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 fishinghol e 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. and a cooler round out a basic outfit. Route 322 at the southern end of 13,920- Cooper's Lake Campground in nearby Be sure to set the tent up at home be­ acre Pymatuning Reservoir in Crawford Slippery Rock offers 96 campsites, most fore the big weekend. This eliminates County. The reservoir is an excellent wall­ with water and electric hook-ups. There any surprises. eye and crappie fishery with an accessible You will be on your own for the du­ shoreline. Pymatuning State Park features ration of the outing, so take at least one 832 campsites with picnic areas. extra rod and reel combo for each member Numerous launch ramps are located of the party, especially if children are in­ around the lake and a lOhp limit must be 1. Presque Isle State Park cluded. Pack a couple of extra spools of observed. Crappie fishing peaks around 2. Pymatuning State Park monofilament line, hooks, splitshot, bob­ May 15 through June 15. For more in­ 3. Glendale Lake bers and any other terminal tackle you formation on camping and fishing in the 4. Allegheny National Forest, might need. A hook hone, extra bail springs park, contact the Pymatuning State Park Kinzua Dam, Allegheny River and a small fisherman's tool kit also make office at 412-932-3141. 5. Moraine State Park an angler's camp life easier. Glendale Lake is the centerpiece of 6. Youghiogheny Reservoir If you plan to take a boat, be sure to Prince Gallitzin State Park, located in include the oars, enough personal flotation northern Cambria County off Route 36 7. Laurel Hill State Park devices, an anchor with rope, bow and near the town of Patton. The 1,640-acre 8. Trough Creek State Park stern lights and a chain to secure your rig lake is famous for the exotic Amur pike, 9. Poe Valley State Park, Poe Paddy at night or when you're away from the but it also holds good walleye, bass and State Forest campsite. Most common sense items need panfish populations. Public launch ramps 10. Gifford Pinchot State Park to be checked off a list because you will accommodate boat anglers, but a lOhp limit 11. Lake Marburg not have the luxury of running home is in effect. Bait and groceries are avail­ 12. Pine Grove Furnace State Park for forgotten items without disrupting able in nearby Patton. For more infor­ 13. French Creek State Park the outing. mation, call the state park at 814-674-3691. 14. Locust Lake State Park Now that your tackle and camping gear The Allegheny National Forest boasts 15. Ricketts Glenn State Park are in order, here are some campsites that the 12,000-acre Kinzua Dam and Alle­ 16. Promised Land State Park offer a unique combination of good an­ gheny River. Trout, bass, walleye, pike, gling and camping. muskies, crappies and yellow perch are 17. Bruce Lake Wilderness Area found in the lake and river. Shore access 18. Tobyhanna State Park Northwest is limited, but a boat livery is located off 19. Sinnemahoning State Park Presque Isle State Park is located on Route 59. Launching ramps are scattered 20. Hills Creek State Park Presque Isle in the northwest corner of the around the lake and there are no horse­ 21. Tioga-Hammond Lakes state. Presque Isle Bay offers 3,840 acres power restrictions. 22. Little Pine State Park, Little Pine of multi-species angling for trout, wall­ Over 730 campsites are found around Creek, Big Pine Creek eye, pickerel, northern pike, muskel- the lake in 18 different camping areas.

4 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler Campground Fishing is an approved dump station in the center of the beautiful Laurel Highlands. imposed and there are eight boat launch campground as well. Call 412-368-8710 Laurel Hill Lake is stocked with trout and ramps around the lake. for reservations. there is also a population of largemouth Lake Raystown Resort, located off Route The Youghiogheny Reservoir is a 2,840- bass. Cheese, worms and salmon eggs are 994 near Entriken, has 250 campsites acre Corps of Engineers impoundment on popular bait choices on the 65-acre lake. complete with water and electric hook­ the Mason-Dixon Line in Somerset County. Laurel Hill Creek is also stocked by the ups. Snacks, laundry, boat rentals and bait Smallmouth bass and walleye fishing is Fish Commission. are available at the resort. For reservations excellent with good panfish angling as well. There are 270 campsites in the park and more information, contact the resort There are no horsepower limits on the and a boat launching ramp is located at at 814-658-3500. reservoir, making it popular with water the north end of the lake. Electric motors Pleasant Hills Resort south of Hesston skiers and pleasure boaters. Free camp­ are permitted. has 110 campsites, 72 with water and elec­ sites are maintained by the Corps of En­ tric hook-ups. Laundry facilities are avail­ gineers. For more information on the Southcentral able on-site. Groceries and supplies are Youghiogheny Dam, call the Corps of En­ Trough Creek State Park is located off sold in Huntingdon. Call 814-658-3986 gineers at 814-395-3242. Route 994 on the east shore of Raystown for more information. A private campground is also located Lake in Huntingdon County. This 8,300- Woodland Camping Resort is also lo­ west of the reservoir near Farmington. acre lake has 110 miles of shoreline and cated south of Hesston. It has 75 campsites, Benner's Meadow Run Camp Resort numerous coves and bays. Bass, trout, pike, sites, with 58 having water and electric has 175 campsites, 118 of which have walleye, muskellunge, striped bass and hookups. For more information call water, electric and sewer hook-ups. panfish are caught here. There are 30 814-658-3017. Snacks, laundry and LP gas are available campsites available in the park. You can Poe Valley State Park and Poe Paddy on the premises. The phone number is contact the park office at 814-658-3847. State Forest along the Centre-Mifflin 412-329-4097. Two boat-to-shore camping areas on the County line are excellent bases from which Laurel Hill State Park, located 10 miles lake are maintained by the Corps of En­ to fish Penns Creek. Famous for its Green west of Somerset off Route 31, is in the gineers. No horsepower restrictions are Drake hatch, Penns Creek also holds most Pennsylvania's Best Campground Fishing

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June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 5 warmwater species. Apnl through June is Run Lake is liberally stocked with trout. Gouldsboro Lake. The park is located off the best time for trout action on the creek Both lakes have a boat launch ramp, al­ Route 423, just east of 1-380. Tobyhanna using flies and rigged minnows. though motors are restricted to electrics Lake has both largemouth and smallmouth Signs mark the way to Poe Valley from only. Shore access is relatively easy on bass, pickerel and panfish. There is a nom­ Route 322 between Lewistown and both waterways. inal fee for launching a boat on the 170- Potters Mills. Poe Valley State Park has Over 300 campsites are scattered acre lake. 70 campsites and there are an additional throughout the park. A swimming pool is Nearby Gouldsboro Lake off Route 507 45 campsites in Poe Paddy State For­ located at the Hopewell Day Use Area and is a good largemouth bass fishery and there est, just 4 miles east of the park. Con­ Hopewell Village is just a short hike away. are also pickerel and panfish. Electric mo­ tact the park office at 814-349-8778 for For more information, contact the park tors only are permitted. more information. office at 215-582-1514. There are 140 campsites available in Gifford Pinchot State Park is located off Locust Lake State Park is south of Ma- Tobyhanna State Park. The park office can Route 177, south of Lewisberry in north­ hanoy City in Schuylkill County. April be reached at 717-894-8336. ern York County. Bass, pickerel, mus- and May are prime times for catching trout kellunge, walleye and panfish are caught on live minnows from the 52-acre lake, Northcentral in 340-acre Conewago Lake. Panfishing lake. Fly fishermen do well into June. Sinnemahoning State Park in Cameron in particular is excellent. Locust Lake offers fine trout angling in a County is located off Route 872 north of Conewago is classified as a conserva­ wooded setting. the town of Sinnemahoning. The George tion lake. Special regulations for this Nearby Tuscarora Lake also has trout, B. Stevenson Dam is stocked with trout waterway are spelled out on page 28 of along with good largemouth bass and and offers good bass fishing and spring the Summary of Fishing Regulations and walleye populations. A launch ramp is open crappie action. The First Fork of Sinne­ Laws 1988. to the public on this 100-acre lake. mahoning Creek feeds and exits the dam Boat rentals are available in the park Locust Lake State Park features 282 and provides good trout fishing. and electric motors only are permitted on campsites. Contact the park office at 717- A launch ramp is open to the public and the lake. There are 340 campsites in the 467-7404. electric motors only are permitted on the park with picnic areas and swimming. For 142-acre lake. For more information on more information, contact the park office Northeast camping and fishing in the park, call 814- at 717-432-5011. Ricketts Glenn State Park is found off 647-8401. Lake Marburg is a 1,275-acre lake lo­ Route 487, north of Berwick in Luzerne Hills Creek State Park in Tioga County cated southeast of Hanover, off Route 216 County. Bass, muskellunge, walleye and is located north of Wellsboro, off Route in Codorus State Park. Largemouth bass, panfish are caught from 245-acre Lake 6. Hills Creek Lake covers 137 surface muskellunge, pike, trout, walleye and Jean. A beach-type launch ramp is open acres and holds largemouth bass, mus­ panfish are found in the lake. Yellow perch to the public and electric motors only kellunge, walleye and panfish, Summer and trout fishing is excellent in the spring. are permitted. and fall are the best times for fishing, mak­ There are 198 campsites and a marina Ricketts Glen boasts 101 campsites and ing Hills Creek ideal for campers. with boat rentals in the park. For more the Glens Natural Area. Bring your own There are two launch ramps on the information on camping and fishing in Co­ food and bait, unless you do not mind a lake. Boats may be propelled by electric dorus State Park, contact the park office 45-minute drive. Call 717-477-5675 for motors only. Boat rentals are available for at 717-637-2816. more information on camping and fishing a modest fee. Pine Grove Furnace State Park is lo­ in the park. The Tioga-Hammond Lakes are near­ cated south of Carlisle off Route 34 in Pike County's Promised Land State Park by and offer 680 acres of warmwater an­ southern Cumberland County. This park is located off Route 390, south of Lake gling. Crappie fishing is good into early is one of the most scenic in the southcen- Wallenpaupack. The park features 422- summer. Walleye, largemouth bass and tral region. Laurel Lake is stocked with acre Promised Land Upper Lake and 165- muskies provide thrills for those seeking trout and also holds perch, pickerel and acre Lower Lake. Action forpickerel, large­ larger fish. Launch ramps are located at the sunfish. Laurel Creek also receives ample mouth bass and panfish is good in the upper end of either lake and there are no trout stockings. The fabled Yellow Breeches park. There are four launch ramps around horsepower restrictions on this Corps of Creek is just north of the park. Promised Land Lake and one located on Engineers project. There are 74 campsites in the park and Lower Lake. Hills Creek State Park has 110 camp­ numerous picnic sites. Boat rentals are Promised Land State Park has 535 sites and supplies can be obtained in nearby available from the opening day of trout campsites throughout the park. For more Wellsboro. To contact the park office, call season until Labor Day. Electric motors information, contact the park office at 717- 717-724-4246. only are permitted on Laurel Lake. For 676-3428. Little Pine State Park in Lycoming more information you can reach the park For the adventurous there is the Bruce County offers lake, small stream and large office at 717-486-7174. Lake Wilderness Area just north of the stream fishing. Located off Route 44 north park. Bruce Lake holds bass, walleye, of Jersey Shore, the park has something Southeast muskellunge, pickerel and panfish. for everyone in a relaxing setting. Little French Creek State Park, located south Reaching the lake requires a three-mile Pine Dam is stocked with trout and also of Birdsboro in Berks County, offers both hike off Route 390. Special camping per­ harbors bass, pickerel and panfish. A launch warmwater and coolwater fishing. Hope­ mits are available from the park office. ramp is located on the east side of the 90- well lake has good largemouth bass, Tobyhanna State Park is a convenient acre impoundment and boats are restricted pickerel and yellow perch fishing. Scotts base to fish Tobyhanna Lake and nearby to electric motors only.

