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EN CENTS DECEMBER, 1938 OFFICIAL STATE DECEMBER, 1938 PUBLICATION 'ANGLER? Vol. 7—No. 12

•••«e 3»*

PUBLISHED MONTHLY COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

by the BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS

PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS

Publication Office: Front and Reno Streets, New Cumberland, Pa. Executive and Editorial Offices: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commis­ CHARLES A. FRENCH sioners, Harrisburg, Pa. Commissioner of Fisheries

Si MEMBERS OF BOARD Ten cents a copy—50 cents a year CHARLES A. FRENCH, Chairman Elwood City w. MILTON L. PEEK ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor Radnor South Office Bldg., Harrisburg, Pa. HARRY E. WEBER Philipsburg

NOTE SAMUEL J. TRUSCOTT Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Dal ton should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee either by check or money order payable to the Common­ wealth of PennsylvanJa. Stamps not acceptable. EDGAR W. NICHOLSON Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. Philadelphia

as FRED McKEAN New Kensington PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contribu­ tions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper H. R. STACKHOUSE credit will be given to contributors. Secretary to Board All contributions returned if accompanied by first class postage.

Entered as second class matter at the Post Office of C. R. BULLER New Cumberland, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Chief Fish Culturist, Bellefonte

=»*• 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. 12 VNGLERT DECEMBER, 1938 EDITORIAL

FISH FORAGE PRODUCTION INCREASE IS PLANNED

HE Board of Fish Commissioners, recognizing a condition that has become T increasingly apparent during the past year, has now charted a course whereby steps will be taken immediately to remedy it. I refer to the startling lack of forage for fish in many of our waters. Not only in warm water streams but in trout streams as well is this true. This food supply is the very foundation of ourfishing, and we must view with grave concern a sharp decrease in forage. We might list as contributing factors to this diminished food supply, drought, which has dropped water levels to almost unprecedented lows in recent years, floods such as that in 1936, which scoured stream bottoms so severely in some instances as to change bottom characteristics, and a steady drain on various types of aquatic life for fishing purposes. In rebuilding this food supply, the Fish Commission plans to use the entire lower section of the Pleasant Gap hatchery near Bellefonte as an experimental station for the raising of fish forage, to determine just what types of food may be most successfully raised under hatchery conditions. Various types of ponds and pond bottoms will be tried out in this work. At the same time, a well-equipped laboratory will be established at the hatchery and findings as to reactions of various forms of aquatic organisms under hatchery conditions will be carefully checked. Through the splendid cooperation of Dean R. L. Watts of Pennsylvania State College, who has been intensely interested for years in fishing and fisheries work, Professor Trembley, an eminent biologist at Penn State, will be on hand to assist Chief Fish Culturist C. R. Buller, in charge of the hatchery work. Various forms of bait fish and fish bait will be subject to experiment. Particular emphasis will be placed on development of a strain of crayfish suitable for production under hatchery conditions. We recognize in the crayfish one of the most vital forms of fish forage. Other experiments will include the aquatic insects, the horned dace or run chub, the fall fish, the silver shiner, and the stone catfish. Satisfactory propagation of the silver shiner, one of our best stream minnows, should prove a fine asset to the present forage supply in many waters. This fish forage program will include work with warm water and cold water types of food. The Board believes that by starting this forage production, it will be taking a primary and essential step in bringing back good fishing in many of our waters. Past records available tend to show that the supply of fish life has been governed to a major extent by the supply of food available. By restoring this food supply at the earliest possible moment, we feel that a vital stride forward to the kind of fishing we all desire will have been made. Environmental improvement of our fishing waters is just as vital as heavy production of fish at our hatcheries, and should serve as a groundwork for improved fishing. With another year's sport astream before us, I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the splendid cooperation the sportsmen of Pennsylvania have given the Fish Commission and to extend to you best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Commissioner of Fisheries 2 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER PENNSYLVANIA RECORD FISH FOR 1938

By ALEX P. SWEIGART

GREAT trout season opening, a spotty in Falling Spring, Franklin county, by Ray land, postmaster at Karthaus. This trout, 25 A bass season, an outstanding year for the Cormanj' of Chambersburg. inches in length, 13^2 inches in girth and taking of those tigers of the freshwater, muskel- Highlight of the 1938 trout season was the weighing 6 pounds 4 ounces put up a terrific lunge, in northwestern Pennsylvania, and a brown trout division. Outstanding and topping battle before being creeled, according to Green­ good year for wall-eyed pike,—these were the all other catches of huge brownies was the land. Albert Endler of Wilmore caught a 24 highlights of 1938 for the angler in the Key­ fish taken in Spring Creek, near Bellefonte, inch brown in Spring Creek that weighed, stone State. Early spring sucker fishing was Centre county, by David Mills of Milesburg. dressed, 4 pounds 10 ounces. Charles Baugh- definitely below par in the great sucker streams This brown trout, 2&% inches in length, 16 man, of Bellefonte, scored with a 26 inch brown of the central counties, particularly in the inches in girth, and weighing 8 pounds was trout, having a girth of 12*4 inches and weigh­ Juniata River, while an average season for the ace-high catch of the trout season. It was ing S pounds 12 ounces, in the same stream. panfishes such as the bluegill sunfish, the rock taken on a nightcrawler. Bald Eagle Creek in Centre county yielded a bass, the calico bass and the crappie prevailed 26J4 inch brown trout having a girth of 16 throughout the state. Centre county streams had a definite edge as big trout producers over other state waters. inches and weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces to Streams of northwestern Pennsylvania pro­ Logan Branch, tributary to Spring Creek, Alexander Keddie of Altoona. A 6 pound vided the outstanding sucker fishing of the year. yielded a bulky 23j^ inch brown trout to Jack brown trout, 26 inches in length, was taken in Generally good sucker fishing prevailed during Maggs of Williamsport. A fine brown trout Spring Creek by LeRoy Rider, Bellefonte, the spring on these waters, particularly in was also taken in this stream by Hiram Green­ R. F. D. French Creek. From this stream on April 24 was taken the largest sucker ever to be re­ ported from Pennsylvania waters. Youthful George Kemper of Butler had the distinction of catching it, after a tussle in which his father, Ernest Kemper, Sr., and George Smith, who were fishing with him at the time, assisted in the landing. The big fish measured 28 inches in length and tipped the scales at 9 pounds, 12 ounces.

The Trout Season

Streams heavily stocked with trout over catchable 6-inch size were invaded by a record number of trout fishermen on April IS. From virtually all sectors of the trout fishing front, reports of heavy catches poured in on this banner opening day. Even in the famous North Tier counties of Potter and Tioga, where high water and cold weather handicapped the fisher­ men, good catches of brook, brown and rain­ bow trout were reported. Later season trouting yielded some outstanding fish of all three species. Apparently, Schuylkill county holds a mono­ poly on the record charr or brook trout taken in state waters. Last season, Collier Kear of Minersville carried off top honors with a brookie weighing 4 pounds 4 ounces and taken in Black Creek, Schuylkill county. To Arthur "Buddy" Howells of Tamaqua goes that dis­ tinction this year. While fishing worm in Kunkel's Dam on Pine Creek, a spot not widely known as brook trout water, he caught a vividly marked native measuring 20*4 inches in length and weighing 3 pounds 8 ounces. The girth was not given. Runner-up to Howell's brook trout was a fish taken in Catasauqua Creek, Northampton county, shortly after the opening of the season, by Charles Brown of Catasauqua. Brown's catch measured 17 inches in length and tipped the scales at 2 pounds 7 ounces. A 16J4 inch brook trout weighing ope pound 12 ounces was taken in Hogestown Run, Cumberland county, by Gary Blacksmith of Hogestown. Fishing Creek, picturesque Clinton county stream, had the distinction of yielding the out­ standing Pennsylvania rainbow trout this year. It was taken late in April by Fred Laird of Lock Haven. The length was 21J4 inches, girth not given, and weight 4 pounds IS ounces. Comparatively few large rainbow trout were reported. A 20 inch rainbow trout was taken PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

PENNSYLVANIA "ANGLER" Honor Roll for 1938 BROOK TROUT Length 20% inches; girth not given; weight 3 pounds 8 ounces. Caught in Kunkel's Dam, Schuylkill county, by Arthur Howells, Tamaqua.

RAINBOW TROUT Length 21% inches; girth not given; weight 4 pounds 15 ounces. Caught in Fishing Creek, Clinton county, by Fred Laird, Lock Haven.

BROWN TROUT Length 28% inches; girth 16 inches; weight 8 pounds. Caught in Spring Creek, Centre county, by David Mills, Milesburg. SMALLMOUTH BASS Length 22 inches; girth 15% inches; weight 5 pounds 6 ounces. Caught in Lake Lynn, Fayette county, by John Fallot, Lake Lynn. LARGEMOUTH BASS Length 23 inches; girth 16% inches; weight 7 pounds 12 ounces. Caught by John Kane, Yatesville, Schuylkill county, in Stillwater Lake, Monroe county. WALL-EYED PIKE Length 30 inches; girth not given; weight 9 pounds 8 ounces. Caught by Leslie Singer, Rafton, in Lake Wallen- paupack, Pike and Wayne counties.

MUSKELLUNGE Length 52 inches; girth not given; weight 40 pounds. Caught by Fred Metz, Meadville, in Edinboro Lake, Erie county. CRAPPIE Length 18 inches; girth 15 inches; weight 3 pounds 4 ounces. Caught by Miss Mamie Nauman, Springdale, in Edinboro Lake, Erie county.

BULLHEAD CATFISH Length 19 inches; girth not given; weight 3 pounds 8 ounces. Caught in Dock Pond, Schuylkill county, by Jack Gricki, Schuylkill Haven.

YELLOW PERCH Length 15% inches; girth not given; weight one pound 11 ounces. Caught by Lawrence Lehr, Bethlehem. ROCK BASS Length 8 inches; girth and weight not given. Caught by Lester Yoder, Johns­ town, in Raystown Branch, Juniata Joseph Martin, Wilkes-Barre with his runner-up walleyed pike from Lake Carey. River. SUCKER Other state streams also yielded some fine Newville, R. F. D. One of the heaviest brown Length 28 inches; girth not given; catches of big brown trout. Fishing in Otter trout taken, weight to length considered, was weight 9 pounds 12 ounces. Caught by Creek, York County, Richard Ruby, of York, that caught by James McNey of West Pittston George Kemper, Butler, in French caught a 24 inch brown trout weighing 4 pounds in Bowman's Creek, Luzerne county. His catch, Creek. 2 ounces. Wills Creek in Bedford county pro­ 23J4 inches in length, had a girth of 14^2 inches BLUEGILL SUNFISH duced a 24J4 inch brownie weighing 5 pounds and weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces. The same Length and girth not given; weight 16% 8 ounces for the creel of Merle Smith, Glencoe, stream yielded a 25 inch brown weighing 6 ounces. Caught by Norman Bretz, R. F. D., Somerset county. A 25j^ inch brown pounds 8 ounces to Frank Petras of Kingston. Carlisle, in Laurel Dam, Cumberland trout having a girth of 13 inches and weighing It was taken on a worm and required 30 minutes county. 5 pounds 9 ounces was taken in Yellow Breeches to land. In northwestern Pennsylvania, the Creek, Cumberland county, by Marion Shaffer, upper branch of French Creek yielded a 24 inch 4 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER brownie to William Burns of Union City. fishing under par. The famous North Branch Burns' catch weighed 4 pounds 9 ounces. A of the Susquehanna was in a roily condition Huntingdon county stream, Spruce Creek, during much of the summer, but when clear yielded one of the largest brown trout taken in furnished some excellent fishing. Northwestern the state this year to Dr. C. S. Grabiak of Pennsylvania waters, with French Creek an ex­ Johnstown. His catch, 26J4 inches in length, cellent producer, furnished better fishing. Lakes tipped the scales at 7 pounds. and ponds generally provided good bass catches. In spite of the fact, however, that this was The Bass Season an off year for the bass fisherman, some splendid smallmouth and largemouth bass were taken. Facing the facts, the bass season was dis­ One of the finest smallmouth bass to be taken tinctly spotty. Particularly in the central from big Pine Creek in years was landed in streams, comprising such streams as the Juniata this Tioga county stream by John Williams of River and its tributary the Raystown Branch, St. Clair, Schuylkill county. His catch, 22 the main Susquehanna from Holtwood Dam to inches in length, weighed 4 pounds 12 ounces. Sunbury, the Conodoguinet, Sherman's Creek, A 21 inch smallmouth weighing 4 pounds 14 The largest of these bluegills weighed 16% ounces and was the record fish of this species and Conewago Creek in York county was bass ounces was taken in the Juniata River by Walter for 1938. Norman Bretz, Carlisle scored the catch.

