9 ANGLER.^ OFFICIAL STATE JANUARY, 1938 PUBLICATION ''ANGLER'* Vol. 7—No. 1
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PUBLISHED MONTHLY COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA by the BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS
111
CHARLES A. FRENCH Ten cents a copy — 50 cents a year Commissioner of Fisheries
MEMBERS OF BOARD 111 CHARLES A. FRENCH, Chairman Ellwood City ALEX P. SWEIGART, Editor MILTON L. PEEK Radnor South Office BIdg., Harrisburg, Pa. HARRY E. WEBER Philipsburg SAMUEL J. TRUSCOTT Dalton FRANK J. PENTRACK NOTE Johnstown Subscriptions to the PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER EDGAR W. NICHOLSON should be addressed to the Editor. Submit fee either Philadelphia by check or money order payable to the Common KENNETH A. REID wealth of Pennsylvania. Stamps not acceptable. Connellsville Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. FRED McKEAN New Kensington H. R. STACKHOUSE Secretary to Board PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER welcomes contribu tions and photos of catches from its readers. Proper credit will be given to contributors. All contributions returned if accompanied by first C. R. BULLER class postage. Chief Fish Culturist, Bellefonte
«"»»= ItfC 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 7 Vol. 7 No. I ^ANGLER JANUARY, 1938 EDITORIAL
:0& FISH CONSERVATION ADVANCED IN 1937 HE year 1937 will go down in the records of fish conserva in keeping with changing conditions. Some idea of the extent to tion in Pennsylvania as one of the most outstanding from the which pollution has interfered with widespread stream stocking Tangle of progress in the history of the Fish Commission may be had when it is realized that of Pennsylvania's 100,000 since its organization in 1873. Listing advances, the following miles of waterways, approximately 80,000 are today polluted in stand out: (I) Vast increase in production of various species of varying degrees, much of this mileage being so severely polluted Popular game and food fishes by the hatcheries of the Fish that no fish life can exist therein. This simply means that the Commission: (2) Enactment by the legislature of a new fish code clean waters of the state must bear the brunt of fishing by a 9'ving to the Board of Fish Commissioners the power to regulate constantly increasing army of fishermen. This must continue until *"e season, creel limits and size limits of various species of fish the new pollution law has had time to clean up the now polluted "» keeping with changing conditions: (3) A sharp increase in waters. As fast as these streams are cleaned up, we will have the "umber of fishermen brought about through enactment by the fish ready to put in them. The new fish code also has made pos kgislature of a law permitting fishing on Sunday: (4) Completion sible, if needed, a reduction of antiquated creel limits, which °' a new bass producing project on Spring Creek, Centre county, should react to the best interests of the vast majority of the taking possible heavier distribution of bass of both species. fishermen. Insofar as increased production was concerned, this applied Sunday fishing has increased the number of fishermen in Penn ,n particular to brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout, to sylvania by at least 75,000 over those who took to our streams ^mallmouthed and largemouthed bass and to those warm water during the preceding year. In the past many persons living in fish so popular with the fishing public, sunfish and catfish. The cities and having steady employment during the week found it Mai distribution of fingerling and legal size trout for the past difficult to reach waters in which good fishing could be expected. Vear will exceed 4,667,750 of the combined species, over 1,200,- Enactment of the Sunday law afforded this group a fine oppor "00 brook, brown and rainbow trout above legal 6-inch size and tunity to indulge in this sport. ranging to 18 inches in length having been stocked in trout The new bass project on Spring Creek, Centre county, was Waters of the state. Equally popular with fishermen are small- completed through the splendid cooperation of the Works Prog southed and largemouthed bass. Completion of the Board's ress Administration and had a prominent part in increasing the "** bass farm on Spring Creek, Centre county, located about production of these game fishes during the year. This project 0n« mile above the "Fishermen's Paradise", has been of assist- consists of 28 especially constructed ponds and 25 channels in ,r|ce in boosting bass production this year to an all-time high, addition to a large brood pond of more than an acre in extent fn« distribution being 355,434. This compared with the 1935 pro as well as a tempering basin for the low temperature water duction of 37,000 will show what tremendous progress has been taken from Spring Creek (one of the best trout streams in the |"ade with these fish. Perhaps no type of fish has more popular- state), to be used in the bass project. Exceptional progress has ,fy »n Pennsylvania, with the fishermen than the bluegill sunfish been made in bass feeding, the use of ground fish as food dnd the humble bullhead catfish. Both species were produced in having made possible rapid growth of young bass to from 3 to **** numbers and stocked heavily during 1937 by the Board. 7 inches in length before they are released in wild waters. Even Prosent indications are that the sunfish stocking figures will ap more notable advances in the hatchery program are in store proach 750,000 or pass it. The bass program was made possible for next year. °n such a big scale through the use of 7 of 9 hatcheries in the Allocation of $100,000 for increasing the size of the new £at» in producinq these species. These hatcheries are Union Huntsdale hatchery in Cumberland county, a WPA project, C!tY. Erie county; Pleasant Mount, Wayne county; Tionesta, For- should mean far more intensive stocking with both trout and °st county; Spring Creek, Centre county; Reynoldsdale, Bed- warm water fishes in state waters next year. Huntsdale has been J°rd county; Torresdale, Philadelphia county and Huntsdale, noted for the amazing growth of brook, brown and rainbow Cumberland county. trout retained in its ponds. A number of instances of trout at Perhaps no form of outdoor sport has enjoyed a sharper in- taining a length of 12 inches in 12 months are on record at *•**• in popularity than has fishing during the past ten years. this fish farm. It offers perhaps the most promising source for In Pennsylvania where stream pollution has cut down to a notable increasing fish production of any of our hatcheries at the present •*W available water on which anglers may enjoy their sport, it time. '* Particularly necessary to have given to the-Board of Fish Com- C. A. FRENCH, ""ssioners power to regulate season, creel limits and size limits Commissioner of Fisheries 1 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER TROUT TALK An angling artist breaks down and confesses his secret of How to become the King of Troutdom, telling all . . . he doesn't know
By FRED. EVERETT Sketches by the Author
AM in a quandary on how to start this the smashing strike that exploded the face my fellow fishermen love to hear me and article for by nature, I am a very mod of the pool and the wonderful timing of my beg me to tell every detail over and over Iest, unassuming sort of fisherman. own response as I set the hook; the har again. Thank heaven, nearly all fishermen • If therevia.anytiitoig;I.dislike, it-is to be rowing, breath-taking battle that went on are as modest, as I and many a thrilling coerced by a group of.. pi-ying, sensation- through time until, at last, having met his tale has been left untold! seeking fejjow anglers into describing in master in all the tricks known by the wily I had thought of waxing poetic, of bring denizens of the deep, the monster trout minute detail all the consumate skill with ing out the point, very subtly of course, rolled up his brilliant belly in surrender and that the fishermen's year has but two sea which I selected just the right fly, cast it [ landed the speckled beauty, the biggest, sons, the fishing season and the rest of the with unerring aim and delicate finesse to most gorgeously colored specimen that had year—a sort of a day and a night. But the exact spot where my supreme knowl been seduced into a master angler's net for fear that there may be a reader some edge of the ways of the trout told me the in many a year. I just naturally shrink where who doesn't fish (God rest his soul) grandaddy of the pool would be waiting; from such an ordeal; I can't do it much as and would not understand, I'll pass that up. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 3
lures are "sure killers," as soon as you are absolutely sure you have solved the trout problem something happens to your pet the ory and it dies a sudden and awful death. If this were a sermon I should be preach ing humility. Not knowing anything, I can only tell you those things I used to know. I tell them so that you, too, may avoid knowing them, thereby increasing your ability to catch trout. Remember, however, you can't even depend upon that. What I am going to tell you will sound as convincing as the devil, but I warn you, don't you believe it! 2§s; I dare say I have a great deal more fun than most anglers because I go fishing for more than just fish. As an artist who loves Just now as I write this, it is the dark to paint and sketch fish, I spend a lot of j** the year, the off-season when fireplaces time angling for atmosphere and color and burn and good friends sit before them, facts. Often I sit on the bank or a rock "learning of the season past, of the hopes in the stream, watching the play of light cnerished, some fulfilled, some lost; of plans as it glides on a ripple over a quiet pool waters with reckless abandon, to mate— carried through and trips taken; of this or dances and sparkles in the gleaming lay eggs and die with the day, a moment surprise and that unusual experience; of foam of the white waters. The bend of the of bliss (is their reward) after a year or things learned and pet theories proven or rod, the spray of the water as the fish hits more of toil and danger in the depths; they •exploded. the'surface, the jaunty ride of the fly, the that make fly fishing what it is are also Dreaming, also, of the daylight to come, flight of the insects and birds—these and a part of my fishing. °f the new season when the lessons learned, thousand other bits of joy are part of my Love, hate, beauty, color, cruelty, fear the tricks discovered, the new waters and fishing. And the fish in their homes, watched and courage—life in its utmost are there ,les and theories can be tried out to the hour after hour, unfolding their lives be for those who will look for it, more by far Mart's content. fore me, disclosing many secrets of their than just fish yet a part of the fishing. Yes, hopes and resolutions are high un- fears and courage, their tricks and weak Many truths can be learned and used to *y the day finally comes and the fisherman nesses, their food and how they eat it. make one's fishing more productive and again feels the pull of the current against These facts and many more are part of my more, much more enjoyable. Wa legs, hears the soul-filling music of the fishing. , ... This study has continued through the urnbling waters and thrills to the action The nymphs in their watery homes, hid years because, in itself, it is a thing of joy. ?f his favorite rod as he tentatively whips ing under rocks, crawling through the sand It started, however, because I had a theory it overhead. and mud, devouring each other, fighting for —one that was to set me right on top of At that precise moment something hap- life and their ultimate hour of freedom the trout world as an expert of experts. £ens> a resurrection takes place. The new when they burst forth from their old skins, Forever after I was to come home with a ^Sherman he was to have been in his spread delicate wings and dance over the heavy creel. (Continued on page 11] reams is no more; gone are all plans, all lew tricks, new flies, everything but the arne old fisherman of last season brought ack to life, putting on the same old favor- e Ay, using the same old tricks, fishing •le same old holes in the same old way; happy fisherman, an example of the use- essness of theory when pitted against Practice. it» .* nex* sPrmg is far, far away. Now s time to gaze into the fire and reminisce; 0 grow confidential; to brag a little, to b°nfess a little. Just now it's my turn to ag r con ess dr ? f - Maybe it will help your 'earning, give you a little different slant trout-fishing. Maybe, who can tell, help °U catch more or larger trout next sea- n v " Let me have my say and judge for g .Perience is a great teacher—so the aylng goeg_ j hate platitudeSj they are an l true. Taking trout-fishing as an ex- Pie, l would say that experience is a eat un-teacher—if only there were such word. Some years ago I know everything about trout fishing and was free to say g0 . «v iwuntfi »"" wao lice IU m*j- ho ionS came experience, years of it, and w p,n * know practically nothing about this ganie but hate to admit it. tio ing confessed, I feel more in a posi- j n to tell you the one thing I still feel an';0 know, a fact that will help every gier to be more successful once he comes Und plv erstand and fully appreciate it. Sim- can ?ated> jt is this:—there is nothing that fish' absolutely depended upon in trout howlr>g' 'No difference how wise you are, many tricks you know, what favorite 4 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER
