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TUeMeystotie»Statels Official and Boating Magazine 11 Last week I purchased my first recent trip to Green Spring Creek in •k Pennsylvania Resident Annual Cumberland County (I did catch a few • Fishing License and Trout/ nice brown trout there), I stopped by a Salmon Stamp after buying tour­ fly-fishing shop to pick up a few items. ist licenses during past visits to this Needless to say, just a few flies and a beautiful state. As did many of you, small plastic fly box alone cost well over I paid my $22.50 and then started $20. Later this spring, I'll register my thinking about where my trips would canoe so that I can use Commission boat take me over the year and the trout, bass launch areas and paddle in a state park and other fish that I'd be chasing. Hope­ lake. This fee will set me back all of $ 10. fully, I'll learn to fish the waters of Penn­ Yet, what do you get for your money? sylvania successfully and enhance my For that $10, over the next two years I'll skills by fishing with some of the many have access to over 250 launch sites and fine anglers in this state. dozens of lakes. My kids and I will be Although by no means do I consider able to fish for about any species of myself to be a skilled angler, I have had freshwater fish and some of the best the chance to fish waters from Florida to trout waters in the nation. We will know Alaska with much time spent on the New that there are more than 400 profes­ River in Virginia and and sional staff and hundreds of volunteers the many streams of Wyoming and the working to protect the aquatic resources, Black Hills of South Dakota. My first fish maintain access sites, improve the fisher­ were white bass in the Upper ies, teach boating safety, and provide River and later, on that same family va­ technical assistance to literally hundreds cation, cutthroat trout in Yellowstone of fishing clubs, watershed groups, lake National Park. I must have been about 8 owner associations, individual anglers years old at the time and was fishingwit h and boaters, and much more. Even with my dad and older brother. the proposed new license fees, including These are wonderful memories and I $20 for a resident license, a fishing li­ greatly look forward to sharing similar cense will remain one of the best deals in experiences with my two children as they recreation. grow up and become my fishing part­ In addition to a new package of fish­ ners. I also hope to tell them that the ing license and boat registration fees fishing licenses they eventually will pur­ proposed in House Bill 2155, a new $2 chase are a big part of the reason why license is proposed for youths aged 12 to they will still enjoy those fishing oppor­ 15. Is this a new idea? No. In May 1977, tunities. Commission Executive Director Ralph To many of us, it seems that the fish­ Abele wrote in this spot about a pro­ ing license we purchase is simply a cer­ posed $3 youth license and an even ear­ tificate mandated by the state that lier proposal for a $2 youth license back permits us to fish legally. While this is in 1973.* true, there is much more to the rest of the A youth license would be an impor­ story. Since 1919, Pennsylvania has sold tant change for us and for Pennsylvania. non-resident licenses, and since 1922, we We anticipate selling about 100,000 of have sold resident licenses. Those first these licenses, and each one that we sell ones were sold for $1 each. When I will bring in an additional $3.50 in fed­ turned 16 in 1975, a Pennsylvania Resi­ eral funds from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife dent Annual Fishing License would have Service. If you do the math, this results cost me $7.50, equivalent to about $26 in about $550,000 that we can use to today based on U.S. Department of La­ enhance our programs, including ex­ bor cost-of-living statistics. panding youth fishing opportunities and Any way you look at it, though, it is increasing educational efforts. still one of the most inexpensive parts of Will $2 be an obstacle for kids to fish? most people's fishing trips. On my most Will this license prevent young people

2 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us from taking up fishing? I think that such worries are unfounded. Throughout the Commission Bans Unsafe Boating Practice state, we work with local clubs and civic Known as "Teak Surfing organizations to support hundreds of youth fishing days, most of which are and The Fish & Boat Com­ will continue to be exempt from the li­ mission took action at its I COULD SEE cense requirement. We also establish free spring quarterly meeting fishing days (set this year for May 29 and April 19 and 20 to ban IT MIGHT LOOK June 5) to make sure that everyone can teak surfing, an unsafe get out to fish without any license cost. boating practice. Teak LIKE THIS Another way to look at this is that the li­ surfing, sometimes called cense is equivalent to the cost of down­ "drag surfing," is an loading two songs from most web sites, emerging and highly dan­ far less than the cost of a movie theater gerous fad. The practice ticket, half the cost to rent a new video involves an individual's release, and it won't even get you near the holding onto an accelerat­ gate of any amusement park. ing boat's swim platform Might there be cases where $2 is a and letting go to "surf" problem? Possibly, but we can work out the wake. In addition to ways to get those kids out on the stream the inherent danger of the or lake through our own programs or individual losing his or through local fishing clubs. You should her grasp of the swim also know that our excellent corps of platform and being hit by BUT YOU CAN'T SEE, SMELL, OR TASTE IT. waterways conservation officers will not a moving boat propeller, Whether inside or outside your boat, CO accumulation may harm you. be writing tickets to kids who decide to teak surfers face injury fish without a license. This is one of and death from carbon monoxide managed as part of the Delayed- those cases in which talk and education poisoning. Harvest, Artificial-Lures-Only pro­ will be the order of the day. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a col­ gram. The meetings will be held Let's not underestimate our youth. orless, odorless, tasteless and highly from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 12 in They are smart and willing to play a role toxic gas. It is produced when a Monroeville and on May 13 in in helping to protect, conserve and en­ carbon-based fuel, such as gasoline, Leesport. hance our fish, fishing and the environ­ propane, charcoal or oil, burns. CO • expanded the slow, no-wake ment. A youth license gets them thinking is often emitted through a boat's zone for boating on the Lehigh about and participating in this process engine or generator exhaust outlets. River in the area of the Route 33 much earlier, it brings in new funds that As a result, CO can accumulate al­ Access in Northampton County. will help other youth experience fishing, most anywhere in or around a boat, • voted to seek public comment and it will enhance fishing opportunities including around or under swim on proposed changes to regulations for youth, which they will share, some­ platforms and a boat's stern. establishing the minimum age of day, with their own kids. It really is a In conjunction with banning operation for certain boats. It is good deal for Pennsylvania. teak surfing, the Commission proposed that a person 11 years old adopted language prohibiting the or younger may not operate a per­ use of a tow line of less than 20 feet. sonal watercraft or a boat propelled Jbov%^tte^" Passengers towed on water skis or by a motor greater than 25 horse­ other devices by a short line also power and that effective January 1, iuglas J. Austen, Ph.D. run risks from carbon monoxide 2008, a person 15 years old or Executive Director poisoning. younger may not operate a per­ In other action during the meet­ sonal watercraft. * To view these documents, on the ing, the Commission: For complete details on Com­ Commission's web site, • set public meetings on a re­ mission action during this meet­ www.fish.state.pa.us, click on "Funding - quest to allow the use of bait during ing, visit the Commission's web HB 2155, Growing Greener II," and on the "harvest period" on waters site, www.fish.state.pa.us. the left side of that page find the article links under "HB 2155 PAGES."