6 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler '•J?^~>

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Little Pine Creek is stocked with trout by the Fish Commission for 14 miles. Big Pine Creek is also stocked with trout, opening 40 miles of streams to the pub­ lic Smallmouth bass fishing is excellent during the summer months and walleye and pickerel are also caught from Big Pine Creek. Route 44 parallels Big Pine Creek and the scenery of the Pine Creek Gorge is beautiful. There are 110 campsites in the park. For more information on camping in Little Pine State Park, contact the park office at 717-738-8209. If the park is full, Happy Acres Camp­ ground is located just south of the park. There are 150 sites here, 100 of which have electrical hook-up and 75 with water and sewer. Boat rentals are also available in season. To contact Happy Acres Camp­ ground, call 717-753-8221. [PA] June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 1 by Ken Hunter

I'll never forget my first really big bass. A friend and I were fishing the old B & 0 Dam, now owned by the Fish Com­ mission and known as Kyle Lake, Jeffer­ son County. We were tossing black and silver floating Rapalas in one of the stump fields at one end of the lake when suddenly the water boiled and my lure disappeared. 1 knew I was into a good fish as soon as it made the first hard run and then tried to lift its bulging belly clear of the surface. After a tough battle I landed the brute and was soon on my way home to show off what turned out to be a 5i-pound, 21-inch largemouth bass. I was in high school when I landed that bass. That was over 20 years ago, and I've been nuts about fishing ever since. Like so many others, when they are first bitten by the fishingbug , I read everything I could get my hands on. I was a sponge absorbing every bit of information I could find on how to catch fish and where to find them. In those early years anything I read I accepted as gospel. It was as if the written word were carved in stone, and therefore must be the absolute truth. Questionable theories Possibly it's a result of my being over 40 now or maybe it was the fact that I attended college in the 1960s, but my thinking has taken an about-face—I now question everything I read, especially re­ garding where the fish are and why they are supposed to be there. Maybe some of the "facts" that have been embedded into our thinking for so long aren't facts at all, but rather just theories based on erroneous information. Until recently, much of what we learned about fish behavior was based on what fishermensai d about their catches. Failure to catch fish in a given area was often justified by saying that the fish had water at noon in early July. It was a bright, Should you question some of the moved to a more desirable location. sunny day with temperatures in the high time-honored fishing state gies when Take, for example, that giant bass I 80s, and hardly a breeze. Even the water your obser\>ations suggest caught. There is nothing terribly unusual felt warm to the touch. I remembered otherwise? about catching a large bass in shallow water all the details of that day, because accord­ near good cover with a minnow-type lure. ing to everything I read and heard about What is interesting, though, is that such fish behavior, that fish wasn't supposed to a sizable bass was in only three feet of be there. 8 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler ing companions and me to cast even greater doubts on some of our strongest-held be­ liefs. How many times have you read in a magazine or book or heard that bass relocate on a daily basis during the sum­ mer months, leaving the shallows in the J morning to avoid the bright sun and warmer **?*f^ temperatures, and then returning in the evening to feed again? And what about so many other canons that govern our fishing habits'? For example, bass avoid shallow, clear water because their eyes are sensitive to bright sunlight. Bass are always found near some kind of cover or structure. And what about the statement that a cold front came through and drove the fish to deeper water and forced them off their feeding binge? Explanations In recent years, my doubts have blos­ somed into questions. As a wildlife artist, my underwater activities have increased dramatically because of my increased de­ sire to research and photograph fish for future paintings and illustrations. I don't pretend to have developed any long-range scientific studies that could answer all the questions, but I have made some inter­ esting observations that contradict much of our thinking about bass behavior. Sometimes I find myself spending more time in the underwater world photograph­ ing and studying fish than trying to catch them. This past summer I spent a week on a deep, clear lake with a variety of structure and cover types. The lake held the usual species of panfish plus largemouth and smallmouth bass. I decided I would do little, if any, fishing the entire week be­ cause my main purpose at the lake was to study and photograph the inhabitants. Such a decision surely casts considerable doubt on my ability to think in a rational manner, but I was not merely practicing this self- denial as some form of punishment, but rather in the name of sincere research. 7«e author, a scuba diver, That bass should have made tracks for I made five dives that week and logged observed this hefty largemouth bass deeper, darker, cooler water during mid­ almost eight hours of bottom time. It was (inset photo) over the course of day, and then returned after dark to feed during the hot "dog days" of August. One several days. in the shallows. Apparently the bass hadn't of my most surprising discoveries came read the same material we fishermen had on my first dive while I was in less than been saturated with for so many years. 10 feet of water. I was diving on a sub­ Over the years, similar episodes have merged wooden pier-like structure about occurred frequently enough with my fish­ 15 feet square and about five feet high.

June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 9 The author's scuba diving partner Randy Harrison (right) feeds panfish right out of his hand. Fish are often curious about divers and seldom flee, making observation much easier. A curious largemouth bass (above) checks out the author during a dive.

10 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angle I I have observed plenty of bass swimming slowly through clear, open water on bright, sunny days.

The structure was filled nearly to the top with large rocks. As I peered over the top of the structure, I was greeted by the sight of a largemouth bass of rather healthy pro­ portions only a couple of feet away. The bass was only five feet from the surface, hovering just over the rocks in bright sun­ light. Four more times that week I visited the same location and by the end of the week that bass and I were calling each other by our first names. I observed that bass at a different time each day. Several different weather pat­ terns came and went through the course of the week, including hot, calm, sunny days followed by cool, windy, rainy weather back to bright, warm weather. I don't think that bass ever moved away from that spot the entire week. The bass, in fact, rarely moved more than 10 feet from the spot where I origi­ nally found him. The fish was apparently completely unaffected by changing weather patterns and light conditions. I did not observe the bass at night. This occasion was not the first time I have ob­ served good-sized bass in shallow, rela­ tively clear water during midsummer on bright, warm days. I have frequently watched bass swim in and out of sub­ merged weedbeds or suspend just over the tops of weeds in water less than 10 feet deep during the hottest days of summer. Obviously, observing or catching bass in these areas during midday in midsummer and hot weather does not mesh well with the myth or incomplete information that bass travel daily to deep water under these conditions. Deep dives During the same July and August days that I observed big bass in relatively shal­ Largemouth bass—aggressive and mystifying. What does your experience tell you low water, I also descended into deeper when you compare it to the conventional wisdom? Could you fish in other places water (30 to 60 feet) and discovered bass using different methods to up your score? What would happen if you tried some holding in these areas as well. It was not new strategies in your favorite bass spots? necessarily true that there were more bass