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/V07-£T C?asfa- w/A/6 or M/QGF iv/A/Cf or MOSQU/TO ppo/vr yy/u , . a/i4<7 "/•" PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER i TROUT FLY PROTOTYPES An Introduction To Fly Tying By CHAS. M. WETZEL C\N NUMEROUS occasions I have ob- Mayflies are peculiar in undergoing a Those listed above are just a few of the >-' served that the most successful trout moult after they assume the adult stage. more common caddis worms you may en j«es are those fashioned by some local fly Transformation occurs at the top of the counter. t l'er in an honest attempt to imitate stream water—the cast off nymphal skin floats When ready to assume the pupa form, the msects. Among these men their work might away, and the insect, rather weak in its a larva fastens its case to some support and Ptly be called a labor of love, for they are flight, makes its way to the nearby trees. closes up the opening with a thick silk mesh Putting something into their flies that is dif- In this dun or sub-imago stage they are After the body has altered its shape and the eult to procure elsewhere—namely experi clothed with a fine skin which is later shed wings have formed, the pupa enclosed in a ence gained on the stream, and a consci after a short rest period. After the casting thin skin tears open the silk screen door at entious effort to make a fly that will not off of this exuvia, they appear in brighter the mouth of the case and rises to the sur wmp out under continual casting. The pub- colors and are then known as imagoes or face. The covering integument, or skin, then lc is fortunate in being able to procure spinners. splits open,—the fly emerges and grasps «"0m some of these men, flies of the above The adult males dancing up and down fly some object upon which it can climb above description, for in the majority of cases in companies and the 'females come out to the water to dry its wings. men- products are not for sale. Most fly meet them in the air. When the mating Adult caddis flies have long, thread-like yei's reap their reward when they finally flight is over, they fall exhausted on the antenna which usually project straight out sllP the net under a trout that was caught water with wings outstretched and in this as in front; the hind wings are shorter and a result of' their own observations and stage they are known among fishermen as broader than the fore wings and both pairs ^genuity. That is perhaps the greatest spent spinners, spent wings or spent flies. th rest slanting like a roof over the abdomen rill in fishing. The nymphal or immature stage of the In general they are hairy moth-like insects Not everyone of course has the patience mayfly generally has three tails and may be delicately colored and appear in greatest 0 tie a fly and for such people I would un- recognized by the single tarsal claws and numbers at dusk or after nightfall. Caddis esitatingly recommend that they purchase the gills on the side of the abdomen. They flies are of particular importance to wet fly neir stock from some local source. Even live entirely under water and are found fishermen due to the female's habit of swim hough you may have to pay as much as under stones and in a variety of places on ming and crawling beneath the surface "ree dollars a dozen, the price is not ex the stream bed. when she deposits her eggs. orbitant when one considers the time and Mayflies may roughly be divided into effort spent on them. Such flies are usually le three groups, i.e., the pale evening or pale Stone Flies , d by practical anglers—invariably fash- watery duns, the yellow may duns and the '0rjed off with the whip finish so that they The nymph of the stone fly prefers those light and dark olives. The pale evening or stretches of a stream where the water flows ^U not whip out—and are well worth the pale watery duns have greyish transparent money. swiftly over a rocky bottom. As their name wings with straw colored bodies. The yellow implies, these insects make their homes un The ability to tie a fly is a valuable asset mays have both bodies and wings of a deeper der stones in the stream bed, but the willow o every fisherman, but in addition one yellow; while the olive duns get their name Nemoura is quite often found in the leaf nould be able to recognize at a glance the for the coloration of their abdomens—the drifts. The nymph may be recognized by its common stream insects and to pick out the wings varying from brown, to that of a two tails, the fine gills under the thorax utstanding features that are to be copied greenish yellow. In general duns fly from and by the possession of the two tarsal n the artificial. This article will deal mainly the water and spinners toward it. claws. W'ltJ h +™„+ fl„ <-„*• L__ x- .•_„ th trout fly prototypes; how to recognize Caddis Flies Around the first of May or earlier, when the more common forms, where to look for ft The larvae of these insects known as ready to change into flies, they fasten them o em and other information which may later caddis worms or caddis creepers are encased selves to stones at the water's edge, and £ prove helpful when you actually copy in tubes or sheaths which they drag along there the nymphal skin splits open per Lnese insects in fur, silk and feathers. In mitting the fly to escape. fte over the bed of the stream. These cases or ' articles that follow the necessary opera homes in which they dwell are constructed The adults are heavy in flight and are tions in tying dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, e c out of a variety of materials such as sand, easily captured. A favorite resting place of -> will be shown step by step. stone, leaves, bark, shells, wood, etc., and theirs is on the under side of leaves; and vary from one fourth of an inch to over last season on Young Woman's Creek I se May Flies two inches in length. Each family prefers a cured quite a number of specimens of the stone fly Perla, simply by shaking the bushes fistfheSe insects are the favorites of all fly type of architecture distinctly its own and hermen and more trout flieg haye been their shapes are many and varied. along the stream and picking the flies off the ground. patterned after them than all the other The case of Brachycentrus or the "gran- UpS combined Tne are nom"—a familiar name to all trout fisher The distinguishing features of the adults est° - y among the earli- are the wide, notched and pleated hind a °f our flies that hover over the water, men—is in the form of a cube and is rough ly one half an inch in length. The front wings, the two tarsal claws, the broad flat ke°- at various places appear in such num- rs end facing up-stream is attached to some head and the manner in which the wings ai. that the bushes bordering the stream rest flat over the body. e frequently bent down under their weight, stone, and at its entrance the worm lies, its or °p6 0f you who ^ave Ashed Spring Creek legs extended forward to catch food washed Stone flies rarely appear in the immense ProK tnns Creek around Memorial Day, down by the current. swarms characteristic of the mayflies and fiv ro reca11 the big yelJowish green shad Limnophilus or the "cinnamon sedge" caddis flies yet they are of the utmost im s T is not that I wish to suggest the pro I miscuous use of the rip-rap wall in stream improvement work but somehow I feel compelled to defend the purpose and intended use of the structure itself. Its con struction in all streams would be most un wise, just as condemning it for stream bet terment would be equally as inconsiderate. In a more general discussion, avoiding technical details, let us say all the trout streams of Pennsylvania can be grouped into two very definite classes. First, the mountain streams flowing either through entirely wooded sections or sparsely in habited sections and secondly, the agricul tural streams meandering in their course to the sea through stretches of farming country. Quite naturally, this classification is rather broad, but within both categories, or even a liberal combination of each, one may easily attempt to catalogue the natural trout homes of the Keystone State. What one stream improvement engineer may advise for one section of water would be entirely unsuitable for another. Sim A typical dry stone masonry rip-rap wall as erected by WPA workers along Cooks creek, Bucks ilarly, the ideals of one technician would County. Careful examination will reveal that plants have already begun their growth and will in a not hold true with another, even over the very short time completely cover the scar of what formerly was nothing more than a badly eroded bank. same water course. During the notes to fol low, I have tried to piece together bits of tive amount of unnecessary mountain soil present practically the same problems. proven information gathered over a period finds its way to the sea. Where nature had formerly provided trees of two years as it concerns the WPA work to check wasteful bank erosion, man has of stream improvement in the southeastern Where possible erosion might take place, the trees of the forest are so numerous and sought to gain the most of tillable land and counties of the state. The projects, joint unwisely cut down trees. In the fertile val ly sponsored by the Pennsylvania Board of heavy with roots that this is checked in leys where the top soil is not measured in Fish Commissioners and respective inter very short order. If the tree, after years ested Sportsmen's organizations, were well of water wearing, should be undermined and fractions of inches, it now presents a prob lem. supervised by District Fish Warden C. Joel nature has released her grip, the stream Young. has merely received another natural log Highly impregnated with organic matter, Not to be defeated by one of the pre dam. The entire process, repeated through the alluvial pulverized rock may prove very viously mentioned statements, permit me to out the ages, has been and is still the best detrimental to the bed of a productive trout infer that although Mr. Young supervised method for improving a mountain stream. stream. Instead of acting as a scouring the projects in Districts No. 3 and No. 4, agent, the repeated and consistent deposit embracing Carbon, Monroe, Northampton, Bank erosion within a wooded stand is no of the fine soil may gradually suffocate the Lehigh, Chester and Bucks Counties, some problem at all. Nature herself has most aquatic plant and insect life of the stream. helpful devices were installed at the sugges wisely remedied that by interlocking tree A very excellent example of such action tion of a progressive job foreman or in roots. Scoured out streams not only provide may be clearly observed in the Lehigh river, terested sportsmen which later proved suc more ideal aquatic insect breeding places between the junction of the first coal wash cessful. but also furnish the fish life with better stream below White Haven and the city of It has been debated, and in no sparing feeding conditions. Here again mother na Easton. The culm, by no means deleterious, terms, that the rip-rap wall has no place ture, though cruel at times, has been most slowly but inevitably provides a sediment in the improvement of mountain trout clever in caring for her kind. which either snuffs out all life or prevents streams. In their inductions, to which this the straggling aquatic insects from fulfill school of engineers may be quoted, they For the mountain trout stream, the rip rap wall may be the height of absurdity, ing their perpetuating life cycle of repro hint that nature in her wise planning has duction. never seen fit to use such an artificial means but on that account its usefulness in other to protect an eroding bank. They further cases dare not be overlooked. In sections Where nature has been deprived of de contend, and again we concede a point, that where the top soil, because of its depth and vious checks, it is quite logical to assume erosion and the scouring out of streams is quality, has made farming profitable or that man must provide the best substitute of a decided advantage to the aquatic and might we say practical, the rip-rap wall has possible. Here in the case of shameful bank trout life of the stream. a very decided part to play in stream im erosion, the most practical method is the Mountain streams, even in flood stages, provement. Especially is this true of the rip-rap wall. In places where trees are lack are never muddy but roilly. Very little ero trout waters in the southeastern counties ing and where even their planting would sion take*s place at any time. The gravel, of the Commonwealth where throughout the require years of fruition, the next practical when washed loose at one place, because greater portion, if not practically all, they thing to do is erect fortifying stone walls. of its apparent weight, is very shortly de wend their way to the larger water courses Bank erosion may be very negligible in posited in the bed of the stream. Should through either geologically old or relative the betterment of mountain trout streams small boulders and rolling stones be moved, ly new valleys of high fertility. they merely shift from one side of the but for agricultural streams it has over stream to another or are brought to a Agricultural streams whether fed by nor come a definite hazard. One of the best pos standstill in the first deep pool. Under such mal watershed springs or geyser-like foun sible ways to rectify the value of a piece a procedure it is quite obvious that a nega- tains of supposingly subterranean origin of open trout water is the placing of dry PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 7 Ef there's a squarer bunch then most fishermen a feller meets up with on our cricks an' mountain runs, I ain't never met opened because of the highly Where formerly streams were closed to public fishing many have been opened £•««•• up with 'em. 