June 19881$!. 50 Pennsylvania The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine Expenditures for recreation and leisure in Pennsylvania have increased greatly during the past 20 years, and recreation and leisure industries have become an economic force that affects the quality of life and the economic well-being of a large number of Pennsylvania residents. Pennsylvania's Recreation Plan for 1986 to 1990 identifies many issues and policies to be followed by federal, state, regional and local agencies to meet the Commonwealth's recreational needs. This plan was prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Office of Program Planning and Development, under the guidance of the Statewide Recreation Planning Advisory Committee and the Citizens Recreation Advisory Council. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission helped prepare this document as a member of the Statewide Recreation Planning Advisory Committee. A number of the major issues identified by this statewide planning document and its policies were developed for necessary action, and to provide guidance to the Commission in its efforts to increase fishing and boating recreational opportunities. The highest priority policy of the Commonwealth Recreation Plan is: ". to encourage adequate sources of funding to ensure that the park and recreation needs of Pennsylvania residents can be met." The Commission as an independent agency must provide most of its own funds by collection of fishing license fees and boat registration fees. The Commission has implemented steps to adjust these fees to realistic levels so that it can continue its present programs and meet the unanswered fishing and boating needs of the Commonwealth. Another priority need of the Commonwealth is to provide additional opportunities for recreation throughout the Commonwealth. The Commission has had a long­ standing program to provide public access to the lakes and waterways of the Commonwealth, and is constantly seeking new waters for expansion of fishing and boating opportunities. This program includes selective acquisition of land and waters for recreational purposes on a limited basis. The plan also identifies the need to place continued emphasis on the unmet recreational needs of special populations, such as handicapped/disabled, disadvantaged, or older citizens. As funds become available, the Commission is completing modifications and improvements to its existing access areas, lakes and other recreational facilities to meet the needs of special populations. Another priority of the plan is to continue development of environmental education programs for the purpose of educating our people to the importance of our environment. The Commission has implemented a pilot program and plans are in place for expansion of the Commission's educational and informational efforts in the public school system and to reach other citizens of the Commonwealth. Protection of our aquatic resources is mandated by the following policy, adopted in the recreation plan: "It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to continue to support efforts to control the source of pollutants, including mine acid drainage, soil erosion, and acid precipitation which degrade the water quality of Pennsylvania streams and lakes." The Fish Commission's Bureau of Law Enforcement and Environmental Services Division are actively involved in protection of the Commonwealth's fragile aquatic- resources through their law enforcement and environmental review efforts. Many of the Commission's current goals and objectives closely match the basic Commonwealth policies designed to meet the recreational needs of our citizens. The Commission desires to expand efforts in many of these areas to serve the public better and to protect and enhance the aquatic resources of the Commonwealth. Fishing and boating recreation are important, not only to those seeking recreation and leisure-time activities, but to the economic well-being of Pennsylvania. Our programs and funding efforts need the continuing support of the fishermen and boaters who enjoy these resources, but the Commission also needs and deserves the support of all Commonwealth citizens, because they also benefit from efforts to protect our aquatic resources and expand and improve fishing and boating recreational activities. Pennsylvania Fish Commission June 1988 Vol. 57 No. 6 Joan R. Plumly President Pennsylvania Jenkintown Leon Reed Vice President Honesdale ANGLEThe Keystone State's Official Fishing MagazineR Marilyn A. Black Cochranton David Coe State College Pennsylvania's Best Campground Fishing by Chris Dolnack Leonard A. Green In the Keystone State you can combine convenient camping and good Carlisle fishing 4 Ross J. Huhn Saltsburg What Do Anglers Really Know About Fish Behavior? Calvin J. Kern by Ken Hunter Whitehall Underwater observations sometimes cast doubt on our commonest T. T. (Ted) Metzger, Jr. beliefs 8 Johnstown William J. Sabatose Kids Page by Steve Ulsh Brockport This month's spotlight is on a spelling list and spools on spinning