June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 11 man can quickly adjust to the annoying glare by putting on sunglasses. A 10-de- The world offish and the art of fishing are gree drop in temperature can occur be­ tween noon and that same evening, and too complex to be reduced to handfuls of again the fisherman must adjust by simply slipping on another garment. simple, flippant answers. But we must remember that change comes much more slowly underwater, and the changes are far less radical once be­ in the deeper water, either. To confuse the the daily mass movements that have been neath the surface. Because "weather pat­ issue even further, while I intently studied accepted for so long. terns" underwater are so constant and one fish, several more seemed to mater­ As far as cover is concerned, every fish­ change so slowly, it follows that fish life ialize from the green mist around me, and erman knows that bass are found in or would also be much slower to react. then after satisfying their curiosity, they near cover. It also appears that those in­ I have often heard fishermen say that disappeared slowly into the distance. dividual bass that have chosen to relate to because the barometric pressure fell, the So what does all this mean to the some form of cover or structure are cau­ fishing would be poor. I immediately fisherman? For one thing, we may have tious about moving too far from their lo­ question this line of thinking. The chang­ to allow a lot more room for variations of cations. These cover-related fish seem to ing barometric pressure has nothing to do behavior even within the same species. It be quite content to sit tight. with water pressure. The pressure on a is no longer sufficient to say that there is At the same time, however, there ap­ fish is the same at 10 feet today as it was a wholesome movement of bass to deeper pears to be a significant number of bass yesterday and the day before. As long as water during the day and then back to committed to roaming about the only oc­ that fish remains at 10 feet, the pressure shallow water at night to feed. I'm be­ casional stops near cover. A possible ex­ will remain constant. The point is that we coming increasingly convinced that the planation why some bass wander while fishermen must not be too quick to apply daily mass fish migrations, especially bass others stake out claims in prime locations our reactions to our changing environment moving between deep and shallow water, might simply be that all the best spots are to the fish and their not-so-changing en­ have no basis whatsoever, and in fact, taken, thus forcing a certain number of vironment. probably do not occur at all. bass to "wander in the wilderness waiting It is important that I not be too general It appears to me that some bass, even to enter the promised land." with my statements lest I fall into the same larger ones, may spend days, weeks, maybe In addition, I have observed plenty of trap of the very people whose thinking I even months in shallow water during the bass swimming slowly through clear, open question. This discussion has thus far been hottest days of summer. Others may spend water on bright, sunny days. These bass limited to largemouth and smallmouth bass their lifetimes in deeper water. Seldom, if demonstrated no negative affinity for the living in standing bodies of water. These ever, do they migrate to shallow water. The light penetrating the water, in spite of the same species may or may not react dif­ only exception is to spawn. These bass notion that bass are supposed to be sen­ ferently when found in streams or rivers. may tend to be territorial, never straying sitive to light. The underwater observations and possible from their home range. On the other hand, I'm not sure what the word "sensitive" conclusions mentioned here are basically another segment of the bass population means. Does it mean that the bass feels limited to the daily migrations of bass, may tend to be more transient, always on discomfort or even pain when the pene­ their use of cover and structure, their re­ the move, but not necessarily in and out trating light strikes its eyes? Does the light action to sunlight and their reaction to of deep water. blind the bass or even hinder its ability to changing weather fronts. There are other Since making these observations I have see? I am not aware of any studies that variables that fish react to, such as water read of other studies that support this line would provide a positive answer or even clarity, temperature, the pH of the water, of thinking. In one study, bass tagged with a maybe to these questions. In fact, I don't oxygen levels and water currents. small electronic transmitters were found think there is any hard evidence that bass Because I have observed bass behaving to make few major depth changes. They are sensitive to light, and certainly my in a given manner, this does not imply often suspended over deep water away from own underwater observations have not in­ that all species of fish behave in the same any kind of cover and frequented areas dicated such. manner if given the same set of circum­ exposed to sunlight. The same study re­ stances. Indeed, there may even be dif­ vealed that bass have a much greater ten­ Changes ferences in behavioral patterns within the dency to move along breaklines or contour Each time I enter the alien domain of same species. lines rather than directly to and from deep the fish, it becomes increasingly evident Although I have logged many hours un­ water. to me that they live in a static world. This derwater observing fish behavior, I have is especially true of a lake or pond. The barely scratched the surface. It's entirely Cover story outside stimuli of man's world are con­ possible that I have raised more questions I'm not suggesting that bass never mi­ stantly changing on a yearly basis, from than I have answers. One thing I am sure grate because I believe that there is a cer­ day to day and even from hour to hour. of is that the world of the fish and the art tain amount of seasonal movement, which Changes can occur rapidly and man and of fishing are too complex to be reduced is especially evident during the spawning beast alike must be prepared to adjust rap­ to handfuls of simple, flippant answers. If period. But based on my own limited ob­ idly to those changes. Within minutes the this were not so, the "experts" would servations and the more detailed studies sun can peak out from behind the clouds, never have a poor day of fishing, and who now being done, there is little support for causing a glare on the water. The fisher­ could possibly boast of that? fJZ] 12 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler by Steve U/sh

Fish Spelling List EXAMPLE: T U Answer: TROUT Listed below are 10 kinds of fish found in '£"—-jPennsy'van'a waters. 1. G L LLBIEU ^? J\n each you will find 2. M N WONI y^ two letters in their 3. M S PPEEUKIND proper places. On the 4. right are the remaining P I EPRCA Fishing letters. Put them in 5. BO NIWF their proper places to 6. L EALYEW Tip spell the word 7. H E LULBDA correctly. See how 8. S 0 NMLA many you can do. The 9. K B SSOARC example shows you 10. H I SENR how it is done.

Spools on spinning or spincasting reels must be loaded properly to work efficiently. Spool No. 1 is properly loaded, just to the rim or lip. Spool No. 2 is overloaded and the line can slip behind the spool. Spool No. 3 is underloaded and will greatly reduce the length of the cast and sometimes produce insufficient line to handle a big fish.

iiiiiiiiii"j>»ii,<W

Answers: 1. bluegill 2. minnow 3. pumpkinseed 4. crappie 5. bowfin 6. walleye 7. bullhead 8. salmon 9. rock bass 10. shiner

June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 13 but it is also a fine fly for "searching the water" when no fish are seen rising. Fur­ thermore, it is an easy fly to see in the The Golden Oldies poor light of evening or in the broken water of a swift reach of river or creek. by Allen G. Eastby In addition, when tied in the smaller sizes (16 and 18), it is particularly attractive to trout feeding on the small, light-colored Let's face it: Among trout-chasing fly in fly boxes and on magazine pages. What mayflies of various species that emerge on rodders, the nymph is triumphant. On about a perfectly balanced, nicely tied, late spring evenings. It will also take trout streams these days, legions of anglers are traditional dry fly? that have focused their attention on the doing the nymph dance, and virtually every Classical dry fly patterns, especially those caddis, often seen flitting over the stream magazine features at least one article on of the so-called "Catskill school," have during the mid-morning hours. nymph patterns, nymph tactics, or nymph been helping anglers beguile fish longer tackle. Sometimes is seems as if trout fish­ than most of us have been alive. But in a Light Cahill ing has become nymphing, nothing but frenzied rush to be part of the chic and Every bit as effective as the Gray Fox nymphing. There are reasons for this— trendy "cutting edge" of fly rodding, they is the greatest of the classic patterns, the good ones. Nymphs are effective trout are overlooked by too many fly fishermen. Light Cahill. At one time this was the fly takers; the fish do relish them. Tying It's a pity because these flies work, and everyone carried. But today it suffers from nymphs is also relatively simple, in most work well. Day in and day out, season a partial eclipse. Its honored place in the cases. But isn't it about time a voice was after season, the old-style dries fool trout. fly box has been taken by other flies and raised in praise of the dry fly? April may well be the nymph fisher­ it's rare to find an angler who still uses Of course, dry flies do get coverage. man's month of glory. Streams are cold this pattern. Why this happened is difficult But it is always the "new," "innovative" and sometimes high and discolored. But to determine because the Light Cahill can and "revolutionary" dries that are men­ even when snow flurrieswhi p around your take trout from the first week in May until tioned in magazines. What has become of shoulders, dry flies can be effective. Now­ the fly rod is packed away for the winter. the classics? Of the Quill Gordons, Hen- adays, however, the handful of anglers Like the Gray Fox, the Light Cahill dricksons, and Red Quills? When do we who fish the dry fly in April are likely to imitates a large number of mayflies and is read about Preston Jennings' American use caddis imitations, midges, and small often mistaken by the trout for a caddis March Brown or Art Flick's version of the blue-winged olives instead of Quill Gor­ fly. It is also a good pattern to select when Gray Fox? What about the flies our fathers dons, Hendricksons, and Red Quills. Given "fishing the water." However, while the swore by (and once in a while swore at)? the changes that have taken place in most Gray Fox quickly loses its effectiveness As long as the dry fly is a "no-hackle- of our streams over the last quarter-cen­ as spring becomes summer, the Light Cahill compara-sidewinder-wonderwing" with a tury, especially the decline in mayfly pop­ remains useful, indeed vital, during July double split tail and an extended body of ulations, these are probably wise choices. and August. extruded, polymerized, colorized fiber with But to face one of the increasingly infre­ But even if the Light Cahill was scorned a refractive index of .07, it finds a place quent Ephemerella subvaria hatches with­ by trout (which it most definitely isn't), out a proper Red Quill is asking too much. there is still something to be said for using There has never been and will never be a a fly that can trace its origins back to the better imitation of E. subvaria. imagination and fly tying vice of Theodore The old patterns are still good early in Gordon, one of the founders of American the season, but only when days lengthen fly fishing. and grow warmer do they truly come into their own. From mid-May until the first Dun, Cream variants frosts of autumn, the "golden oldies" are The Gray Fox and the Light Cahill are among the best flies an angler can use. perfect examples of the classic style of tying the dry fly. They have jaunty upright Gray Fox wings, natural fur bodies, and full hackle. Stalling in the middle of May and run­ But the fly fishermenwh o developed these ning until the end of June is the season of patterns were not slaves to fashion. They the Gray Fox. During these weeks, the could and did experiment. Frequently they Gray Fox is the single best fly an angler failed. But once in a while they came up can knot onto the business end of a leader. with flies that did all that was asked of Preston Jennings originated this fly, and them, even if they didn't fit the conven­ the late Art Flick perfected it. tional mold. Unfortunately, the best of these Not only is the Gray Fox a first-rate unusual patterns have fallen to disuse, no­ imitation of two important mayflies (Sten- tably Art Flick's Dun Variant and Cream onema vicarium and Stenonema fuscum), Variant. 14 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler Slate/Red-brown Sidewinder