'Course, now an' agin ye mite beneficial work carried out cooperatively between the WPA and the Pennsylvam come acrost some mean thinkin' feller when Board of Fish Commissioners. afishin', but mostly it's t'other way round. Take last spring when I was awormin' Rather than criticise the purpose of the fer trout in our medow run. I hed worked Masonry stone protecting walls at strategic my way keerful like inter a hole thet I Points along the bank of the stream. rip-rap wall in stream improvement work, would it not be far wiser to state that knowed held a mighty nice speckled trout, lo the first several months or so this may an' hed jest settled back rite when I sees a should the conditions necessitate their struc Ppear to be artificial or man-made, but a fisherman workin' his way upstream with nature, in her unique manner, will again ture, they should be planned and then flies. He shore did know how ter handle thet Prove master of the situation. Seeds will erected. For the want of a better alterna little whippy rod o' his, an' by gorry, while f°on find their way into the wall and with- tive, might one not say that the rip-rap I watched him I saw him take a speckled 111 a very short time many plants will be wall is adapted for remedial work on heavy trout ennyways 12 inches long. Then he growing from what formerly proved to be bank erosion in the agricultural trout sees me, an' he cut away back frum the nothing more than a stone wall. Should the streams of the state. Erosion in this case crick ter get by me, so's not ter break in on my fishin'. Rite about then, I gits a Water rise, and in most cases it will during is not desirable and aside from detrimental a whale o' a bite, an' lands a speckled trout flood stage, debris will collect and addi silt on the bed of the stream, it welcomes 15 inches long. As I'm atusslin' with thet tionally help to eradicate an eyesore. With the unsound principle of muddy streams fish, this fisherman comes a leetle closer, an' in a year the grass, weeds, and accumulated with their consequential loss of thousands after I lands it, durned ef he don't seem debris will carefully hide the wall and only and thousands of tons in the best .of all ez happy ez I was about it. Now then, thet's tfte close observer can actually tell where top soils. what I calls a square shooter an' we hed '"an has stepped in and helped nature. a good talk tergether fer mebbe ten minutes talkin' about our fishin'. Hope he comes back here next season. Then agin last summer, I was afishin' fer sunnies an' fallfish an' rock bass in the rock hole in the big crick when I sees a feller with a short rod acastin' leetle plugs an' comin' toward the hole I was afishin'. Whilst I watched him, he ketched three bass, all o' them must a been better'n legal. Dabbed ef he didn't turn all them fish back keerful like. He was awadin' an' when he »#****' seed me, he got out o' the crick an' came an' talked with me, so's not to upset my fishin'. A bit later I seed him, an' he hed one bass thet he hed kept. It was a whop —•» .*r'- per, every bit o' four pounds. Thet was all t the fish he was goin' ter keep thet day, •*** &'&Qzr*i0! an' ef thet ain't a sportsman, I don't know one. We shore hev a bunch o' fishermen in these parts. Some likes fishin' fer suckers an' catties better'n ennything else, others takes ter fishin' fer sunnies an' fallfish an' a whole lot shines up ter fishin' fer bass an' trout. Some fishes worms an' minnies an' stone catties, an' others likes flies an' plugs. But all told, they be the squarest bunch ye kin wanter meet, the kinder fel lers thet makes a man rite proud ter be a Fining the use of stones a^d timber has resulted in a v.ry«j£"^ '- *an a year old ha .ready P-^S/S^^lCpool. fisherman. provided Cooks creek, Bucks v^ounry, ™. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Talking fish conservation before 600 pupils of the Boyd Dodson school in Wilkes-Barre. CONSERVATION AND THE SCHOOLS By MYRON W. SHOEMAKER ONSERVATION is a subject that servation" has been very much misunder viduals can not be blamed. There has bee)' C should be of vital interest to every citi stood in spite of the fact that many fine too little thought in the past of preparation zen because of the many things involved organizations have developed to lend assist before sending them to stream or field witl1 that play an important part in our every ance in furthering the interests of conser a complete knowledge of conservation prob' day life. Many people have the wrong im vation. With the growth of these organized lems. pression of conservation and think of it as groups also has developed public opinion The thousands of participants outside thj something which revolves only about fish until today conservation has a very well sportsmen's groups likewise have been af' and game. But in reality all of our natural established foundation of public opinion forded very little knowledge of conservation resources are in the conservation program. that will allow it to develop into a much workings. For some reason the rank an* Fish and game are only a part of the nat broader sense of understanding and reality. file of participants have been of the opinio!1 ural resources which interested citizens The word conservation when clearly under that conservation problems were able t° have seen fit to utilize and protect and they stood means to conserve that which we have care for themselves with only the aid o- fit in the conservation program. The realiza at present to such an extent that there will administrative agencies and the organized tion that conservation is a necessity in our be something left for ourselves to enjoy and sportsmen. This lack of knowledge has n" daily* life and welfare is rapidly growing for future generations. doubt been responsible for the administra but it really had its inception in Pennsyl Many sportsmen's organizations have, in tive agencies and the organized sportsmen vania, from a fish and game standpoint, good faith, entitled themselves, for example, being at times accused of influencing tja almost 40 years ago when a handful of the "Pine Knob Conservation Club," but enactment of legislation to allow them t" pioneering sportsmen launched into a move many of the members have failed to adhere monopolize the pleasure afforded by fishing ment of organization to protect and pro to the meaning of the word when participat and hunting, when, as a matter of fact' they have been striving to protect and pre mote the essential things involved. And yet ing in the pleasures afforded in nature's £ throughout all these years the word "con- playground. To a certain extent these indi mote the essential things involved; to paV „ PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 9 the most selfish group of sportsmen in ex istence. While this is a broad statement it is a fact in many cases and it has developed through a lack of education, knowledge and understanding of conservation problems be cause they were not afforded a conservation education in early life. If these problems are to be understood clearly there must be some concerted action to swing from this selfish attitude which has prevailed too long, to one of sportsmanship and welfare to each other. During the past few months there has been a tremendous development towards a conservation education in the public schools. This would afford and rapidly develop the necessary knowledge of the youngsters so they would think of fishing and hunting from a conservation viewpoint. They would appreciate it as something furnishing whole some recreation; as a sport; as something essential for their own welfare and happi ness. The time would be comparatively short until they would be eager and willing to assist in every way possible to protect and School children are eager to learn everything possible about fish. Discussing a trout's shape. promote their interests as well as those of their fellow sportsmen. Fishing and hunting and the general conservation problem have the way for the insured pleasures of others on the part of the present sportsmen and suffered serious damages because the youth m stream and field. Every effort to bring others; and partly due to the sportsmen and of yesterday was not taught to utilize them about closer cooperation and harmony be others who have failed to set a good ex as they should in their later years. ample before youth when fishing and hunt tween the administrative agencies and the The conservation program and its value sPortsmen and the general public, to create ing. Many have been so selfish in supplying a themselves with fishing and hunting from a to mankind is not a difficult matter for clearer understanding of conservation in youth to grasp if afforded the chance to general, has slowly developed. But the time viewpoint far from the ideals of conserva assimilate the proper knowledge. No child has been extremely short since some serious tion that they have failed to realize that will stand idly by and see its cherished consideration and thought has been given to there are youngsters to follow who also the preparation of the youth of today to fit would like the same good fishing and hunt playthings destroyed or taken away. No boy hem to properly appreciate and utilize the ing. The term "good fishing and hunting" will condone the destruction of his play "shing, hunting and the natural resources may be scoffed at by some but if there has grounds and the implements and appliances anorded in Pennsylvania. The time has been poor fishing and hunting at times or used to make the different sports a reality nout arrived when not only conservation any time it is not the fault of the youths for his enjoyment. No youngster will allow should be taught these youngsters but res- who will follow to take what we have seen his fishing and hunting and natural re fit to leave them. The responsibility and cation as well. And it should be made a sources to be destroyed or depleted if he Pa duty to youth rests upon the shoulders of knows they are affording recreation and are -rt of the general school curriculum. Then the sportsmen and others who have forgot nd then only will conservation become what of vital importance to his daily life and ten youth by failing to look ahead and con existence. A conservation education would t truly deserves to be for the benefit of the serve something for youth. general public. make it unnecessary for youth to grow into The youth of today will be the men and It has been stated by well known con an adult stage before taking an active part °men of tomorrow and upon them will fall servationists that fishermen and hunters are (Continued on page 18) r*, hurden and responsibility of carrying riv A wortn while ProJects fostered by their 1 iedecessors. Among these projects are clean Ports for wholesome recreation which will ben t0 develoP and make cleaner minds and of nf citizens- Fishing and hunting are two , e sP°rts around which conservation ^evoiVes> Out of this vast group of youths _'U come the future citizens and sportsmen n° will assist.to further build up and u"y on the conservation program to in- I re their future recreation for health and aPpmess in nature's playground. n n the past the youngster's encourage- ^ nt> incentive and opportunity of becom- a true s Sef - P°rtsman and aiding in a con- In f&tio" Program has been very limited. kn i* Jt has been Practically denied. His such* 6 °f the PurPoses and general good a an, program is to a community, state (W nation has been extremely limited. The devi6 has been Present but the facilities of elo Vo Ping a clearer knowledge in these n y0 g> immature minds of what conserva- exc really means have not been available, e tu aPt to a very few who have been for ag^e te enough to have the attention, guid- ttorf anC* interest of some adult conserva- lst lac, - This condition is partly due to the °f knowledge of conservation problems The writer must answer questions galore before student groups. This is a typical close-up. 10 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER (Q^ Question: What is a good method for HDH double tapered fly line last trout sea keeping helgramites in bass season?— son and would appreciate information as to A. L. J. its proper care so that I can expect good Answer: One of the most unfortunate service from it this spring?