Settle of Huntingdon. Darroll Swisher of Laceyville took a 2\y2 inch smallmouth in the North Branch of the Susquehanna that weighed 4 pounds 8 ounces. Two ounces separated first and second fish in the smallmouth division this year. The Susquehanna River at Gouldsboro yielded an exceptionally fine smallmouth to Harry B. Kirk, veteran Harrisburg angler, that, for a time, topped every fish reported. Kirk made his catch on a plug. The bass was 21J-4 inches in length, had a girth of I4y2 inches and tipped the scales at 5 pounds 4 ounces. "That fish struck at the end of a long cast", was the way Kirk put it, "and what a battle it put up". To a Fayette county smallmouth goes top honors in this division for 1938. Let Wayland Birch, who reported the catch, tell about it. Writes Birch: "Ruble Backwater of Lake Lynn, Fayette county, annually affords some excellent bass fishing during the autumn months and this year it has proven a real mecca to the fishermen who have not stored away their tackle for the season. "The record catch of the season, and one that no doubt will take first place in Pennsyl­ vania waters this year, was a smallmouth bass 22 inches in length, \Sy2 inches in girth and weighing S pounds 6 ounces. "This old bronzeback was taken on October 16 by John Fallet of Lake Lynn. Two days later he returned to the lake and caught another smallmouth 19 inches long and weighing 4 pounds 12 ounces. Both fish were taken on nightcrawlers." In the largemouth division, a matter of ounces separated the five largest fish. Topping largemouth bass taken during the season, was a Stillwater Lake bass measuring 23 inches in length, \6y2 inches in girth and weighing 7 pounds 12 ounces. John Kane of Yatesville, Schuylkill county, scored this record catch in the Monroe county lake. Pressing his catch hard for first honor were two largemouths from widely separated lakes in Pennsylvania. One of these bass was taken in Lake Gordon, Bedford county, by Robert W. Ambrose of Cumberland, Md. It measured 24 inches in length and weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces. The girth was not given. The other runner-up was taken in Lake Carey, Wyoming county, by Victor Searfoss of Wilkes-Barre. Weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces, it was 22y& inches in length, girth not given- These fish were taken on plugs. Plugging ac­ counted for the bass in fourth position, a fish 23 inches in length, having a girth of 18 inches and weighing 7 pounds one ounce. Raymond John Fallet with his 1938 record smallmouth bass. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 5

8 pounds 12 ounces. It was also taken on a spinner and nightcrawler trolling combination by Joseph Martin of Wilkes-Barre. Third place goes to a wall-eyed pike taken in French Creek on live bait by Ernest Baker of Saegers- town. It was 29J4 inches in length and weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces. Wallace Dean, ardent Mead- ville angler, who reported this catch, said that Baker caught another wall-eye in the same stream the next day that measured 28 inches in length and weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces. Both of these catches were made in mid-October, while the fish in first and second places were caught in July. Another wall-eye taken in July ranks fourth in the division. It was caught near Mehoopany on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River by Louis Zorzi of Tunkhannock, according to District Game Protector Ralph Flaugh, measured 30 inches in length and weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces. To ardent anglerette Mrs. Claude Reese of Berwick goes the honor of landing the fifth place fish in the wall-eye ranking. Her catch, taken on a trolling combination, measured 28 inches in length and weighed 8 pounds. This fish was taken in Lake Wallenpaupack. Another North Branch walleye, caught by E. A. Rogers, Selinsgrove, was also close to top ranking. It measured 28^2 inches in length and weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces.

Big Muskies

It was an exceptionally good year for taking The GVA pounds brown trout taken from Logan those tigers of the fresh water, muskellunge, in Branch by Hiram Greenland of Karthaus. their limited range in northwestern Pennsyl­ Mamie Nauman with that record crappie. vania. Heading all muskies reported was an Edinboro Lake, Erie county, fish. Taken on Stull of Easton, scored the catch in Unity Lake, frog bait by Fred Metz of Meadville, this Pike county. A largemouth weighing 7 pounds muskellunge measured 52 inches in length and was taken in Stillwater Lake by John Condrick tipped the scales at 40 pounds. Girth was not Sr., of Middletown, Jeddo. Another Lake given. Gordon bigmouth well up in the weight rank­ In runner-up position was a muskie taken ing was a 23 inch fish weighing 6 pounds 12 from the Shenango River by Bud English of ounces. It was taken on plug by Tom Murdock Sharpsville. Landed on a plug, this muskie of Donora. measured 47 inches in length and weighed 26 Monroe Baker of Montrose scored with a 22 pounds 12 ounces, according to Joseph Shatto, inch bass having a girth of 16 inches and managing editor of The Sharon Herald. weighing S pounds 12 ounces in Susquehanna Edinboro Lake yielded one of the third place county. muskies for 1938 to William Robinson of Stone- Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike and Wayne boro. This fish, 48 inches in length, weighed counties yielded a 23 inch largemouth weighing 26 pounds 4 ounces. Also in third place was S pounds 6 ounces to the plugging skill of the 26^4 pounds muskie taken in the Shenango John Faro of Hazleton, while Paul Myers of River by King Thomas of West Middlesex. A Grove City connected with and landed a 21^ muskie from Conneaut Lake in Crawford county, inch, 6 pound largemouth in Barmore Lake, taken by George Gaub and Clyde Beers, veteran Mercer county. Right in the top brackets, too, muskie fishermen of Meadville, also weighed 26 was the 5 pounds 6 ounces largemouth taken in pounds 4 ounces. They also caught a 25 pound Stracks Dam, Lebanon county, by Claude Eiler muskie in French Creek which placed fourth. In of Lebanon. fifth position was the muskie caught by Herb Haas of Meadville. It was 45y2 inches in length and tipped the scales at 24 pounds. Sixth place Walleye Catches Good was taken by a muskellunge caught in Canadohta Fishing for wall-eyed pike or Susquehanna Lake, Crawford county, by Louis Thompson of salmon was definitely on the upgrade during Brackenridge. It measured 43 inches in length 1938. Many reports of fine catches of these fish and weighed 22 pounds. were received, with lakes and streams sharing top honors in producing the outstanding fish in A Giant Crappie this division. Lake Wallenpaupack produced the record walleye of the year, a fish measuring All species considered, the crappie taken in 30 inches in length and weighing 9 pounds 8 Edinboro Lake, Erie county, by Miss Mamie ounces. It was taken on a spinner and night- Nauman of Springdale was the most exceptional crawler combination by Leslie Singer of Rafton. fish, from the angle of weight and length, of any reported this year. Following is Miss In second place was a fine, heavy-girthed Nauman's report of her catch. wall-eye from Lake Carey in Wyoming county. This fish, measuring 27^4 inches in length, had "My friends and I rowed around the shores The 7 pounds one ounce largemouth bass taken a girth of IS inches and tipped the scales at by Raymond Stull, Easton. (Turn to Page 14) 6 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER LIFE LIKE BASS LURES By CHAS. M. WETZEL

MONG the most successful lures for binding down the hair securely around it and should have no trouble in blending colors that A bass are those fashioned from deer hair fasten off with the whip finish. Follow the is, in using alternate tufts of dyed green and and this article will deal with their construction. same procedure with the other leg. See figure 4. yellow hair to create the mottled back. No costly materials are necessary since the From the hide of a deer—not the tail—cut After one has successfully tied a frog, the only things required are a vise, khaki colored off a wad of hair as large as can comfortably dragon fly Figure 11 should offer no difficulties. Aunt Lydia's thread, paper clips, hooks, deer be held with the thumb and first finger of A long shanked hook is very necessary and as hair, deer tail, liquid lacquer cement and yellow the left hand. The amateur will find that the usual a foundation should be prepared as shown and black enamel. Our first effort will be a long coarse hair near the rump is easier to in Figure one. Probably the most conspicuous frog—a more or less difficult task—yet after work with; later on when he becomes more features of a dragon fly are its large eyes and it's principles have been fully mastered you proficient he can then use the finer and these can well be imitated by glass eyes pro­ should have no difficulty in tying any type of shorter hair which will make a more compact cured from taxidermists supply houses. The deer hair lure. body. There is nothing mysterious in tying glass eyes are connected together by wires these lures only one has to tie a number when which are twisted in one piece so as to form Place the hook—a short shanked no. 3/0 in his former errors will become apparent. an easy method of fastening them on the hook the vise and coat the shank with a liberal ap­ shank. Near Figure 11 I have illustrated these plication of liquid lacquer cement. With 18 Cut off the tips of this bunch of hair and eyes which should be tied in with a criss-cross inches of Aunt Lydia's thread—which we will shake out the small fine pieces at the butt end. or figure of eight winding while preparing the hereafter call the tying thread—make a turn Place this wad of hair over the hook shank, foundation of the fly. near the bend of the hook, binding down its own take two loose turns with the tying thread in end. Continue winding out to the eye of hook, the center of the tuft, move the fingers forward The body of the dragon fly can be built up then bring it back letting it hang with hackle to guide the hair from crawling underneath, then of any suitable material, but since this article pliers attached. This is really the foundation pull it tight as shown in Figure 5. Work the is confined to deer hair lures, we will use of the frog and the windings should be made thread forward through the hair, take two tight that material. roughly to prevent the hair from slipping or turns in front, then repeat the above procedure. Near the bend of the hook, bind down the turning on the hook. Coat the windings with It is probably needless to remark that after the ribbing tinsel, then with deer hair proceed to another application of cement. Some fly tyers completion of each operation, the tying thread build up the body similar to that described in prepare their hooks in advance this way, so should be moved forward in front of the wad of making the frog—that is with this exception. that no time will be lost while waiting for the hair just tied in and it should always be left Do not try and guide the hair to keep it on top cement to dry. See Figure one which illustrates hanging with the hackle pliers attached to keep of the hook shank, but let it buckle up com­ the fly at this stage. the threat taut. If the operations have so far pletely around the hook so as to give in effect proceeded smoothly the body will now be built up a circular body when viewed in cross section. The next operation is to tie in the rear legs of to within about one fourth of an inch from the When the body of the dragon fly has been built the frog. From a deer tail, cut off close to the eye of the hook. Cut off another short piece up to a certain point, the wings of deer tail are hide a tuft of long hair slightly thicker than of thread, tie it in the center around the hook then tied in. a lead pencil in diameter. Grasp the butt of shank and lay both ends back out of the way as With the scissors clip the body to the desired hair by the thumb and first finger of the left shown in Figure 6. shape. Now wind the ribbing material spirally hand and hold it on top of the hook shank up to the eye in smooth even turns; secure it so that the butt ends are about in line with For the front legs, cut off another tuft from the deer tail, somewhat thinner and shorter with the tying thread, then fasten off with the the bend of the hook. Take two loose turns whip finish. Clip the hair closely over the with the thread around the hair to secure it than that used for the hind legs. Tie this in so that the butt of hair extends to the right eyes, then cut the wings to the shape shown in in position, then with the left hand press down Figure 11. on the winding, so that the hair will be more or towards the eye of the hook. See Figure 7. A western friend of mine does great execution or less divided on both sides of the hook's Make the fore legs exactly like those in the with a bug like that shown in Figure 12. This shank. Move the thumb and first finger for­ rear, binding down the hair over the concealed type is his "old standby" and he prefers it to ward, more or less enclosing the turns of wire and thread and fastening off each one with all others, so I am passing it along for what thread so as to prevent the hair from curling the whip finish. See Figure 8. it may be worth. around on the bottom of the shank and in this The body of the frog has not yet been built position pull the thread firmly downwards. The up to the eye of the hook so we will add another With the foregoing hints mastered, one is pressure of the thread cutting into the wad of tuft of hair from the deer hide and tie it in limited only by his imagination as to what to hair will cause it to buckle up, similar to that similar to that shown in Figure 9. Now bring produce next. In general, I have found that deer shown in Figure 2. Take another turn around the tying thread forward through the hair, take hair lures bearing some resemblance to nature the hair which will further secure it, then bring two turns in front, immediately back of the eye are the most successful, and are without doubt the tying thread in front and let it hang with of the hook, then fasten off with the whip superior to those having a hard surface body hackle plier attached, so that the hands are finish. since the bass retain them in their mouths longer, due to the softness of material used in their free for the next operation. Proceed with the shears and cut the hair to construction. the required shape of the body, clipping it Separate the hair in two equal bunches and close on the underside so that the gape of the And now a few words as to their use. All arrange it, so that each bunch extends out hook will not be obstructed by hair when a of them are intended to be fished dry, that is more or less normal to the hook, that is, when bass seizes the lure. floating on top of the water. To make them viewing it in plan or from the top. Be sure moisture repellent, I thoroughly saturate the the same amount of hair is in both bunches Now bend the concealed wire in the legs to form the joints and arrange the legs in a lure with a parrafin preparation similar to otherwise one of the frog's legs will be thicker that used in greasing the line. than the other. realistic form. The hidden piece of thread in each leg will also assist in making a sym­ Generally a six foot leader is used, the tip Cut off another^ piece of thread about nine metrical arrangement. of which is fastened directly to the lure. inches long and tie it to the shank of the hook, Finally paint each eye with yellow enamel Tapered lines are an abomination, unless the immediately in front of the legs, so that an finishing off with a black dot in the center. taper is formed similar to that used for the equal length projects on each side. See Cover the windings on the legs and the fastening accuracy fly events by tournament casters. Quite Figure 3. off knot with liquid lacquer cement and the a bit of wind resistance must be overcome in Start in and make the right hind leg by frog Figure 10 is finished. casting these bugs and a rather heavy level bringing one of these threads through the center Some fly tiers tie in only the two rear legs, line will prove cheap and satisfactory. The line of the hair, meanwhile also concealing in the dispensing with those in front, but I am con­ by the way, should be stretched between two center a piece of straight wire y% inch long vinced that the more nearly we approximate trees and thoroughly greased; then each foot procured from a paper clip. With ordinary it's prototype—the more successful it will be. of it should be gone over carefully by hand, sewing thread wind over this wire and thread, Having the tying principles now mastered, you (Turn to Page 20) PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

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By W. E. BRIGGS

O MUCH has been written by scientists S and ichthyologists on the subject of the Great Pike and the Muskellunge that no wonder the ordinary angler becomes confused in identifying the two great fishes. For the convenience of the reader the fol­ lowing tabulation with common name, scientific name and range is given.