Art Flick's Dun Variant m

Gray Fox

June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 15 These patterns, or rather the "style" of tying they incorporate, enjoyed a brief flare of popularity some years ago. But the con­ cept of the variant has since been repu­ diated by the writers who launched the all- too-short-lived "variant renaissance." These flies were originally designed to match specific hatches appearing rela­ tively late in the season (Memorial Day through the Fourth of July). And this they still do. The Dun Variant should be the standard against which all patterns mim- icing the lsonychia species of mayflies are judged, and the Cream Variant will do the job when pale-colored mayflies are emerg­ ing. But their true worth can't be appre­ ciated until they are used to "fish the water" and "pound up" trout that are not actively feeding. All too often these days fly rodders reach the stream only to find the trout, and the mayflies and caddis flies, on strike. Faced with this situation, most anglers reach for the nymph box. It's a conditioned reflex, like a dog trained to salivate at the sound of a bell or the flash of a light. And it does work. Every fly fisher has "dredged up" trout with weighted stone fly nymphs. But when they pass up the chance to use the classic dry flies, anglers only cheat themselves. There is something positively poetic about a Light Cahill or Dun Variant danc­ ing with the current. It is also easy fishing. An angler can see the fly at all times, and the rise is visible, too. Furthermore, fishing the water with one of these patterns is the best way to learn how to use the dry fly properly. The ef­ fects of wind and water, why drag sets in and how to avoid it, and the favorite lairs and lies of trout are all readily discovered. A few days spent "fishing the water" also teaches an angler a great deal about the stream. And of course, if one of the golden oldies is tied to the leader, there is no need to worry about selecting the right fly. The traditional dry fly patterns of yes­ terday do still work. Day in, day out, they produce trout, as they have been doing for generations. And they'll still be fooling trout long after we've all gone to the catch- and-release stream beyond the far moun­ tains, unless they are forgotten, consigned to the back storage shelf in a fly fishing museum, because we were blinded by our quest to be fashionable. Should that hap­ pen, we fly fishermen and our sport will be so much the poorer. But the trout will cheer because all they'll have to contend with are nymphs, super-system-streamers and salmon eggs. I PAi 16 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler Day in and day out, the traditional dry flies of yesterday still work on today's trout (left). Fishing the golden oldies might also give the fish a glimpse of patterns they haven't seen too often.

A Selection of Golden Oldies

Gray Fox Hook: Standard dry fly, sizes 12 through 18 Thread: Yellow Wings: Mallard flank feather fibers Body: Red fox fur, light creamy tan Hackle: Grizzly wound over light ginger Tail: Light-ginger hackle fibers Light Cahill Hook: Standard dry fly, sizes 12 through 18 Thread: Yellow Wings: Woodduck (or imitation) flank feather fibers Body: Red fox fur, very pale cream Hackle: Light ginger Tail: Light-ginger hackle fibers Dun Variant Hook: Short shank or standard dry fly, sizes 12 through 16 Thread: Olive Wings: None Body: Striped dark ginger hackle Hackle: Dark dun, oversized Tail: Dark dun hackle fibers Cream Variant Hook: Short shank or standard dry fly sizes 12 through 18 Thread: Yellow Wings: None Body: Striped cream hackle quill Hackle: Cream, oversized Tail: Cream hackle fibers

June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 17 Rules for Walleye byR. L. Hoopes

The walleye is one of Pennsylvania's na­ tive species. It's been here since before the coming of European settlers, since be­ fore the Indians and at least since the gla­ ciers. Walleye as a native species occur throughout Pennsylvania's three major river basins on a self-sustaining basis. Through natural reproduction in their annual life

FISHING CHUB Ertt.h.