—D. B. phases in game fish forage conservation Answer: This question is of interest to concerns the loss of thousands of helgra every trout fisherman who will invade our mites and other live bait through improper streams this spring. All the tears and hand- care after they have been captured. Per wringing in the world can't patch up a haps the most successful method that has ruined fly line when the trout season opens. come to our attention was that employed Now is the time to act to prevent irrepar a number of years ago by an expert hel- able damage. Remove the line from the reel gramite fisherman in a central county. and stretch it out full length in some con After catching a reasonable number of hel venient spot. Procure a good clean piece gramites, this fisherman placed them in a of soft cloth and rub your line until all lard can and put in with them a good dirt and grease has been removed. Then quantity of grape leaves which had been wind it carefully on a wooden or cardboard moistened. The can was then placed in a spool, being careful not to twist it in wind cool, dark place, in this instance, a cellar. ing. The larger the spool the better. If Only occasionally were the leaves moistened, spools are not obtainable, loop the line in but seldom did any helgramites die for him. coils about a foot in diameter and hang on They were invariably in fine condition when wooden pegs. Store your line in a room of he wanted to fish. Two things to guard even dry temperature. Lines properly cared against in particular in keeping helgramites for will give you years of maximum per is too much water, which will cause them formance and service. to drown, or too much heat and light, which Question: Can you tell me how to take will also prove fatal to them. Proper care care of expensive bamboo casting rod?— of live bait of any kind is a real forward V. B. step toward good fishing. Answer:—The importance of proper care Question: I purchased an expensive for your fly line or bait casting line during the winter cannot be overemphasized. No J. F. Livingston, ardent Clearfield sportsman, with a less important is your rod. Wipe it well with catch of three fine pickerel taken in Moshannon a soft cloth, preferably flannel, and be sure Lake during a snow squall last autumn. IN MEMORIAM the case is perfectly dry. If you store it The idea is to keep them in the dark as Pennsylvania fishermen mourn the in a room which is subject to varying tem light deteriorates the quality. Next spring, passing, on November 11, of Leslie W. peratures, chances are next spring the fer before placing in the wet box, soak for at Seylar, of McConnellsburg, former rules will be loose on the bamboo. Dry heat least several hours in glycerin. By tying member of the Board of Fish Commis has a tendency to dry out the ferrule ce tippets (pieces of gut 12 to 18 inches long) sioners, and a central figure in the ment. Store your rod where it cannot be on to the fine end, as that section becomes building of our modern fisheries sys come wet and where an even temperature shortened by tying on flies, the life of a tem. Beloved by anglers in many sec is maintained. leader is lengthened considerably. A regu tions of the state, Doctor Seylar Question: At the close of last trout sea lar inspection of the knot at the loop where served on the Board from March 20, son, I had some fine tapered leaders that the line and the leader connect is also sug 1924 to March 14, 1936. In every sense had not been used. How can I best take gested. At some time, this may save you of the word he was a pioneer in tne care of them during the winter so that they the loss of the entire leader (and possibly better fishing movements, particularly may be used this coming season? Is gut a grandaddy trout). in the drive to improve our trout going up in price? How about care of Flies also should be stored for the winter waters through provision of more flies?—J. N. months. An airtight container in which you cover, and was especially interested in Answer: That's a mighty pertinent should place a generous quantity of moth Willow planting. question you put in about leaders. Gut is crystals is ideal. Use of crystals which form On November 13, William S. Ellis, going up in price, and how! The Spanish gases to kill moths and their larvae is sug of Bryn Mawr, who served on the conflict is raising old Ned with us fisher gested. Next season, before using the dry Board of Game Commissioners from men. Gut prices are sky high right now, flies, place them in a tea strainer and steam January 16, 1920 to March 20, 1924 so take good care of those leaders. They over the spout of a tea kettle. This will and was prominent in the building of sure are worth it. Leader economy for the restore them to their original condition. Pennsylvania's modern game conser average fisherman is not only wise but vation system, died. Many sportsmen bordering close to compulsion. Leaders prop The Pullman conductor one night saw a who" knew him felt a keen sense of erly treated will last for years. Remove red lantern hanging on one of the lower loss in his passing. Unselfish devotion them from your leader box and leave them berths so he looked up George, the porter, to the better fishing and better hunt to dry of their own accord, not over arti and said, "Say, George, why is that red ing cause made these men key figures ficial heat, and wind in approximately 4- lantern hanging on that lower berth?" in the conservation drive and the Fish inch coils. Place them in wax paper or cello George replied, "Well, boss, Rule 23 in Commission and its personnel extends phane envelopes if either is available. Bet my book says that you should hang up a sincere sympathy to their families. ter still, wrap securely in a dry chamois red lantern when the rear end of the sleep' and place in a box, airtight if possible. er is exposed." PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 11 and fished for a while and landed another GIANT PICKEREL TOPS pickerel of 4 pounds, but this was on live bait. Then my brother John landed one of 3 pounds. We had a total catch of 11 fish in PAST RECORD CATCHES the party. I had 3, Fred 3, Hugh Rooney 2, and my brother John had 3. So I suggested brother John, to be all set Wednesday morn to my buddies that since we had the big OPPING every record fish in its class one, it was needless to stay there any longer. ever listed by the ANGLER was a ing at 4:30. The destination was Shohola T Falls, about 48 miles from Scranton, so we Happily we headed for home, proud to ex giant pickerel taken on November 10 at hibit my fish to friends and sportsmen. Shohola Falls, near Rollins, Pike county, by set out Wednesday morning with big ideas Frank Streznetcky of Scranton. This fish, like all fishermen have when they go fish "Before I close I want to thank the Measuring 31% inches in length and ing. We arrived at Shohola and began fish PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER for all the ad weighing 8 pounds, exceeds by 2% pounds ing about 6:00 o'clock and fished till about vice and suggestions that I got from the Hi weight the fish which had previously 7:00 o'clock and as the day was going by ANGLER in the October issue, which shows been recognized as the heaviest in the pick- it was nicer and nicer all the time. The sun a big pickerel and a red and white wobbler ei'el division for the year and taken by John was shining bright and the water was cool on the front page, and also your book of Pohle of Honesdale in Lake Wallenpaupack. and calm. Then I said to my friends, 'We Common Fishes of Pennsylvania. I will again are going to get some fish here today!' At say that they were a whole lot responsible According to Streznetcky, the big fish put the moment I was fishing with live-bait. I for my big catch." UP a terrific battle before it was landed, got a strike and waited for him to take the breaking his casting rod. At the time he bait. Then I pulled him in and he was a •Hade the catch, Frank was fishing with three pickerel 14 inches long. Then I said to my companions, his brother, John, Fred Locher, buddies, 'Look at those fish jump out there'. TROUT TALK and Hugh Rooney. The party landed, all I laid aside my live bait and got my casting (Continued from page 3) told, 11 big pickerel on this November day, rod out and started to cast with this rod, It stands to reason, so I thought and Frank taking another weighing 4 pounds. using a red and white spoon or which is wrote in numerous articles, that to master Following is his account of the catch: really called a metal wobbler. Then I made this game, all one needs to know are three "May I present the thrilling story of my about four or five casts with a dead minnow main things. First of all, the trout them catch and incidentally my biggest thrill of all on the end of a wobbler. selves and their habits—especially on what m y fishing days. First I would like to intro "Suddenly as I threw in again I got a and how they feed. Next, their food—that duce myself and other details which makes fierce strike and my rod was almost pulled is, the insects, what they look like in both Possible fishing as my favorite sport. I am out of my hands. Excitedly I assumed I had their nymph and winged forms and how ^4 years old and a resident of Scranton. I they act. And last, how to imitate both the a a whopper taking the strength of the pull m a baker in Scranton and fortunately for into consideration. I tried to be calm—I half looks and actions of these insects with Hie the bake shop starts work late in the artificial flies. a excitedly let him pull out line, slowly. See fternoon and this enables me to finish up in ing he had quite a bit of line out I gradually That's a pretty comprehensive program the wee hours of the morning which gives started to reel him in. I reeled a few seconds but reasonably possible in the hardest Hie an opportunity to get a few hours sleep and his determined strength was apparent, hundred years. If one knew even part of Hi the morning and then get up and get set so I let him take the line and again very it, he would be well on his way to master for my great pastime of fishing with my slowly started to play him, gradually and ing this trout game. The great danger fellow workers and friends. Now then, with steadily reeling in. I became excited as I would be that he would become so deadly this introduction may I turn back to the reeled in because his strength seemed to be that the element of luck would be gone and, Hicky day of November 10. much greater. therefore, the game would lose its appeal or all the trout would be caught. "The day previous, Tuesday, I began work "Thinking he might break my line, I at 5:30 P. M. and knowing I'd be through stepped off the stump that I was standing Naturally, to achieve this perfection, one at midnight, I arranged with two friends, on at the shore line and started to walk to must spend time in conscientious study. Not Fred Locher and Hugh Rooney, and my ward the woods. By that time I .had him so much extra time, however, but those about ten feet from shore. Then Locher saw hours that one wastes in fruitless casting him desperately jumping and splashing and with the wrong fly or wrong method or over his suggestion was, 'He's had enough; now the wrong waters. A few hours each time it's up to you, Frank; use your fishing skill on the stream in which to think, watch to land him'. As I started to reel him in and see those things which are of vital im again, he gave one wicked splash and pull portance, would be all one requires. and broke my casting rod in half. So I hur In this manner one will come to know riedly made a grab for my line and started what flies hatch out in April, May, June to pull him in hand over hand. His back or July and where and how the trout will ward pull on the line started to cut my hand be feeding on them. One will also know so I wrapped it securely around my hand how these insects look and act and how they and started to walk backwards again. can best be imitated. "I finally pulled him on shore and then For instance, he will know that only made a jump for him. I had a net with me small dark brown or black flies hatch in but it was a small trout net and was of April and that the fish feed almost exclu no use to me for the fish was too big for sively on the underwater nymph or hatch the net. In the meantime my brother John, ing form because the adult fly leaves the at a distance, became so excited when he stream to fly in short flutters from tree to saw the size of the fish that in his hurry to tree. Also, that the native brook trout feeds in cold water while the brown seldom does, come over to possibly assist me, he ran di one reason why May and June fishing is so rectly into the water before he realized much more successful. where he was and walked back out. I ex citedly put the stringer through the pick Then, again, he will know that all kinds erel's jaws and tied him to a pole. Then I of flies hatch in May and June, clouds of sighed with relief and victory and I never them, the trout going wild as they gorge felt happier in all my fishing days. I did not themselves after the long winter's fast, tak know what to do after that as my casting ing everything that in any way resembles rod was broken so all I could do was to take food. That is the time for expert and dub my bamboo pole and still fish. Of course, so alike to fill their creels—puff out their far as I was concerned, I would have liked chests and cry—What a brave fisherman to go home, but that would not have been am I! playing fair with my friends, so I stayed (Continued on page 16) Frank Streznetcky with his record pickerel. 