COMMON SCIENTIFIC RANGE NAME NAME Great Pike Esox Lucius From New York and Ohio northward. Com­ mon in Canada. Not found on Pacific coast outside of Alaska. Muskellunge Esox Native of all Great Lunge Lakes, upper St. Masquinongy Lawrence River and tributary streams, also certain northern lakes. Ohio Esox Chautauqua Lake chiefly, but has been Muskellunge Masquinongy Chautauqua reported from certain Muskellunge Ohiensis portions of the Ohio Valley. Great Northern Esox Only found in Eagle Pike Masquinongy Lake, Wisconsin, and Plain other small lakes in Muskellunge, Immaculatus the northern part of Lunge— that State, and also in northern Minnesota. As the reader can see the Great Pike coexists with the Great Lakes muskellunge, and is very similar in shape and size, sometimes attaining a weight of forty pounds, a sixteen or twenty pound fish not being at all uncommon, and hav­ ing all the fighting proclivities of the muskel­ lunge. The angler, however, should be able to tell the two apart, which is an easy matter. By a careful study of the cheek and gill- covering of the Great Pike, he will find the cheek and only upper half of gill-cover scaled, and if the angler discovers that a catch of his is without scales upon the lower halves of cheek and gill-covers, he may be assured that he has taken a muskellunge, no matter what the shape, colorations or markings. All ichthyologists are not agreed that there are three varieties of muskellunge, maintaining that the asserted differences are not constant. When scientists disagree, what wonder that mere anglers quarrel ? Perhaps some day the whole matter will be thrashed out and the status of the muskellunge fixed. Till then let each angler keep his temper and add his bit of information on the subject. Mother nature has been discriminate and not The writer with that "interim" 33 pounds muskie from Lake LeBoeuf. extensive in the distribution of the muskel­ lunge, as shown by the tabulated range of the fish, and I would consider it unwise to introduce articles and scientific writings on the subject, catches, the size, weight, kind of bait used, the muskellunge to waters not included in which happen to coincide with my own beliefs, whether live or artificial, and was always able nature's plan. However, it is a well known and have been confirmed by my own experience to give you a story on nearly all of these fact that nature, when left alone, has a peculiar catches. Fred was the one man most responsible way of striking a balance in animal as well as and observation of the muskellunge in north­ for introducing me to the muskie fishing clan. fish life. Therefore, I firmly believe that the western Pennsylvania. Therefore, from now on Muskellunge is in these native waters for a I will try to confine myself more closely to And now I pause a moment to pay a tribute purpose, and thete must be and is sufficient my observations and experiences with the to the memory of my old friend. When I knew food in these waters to maintain and produce muskellunge in Erie County, Pennsylvania. him he was well down on the western slope fish of this prodigious size that the anglers are of the divide, bathed in the mellow sunlight of In writing on the subject of the muskellunge, taking each year in spite of the lack of artificial his departing days. He had no use for new­ I feel that I am pinch-hitting for the dean of propagation. I think that the muskellunge is fangled notions and fishing contraptions, but he all muskie fishermen in this part of the State, better equipped by instinct and habit to with­ was a true fair-play-loving sportsman from the the late Fred King, who a few years ago wrote stand and survive the onslaught of the angler crown of his silver hair to soles of his life- several articles on the muskellunge for the than any other fish in our native waters. weary feet. Never would he take a mean ANGLER. He had the enviable record, from advantage of any fish. No doubt the reader by this time has rightly 1900 to 1936, the year of his death, of 411 guessed that the foregoing is not entirely muskies that he had taken from Lake LeBoeuf, Before going further it might be well to original, but it has been gleaned from magazine He kept a complete and true record of all his add that there is something about muskellunge PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 9 fishing that gets into your blood, and is in­ skirt the weed-beds and bars, and the well of artificial lures "plugs", built expressly foi curable. On this point the old muskie fisher­ covered shoreline wherever the water is deep the muskellunge fishermen, and they are good men are all agreed, and the beginner after he enough to permit. For there is where you will lures, every one. These lures weigh all the has battled and successfully brought to gaff his find the muskellunge lying in wait for his prey. way from one and one half ounces for the first muskie will discover that he has contracted lightest, to three ounces for the heaviest. I a "disease". Lacking a better word we will call The muskellunge is inclined to solitude, and would not consider it the part of wisdom to it Muskyitis, from which the patient seldom when not feeding, desires the deep water for subject a light bass casting rod to the severe recovers. hot days, and perhaps retirement after a full work required of the heavy muskellunge tackle. meal. But when feeding, the splatter-dock or While the light rod and tackle might prove There are many successful methods of angling weed-bed form a good lurking place, the marge adequate in handling a six or seven pound for the muskellunge. It is true that many of which is more likely to be preempted by a muskie, there is always the possibility of tying muskies are taken on a spoon and handline hungry or ill tempered muskie. For the manner into a fish fifteen to twenty pounds and better, trolled behind a boat, which however, is not in which the fish attack, I am inclined to believe and then it would be just too bad if the angler saying that such is the best and most en­ that they lie concealed in the weeds, head happened to be using too light tackle. joyable way of taking them. The hand-line on pointed outward, so when some luckless small fresh water is gradually being relegated to fish passes, the muskie can literally leap upon (Interlude). October 10, 1938. 8 P. M. to the museum cabinet. Not that the hand-line is it. The edges of any aquatic growth is good 10:15 P. M., at my typewriter writing this essentially unsportsmanlike, but because there casting ground in both streams and lakes. The story. Paused to light my pipe and glanced is infinitely more pleasure in handling lures caster must always remember to cast to some­ through the window at the full moon. with a rod and multiplying reel. Trolling is thing, not in any direction, as the muskie has Suddenly I was overcome by a strange feel­ rarely indulged in except in the lakes, as even pretty well defined habits of only taking his ing of unrest, my nerves were jittery, and I our largest streams furnish too many hazards, food in certain places although this does not was unable to concentrate on my work, (by the such as submerged logs and snags, on which necessarily hold true in all cases. The ex­ way, I am subject to these queer attacks), so the angler is constantly getting his tackle fouled. perienced muskellunge fisherman has learned I gathered up my muskie tackle and wandered that more strikes are had along the marge of to Lake LeBoeuf. At 9 P. M., connected with It is needless to spend much time in recom­ weed-beds and bars, than in open deep water. a nice muskie, and after a battle royal lasting mending any particular spoon, for the true forty-five minutes had him in the boat. The angler will employ his favorite, in spite of what That a mere tyro without any previous knowl­ length was 44 inches and the muskie weighed anyone might suggest, for the perfectly obvious edge of the habits of the muskellunge, and 22 pounds. Will enclose picture. Am feeling reason that he has had better luck with his with inadequate equipment, may on his first much better, and will continue with the story. particular choice, and will handle it more faith­ attempt be successful in bringing to gaff a nice fully than one with which he is not acquainted. muskie is a strange commentary, and brings There are several important things for the My favorite type is the old-fashioned fluted or to mind the remark of an old poker player muskellunge fisherman to remember. As pre­ kidney type spoon with a medium sized blade, winning a nice jack-pot after an exceedingly viously stated, fish carefully the cover and spots with dependable hooks, and a long wire or long run of hard luck, that a blind pig will where the muskie is likely to be concealed. gimp leader attached to prevent an over-strik­ sometimes find an acorn. Whether casting, trolling, or in any method of ing muskie from severing the line above the angling, proceed with caution, and the least spoon. Much has been said in favor of the While we are ready to admit that there is noise possible. While it is generally conceded pearl blade as an attractive lure, and while I a certain amount of luck in angling for the that this fish cannot hear noises like ordinary have never seen one in actual use, I am very muskellunge, the angler casting artificial lures, conversation, he is extremely sensitive to vibra­ doubtful about it withstanding more than one who knows his fishing ground, and is equipped tions, and any undue noise with the oars, or encounter with a savage striking muskie. My with the best type of tackle will be rewarded scraping of a boot upon the bottom of the own preference would be the copper or gold with more strikes and land more fish than the boat, even a movement of the fisherman or a blade and the chrome or nickeled blade, de­ inexperienced angler. There are a great variety flash from the reel is sufficient to awaken his pending entirely on the kind of a day and the suspicions. Frightened, he will never be condition of the water, which would prove the stampeded, but rather he will fade away. Big more attractive, and last but most important is game hunters never stalk their quarry with a the ornamented hook, which should be covered pack of hounds. Remember this when angling with feathers, preferably red and white. Then, for the muskellunge—that you are stalking the too, the buck-tail treble is a good attachment gamest fish that swims in fresh water, arid a for a spoon, especially if it has a tag of red in fish that is endowed with all the cunning of the center. The action of the hairs as the lure the fox. moves through the water is very alluring. By A few years ago, I had an experience fishing all means, I would say cover the hooks. Any for muskellunge that gave me added respect of these lures should prove effective in trolling, for the cunning of this fish, and drove home as the muskie is prone to strike any bright with convincing force the fact that the success­ moving object when hungry or in an ugly ful muskellunge fisherman must eternally be mood, provided, however, it is handled in the on the alert. Fishing on Lake LeBoeuf one conventional manner, which all true anglers night with live bait, I made a cast near the understand. Attach the spoon of your choice edge of some lily-pads and was rewarded with to a good thirty pound test line, or stronger if a nice strike. The fish started for deep water, desired, and a quadruple reel, honor built by a slowly taking out about 200 feet of line and reputable maker, that will accommodate at least finally stopped. After a full hour of waiting 100 yards of line that you are using, and a for the muskie to eat the bait and for some good heavy bass rod, and you will have ideal action, I became impatient and was on the point equipment to go trolling for muskellunge. of reeling in the line carefully to find out what was going on. Second sense or a hunch Perhaps I should say here that I do not warned me not to disturb the line, and in­ often troll for muskellunge, but occasionally stead I snapped on my flash light and turned I turn to this method of angling for rest from it out on the water. Not more than twelve feet the most strenuous casting. I doubt if trolling from the boat and about 6 inches under the will bring as many fish to gaff as will casting surface lay that muskie eyeing the boat and artificial lures or live bait, though there are holding my bait crosswise in his jaws. I im­ days when a distant spoon will accomplish mediately snapped off the light and after about wonders. A spoon trolled at a distance of ISO fifteen minutes more he took the bait out into feet or more from the boat, which is far deep water and ate it. And I had the pleasure enough to get away from the commotion of the of landing this smart old fish. I am thoroughly oars, will attract the most wary muskie. The convinced that had this muskie seen anything line should not be weighed down, as the spoon or heard noise around the boat to arouse his will run deep enough when the motion is just This 25 pounds 6 ounces muskie was taken in Lake LeBoeuf by George Oaub (left) of Mead- fast enough to keep the spoon working. Always vine. C. T. Kinney, Meadviile, on right. (Turn to Page 22) 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER FOOLING THE WISE DOCTOR By DR. EDWIN K. MORSE Director, American Society Civil Engineers

OVERS of field and stream, especially those who have lived four score and ten, Lgrieve over the fact that such a large per­ centage of our once famous trout streams have literally ceased to exist. There are many who regret the change. There are more who scold and criticize, but very few who will do anything with their own hands and pocketbooks for the adequate pro­ tection of the trout and other fish that are still left in so many of the streams of Pennsylvania and other states. Contrary to the general impression elsewhere, this attitude is true to a marked degree in Pennsylvania; a state with an unusual network of rapid streams, an excellent system of paved highways and beautiful drives with scenery which few, if any, states in the Union can equal. A man who ignores his doctor's orders is usually either a fit subject for the psychopathic ward or the undertaker. But in my family there is a standing joke on the family physician which dates back to 1907. And that is why at ninety I am able to relate some of my ex­ periences of a quarter of a century in trout stream improvement. In March, 1907, I had a bad case of ptomaine poisoning, and was sent by our family physician to Atlantic City to take the hot water salt baths. I wired the caretaker of the Spruce Creek Club in central Pennsylvania to meet me at the station. He hauled me to the club in a sled, where I loafed around for four days. By that time I was strong enough to walk down to the stream. After the first week I got a rope and an axe, went up onto the steep mountainside and cut down dead white pine trees about 12 inches in diameter. These I cut into lengths of about 19 to 12 feet, and suc­ ceeded in dragging and rolling them down to my favorite Spruce Creek, a stream where there was then very little cover for the fish. I then gathered up some planks and boards among the drift along the banks, nailed them onto the logs, and made a float. I fastened a telegraph wire to it, and the other end around a tree on the bank. The float was then pushed out into the stream. Rocks were gathered and carried out on to the float, and in that way the float was sunk to the bottom of the stream to provide homes for the trout. In two weeks I came back to Pittsburgh full of pep. When the doctor saw me he said, "No use to feel your pulse; there's nothing like the salt water baths of Atlantic City". The doctor is now dead and I never told him how I deceived him. In fact, he sent me to Atlantic City twice for treatment, and each time I got off at Spruce Creek and built shelters for the trout. And that's how I began an improvement program twenty-five years ago which I have kept up ever since. The very greatest care must be exercised in placing a shelter so no damage will be done to the food supply, spawning beds, etc. Great care must be exercised also to avoid placing the shelters so that they will cause sediment to accumulate. Stone and log dam placed in Spruce Creek by members of the Spruce Creek Club. This was the During four consecutive winters there had not second shelter placed in Spruce Creek. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER II

