January 30, 1989

J • Mfluary 1994/$1.50

k i I • ftt

\ *

;--^j^-/i ;*.\

S i '

• /'' ••riz Trout/Salmon Permit Revenue Advances Coldwater Fishing Programs

On January 30, 1989. the Pennsylvania use of these new funds. Here are the pro habitat improvement guides have been pro Fish and Boat Commission authorized staff gram results. duced. The complement of permanent to implement proposed rulemaking for a • Revenues received. As of July 1.1993, conservation officers has been increased by regulation requiring a $5 trout/salmon permit stamp sales have produced $10.4 million. 10 new salaried employees. Ten seasonal to fish for trout and salmon in Pennsylva However, license sales revenue has dropped officers are now being trained and new depu nia waters. At that time the Commission $2.1 million, leaving a net gain of $8.3 ties have been added to aid in coldwater pro planned to have the new requirement in place million. tection. Agency environmental review efforts by January 1, 1990, but delays in the Of • Propagation efficiency program. In have been expanded through an agreement fice of the Budget postponed implementation 1991, we began a major 10-year fish cul with PennDot, enabling staff expansion for until January 1, 1991. ture station improvement program designed accelerated review of highway projects When the program was implemented, the to keep Pennsylvania's strong national lead affecting coldwater streams and wetlands. Commission promised to use the new revenue ership role. The purpose of the program • Comprehensive planning. The Com for current coldwater fishing programs, is to upgrade coldwater facilities to meet mission implemented the first agency-wide expand efforts in many program areas, and operational and environmental needs and comprehensive planning effort for carrying implement programs to keep the coldwater provide trout and salmon needed to expand out its public mission. Efforts have pro fish propagation and public fishing facili coldwater fishing opportunities. duced a draft 10-year strategic plan to guide ties operating efficiently. Nearly $4.6 million has been expended the agency through the year 2004. We will As we pass the end of 1993. the third year or encumbered at Pleasant Gap, Bellefonte, circulate the plan publicly for input in 1994. of the trout/salmon stamp program, let's Benner Spring. Reynoldsdale, Tionesta, • Management of coldwater fisheries. review the progress made possible by the Corry, Big Spring, Tylersville and Huntsdale We conducted a statewide trout anglers Fish Culture stations for major improvements. telephone survey through contract with the Improvements include waste collection and University of Pittsburgh and use-and-har- treatment facilities, chemical containment vest surveys to obtain data on angler par storage units, oxygen-generating systems, ticipation, preferences and opinions on replacement of buried fuel tanks, bird pro Pennsylvania's coldwater programs. This tection structures, water treatment systems, user information marks a "first" for hav electrical upgrades, pump replacements, and ing this kind of data available for forma other major improvements. Conversion of tion of agency trout management decisions trout stocking trucks to diesel-driven fiber designed to increase coldwater fishing glass tank units is nearly 80 percent com opportunities. plete with 40 of 49 trucks now replaced or Additional delayed-harvest and other budgeted. These efforts reduce vehicle specially regulated waters have been cre operating costs, extend the useful life of ated, and the Class A Wild Trout Streams equipment and increase operational effi list has been expanded to more than 800 ciency. In addition, trout hatchery operat miles. ing budgets have been increased nearly $1 • Aquatic resource education. The million during a three-year period, and K.A.R.E. Program (Keystone Aquatic Re production of trout and salmon has remained source Education) has been expanded and at current high levels. The Lake Erie steel- now includes 3,000 trained public school head trout stocking programs produced record teachers throughout the Commonwealth. adult steelhead returns this fall. These enthusiastic volunteers are capable • Acquisition of coldwater resources. of reaching nearly 200,000 youngsters an The Commission acquired a section of Peons nually. In addition, we now have fishing Creek in Centre County, Elk Creek Access skills training efforts in operation in both Site on Lake Erie, Cush Creek Access, the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas and Edward R. Miller, P.E. Clearfield County, Fishing Creek Easement, other statewide locations. More than 147 Executive Director Clinton County, a large section of Spring volunteers have been trained as fishing skills Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Creek, Centre County, Ingham Springs, instructors to conduct programs introduc Bucks County, Lake Pleasant Access (lease) ing citizens of all ages to environmental and Fishing Creek Access, Columbia County, awareness and the joys of fishing. at a total cost of nearly $3 million. This summary shows where the major • Habitat protection, enhancement. The ity of the trout/salmon stamp revenue has Commission has revised its Adopt-a-Stream been used. It is the Commission's inten Program mid now conducts nearly 100 stream tion to continue these efforts to expand projects each year using volunteer labor. New coldwater fishing opportunities for Penn sylvania anglers. January 1994 Vol. 63 No. 1 Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Pennsylvania James S. Biery. Jr. President Swatara Paul J. Mahon ANGLER Vice President The Keystone Sates Official Fishing Magazine ^^ Clarks Green Samuel M. Concilia 18 Tackle Tips by Darl Black North East Ross J. Halm Spend some of your time this winter on these chores for better Saltsburg fishing next season Donald N. Lacy Reading My Favorite Pennsylvania Waterway by Mike Bleech T. T. Metzgei; Jr. Johnstown Some anglers really get around. Check out their favorite spots Howard E. Pflugfelder and tactics New Cumberland Leon Reed The Bumblebee by Chauncy K. Lively Honesdale William J. Sabatose Tie up a few of these patterns and try them on woodland streams Brockport during the first warm spell of spring 12 J. Wayne Yorks Benton Ice Action for Pocono Pickerel by George Smith Northeast Pennsylvania boasts solid action for these plentiful fish. Boating Advisory Board Here's exactly where and how to score 14 Donald J. Little Chairman Philadelphia Codorus Creek by Seth P. Cassell Clayton Buchanan Codorus Creek, southern York County, offers some of the area's Pittsburgh best trout fishing .17 Gary Miles North East Thaddeus Piotrowski Northcentral Ice Gems by Mike Bleech Bloomsburg Tour the Allegheny Highlands of northcentral Pennsylvania for Vincent P. Riggi the area's best ice fishing choices 20 Clarks Summit

Magazine Staff The Hemlock Creek Watershed by Linda Steiner These streams, in eastern Venango County, are one of the few Editor—Art Michaels Editorial Assistant—Charlene Seiferl places in Pennsylvania where you can catch wild brook, wild brown and wild rainbow trout 24 Art Director—Ted Walke Circulation—Eleanor Mutch On the Water with Carl Richardson Circulation—Patti Copp • The crowd 30 Staff Assistant—Rose Ann Banal Staff Assistant—Nita Lynch SMART Anglers Notebook by Carl Richardson Regular contributors This new column is an easy way to pick up the finer fishing skills 31 Darl Black Mike Bleech JeffKnapp The cover This issue's front cover was photographed by Doug Stamm. If you're beginning to think Pennsylvania Angler <\SSNml] -434X) is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. 3532 Walnul Street. Harrisburg. PA 17109. 01994. about Opening Day and where to fish this season, check out Mike Bleech's article on page 4, Nothing in this magazine may he reprinted w ithout the written permission of the in which he reveals the favorite places of some Pennsylvania anglers. On page 17, Seth Cassell Penns