12 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER CONSERVATION KEY-MEN By ALEX P. SWEIGART HAT well-known maxim "A chain is waters; the upkeep of a fleet of modern conditions in the localities where they live, T no stronger than its weakest link", trucks for effective distribution of fish these sportsmen not only assist in the stock when applied to fish conservation as it ex grown to stocking size; the administration ing of streams but serve as essential con-| ists in Pennsylvania today, serves as a good of the Fish Fund to the greatest possible tacts for the Fish Commission in its efforts measuring rule for the strength of this advantage to the fishermen under the direc to secure data and information relative to movement. tion of the Commissioner of Fisheries and a fishing waters in various sections. Board of seven members whole-heartedly in Concisely stated, the fish conservation Just how one sportsman in a community, terested in fish conservation, and the main •'chain" starts with the licensed fishermen. intensely interested in bettering fishing not Their money spent for licenses is segregated tenance of a force of enforcement officers to protect the sport of the anglers. only for himself but for fellow anglers, can in a special fund, known as the "Fish Fund" accomplish this purpose to a notable extent and designated specifically for the purpose In recent years another link has been add was demonstrated several years ago in a of maintaining good fishing in Pennsylvania ed to this "chain", a link increasingly vital small town in a central county. In whole public waters. This financial support is the to the ultimate success of the drive for bet hearted agreement with the policy of saving foundation, the first link in the "chain", so ter fishing. We refer to "Conservation Key- to speak, that has been forged to better Men", prominent sportsmen living in com live forage for bass and other warm water fishing. It has made possible the forging of munities and farm districts in every section game fishes which had been advocated by other links—the maintenance of ten modern of the Commonwealth, who give unselfishly the Fish Commission, this sportsman deter fish farms with their vast annual output of of their time and effort to further the con mined to demonstrate to other members of fishes of the various species suitable for our servation cause. Alert to stream and fishing the Association, in which he was a leader, the practicability of artificial lures in tak ing big bass, wall-eyed pike and pickerel. Before this one-man drive for wider use of casting lures in bass fishing got under way, virtually all of the fishermen of his acquaintance had resorted to use of min nows, stone catfish, helgramites and cray fish in catching bass. But, when repeatedly, he brought in hefty bass, well over the three pound mark (only one fish usually), his! fellow fishermen began to sit up and take notice. By the end of that season, at least half of the fishermen in the Association had taken up bait casting, and were creeling fine fish on artificials. Today you'd have a hard time convincing any of these anglers that there's a superior method to bait cast ing in landing good fish. And, since each of these fishermen has given up fishing with live bait, the saving of minnows and other types of bass forage in streams of that locality may be readily realized. The key-men of conservation loom so prominently in the modern fishing picture in Pennsylvania that virtually every phase of this grand sport bears testimony to their efforts. There is, for example, Fish Stocking For those who have assisted in proper distribution of a truckload of 80 cans of legal sized trout, there is no illusion that this can be accomplished without real care and effort. Upon receiving word from the hatchery superintendent that the truck is due to arrive at a designated point at a cer tain hour, date indicated, the key-man con tacts fellow sportsmen who will aid in the planting. The stream section to be stocked. if the water is a large one (or entire stream if small) is indicated and strict adherence to the truck driver's instructions must be carried out. While it may be possible to stock many of the pools near to the road on which the truck is standing, much of the water in which the fish are to be planted necessitates carrying of the cans for 200 that weather conditions and all other fac tors are favorable, effective distribution of that truckload of fish means work and yards or more for best results. Granting plenty of it. And these sportsmen carry i* PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 13 sibility. But a group of go-getter sportsmen We know of an instance, for example, in in Hazleton had determined that this stream which one of these conservation key-men section should get its full portion of legal accomplished a great deal in teaching boys size brown trout. To accomplish this they not only sportsmanship in fishing but also built special boats, loaded the cans on these in instilling in a group of 35 youngsters in boats, and drifting downstream carefully terest in fishes and their characteristics. The distributed the fish. fact that this sportsman's life work is with In planning the stream survey, whereby boys has little to do with the goal achieved. through, happy that they're doing their part the carrying capacity under drought condi t0 improve fishing. Those boys are now intensely interested in tions of our streams for fish life a number fishing, and you can bet that they will know, of years ago was determined, the advice and But weather and road conditions are not when they're on our streams next summer, always favorable—far from it. Bitter cold suggestions of men who had fished waters the difference in appearance between a cat feather, necessitating chopping of holes in in their respective localities and knew he ice to release the fish, deep snows in stream conditions intimately, proved of out fish and a smallmouthed bass. 'hich truck and car may founder, mud in standing importance. mch the wheels churn without progress In other ways, too, conservation key-men Stream Improvement ~"7"SUch natural handicaps frequently attend have played and are playing vital roles. Qls When the movement to increase the car tribution of fish. Take, for instance, rying capacity of our trout streams through 00 fi h- * ' ^ere are stream sections, ideal Education installation of shelters, deflectors and dams shing waters, that are inaccessible to the was in its early stages, conservation's key- ^atchery trucks. The key-men of conserva- It is generally agreed that modern fish men were among the first to back it, and °n have shown real ingenuity in over conservation in states so densely populated today more than one stream in their re coming this handicap on more than one oc- as Pennsylvania has no more essential re spective localities bears testimony to their asion. We have in mind a specific incident quirement than the education of the fishing efforts. Knowing at first hand that many of this ingenuity which occurred several public to its needs. The part that organized our streams were sadly lacking in shelter, 6 sportsmen are taking in interesting growing • ars ago on an inaccessible section of the that silt had made many stream sections e boys in the principle of fishing for sport and f bigh River, one of the greatest streams virtually uninhabitable by trout, and that °r big brown trout and rainbow trout in the not for meat, and their untiring efforts to shore vegetation of suitable nature had van 1T1 persuade fellow fishermen that limit ° monwealth. Sheer rock walls, dropping ished on long sections of meadow trout of'fiP^v to the water edge, made stocking catches are injurious to the sport they cher ish, has been producing splendid results. waters, these sportsmen were instrumental this section by usual methods an impos in organizing picnic-improvement projects over week-ends that proved of real merit in improving trout fishing. Numerous examples of sportsmen projects of this type are at hand. For instance, of the hard fished streams in southeastern Pennsylvania, White Clay Creek, Chester county, is typical. This picturesque meadow stream, located in a rich agricultural dis trict, was, in common with many streams in farming country, subject to infiltration of silt through erosion. The forward-look ing sportsmen of the district determined to remedy this condition to the greatest pos sible extent by construction of permanent current deflectors. That their efforts were crowned with a considerable degree of suc cess was indicated last trout season when most gratifying catches were reported. Ex tensive willow planting campaigns were car ried on to increase shore cover on waters of Montgomery and Centre counties by sportsmen of these counties. (Continued on page 19) M PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER Adams County—Brook Trout, Carbaugh Creek, Daggett Creek; Sunfish, N. Br. LEGAL TROUT STOCKED Run, Conewago Creek; Catfish and Sun Susq. River, Wesauking Lake; Pickerel, HEAVILY IN OCTOBER fish, Kreagys or Blue Water Lake, Slegle Wesauking Lake. Run, Chambersburg Water Co. Reservoir, In preparation for a banner trout sea Bucks County—Brook Trout, Cooks or son next spring, brook trout, brown trout Lt. Marsh Creek, Marsh Creek. Durham Creek; Bass, Lt. Neshaminy and rainbow trout were stocked intensively Allegheny County—Catfish, Sunfish and Creek; Catfish and Sunfish, Deep Run, during October in trout waters throughout Frogs, J. C. Trees Boys Camp Dam, Scott Three Mile Run, Tohickon Creek, Nesha the state, Commissioner of Fisheries C. A. Pond No. 1, 2, and 3. miny Creek, Lt. Neshaminy Creek, Pine French announced recently. Thousands of Bedford County—Brook Trout, Deaner Creek, Maple Beach Pond, Warren Lake, Pennsylvania anglers will also welcome the Gap Run or Kinzey Gap Run, Yountz N. E. Br. Perkiomen Creek, E. Swamp, news that those popular warm water Creek or Earnest Run; Catfish and Sun Swamp or Unami Creek; Frogs, Warren species, bullhead catfish and bluegill sun- fish, Dunnings Creek, Wills Creek, Brush Lake, N. E. Br. Perkiomen Creek, Three fish, figured prominently in the monthly Creek, Thomas W. Koon Lake, Jordan Mile Run. distribution from the Fish Commission's Lake, Bobs Creek, Raystown Br. Butler County—Brook Trout, Lt. Conno- hatcheries. Berks County—Brook Trout, Pine or quenessing Creek, Thorn Creek, N. Br. Slippery Rock Creek or Blacks or Furnace Fish and frogs planted during the month Oysterdale Creek, Furnace Creek, Moselem Creek, Mill Creek, Raush Creek, Furnace Creek; Brown Trout, Thorn Creek, Silver totaled 1,167,413 of the various species. In Creek, Bear Creek; Rainbow Trout, Bear cluded in the distribution were 120,190 or Blue Creek; Catfish and Sunfish, Tulpe- hocken Creek, Ontelaunce Lake, Manataw- Creek, Thorn Creek; Catfish, Sunfish and brook trout from 6 to 10 inches in length, Frogs, Buhls Channel, Thorn Run Dam, 10,840 brook trout fingerlings, 28,880 brown ney Creek, Maiden Creek, Sacony Creek, Popodicken Creek, Br. Creek or N. W. Br. Meridian Dam, Wolf Creek, Glade Run, trout from 7 to 9 inches in length, 11,280 Boydstown Dam, Oneido Dam. rainbow trout from 7 to 10 inches in length, Perkiomen Creek, Mill or Fishers Creek, 12,934 bass, 3 to 6 inches in length, 271,- Furnace, Oley Furnace or E. Br. Mana- Cambria County—Brook Trout, Duclos 004 catfish, ranging in length from 3 to tawney Creek; Frogs, Furnace, Oley Fur Run, Beaver Dam Run or Killbuck Run, 10 inches, 514,820 sunfish, % inch to 8 nace or E. Br. Manatawney Creek, Mill or N. Br. Blacklick Creek or Vetera Br., Bobs inches in length, 606 yellow perch, from Fishers Creek. Creek; Brown Trout, Chest Creek; Cat 8 to 9 inches in length, 2,383 pickerel from fish, Sunfish and Frogs, Deeman Dam or Blair County—Brook Trout, Blair Gap Duman Dam, Newborough Dam, Chest 13 to 18 inches in length, 193,600 bullfrog Run, Sinking Creek or Sinking Valley tadpoles, 2 to 3 inches in length, 650 suck Creek, Pennsylvania Coal & Coke Co. Dam, Creek, Bobs Creek, Big Fill Run, Vans- N. Fork or Lt. Conemaugh River or Br. ers averaging 3 inches in length, and 226 coyce Run, Bell Gap Run; Catfish and Sun muskellunge ranging in length from 6 to Run or Barker Run or Howell Creek, Clear fish, Williamsburg Dam on Frankstown Br. field Creek. 10 inches. Juniata River, Frankstown Br., Brush Run, Cameron County-—Brook Trout, Brookes Reighards Dam. Following were the waters stocked in the Run, E. Br. Hicks Run, Hicks Run; Brown various counties: Bradford County—Brook Trout, Seeley Trout, Sinnemahoning Portage Creek; Bass, Driftwood Br. Sinnemahoning Creek. Carbon County—Brown Trout, Pohopoco or Big Creek; Sunfish, Harmony Lake; Pickerel, Harmony Lake. Centre County—Brook Trout, Cedar Creek; Brown Trout, Bald Eagle Creek, Lt. Moshannon or Black Moshannon Creek; Catfish and Sunfish, Toe Hill Ore Hole, Penns Creek, Sinking Creek, Bald Eagle Creek, Moshannon Lake. Chester County—Brook Trout, Valley Creek, White Clay Creek; Catfish and Sun fish, Brandywine Creek, E. Br. Brandywine Creek, Pine Creek, Mill Pond, W. Br. Oc- toraro Creek, Beaver Creek, Barnaodis Quarry Hole, Baker or Marble Quarry Hole. Clarion County—Catfish, Sunfish and Frogs, Red Bank Creek, Snake Head or Rimersburg Pond. Clearfield County—Brook Trout, Bell Run, Bildger Run or Hughey Run; Brown Trout, Mosquito Creek; Catfish and Sun fish, Chest Creek, Berwindale Lake, Hum mel Pond, Lt. Clearfield Creek, Tannery Dam on Clear Run, Sandylick Creek. Clinton County—Brook Trout, Beaverdam Run, Hammersley Fork Creek, Rattlesnake Run, Hyner Run, Middle Br. Big Run, Swamp Br. Big Run; Catfish and Sunfish, Pine Creek, Big Fishing Creek, Bald Eagle Canal, Bald Eagle Creek, Beech Creek; Yellow Perch, Beech Creek. Columbia County—Brown Trout, Roaring Creek. Crawford County—Brook Trout, Mc Laughlin Run or Boggs Run; Bass, Con- neaut Lake, Pymatuning Reservoir; Cat fish, Sunfish and Frogs, Oil Creek trib. Al legheny River, Conneaut Lake, Pymatuning Reservoir; Muskelunge, Conneaut Lake. Cumberland County—Brook Trout, Moun This fine creel of brook trout and brown trout was taken in Gardner's Creek last season by Albin and tain Creek, Trindle Spring or Silver Leonard Chukauskas of Old Forge. Largest brown trout. 