;•.'••' cycle, walleye replenish themselves. The in all the major public rivers in Penn­ perature below 42 degrees. Cold weather Pennsylvania Fish Commission's respon­ sylvania (Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill, from time to time returns after walleye sibility is to see that the walleye is pro­ Susquehanna, West Branch, Juniata, spawn and rapidly drops the water tem­ tected, conserved and enhanced as a self- Allegheny, Ohio, Monongahela peratures below the critical level. Near- sustaining renewable natural resource. and Youghiogheny). These major rivers total failure of reproduction may occur if This responsibility is awesome because total over 1,200 miles in length and over these cold temperatures persist. the walleye is a sensitive species and its 125,000 acres. When that happens, a whole year class survival depends on complex interaction Some small rivers in Pennsylvania, those of walleye may be scarce or even missing with the environment and man. These in­ with drainage areas between 250 and 1,500 for the population. Occasional weak and teractions are not always well-understood, square miles, also contain walleye. Wall­ missing year classes may be noticed by but as our knowledge improves, so does eye are thought to occur in 23 of the 44 anglers about two years after they occur. our management effectiveness. Because small rivers (54 percent). Small rivers with The astute angler might observe that few walleye do not always occur at desired walleye have a total of 720 miles and more sublegal walleye are being caught—that levels on a self-sustaining basis, the Fish than 14,000 acres. The walleye that occur is a foreboding observation. The next year's Commission has stocked walleye for a long in many of these small rivers appear to be catch of legal-size walleye may decline time. The emphasis and priority, how­ immigrants or transient individuals. Es­ perceptively. When a succession of weak ever, are on managing walleye through cape from upstream lakes could be the or missing year classes occurs, it causes natural reproduction. source of these walleye, or they may have no small amounts of anguish for both an­ Through evaluation of habitat require­ moved upstream from larger river systems glers and biologists. ments, population dynamics, angler inter­ perhaps for reproduction. Resident wall­ While the biologist ponders the future est and harvest of walleye, the Fish Com­ eye populations either through natural re­ capability of the walleye population to sus­ mission plays the key role in both protecting production or persistent immigration oc­ tain itself, a constant barrage of com­ walleye environment and regulating an­ cur in French Creek, Oil Creek, Conewago plaints is received from disgruntled an­ gler use of walleye in the Commonwealth. Creek, Crooked Creek, Bald Eagle Creek, glers who have experienced dramatic, Loyalsock Creek, Chemung River and perhaps catastrophic, declines in walleye Habitat Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. catches that they want restored. Investigations of the occurrence of None of the streams in Pennsylvania Walleye population dynamics are such walleye have shown that they inhabit most with drainage areas less than 250 square that adjustments can occur when year types of waters in Pennsylvania. Early miles is known to support resident walleye classes fail to develop. The few individ­ studies focused on ponds, lakes and res­ populations. As in small rivers, however, uals that survive a weak year class often ervoirs, probably because available sam­ occasionally isolated individual walleye have less competition for food and space. pling gear was best suited to those envi­ are encountered, surprising both anglers Experiencing more rapid growth, these ronments, but also because most of these and biologists. walleye may mature earlier and produce flat-water resources in Pennsylvania were Based on the successes and failures of more eggs. This compensation helps, but man-made. Thus, it was both interesting walleye populations in various waters, when fishing pressure is heavy, these early and important to determine which fish we've identified three simple rules for maturing walleye may be harvested before populations were developing. Fish stock­ walleye habitat: 1) Large bodies of water they spawn. ing, including walleye, was often prac­ are more likely to support walleye than The mechanisms that compensate for ticed to help desirable fish populations be­ small waters, 2) Uniformly shallow waters weak year classes can work against the come established. Large waters seemed are not good for walleye, and 3) Walleye walleye when they are abundant. Strong favorable to walleye because of their greater may surprise you and show up in almost walleye year classes sometimes dominate diversity of habitat, which provides feed­ any size waterway. a walleye population for many years. There ing areas, spawning shoals, nursery hab­ can be keen competition among the wall­ itat and most important, deep-water ref­ Population dynamics eye for food, forage fish may become scarce uges from high summer temperature and Wild walleye maintain themselves and walleye growth can slow down greatly. as cover from sunlight. All of the 30 res­ through natural reproduction. Each year Walleye that do not get enough food ervoirs greater than 500 surface acres have as the spring approaches, male walleye may be in such poor condition that ma­ the potential to support walleye. About move to their spawning grounds. These turity is delayed or reproduction is not half the number of lakes between 50 and movements may be long distances in riv­ possible. In fact, under extremes of wall­ 500 acres are managed for walleye, but ers to preferred deep rapids with rubble eye population abundance there may be only five of the ponds less than 50 acres and gravel bottoms. In lakes, wind-swept little or no growth. When this occurs, are being considered for walleye. The total shorelines and shoals with rubble, gravel walleye populations are stunted and few potential walleye habitat in Pennsylvania and sand are sought by male walleye. In fish are legal-sized. lakes exceeds 83,000 acres. some instances it is known that walleye We apply a few rules from these pop­ River investigations have shown, as with move out of the lake into tributary streams ulation dynamics. 1) Excessively abun­ lakes, that larger is better in terms of wall­ to spawn, but in all cases the walleye seek dant walleye may result in reduced poten­ eye. Refined river sampling gear and tech­ optimum spawning habitat. tial, slow growth and stunting, 2) low niques have provided the opportunity to Female walleye soon join the males and abundance of walleye can produce rapid assess these resources. State-of-the-art when water temperatures rise above 42 growth, early maturity and potential har­ electrofishing boats deployed during spring degrees spawning begins. Walleye eggs vest before spawning has occurred, and and autumn nights show the abundance of and the young walleye after hatching are 3) stable fisheriesdevelo p when year classes walleye. Walleye are currently managed very sensitive to decreases in water tem­ of consistent strength are produced that are June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 19 in balance with available food sources. populations, but it is more often the case electric power-generating facilities. that the angler does not understand the Dams on Pennsylvania's major rivers Walleye anglers nature of balance in walleye populations. impede walleye movements. Walleye Anglers fishing in Pennsylvania have a A stable walleye population producing movement is most pronounced in autumn keen interest in walleye. Some time ago consistent year classes usually produces and spring, apparently associated with the Fish Commission surveyed anglers angler catches in which only one of every spawning and feeding. Congregations of about their interests in fish. Responses from three to five walleye landed will be of legal walleye below dams are well-known to this statewide sampling of anglers indi­ size, and if you let the big one get away, the angler, and because the walleye can cated that nearly 30 percent had fished you may wait a long time for the next one. proceed no farther, they spawn in these for walleye. Translated to today's levels, Here are a few rules to define realistic locations. That is a small consolation for that would amount to 400,000 anglers. angler use of walleye. 1) The level of preventing walleye free range in their hab­ In addition, recent surveys of Angler angler interest in walleye on a water can itat, and if suitable nursery areas are not readers showed that walleye were the be a good measure of walleye availability, available, survival may be minimal. third most popular species, second only to 2) anglers are more likely to catch walleye Summer's low water is a critical period trout and bass. on larger waters than small because there for walleye. Dams that restrict minimum On waters where good walleye popu­ is less competition among anglers, 3) an­ flows can cause vital walleye refuges to lations are maintained through natural re­ glers cannot realistically expect to catch dwindle. Water withdrawals from rivers production, such as large reservoirs and legal walleye on every fishing trip, and 4) for industry, domestic water supply and major rivers, more than 50 percent of the having to throw back short walleye should for cooling can also diminish river flows. anglers fishing there may want to catch indicate continued walleye fishing success Withdrawals that permanently reduce river walleye. Where walleye fisherieshav e been in the future. flows are called consumptive losses. The maintained through stocking, interest in cumulative effect of any consumptive losses walleye is more often about 10 percent of Environmental protection along a river's course can amount to a big the anglers who fishedthere . A recent study Walleye tolerate a wide range of habitat effect on critical walleye habitat. showed that as a stocked walleye popu­ from quiet lakes to torrential rivers, but Flood control dams, which are man- lation in a lake declined, angler interest in there are critical elements in their envi­ made, have contributed much to walleye walleye also declined from about 25 per­ ronments to which they are very sensitive habitat in Pennsylvania. Operation of these cent to about 5 percent. and which can limit walleye occurrence dams for flood control purposes presents Fishing pressure, the amount of time and abundance. Protecting walleye habitat special problems for walleye manage­ anglers spend on a body of water, is often is essential to maintaining healthy, vig­ ment. Each year at many flood control defined in terms of angler hours per acre. orous populations. projects, water volumes are greatly re­ Large reservoirs in Pennsylvania, those High water temperatures can be a lim­ duced by drawing the lake level down. greater than 500 acres, often have fishing iting factor for walleye. Maximum wall­ This increases the amount of storage for pressure less than 100 hours per acre. On eye growth can occur at 79 degrees when flood waters. Many lakes may also be smaller bodies of water fishing pressure there is enough food and cover. Temper­ drawn down for other management pur­ increases, frequently exceeding 300 hours atures above and below this optimum poses such as removal of silt, inspection per acre on lakes between 50-500 acres produce slower growth. Although walleye for dam safety and vegetation man­ and perhaps reaching levels of over 1,000 can survive in water near freezing, they agement. Rapid releases of high vol­ hours per acre for ponds less than 50 acres. soon become distressed as water temper­ umes of water can cause the walleye to If you are an angler, your expectations of atures rise above 79 degrees. Tempera­ escape downstream. catching a walleye are better when you are tures at 82 degrees are considered the up­ Some basic principles of environment competing with 50 hours per acre fishing per limit for acceptable growth. At 82 protection for walleye need to be ob­ pressure than they are if you must compete degrees growth can still be 80 percent of served. 1) Do not allow a river tempera­ with 300 or more hours per acre. the maximum. As temperatures rise,growt h ture to be artificially heated above opti­ Serious walleye anglers are concerned continues to slow. At 87 degrees there is mum temperatures for walleye life function, about the number of walleye they catch little positive growth. particularly 82 degrees in the summer, 2) and the size of the fish. A good measure TJeath occurs if walleye cannot find ref­ Seek High Quality Warmwater Fishery of an individual angler's success is the uge from higher water temperatures. Many Designation from the Department of En­ number of hours it takes to catch a wall­ Pennsylvania rivers approach the critical vironmental Resources for walleye habitat eye. The best walleye fisheries in the state temperature levels each summer. Walleye in Pennsylvania rivers, 3) Ensure that min­ produce for the average angler about one anglers are probably aware of decreases imum flow releases from all dams and walleye for every three hours of fishing. in walleye feeding and their movement to reservoirs are adequate to protect down­ More typical of acceptable walleye fish­ temperature refuges during the summer. stream habitat, 4) Release stored water or eries are catches of one walleye for every In both lakes and rivers, walleye try to flood water from reservoirs as slowly as 10 hours of fishing. The walleye once locate cooler temperatures in deeper water. possible without compromising other caught may have to be released if it does They may be difficult for anglers to find, project purposes, and 5) Provide for fish not reach the minimum size limit or is not and not feeding much they may be difficult passage at all major river impoundments in the season for allowable harvest. to catch. to allow movement of walleye to spawn­ Some anglers complain about having to The Fish Commission opposes activi­ ing grounds. throw undersize walleye back, claiming ties that further increase temperatures above that all they catch are runts. This situation optimum levels. Our main concerns are Regulations can be true in the case of stunted walleye heated water discharges from industry and Anglers can have a major effect on 20 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler walleye abundance. Fishing regulations are two walleye per day creel limits. The closed to how much the hatchery system can the means used by the Fish Commission season remains from mid-March to the produce, particularly when it comes to fin­ to control the impact of anglers on wall­ first weekend in May. gerlings. Realistic production objectives eye. Obviously, when there were no an­ In the future, additional alternative reg­ might be 100,000 large fingerling walleye glers in Pennsylvania, there was no need ulations may be proposed to increase our and 350,000 small fingerlings. Fry pro­ for sport fishing regulations. As the pop­ flexibility in dealing with the variety of duction is not a major constraint, and usu­ ularity of walleye and the number of an­ walleye habitats, population densities and ally 50-60 million are produced. glers continue to grow, more conservative fishing pressure. We observe a few guide­ These numbers are impressive, but the regulations may be needed. lines to develop future regulations for important aspect of walleye stocking is not The current Commonwealth inland reg­ walleye. 1) Seasons effectively limit the the numbers put into the water but rather ulations for walleye represent a compro­ amount of time available to allow anglers the numbers that come out on anglers' mise or middle-of-the-road type of regu­ to harvest walleye, 2) Low density wall­ hooks. The strategies for stocking walleye lation. The season for walleye harvest is eye populations that are under heavy fish­ are basic. In new waters (lake or river closed from the middle of March through ing pressure need special protection, 3) recovering from pollution), walleye pop­ the first weekend in May. This closure is Higher minimum size limits are needed if ulations are initiated generally with several designed to prevent harvest of walleye while female walleye are to be protected so that years of fry or small fingerling stocking. they are spawning. Spawning walleye are they can spawn at least once, and 4) Abun­ The priority is always to start a naturally easy to catch and overfishing could be a dant walleye under low fishing pressure reproducing population that will be self- potential problem. There is also consid­ require less protection. sustaining. When walleye populations de­ erable emotional appeal to protecting velop that are not self-sustaining, main­ spawning gamefish. Walleye stocking tenance stocking is needed. When main­ The true effect of the season is reduc­ The Fish Commission has practiced tenance stocking is required, we always tion in the opportunity to harvest walleye. walleye stocking for a long time. Our ear­ try to develop walleye populations that are The amount of walleye harvested can be liest records of walleye stocking are from attractive to anglers and produce satisfac­ controlled by the amount of open season. the 1900s. A fairly complicated process tory catches. Much evaluation of what is The statewide minimum size limit for occurs to accomplish walleye stocking. working and where it works is needed to walleye is 15 inches. This size limit was Each autumn, fish biologists responsible determine when fry, small fingerlings and also set as a means of protecting walleye for various areas of the state assemble their large fingerlings are most appropriate for until they have spawned once. The reg­ requests for walleye and other fish that stocking. ulation is effective for male walleye of they would like to have stocked the fol­ There is also an essential need to show which a high percentage are mature by lowing year. Walleye may be requested what stocking rates are needed to produce age two and less than 15 inches. Female either as fry (newly hatched walleye), small the walleye population level that is attrac­ walleye mature more slowly and the reg­ fingerlings (1-2 inches) or large finger- tive to anglers. Although managing wall­ ulation protects few female walleye until lings (4—6 inches). Adult walleye are not eye as a self-sustaining renewable natural they have spawned once. available because it costs too much to resource is our policy, stocking will con­ The creel limit of six walleye has little produce and maintain them in a hatchery. tinue to be an important tool in achieving influence on the amount of walleye har­ The requests are assembled with the size the desired level of walleye fishing in many vested. Very few anglers ever have to re­ and number for each water noted and waters. Here are a few rules of walleye lease legal-size walleye because they have transferred to the warmwater production stocking we use to promote effective use already creeled six, so the creel limit does supervisor who directs the production of of stocked walleye. 1) Walleye stocking not save many walleye. walleye and other fish. Brood walleye used should not be used as a substitute for wise The need for regulations controlling for eggs are collected mainly from Py- management of a renewable natural re­ walleye harvest actually depends on two matuning Sanctuary near Linesville. Brood source, 2) Walleye stocking should be in­ factors. One is the abundance of walleye walleye are sometimes collected from Lake tensified in suitable habitat to produce de­ in the population, and the second is the Wallenpaupack if they are needed. sirably balanced populations, 3) Walleye amount of fishing pressure on the walleye. Fry hatch in a few weeks and the num­ populations should be maintained through Where walleye are abundant and fishing bers requested are stocked immediately. stocking the least expensive size fish that pressure is relatively low, open seasons Small fingerlings are stocked after having will produce the desired population, and and lower size limits could be used. But been held for the length of time that they 4) Evaluation of walleye stocking success there are few waters in Pennsylvania where feed on zooplankton. This usually occurs is essential to determine what is working this would be appropriate. When fishing in June or early July when they are 1-2 and what is not working to produce good pressure is heavy with much of it directed inches long. Large fingerling walleye are walleye fishing. at walleye and the walleye population is most often reared in ponds that have fat­ Remembering these rules for walleye low, perhaps because of heavy fishing, head minnows as food. They are main­ can help anglers understand our direction poor reproduction or dependence on main­ tained in the ponds as long as the food in managing walleye and what they can tenance stocking, then the walleye need holds out. When the large fingerlings run realistically expect when they go fishing more protection. out of food, they must be stocked quickly for walleye. More conservative regulations for wall­ or they will eat their relatives and we end eye are part of the Special Conservation up with a few large cannibals. E3 Regulations applied to 10 Pennsylvania The longer walleye can stay in the R.L. Hoopes is a fisheries biologist in the lakes. These regulations protect walleye hatchery, the better chance they have for Warmwater Unit of the Commission Di­ with 20 inches minimum size limit and survival when stocked, but there is a limit vision of Fisheries Management. June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 21 xB*g Water color, temperature Don't be too set in your ways if you want In a large lake like Raystown, for ex­ e #leecb to set hooks into a lot of largemouth bass. ample, it is safe to bet that the bass around M& There is no single method or fishing pat­ mile marker 2 are not doing the same thing uy tern that fools bass in every early season as the bass near mile marker 20. There situation in Pennsylvania, or even in any might be six or eight degrees difference one lake. An endless list of factors can in water temperature between those two change the mood of bass. Productive fish­ points. Water color by mile marker 2 is ing patterns can last for days, but they typically very clear, if there has been no are more likely to last only for hours or recent heavy rain, while the water color even minutes. up the lake at mile marker 20 is usually The most consistently successful an­ significantly darker. glers have big bags of tricks. This does The differences in water color and tem­ not necessarily mean that they have in­ perature can mean a couple of things to vested huge sums of money in tackle, bass anglers. If the bass are not cooper­ even though a smart assortment of tackle ating in the clear, cool water in the lower is a tremendous asset. More important is part of the lake, you can guess that they the ability of the angler to adapt to chang­ have just spawned. In this case motor ing conditions and various situations. An­ up-lake to wanner water where the bass glers who are prepared to try a variety of might be more advanced through the post- tactics and fish in a variety of places stand spawn period. the best chance of winning this game. On the other hand, if the bass show no Early season bass fishing methods re­ interest in your offerings at the upper, ported in national magazines do not help wanner end of the lake, motor down-lake. Pennsylvania anglers. Early season tactics There the bass might still be on the beds, are generally aimed at pre-spawn large- or even in a prespawn attitude. mouths. In this state, the bass season is Smaller lakes can be fished in a similar closed to protect bass during this time when manner. Shallow lakes with colored water they are most vulnerable. There are ex­ generally warm faster than deep, clear lakes. ceptions, but that is not the primary sub­ Bass in the warmer lakes are probably ject. For now, consider the topic of large- more advanced in the annual succession mouth bass during the first weeks of our of events than are bass in the cooler lakes. bass season. The object in the small lakes, as in the The bass we are fishing for when season big lakes, is to find the bass that are most begins have just spawned—most have, at advanced through the post-spawn period, least. Fishing can be difficult, depending or to find pre-spawn bass. largely on how long it has been since they Wind can play an important part in early spawned. It takes a few weeks or so after season bass fishing. After the water warms the spawn for the bass to recover from the above 39 degrees, and until it begins cool­ stress of the spawn. They can be caught ing in late summer or autumn, the surface during this time, but fishing methods must water is the warmest water in the lake. A be suited to bass that are not in a chas­ stiff wind stacks this relatively warm water ing mood. against the windward shore. This fre­ Probably the smartest way to deal with quently sets off early season feeding sprees lethargic post-spawn bass is to leave them by bass. Be alert for this situation. alone and locate more active bass. All bass Of course, all this searching is a waste are not in the same mood. All bass do not of time if you do not use effective fishing live by the same schedule. methods. 22 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler i r Spinnerbaits It is probably more important to vary injured minnow. This is a triggering Spinnerbaits are excellent early season the retrieve than it is to vary the style of method, intended to elicit a response from lures. They can be worked at the surface spinnerbaits. Vary the speed. Try straight bass that otherwise are not interested in or as deep as bass go. They can be re­ retrieves, and stop-and-go retrieves. Bass striking a lure. trieved fast or slowly. However, no one often hit the spinnerbait while it is falling. The jerk is also very effective when spinnerbait is suited to all combinations A series of lifts and drops is a good re­ bass are busting schools of minnows or of depth and speed. trieve. shad. When shad are the targets, use a Spinnerbaits cannot be retrieved deep lure that imitates shad. and fast because they tend to rise toward Minnow-type lures Straight retrieves can catch some of the the surface as speed is increased. The spin­ Floating minnow lures (Rebel floating active bass. A major shortcoming of the nerbaits easiest to retrieve fast or deep have minnow, Rapala, Bang-O-Lure, Redfin, straight retrieve is that most bass anglers willowleaf blades, which are long and etc.) are excellent early season bass lures, use it. So the bass see a lot of it, and the slender. As the size of the blade increases, especially when bass are feeding on bass that are susceptible to it get caught it becomes more difficult to keep the lure spawning minnows. The basic retrieve quickly on busy lakes. deep. Of course, heavy spinnerbaits are methods are twitching on the surface, jerk­ When you are stuck with bass that are easier to work deep than light spinnerbaits. ing, and the steady retrieve. buried in cover—and this will occur a great Though the easiest spinnerbaits to fish Start the twitch by doing nothing. Cast deal of the time—get right in after them deep are heavy with single, small willow- the lure out and let it rest motionless for with either Texas-rigged plastic worms or leaf blades, it does not follow that they at least five seconds. Then give the rod the jig & pig. These weedless lures (ac­ are the most effective spinnerbaits to work tip a twitch, bringing the lure forward about tually, no lure is completely weedless) can deep. Some other spinnerbait that must be a foot. Let it rest for another few seconds. be fished right in the midst of weedbeds, worked much slower might be better. Continue the retrieve in this manner. The sunken tree limbs, or in nearly any cover The most popular spinnerbaits among twitch is usually done over some type of a bass can get into. expert Pennsylvania bass anglers are £- cover, such as stumps or weeds. When ounce to s-ounce with single Colorado the lure is past the cover, crank it the rest Flipping blades. There is good reason for this— of the way back. This retrieve can be ef­ Flipping, a relatively new method, is they do the job! In clear water, the blade fective with most any floating lure. probably the best method of presenting should be about the size of your thumb­ The jerk is similar to the twitch. The both lures. The advantages of flipping are nail. Use larger sizes for darker water. difference is that it is faster, and the lure that the lure is worked vertically and the Nearly all experts agree that gold, brass, travels under the surface. The object of lure can be placed accurately. The vertical or copper blades are best in stained water. this retrieve is to imitate a frightened or drop of the lure is a great advantage in