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 Edward G. Rendell Governor PENNSYLVANIA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION Samuel M. Concilia President North East Paul J. Mahon Vice President Clarks Green Donald K. Anderson Meyersdale Opportunities Richard W. Czop CollegeviUe May and June offer special opportunities for anglers and boaters, and in this Ross J. Huhn issue we remind anglers and boaters of some of those chances. Saltsburg This year, May 29 and June 5 are Pennsylvania's Fish-for-Free days. On Ted R. Keir Athens those days the fishing license requirement (and only the fishing license Howard E. Pflugfelder requirement) is waived. Fish-for-Free days provide a unique chance to New Cumberland Leon H. Reed introduce a friend, relative, neighbor or business associate to fishing. For Honesdale details on how to take advantage of this opportunity, see page 21. William J. Sabatose On page 22, Linda Steiner explains the function of Pennsylvania's four Brockport largest conservancies and land trusts, and how anglers and boaters benefit BOATING ADVISORY BOARD Michael L. Lentine from their work. After reading this article you'll see that opportunities abound Langhorne for becoming involved in conservation efforts and making a difference in the Chairman conservation of Pennsylvania's lands and waters. Rex R. Beers Philadelphia On page 27, we present the results of the 2003 PFBC Photography Contest. Steven M. Ketterer The contest included 168 entries in five categories. A group of five judges Harrisburg G. Edwin Matheny chose three winners and one honorable-mention winner in each category. Greensburg Enjoy viewing the results! The opportunity? Please check page 31 to review Thaddeus Piotrowski the 2004 contest rules and entry form, and be sure to enter this year's contest. Bloomsburg Some recognition and sharing your photographs with PA&B readers could be EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Douglas J. Austen, Ph.D., in your future. The entry deadline is December 31, 2004. Executive Director; On page 50, "2003 Pennsylvania Boating Fatalities," by Commission Boating John E Simmons, Director, Safety Education Manager Dan Martin, is a stark reminder of the opportu­ Bureau of Boating and Education; John Wiediger, Department of nity—no, the necessity—to make safety aboard our boats the priority. As the Conservation and Natural Resources theme of National Safe Boating Week (May 22 through May 28) states, "Boat MAGAZINE STAFF Smart. Boat Safe. Wear It!" Wearing a life jacket when aboard a boat is one Editor—Art Michaels Art Director—Ted Walke safety measure we can all live with. Circulation—Linda Covage Near the end of each issue is our "Cast & Caught" (C&C) page (see page 63). REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS C&C offers opportunities to share with the Commission and with other Vic Attardo Charles R. Meek readers the results of your prowess and success. —Art Michaels, Editor. Mike Bleech Wayne Phillips Rob Criswell Linda Steiner Cliff Jacobson Dave Wolf

Pennsylvania Angler £ Boater (ISSN1093-0574) is published bimonthly by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9299. s2004 THIS MONTH IN PFBC HISTORY Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Nothing in this magazine may be reprinted without the written permission of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Subscription rates: one year, J9; three years, $25; single copies are S3.00 each. Periodicals postage is paid at Harrisburg, PA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Pennsylvania 1878. An act of June 3 banned fishing on Sunday. This act was reversed in 1937. Angler & Boater Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, 1879. On June 11, the state legislature authorized the Commissioners to Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. For subscription and change of address, use above address. Please allow six weeks for processing. Send all other correspondence to: build fishways or ladders for the passage of migratory or anadromous fishes in the The Editor. Pennsylvania Angler & Boater. P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106- 7000. Editorial queries and contributions are welcome, but must be accompanied state's public streams. by self-addressed, stamped envelopes. Material accepted for publication is subject to Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission standards and requirements for editing and 1909. An act of May 1 "forbids the running of any refuse into a stream which [is] revising. Submissions are handled carefully, but the Commission assumes no responsibility deleterious to fish or fish life." The new law gave the Department of for the return or safety of submissions in its possession or in transit. The authors' views, ideas and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the similar enforcement power to that of the Department of Health in "keeping water opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission or its staff. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission receives federal aid in sport fish restoration. pure." Under appropriate federal acts, the U. S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire more information, please write to: The Office of Equal Opportunity, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

4 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us The mission of the .Pennsylvania May/June 2004 Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Y^I "C¥J Volume 73 Number 3 is to provide fishing and boating opportunities through the protection and management of aquatic resources.

GENERAL INFORMATION 717-705-7800

EXECUTIVE OFFICE R Douglas J. Austen, Ph.D. www.fish.state.pa. us Executive Director Laurie Shepler, Assistant Counsel John Arway, Feature articles Division of Environmental Services Winter Steelhead Tactics for the Lehigh's Heavy-Water Trout by VicAttardo 9 J. Gary Moore, Legislative Liaison Vacant, The Upper Crust of byMikeBleech 14 Human Resources Director A Throw-Away Nymph by Charles R. Meek 18 Tom Ford, Director of Policy and Planning Dan Tredinnick, Press Secretary 2004 Fish-for-Free Days: Your Guide to a Perfect Outing by Art Michaels 21 Conservancies and Land Trusts Help Keep Pennsylvania Fishing and Boating COMPTROLLER Mary DeLutis (Acting) by Linda Steiner 22 Fishing Pine Creek by Ron Steffe 32 BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION 717-705-7900 Mudbugs and Dragons by Rob Criswell 36 Licensing and Boat Registration How I Became a Fly- and Fly-Tier by Art Michaels 39 717-705-7930 Wasyl lames Polischuk Ir., Director Spruce Up Your Boat by AlexZidockJr 40 Tom E. Thomas, Information Systems Big-City Stripers by Carl Haensel 43 Brian Barner, Federal Aid/Grants The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Fishing and Boating 200 Years Ago Brenda Verner, Licensing and Registration by Deborah Weisberg 46 BUREAU OF FISHERIES Pennsylvania's BUI/DUI Joint Task Force Pilot Program by George C. Geislerjr. 48 814-359-5100 Rickalon L. Hoopes, Director Andrew L. Shiels, Division of Research Special features Richard A. Snyder, 2003 PFBC Photography Contest Winners 27 Division of James E. Harvey, 2003 Pennsylvania Boating Fatalities by Dan Martin 50 Division of Trout Production 2003 Deputy Waterways Conservation Officers of the Year 54 Martin T. Marcinko, Division of Warm/Coolv/ater Fish Production Regular features Protect • Conserve • Enhance by Executive Director DouglasJ. Austen, Ph.D 2 BUREAU OF ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT Around by Art Michaels 4 814-359-5152 Mail 6 John F. Simmons, Acting Director SMART Angler's Notebook by Keith Edwards 8 Richard Mulfinger, P.E., Division of Engineering, WCO Diary by WCO Jonathan R. Kay 13 Construction & Maintenance Casting Lines with Dave Wolf. 20 Bernard J. Kiesnoski, Property Services David Bumann, P.E., Engineering Your Fishing Field Guide by Carl Haensel 35 Vacant, Fishing & Boating Facilities Design Notes from the Streams 52

BUREAU OF LAW ENFORCEMENT Currents 56 717-705-7861 Fishin' from the Kitchen by Wayne Phillips 56 Tom Kamerzel, Director Angler's Notebook by Jonathan Angharad 57 Guy A. Bowersox, Assistant to the Director George C. Geisler Jr., Cast & Caught 63 Assistant to the Director

BUREAU OF BOATING AND EDUCATION About the covers 717-705-7833 On the front cover, Douglas and daughter Emily Kuntz, and Emily's cousin Subscription Inquiries Quinton, pose with the 26-inch, 8.3-pound brown trout that Emily caught in 717-705-7835 John F. Simmons, Director Lycoming Creek, Lycoming County. Emily caught this trout of a lifetime on Dan Martin, Boating Safety Program opening day, April 17, 2004. She used spinning tackle with 4-pound-test line Carl Richardson, and a nightcrawler to entice the fish. Photo by Art Michaels. On the back Aquatic Resources Program Ted Walke, Educational Media Services cover we depict more fishing and boating opportunities available during May

www.fish.state.pa.us and June. Back cover photo by Blair Seitz.