-TOoX.— —SgcoYttSi- J-ggu-t SqcVctg on.-—

? o g o q u o o ~a criJ o jaj

vania, March, 1907, and still giving splendid been an accumulation of snow in the mountains service. It consists of two logs placed about of Pennsylvania. The very severe drought of 4 feet apart with plank spiked on same and 1930 extended throughout 1931, and during July sunk out in the stream. It has proven to be of 1932, many of the streams were lower than one of the best and should be placed in running they were in the fall of 1930. The months of water and should always be under the water August, September and October are generally so that snakes and turtles will not crawl up dry, low-water months in this state. on same and frighten the trout. There had been adequate rains, especially Shelter No. 2—Consists of a log placed in the Allegheny and Monongahela watersheds, crosswise on the bed of the stream extending some 19,000 square miles, including our north into each bank from 3 feet to 6 feet on each central counties. Unfortunately these rains had side and then stone and rock piled over same. been of the nature of cloudbursts. The rain fell This is especially beneficial where an additional in torrents, and enormous quantities of muddy foot or two of water is required in shallow pools. water found its way into the streams, where Shelter No. 3—Is made of two logs trenched thousands of tons of mud and debris were into each bank, same as No. 2, with plank deposited. This is what remains of what was the first trout spiked on top of each log and extending several Had there been the usual March thaw while shelter ever placed in Spruce Creek over 30 feet beyond the lower down stream log and years ago. It has never been repaired. I have the ground was frozen the streams would have arranged to repair personally this shelter and more rock piled above the logs than in No. 2, been cleaned out, and the very beds of them place another just above this, my first shelter, as this shelter develops a greater amount of as per sketch No. 4 of three logs. Note the clear would have been scoured. But this condition had stream and very low water showing the rocks scour than No. 2. This shelter is noted as a not taken place for nearly five years. in bed of stream and logs of shelter. favorite for large trout. Six miles of Spruce Creek is owned and Shelter No. 4—Is the same as No. 3, with leased by the Spruce Creek Rod and Gun Club. lustrate each step that has been taken. This the exception that a third is placed over the What has been done by this club to improve its two and large rocks and stones piled on the waters can be done by any other organized work has been so beneficial that today, although the stream is lower than ever known, and was upper log. This is a favorite shelter where group as well as by individuals to improve both a deeper pool is necessary. private and public fishing waters. lower in May of this year than ever before known, fishing held up well until the end of As already stated, the first shelter was Shelter No. 5—Represents one of the latest the season and there has been no loss of trout shelters that has been placed in Spruce Creek placed in Spruce Creek in March, 1907, when to date. I was synthetically taking my hot salt water and is, all around the best, giving an immense shelter for large and small trout. It is general­ baths. Since then the improvement and style Outlines Nos. 1 to 6 give the principal ly placed in the center of the stream and in of protection for trout have gone on almost features of each type placed in Spruce Creek rather deep water. It consists of a large green continuously. The following outlines will il- since the beginning. log from 12 to 20 feet in length and not less Shelter No. 1—The first shelter placed in than 12 inches at the butt with the limbs cut Spruce Creek, Huntingdon County, Pennsyl- off at the top sticking out into the bed of the stream 3 feet to 4 feet as shown in the sketch. Planks are spiked onto the log before it is -tlo ±- floated and sunk into position. 1J4 inch hole is bored through the butt and into which is A ~3>is\ "2f>svuk Stw&e*oa - 2rtu 4* driven 134 inch steel bar 5 feet to 6 feet long ^3i?uwce £S? e els "•> which is driven through the log and into the

Ro<- ^j c3 tSAASSi bed of the stream where it is possible. Planks Oc M extending over each side of the log 3 feet to «*# J _£s ^^gv^QCD ^or J '*£»+* 4 feet are driven home with preferably ship spikes 5/16 inch to 3/8 inch square, 8 inches long. Long planks are used with one end spiked onto the log and the other end is sunk to the bed of the stream and rock piled over the end of the plank. The log should be freshly cut green timber with a lot of stone piled in front and enough stone on the top end or lower end to prevent any damage being done in times of flood and swift current.

Shelter No. 6—The latest design of trout shelters placed in Spruce Creek, consist of two logs about 12 inches in diameter 6 feet long (Turn to Page 23) 12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLES

TWO RATTLERS By Robert J. Wheeler

When I began to write these stories, I told everybody that it would be hard to tell the really true from the nearly true. No doubt many of my readers are still struggling with the puzzling problem. However, in this story I am going to stick to the exact facts as I know them myself. Some of my other stories were written after I had gathered the alleged facts from native Pike county people. In justice to everyone I want to again point out that stories about wild things are often so remarkable and so far from the experience of most readers that truth is often mistaken for fiction. In this story I am simply relating an experience of my own and recommend it to readers as a true story. However, in reading it, be as reasonable as you can. One day I was driving toward Hawley, on the Milford road. It was a very bright day and every tree or pole threw a shadow across the road. In the snake country one always keeps a sharp lookout for rattlers. As I was near- ing the "Old Decker Place," where a famous den is located, I saw a long dark shadow in the road. Looking to the east, I could not see any tree near the road that could cast a shadow at that spot so I knew that it was really a big rattler crossing the road at his leisure. Putting on more speed I ran up on him just as he plunged down the steep bank. I stopped my car and jumped out and threw a big rock right in front of the rattler as he was making for the thick brush. The crash of the rock halted him and I was able to get close enough to toss him up on the road with a stick before he recovered from his momentary surprise.

When I climbed up on the road the rattler was waiting for me, all coiled up ready for business. He looked very sassy and determined. I circled around him very carefully and grabbed A pause for refreshment on the first day of the bass season on the North Branch. First row, left to right—Mrs. Wm. Lovering, Floyd C. Baker, special warden, and Mrs. John Reid. Top row, Mrs. him by the head and tied him to a stick with Floyd C. Baker and Wm. Lovering. Ail are from Scranton. one of my shoelaces. Held safely by the head, he was helpless. I then wound him about the stick and tied his tail to the other end. This is the most effective way to carry a rattler. Tied what have you got there?" "Oh," I replied, in REPORTS GOOD BASS head and tail he cannot strike. Of course, one an off hand manner, "Just a rattler." The has first to get the head tied. That is where man got excited at once. "Why"! he exclaimed, CATCHES ON BRANCH the trick comes in. "that thing is deadly. It might kill you. Don't you know any better than to fool with a rattle­ "Being a fishing enthusiast, I am a constant When I had finished fastening the rattler to snake?" Of course he meant all right. He sup­ devotee of the best magazine money can buy, the stick, I laid him alongside the hood of the posed I was some fresh city guy who in his namely the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER", writes machine and tied the stick fast. He was a ignorance was risking his life fooling with fine, big fellow and I was properly elated Al Jezorek of Nanticoke. Pike county's most dangerous citizen. over the capture. My attention was so closely "It is my intention to enlighten fishermen given to the task of properly securing the big By this time I had recovered my poise and on the fishing conditions of the North Branch snake that I did not notice anything else until went over to the Ford and put my foot on the of the Susquehanna River this past summer. I was startled out of my wits, almost, by a running board and blandly replied: "My dear sharp rattle right alongside and just behind me. friend, while I fully appreciate your solicitude "I camped at Black Walnut on Routes 6 and Now I am not a nervous person and not in for my safety and agree with you that rattlers 309 from the first of July till the 28th of Sep­ the least afraid of rattlers, but one's nerves are dangerous, yet you are in a much more tember. The fishing was mediocre the first are always at a tension when handling a precarious position. Last year, 13,333 people month of the season but the last of August dangerous animal. Hearing a familiar rattle were killed and injured riding in cars while found the fishing perfect. The fish bit like the right behind me,* I instinctively sprang aside not a single person was bitten by a Pennsylvania black gnats on the Lehigh in May. and reached for a rock. As I whirled about I rattler." "Among the fishermen who visited Black confidently expected to see another rattler. But Walnut were Darlington Kulp of Berks county to my astonishment and relief, it was nothing At first the man looked at me blankly; then and his friend Representative La Rue. but an old Ford car. when the full significance of my statement Naturally I was somewhat taken aback. But dawned upon him, he laughed loudly and stepped "Charlie "Chuck" Williams, Louis Karpinski anyone could be as easily deceived under the on the starter. As he threw "Lizzie" into high and many others from Hanover Township were circumstances. Rattlers and old Fords have and rattled away he looked back and said: lucky fishermen who had some large bass on much in common. They both have rattles. "Well, anyway, that is a good story." live bait. The man in the Ford said, "Hello Fellow, And I suppose he is telling it yet. "I, myself, had several good catches." PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 13

Question: Can a person, when standing on Question: Can two or more fishermen, going land, shoot at frogs, snakes and turtles which fishing together, carry their bait in one con­ are in the zvater? tainer, such as a cooling or ice box? Answer: Yes. Shooting at fish, however, is Answer: Put a partition in the container, and in violation of the fish laws and would subject have both names and addresses, also numbers the shooter to a fine. of fishing licenses on same, and this procedure would be legal. Question: Must you have a license to hunt turtles? Chrismus is a comin' at a fast clip an' the Answer: In taking snapping turtles, while Question: Recently a number of us were the law makes no provision for devices, ac­ talking over the relative merits of small plugs boys down ter the store t'uther nite hed Jed cording to H. R. Stackhouse, executive secre­ and large plugs, th-e latter of the jointed variety, Summer ahoppin' around ter beat the band tary to the Board of Fish Commissioners, when it comes to taking bass. One of the fisher­ atakin' orders fer fishin' tackle. Jed sez ez how nothing can be used in the way of devices in men present said that it zvas his opinion that he ain't never seed so menny poles an' reels an' our inland waters except two rods, two lines light lures, zveighing from a quarter to a half sich ordered ez they's bin this year. and one handline with not more than three ounce were best for fishing streams for small- Now, then, when it cums ter trout fishin', I hooks attached, and, of course, the fisherman mouth bass, and that the bigger plugs were would have to be present. Hook and line fish­ tops for largemouth bass in most lakes and ain't one o' these fly fishers, but I shure like ing requires that the fisherman have a license. reservoirs. In your opinion, is this correct? ter see a gude fly fisher awhippin' a stream. Me, I jest gits me sum pine sawyers er red Question: Is the terrapin considered a turtle Answer: We string along with your friend worms er minnies an' later crickets an' grass- in Pennsylvania? in that statement and believe that other pluggers hopers an' I'm set. One o' the nicest ketches o' who have fished both types of water will agree. mountain trout I ever ketched wuz got on sum Answer: No. The terrapin or red leg is When it comes to taking stream smallmouths, honey bee drones up in the gap. Jest the same, classified as such and not as a turtle under the it's hard to beat lures of from a quarter to half this here fly fishin' hez got me downrite in- Fish Laws. The season in which this species an ounce. These light lures have a pleasing and trested, an' I'm thinkin' a' takin' it up next may be legally taken runs from November 2 attractive way of landing on the water with a yere. Jed sez ez how a feller don't need ter to March 14, Sunday excepted. No size limit minimum of splash that appears to attract spend a whole lot o' money fer a fust rate fly is specified, the daily limit is five and the many strikes from the smallmouth bass of rod, ez he calls it, an' thet he knows how ter season limit fifty. Both dates in this season the streams. They also seem to offer little wind are inclusive. resistance and good distance can be attained order lines o' the rite wate fer these rods. He with them. On the other hand, the largemouth fishes fly hisself an' made sum mitey nice Question: Can suckers and chubs, regardless bass of the lakes appear to respond exceptionally ketches in the medder run last seezun. of size, be caught with a seine to be used as well to heavier lures, weighing up to two and But most o' the gang wuz orderin' tackle fer bait fish? one half, three or three and one half ounces. From personal observation, these heavier jointed their yunguns. It betes the band the way the Answer: Both species are classified under plugs seem to have the edge in attractiveness kids in this neck o' the woods hez tuke ter the Fish Laws as Game Fish, and the law when it comes to taking the bigmouths. Any fishin'. I seed a cuppel leetle codgers handlin' specifies that in taking Game Fish, hook and argument as to the effectiveness of plugs, no a fly back in the spring like nobuddy's bizness. line must be used. matter what the type, however, seems certain Sum o' their dads fishes thet way, tew, an' they to be courting a whale of a lot of discussion. all say thare ain't no way ter pleeze a boy more Question: When was the first fishing license Plug fishermen, very definitely, have their pets then ter give him sumthin ter fish with. I'm issued in Pennsylvania? and the weight element appears to have little gonner giv my leetle grandsun a fly rod, reel, Answer: In 1922. to do with them. line an' all the trimmins this yere.

SCRANTON CAMP 63 YORK-ADAMS CLUB becoming an institution here. The fish com­ AT MOUNTAIN LAKE mittee reported a recent netting of the club's STOCKS FISH two fish rearing ponds, known as the Sell and Bowersox ponds. A total of twenty-one cans of Scranton Camp 63, United Sportsmen of The York and Adams County Game and Fish catfish, sunfish, chubs and minnows numbering Pennsylvania, held their October meeting at the Association staged the October meeting in the 9,000 to 10,000 in aggregate were netted from Mountain Lake Clubhouse. A Buffet Supper Friendship Fire Company hall, Pennville. Mem­ these ponds and released into the Little was served. bers of the club received new lapel pins in gold Conewago creek last week. Game Commission lecturer, Randolph H. trim, blue enamel, keystone in shape and carry­ ing the club's insignia. Thompson, gave a lecture and showed pictures President Dr. Stephen G. Naylor announced covering game, fish, and forestry. •The various committees in charge of the definite progress on the purchase of a farm to Other speakers of the evening were Had Sportsmen Show reported it as a financial be used as a headquarters for the association. Smith, of Wilkes-Barre, Game Supervisor success due to the fine co-operation of the He stated that a final contract and bill of sale Jay C. Gilford, Forty Fort, and Fish Com­ members, sportsmen and of the public. The are expected to be completed within the near missioner S. J. Truscott of Dalton. annual show was voted favorably upon as future. 14 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