24 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler heavy cover because the lure comes out be used to trigger strikes from inactive popular in the floating minnow lures. There the same way it went in. It will not get bass. But if my understanding of the is little sense using anything other than hung up. Of course, a bass can complicate meaning of "inactive" is correct, then black or chrome with surface lures. this plan, but that is where the fun comes the only way you will catch inactive bass There is no doubt that color is directly in! Accuracy is critical because inactive with crankbaits is to snag them. And related to the visibility of lures. Color can bass buried in heavy cover will not go far that's illegal. make it more likely for bass to see a lure. to take a lure. It must be presented right Retrieve speed for crankbaits should be It sometimes pays to be aware of this. in front of their noses. adjusted to water temperature. Cool water There are electronic aids to help you Flipping is next to impossible without calls for slow retrieves, warm water for in this regard. But do not get the notion the proper rod. There are several flipping fast retrieves. By the time bass have gotten that color is the ultimate answer to your rods on the market, and a few reels made over the post-spawn blues, it is time for fishing problems. specifically for flipping. The rods are usu­ fast retrieves. However, this is merely a How important is it to change lures? ally 7i-feet in length, sometimes longer. general guideline. If the fast retrieve does We have all heard a story about an angler The long rod gives the angler reach. These not get the job done, slow it down. who fished all day and tried just about rods are also beefy, so a mad bass can be Keep in mind that crankbaits should im­ everything in the tackle box without suc­ horsed out of the cover. Use heavy line— itate some kind of bass food, either craw- cess. Then in desperation, the angler tries at least 17-pound—for hauling the bass dads or small fish. If you are attempting that one lure stuffed in the back of the out, and to stand up to abrasion. The drag to mimic small fish, use the guidelines tackle box. The first cast with that mystical on your reel should be cranked tight. Heavy already given for floating minnow lures. lure nets a whopper! And then follows the cover is no place to let a bass run. When you want the lure to appear like greatest frenzy of fish activity the angler Bass in shallow weeds often attack crawdads, or crayfish if you prefer, the has ever witnessed. The fish are big and surface lures. There are weedless surface lure should bounce along the bottom in an there are lots of them . . . lures made specially for this job. Some erratic manner, like a fleeingcrayfis h might. It surely sounds like that lure was the examples are the Jawbreaker, Snag- Obviously, the first step for accomplishing key to success. But was it really? proof Frog, Skitter Buzz, Moss Boss, this is using crankbaits that get down to Could it rather have been more directly and Barney Spoon. These lures can be the bottom. Your tackle box should in­ related to a movement of active fish into dragged over and through floating and clude crankbaits that dive to various depths. the area? Maybe the angler's boat drifted emergent aquatic vegetation. They aren't A well-stocked tackle box should in­ into an area containing active fish. Perhaps scared of anything. clude a few jars of pork. Pork frogs are it was simply that the fish started to get Work these lures slowly. Those that do used with the jig & pig. Pork strips are aggressive at the same time the angler tied not float should be retrieved just fast enough useful with spinnerbaits, jigs and many on the lure. Or maybe it was some factor to keep them on top. Cover the water thor­ surface lures. Pork on a weedless hook that anglers have yet to identify. oughly. Casts should be made just a few makes a fine surface lure in heavy weed Maybe that lure was something special feet apart. As with any surface lure, do cover, and pork on a lead-head jig can in that place and time. More likely the not try to set the hook until a bass pulls imitate nearly any bass food. lure was a simple answer to a very com­ the lure under. Bass often miss surface plex question. People like simple answers. lures. Sometimes the bass strikes the lure But few things in nature have simple ex­ repeatedly, but if you pull the lure away planations and few questions have simple by trying to set the hook, the bass will answers. Usually it takes a substantial probably not give you another chance. effort to understand the things that per­ Some types of weeds are more attrac­ plex us. Sometimes we must be content tive to bass than others. But do not have that we do not know the answers, for the a preconceived notion of what is best. Let time being. the bass tell you that, because it can vary The point is, do not force fishing an­ from lake to lake, from area to area in any swers. Incorrect answers might make fish­ given lake, and from time to time at any ing problems more difficult than neces­ given lake. Work over all the weeds, and sary. The lure worked. It might not again. pay attention to the conditions wherever You should realize by now that there fish contact is made. If a pattern develops, are far too many combinations of lures/ pay special attention to places similar to retrieves/locations to try all in any day of the places that have been productive. bass fishing. If you try too many things, Lure color you cannot give anything a good try! Ver­ Diving crankbait Lure colors can drive bass anglers crazy, satility does not mean a helter-skelter ap­ Diving crankbaits can be effective any and this includes all the lure types cov­ proach. With experience, you should be time bass are active in open water. Cover ered. There is a broad range of opinions able to narrow down the variables to a is the main limiting factor to crankbaits. among experts about the importance of practical number. Bass are cover-oriented, so this is a seri­ color, but I want to point out some of the For one thing there is no getting around, ous limitation. Nevertheless, crankbaits more popular colors by lure type. Purple, though. You cannot do what you do not should be tried as often as any other type blue and black are the hot colors for plastic know. Carry a big bag of tricks for early of lure. After all, the first priority is to find worms and the jig & pig. Diving crank­ season bass fishing success. active bass. baits in the chartreuse, silver and crawfish 0*3 Some anglers think that crankbaits can color are favorites. Silver, gold or blue are June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 25 ANGLERS CURRENTS