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater u May-June 2004 5 Anglers who field-dress their fish through the narrows toward should also consider the landowner. Lewistown. If you have a canoe, you A large amount of entrails can create could also put in at the Mifflintown an unsightly, smelly mess on Access and float down to the Port someone's property, causing strained Royal bridge to harvest fish above the angler/landowner relations. Anglers 12-inch length.—WCO Richard D. should ensure that the property Morder, Perry and Juniata Counties. owner has no objection to your field- dressing the catch, or you should en­ Notes on a good deed sure that the entrails are discarded I am referring to the letter "Thanks properly.—Jeff Bridi, Southeast Re­ for the good deed" in "Mail" in the gional Manager. January/February 2004 PA&B. If you still have the writer's email address, Bugging me for please let him know that his thank-you Filleting fish some time letter made my day. I was the person May I legally fillet my fish along the who found his fishing license in the This is something that has been bug­ stream?—Emailed item (from one or parking lot of the Jim Thorpe Market. ging me for some time. I live in Port more people) taken from the "Q&A" area The runs past the park­ Royal, Juniata County. I fish a lot and of the Commission's web site, ing lot. I tried to get his phone num­ use the Commission's Walker Access. www.fish.state.pa. us. ber, but was unsuccessful. I put the Big Bass water runs from the Port contents of the license holder in an Royal bridge downstream. Suppose I All fish may be field-dressed (that envelope and sent it to the address on put my boat in at the Walker Access and is, the entrails may be removed but the license. I did this once before when go upriver above the Port Royal bridge the head and tail must remain on the I found a license in the Delaware Wa­ and catch some bass that are legal fish), but not all fish may be legally ter Gap National Recreation Area. It above the bridge (12 inches), and then filleted along the stream. Filleting is just made me feel good that Mr. take my boat out at the Walker Access the removal of the edible meat along Steelman appreciated this gesture and and I get stopped by a WCO. How the sides of the fish. Any fish that has I wish him tight lines.—Henry Geyer, would the WCO handle this?—R.G. a minimum size and/or a closed sea­ Ardsley. Price, Port Royal. son may not be filleted until it reaches the place where you intend to eat it (in This question has been brought to Turtle consumption most cases, your residence). Fish that my attention several times while have no closed season or minimum checking anglers and boaters at the advisory? size may be filleted, but the skin must Walker Access. According to the Fish Are there any consumption adviso­ remain on the fillet until it reaches the and Boat code, "It is unlawful to take ries for snapping turtles in Pennsylva­ place where you intend to eat it. For catch, kill or possess largemouth, nia waters? I would like to know if I example, an angler may fillet crap- spotted or smallmouth bass on or in can eat snappers from the Shenango pies, or along the designated Big Bass Regulation wa­ River and other waterways.—Art stream, as long as the skin remains on ters except in compliance with the fol­ Tompkins, submitted via email. the fillet. Fishermen may not fillet lowing seasons and size and lim­ walleyes or trout along the stream. its." The Port Royal bridge is the up­ There are two exceptions to this per limit on the Juniata River for Big rule. Anglers who go to a licensed, Bass waters. Therefore, you may regulated fishing lake (a fee-fishing catch a bass less than 15 inches above area) may have their fish filleted. the Port Royal bridge and harvest However, they will also receive a re­ this fish. But if you are in pos­ ceipt from the establishment to iden­ session of this same fish at the , tify the source. Anglers may also take Walker Access, it becomes ille­ fish to an officially recognized fish- gal and a citation may be issued. Your question is timely. The Fish cleaning station and have them fil­ My recommendation is that if you & Boat Commission, PA Department leted. The station operator is re­ want to fish for smallmouth bass and of Environmental Protection, and PA quired to give the angler a receipt that would like to harvest bass 12 inches Department of Health are presently indicates the species and number of and larger, put in at the Mifflintown performing a statewide survey of fish filleted. Access. There is excellent fishing up snappers because a snapping turtle

6 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us collected and analyzed from Presque deregulation and consolidation in the the preseason and inseason stocking Isle Bay on Lake Erie contained rela­ public utility industry. Keep the PA schedules. He would find more info in tively high concentrations of PCBs in Fish & Boat Commission as it is now— the yearly summary books, booklets and its fat, even though its meat was rela­ separate from the Game Commission. pamphlets the Fish & Boat Commission tively low in PCBs. We therefore de­ As it stands now, we, the PA sportsmen, publishes. Lord forbid I even think of cided to initiate a statewide study in are enjoying the best service from both throwing out one issue of PA Angler & which we are collecting and analyzing commissions, and there is no compe­ Boater magazine! turtles from six different regions in tition for programs or funds. The an­ It used to be we spent hours check­ the state. The study will give us some glers and hunters know they are get­ ing a new stream, finding the roads and idea about the presence and distribu­ ting the most bang for their bucks and looking for signs of fishing activity or tion of PCBs in snapping turtles. I so do the trappers. Why try to pit one stockings—such as the litterbug sign, expect that these results will lead us group against the other in a consoli­ then the foot traffic, and, sad to say, the to some special advice about consum­ dated commission?—George Taylor, trash left behind by the fishermen. I am ing snapping turtles. But until the Clifton Heights. so happy my husband uses his vest pock­ information is available, use the fish ets for his fishing trash. consumption advisory information Every trout stream We have shared a lot of good and bad in the current Summary of Fishing My husband inadvertently has memories attempting this feat. My last Regulations and Laws as a guide. started a competition with himself. dog was checking the rocky streamside Because turtles are much longer- As a little boy, he used to go and watch of Snake Creek in Susquehanna County lived than fish, you should avoid eat­ his father fish. Later he fished with when she swallowed a hook some an­ ing turtles from waters that have do- his brother and some friends, remain­ gler had left behind with a treat for her not-eat advisories. In other waters, ing pretty much in his home territory. to find. Two days later she had surgery trim the fat, following the guidance Not until 1985 did he seriously begin because the hook was lodged in her for sportfish for that water, and en­ to fish. esophagus. She was close to 15 years old joy the meat. Remember that the At first he thought about fishing in at the time and I refused to let a fish Shenango River from Shenango Lake every county. That was the first feat. hook get the best of her. Dam to its mouth (where the Then it turned into every stocked We have had breakdowns with our Shenango and the Mahoning rivers stream in PA. The rules are that to truck. I had a really great camera that join to form the Beaver River) cur­ count, his fishing a stream has to in­ the waters claimed. The bad news is that rently has do-not-eat advisories on clude a successful catch with no foul- was my first fall. The good news is that muskellunge and carp as well as one- hooked fish. will be my last fall! meal-per-month advisories on large- In 1992, fate had it that we met. I Mark knows all of PA roads, topog­ mouth bass, walleyes, smallmouth have always loved PA but had not re­ raphy and areas better than anyone. It bass, bluegills, , white suck­ ally seen this state—not through a IS his backyard. It is amazing how he ers, sunfish and channel catfish, due fisherman's eye. Our very first trip was remembers each stream he has fished as to PCBs. All of our public health pro­ "Hix, Mix, Medix and First Fork." That if it were his first. He is obsessed and tection information on fish con­ year the regs book was purple. I fell in now dedicated to completing his goal. I sumption is advisory and voluntary. love, again, with PA. I will never be have been told he will be the first to ac­ Watch for new information about good at trout fishing nor share his en­ complish such a feat. our snapping turtle study, which will thusiasm, but we are equal in our love I am asking that maybe you would appear in the 2005 Summary of Fish­ and respect for this state. know what he needs to do to document ing Regulations and Laws.—John Anyway, we started taking a lot of his madness. I see his accomplishing this Arway, Chief, Environmental Services "road trips" and our relationship blos­ in five to 10 years. No doubt he will do Division. somed. Somewhere in this time he it and I am proud that I am able to share spoke of his goal to fish, successfully, a small part of this with him.—Carol For the benefit of in all the PA trout-stocked streams. I Vasinko, sent via email. the consumer was skeptical and my first question was What an ambitious project! Keep­ Deregulation and consolidation are whether he kept some sort of record— ing accurate records is vital. One ex­ two words that have not worked for the which he does. cellent map source is the Com­ benefit of the consumer in Pennsylva­ We have worked our way through mission's online regional maps. Visit nia. The consumer eventually pays several topo maps and have spent the Commission's web site, more and gets less. I know that my tele­ many hours looking over areas. Only www.fish.state.pa.us, and click on phone, electric, gas and water costs re­ difference is now we need magnifica­ "Online Maps." Good luck!-£d. O flect what has happened as a result of tion for our glasses. He has memorized www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 7 Tin^Ur^MfeSov^ ]