PENNSYLVANIA RECORD FISH TAME BASS INTERESTS FOR 1938 HAZLETON FISHERMEN (Continued from Page S) Recently the Hasleton Plain Speaker ran the following article concerning "Oscar", a of Edinboro Lake for several hours and just wild bass gone tame to the extent that he has had a few small catches of perch and crappie ardent anglers in the coal region wondering bass. We began to feel that we were not going just what members of the smallmouth clan will to get much that day, when finally we moved pull next. We quote: to a part of the lake that was filled with weeds "Can a fish like a man ? Man likes the fish and logs. No sooner had we thrown in our because of the sport in catching him in season. lines than we seemed to hit upon a school of He also likes him in the off-season when he large crappie bass from 9 inches to 12 inches stocks the streams with trout and other varieties long. We had about eighteen of these nice fish so angling will be good the following summer. when I began to pull my line in and all of a But the fish is always on the defensive and sudden there was a quick pull. The line was if he could talk his first words would be: 'Look right in a clump of weeds and I was disap­ pointed to think that I had a "good" snag. Then out for the hook.' my line began pulling out more and I was "That a fish can have an affection for man sure I had a nice-sized fish on the hook. I is proven at the Mt. Laurel swimming pool, played with the fish for twenty minutes before where a fifteen inch smallmouth bass has for it was tired out. It kept jumping out of the some weeks shown a liking for human beings water and I thought sure it was a black bass, almost similar to that of a dog or cat. but when it was played out and lying alongside "The bass has his habitat in the reserve or the boat, I was thrilled to find the very largest refill dam, where no swimming is allowed. This crappie bass my friends and I Jiad ever seen. dam is fed by a number of springs and fish of When I measured it I found it was 18 inches several varieties thrive there. in length, IS inches in girth, and weighed 3J4 "The bass has been nicknamed 'Oscar' and is pounds. Was I pleased? My friends and I a 'friend' of Giles Phillips, owner of the pool, took it to the Allen Boat House and they told Bill Kahley, the caretaker, and John Boyle, us it was the largest one they had ever seen the life guard. from the lake. "He struck up his acquaintance with Phillips Two largemouth bass caught in Mill Pond, when the latter cast his line into the pool about "The record catch for crappie bass, I believe, Montgomery county, by Joseph Eckert, Spring City, (holding rod). The largest, 21 inches in a month ago and found his captor wasn't a bad is a couple ounces over four pounds and it length, weighed c pounds, the smaller, 17 fellow. Phillips caught Oscar with a barbless was caught in the South where the fish usually inches, 3 pounds. hook. He netted him and after withdrawing grow to a pretty fair size. The fact that this the hook, put the fish back in the water. The fish was caught in Pennsylvania, which is not bass swam away but quickly returned when a "preferred" crappie state, is interesting. The students in a certain college were re­ cently amused by the following note on the Phillips threw a live frog in for him to eat, "This fish was caught on July 4, 1938, at Bulletin Board which was signed by one of as a sort of consolation prize. to ease the dis­ Edinboro Lake, Pennsylvania, with a fly rod. the teachers: grace of being a 'sucker'. I had caught three nice sized crappies on a "If you want to see Venus, see me tonight at "The bass evidently appreciated the kindness minnow about two and one-half inches long, eight o'clock." They were all there. of Phillips and sort of begged for bait every and I still caught the large fish on the same time he saw him on the edge of the water. minnow. The minnow certainly served its Phillips seldom disappointed the trusting fish purpose!" and told Kahley and Boyle about him. Then the caretaker and the guard began to feed Other Species Oscar and he took a liking to them also, so much so that when he spies them he swims Good catches of panfish were general through­ around after them, eager for something to eat. out the state. One of the finest bullhead catfish "He has become so tame that he feeds right to be reported in years was taken in Dock Pond, out of their hands when they show him a worm, Schuylkill county, by Jack Gricki of Schuylkill frog or fly under water. He takes only live Haven. The amazing part of the catch was the bait. fact that this catfish was taken on a plug. It "Crowds at the swimming pool are deeply measured 19 inches in length and weighed 3 interested in the performance of the fish and pounds 8 ounces. Girth was not given. the guard and stand around in wonderment as it approaches whenever the bait is held before A fine yellow perch, caught by Lawrence Lehr him. After taking the bait, the bass dashes off, of Bethlehem, carried off first honors in this but generally is on the lookout for any second division. It measured 15^ inches in length and serving. tipped the scales at one pound 11 ounces. Girth and where caught were not given. "The bass occupies one section of the pool all to himself. He allows no other fish to trespass An 8-inch rock bass, taken by youthful Lester on his territory and when any come that way, Yoder of Johnstown in the Raystown Branch he quickly drives them out. The water is about of the Juniata River was the largest of this four feet deep. species reported. No girth or weight were given. "The bass is a wild game fish and this is the Top ranking fish in the bluegill sunfish divi­ first case known hereabout where one has taken sion was a 16->4 ounces bluegill caught in Laurel bait from the hand of his perennial enemy— Lake, Cumberland county, by Norman Bretz man." of Carlisle. A review of these catches for the year is proof sufficient that Pennsylvania anglers did Customer: "I'll take a dozen of these themselves proud in taking a grand lot of big diapers." game fish from Keystone waters. Clerk: "Yes, Sir. That will be $1.03, $1.00 NOTE : Other pictures of big fish taken during This fine brace of pickerel was taken in a a dozen, and three cents tax." the 1938 season will be found on Pages 18 splash dam in North Mountain, Sullivan county. Customer: "Never mind the tax. We use The largest was 3GV2 inches in length, the and 19. smaller 24 inches. safety pins on 'em." PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 15

Shooting for the North End team I. J. Hailer Lawrence McGee, raccoon trials; George scored 49 out of 50; W. Sorger, 47; Q. Licini, Zimmerman, C. Robert Glover, Walter D. 46; George Kline, 46; and Mark Wescoe, 45. Readinger, Charles H. Nehf and Jesse DeEsch, Ontelaunee sportsmen and their respective publicity; John Craig, treasurer for the day; scores were: Fred Oswald, 49; George Sittler, George Walty, Barton Snyder, Howard 46; L. Bittner, 46; E. Handwerk, 45, and F. Heffner, badges; Ralph O. Rabert, Barton Durhammer, 42. Snyder, Gordon King, George Guignet, Tilgh- The Catasauqua Sportsmen's association who man S. Cooper Jr., Milton O. Knauss and last year placed first was third with a total of Ernest Kistler, utility. 220 out of 250. Top individual honors for the the day were taken by Arthur Walker, member of the Catasauqua team, who made a perfect kill of SO white flyers out of a possible 50. LITITZ SPORTSMEN Aside from the practice rounds of 25 targets DISCUSS STOCKING the following scores were registered in events for 50 clay birds: Charles Bellis, Eighty-five members attended the bi-monthly 43; Bruce Muth, 47; Ed. Didra, 40; Harvey meeting of the Lititz Sportsmens Association Muth, 47; Barton Snyder, 45; George Kline, held in the council chamber on Monday evening, 46; H. Benner, 39; Mark Wescoe, 45; H. October 17, Elmer H. Bomberger presided. Kranch, 37; A. Lausterer, 29; and C. Scott, 39. Abram Hershey, secretary, reported that the Arthur Walker, 50; W. Kale, 29; S. Rinher, total membership at present is 252 the highest 36; Milton Knauss, 37; Richard Wagner, 33; in the organization's history. Q. Licini, 46; William Sorger, 47; H. Genzler, E. K. Adams, chairman of the fish com­ 48; A. G. Freeman, 42; V. Radler, 34; Al mittee reported that 500 bass were placed in Street, 33; M. Schwar, 44; W. Schaffer, 41; the Middle Creek since the August meeting. I. J. Hailer, 49; F. Kline, 45; Kermit Schank- The association will cooperate with land­ weiler, 47; H. Kline, 42; L. Crothers, 47; owners in furnishing "Safety Zone Area" D. Paul, 49; George Sittler, 46; L. Bittner, 46; notices for posting around buildings. The E. Handwerk, 45; F. Durhammer, 42; Floyd poster will state that according to Section 808, Oswald, 49 and Harry Paff, 23. Act of June 3, 1937, there is a fine of $25.00 for discharging firearms within 150 yards of these buildings without consent of the owner Plug Casting or tenant. If this law is violated the land­ Leading 28 entries in the obstacle plug cast­ owner or tenant need only report the hunter's ing contest Samuel Berkemeyer won with a number and action will be taken against the Joe M. Butler, sports editor of "The Scranton total of 93 points out of a possible 100. Follow­ offender. Times" and one of the outstanding champions of conservation in northeastern Pennsylvania. ing a close second was C. Robert Glover, W. Z. Bradley of Elm, offered the use of This photo was snapped at a Lackawanna Chronicle and News outdoor writer, with 91. his 375 yard high power rifle range to all Sportsmen's rally. Other participants with scores more than 70 sportsmen who desire to use it. It is im­ included: Dr. Harvey W. Lyte, Rudolph Has- mediately south of the Elm Poultry Farm and sler, Robert Dreisbach, John Craig, Miss Grace in addition to week days can be used on Sunday LEHIGH FEDERATION Fogle, George Petry, Leo Bateman and St. afternoon providing there is no funeral or other STAGES BIG MEET Heydt. service in Graybill's Church located nearby. An interesting feature of the plug casting as Favorable autumnal weather, fitting to ap­ arranged by Robert D. Dreisbach was the proaching hunting season just three weeks many obstacles placed in back of and around ahead, proved an ideal setting for the third the scoring targets. In some cases the backs annual field day held by the Federation of were flat boards so that scoring was impossible Sportsmen's clubs in Lehigh county on the unless by a direct hit. Others were draped with field grounds of the North End Rod and Gun overhanging branches and brush. club on October 10. During the day Forrest B. Kiefer, general chairman, estimated that more than 2,000 Coon Trials persons were on hand to witness the various This year, for the first time, the field day contests arranged for the sportsmen. A check included the running of raccoon trials for local on the white flyer event, Mark Wescoe in dogs. In the event Buck, a dog owned by Ernest charge, indicated that 3875 rounds of shells Rutz, Allentown R. 3, placed both for tree were fired over the four traps alone. and line prize. The second trial was divided. One of the most cherished honors of the Line dog winner was taken by Amos, the hound day was taken by Arthur Walker of Catasau- belonging to Claude Clewell, Bethlehem, R. 3, qua. Mr. Walker, competing for individual and the tree winner was Ernest Rutz's dog place in the SO white flyer targets, made a Buck. perfect score. In the plug casting contest Samuel Berkemeyer was first with 93 points The first course was run over the territory out of 100. The North End Rod and Gun to the north of the club grounds while the second shooters topped all team competitors to take extended south to the Jordan creek and then the rival honors from the Catasauqua Sports­ back again to a tree along the rifle range. At men's association, the winners in this event no time did any of the trails cross. for two previous years. Serving on the committees for the field day were: Forrest B. Kiefer, Alburtis, White Flyer Shoot general chairman; Mark Wescoe, George Kline, H. C. Wescoe, Lewis Roth and Lewis Walker, In the registered team competition of five trap shoot; William Gutekunst and Earl Cope, men each, the North End Rod and Gun club rifle matches; Robert D. Dreisbach and Rudolph shooters took first place with a score of 233 Hassler, plug casting; Curtis Hendricks, James out of a possible 250. Ontelaunee Rod and Biery, R. M. Schaffer and James J. Dunn, Gun club representatives from New Tripoli, turkey shoot. Lehigh county, trailed a close second with 228 C. Joel Young, lunch and refreshments; F. Alfred Chernefski, Nanticoke, with a nice out of 250. Al Brown, amplification; Harry Paff and catch of bass. He ties his own flies. 16 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

