TEN CENTS ANNUAL TROUT NUMBER MARCH, 1938 OFFICIAL STATE MARCH, 1938 PUBLICATION ^ANGLER/ Vol. 7—No. 3 «¥S J PUBLISHED MONTHLY COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA by the BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF FISH COxMMISSlONERS Ten cents a copy — 50 cents a year CHARLES A. FRENCH Commissioner of Fisheries MEMBERS OF BOARD CHARLES A. FRENCn, Chairman ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor Ell wood City South Office Bldg., Harrisburg, Pa. MILTON L. PEEK Radnor HARRY E. WEBER Philipsburg SAMUEL J. TRUSCOTT NOTE Dalton Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER EDGAR W. NICHOLSON should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee either by check or money order payable to the Common­ Philadelphia wealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. FRED McKEAN Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. New Kensington H. R. STACKIIOUSE Secretary to Board PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contribu­ tions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper credit will be given to contributors. All contributions returned if accompanied by first C. R. BULLER class postage. Chief Fish Culturist, Bellefonte 0T*i IMPORTANT—The Editor should be notified immediately of change in subscriber's address Please give both old and new addresses Permission to reprint will be granted provided proper credit notice is given Vol. 7 No. 3 ANGLER/ MARCH, 1938 EDITORIAL TROUT STOCKING COST CUT DOWN OR those of our ANGLER readers who assisted in stocking legal size brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout in preparation for the coming season, it is probably Funnecessary for me to stress that two important advances have been made in car­ rying through this program. These two advances center in our new mode of transpor­ tation—the use of a fleet of 10 tank trucks in the spring distribution of trout so vital to the success of the 1938 trout season. In relying upon these trucks for our planting program, we have assured, first, that the fish to be planted will arrive in perfect con­ dition at the water to be stocked owing to the constant supply of oxygen made avail­ able to them through use of centrifugal pumps. This factor alone is of basic importance. Under the old system of transportation by the "can method," there was always an element of uncertainty as to the welfare of the fish being carried. The truck might break down on the road with resultant serious injury to the trout being carried or even complete loss of the fish in the iced cans. On long hauls, this was a source of concern to the Commission and tacked a big "if" to the ultimate success of any trout run. Just how well those trout you hope to catch this spring ride in their new tank quarters, we would like you who have assisted in stocking fo attest. If they haven t been the liveliest bunch of fish you've released in a long time, we certainly would like to hear about it. Just as important as this "good condition on arrival" factor is the great saving accomplished by use of your new trucks. We have lopped off on mileage more than 100,000 miles in a year simply because we have been abe to carry three times more trout in these new "tanks" than could have been carried before in an 80 pail truck- load of fish I have already stressed at your meetings in-various sections of the state that we want you to be convinced that you are receiving as many as, or more, legal sized fish for your pet stream than you received under the old system of transporta­ tion, and have requested that you who aid in the stocking be the |udges of this state­ ment. The mileage saving factor has been made possible because, now, on a single run by one of these fine new trucks, from one to three complete plantings on streams (dependent, of course, on the size of the water or waters to be stocked) can be ac­ complished. Your Fish Commission expects, by the opening of the trout season on April 15, to have completed distribution of 1,000,000 legal size brook trout brown trout and ram- bow trout since the close of last trout season. Because of the highly satisfactory new system of distribution, these fish have been and will be in the pink of condition when released. That should be a mighty big factor in provid.ng sport of the finest during the coming season. While we expect this year's trout stocking to establish a new high the fishermen will play a vital role in the ultimate success of the coming season The Board has felt in all fairness to the vast majority of trout fishermen that the daily creel limit be cut from 15 to 10 trout over the 6 inch mark. Certainly, 10 trout in one day should satisfy any fisherman. It is hoped that many of our anglers interested in good fishing through­ out the season, will limit their catches to immediate needs for a good meal for the family. The idea of self-imposed limits has spread hke wildfire with thousands of our sportsmen, and is a most encouraging sign for the future of our trout fishing. May you enjoy the happiest day astream this year on opening day that you have had in many years. And, in closing, here's to a sportsman s creel. C. A. FRENCH Commissioner of Fisheries PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER PENNSYLVANIA TROUT STREAMS If You're Planning That Trout Fishing Trip, Consider These Waters By MILTON L PEEK Member, Board of Fish Commissioners mersley Fork. Kettle Creek offers not only 30 miles of trout water on the main stream) but has numerous fine tributaries along its course. It differs from a number of other Potter county waters in that it has avail' able more deep pools. Its watershed is tim­ bered with second growth forest and neaf the headwaters it is very brushy. From I point near Oleona where route 44 crosses Kettle Creek, the stream is not accessible | by road for a distance of four miles. Fou' miles above route 44's crossing, anothei road spans it near the juncture of Germania Branch. For another interval of four miles> the stream is not accessible by road. Fron1 this point, known as Slider's Dam, a road follows Kettle Creek to the headwaters. Cross Fork Creek also ranks well as j trout stream, providing about 12 miles of good fishing above its point of juncture with Kettle Creek at Cross Fork. The stream- fringed by brush and willows, is followed Falls on picturesque Four Mile Run in Tioga County. by a road, and has two good tributary I waters. ARCH days are restless days for your vania. Its swift current and deep pools, To fish Hammersley Fork, a stream re- j M dyed - in - the - wool trout fisherman. many of them overshadowed by rock ledges, garded as one of the best in Potter County' i That season opening on April 15 marks a harbor not only giant brown trout in the follow route 873 from either Renovo o'' red letter day in his angling year and of lower reaches but fine brook trout near the Cross Fork. This road crosses the stream primary importance to his plans for a suc­ headwaters. Broad stretches of riffle and at a point about five miles below Cross Fork- cessful first day is WHERE TO GO. deep water, fringed by willow and brush, A new road follows Hammersley for a diS' } Pennsylvania offers to the angler who provide varied fishing for the angler. In tance of three miles upstream to where H likes to feel the surge of white water about early season, however, the current is so branches. his boot tops, who revels in the picturesque strong in the larger stream below Galeton The East Fork of the Sinnemahoning is beauty of wilderness waters or in the rest­ that it is impractical to fish it. From Gale- another stream having strong appeal for ful atmosphere attaching to a deep banked ton to Walton, the stream is smaller and the trout fishermen. It is accessible from meadow stream, unrivalled opportunity to may generally be fished in April. Above either Wharton or Conrad and is about 1^ I know the flashing strike of gamey brook, Galeton, at Walton, Pine Creek branches, miles in length. The upper waters of the I brown or rainbow trout. Her well-stocked one of the branches being known as Nine Allegheny River, reached from Coudersporti j streams beckon the fisherman in most coun­ Mile Run, the other as Cushing Creek or offer good brown trout fishing. Willows pre ties of the Commonwealth. But, facing fish­ Brookland Branch. Cushing Creek affords dominate in the growth along its shores. Its ing facts, three areas stand out. First is fine fishing over about five miles of its drainage area covers not only some wood­ that rugged mountain range country of our course, although it is somewhat brushy. land, but also cultivated land, and owing North Tier counties, Potter and Tioga, Highway route 449 follows this valley over to this fact, hard rains usually result W \ where swirling mountain waters cut their the entire length of the stream. high and murky water. Even when th« way through woodland and mountain mead­ Nine Mile Run, heavily bordered by brush water is murky, however, brown trout and ows. Rivalling this section, its big streams some real old-timers at that, are taken. producing giant brown and rainbow trout and willows, is followed by route six. A and mountain tributaries yielding fine number of large beaver dams have been Tioga County built on this stream.