18 inches. Spring; Sunfish and Catfish, Hairy Spring PENNSYLVANIA ANGLEE 15 Hollow Run, Mountain Run, Yellow Breech Run, Mardis Run, S. Br. Twolick Creek; Creek; Sunfish, Octoraro Creek, Hammer es Creek, Colonel Denning Lake on Big Brown Trout, Yellow Creek. Creek, Muddy Creek, Stovers Dam, Cones- toga Creek. Kun, Means Run, Carlisle Waterhouse Dam Jefferson County—Brook Trout, Lt. San °n Conodoguinet Creek, Conodoguinet dy Creek or Lt. Sandylick Creek, Clear Lawrence County—Brook Trout, Taylor Creek, Susquehanna River. Run; Rainbow Trout, Clear Creek; Sun Run, Big Run; Brown Trout, Deer Creek, Dauphin County—Catfish and Sunfish, fish and Catfish, Falls Creek, Water Works Hickory Run; Rainbow Trout, Deer Creek, Susquehanna River, Swatara Creek, Wild- Dam, Soldier Dam, Reed Dam, Lt. Sandy Hickory Run; Catfish and Sunfish, Cement Nv"ood Lake, Stony Creek, Manada Creek, or Lt. Sandylick Creek, Red Bank Creek; Dam, Hottenbaugh Creek, Municipal Golf Conewago Creek, Penn'a. Canal Reservoir Frogs, Falls Creek, Water Works Dam, Sol Course Pond, Neshannock Creek, Quarry 0r Highspire Reservoir, Powells Creek, dier Dam, Reed Dam. Hole No. 5, Youngstown Quarry Hole, N. Clarks Creek. Juniata County—Brook Trout, Horse Fork Lt. Beaver River; Frogs, Cement Dam, Hottenbaugh Creek, Quarry Hole No. Delaivare County—Catfish and Sunfish, Valley Creek, Liberty Valley Run; Catfish and Sunfish, Tuscarora Creek, Pomeroys 5, Youngstown Quarry Hole. Leiper Quarry Holes No. 1, 2 and 3, Darby Lebanon County—Brook Trout, Bachman Creek, Chester Creek, Kaolin Quarry Hole. Dam on Tuscarora Creek, Kauffmans or Hetricks Dam, Juniata River, Lost Creek, Run, Indiantown Run, W. Br. Hammer Elk County—Brook Trout, Laurel Run, Creek, Hammer Creek; Catfish and Sunfish, ^sland Run, Mix Run trib. Bennetts Br. Cocolamus Creek. Lackawanna County—CatRsh, Newton Stracks Dam, Stovers Dam, Water Works Smnemahoning Creek, Straight Creek, S. Dam, Strauss Dam, Swatara Creek, Lt. f^'k Straight Creek, Kersey Run, Hicks Lake, Mud Pond, Windfall pond or Kew- anna Lake, Heart Lake, West End Lake, Swatara Creek, Conewago Creek, Lights or £un, Paige Run or Paige Draft Run. E. Br. Kiwanis Dam. H'cks Run, Belmu'th Run, Maxwell Run; Mountain Lake, Crystal Lake, Chapman Lake, Sicklers Pond, Handsome Lake; Sun Lehigh County—Brook Trout, S. Br. Sau- £i'own Trout, E. Br. Clarion River, W. Clar con Creek, Big Trout Run, Swabia Creek ion Creek; Rainbow Trout, Trout Run. fish, Newton Lake, Mud Pond, Windfall Pond or Kewanna Lake, Heart Lake, West or Swope Creek; Catfish and Sunfish, On- Erie County—Bass, Lake Erie; Catfish telaunce Creek, Swartz Mine Hole, Jordan and Sunfish, Runion Creek, Edinboro Lake, End Lake, Mountain Lake, Crystal Lake, Mountain Mud Pond, Chapman Lake, Sick Creek, Thomas Lake or Green Ore Hole. Conneaut Creek; Muskelunge, Edinboro Luzerne County—Brook Trout, Pine Lake. lers Pond; Yellow Perch, Mountain Lake; Pickerel, Sicklers Pond, Newton Lake, Creek, Phillips Creek, Maple Creek, Ar Fayette County—Brook Trout, Mountain Fords Pond, Nuangola or Triangular Lake, nolds Creek, Bear Creek; Brown Trout, Cieek, S. Fork Mountain Creek or Pine Brown Pond or Perrins Marsh, Westcolang Huntingdon Creek, Lonesville Creek; Bass, Ci'eek or Brownfield Creek, Back Creek; Lake, Big Tink or Teddyuscong Lake, Harveys Lake; Sunfish and Catfish, Cum- crown Trout, Dunbar Creek; Rainbow Bruce Lake or Roots Pond, Wallenpaupack mings Pond, Brown Pond or Perrins ^out, Dunbar Creek; Sunfish, Crystal Lake, Promise Land Pond, White Deer Marsh, Harveyville Dam on Huntingdon Reservoir, Browns Dam or Redstone Dam, Lake, Pages Pond, States Pond, Schooleys Creek, N. Br. Susq. River, Nuangola or ^ool Springs or Lemont Dam, Lower Star J Pond, Tuscarora Lake, Laurel or Durbent Triangular Lake; Pickerel, Grassy Pond. unction Dam, Layton Dam, Smock Dam Lake, Shehawken Lake. Lycoming County—Brook Trout, Trout Jf Pittsburgh Dam or Franklin Reservoir; r Run, Lt. Bear Creek, W. Mill Creek, Up * °gs and Catfish, Crystal Reservoir. Lancaster County—Brook Trout, Middle per Pine Bottom Run, English Run; Brown Forest County—Brook Trout, Coon Creek, Creek, Lt. Conestoga Creek, Donegal Creek, Trout, Lycoming Creek; Catfish and Sun ^ernlock Creek, Lt. Coon Creek, Ross Run, Indiana Run or Trout Run, Long Run, Seg- fish, Loyalsock Creek, Mill Creek, Pine °eaver Creek, Queen Run, Lt. Hickory lock Creek; Bass, E. Br. Octoraro Creek; Creek, Muncy Creek, Lt. Muncy Creek. Catfish, Octoraro Creek, W. Br. Octoraro ^eek, Otter Creek, Watson Pr., W. Br. McKean County—Fingerling Brook f>jue Jay Creek, Blue Jay Creek, The Creek, Big Chickies Creek, Hammer Creek, Muddy Creek, Stovers Dam, Conestago Trout, Colegrove Brook, Barney Brook, 5^anch or N. Salmon Creek, Salmon Creek, Rottin Br., Daly Br., Boyer Br., Lasher Br. *• Salmon Creek, Hunter Run, Spring or Brewer Run, S. Br. Cole Creek, Win- reek, Bobbs Creek; Finger ling Brook tergreen Run, Chappel Forks, Sugar Run, r T °ut, Ross Run, Fork Run; Rainbow Brown Valley Run, N. Fork Sugar Run, ir°ut, E. Hickory Creek, Maple Creek, Whitney Run, Fly Br., Willow Creek, Buck ^mlock Creek, Coon Creek, Spring Creek, Lick Run; Brown Trout and Rainbow ^taion Creek; Catfish, Sunfish and Frogs, Trout, Portage Creek. ^"egheny River. Mercer County—Brook Trout, Deer b Franklin County—Brook Trout, Car- Creek; Rainbow Trout, Lt. Neshannock augh Run, Conococheague Creek or E. Br. Creek. ^onococheague Creek, Trout, Buck, or Mifflin County—Brook Trout, Havice ickey Run> Broad Run or Bear Valley Creek, Laurel Run, Tea Creek, Treaster or I •Bass> Conococheague or E. Br. Con- Valley Run; Catfish and Sunfish, Juniata ^°cheague Creek; Catfish and Sunfish, Country Club Dam on Juniata River, Jacks 0(Mdy Ruilj Conococheague or E. Br. Con- Creek. g °cheague Creek, Conocoguinet Creek, E. Montgomery County—Sunfish and Cat , • Lt. Antietam Creek, W. Br. Conco- fish, Terwood Pond, Manatawney Creek, '!fgue Creek, Indian Lake. Towamenein Creek, Mill Creek, Wunderle Q^Mton County—Brook Trout, Brush Quarry Hole; Frogs, Terwood Pond, Mill Ca+fl Jjt' Brusn Creek or N. Brush Creek; Creek, Wunderle Quarry Hole. Cie V and Sunfish' Licking Creek, Cove Montour County—Catfish and Sunfish, Mahoning Creek, Chillisquaque Creek. p^eewe County—Catfish, Sunfish and Northampton County—Brook Trout, Lt. C°Si!' Dunkard Creek, S. Fork Ten Mile Wheelin Bushkill Creek, Martins Creek, Bertch Cru S Creek, N. Fork Wheeling Creek or Berches Creek, Waltz Creek or Cr i S- Fork Wheeling Creek, Muddy ek Delabo Creek; Catfish and Sunfish, Jaca- * > Whiteley Creek. bus or Jacoby Creek, Brays or E. Bangor ^^TtinPdon County—Brook Trout, Sadler Lake, Paint Mill Dam on Monocacy Creek, 5j. ek' Licking Creek or W. Licking Creek; Hellertown Reservoir Park Dam No. 1 and Sunfin Trout' sPruce Creek; Catfish and 2, Hokendauqua Creek, Bushkill Creek. Sid v ' Juniata River, Aughwick Creek, g Hil1 Creek Penn Perry County—Brook Trout, Horse Val Pra if > Central Dam on ley Run, Liberty Valley Run, Green Val Ston Vn Br- Juniata River, Standing e ley Run or Dark Hollow Run, Houstons t0wT Creek, Penn Central Dam on Rays- T Run or Shafer Run, Browns Run, Laurel r P - Juniata River, Raystown Br. Run, Montour Run, McCabes Run or Cana- honi mna County—Brook Trout, Lt. Ma- g Creek Donald Sides of Williamsport with a fine wall-eyed das Valley Run, Shermans Creek; Catfish or p > N. Br. Lt. Mahoning Creek and Sunfish, Susquehanna River, Lt. Buf- Cessna Run, Lt. Yellow Creek, Laurel pilce he landed last season. Hi PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER falo Creek, Juniata River, Buffalo Creek, Spruce Run, Buffalo Creek; Catfish and Creek trib. Ohio River, Aunt Clara Fk. Shermans Creek, Cocolamus Creek. Sunfish, Laurel Park Dam on Penns Creek, Middle King Creek, Rankin Run trib. Ra-. Pike County—Bass, Delaware River; Millmont Dam on Penns Creek, New Berlin coon Creek, Langeloth Mill Dam, Krewers Catfish and Sunfish, Delaware River, White Dam on Penns Creek, Penns Creek, Lt. Buf Dam. Deer Lake, Mud or Lt. Mud Pond, Mini- falo Creek, Turtle Creek, White Deer Hole Wayne County—Brown Trout, Johnson sink Lake or Big Mud Pond, Kleinhans Creek. Creek; Bass, Lackawaxen River; Catfish Mill Pond, Fairview Lake, Egypt Meadow- Venango County—Rainbow Trout, Upper and Sunfish, Bone Pond or Summit Lake, Dam, Promise Land Pond, Big Tink Pond Two Mile Run, Lt. Scrubgrass Creek, Scrub- Poyntelle Lake, Klein Pond, Adams Lake, or Teddyuscong Lake, Bruce Lake or Roots grass Creek, W. Pithole Creek; Bass, French Upper Twin Lake, Cadjaw Pond, Seeleyville Pond, Westcolang Lake, Wallenpaupack Creek; Catfish, Sunfish and Frogs, Alle Pond, Rose Pond, Lower Woods Pond, Keens Lake, Pecks Pond, Twin Lakes, N. Br. gheny River, Lake Creek, French Creek. Pond, Scodale Lake or Waidler Pond, She- Susq. River, Carey Lake, Edinger or Mc- Warren County—Brook Trout, Perry Mc- hawken Lake, Four Mile Pond or Hiawatha Clure Pond; Yellow Perch, Pecks Pond, Gee Run, McGuire Run, Pine Creek, Coffee Lake, Starlight Lake, Coxton Lake, Como Promise Land Pond. Creek, N. Br. Spring Creek or Whitney Run, Lake, Long Pond, Sly Lake, Independent Potter County—Brook Trout, Dodge Wilson Run, Lamb Run, Tidioute Creek, Lake, Delaware River, Lt. Union Lake, Brook or Dodge Hollow Run, Nelson Run, Ben Jorge Creek, Rock Hollow or Arcade Duck Harbor Pond, North Jersey Lake, Kettle Creek, E. Br. Portage Creek or E. Run, Lt. Brokenstraw Creek, Hemlock Gouldsboro Pond or Watago Lake; Suckers, Cowley Run, W. Br. Portage Creek or W. Creek, Farnsworth Creek, Minister Run, Lackawaxen River; Pickerel, Duck Harbor Cowley Run, Cushing Creek or Brookland Four Mile Creek, Six Mile Run, Arnot Pond, Cadjaw Pond, Lake Ladore, Como Br., Lyman Run or N. Br. W. Br. Pine Creek, E. Hickory Creek, Upper Sheriff Lake. Creek, Fishing Creek, E. Br. Fishing Creek, Creek, Lower Sheriff Creek; Brown Trout, W. Br. Fishing Creek, Sartwell Creek, Lest Caldwell Creek, E. Br. Spring Creek, W. Westmoreland County — Catfish, Sunfish Hand Br. Dingmans Run, Dingmans Run, Br. Tionesta Creek, W. Br. Caldwell Creek, and Frogs, Four Mile Run, Carpentertown S. Fk. First Fk. Sinnemahoning Creek or Brown Run; Rainbow Trout, Pine Creek; Dam No. 2. S. Woods Run, E. Fk. First Fk. Sinnema Catfish and Sunfish, Allegheny River, Cone- Wyoming County—Catfish, Edinger Pond honing Creek, Genesee Fk. Pine Creek, Nine wango Creek, Allegheny River, Columbus or McClure Pond, Mud Pond, N. Br. Susq. Mile Run; Brown Trout, Pine Creek, W. Pond; Frogs, Allegheny River, Columbus River, Carey Lake. Br. Pine Creek or Corbet Br. Pond. York County—Brook Trout, Toms Run, Schuylkill County—Brook Trout, Beaver Washington County—Catfish, Sunfish and Orson Run; Catfish and Sunfish, Powder Creek or Cold Run, Pine Creek, Bear Frogs, Cokesburg Reservoir No. 53, Mingo Mill Run, Bermudian Creek, Silver Lake; Creek, Black Creek, Locust Creek; Brown Strip Mine Holes No. 1, 2, 3, and 4, Kings Yellow Perch, Powder Mill Run. Trout, Locust Creek; Catfish and Sunfish, Pine Creek Lizard Creek, Long Run, Ma honing Creek, Rabbit Run, Deep or Deaf Creek, Mahantango Creek, Leshers Dam, TROUT TALK Gensler Ice Dam, Sweet Arrow Lake, Dock (Continued from page 11) Pond, Millers Pond, Cumbola Dam on Old He will know that, shy and cunning as they Schuylkill Canal, Hosensock Creek, Patter He will learn that the best trout are night feeders because most insects are noc are, they have certain weaknesses of which son Dam No. 1 or Good Spring Dam, Pat he can take full advantage. The quickness terson Dam No. 1 and 2. turnal in their habits, hatching out in the evening or during the night. He will know with which they become accustomed to the Snyder County—Brook Trout, Swift Run; the fun of fishing through these hatches unusual if it is repeated a few times and Catfish and Sunfish, Richfield Dam, N. Br. and seeing the trout go crazy, throwing does not harm them. How he can wade Mahantango Creek, Penn'a. Power & Light all caution to the four winds, feeding like among them, move about, cast over them Co. Dam on Middle Creek, Penns Creek, mad, doing everything but jump into his without disturbing their feeding. How he Middle Creek. creel as they splash and butt him in their can tease them into fighting his lures Somerset County—Brook Trout, Drake great desire to eat. through their courageous protection of their Run or Drakestown Run, Shafer Run or He will come to know the stone fly whose chosen home in a pool. How every pool con Lohr Run, Sandy Run, Beaver Dam Run, nymph is such a scavenger of the water tains certain spots always claimed by the Brush Creek, Isers Run or Markleton Run; and whose dried skin, split up the back, "best fish, one for retreat and one for feed Brown Trout, Flaugherty Creek, Laurel is such a familiar sight on stones and weeds ing and how the trout take turns feeding Hill Creek, Wills Creek; Catfish, Sunfish along the streams. And the May fly, that at this spot, the biggest fish always hav and Frogs, Bigby Creek, McDonaldson