DEDICATE PYMATUNING WATERFOWL REFUGE An interesting program featured the dedi­ cation at noon on Saturday, October 15, of the Pymatuning Waterfowl Refuge and Museum on Ford Island, south of Linesville—described as one of the most important game refuges in America. The principal speakers were Governor George H. Earle, of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Ira N. Gabrielson, chief of the U. S. Biological Survey, of Washington. Despite the ideal weather and the attractive program, the attendance was limited to about 200 sportsmen and nature lovers, among which was a number of duck hunters in field costume who had spent the morning in quest of game, Saturday being the opening day for waterfowl. Hon. Ross L. Leffler, vice president of the Pennsylvania Game Commission presided and welcomed the crowd. He described the refuge as one of the finest in North America, and Photo by H. H. Hoffman of Stroudsburg last year near a center of large population, sadly needed Catch of Monroe county bass and wall-eyed pike, Upper Delaware River. by waterfowl at this particular stage of their annual flights. Predicting it would be one of the greatest in the country in the course of give off oil which would destroy fish and vegeta­ sanctuary. Mr. Stone was former executive time, he said its 3,670 acres, of which 2,500 are tion. A skim of oil he said would be perpetual, secretary of the Pennsylvania Game Commis­ water, would require many more years of and it would kill any duck that landed upon sion during much of the planning for the labor to complete. the lake. Pymatuning lake is the only one in refuge. He next introduced Governor Earle, whose the state in which motorboats are barred, he He also introduced Burt Oudette, game refuge address was moved up from the concluding one said. keeper, who is stationed on Ford Island, and on the program to permit the chief executive to Hon. Charles A. French, Commissioner of under whose guidance much of the present leave for McConnellsburg for another meeting Fisheries for the state, next spoke and de­ museum display has been assembled. during the afternoon. scribed himself as a "real conservationist" since Seth Gordon, executive director of the game The governor spoke briefly of the history of he had been duck-hunting all morning and had commission said he could not accept the credit the Pymatuning reservoir, which first was con­ failed to bring down a bird. He paid tribute to for any of the achievements, giving it to the ceived as a means for protecting the flow of the sportsmen of western Pennsylvania for the members of the commission and sportsmen. He the Shenango river in times of flood and interest they had shown in the conservation then spoke warmly in behalf of the next speaker drought, and said that the waterfowl refuge was movement. He mentioned among others, John who was Dr. Ira N. Gabrielson, chief of the one of the many by-products of the Pymatun­ Christman, of Greenville, whom he described U. S. Biological Survey. ing achievement which would bring pleasure and as having "worked day and night" in that Dr. Gabrielson said that the Pymatuning enjoyment to thousands of people in the full­ interest. refuge was of value all out of proportion to its ness of time. In speaking of the carp in the lake, he said size, because of its excellent location. He He took occasion to pay high tribute to the that this year eight tons had been taken out pointed out that it was natural that the interest present heads of the Game and Fish Com­ and placed in land-locked streams and pools for in migratory birds should be federal, because missions, declaring that probably at no previ­ other people to catch. He said the recipients in only the co-ordination of effort in many states ous time had the sportsmen of Pennsylvania been other waters complained because the carp were had accounted for the results. He said that better satisfied with the administration of both "all scratched up on the backs" which he were it not for what was being done in a departments, and for the reason that they were attributed to the ducks walking over them—a dozen other localities from Canada to the South efficiently handled, the sportsmen getting more feature which appeared in Robert L. Ripley's Atlantic coast, the refuge here would not be for his money than ever before. He declared cartoon. He said the advertising value of these worth its cost. Seth Gordon and C. A. French to be experts in carp was tremendous. He pointed out that feed was important, and their respective interests, serving the sports­ Governor Davey, of Ohio, who was to have that while sportsmen in one locality might be men of the state in an entirely adequate manner. appeared on the program was represented by interested in upland game, providing food and John M. Phillips, well-known conservation­ Hon. L. Wooddell, commissioner of the Ohio cover, in the case of migratory waterfowl, a ist and sportsman, described by Mr. Leffler as Division of Conservation, who said there was long-range and widespread program must be the "grand old man of conservation," recalled "nothing in Ohio to compare with what you adopted and followed consistently for the best 65 years ago when an uncle owned a farm at have here." A point of interest to him was that results. Much upland game, he said, was native Cherry Centre, O., where he frequently visited he had seen more people with cameras than he to the area in which it was found, but he de­ and hunted in what was then the Pymatuning had with guns around Pymatuning, showing clared it unlikely that many of the waterfowl Swamp. that the area was having a wider appeal than now to be seen on this lake had been hatched He said game was plentiful in those days, they had thought in its planning. in these parts. As time and further work fol­ but on one occasion he nearly lost his life by He said Ohio was "happy to accept this lowed, he predicted greater and greater flights dropping into a bog up to his waist. He said very fine gift from your state" acknowledging of birds over this area. he was sinking rapidly when by means of his that Ohio had little money invested in it, and A feature of the program which concluded gunstock he was able to pull an old fence rail was anxious to help in its development. Ohio's about 2 p. m. was the band music by the to him, keeping above the surface until help portion is some 5,000 acres, and that sanctuaries Albion High school band, which gave several arrived. were planned for that area as well as nurseries selections during the course of the program. He then told of the decision to drain the for shrubs and other necessary features. Following the speeches, scores of people area, which was reversed to result in a reservoir Hon. James Bogardus, secretary of the De­ spent considerable time in viewing the exhibits when under Gov. John K. Tener's regime an partment of Forests and Waters of Pennsyl­ now on display in the museum, which comprises appropriation was made to start the activity. vania was represented by Col. James Pates, who many specimens of birds and animals native or He declared that Gifford Pinchot "got the credit said that co-operation and hard work has ac­ itinerant. for building the dam, but didn't deserve it." counted for the accomplishments thus far, and The museum is a well-constructed one-story Among other things he called attention to he named a number of individuals throughout building which it is predicted will eventually the ruling which has barred motorboats from the state who had worked for the project and become one of the most widely visited places of the reservoir, and called upon all hearers to see should share in the credit for its success. Among its kind in the country. If affords an ex­ that they never were permitted. He said motor- these was another Greenville man, Charles G. cellent opportunity for the study of natural boats would be endangered by the sunken logs Stone, whom he declared insisted upon estab­ history by high school students, Boy Scouts and stumps, and that diesel-powered boats would lishment of a higher level for the game and adults. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 17

Then came reports of September field meets, including the Western Pennsylvania Champion­ ships at Conneaut Lake, the Cambridge Springs trials, and the Townville field meet. William A. Jackson said that patronage was poor at the Conneaut Lake Championships because of bad weather but indicated that a start has been made on an annual affair that promises to become a real success. Raymond Armstrong turned over $29 to the county branch as its share of proceeds from the different events; this represented the surplus after payment for expenses. The branch then voted to pay $8 into the Field Trial Association towards con­ duct of future events. J. E. Ball reported goodly crowds and plenty of success at the Cambridge Springs field trials, and James Gillette thanked all the members for assisting in making their field trial such a successful undertaking. District Game Protector George Keppler was called upon and introduced his deputies present at the meeting. He expressed his appre­ ciation of co-operation received from the Council. He warned particularly about handling of guns in cars and about shooting at game across the highways. Traveling Protector John Kennedy announced the seasons on game and passed out camp rosters. Fish Warden Gerald Munson reported lots of stocking activity and said that all lakes Fred Williams, West Chester, caught this 4 pounds smallmouth bass in the Octoraro Creek. of the county have received their quota of black bass for the year. Robert McKee of Titusville, district fire Dr. Daniels of Woodcock-Venango, said there warden, announced that oil lease owners in are 165 members there. A trap for trap-shoot­ A Perkiomen Creek smallmouth, weight 4 and around Pithole would post their lands this ing has been purchased. pounds, taken by Clinton Sullivan of Boyer- season because hunters have built fire and en­ James Gillete said that attendance had not dangered valuable oil property. He cautioned been good at Townville meetings. He said the particularly against this practice in the woods game situation looks good and promised Titus­ and urged extreme care at all times to prevent ville a donation toward the building programme. CRAWFORD COUNCIL forest fires, especially at a dry season of the Ted Bartholomew of Titusville, spoke about year such as this. REPORTS ACTIVITIES the fire and thanked members for assisting in any way. He added that the building fund is Widespread activity along conservation lines Burt Oudette spoke for the Linesville chapter coming along in good shape. He reported was reported by community chapters of the and said that prospects were good for the duck considerable stocking activity in his district. Crawford County Branch, Sportsman's Coun­ season. He warned of the unusual number of cil, at the September meeting in Titusville. wood ducks, urging hunters to be careful about Herman Weed of Canadohta, said that shooting this species. First, came the Titusville chapter's report chapter's ringnecks are "doing fine." He said on its rebuilding programme, which was re­ A. B. Campbell of Espyville, reported 65 that fishing has been good at Canadohta Lake. ported to be making good progress; the county members and said the chapter is coming along Bill Jackson said regular meetings are being branch donated $5 towards the building fund; well. He invited all sportsmen to attend the held at Conneaut Lake, told of a fine stocking various groups volunteered to assist in the Espyville trap shoots and said that fishing in programme of fingerling bass at that lake, work, with the Linesville chapter offering to the Pymatuning area was considerably better and reported what he termed a migration of put the roof over the structure. this year. squirrels into his territory.

'"'•'•

..j ' mm m - • '.'MKA'" f T". s . - i . • . " '-

The Fish Commission's unique pollution display at the 1938 Philadelphia Sportsmen's Show. 18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

WESTMORELAND CLUBS INCREASINGLY ACTIVE

That the sportsmen of Westmoreland county take their fish and game conservation seriously is attested by the rapid growth in size and number of sportsmen's clubs comprising the Westmoreland County Sportsmen's Association. President of the county organization is Irvin G. Moyer, Greensburg; first vice-president, L. W. Bash, Avonmore; second vice-president, J. E. Hanley, Monesson, and Secretary, V. E. Pepper, Trafford. W. M. Dom of Greensburg is financial secretary. The county association is affiliated with the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, and represented at the state federation meeting by Robert C. Yake of Youngwood. His alternate is William Achtzehn of Madison. An outstanding feature of the work of the Westmoreland sportsmen has been their forma­ tion of numerous junior organizations and in­ creasing interest on the part of the boys com­ prising the groups has been shown. The splendid program now being carried through by the Westmoreland County Sports­ men's Association merits the support of all sportsmen in the county. Comprising the county organization are the Walter Settle's 4 pounds 14 ounces smallmouth bass from the Juniata River. following clubs: Herminie No. 2, Walter Consavage, Secretary, Wendel, Pa.; Harold Juniors, Elmer Fligger, Homer Mough, Secretary, Youngwood, Pa.; GOLDFISH SALE AS BAITFISH IS Secretary, Greensburg, Pa., R. F. D. No. 1; Box 238; Champion, R. J. Miller, Secretary, Hillside, John Smith, Secretary, Hillside, Pa.; Jones Mills, Pa.; Claridge, George Stankemick, PROHIBITED Jeannette, Markley Barnes, Secretary, 5 Magee Secretary, Claridge, Pa., Box 123; Hurst High, Street, Jeannette, Pa.; Avonmore, I. C. Fen- Juniors, Joe Puskar, Secretary, Calumet, Pa.; Some of the propagators and dealers in gold­ nell, Secretary, Avonmore, Pa.; Bert Wright, Westmoreland City, Charles Detweiler, Secre­ fish are not aware of the amendment to the tary, Westmoreland City, Pa.; Middletown, Fish Code, which prohibits the sale of any Frank Mench, Secretary, Greensburg, Pa., R. species of goldfish for bait under a penalty of F. D. No. 1; Yukon, Andrew Hustack, Secre­ $10.00 for each offense. During the last few tary, Yukon, Pa.; West Newton, J. W. Peebles, weeks the Board has put on a campaign in Secretary, West Newton, Pa.; Tarr, Floyd which it has endeavored to reach each person Stoner, Secretary, Tarr, Pa.; Vandergrift, H. in the business. R. Bush, Secretary, 203 Emerson Street, Van­ dergrift, Pa.; Truxall, W. H. James, Secretary, Apollo, Pa., R. F. D. No. 2; New Stanton Juniors, Paul Shrader, Secretary, New Stanton, Pa.; Scottdale, J. L. Byrne, Secretary, 410 Eleanor Avenue, Scottdale, Pa.; Old Madison, William Atchzehn, Secretary, Madison, Pa.; Armburst, John Ludwick, Secretary, Arm- burst, Pa.; Trafford, James Streiner, Secretary, P. O. Pitcairn, Pa.; Braeburn, A. H. Janssen, Secretary, Braeburn, Pa.; North Jeannette, B. W. Baker, Secretary, Fourth Street, Jeannette, Pa.; Murrysville, R. Carl Patty, Secretary, Murrysville, Pa.; Swede Hill, Glenn Rosen- steel, Secretary, Greensburg, Pa., R. F. D., No. 1; Bolivar, W. R. Burket, Secretary, Bolivar, Pa.; Monesson, Paul J. Leska, Secre­ tary, 1439 Rostraver Street, Monesson, Pa.; Latrobe, Ted Saxman, Secretary, Latrobe, Pa.; Ella Hollow, John Forsyth, Secretary, Eliza­ beth, Pa., Box No. 92; Penn, George Lohn, Secretary, Penn, Pa.; Arnold, J. C. Predebon, Secretary, 2014 Kenneth Avenue, New Kensing­ ton, Pa.; and Greensburg, Arthur Thomas, Secretary, Greensburg, Pa.

An old-time oiler went into a store to buy a shirt and the clerk tried to sell him a trunk also. "What would I use a trunk for?" This 48 inch, 26Vi pounds muskellunge was "To keep your clothes in." taken during the present season in Edinboro Frank Petras, Kingston with his 6V2 pound Lake by Bill Robinson, Stoneboro. "Say, do you want me to run around naked?" brown trout. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 19

MONTROSE SPORTSMEN HOLD FINE MEETING

A meeting of the Montrose Sportsmen's Club of Susquehanna County was held in October with aproximately 100 members present. A nice display of firearms and hunting equip­ ment was on display by the Montrose merchants also Gay and Murray of Tunkhannock. A very interesting program was furnished. The speakers were William Denton, Game Protector of New Milford, who gave a few words on the 1938 hunting laws; Keith Harter, Fish Warden, Dalton, told about the lakes that have been stocked with fish this fall; Dr. Birchard told about the Pennsylvania Field Trials held for Fox Hounds, which he attended. Several interesting reels of pictures were shown by Mr. Gay of Tunkhannock which were en­ joyed by all.

TAYLOR LUNCHEON

Taylor Sportsmen's League, Camp No. 3, held a booster and pre-hunting luncheon in their club rooms in October. About 80 members were present. This is a fast growing club, and the members Louis Zorzi, Tunkhannock, displays his 8V2 FLY FISHERMEN pounds wall-eyed pike, one of the largest taken are all keenly interested in conservation. Fred in the state. W. Early, the secretary of the club, should be SCORE ON BASS commended on the fine work he is doing. From Warden M. E. Shoemaker of Lacey- Speakers of the evening were Keith Harter, ville comes word that fly fishermen scored Sambo: "Ah come to see how mah fren' some mighty nice catches of fighting small- Sam Jones is gettin' along." county fish warden; Francis Jenkins, County Game Protector; Jack Neiger, President of mouth bass on the North Branch of the Susque­ Nurse: "He's getting along fine. He's con­ the Lackawanna County Federation; Joseph hanna River during the past season. An 18j4 valescing now." Butler, Times Sports Editor, and Charles Costa, inch smallmouth was taken on fly by Fred Bahr Secretary of the Scranton Wild Life Association. of Laceyville. In an evening's fishing in Sep­ Sambo (puzzled) : "Well, ah'll jes' sit down tember, Frank Kerrick of Towanda caught four an' wait 'til he's through." Entertainment was furnished by Ray Joseph, fine smallmouths on fly. These bass averaged eleven years old South Scranton boy, with his two pounds apiece in weight. Edgar Bergen and Charley MacCarthy act, and music was by the quartet comprising members of Taylor Camp.

LANDS BIS MUSKIE IN SHENANGO RIVER

The family of giant muskellunge in the Shenango River near Slackwater bridge above Sharpsville was reduced again when King Thomas, West Middlesex angler, landed one l that weighed 26 /2 pounds and measured 43 inches in length. Thomas was fishing from the bank and using a chub for bait when the monster struck. A battle that lasted 25 minutes followed before Thomas finally managed to pull the big fish from the water. Joe Brei, Sharpsville, was fish­ ing with Thomas when he made the catch. This is just one of the many muskies that has been taken from the Shenango River above Sharpsville this season. We have had very good fishing in this section George Gaub and Clyde Beers, veteran Mead- Morris Baker of Montrose with his 22 inch ville muskie fishermen, with their 26V4 pounds 5% pounds largemouth hass. this year and hope it keeps up. fish taken this year in Conneaut Lake.