by Keith Edwards

The most important part of a boat is its hull. When a boat is built, the hull is made first and then everything V-BOTTOM: Used on boats operated in wavy water, else is added to it. The shape and type of a boat's hull or on boats that go farther offshore. The V-bottom determine how the boat handles in different water con­ slices through waves, creating a more stable ride. V- ditions. Use the information below to choose the kind bottomed boats go faster than round-bottomed boats. of boat that best matches your kind of boating. There are two basic types of hulls: Displacement hull. This type of hull is rounded and plows the water out of its way as it moves along. Advantage: Provides a stable, smooth ride by plow­ ing through waves. Disadvantages: Uses more fuel to plow water out of its way, and is slow. Example: Sailboat. Planing hull: This type of hull is either flat-bot­ tomed or V-shaped in front and flatter toward the back. It is designed to lift the front part of the boat out of the ROUND BOTTOM: A displacement-hulled boat. Its water as it speeds up, letting the boat skim across the round shape gives a soft ride, but rocks back and water. forth more than a flat-bottomed boat. Advantages: Uses less fuel and goes faster because it rides on top of the water instead of plowing through it. Disadvantage: Rougher, more unstable ride because it bounces on top of waves. Example: Ski boat. Most boats are combinations of planing and dis­ placement hulls. At slower speeds or in larger waves, the boat plows through the water, allowing a smoother ride. At higher speeds or on smooth water, the boat planes, or skims, on top of the water. Catamarans, pontoon boats and cathedral-hulled boats are multiple-hulled craft. A FLAT BOTTOM: A planing-hulled boat that is flat cathedral-hulled boat has great stability but provides a from front to back and rides on top of the water. rough ride in large waves. Q

8 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater % May-June 2004 www.fish. state.pa.u s \Wfnfap£S^

by Vic Attardo photos by the author

The last time I had used a noodle rod, the air tempera­ ture was just a few degrees above zero, slushy chunks of ice were floating down the river, and I was catching steelhead. But now it was late June and there wasn't a steelhead in sight.

Instead, I was sitting in the bow of a drift boat with a guide and his son. We were drifting the Lehigh River below Bowmanstown, Carbon County, a trout-rich tailwater that holds rainbows, browns and brookies. The flow emanates from the bottom of the Francis E. Walter Dam, about 20 miles upstream, so the water temperature was a pleasant 68 degrees. That afternoon the release was strong, a full 1,200 cubic feet per second. For those unfamiliar with the equipment, a noodle rod is nothing more than a very long, very light and very springy spinning rod capable of casting small lures and baits an ex­ tremely long distance. Noodle rods routinely come in lengths of 9 and 10 feet, but I have seen them 11 feet and longer. Using 4-pound-test line, you can throw a 1/16-ounce bait into the next county, no matter how far back you're standing.

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater % May-June 2004 9 For a moment I thought I was back in frigid water catching mighty steelhead. No rod makes a wider, deeper bow than a noodle rod and no rod flexes as fast. Each time the trout tried to bolt, the noodle rod just flexed again and the barbless hook held tight.

•^m ^WuYr^j%tfrfri^F?rrgite Noodle rods also let an angler I've heard that some anglers land large fish on light line be­ use bits of nightcrawler for win­ cause the rod gives: A noodle rod ter steelhead, but I have never is very forgiving of a fish's power­ hi an i seen anyone fish this way. Never­ ful runs. Noodle rods are often theless, Dave Sr. took the and used to catch winter steelhead in threaded a 3-inch nub of strong, clear water, just the conditions where light line, long nightcrawler to the barbless hook. casts and a pliant rod would be helpful. "Now it looks like a little brown leech," he said, "and we The younger angler had rigged a noodle rod so he could have a ton of those in the Lehigh." fish for trout. David Frey Jr. had now rigged steelhead equip­ After we came through a fast chute, Senior dropped an­ ment in a way that would be attractive to summer trout, and chor at the head of a riffle. He pulled the drift boat a few in our first hour on the water, he had already proved his feet to the side of the heavy flow, but kept near the top of theory with four fish. the fast water. When we settled in, Dave Jr. slung the bait I had started the day working a streamer on a fly rod, but and weight some 40 to 50 feet on his side, perpendicular to in the heavy current the tactic just wasn't fun. After an hour the boat. of little results, I turned to father and son, begging them to rig The offering hit the water with a soft plop and Junior me up a noodle rod. gathered up the slack from the cast. As the offering went "It'll cost you," Junior joked, handing me a finished rod. downstream, he held the rod tip high, keeping as much line The 10-footer was adorned with gear worthy of steelhead off the water as possible. fishing, but with a baited twist. The rod was equipped with a "I've had some hits as it was moving downstream," Jun­ medium-weight spinning reel spooled with 8-pound-test line. ior said. The line might be a little large for winter steelhead, but it was On this drift, the younger Frey let the bait move below still within reason. What made the reel "steelheady" was that the boat and into a smooth pocket deep into the run. He it held brown line. Brown or camouflage is a common line dropped his rod tip a tad and then sat down in the stern. color for the rivers of the Great Lakes because the neutral "They're being fussy," he said. "I'd bet if they were really color helps disguise the offering in winter's clear waters. Tied aggressive they'd hit as soon as the bait landed in the eddy. to the line was a three-way gold swivel, and even though gold I had one or two hits like that already, but mostly I've had swivels are a little bright for winter steelhead, the concept be­ to wait." hind the rig was still steelheady. The wait was not long. On the bottom ring of the swivel was a short, three-inch I was studying the river but turned in time to see Junior leader. Connected to the leader was a quarter-ounce rubber- stand and pull back softly on the rod. With a noodle rod encased weight shaped like a banana with a severely tapered you don't have to cross a fish's eyes when you strike. In base. The top of the banana is filled with balsa wood and the fact, that would be a mistake. Junior tendered a quick, thin base is made from stainless steel wire. The notion be­ smooth reaction to the strike, giving the rod just a brief hind this weight is that it can be maneuvered through rocks backward snap. Then he gathered up line as the trout with few hang-ups. Its rigidity, curvature and taper make it battled through the fast water. perfect for working rocky rivers like the Lehigh. Soon he brought a nice 15-inch rainbow to the edge of Just as in steelhead fishing, the business end of the rig was his father's rubber catch-and-release net. The trout was connected to a long leader. In this case, 24 inches of brown hooked in the side of the mouth, in part because Junior line sprouted from the third ring on the swivel down to a had reacted quickly to the strike. With the barb crushed hook. The straight-shank hook had no baitholder barbs. down, the hook easily came free. Also, the barb beneath the point had been crushed.