Dam delicate, tender tidbit that lives for a day ing first choice. or Broghers Valley Coal Co. Dam, Rowena —its sole purpose to reproduce its kind and He will know that some days trout feed Lake, Youghiogheny River, Middle Creek, incidentally, feed the trout. Also the Caddis recklessly—on others they are selective-' W. Br. Coxes Creek, Kimberly Creek. fly and its home-carrying Caddis worm and why—and what to offer them and hov' Susquelianna County—Catfish and Sun nymph; the Crane flies or Spinners and the to respond to their moods. He will know' fish, Beaver Pond, Middle Lake, Upper Lake, Midges, whose black ugly nymphs often when they will surface feed—when they Card or Carr Lake, Lake Side or Tarble hang suspended by a silken thread in tur will take only bottom food. Too many things Pond, Lower Lake, Big Elk Lake, Quaker bulent waters, swinging back and forth to mention he will come to know as all who Lake, Hells Half Acre, Tuscarora Lake or for all the world like a black wet fly on a will be patient and persevere will learn. Kinny Pond, Forest Lake, Wrighters Lake, fine leader. The shad fly—the bluebottle fly These things are open for all to see and Lewis Lake, Ely Lake or South Pond, Heart •—the ants and bees—insects without end, study. There is, however, one phase of trou* Lake, East Lake, Stearns Lake, Idlewild their different forms and their actions he life that only an artist is apt to see. I* Lake or Long Pond, Round Pond, Laurel or will come to know. has such a strong bearing on the life oi Durbent Lake; Yellow Perch, States Pond; Those that dance over the waters, dip the trout and can teach us so much about Pickerel, Idlewild Lake, Alford Pond, Pecks ping to touch it—to lay eggs or to die— them that I feel it should be brought to Pond, Egypt Meadow Dam, North Jersey those that hatch under water to burst forth your attention. Lake, Wrighters Lake, Lewis Lake, Big Elk on quick-drying wings and sail away— It is the color of a trout and the many Lake, Promise Land Pond, Brookings Pond, those that crawl up to safety and hatch secrets of its life story that color tellSt Coxton Lake. above water—all these things and many secrets that will aid us in fishing a streafl* Sullivan County—Brown Trout, Muncy others and how to make his artificials do to the greatest advantage. Creek. the same, he will learn; knowledge that I warned you that I was going to brag Tioga County — Brook Trout, Bailey should give him power over trout such as a little and here it is. So far as I have Creek, Seeley Creek, Long Run, Kettle those who do not know could never have. been able to find out, I am the only one Creek, Fall Brook, Tioga River; Catfish and The life of the trout in all its intimate who has discovered in the coloring of fish' Sunfish, Crooked Creek, Marsh Creek, Eld- details will be his. He will know when they the possibilities of learning much of its ridge Pond or Yale Pond, Blacks Pond, Gray are in the deep pools, out in the shallows habits and life, as well as the condition oi Valley or Bullards Pond, Longwell Pond. or the fast reaches or when they will be the waters it lives in, the amount and kind Union County—Brook Trout, Rapid Run, hiding in unexpected spots along the banks. of food and the proportionate number oi PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 17 fish in the water and many things which could handle his tackle expertly enough, halters which will further serve as a means an angler and conservationist should know then he would be king of all anglers, the for indentification. •* he is to fish or stock any waters intelli fate of all trout. That's what I believed, Fish Fly gently. I prophesy that in the near future too. These flies are quite common on our trout the color of trout will help in determining I never give advice, but if I did it would streams but never appear in any great Methods of stocking or improving our trout be this: Go ahead—learn all you can—you abundance. Chauliodes lunatus the most streams. will spend some of the most delightful, common species has a wing spread of about I first started studying the color some happy hours of your fishing life doing so. two inches and is dark brown or black in years ago when I contracted to paint many But when you go fishing, do so in all hu color. Its brownish black wings are tra °f the fresh water fish from live models to mility—expect nothing—and you will be a versed by a broad white band and in addi ^histrate a book. In seeking the most col happy angler. All your tricks mean nothing tion there appear numerous small whitish orful, I soon discovered that fish coloring when the trout are off their feed—you don't patches and spots. vai'ied far more than I had realized, even need tricks when they are on their feed. w The fish fly and the smoky alder fly both hen caught from the same stream—yes Remember—I warned you that I know belong to the order Megaloptera, and their —from the same pool. That aroused my nothing about all of this—with another c wings are the distinguishing peculiarities uriosity and I set to work to find out year's experience I'll know even less than of this group. In addition to the numerous Why. nothing. That's what fishing does to a traverse veins in the costal cell, the sub Very briefly, I will give you the results fellow. costa and first radius veins are apically °f some of my experiences, studies and ex fused. See sketch, which is typical for both, periments on color without going into too TROUT FLY PROTOTYPES the alder and the fish fly. lnuch detail. (Continued from page 5) The larvae of the fish fly resemble hel- The male trout is more highly colored gramites and are about one-half their such times their pupa cases can often be than the female. The diet of a trout affects length. They live entirely in the water and his coloring, those living on insects being noticed in thick scum-like patches on the are commonly found in the mud and debris ^ost brilliant. The temperature of the water top of the water. Doubtless the majority of of the stream bed. greatly affects color, cold water bringing it fly fishermen have witnessed large swarms ?ut in all its richness, warm water making of these flies and believe them to be mos Smoky Alder Fly *t fade, while hot water will leave a trout quitoes, for they resemble them very much This insect, known as Sialis infumata, is a dirty-silver or white. only they do not bite. the prototype of that familiar trout fly . Light fades the color, the dark revives The larvae, worm-like in form, live in named the "alder." Like the fish fly it is '*• Emotion will affect the color, as will the their filmy tubes attached to stones and quite commonly found on our trout streams Purity of water and the amount of oxygen leaves under water—sometimes at a great but never appears in any great numbers. j* contains. And the physical condition of depth. There are two principal varieties— Emergence occurs during late May or June the trout may be told by its color, one the white and the red. Both are found on depending on the weather. diseased being poorly colored or colorless; our streams, but the latter prefer lake re The adult insect is considerably smaller °ne in good health being strongly colored gions where they are commonly known as than the fish fly and has a wingspread of Under normal conditions. The time of year blood worms. Larva of various species range approximately one inch. It has black legs and the spawning season also vary the from one-eighth of an inch to an inch long. and antennae, smoky black wings and a polor—at spawning time the males assum When ready to change into flies, the pupae black body with shining yellow streaks and es their most brilliant hues. rise to the top of the water and float there spots. in a vertical position, descending when dis The nymph buries itself in the sand and These are the most important reasons turbed but quickly rising again. Their most gravel, sometimes a foot below the bed of or color variations. It is possible to take an conspicuous feature in this stage are the the stream. It is rarely exposed to the trout y trout and cause all these changes. Which tube gills which resemble small silvery except at the time when it deserts the water shows us that environment and the life of bushes. to pupate in the ground and as such its arti "trout can be pretty closely estimated by The adults are slender, gnat-like in form ficial can not be considered as a successful he trout's color when one knows how to a and the male is conspicuous by his large fan lure to be used throughout the season. Its Jance all the various points. shaped feathery antenna. The midge (Chi- description follows: head and thorax yellow I'll °w k°w c'oes ^s ^P us fishermen? ronomus) may be distinguished from a mos on the dorsal side, brown beneath; abdomen, 1 give a few examples and leave the rest quito by the part of the wing. See sketch. translucent brown on the back, and some 0 your own research. Crane Flies what lighter on the ventral side. The single « we catch small trout that have old tail peculiar to the genus Sialis is alone suf Coring, then we know that the food sup- These flies appear in the greatest num ficient to distinguish it from other nymphs. Pjy in the stream is too scant for the num- bers during late summer, but are quite com ***** * er mon throughout the trout fishing season. of trout, so we must go to other waters The insects described above are all com °r bigger trout or improve the stream to The larvae, commonly known as water worms, are found in the hollow stems of mon to our trout streams and in late spring deduce a better food supply. one can hardly spend a day fishing without However, let's fish a stream with good submerged twigs and in the muck and leaf drifts of streams. Some of them are quite observing some of them. At times only a o^°ut in it. Those that live in the open part a small, other like Tipula attain a length of few stone flies, alders or fish flies may be Pool will be light in color—those that noticed, with here and there a crane fly, ecupy darkest —usually the big- over two inches. the cover Due to its long legs, the adult fly can flying aimlessly along, bumping into every Seat ones in the pool—will be darker in bush it encounters. Then again, especially OI hardly be mistaken for any other insect. In j. ^r. In fishing that pool—if we catch a on dark days, myriads of caddis flies may ght-colored trout we know immediately the rear of the wings are a pair of knobbed . a* there are more and bigger trout still th po0^ anc* we w'^ ke wise to fish for em BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS t, - On the other hand, when we catch ' 6 dark colored fish, we know we have the HARRISBURS, PA. est one and should save time by moving on SUBSCRIPTION BLANK 0 the next hole. uf greater importance is the story the Enclosed find fifty cents ($.50) for one year's subscription to PENNSYLVANIA QJoring tells about the health of the trout, ANGLER. "e relation of food to the number of fish Ion ^e condition of the stream. In the Name • •; • • • • • • •; r v ,*=• un—good conservation is of greater u (Print Name) ti/ e than the number of fish caught per After all is said and done, it sounds like Street and Number "sPel truth, doesn't it? If one could know these things about trout and insects and City 18 PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER be seen flying low over the water, milling new champions and brighter outlook for the not fish or hunt to any extent, but that will around like an angry swarm of bees. Per future. not detract from the sportsmanship and haps towards evening if the weather is Naturally there are people who ridicule knowledge of conservation that they have propitious you may see such a display of such a program in the schools. But they learned to carry with them into other activi trout stream insects that it will cause you fail to see the ultimate good that would ties. They will retain the knowledge that unconsciously to stop in wonderment and result. Lack of education along conservation conservation is a necessity to all mankind amazement. How well I recall such an inci lines in their earlier years is responsible for and will be eager and ready to lend assist dent! such an impression. They no doubt have no ance and cooperation for its betterment. We were fishing the Fishing Creek and interest in fishing and hunting but they fail The trend against a conservation educa seemingly from nowhere the mayflies ap to realize that conservation has plenty to tion in our public schools has been very peared, rising and falling everywhere in an do with their daily existence. They fail to strong but it is rapidly breaking down to amorous dance over the water. Mosquitoes, realize that such an education would assist the extent that it may not be long before too, joined the assembly, their somnolent in moulding the youth for his or her place youth will have the opportunity to learn drove forcing us hastily to apply a liberal in society where good sportsmanship is a something of the local environments that lie application of citronella. Minute by minute thing admired by all, barring none. It can beyond the classroom. Pennsylvania has a the hatch increased, the air lanes so crowded not be denied that a true sportsman is a population of almost 10,000,000 citizens and with flying insects that there hardly seemed valuable asset to any community. It cannot more than 20% of that population is in the room for any more—and yet they kept