-<rr"==^ Pennsylvania December 1987I$L50 The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine On September 26, we received the very sad news that Mr. Kenneth G. Corl had passed away unexpectedly while at his home in Centre County. Ken served as supervisor of coldwater production for the Pennsylvania Fish Commission for the past 18 years, and had nearly 33 years of Commission service. As assistant executive director responsible for fisheries and engineering programs during 16 years of that period, I had the opportunity and distinct privilege of working very closely with Ken. It was a period when major renovation and reconstruction of our entire coldwater production program took place. Ken had a very sharp mind, but also had a green thumb— whether it came to growing crops and livestock on his small farm or rais­ ing trout for the sportsmen of Pennsylvania. He and his hatchery personnel worked hand-in-hand with other fisheries and engineering staff to plan and reconstruct many of our coldwater propagation hatchery facilities, thus cre­ ating one of the most modern and efficient coldwater propagation systems in the United States. Under his positive guidance and leadership, people were retrained, new methods of fish culture were implemented, new diets and feeding methods were developed, and many other innovations were employed to streamline our coldwater production effort. Adult trout production during the past 18 years increased from less than 3 million fish to 5.6 million fish, and the average size and weight of each fish increased significantly. The many advances that have taken place in our coldwater hatchery sys­ tem have enabled the Fish Commission to maintain a high production level of adult trout for Pennsylvania anglers at a reasonable cost. Because of these steps, Pennsylvania anglers now enjoy the many benefits of the adult trout stocking program. The Commission and the sportsmen owe Ken Corl, and the other Com­ mission staff members who worked with Ken, an enormous debt of grati­ tude for their dedicated effort during these past years. They have shown how people working together can overcome the many obstacles facing the modern-day fish culturist, while working within a very tight budget, to benefit Pennsylvania trout anglers. Ken Corl exemplified the dedicated Fish Commission employee. His loss is deeply felt by his family, his church, his friends, the Commission members and staff, and the sportsmen of this Commonwealth. December 1987 Vol. 56 No. 12 Pennsylvania Fish Commission Penns Ivania Joan R. Plumly Pennsylvania President Jenkintown Leon Reed ANGLER Vice President The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine Honesdale Marilyn A. Black Winter: A Time for Solitude and Big Trout by Jeff Mulhollem Cochranton Fishing comfortably and finding good action are the keys to the author's David Coe strategies 4 State College Mark Faulkner It Takes a Rock to Make Fish Soup by Linda Steiner Boalsburg The trees, soil and rocks around a stream influence that waterway's Leonard A. Green character and determine what sort of fish it contains and how big your Carlisle catch will be 6 Ross J. Huhn Saltsburg Pennsylvania's Hardwater Hotspots by Chris Dolnack Calvin J. Kem These 11 Keystone State waterways will be hot producers this Whitehall winter 8 T. T. (Ted) Metzger, Jr. Johnstown Pennsylvania Angler Subject Index, Volume 56 (January 1987 J. Wayne Yorks through December 1987) 13 Benton Boating Advisory Board New Trout Waters: the Good News, then the Bad Leroy Guccini by George L. Hurting Chairman What makes landowners become defensive? 15 Greentown Clayton Buchanan I Take a Dive for Better Fishing by Ken Hunter Pittsburgh These observations may shake you up a bit and change some of the Helen B. Lange fishing ideas you take for granted 16 Sharpsville Thaddeus Piotrowski Kids Page by Steve Ulsh Bloomsburg Check out this lowdown on insect baits for ice fishing 19 Edward J. Rogowski Holland Ice Rescue by Cheryl Kimerline Staff These ideas could save a life 23 Editor—Art Michaels Art Director—Ted Walke Fishing Pennsylvania's "Secret" Parks by Mike Sajna Photographer—Russ Gettig Some state parks, nearly empty even on weekends and holidays, offer Circulation—Eleanor Mutch terrific fishing possibilities 26 Staff Assistant—Rose Ann Bartal Staff Assistant— Charlene Glisan The Splaywing Hopper by Chauncy K. Lively Large hoppers often carry their wings outstretched in a "V" shape. Pennsylvania Angler (ISSN0031-434X) is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 This pattern imitates those big hoppers, which are often eaten by a big Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109. © 1987. Subscrip­ trout 30 tion rates: one year, $6; single copies are $1.50 each. Second class postage is paid at Harrisburg, PA. POST­ MASTER: Send address changes to: Angler Circulation, The covers Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harris­ Staff photographer Russ Gettig took this issue's front and back cover burg, PA 17105-1673. For subscription and change of address, use above address. Please allow six weeks for pictures. The front cover is a seasonal scene of Columbia County's Little processing. Send all other correspondence to: The Editor, Fishing Creek, and the covered bridge that crosses Penns Creek in Union Pennsylvania Angler. P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Editorial contributions are welcomed, but County appears on the back cover. And speaking of bridges, let the article must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped en­ that begins on page 4 lead trout fishermen to December action. Ice fish­ velope. Submissions are handled with care, but the pub­ lisher assumes no responsibility for the return or safety ermen will want to scan the article that starts on page 8. It highlights of submissions in his possession or in transit. The authors' Pennsylvania's top 11 hardwater hotspots. On page 26 you'll find a few views, ideas, and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official position of more good fishing places revealed, and an Angler contributor takes a dive the Pennsylvania Fish Commission or its staff. on page 16. Winter: ATime for Solitude and Big Irout by Jeff Mulhollem The last thing I expected to encounter that bright December afternoon was another fisherman, let alone an angler knee-deep in my favorite pool. But there he was, resplendent in a bright red cap, puffing on a pipe and lobbing out something heavily weighted with a light graphite spinning outfit. He hadn't seen me come around the bend in the river and I decided the trout could wait—they really weren't cooper­ ating with me, anyway. So I brushed the powdery covering of snow off a sun­ drenched fallen tree and sat down to watch him work the water. It was a crisp, beau­ tiful day, without a cloud in the sky. I could make out his bait now. It was a crayfish. He fished patiently, slowly, covering the deep pool with splashy tosses. He made as many as a half-dozen casts to the most promising spots. To my fasci­ nation—and chagrin, I must admit—he took three fish during the 10 minutes or so I silently watched, finally wading out after creeling the third, a handsome brown that appeared to go at least 15 inches. I couldn't resist hailing him as he trudged up the steep bank. "What's wrong? Your arms get tired from dragging in all those big fish?" He smiled and I saw from the creases around his eyes he was older than 4 December 1987 Pennsylvania Angler I first had guessed. trout, will elude anglers and survive through "Hardly," the angler replied, stopping the following winter. So when choosing to empty the bowl of his pipe with a sharp streams to fish in winter, check the pre­ rap against the trunk of a convenient oak. vious spring's stocking list and look for Winter is a wonderful time "My toes got numb. The fish don't seem streams stocked in late May or even June. to mind the cold, though. I've had a fine Another useful piece of information is for trout fishing. The en­ day." Then, eyeing my fly rod, he asked, the type of trout planted in the stream you hanced scenery and soli­ "How 'bout you, any luck?" intend to fish. If rainbows were planted, I shook my head ruefully. "A couple salmon eggs or cheese balls might be the tude make the extra of little ones. Nothing like the one you best choice for bait. If brookies or browns just netted." It was my standard reply to were stocked, worms, minnows or cray­ effort worthwhile. a stranger, but in this case it was true. I fish might be better. Don't overlook baits was having another lousy day. like grubs, mealworms or even crickets if "I'll tell you," the fisherman said, "I you can get them. in winter. The minute you get out of the put away my flies in the winter. Got tired Another thing to keep in mind when water, they freeze and become treacher­ of watching guys using bait catch all the selecting a stream for winter fishing is its ous. On smooth rocks, wet felt becomes nice fish. This time of year, I hunt for size. Wading can be a chilling, even dan­ like ice skates. Regular rubber treads or lunkers and I like to offer 'em something gerous proposition when the water is very metal cleats are much better. big and juicy. Look here . ." cold. Smaller streams where you can mostly He opened his bulging, badly stained fish from the banks are a good choice in Fishing slow and deep creel and I caught my breath.