signage promote the use of the river and let users gain Lehigh River Water Trail information about the Lehigh River's recreational re­ The Lehigh River Water Trail is the newest addition sources. to the state's system of 16 water trails certified by The creation of the Lehigh River Water Trail was the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation The 72-mile Lehigh River Water Trail includes 20 ac­ and Natural Resources. The water trail was created by cess points from White Haven, Carbon County, to Easton Wildlands Conservancy with cooperation from the Pennsylva­ Northampton County. The water trail is separated into a north­ nia Fish & Boat Commission. Additional assistance was provided ern and southern section. The published water trail guides by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Commission, show "trailheads" (boat launch and take-out points) and pro­ Lehigh University and the Lehigh Valley Canoe Club. The inter­ vide background information on points of interest along the active web site can be viewed at www.wildlandspa.org.—Chris way. In addition, an interactive web site and access point Kocher, Director of Rivers Program, Wildlands Conservancy.

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 11 After getting this eyewitness lesson, I gave the technique a try. Truly it was no different from drifting a yarn fly for steelhead. After a loblike cast, I kept the line high as it bounced along and watched it for a subtle take. Then I let it settle into a pocket and waited. In a minute or so I thought I had a hit, but I was a little slow and missed the strike. The trout took the bait. The next time I made the cast, I added one small trick to the technique. Instead of letting the rod telegraph the first sign, I kept the index finger of my rod hand under­ neath the line above the reel's bail. It's a common trout fishing gambit. On my second cast, I didn't have to wait for the bait to settle into a pocket. As it bounced through the transition between riffle and run, I felt a light take. Pulling back semi-gently on the rod, I gave the outfit a brief, short snap. The trout was hooked. For a moment I thought I was back in frigid water catch­ ing mighty steelhead. The noodle rod bent like, well, a wet noodle. No rod makes a wider, deeper bow than a noodle rod and no rod flexes as fast, like a high-wave oscillation. Each time the trout tried to bolt, the noodle rod just flexed again and the barbless hook held tight. Dave Senior, Junior and I put an amazing 30 to 35 trout in the boat. The bites just kept coming and we just kept hooking. The equipment and technique was perfect for this rocky river with a strong current and I thought of all the places I would take this game in the future. For the record, only one trout was hurt by this tech­ nique, no more, no less than would be damaged by fly fish­ ing. But just be sure to crush the barb, use only nubs of baits and set the hook immediately. O

Qciass A Wild Trout Streams Little Bear Creek (From headwaters merton downstream to confluence with Big Bear Creek) 8 Black Creek (From Weider Tract downstream to mouth) 9 Hawk Run (From headwaters downstream to dam upstream of SR 0534 bridge downstream 19 Mahoning Creek to mouth) 20 Mauch Chunk Creek 10 Hickory Run (From Sand Spring Run down Approved Trout Waters (from Mauch Chunk Lake downstream) stream to mouth) 10 Aquashicola Creek 21 Mud Run 11 Stony Creek (From confluence with Yellow Run 12 Drakes Creek 23 Sand Spring Run downstream to mouth) 13 Francis Walter Res. 40 Francis E. Walter Res. 52 Unnamed tributary, Nescopeck Creek 14 Hickory Run (Bear Creek Res.) (From headwaters downstream to mouth) (from outlet of Hickory Run Lake 53 Wrights Creek downstream to Saylorsville Dam) 67 Tobyhanna Creek f > Access Areas 15 Hickory Run Lake 836 Lehigh River-White Haven 16 Lehigh Canal (Long Run Level) Special Regulation Areas 839 Mauch Chunk Lake-Launch Ramp "A" 840 Mauch Chunk Lake-Launch Ramp "B" 17, 48, 62 Lehigh River (56) Mauch Chunk Lake-8/g Bass 841 Lehigh River-Rockport (between Carbon and Luzerne Mud Run-Delayed Harvest ALO counties and downstream to 842 Lehigh River-Glen Onoko Hickory Run- Sandy Run) 887 Francis E. Walter Res. 18 Lizard Creek

12 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us wca Dia Jonathan K.. K.a

Summer is fast approaching, many cases, these operators do not per in the back which means boaters will soon be appreciate the dangers associated seat? No? Then heading for open waters. As a result, with their actions. Common re­ why would you leave the controls of my law enforcement efforts will shift sponses to my boating enforcement your pontoon boat while under from trout streams to boating safety. efforts are, "This is harassment" and power to read a newspaper on the This change in focus doesn't depend "Can't you find something more im­ bow deck?" "Would you park your only on the number of boats on the portant to do?" car in the middle of the road at night water. The change is also triggered by These comments only reinforce and turn off all of your lights? No? the time of year when they begin to my belief that many boaters view Then why would you drop anchor launch. their pastime as purely recreational, and not display an anchor light? You Experience has taught me that the having no legal or personal conse­ wouldn't want someone to collide first month of the boating season yields quences for poor or irresponsible with you because they couldn't see the greatest number of boating safety judgment. However, when I explain your boat, right?" violations. A combination of cabin fe­ the similarities between automobiles I could continue, but you get the ver and new boat ownership places and boats in terms of the rules of the point. This concept can be used with both experienced and inexperienced road, many people begin to under­ most boating safety situations, in­ watercraft operators in a state of antici­ stand my concerns. cluding required equipment, opera­ pation that tends to cloud sound judg­ For instance, I might ask an op­ tion in controlled or restricted areas, ment. Recreational boating is erator, "Would you leave the wheel and so on. generally viewed as just that—"recre­ of your automobile while driving Because most boat operators also ational." Certainly, boating should be down the highway to read a newspa­ drive cars, the automobile analogy enjoyable, but it must be tempered works well to bridge the difference in with safe practice, an understanding thinking between safe boating and of the law, and knowledge of one's safe motor vehicle operation. Most limitations. people say they are very safety-con­ It's easy for a watercraft operator scious when behind the wheel of a to be lulled into a false sense of con­ car. My goal, then, is to get them to fidence and security on the water. think the same way about boating. Unlike driving an automobile, there Launching a boat during the first are no paved surfaces, no lanes of few warm weeks of summer is under­ travel, no seatbelts, and usually no standably a long-awaited event. You'll speed limits. Furthermore, there are drive your car with boat in tow to no headlights, no turn signals, and your favorite lake or river access and no breaks. Because these conditions do so safely, as you always have done. apply to automobiles and not to However, your responsibilities do not boats, operators must be more aware end at the dock. Check your boat for and more safety-conscious while op­ seaworthiness and required safety erating watercraft. Lacking the traf­ equipment. Refresh your knowledge fic controls we obey every day on our of state and local boating laws and highways, our waterways present a regulations, and abide by them. Be boating environment laden with po­ sure to start slowly to reacquaint tential hazards that contribute to yourself with your boating skills and preventable accidents and injury. your watercraft's performance. Re­ Every year I stop hundreds of boat member that boating is only as safe as operators for safety violations. In you are willing to make it.O Jonathan R. Kay is the WCO in Butler County.