A 20 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

LIFE LIKE BASS LURES BOYERTOWN CLUB (Continued from Page 6) STOCKS 40,000 FISH

working and kneading until the parrafin prepar­ Local streams were heavily stocked with ation is completely absorbed. A well greased small fish this fall after draining of Siesholtz's line is absolutely essential to make a clean cut dam, New Berlinville, a co-operative fish hatch­ pick up off the water. ery operated by John Siesholtz, owner, and the In maneuvering these lures on the surface, Boyertown Rod and Gun Club, Inc. bass can often be coaxed to the top when they Fifty-four cans of catfish, sunfish, perch and are feeding far below—a fact which I have tadpoles were removed and placed in the Iron­ proved to my satisfaction on more than one stone and Swamp creeks. The fish were of occasion. Attracted first by the soft spat of fair size, but will require about three years the lure on the water,—and being an inquisitive before they are of eatable size. sort of chap—he rises and hovers near to ascertain the cause of the commotion. Now by Special Fish Warden Kenneth Miller said each can averaged about 2,700 fish, making a Jack Strickier, Huntingdon, landed this hefty all means allow the lure to remain motionless 22% inch rainbow trout during the special for a full twenty seconds—then give the rod an total of about 40,000. District Fish Warden season at the Spring Creek Project. upward twitch which will cause little ripples to William E. Wounderly, Reading, and Special radiate from the lure as it moves across the Warden Curtis Steltz, Gilbertsville, aided in ANGLERS SPEND OVER NINE water. If he has so far not seized the lure, directing the work. pause and repeat the performance, hastening the MILLION DOLLARS FOR action somewhat which will probably goad him LICENSES into striking. When he rises—savagely throw­ ing the water in all directions—you will have Anglers in the United States bought 6,901,587 in store for you one of the greatest thrills in licenses during 1936-37 for which they paid fly fishing. LANDS FINE BRACE $9,309,949, according to Charles E. Jackson, OF SMALLMOUTHS Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries. My son and I have just returned from fish­ More than 89,000 anglers' licenses were sold ing in the clay pits near my home in Hockessin, Delaware, and while the incidents are fresh in Autumn fishing on the Hopewell Dam, Rays- to women and children, although many states town Branch of the Juniata River in Bedford permit women and children to fish without a my memory, I should like to relate our success and incidentally to tell of a fish we did not county, proved highly satisfactory for James license. In 1932-33, there were only 4,858,058 Evans of Hopewell, according to word received licensed anglers. catch. We fished only two hours, yet in that time we caught and returned to the water from Warden Harry Moore of Hopewell. The total number of regular fishing licenses fourteen largemouth bass, nine of which I Evans caught two smallmouth bass, each 19 issued to residents and non-residents in 1936-37 landed on a deer hair dragon fly, the other five inches in length and each weighing 3J-4 pounds. was 4,952,775, while combination licenses (hunt­ were caught on a small plug by my son He found, on opening one of these fish, that ing and fishing) numbered 1,948,812. Of the "Skip". it had a hook embedded in its stomach with 6 6,901,587 licenses issued of all classes, 6,234,478 inches of line, attached to the hook, also in were purchased by residents, and 667,109 by As we approached one of these pits—the the stomach. non-residents. Thirty States, where short term shallowest one—a large bass feeding near the licenses are sold, reported the sale of 223,128 edge sensed our presence and moved off through tourist licenses. the weeds into deeper water leaving a broad While the States gained over $2,500,000 in rippling furrow in its wake. He was but revenue from the sale of anglers' licenses from slightly alarmed and I suspected his hiding place 1932-33 to 1936-37, on an average they received to be beneath a two foot square of open water 5 cents less for every license issued in 1936-37, —the only spot not encrusted with weeds in than in 1932-33, when the average license fee the whole pond. From my position it was a was $1.39 as against $1.34 in 1936-37. rather difficult cast, however, I tried it, but the lure fell short, some six inches or so from the Figures obtained from the State Fish and open water. Game Departments of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Tentatively I raised the rod tip but I was New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, hopelessly fast in the weeds. Realizing that North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, force applied to the line would send the bass Texas, Utah and Washington, show an esti­ scurrying to another locality, I left the lure mated $136,485,212 spent by their 1,533,321 lie motionless for a full minute. Then I gave licensed anglers in 1936-37. Expenditures for it a twitch which caused the weeds to shake tackle, bait, transportation, guides, boats, gaso­ on the water. Another pause, another twitch, line, food, lodging and other equipment in these then came a violent upheaval as the bass broke States averaged $87.33. Fishing license fees through the weeds protruding on both sides of averaged $1.68. Less than 2 percent of their his dripping jaws. Hastily I set the hook, but total average expenditure of $89.01 found its it was still so thoroughly encased in weeds that way into the State Fish and Game Depart­ it's effectiveness was gone. ments for the enforcement of the fish laws, We did not get the fish, but I shall never for­ educational work, administration, the raising of get this, one of my greatest angling thrills,— fish and restocking programs. In this con­ that of having a bass, viciously strike a bed of nection it is interesting to note the ratio of shaking weeds at a lure it could not possibly daily catch per angler compared with daily see. limit as reported by 11 States: Alabama, 25 percent, California, about 20 percent, Florida, 60 percent, Idaho, 50 percent, Maine, 8 percent, Maryland, 70 percent, New Mexico, 30 per­ LICENSES REVOKED cent, Rhode Island, 30 percent, South Dakota, 60 percent, Utah, 30 percent, and Washington, At a recent meeting of the Board, the follow­ 60 percent—or a general average of 40 percent. ing fishing licenses were revoked for a period When less than 2 percent of the anglers' of one year. expenditures is allotted to the State Game and No. 14 John Myers, 6 West 15th St., Tyrone, Fish Departments for their work, that an Pa.; No. 15 George McGinness, 1408 Broad­ angler is able to catch 40 percent of the daily way, McKees Rocks, Pa.; No. 16 Joseph limit shows the provident use of license money Saricks, English Center, Pa., and No. 17 by the States in carefully managed and financed Merle E. Christine, 1909 Madison Avenue, Ray Cormany, Chambersburg, took this fine 20 inch rainbow trout in Falling Spring, programs. Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Franklin county on May. 28. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 21 WALLEYE FISHING GOOD IN DELAWARE WHAT A HELGRAMITE!

From veteran warden Frank Brink of Mil- When it comes to unusual happenings ford, Pike county, came the following late which occurred during the past fishing October report on fishing for walleyed pike in season, the experience of 12-year old the upper Delaware River. Craig Daugherty of Paxtang just about tops the list. Craig, according to his "In reference to pike fishing in the Delaware, mother, Mrs. Earl Daughtery, who is they have been catching some mighty fine fish. one of the most ardent anglerettes in One was caught at Cove Bank, four miles Dauphin county, reported this incident, below Milford that weighed iy2 pounds, one at which occurred while she was fishing Dingman's Ferry that weighed 8j4 pounds, and with her son in Shermans Creek, near one at Narrowsburg 1354 pounds. (Note: Dellville, Perry county. Brink did not, at the writing, have the name of the fisherman making this catch, but when Craig was using a large helgramite more details are forthcoming, it will rank as for bait, when he had a vicious strike. the largest walleye taken in the state this year). To the amazement of his mother and himself, he pulled out a big sunfish, "Very good catches are being made all along and, its pincers firmly fastened to the the river, from Bushkill, Dingman Ferry, Cove fish's lower jaw, that helgramite was Bank, Milford and all the way up river to the only part of the fishing outfit Narrowsburg. The fish being taken in many attached to the sunnie. The hook never instances range in weight from 8 to 10 pounds. touched Craig's catch. Expect even better catches in November, for that month ranks as the very best of the year for walleyes in the Delaware."

FISH BOATS ITSELF This 5 pound largemouth bass was taken during the present season in Wailenpaupack by Allen Bisbing of Allentown. While fishing at Wapwallopen, Lois Ball, TROUT SPAWNING daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ball and Leona FEDERAL FISH FOR OBSERVED Ancharski, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ancharski, both of Hazleton, had the unusual ALLEGHENY STREAMS From Shirley Hulse, ardent Bedford county experience of having a fish jump into the boat Annual stocking of Allegheny National Forest sportsman, comes the following interesting news they were using. streams with fish is now under way. Using a note, concerning trout spawning in October. special fish truck constructed by the Forest About a week or more ago, Jim Cleaver The fish, a black bass measuring better than Service during the Summer of 1937, fish are and I were hunting woodcock and we ran onto seven inches, and therefore under legal size, being transported to Allegheny National Forest four or five brown trout—nice big ones—start­ had to be thrown back, although the girls would from the Federal hatcheries at Lamar, Pennsyl­ ing a little spawning party on a riffle • in a have liked to keep it and have it mounted as vania, and Leetown, West Virginia. Within stream Jim had thought pretty well fished out. the past ten days Chappel Fork and Tanung- a memo of their experience. I'll bet Jim will be able to find that place want Creek in McKean County, Big Mill Creek without any help next spring. Jim said it was a Both girls were guests of the Gus Spencer in Elk County, Spring Creek in Forest County, bit early for that sort of thing but there had cottage at the time and said they were so and Farnsworth Creek in Warren County have been a bit of rain and the stream was the least surprised that they nearly jumped out of the received from three to seven thousand trout bit high and milky. each. The fish range in size from four to six boat when the fish jumped in. inches. This distribution is in addition to the one made by the State Board of Fish Com­ missioners. All stream stocking on the Forest is now based on an approved plan developed by the Forest Service. Following a stream survey of all fishing water on the area, completed on July 17, the present year by the Forest Service, definite stocking recommendations giving the number, size and species of fish to be planted annually in each stream were incorporated in the Forest plan. At a conference with the State Fish Com­ missioners, held in the Spring of 1938, responsi­ bility for planting fish on the Allegheny National Forest was divided between the Commission and the Forest Service in order to avoid any possibility of overlapping or double stocking. The Forest Service has agreed to assume responsibility for stocking small headwater and tributary streams with fingerling trout each year. Fingerlings for this purpose will be pro­ vided by the Federal hatcheries and by the Pennsylvania Board of Fish Commissioners. Field employees of the Forest Service re­ port that the present season has been exception­ ally favorable from the standpoint of trout development. Water levels have remained relatively constant and temperatures have not Photo by Seth Gordon., director of the Game Commission been excessively high. The "long line" fisherman found ideal sport on Cumberland county's Yellow Breeches.

* 22 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

motion in the water. In order to correct this, tie the third tight loop around the body of the bait, as before, just back of the pectoral fins, tying a hard knot on the side of the body. From this knot pass the thread alongside of body and make a loop just in front of the anal fin. Always be sure to make a tight loop and pull the thread tight enough to make a slight bend in the body of the bait. The sucker now in motion in the water will resemble a wounded fish and is very attractive. With a chub or fallfish it is not necessary to put a bend in its body. A hook placed through both lips at either side of the mouth, will make them roll in the water with a peculiar motion that is very alluring. The reason I prefer casting with live bait harnessed in the above fashion and trolling a live bait behind a boat, is the suspense of wait­ ing on a muskellunge that has taken your bait. This may be one minute or one hour. During this period of giving the muskie a free line, the angler will experience a thrill equal to doing battle with a muskellunge that has been hooked. Stream improvement on the famous Big Spring, Cumberland county trout water. This was a In fishing for muskellunge, never under­ WPA project. estimate your fish. You are angling for an opponent worthy of your skill. When you get to the point that you can bring to gaff fifty FISHING FOR MUSKELLUNGE single fishing trip use as many as six nice percent of your strikes, you are going to be chubs or suckers from six to 10 inches long. classed as good. And last but most important (Continued from Page 9) The method of some live bait fishermen is to is your equipment. Have a good gaff. A good pass the hook through the mouth and out motto for the muskellunge fisherman would be suspicions, he would immediately have dropped through the gill and insert in the body of the —Do unto the muskie as he would do unto thee. the bait, and instead of having the pleasure of bait near the dorsal fin. Some use a gang But do it first! fighting and bringing to gaff that foxy old hook and wire it to the body of the bait with muskie, I would have drawn a blank. fine copper wire. I can see no advantage in And so here I salute you, tiger of fresh water using live bait in this manner, in preference fishes. May you long survive, so that coming One favorite way of fishing for muskellunge generations may have the pleasure of doing on our inland lakes is to slowly troll a ten to the artificial lures. The instant a muskel­ lunge strikes a live bait hooked up in this battle with the most satisfactory fish that to twelve inch live sucker behind a boat. On swims. the line- place a split cork of sufficient weight way, he is sure to find the hook in the bait to float and keep the bait from fouling on the the same as he would in striking an artificial bottom and in the weeds. This cork should lure, and from that instant the battle is on. never be placed on the line a greater distance One live bait for us native Erie county from the baited hook than the reach of the arm muskellunge fishermen will last, and still be and the length of the rod in use. When reeling in good shape, over a period of casting which FISH STORY AND HOW! in a fish the cork comes to the tip of the rod, the average angler can stand. The method we When bass fishing with live bait one day, I and if the angler has more line between the use in baiting the hook with live bait is to had a dandy strike and hooked the fish. From cork and the hooked fish than the above select your bait and kill it. Hook the bait the way it felt when playing it, it was the described distance, he will undoubtedly ex­ through both lower and upper lips. Use a Granddad. When reeling in, I saw a beer perience some trouble in bringing the fish to hook with short shank, the size to be de­ barrel appear and a little afraid, played it some gaff. The distance between the cork and the termined by the size of the bait's head. The more. Never once did the fish break water. baited hook will depend entirely upon the hook should be large enough to turn the back Finally reeled to side of boat and all the time length of the rod being used. In using a live easily over the head of the bait, for the obvious the beer barrel came in also, until the barrel sucker for bait, put the hook through both the reason that the muskie always swallows the was along side of the boat my line was in the lower and upper lips, and it is a good plan to bait headfirst, and thus the point of the hook barrel, so I pulled the barrel inside the boat take a piece of rubber band about one half inch will always be pointed backward. To the hook and heard the fish thrashing around inside. square, pierce the center of this rubber with attach a good gimp leader 30 to 36 inches the point of the hook and pull down over the long, with small swivel at eye of hook, and a Seems that when small, a bass got inside barb. The reason for this is that it will keep the larger one to tie the hook to. Now that the the barrel and grew there. My minnow swam live bait from working off the hook which bait is on the hook, we will proceed to put on in the bung hole and Mr. Bass grabbed him. happens quite often especially if the bait be­ a harness that will withstand the severe punish­ It was 30 inches long. comes tangled in weeds. This is an easy and ment of continual casting. NOTE: N. W. Morgans of Scranton won a pleasant way of fishing. Let the bait out at least ISO feet from the boat and slowly row Take a strong linen thread and make a tight fish liar's prize with this story. along your favorite fishing grounds, occasionally loop around body of the bait, just back of the stopping the boat and let the bait swim around pectoral fins. Tie hard knot on under side of some spot where you have previously seen a body, from this knot make a loop around hook muskie. Many nice muskellunge are taken this at lower lip of bait, tying second knot in same way, and it is an easy way out for the angler place as first. From this knot make second The mistress of the house heard the bell not physically or mentally inclined to the more loop around body of bait, tying hard on top of ring and saw a Chinese vendor standing at arduous method of the bait casting angler. body and from this knot make a second loop the open front door. Stepping to the back around the hook at upper lip and over top of of the hall she called out to the maid: head and tie fast in hard knot at place of Finally, we come to the last and my favorite "There's a Chinaman at the door. You go, starting, this second loop around the hook. Be method of angling for the muskellunge, which Ella." of course, is casting a live bait. I know that I sure these loops are made short enough that, This was too much for the Chinaman, who will be condemned by many conservation- when casting, the hook will pull on the loops stuck his head into the doorway and shouted minded anglers for advocating the use of live instead of the lips of the bait. A sucker bait, and for very good reason, as the ma­ harnessed in this manner will withstand a lot indignantly: jority of live bait muskie fishermen, on a of hard casting, but will not make an attractive "You go 'ella yourself." PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 23