in be denied that sportsmen and better citizens public schools, with the numbers yearly in creasing all the while. All over our face, can be moulded from the youth in the class creasing. The desire of youth to learn more hands and clothing, duns were effecting their room if they are afforded the necessary about fish, game and forest and conserva metamorphosis to the spinner stage—some facilities to gain the knowledge of what lies tion in general is also increasing. The fact actually flying about with remnants of the before them in the way of their own pleas that they are interested has been clearly cast off skin clinging to them. ures and dangers. It cannot be disputed that demonstrated and the younger they are The mountain stream, which a few min there is a necessary and active campaign in started the better. But it is not impossible utes earlier had flowed so quietly, now came progress today to rescue youth from the to take a youth of 17 or 18 years of age and to life. Near the head of the pool, a trout perils of crime. It cannot be disputed that change his attitude and views once he real cleared the water in a tantalizing leap and the youth who knows something of outdoor izes the value of the things revolving about almost unconsciously we cast the artificial life will grow into a useful citizen. It may conservation. fly in its direction. Mentally we congratu be true that some boys in later years will An actual example to my knowledge is a lated ourselves in accomplishing a difficult curved cast, for the fly, nicely cocked, pre ceded the line and leader downstream. "Something should be happening soon," we reflected, for the artificial was now bobbing up and down, almost in the center of the concentric circles left in the wake of the fish. Then came a loud eruption as the trout took the fly! Hastily we creeled the fish, knowing only too well that the rise would soon be over. The insects were still with us and impa tiently we stopped to brush them off our face. At our feet and all around us, mayflies sat riding the water—their bodies curved upwards—resting a moment before again resuming their nuptial flight. Nearby a group of female spinners kept dipping down and touching the ends of their abdomens in the water, the better to wash off the eggs they were extruding. Most of the insects we noted were pale watery duns and hastily we knotted on the leader an artificial resembling them (which we had tied the last winter). Meanwhile the trout had gone mad! Dart ing like flashes here and there they kept the water in a constant rippling turmoil. Rings were appearing everywhere on the surface, and visions of a heavy creel filled us with anticipatory delight. It was useless to fish out any particular fish so at random we cast out over the water. Three more trout were netted before the rise was over. It ended almost as abruptly as it began; and the trout, gorged to satiety, stopped feeding. We shall never forget that scene, for all the nearby rocks were covered with dead and dying Mayflies, and at our feet they floated by in an almost unbroken mass— their mission in life concluded. CONSERVATION AND THE SCHOOLS (Continued from page 9) in a conservation program. The groundwork Special Warden Joe Hlavaty, of Coaldale, right, expounds on bass fishing to Deputy Game Protector would be laid in the early years and the John Fignar. The bass they are holding was taken on plug in Hauto dam. conservation program would have many It was 19 inches in length and weighed 3 pounds. PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER 19 b°y of 17 who was brought up and taught ^° violate all conservation laws in general. Any method of taking fish or game or de stroying trees, food, shelter and other es sential things had been his early teaching. "e had been taught to fear the conservation officer as an enemy. He knew no other course to follow and was sincere in his undertak es although he knew he was a law vio lator. Numbers of fish or game species taken 0r killed made no difference. Seasons and sizes were completely ignored. He was head ing direct for trouble and possible destruc- tton in a life of crime because it would be 01% a matter of time until the law caught UP with him. But he heard and saw some thing of conservation in his school and sud denly realized his ill teachings were wrong. "e learned that fishing or hunting was So«iething he could enjoy in a lawful man- ner- Today that boy is a dyed-in-the-wool sP°itsman and conservationist and is pre paring himself for further education along Conservation lines. This youth will be the !?eans of leading many other youngsters in step toward improved fishing in the larger e CONSERVATION KEY-MEN Hj Pathway of a good sportsman and save trout streams fed by such waters. them for usefulness to their fellow men. He (Continued from page 13) These key-men of conservation have been has already changed the former attitude of active in other phases of betterment for hls Progressive sportsmen of other counties, old teachers of conservation crimes. two instances being Lycoming and Carbon outdoor sport here in Pennsylvania. They , 1'he question of how such a program can have been in the spearhead of the drive e counties, have long realized that small ° successfully taught has caused some con streams tributary to larger trout waters in against fishing's outstanding enemy, pollu cern but this should not cause so much tion, and have accomplished a great deal in vv their sections should be closed to fishing and «rry as the problem as to what may be serve as nursery waters, not only for fish crystallizing sentiment against continued come of youth, their fishing, hunting and hatched in a wild state but for fingerling shameful desecration of our streams. oaily welfare if no action is taken to protect a trout introduced into these streams from One of the most promising factors in the U four. Youth should no longer be denied the hatcheries. Through advocating and fish conservation program and one that "e opportunity to assimilate the knowledge ai) adopting this plan, they have had many augurs well for its ultimate success in the d understanding of the necessity of con small spring tributaries closed by the Fish future is this support being given by the servation in general. Youth should not be Commission and their action is a forward key-men of conservation. enied its opportunity to become acquainted ^th the fish, game and forests and their elative value to each other as well as to has been made in our institutions of learn a11 mankind, as well as the value of retain- which has caused this stupendous sum to *)g enough of all species in a balanced con confront us. Every citizen is affected by the ing to deal directly with children iti matters ation to help perpetuate outdoor sport for cost at the rate of more than $120.00 each. relative to avoiding entanglements with he future. The value of food bearing trees, • The natural inclination of the average laws regardless of their nature. n ® rubs and plants of all kinds which are boy is to go straight and it is his early There probably is nothing that will more estroyed without any knowledge of their training that leads to a path of success or forcibly prove that the early years for Se a path of destruction. All that is necessary . to conservation in general should be youth is the most dangerous age than the etter known. The necessity of cover for is some encouragement one way or the other necessity and there are plenty of adults to help lead Uniform Crime Reports. These reports re fish and game which is their place of refuge veal that there is a tremendous increase in Wi Jlen youth astray, some by direct teaching and . n danger by either nature or man con- others by conduct before youth. The path crime of all kinds between the ages of 15 *mts them should be explained. Youth that leads to trouble seems to be the easiest and 18. These boys get the wrong slant on V°uld not lose its opportunity to avoid the to follow at the start and very little effort life before they reach the age of 15. This ""alls and dangers that may lead to be- condition can be considerably corrected by Oftiing a violator of conservation or other making it possible for boys to learn some ..Ws and eventually lead him into a life 1 crime. thing about conservation and sportsman ship and the many things surrounding them. The youth who is taught to observe the nservation laws, the things they protect The question of how a conservation pro e s or th ^ P tsmanship that goes along with gram and education can be brought about is e . m will have very little trouble in follow- not a problem. It is a necessity. The heri [J* the straight and narrow path through tage of youth is in the balance unless these e. His mind will be clean and the com- h youngsters are prepared to assist in mak ot? ity in which he lives will benefit because ing conservation a reality and to observe jj "er boys will follow in his pathway and me g00( the laws of the land. It can be realized by cl °^ ^ citizens- Crime of all kinds, in- proper cooperation and a few common sense tiding conservation violations, will de- ease thoughts put into actual use and properly g and the cost will decrease accordingly s me applied. Teach youth in the early years on ° °f the vast expense spent yearly what the conservation agencies are, their crime can be applied to worthwhile pr setup, accomplishments and purposes, how °Jects. and why certain things are done to perpetu bilr * year the staggering total of fifteen ate their sport. Teach them to protect and p ion dollars was the cost of crime, and ntl promote all things that are allied with con gj sylvania had its share to pay. This is servation in place of tearing everything tin ^Ines more than was spent for educa- , a apart as has been done in the past. Teach CQ ! l purposes. Much of this vast sum them that the conservation officers are their SR have been saved had there been a con- Cecil Armstrong, 17, of Cheswiek, is a proud boy friends and are protecting their interests nj^tion education afforded the youngsters it he displays his 24-inch wall-eyed pike taken last for the future. w involved in a greater part of the crime season in the Allegheny River. M PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER A HERE HD THERE 'N ANGLERDOM November news from Conneaut Lake, were taken by Jerry Sidney of Conneaut were taken at Gilberts Landing on Lake popular fishing resort in the western part Lake and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Plummer of Wallenpaupack in large numbers during the of the state was to the effect that the wall Sewickley. past season, reports Special Warden Bob eyed pike in that body of water had gone Kaler of Hatfield. on a real striking splurge. Eleven fine wall Pickerel, smallmouthed bass and large- eyes having a total weight of 27% pounds mouthed bass, many of them hefty fish, In a body of water so large as Pymatun- ing Lake, opened to the public for fishing last summer, one of the primary requisites in taking bass, wall-eyed pike or other game fish was location of the schools. We re ceived some reports of bass amazingly heavy in girth and in great condition that were taken, however. Warden J. Albert Johnson, stationed at the lake, reported that John Vaughn of Wealland scored with 8 largemouthed bass 18 inches in length that weighed four pounds. It was caught on s worm. S. W. Straub of Greenville caught a 15 inch largemouth weighing three pounds on a minnow. According to a report received from Spe cial Warden Thnrman S. Grove of West Milton, groups of boys, working under the National Youth Administration and whort> he directed, did some fine stream improve ment work on Buffalo Creek in Union county. The work chiefly consisted of build ing retards, of making brush covers, anchor ing them. The boys also conducted a drive against watersnakes on this stream, kill ing 17 of these reptiles in a day's hunt. One of the finest brook trout taken in the state last season fell to the fishing skill of Donald Sides, Jr., South Williamsport high school student. Don's brookie, 16 inches in length, was taken at Mountain Beach near Williamsport. He also landed two fine wall-eyed pike during the season for that species, measuring 22 inches and 18 inches respectively in length. September fishing with plugs in the Nes- haminy Creek, Montgomery county, was tops, according to a report received froif Benjamin Horner of Doylestown. Dusk proved to be the zero hour for two fine smallmouths, the largest 18% inches in length, and weighing better than iVi pounds. This fish, he writes, broke water repeatedly and came in scrapping to the last. Quoting from his letter: "Would also like to pass a tip along to fel low anglers as to preparing our fresh watC fish for the pan. Instead of just removing the scales, try skinning them. Any muddy taste that might have been previously no ticed in our fresh water fish will be en tirely gone and they make a dish, when baked or fried, fit for a king. "Such scrappers as the two reported make us reluctant to put our tackle box away Congratulations on that bass, Bill. William Moyer of Mauch Chunk displays his 21-inch, 5 pounds 2 for the year. May the likes of 'em con ounces, largemouth taken last season in Lake Harmony, Carbon County. tinue to swim our waters." •t'-?:'i*?:<:-i¥Mi® :••''• 'Do You Mind If I Fish, Dear?" pAUL L. SWANSON, P. D. NO.2 POLK, pA.' P-A May That Slogan for 1938 Be . . , "If You Would Catch More Fish KILL LESS!"