and J. Wayne Yorks spincasting reels 13 Benton The Golden Oldies by Men G. Eastby Boating Advisory Board Traditional dry flies of yesterday still work very, very well 14 Thaddeus Piotrowski Bloomsburg Rules for Walleye by R. L. Hoopes Chairman The Fish Commission manages our walleye according to certain Clayton Buchanan scientific principles 18 Pittsburgh Helen B. Lange A Bag of Bass Fishing Tricks by Mike Bleech Sharpsville There's no magic here—just great fishing ideas 22 Judy Obert Greentown Edward J. Rogowski The covers Holland This month's front cover, photographed by Commission Media Relations Director Dave Wolf, shows his wife Merline and daughter Autumn finding Staff that "Fishing is Family Fun" at Lake Marburg in Codorus State Park, Editor—Art Michaels York County. For more details on how to enjoy family fishing, please see Art Director—Ted Walke this issue's back cover for details on Fish-for-Free Day, June 25. If you're Circulation—Eleanor Mutch a bass fisherman, you'll want to scan the article that begins on page 22, Staff Assistant—Rose Ann Bartal and in the article starting on page 8, you'll find different ideas on bass Staff Assistant—Charlene Glisan fishing—concepts that may surprise you. The feature that starts on page 4 details some 22 Pennsylvania hotspots that offer terrific camping and fishing, and if trout fishing is your passion, the article on page 14 may Pennsylvania Angler (1SSN003I-434X) is published monthly by Sw Pennsylvania Fish Commission. 3532 Walnut Street. Harris, delight you. burg. PA. 17109.l1988. Nothing in this magazine may be reprinted without the written permission of the Pennsylvania Fish Commis­ sion. Subscription rates: one year. $6: single copies are $1.50 each. Second class postage is paid at Harrisburg, PA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to : Angler Circulation. Pennsylvania Fish Commission. P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg. PA 17105-1673. For subscription and change of address, use above address. Please allow six weeks for processing. Send all other correspondence to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, P.O. Box 1673. Harrisburg. PA 17105- '673. Editorial queries and contributions are welcomed, but must be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes. Material accepted for publication is subject to Pennsylvania Fish Commission standards and requirements for editing and revising. Submissions are handled with care, but the publisher assumes no responsibility tor the return or safety of submissions in his possession or in transit. Ine authors' views, ideas, and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission or its staff. Pennsylvania's Best by Chris Dolnack lunge, bluegills, yellow perch and crap- Favorites include the Red Bridge, Willow pies. Sheltered lagoons are ideal for Bay, Tracy Ridge and Dewdrop areas. amping and fishing go hand in hand. panfishing with youngsters. Contact the Allegheny National Forest There are hundreds of waterways Campgrounds include the Beach Comb­ Headquarters in Sheffield at 814-723-5150 C anglers can choose and most have er Campgrounds on Peninsula Drive with for more information. a campground nearby. Camping is an eco­ 200 campsites complete with water and nomical way to explore a new fishing hole electric. Sewer is available on 150 of the Southwest and it's a whole lot of fun, too. sites. LP gas, laundry facilities and snacks Moraine State Park is located between Tent camping doesn't require a ton of are on site at the campground. Contact the Butler and New Castle off Route 422 in equipment, although there is certainly Beach Comber at 814-833-4560. Butler County. Renown as a largemouth enough offered to make a stay comforta­ Cassidy's Presque Isle Campground off bass fishery, 3,225-acre Lake Arthur of­ ble. Obviously a tent is a good start. Be Route 832 has 46 campsites with electric. fers 41 miles of shoreline and six boat sure to get one large enough to accom­ Water hook-ups are available at 25 of the launching ramps. Boat and motor rentals modate your gear and all campers. A sites and sewer hook-up at 12 of the sites. are available at the Pleasant Valley Day groundcloth under the tent keeps moisture LP gas is sold at the office. For more Use Area. from seeping into the tent floor. If you information, call 814-833-6035. Bear Run Campground in nearby Por­ aren't ready to make the financial com­ For a brochure outlining family activ­ ters ville has 220 campsites. Electric and mitment of buying a tent, one can be rented ities, write to: Presque. Isle State Park, water hook-ups are available on 180 of the from most rent-all firms. Department of Environmental Resources, sites with 130 equipped with sewers. A warm sleeping bag, air or foam mat­ P.O. Box 8510, Erie, PA 16505. The phone Laundry facilities, LP gas and boat rentals tress, lawn chairs, cook stove, lantern fuel, number is 814-871-4251. are also found in the campground. For flashlight, utensils, pots, pans, matches Pymatuning State Park is located off more information, call 412-368-3564.