now contaminated beyond the thought of redemption. There are a multitude of streams, hundreds of them in Pennsylvania, in Class "A" that could be with very little cost made splendid trout streams but which today are barren and many of them dried up like they were in the fall of 1930. Many of the streams that are now dry and barren of fish life could, with the ex­ penditure of less than $100, be reclaimed and made permanently a home for good-sized trout. The word "home" is used advisably for the shelter that $100 would cover would provide adequate protection for trout throughout the year, and prevent the trout from leaving the small streams in the beginning of winter and drift into the larger streams, so many of which are impure. I usually take advantage of the low water of September and October to put in trout shelters. Two years ago two assistants and I placed twelve shelters same as No. 6 with two planks on each in Spruce Creek at a total cost of $38. With me the entire program extending over twenty-five years has been a labor of love, but it has certainly improved our fishing. The exercise and enjoyment of the job have enabled Slippery Rock Creek in Northwestern Pennsylvania is a favorite fishing stream with many anglers. me not only to outlive the doctor whose orders I ignored when I began this stream improve­ ment work, but to still enjoy the sport of angling. timber lined the banks of the then splendid trout FOOLING THE WISE DOCTOR My advice to all anglers who have not yet streams. They can be reclaimed and made reached ninety is: Give your fish a chance by (Continued from Page 11) heritage for our children. improving your fishing waters—and live longer! In many of the smaller streams, and especially and one log 12 inches in diameter 3 feet long, Don't wait for the state or the federal govern­ in all streams with long barren riffles, it is to which planks are spiked, three on top and ment to do the job for you. desirable to build a series of low dams, say three on the bottom of the logs. The two 6 foot eighteen inches to two feet high, to form pools logs are placed at the ends and the 3 foot log for the trout which will also supply more feed­ at the center. ing grounds and provide protection against It is floated to the center of the stream and enemies when the streams get low. In this anchored down by placing rock and stones on way good fishing can be assured where there NURSERY WATERS the upper and lower ends with flat stones at would ordinarily be no fishing at all. CLOSED BY BOARD the center. This shelter should be from 12 to If a stream is quite small it is possible to 20 feet long. At a recent meeting of the Board, the follow­ build low dams at practically no cost at all. ing waters were closed as nursery waters to It is a great favorite for large and small All that is needed is a log sunk into the banks trout in that it is not only a shelter but gives of the stream, then filled in with stones, leaves July 31, 1943. the trout a chance to dart in from either side. and mud. Warren County: Dedman Run, tributary to Snakes and mink do not haunt this type of Spring Creek, one-half mile long. In larger streams, a crib dam, weighted down shelter when submerged in riffles or in rather Warren County: Greenley Run, tributary to swiftly moving water. with stones, built on short logs running parallel with the stream as the base, will be found Spring Creek, three-fourths mile long. The enemies of the trout in Spruce Creek, necessary. Such crib dams should be well Cameron County: Whipoorwill Run, tri­ are: kingfisher, snakes, minks, cranes, an anchored and spiked together. Heavy woven butary to East Branch of Hicks Run, one mile occasional osprey, and turtles. An average of wire such as used in highway reinforcement long. over 300 water snakes are killed during the fastened across the timbers before placing the Cameron County: Little Fork, tributary to trout season and some SO kingfishers are dis­ stones and other fill helps to hold the dam Mix Run, one and one-half miles long. posed of by a private warden and the members together. Cameron County: Big Spring or Big Spring of the Club each year. It is estimated that 300 Building dams on streams with soft bottoms Draft, tributary to Wykoff Run, three miles water snakes and 50 kingfishers would destroy long. 7,500 minnows and trout running from the where no stones are available is more difficult. Potter County: Blumendal Run, tributary to size of a minnow up to 9 inches long. Pieces of plank or heavy slabs driven into the bottom of the stream at an angle of 45° and Little Kettle Creek, two miles long. During the close of the trout season it was spiked to a log will serve quite satisfactorily Potter County: Lutz Run, tributary to Pine a rare thing to see a snake or kingfisher, over in the smaller streams of this type. If driven Creek, one mile long. a distance of six miles, by the stream. in vertically the action of the water will soon Potter County: Upper Dry Run, tributary Before the day of adequate trout shelters and wash away the supporting soil below and destroy to West Branch of Pine Creek, one mile long. improved pool water in Spruce Creek, the then the dam. Also the vertical dam does not provide Potter County: Beach Flap Run, tributary brook trout migrated down stream into the anything like the cover and feeding ground Juniata River during the late fall, returning to West Branch of Pine Creek, two miles long. which is supplied by a dam with a large cavity during the early spring months. Potter County: Wetmore Run, tributary to behind the overflow. Since adequate pools and shelters have been West Branch of Pine Creek, four and one- established the brook trout began to remain The state of Pennsylvania has divided her half miles long. in the stream throughout the year and now that streams into three classes: Potter County: Barns Brook, tributary to the brown trout have about pre-empted the A. A stream that is not contaminated, and Cushing Creek, five miles long. stream, migration has ceased. Furthermore the will be protected for all time. Potter County: Boligh Run, tributary to trout survive the inroads of all enemies in Cross Forks Creek, two miles long. direct proportion to the protection furnished. B. A stream that was once pure, but is Potter County: Elklick Run, tributary to The artificial shelters now installed are only a contaminated and which will be in time Cross Forks Creek, two miles long. reclaimed. partial duplication of the numerous hiding Potter County: Crowell Run, tributary to places that nature furnished when virgin C. Streams that were once pure, and are Nine Mile Creek, one and one-half miles long.

4 24 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER

A HERE "DTHERE •M ANGLERDOM

Fishing minnow in the Juniata River near A mighty nice catch of 8 brook, brown and Newport, Perry county, Leroy Seiders of New rainbow trout ranging in length from 7 to 14 Bloomfield caught one of the finest wall-eyed inches was scored during the past trout season pike to be taken in Pennsylvania waters this in Big Wapwallopen Creek near Potter Hole year. The big fish, according to Warden Charlie by Frank Beldonicz of Nanticoke. Long of East Waterford, measured 29J4 inches in length and tipped the scales at 7 pounds 4 ounces. Seiders, according to W. S. Briner, One of the nicest trout to be taken last season Secretary of the New Bloomfield Sportsmen's in the Sinnamahoning Creek was caught by Association, also caught a fine brown trout in Bert Shoup of Emporium, according to Warden Eckerd's Dam, Perry county. It measured R. C. Chrisman. A brown trout, it measured \6l4 inches in length and weighed two pounds. 21 inches in length and tipped the scales, dressed, at 3 pounds 2 ounces. Two other nice brownies were taken from the same stream by Tony Disise and William Atkins of Emporium. Falling Springs stream in Franklin county, Atkins' catch measured 18^4 inches and that one of the finest limestone trout waters in the of Disise 16^2 inches. state and noted for the vivid coloration of the fish it produces, furnished splendid sport for Chambersburg anglers during the 1938 trout season, according to Warden Frank Kirchner While angling in Pine Creek above Galeton, of McConnellsburg. Arthur McGowan scored Potter county, for big brown trout, Bernard with a 19 inch brown trout, Mrs. Arthur Horn, 16 years old, hooked what he thought McGowan, a 16 inch brown trout, Sam Small, was the biggest brown trout in Pine Creek, a 17 inch brown, Paul Gipe a 23J4 inch brown writes Warden Ken Aley of Galeton. After a weighing 3 pounds 12 ounces, Ray Cormany a 20 minute battle, Bernard managed to land his 20 inch rainbow and Sherry McGowan, a 17 catch, only to find that he had a big eel. In inch brook trout. McGowan also caught two landing the eel, he found it necessary to lift his brown trout, one 17 inches in length and the catch up a five foot stream bank, a procedure other 19 inches, in Yellow Breeches Creek. difficult to achieve with a five ounce fly rod. The eel measured 31 ^ inches in length, had a girth of 6% inches and weighed 3 pounds October was the best month for bass fishing 13 ounces. we have had in this section this year, writes Warden R. C. Bailey of Youngsville, Warren county. Weather conditions were ideal and Two anglers became eligible for the 2-in-l hundreds of anglers took advantage of it. We club while fishing for bass in the Allegheny believe more bass were caught than had been River during August, writes Warden R. C. taken all during the fore part of the season on Professor Stumpff of Hegins with his catch of bass made in Tuscarora Creek. The largest fish Bailey of Youngsville. Edward Donaldson of the Allegheny River. Big Bend Eddy near measured 16 inches. Pitcairn while plugging in the river near Kinzua seemed to be the favorite spot, from SO Kinzua took two smallmouth bass at one cast, to 100 anglers being observed here every time the one measuring 12 inches in length, the we patrolled the spot. Other favored places Bidelspacher reports two fine wall-eyes taken other 13 inches. It was Donaldson's first try were Nathaniel's Eddy, Thompson's Eddy, from the Loyalsock Creek. Mrs. Gabrielle at casting. While fishing in Tionesta Creek near Tidioute and Lower Tidioute Eddies, Trunkey- DeCubbler of Williamsport caught a 29 inch Nebraska, Forest County, Dan Repine of Etna ville and Dawson's Eddies. wall-eyed pike in the 'Sock that weighed 7 took two smallmouth bass at one cast. Both pounds 4 ounces. Her catch was scored with a fish were identical in size, each measuring 14 minnow. Leo Smith, 19, of Williamsport, scored inches. Encouraging word on improving fishing condi­ with a 25}4 inch wall-eye in the Loyalsock tions on the West Branch of the Susquehanna that weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces. His catch River comes from Warden Carl Bidelspacher was made with a plug. Fishing for crappie was good in Lake LeBoeuf of South Williamsport. "There are more large at Waterford, Erie county, according to Warden wall-eyed pike being caught in this section this W. E. Briggs. During an evening's fishing in year than during the last five years put to­ July, A. N. Dannington and Walter S. Cross gether", he writes. "I feel that we can attribute of Waterford caught six big crappies having a it to the mine sealing that has been done on November fishing for wall-eyed pike in the total weight of 8 pounds. the West Branch watershed. Fishing in the Susquehanna in the vicinity of Williamsport Upper Delaware River was uniformly good, is improving by leaps and bounds. At this according to Warden Frank Brink of Milford. A fine catch of wall-eyes was made on the point the river is furnishing good fishing for Trolling with a spinner and nightcrawler catfish and wall-eyes and fair fishing for bass. spinner and lamprey eel combination by Leroy combination in the West Branch of the Susque­ In the vicinity of Montgomery, the bass fishing Frederick of Allentown. He landed four pike, hanna River virtually in the suburbs of can now be termed very good. This year I the smallest weighing one and one half pounds Williamsport, Samuel Schultz of that city found ten times more fishermen on the river and the largest, 27 inches in length, tipping the caught a well-eyed pike measuring 26J4 inches than were to be observed last year." scales at 7 pounds. in length and weighing Syi pounds. cA fishing fanatic's Lament

Isn't it strange that year after year When comes the XMAS season That those who claim our affection For one or another reason Give us such un-relative things Like shirts or socks or ties And then prove rather difficult when We don't register glad surprise. Why! they even give presents of checks sometimes Or new-printed bills that crackle When it seems to me they should know darn well We'd rather have fishing tackle.

ROBERT F. KEAGLE. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER extends Qhristmas Qreetings to our readers. (fNiay you have many tight lines in 1939.