It seems this guy's luck was all bad that nothing appeared amiss, and the bag and evening. He drove home on the side streets frogs were placed in a bucket with a lid NOTES and alleys to avoid the police because of to be frozen the next day. the license plate he was using. Unfortu­ The next morning I opened the bag to FROM THE nately, he swung a little wide on one of take a head count before freezing the frogs the turns just as a police cruiser came into and I came up short one frog. I immedi­ the alley from the other direction and he ately checked the state vehicle and found ran head on into the police car. the frog seated on the front seat in the STREAMS Undaunted by the minor collision, the driver's position. Muddy tracks indicated Who, me? man leaned out of the window, waved to that he had been on the dashboard and had While serving arrest warrants recently, the officer and yelled, "Everything is OK, jumped up against both side windows be­ I picked up a suspect who had failed to no damage on this end, no need to file a fore taking the driver's seat. Luckily, I respond to a citation for fishing without a report." Then, with his vehicle steaming hadn't left the auto keys in the ignition or license. The citation was filed by one of and the boat trailer swaying behind him, he may have started it. I don't need a my deputies who had given me a descrip­ he tried to back out of the alley, still wav­ chauffeur, but I did entertain the thought tion of the individual, and he had also ing to the police officer. If this guy was of teaching it to type by gluing flies to the advised me that the man had no identifi­ hoping for a break. . .well, the only one typewriter keys, but I was at a loss to cation when he was cited (the officer knew he got was in his radiator.—Kim D. Pritts, decide what pattern to use.—L. J. Haas, him from a previous arrest). The violator's WCO, northern Lancaster Counts'. WCO, Greene County fishing rod was also seized as evidence. When I served the warrant on the subject, he complained long and loud that he wasn't 10 years experience a fisherman, he had never gone fishing in This past Fourth of July the Allegheny his life, someone must have used his name, River was two feet below flood stage. he was just a poor innocent victim of cir­ Needless to say, there wasn't any com­ cumstance, and finally, he was the wrong mercial or recreational boating on the Al­ guy. When I advised him that he was still legheny River, or so I thought. On the under arrest, he asked, "How do I get the Monday following the Fourth of July fishing rod back that the officer took from weekend I received a call from a boater me?"—Kim D. Pritts, WCO, northern who said his boat was sunk in pool 9 of Lancaster County the Allegheny River. I asked him how his boat sank. The caller said he was traveling Avoiding the police up river with his 20-foot day cruiser when While investigating a boating com­ he swerved to miss a floating log and ran plaint, I noticed an unoccupied vehicle into a submerged log, causing his boat to with an attached boat trailer parked at an take on water and sink. When I asked the isolated launch ramp. The older-model jeep caller if he knew the Allegheny River was was dirty and in poor condition, but the at flood stage, he replied, "Yes, but I have license plate was clean. When I checked 10 years of boating experience and this is both the vehicle identification number and the first time this has happened to me." the license plate, I discovered that the jeep Luckily no one was injured and the boater was owned by a local man and the license did have enough personal flotationdevice s plate was registered to a woman with the for everyone aboard. This incident proves same last name and address. The license Here in the family boat on the Schuylkill that there is no substitute for proper boat­ plate, however, was not issued for a jeep, River is WCO Dave Corl (southern Mont­ ing education and some common sense. nor was the jeep currently registered. I gomery County) with his son, David, Jr., —Emil J. Svetahor, WCO, Armstrong suspected that the man kept the old jeep donning a PFD, of course. The boy's mom, County around to tow his boat, and whenever he WCO Sally Corl (Philadelphia County), wanted to go the river, he simply took the caught the boating duo on film. license plate off his wife's car and stuck Wanted a wedding it on the jeep for the day. I notified the Being listed under "Pennsylvania" in local police and advised them to be on the Frog at the wheel the telephone directory has obvious ad­ lookout for this vehicle. This past Memorial Day weekend I cited vantages to the sportsmen we serve, but The next day I stopped by the police three individuals for taking bullfrogs at it also leads to some interesting calls. station and asked the officer on duty if he night during closed season. I took the six Imagine my wife's surprise on answer­ had seen the car. "Yes," he replied, "I frogs, still alive, for evidence and placed ing the phone on a Saturday afternoon this ran into him last night." When I asked them in a Fish Commission litterbag, the past summer and the female caller asking what action he had taken, he said, "You drawstring pulled tightly. I placed the bag what judge was working in the Greens­ don't understand—I really ran into him on the front passenger-side floor. On the boro area. Not knowing exactly what the last night!" way home the bag moved occasionally but caller needed, my wife inquired why the

26 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler ANGLERS CURRENTS

caller wanted to know. The caller then • May an 18-inch remote-controlled boat Larry Boor is explained that she and her fiance wanted be used to troll for fish? The premise: A to get married that evening and needed a fishing line and lure connected to a rod Officer of the Year judge to perform the ceremony. and reel on shore would be trolled by the After contacting me by radio I ex­ remote-controlled boat until the lure was plained to my wife that there was a district taken by a fish. A quick-release device magistrate on call in the county, but it was would then be activated, and the fishwoul d doubtful he would perform a marriage cer­ be reeled in directly using the rod and reel emony with no advance notice, etc., etc. from shore. My wife then explained this to the caller, • "Fish decoys." May a number of who seemed satisfied and hung up the wooden replicas of fish be weighted and phone.—L. J. Haas, WCO, Greene County tied to an inflated innertube over a specific area to resemble a "schooling spot" that What next? would hopefully attract real fish, which The beginning of a brand new year of then could be caught in the same area? fishing is always accompanied by a pro­ • "Floating duck eggs." May I retrieve liferation of questions about fishing and for consumption duck eggs that are afloat boating. in a lake? They are excellent eating. These questions, for the most part, are It is always interesting and amusing to old questions revisited by yet another gen­ see what might be proposed next by im­ eration of anglers seeking information on aginative anglers. However, my experi­ when, where and how to catch fish. ence dictates that regardless of the method Larry Boor, waterways conservation However, 1988 seems destined to be and means of pursuit, the results relate officer for Adams/northern York counties, the year of improvisation in the "how-to" directly to the IQ of the pursuer and the has been named the Pennsylvania Fish category. pursued. Commission Officer of the Year. The Southeast Regional Office of the You must be smarter than the fish or it Boor has served the Commission since Pennsylvania Fish Commission Law En­ might be beans for dinner.—Robert Perry, 1969 as a waterways conservation officer, forcement Bureau has received the follow­ manager, Southeast Law Enforcement and currently patrols 321 stream miles and ing questions as of March 15, 1988. Region 674 acres of lakes in his district. Accord­ ing to Edward Manhart, director of the Bureau of Law Enforcement, "Boor has exhibited a professional attitude toward his deputies, his fellow employees, sports­ men, governmental agencies and the gen­ eral public. Boor walks the extra mile and gives the extra effort to give his best in all his endeavors as a waterways conser­ vation officer of the Commonwealth." Boor was honored last March at the 1988 Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Eyeing trailered boats Last January I traveled 1-78 west from Allen town, and along the way I spotted three or four cars trailering boats. Most lakes in Pennsylvania were covered with at least three inches of ice, so I thought it was strange to see all those trailered rigs on the road. Then I remembered that the number of boats registered in Pennsylva­ Well-deserved recognition nia has risen steadily for the past 10 years In this photo, taken last year, I am presenting Merritt Snyder with two awards, or so, and that the Commission recently a Commission Conservation Award and an honorary lifetime deputy commission. sent out some 272,000 boat registration Mr. Merritt, of Leesport, Berks County, aided me in stocking trout until about four renewal materials. Then I thought how or five years ago. In his early 80s, Mr. Merritt helped with trout stocking no matter unusual it would be not to see trailered how bad the weather was. He's been getting the Angler since its beginning (1931), boats along Keystone State highways all and he still fishes. Special thanks goes to him!—Amman Ziegenfus, WCO, northwest year long.—Art Michaels, editor, Penn­ Berks County sylvania Angler, Boat Pennsylvania

June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 27 ANGLERS CURRENTS

New "River Canoeing" tion, and Virgil Chambers, chief of Boating and warm-weather boating), basics in run­ Safety Education for the Pennsylvania Fish ning a shuttle, and guidelines in planning Poster Available Commission, the poster gives the reader a float trip. The Fish Commission has available a the essentials on "River Canoeing." The This educational poster is available for new 22-inch by 34-inch full-color hand­ poster is illustrated by Ted Walke, Com­ $3.50 postpaid from the Pennsylvania somely illustrated poster that addresses the mission graphic artisl. Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Har- basics of river canoeing. Developed by The poster is packed with important in­ risburg, PA 17105-1673, or the American Dr. Robert Kauffman, professor of rec­ formation every river paddler should know. Canoe Association, 8580 Cinder Bed Road, reation and a member of the board of di­ Topics include self-rescue, equipment rec­ P.O. Box 1190 (P), Newington, VA 22122- rectors of the American Canoe Associa­ ommendations, proper attire (both for cold- 1190.

