. muskies, pickerel, and panfish available, with excellent smallmouth bass and walleye action. The best fishing is in Tuscarora Lake spring and fall, with morning and evening hours the most Tuscarora Lake has 50 acres of fine fishing and is located productive. The hotspot on this portion of the North between Lawton and West Auburn on Route 367. Excellent Branch is the area from the New York state line to a point catches of largemouth bass and pickerel are taken here as downstream from the access area north of Oakland. well as perch and crappies. Large, grape plastic worms and The live bait fishermen in this area prefer crayfish, creek action-tailed lures are recommended for good bass fishing. chubs, stonecats, and minnows. However, plenty of good The best crappies are taken through the ice at night with fish are taken on artificials with lures such as jointed small minnows, but flies and small yellow and white jigs are Rapalas, size 2 and 3 spinners, and quarter-ounce and effective throughout the year. Fishing is good on this lake eighth-ounce jigs. through June and right through the fall and winter. No shore fishing is allowed, but there is a boat rental available. Page Lake Page Lake is a 95-acre waterway east of New Milford, East Branch Wyalusing Creek and it can be reached by Route 492 off Interstate 81 or The East Branch of Wyalusing Creek receives both pre­ Route 11. Powered boats are not allowed, but there is a season and inseason stockings of trout for seven miles boat rental on the lake. Largemouth bass, walleye, pickerel, between Fairdale and Rushville on Route 706. The best muskies, channel cats, and panfish may be caught. This trout fishing is in April and May with minnows effective as lake offers year-round fishing and is considered very good well as worms, eggs, corn, and small spinners. Fly for ice fishing. Largemouth bass fishing is excellent here. fishermen have some success after the early season pressure They are best fooled with 6-inch grape plastic worms and is off the stream. Recommended flies are the Hendricksons, '/s-ounce or !4-ounce jigs. Quill Gordon, Caddis, Ginger Quill, and Green Drake. Lake Montrose Starrucca Creek Lake Montrose may be reached from the north by route The Starrucca Creek is a 13-mile stretch of fine trout 167 or 29 and from the east or west by Route 706. This 40- water that is well-stocked in the spring. It may be reached acre lake offers muskies, pickerel, and walleye fishing, with by taking Interstate 81 or Route 11 to Hallstead and then excellent largemouth bass action. It may be fished from going east on 171 to the vicinity of Lanesboro. The best shore or by boat and produces well from June through the fishing is in April and May with minnows, worms, and eggs fall with good ice fishing. Crappies and pickerel here are or with artificials such as size 0 and 1 spinners. caught on small minnows and jigs. I p*i October 1985 29 Jig'n Pig: The Big Bass Lu re bhvy/ BilRilll AnH*»r

October 1985 31 I J I - M'

i».il

wk ,Wr jit •• * m

:-v"%-^'