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater % May-June 2004 13 All of our bass can be caught on surface lures. All it takes is the right Jnk , the knowledge to use it, and a bass that's looking up. AO

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by Mike Bleech photos by the author Wayne Shreve and I had been fishing the Allegheny Reservoir since early morning. We had caught a few smallmouths on long- lipped crankbaits soon after we had started, but as the sun rose higher fishing quickly deteriorated. The lake surface was flat, and not a cloud was visible in the deep-blue sky. We could see at least 10 feet into the clear water. Though it was a pleasant day to be outdoors, Poppers conditions were poor for Poppers are among the most basic surface lures. They vary somewhat in shape, bass fishing. but the only part that really matters is the leading end, which is concave. This shape produces the characteristic ploop and associated bubbles when a popper is twitched Hours without action led to me­ forward. chanical casting, and my enthusiasm One of my most recent experiences with poppers occurred at the Kinzua Dam waned. I did not notice that my friend tailwaters last fall, where I was very pleasantly surprised to catch many big white bass tied a surface lure to his line until he on small, silver poppers. began to retrieve it. There are two extremes in the way poppers are usually worked. One is to allow It was in a small, steep cut that he all ripples to disappear after the popper hits the water. Then the popper is twitched gave me the first lesson I can remember slightly, and it isn't moved again until all the ripples disappear. This is repeated about midday smallmouth fishing with throughout the retrieve. The other extreme is to retrieve the popper with a steady surface lures. His buzzbait hit the wa­ series of pops, pausing between them only long enough to reel in slack line. The ter at the end of the V-shaped notch. I slower method is often very effective at night. The faster method is great when bass saw the smallmouth shooting straight attack schools of small fish near the surface. up long before it grabbed the lure. Wayne isn't one to rub it in. All he Buzzbaits said was, "Ya' just never know." Buzzbaits are surface spinners. They can be made either on a straight-wire frame Bass anglers most often use surface or on a double-wire frame, and they usually include a plastic skirt. Adding a pork lures mainly because fishing the surface is so much fun. You can see the action, and the battles typically involve a lot of jumping. But surface lures are more than just the most entertaining method of bass fishing. Sometimes they're the most effective lures. All of our bass can be caught on sur­ face lures, the black bass, smallmouths and largemouths, and our true bass, stripers, wipers and white bass. All it takes is the right surface lure, the knowledge to use it, and a bass that's looking up. Buzzbaits

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 15 Keep switching lures trailer or soft-plastic trailer usually increases their effectiveness. These lures, or at least most of them, sink at rest but ride to the surface when they are retrieved. Since and varying retrieves they have single hooks that bend upward, they can be used over weed beds with little until you get action. . Then stick with what works until it stops working.

Propeller lures Propeller lures look like they might be used in the same manner as buzzbaits, and indeed, they can be used that way. But more often they're used with variations of a twitching, stop-and-go retrieve. Some move straight through the water, and some dart from side to side. Actually, there might be no wrong way to use them.

Wobbling surface lures Wobbling surface lures have large lips that extend to the sides. These lips cause the lures to wobble from side to side as "Walking-the-dog" lures the lure is retrieved. Walking the dog is a method that employs a very simple-looking lure, but requires These lures were the first surface of­ some coordination and timing. These lures are torpedo-shaped, with the line eye ferings I used many years ago when I below front-center. They are lightly twitched, causing them to dart from side to side. was a boy wading barefoot along the Al­ This action sometimes drives fish mad. legheny River. I would cast them along The trick to making these lures dart from side to side is allowing just the right the rocky shoreline, often during moon­ amount of slack line after the twitch, then reeling up the slack, and only the slack, less nights. They made a plip, plip, ploop, and twitching again at precisely the right instant. Learning to walk the dog is like plip sound as I retrieved them slowly, learning how to ride a bicycle: Once you get the hang of it, it's easy, but until you drowned out occasionally by the do, it seems impossible. barooough of a bullfrog, and often enough by the splash of an attacking smallmouth. Surface spoons Surface spoons are another type of surface lure that sinks at rest but rides to the surface during the retrieve. Some are thin and light. Others are thicker and heavier.

16 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us Lure color During my college years, I worked at a sporting goods store. Several fishermen who were camping at the local lake for the week stopped and asked for my advice on smallmouth bass lures. I suggested one of my favorites. This particular lure has a propeller blade at the rear and is torpedo- shaped. It happened just by coincidence that the lure I handed them had a frog color pattern with a yellow belly. The next day they returned to the tackle shop and expressed their delight Surface spoons with the lure. They had caught many Most are equipped with rubber skirts. I've found that adding a soft-plastic or pork smallmouths. Unfortunately, a northern screw-tail trailer adds to their effectiveness. All that I've seen have large, single hooks pike had also been attracted to it, and it that are either soldered or riveted firmly along the upper side, making them virtu­ had cut the line. They bought all of the ally weedless. store's remaining lures of this type that Surface spoons should be used with a slow, steady retrieve, except for pausing had the frog pattern. and allowing them to sink into open pockets in weed beds. They wobble as they A few days later they returned with the sink with an action that's similar to their action on the surface. same sad story of pike stealing all of those A surface spoon made a success of my first try at bass fishing on Black lures, except one. They had already Moshannon Lake. Most of the surface is covered with vegetation, including lily bought all with the frog pattern, so I pads and spatterdock. showed them some with a solid-yellow color, the same yellow as on the belly of the frog pattern. Even when I pointed out that the frog pattern was on the top of the lure, the part the smallmouths could not even see, they would have no part of it. I am convinced that the color of sur­ face lures matters little. I like black, which silhouettes best against the sky, and silver, which glitters like a shiner. Color might count for something on plastic skirts or on other trailers that dangle slightly un­ derwater. I've looked at surface lures from underwater while scuba diving and lures couldn't make out any color. Perhaps fish Slop lures are the most weedless of all surface lures. These lures are made of can see something that I couldn't see. soft, hollow plastic. Bodies, typically in the shapes of frogs or mice, fill the gaps The frog pattern was important to of the hooks, preventing snags. But the bodies collapse when a fish strikes to al­ those fishermen because it gave them low a . confidence. You'll do better using lures Most of these lures have no action except for what you give them. But that re­ that give you confidence because you'll ally doesn't matter because where they're intended to be used, over thick, matted fish harder, more intently. weeds and pads, bass can't see much of them. You can gain confidence in surface lures by using them in ideal conditions. One better than the other? Very early morning on a calm lake is best. Lures that have predictable retrieves might be best at night because bass I like moonlit nights, too, if for no other can catch them easily. Lures that are loud or that create a lot of commotion reason than they're the only lures you can should be best when the water surface is choppy. Obviously, weedless lures see. I also like to listen to them. That's are best in the weeds. Otherwise, though, let the bass show you what they pleasing in the still of the night. Once you prefer. Keep switching lures and varying retrieves until you get action. Then do gain confidence, try them anytime. As stick with what works until it stops working. Wayne Shreve said, 'Ya' just never know."Q