Dedicated to the sound conservation of our aquatic resources, the protection and management of the state's diver­ ANGLERS I*U__ -- . sified fisheries, and to the ideals of safe boating and optimum boating opportunities.

NOTEBOOK ^ ©MrwqWj EXECUTIVE OFFICE Edward R. Miller. P.E.. Executive Director o If you don't own a scaling tool, a Dennis T. Guise, Chief Counsel teaspoon makes a handy substitute. The BUREAU OF edge of the spoon's cupped portion , ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES readily flicks the scales from panfish 1 717-657-4522 and other large-scaled species when \ Allison J. Mayhew, Director Vacant, Personnel scraped from tail to head. Glen Reed. Federal Aid Mary Stine, Fishing Licenses

To remove corrosion from a metal BUREAU OF FISHERIES lure, try soaking it overnight in a few 814-359-5100 Delano Graff, Director ounces of Pepsi or Coke. Then rinse. Vincent Mudrak, Division of Research Vacant. Division of Fisheries Hot weather raises havoc when plastic Environmental Services Richard A. Snyder, Division of worms or jig tails come in contact with Fisheries Management painted plugs during storage. Keep soft Dennis Ricker, Division of Trout Small crayfish, up to an inch or so in Production plastics separated from the lures in your length, make great late-season trout bait. Shyrl Hood, Division of Warmwaterl tackle box and remove the tails from It's not only a natural trout food but Coolwater Fish Production painted jigs between trips. also a change of pace from the BUREAU OF PROPERTY AND FACILITIES traditional baits they've been offered MANAGEMENT Always use the smallest bobber that since the April opener. 814-359-5100 will do the job. Large panfish bobbers, James Young, P.E., Director Vacant, Division of Construction & o for example, add unnecessary weight If you catch a keeper destined for the Maintenance Services and won't signal a nibble as quickly as K. Ronald Weis, R.A., Division of wall, don't put it on a stringer or toss it Engineering & Technical Services a small one. in a cooler among ice chunks. Both Eugene O. Banker, P.E., Division of cause harm to the tail, fins and scales. Property Services Most worm anglers hook their Instead, wrap it carefully in a wet towel BUREAU OF LAW nightcrawlers through the collar. This or burlap bag and keep it cool. Get it to ENFORCEMENT 717-657-4542 often results in lost prey as a trout or the taxidermist as soon as possible. Edward W. Manhart, Director smallmouth grasps the long end and Freeze if necessary but keep it in a pulls the worm from the hook. If this is BUREAU OF BOATING plastic bag to prevent dehydration. 717-657-4540 a problem, hook the worm through the John Simmons, Director Virgil Chambers, Division of Boating center of the body instead. Float fishermen invariably shove off Safety Education Andrew Mutch, Division of Boat from shore or push off rocks with the Registration Don't think you have to fish topwater blade-end of a canoe paddle. The paddle plugs swiftly or with a gurgling noise will last longer if you reverse it and use BUREAU OF EDUCATION AND INFORMATION when night fishing. Every once in a the handle-end for such chores. 717-657-4518 Cheryl K. Riley, Director while try an ultra-slow retrieve. It often Larry Shaffer, Publications attracts wary largemouths (even A small mirror in your boat serves as Stephen B. Ulsh, Education C. Blake Weirich, Education smallmouths) that will surface and a sun-reflecting signal when you have Dave Wolf, Media Relations gently engulf the lure. motor trouble and may need help. An Michaels, Magazines o Ted Walke, Graphic Design illustration—George Lavanish

28 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler ANGLERS CURRENTS

Cooperative Nurseries

They meet in the cold of January, when HOOK YOUR trout anglers' thoughts are distracted by other things. They count their money and FRIENDS ON wonder how to increase their membership. The questions are asked again and again. Who will feed the fish? Clean the race­ FISHIN' FUN! ways? Help on stocking day? Outside un­ der lock and key, raceways held a crop of fish they stocked in the spring. Last spring NATIONAL FISHING WEEK there were crowds following the trucks, JUNE 642, 1988 anglers armed with rods in hand. Few were there to help and most did not buy mem­ berships. Still, the clubs continue, con­ tributing time and effort and money un­ selfishly the year long. There are 155 such groups, caring for trout, walleye, salmon and bass. Of the 187 hatcheries, 183 are coldwater hatch­ eries; one group raises walleye; three nour­ ish and stock bass. In June or July the Fish Commission supplies sponsoring groups with fingerling trout that are 6 to 8 months old and 2 to 4 inches in length. With the truckload of fingerlings comes a two-week supply of food, but after that the groups are on their own. That means they buy the food, build and maintain the raceways and stock the fish in the spring. It requires long hours, with sore muscles, and at times dealing with low flows, ice and disease. It is per­ haps one of the most unselfish efforts a club could undertake. This spring the cooperative nurseries Last April, Fish Commission Executive Director Ed Miller (second from right) stocked a little over a million trout. All presented Governor Robert P. Casey (center) with a framed poster depicting the trout were stocked in public waters for the Commission's watchwords, "Resource First." Executive Director Miller also pre­ benefit of everyone. And the sportsmen, sented the governor with his 1988 fishing license and two Commission ball caps, after the stockings, now receive a new an "I'm a Pennsylvania Boater'' hat and the popular "I'm a Pennsylvania Angler'' batch of fingerlings and begin working on hat. Accompanying Miller for the presentations were Joe Greene (left), Commission next year's crop. legislative liaison; Cheryl Riley (second from left), Bureau of Education and In­ To all our Cooperative Nursery formation director; and Dave Wolf (right), Commission director of Media Relations. volunteers, thanks for a job well done.— Dave Wolf Prompton Reservoir Horsepower Limits Clarified Monofilament Line Can Be The Fish Commission is calling boaters' attention to the horsepower limits on Dangerous Prompton Reservoir in Wayne County. Boats are limited to a maximum of 10 horse­ power under a change brought about when the impoundment reverted to U.S. Army Birds, mammals and reptiles com­ Corps of Engineers control from the state Department of Environmental Resources. monly become entangled in monofilament Boaters are cautioned that Fish Commission publications and other sources of printed line that litters our waterways. These an­ material they may consult could provide outdated information, which indicated that imals usually die as a result of the entan­ horsepower was either unlimited or restricted to electric motors only on this 280-acre glement, so remember to save mono line impoundment. Boaters are urged to check their boating summary book of regulations, to throw away properly. which has been updated to include the correct information, and also to read any signs that may be posted along the lake. Waterways conservation officers will be enforcing the regulations that limit the use of motors to 10 horsepower or less.

June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 29 ANGLERS CURRENTS CAUGHT RELEASED

Last September, Randy Knestrick caught this smallmouth bass in the Monongahela River during a nighttime trip. Pennsylvania Angler

Just fill out this form and send it with a photo Another nice smallie from the Mon River of you and your catch. during an evening trip is displayed by Wil­ liam Roule. The fish jumped on live bait '^ last September. fi Name

Address

mm City State ZIP Scott Barefoot was fishing the Allegheny

River last March with a 4-inch shiner as Account # (top line of magazine mailing label) bait when this nice musky (37 inches) clobbered the offering. His brother Barry handled the netting honors. Date of catch and release

Location

Fishing method

Remarks

Please send only photos of fish that were released unharmed. A color slide or a black- and-white or color print no smaller than 3V2 x 5 is best. The Fish Commission offers no Michael Lambert used live bait to fool this payment for these pictures. If you wish your photograph to be returned, please include lOi-inch crappie in a waterway near his a stamped, self-addressed envelope when home in Scranton. He made the catch while you send us your picture. Send to: "Caught fishing with his grandfather last July. Herman Schaeffer shows off a 6-pound, and Released," Pennsylvania Angler, P.O. 12-ounce, 24-inch largemouth bass he Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. caught in northeast Pennsylvania. He used Please photocopy this form if you don't wish a white spinnerbait to make the catch last to cut your magazine, or with your photo­ August. graph include the information on a separate sheet. 30 June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler ANGLERS CURRENTS

Ken Kodadek, age 12, caught and re­ leased this beautiful brook trout near Boil­ ing Springs. He took the fish with a size 14 Isonychia nymph. Lester Truswell nailed this 10-pound carp E. J. Seman was fishing with a fly rod on 6-pound-test line in a Westmoreland and a 2-pound-test tippet to fool this 20- County waterway. The action took place inch rainbow last August at Fisherman's last May. Paradise. He caught the trout during the afternoon in 92-degree heat.

Cathy Stirm of Philadelphia hefts a nice largemouth bass that she caught on a spin­ ner in Lake Luxembourg, Bucks County.

This 5-pound smallmouth bass was re­ turned to its Juniata River home by angler Bill Klink, who caught the bass on a spin­ ner last October.

Ed Dybalski, Jr., holds up a 432-inch musky that he caught on a spinnerbait in Lake Ontelaunee last March.

June 1988 Pennsylvania Angler 31 FISH-FOR-FREE DAY JUNE 25,7988

The Pennsylvania Fish Commission encourages everyone, resident and non-resident, to "take a friend fishing" on June 25,1988. All fishing license requirements will be lifted for the day, although all rules and regulations governing fishing will be enforced. Take a break in '88—try fishing in the Keystone State.