JUNE—1977 Keystone State's Official FISHIHG BOATING ( Magazine
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JUNE—1977 Keystone State's Official FISHIHG BOATING ( Magazine... J Technology Cannot Supplant Conservation e were pleased to hear President Carter outline his perception W of the nation's energy problems which — although I would guess most people think is alarmism — if anything, was understated. We have been saying some of the same things for a number of years and, in terms of our energy requirements, we are indeed on a collision course with disaster. Even spokesmen for the utilities and the petro leum industry have been sounding the same warnings for over 20 years. Without falling into the usual pitfall of oversimplification, we recognize that oil from western shales, from deep offshore wells, or from other processes, could suffice for several genera tions. But we are running out of oil at a price that can be absorbed without worldwide eco nomic upheaval, and without the grave risk of environmental disasters. Implementing programs to answer the problems is another thing; and, watching the grovel ing at all levels of government to protect their own interests doesn't exactly show that we have a level of statesmanship to solve the problems. People, freewheeling as they are and having heard the "cry wolf" recently dissipate, have not yet matured to the problem. The "double nickel" speed limit has, as far as enforcement and observance goes, disappeared except for a few conscientious people that I hope we will always have around. Philip Handler, President of the National Academy of Science, said, "the next generation is destined to be the major participant in a process whereby in a brief instant of historic time, the entirety of the underground resources of liquid and gaseous fossil hydrocarbons will have been irreversibly consumed. Yet we have scarcely begun to arrange for what is to happen when the stores of petroleum and natural gas will be exhausted during the lifetimes of persons already born." The next crisis we predict will be food. With the world's population growing at the rate of more than 200,000 per day, the world's population will probably double again in the next 35 years. It has already doubled in my lifetime. On top of that, we lost at least a million acres of cropland each year for the last 30 years in the United States alone. Rainfall, accepted as a casual atmospheric condition, is really a gift that should never be taken for granted. While the East froze under a blanket of snow last winter, the West was parched by drought. One-third of the continental United States is dry, and many states in the West are suffering a second year of drought. There are those who say that advanced technologies will answer these problems — I think they are dreamers and what we are seeing today will, in a few years, be called the "good old days." Expert climatologists have reason to believe that the Northern Hemisphere is due for a steady cooling-off. A few fractions of a degree each year could put an end to our being the breadbasket of the world. What does this all have to do with an agency often accused of thinking more offish than of people? Aside from the fact that we have to eat and work and keep warm, too, we know that the resources over which we have a responsibility are affected by man's quest for energy and food. There are no easy answers. The world's population rose; even in the United States it's probably THE basic problem and the "business-as-usual" attitude makes one wonder about the quality of life for future generations. As a small independent administrative agency there isn't much we can do about world problems. But we certainly can use every means at our dis posal to protect the waters of the Commonwealth and its denizens and try to influence those who have the expertise and the means to conserve the other parts of the natural community on which we and our posterity will depend. One way or another, our demands for energy and food must stabilize and not increase; and, the highly flaunted technologies must be diverted to more useful practical solutions by which civilization, as we now know it, can be stretched out. Ralph W. Abele, Executive Director Pennsylvania Angler Pennsylvania's Official Fishing & Boating Magazine Published Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Milton J. Shapp, Governor MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION James J. Stumpf, President Laughlintown William Cox, Vice President Elysburg Walter F. Gibbs Reno William O. Hill Erie Leonard A. Green Carlisle John A. Hugya Johnstown Sam Guaglianone Johnsonburg Calvin J. Kern Whitehall Jerome E. Southerton Honesdale Volume 46 - No. 6 June, 1977 CONTENTS How to Land Bass and Other Fish by Gerald Almy 6 Fishing the Sinnemahoning by George E. Dolnack, Jr 9 Special Regulations—Time for Evaluation by Delano R. Graff 11 Bait-fishing by Richard F. Williamson 17 The Monongahela River by Garry Deiger 20 Fool's Gold by Richard L. Henry 28 Front Cover: For this month's bass opener, Bud Erich provides us with a scene every bass fisherman dreams about! MONTHLY COLUMNS LEAKY BOOTS 2 STREAM NOTES 24 TAKING A CLOSER LOOK 4 FLY TYING 26 ANGLER'S NOTEBOOK 10 ASHORE & AFLOAT 30 James F. Yoder, Editor POSTMASTER: All 3579 forms to be returned to the office of The Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Post Office Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 17120 The Pennsylvania Angler. Copyright 1977, all rights reserved, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Second Class postage paid at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Subscription rates: One year -$3.00; three years- $7.50; 30 cents per single copy. Send check or money order payable to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. Do not send stamps. Changes of address should reach us promptly giving both old and new addresses, including both zipcodes. Subscriptions received and processed by the end of the month will begin with the second month following. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission will not assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or illustrations while in their possession or in transit. Communications pertaining to the magazine should be addressed to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P. O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Unsolicited material, manuscripts, or photos will not be returned unless accompanied by an envelope with sufficient postage attached for its return. see the Fish Commission doing such a thoroughly cover such a large area. fine job in preserving fishing, it gives me Young Womans Creek is my favorite a good feeling. I have enjoyed many trout stream. I, personally, feel it should hours on your streams; I have enjoyed be strictly Fish-For-Fun. the beauty and the nice people that fish Please never ruin quality fishing as your streams. It has embedded a deep they have done in West Virginia with respect for life. It has gone as far as that I year-round fishing for everything. Best am willing to dedicate my life in the field wishes. of wildlife. I'm now attending college to get a degree in this field. DONALD N. CAREY Gerrardstown, W. V. You can feel proud that your hard work has accomplished a great deal. The COLLECTOR - hours that your streams have provided I have a collection of Pennsylvania me with fishing has shaped my life. It has Fishing Licenses and to complete the set formed me into a responsible citizen of I need a 1923 and 1926 button. Also, I this country. I believe that there are need the papers for 1960, 1961, and 1963. many other people that have the same Then I will have a set of license any feelings. From your Leaky Boots this sportsman would be proud to see. Your feeling is expressed. So keep up the good book is the one chance I have to work. complete this set, so I hope to hear from Thanks for your time. people having these licenses laying RAY UNDERHILL, JR. around. Thank you. Princeton, New Jersey IVAN L. ALBRIGHT 131 East 4th Street UNHERALDED . UNAPPRECIATED Williamsburg, Pa. 16693 In regard to the article, "The Fallfish" MICE . AGAIN! by David Thompson, I would like to say that more fishermen ought to enjoy and Regarding live mice for bait con be more respectful of this native of troversy. I am disgusted at your lack of Pennsylvania. Many times I have seen editorial responsibility in using the An fishermen catch fallfish with that excited PUZZLE! gler's pages for publication of such in look, only to see it turn to one of formation. Your facetious editorial note distaste. What a shame! These fish have While digging up ground for a new does not make amends. Why publish fooled many anglers into thinking they vegetable garden, we uncovered this such information? Do children and were trout until they were brought into badge. Is there anyway of telling what thoughtless adults need such barbaric the net. Why are anglers so down on the year it is from? ideas thrust upon them in this otherwise "chub"? Certainly the fight is there. very pleasant and conservation oriented NANCY REICHARD I believe the fallfish fights and tastes Macungie magazine? better than the hatchery trout. It espe Why don't you publish information on cially has these qualities in the autumn, It appears you've really dug up a one- how to make a firebomb, then follow it winter, and spring. In addition, these fish of-a-kind item, Nancy, and a fraud, at with a facetious editorial comment not will hit a fly well, and will show se that! To our knowledge there never has ing your disapproval? lectivity in a hatch sometimes.