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 17 A Throw-Away Nymph by Charles R. Meek photos by the author

The hatch was unusually heavy and maraboulike feathers at the base of several wraps of lead to the body be­ surprisingly early. It was only 4 p.m. many hackles. fore I tie the pattern. The after-shaft on an overcast, drizzly late-May after­ I tied one of these patterns on, feathers are buoyant, so a few wraps noon, and already dozens of brown fished it just beneath the surface and of lead help get the pattern just under drake duns rested on the surface for twitched it to suggest that the nymph the surface. an extended period. Finally, after sev­ was struggling to rid itself of the To use the after-shaft part of the eral futile attempts, one of the duns nymphal shuck. It didn't take long to feather, I tie in three dark-brown took flight to a nearby oak tree. Trout find out if this new tie would work. In hackle tips for the tails, and then I tear didn't seem to take the laggards. In­ quick succession three trout hit the off some of the after-shaft and dub it stead, they moved in a surfacelike rise struggling imitation. onto pale-gray waxed tying thread. I to take the struggling nymphs. These Since that initial test with the dub it fairly heavily so the body looks nymphs were large—a 2x size 10 or 12 Throw-Away Nymph, I have had simi­ robust, especially the front third. I rib hook would copy the length—and as lar successes with it with the green and the body with fine gold wire, add a they neared the surface they struggled yellow drake hatches. I tie it in sizes 8 wing pad and hackle to imitate the desperately to break open the shuck to 12 on a long-shank hook and add legs in the front third of the body, and and escape the unusually the pattern is complete. cold water. After I complete the You usually see these pattern's rear two-thirds, I mayflies appear just at dusk tie in pheasant-tail fibers on The brown drake nymph top to imitate the wing pad. looks a lot like green and 1 then dub the remaining yellow drake nymphs—and front part of the body, add for that matter, a lot of the the hackle to imitate the other burrowing nymphs— legs, dub and wrap the re­ a pale-gray to tannish-gray maining front part of the nymph. That afternoon I body with after-shaft, wind observed the hatch's the hackle and complete the progress. I watched the pattern by pulling the wing nymphs struggle, finally pad on top of the dubbed break open the nymphal body and wound hackle. shuck, and then rest on the I try to get the front third surface as duns. I saw several of these of the body heavier or bulkier than struggling nymphs sucked in by feed­ Dressing: the back two-thirds. I usually use a ing trout. Throw-Away Nymph dubbing loop. You can do this easily Finally, I had had enough. I had to by making a loop in your waxed fly try my new nymph pattern that cop­ Hook: Size 6 to 12, long- tying thread. Distribute the after- ied many of the burrowing nymphs. I shank nymph hook. shaft equally in the loop, and then had seen this same scene several times Thread: Medium gray. spin the loop and wind. Doing the before, and I tied a few new nymphs Tails: Three dark-brown hackle front third this way gives you a more (at least new to me) made up of fluff tips. robust body. from the base of a saddle hackle or Wing Pad: Dark-brown pheas­ The Throw-Away Nymph is an ef­ from those small, fluffy feathers called ant tail. fective pattern especially from late after-shafts. It is the part of the Body: Pale tannish-gray to May through much of June. You can feather and the neck that you nor­ pale-gray after-shaft (part of fish the pattern by itself near the sur­ mally throw away. the saddle hackle), dubbed and face and impart a twitching motion to After you tie and try one of these ribbed with fine gold wire. copy the struggling nymph, or fish it burrowing nymphs, you will never Hackle: Cree hackle (tannish as the point fly in a tandem rig. Use a again throw away that material. You grizzly). Brown Drake or other drake pattern can also use the pale-gray as the lead fly. If you use the tandem

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us setup, occasionally lift the dry fly to J. % Add about 15 wraps suggest that the nymph is moving. of .010 lead to the thorax Try the Throw-Away Nymph and section of the hook. Take use the after-shaft part of the three brown hackle tips and feather—you know, the part you extend them about a used to toss in the wastebasket. You quarter-inch beyond the will find that it has become an ef­ hook bend. Make certain fective part of your materi­ that the tips are even. Tie als—a very inexpensive and highly them in and cut off the butt effective one, too. You can make sections close to the hook. many lifelike patterns from the ma­ terial. Patterns like a Muskrat Tie in the fine gold Nymph and many others can be wire just in front of the tail. tied from the same after-shaft ma­ Tear some of the after-shaft terial. Maybe the material is made fibers and dub them onto of throw-away stuff, but once you waxed tying thread. Wind the dubbed after-shaft two-thirds try the fly, you will agree that it's a of the way up the hook toward keeper. Q the eye.

J» Counter-wrap (wrap the opposite way you wrapped the body) the fine gold wire and rib the body five or six times. This will hold the body for you. Tie in eight pheasant tail fibers on top where you just ended the body. Tie in a cree hackle (tannish grizzly) with the shiny side facing forward.

^T» Dub the front third of the body with after-shaft. Make the front third bulkier than the back two-thirds. You can accomplish this by using a dubbing loop.

'• Make three turns with the hackle as you move it toward A brown saddle hackle. Note the gray after-shaft the hook eye. Trim the hackle top and pull the pheasant tail feathers at the left, no longer throw-away fibers over the top. Whip finish and apply head cement. material.

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 19 Waiting for tli&Patches ?Sp*

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It could be genetic. Show me a stream with a good number of I came from a long line of fly-fishers trout, and I will show you a lineup of fly-fish­ who believed that trout fishing wasn't ers in waiting. If an angler is not willing to wait really all that good until a hatch ap­ for the hatch of duns, and begins muddling peared. So as you might suspect, I grew around in water where trout are to be "rested" up to enjoy the company of those souls with and not alerted to the growing shade created by who wander around the stream banks shading their Dave Wolf anglers lining the banks, he or she will be chas­ eyes with cupped hands in an effort to see and perhaps tised by the hatch-waiters. identify insects that could constitute a hatch. It seems that the term "hatches," usually re­ When I became a full-fledged hatch-waiter, it was in served for duns that actually do hatch, has always been soft­ vogue—basically accepted as the only way a real fly-fisher ened by the idea that fishing the spinnerfall is quite acceptable. would ever fish. The concept came about from England's Even though spinners are busy creating the next generation of famed trout streams, where a accompanied the "sport." hatches, there seems to be a general consensus that they, too, Part of his job was to find the client trout; the other was to are indeed considered part of the "hatch." enforce the rules placed on the private waters, which once al­ Although caddises in my circle of crusty anglers "come off lowed only dry flies—dry flies that were to be cast upstream— the water," there seems to be some sort of imaginary pecking never down and across. order for true hatches. Caddises seem to "come off the water" My personality is not of the stuffy nature, but I dreamed of while mayflies "hatch"-even though a lot of my dry-fly fish­ fishing on streams that allowed only dry flies. Some studies ing takes place when caddises are on the water. have indicated that fishing on top makes it much more diffi­ Although floating nymphs may not be considered duns or cult to take the larger trout found in any given stream. These spinners, my love for floating nymphs hasn't created that much were trout that prefer not to spend the energy required rising of a backlash from my angling peers. I'm fairly convinced that from the bottom to sip in something not worthy of the energy the floating nymph brings trout to the surface and may well they needed to expend. imitate a hatch of duns simply waiting for their wings to dry My bookshelves are filled with books explaining the theory enough to take flight. in convincing detail. There had been some argument that tak­ We are indeed fortunate to have enough fly-anglers turned ing large trout on dry flies was the crowning jewel of the best fly-tiers who are willing to churn out imitations that may be of the best fly-fishers. Of course, the best of the best had been better than the last. If there is a patient saint among anglers, growing in number for many years. it is the fly-fisher,wh o runs to greet a hatch. But for some rea­ The larger the mayfly, stone fly or adult caddis, the more son known only to the trout, which apparently have their lips tempting it was to the fattest and sassiest trout an angler could sealed, the trout do not rise to a flotilla of mayflies passing ever hope to find, if theory and fact are not tangled on some overhead. When this happens, I relent to my hatch-waiting estranged tippet. Thus, I assume, the green drake chasers came and begin to ply the waters with nymphs, streamers or any­ to become one of the largest groups of folks waiting for thing that doesn't float. But I do tip my hat to those of greater hatches. and more enduring patience—those who leave the stream with a freshly tied fly still in the hook keeper. Q

20 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater H May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us 2004

Your Guide to • 4. If you prefer big wa­ ter or big fish, consider a p a Perfect Outing Lake Erie charter for trout, salmon or walleyes; a guided excursion on Raystown Lake for lake trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, or striped bass; or a small- boat trip on the Delaware Because you're an experi­ River for American shad. enced angler, Fish-for-Free To find a charter boat or Days this year, May 29 and guide, visit the "Registered June 5, offer the ideal chance Fishing Guides and Char­ to introduce (or reacquaint) a ter Boats" page on the friend, relative or business as­ Commission's web site. sociate to fishing. During a From the Commission's Fish-for-Free Day you could main page click on "Fish­ tout the benefits of becoming ing," and then in "Com­ an angler. You could explain mercial Information" on how fishing lets you "get away the lower left, click on from it all." You could men­ "Charter Boats/Guides." If tion your appreciation of the you choose this option, outdoors. You could solidify don't delay: Charter boat family relationships or captains and guides book deepen friendships. In addi­ prime dates quickly. tion, you could have a terrific, fun time catching fish! !• 5. If you're planning an adventure on flowing water, To enjoy all these benefits, prepare thoroughly. Here are consider a Pennsylvania water trail. Under "Regional Infor­ .eight ways to plan a perfect Fish-for-Free Day outing. mation" on the Commission's web page, click on "Water ^^•T. To identify hotspots, start with "Pennsylvania's Biggest Trails." Then click on any red-numbered water trail on the Fish of 2003." From the Commission's web page, state map for details on the trail and its online map, which www.fish.state.pa.us, under "Navigate Our Site," click on you can view, download or print. "Fishing," and then click on "Biggest Fish of 2003." Here j^^ 6. For a trip to a local waterway, check out the you'll find a list of waterways in Pennsylvania where anglers Commission's online regional maps. From the caught the five largest fish of more than 30 species in the Commission's web page under "Regional Information," click Commission's Angler Recognition Program. Included are on "Online Maps." Then, on the next page's state map, click each fish's weight, length, date caught, lure or bait used and on the region where you want to fish. When the regional other details. You can also click the links for similar infor- map appears, on the left click on a county. Then click on ^rnation from the last few years. access numbers and special-regulation numbers for linked ^^2. For fishing how-to-do-it information, check the specifics. You can view, download or print this information. r "PFBKm C Online Education Resources Catalog." From the Bfe^7. Set an example by heeding safety information pre Commission's main page under "Navigate Our Site," click on scribed by law and by prudence, and be sure those who ac­ "Education," and on that page click on "Education Resources company you observe safety measures. For instance, ensure Catalog." On the catalog page click on "Fishing." View, that all aboard a boat wear properly sized, buckled and .download or print your selections. zipped life jackets, and if you'll be wading, know your lim- B^-3. To find more how-to-do-it and where-to-go informa­ its and those of your companion and plan accordingly, tion, on the Commission's main page under "Navigate Our p^- 8. Lastly, remember that on Fish-for-Free Days in Penn­ Site," click on "Angler & Boater." This link takes you to the sylvania only the license requirement is put aside. All other PA Angler & Boater page. Under "Past Issues" browse the last rules and regulations and special regulations, including sea­ few years of magazines individually or by annual index, and sons, sizes and creel limits, still apply. O view, print or download linked items.

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater •, May-June 2004 21 Help Keep] Pehhsylvlimjl!

Boating

by Linda Steiner photos by Linda and Bob

In their quiet ways, conservancies and Some conservancies retain a portion, if land trusts have long been protecting not all, of the land and waters they ac­ and expanding public access to quire. Others make it a practice to give or Pennsylvania's fishing and boating wa­ sell their acquisitions to national or state ters. They have also been preserving and forestry, parks and wildlife departments that enhancing the quality of streams, lakes and since 1866 will continue the property's protection or wetlands. Pennsylvania anglers and boaters public recreational use. In Pennsylvania, these have a lot to thank them for, and it's time these entities are primarily the Game Commission, De­ low-key organizations step into the spotlight. partment of Conservation and Natural Resources, and, The preservation of open space, rare species and habitats, to a lesser extent, the Fish & Boat Commission. and other important features of the landscape is the work that Conservancies and land trusts often act as purchase facili­ is normally associated with a conservancy or land trust. In the tators. They are able to provide funds immediately to obtain process, many waterways, from headwater streams and important lands and waters that government agencies want to swamps to riparian borders of major rivers, have been pro­ acquire, but find difficult by the time constraints of the sale tected by design or by simple inclusion in a larger parcel. Con­ window. Often the funds the land trust or conservancy ex­ servancies can be, but are not necessarily, land trusts. pends are reimbursed by the government agency when it takes Sometimes a land trust is a division of a conservancy, which possession. In other cases, the groups absorb the cost or pay may have a wider mission than land preservation. the difference between the amount the government may be al­ lowed to spend by law and the property's actual cost. How conservancies and To do their work, most conservancies and land trusts be­ land trusts function come nonprofit IRS 501 (c)3 organizations. Property owners Conservancies and land trusts protect land in its natural who donate land to nonprofit land trusts and conservancies state from abuse and misuse by outright purchase, by receiv­ can gain an income tax benefit. If they decide instead to sell ing title to the property as a gift, or by acquiring easements. Easements are property rights that a landowner can transfer, At right, Oil Creek, , by donation or sale, to another owner. Conservancies and land Venango County. This state park was a trusts typically acquire conservation or recreation easements. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy project.

22 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us T9 .*\ 'tf

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3 8 Conservancies and land trusts protect land in its natural state from abuse and misuse by outright purchase, by receiving title to the property as a gift, or by acquiring easements. the land to such a group, landowners can deduct from their cesses on other waterways. The Conservancy is active in pro­ taxes the difference between the appraised value of the land tecting land along the Clarion River and on Chestnut and and the lower selling price. Furthermore, when dealing with Laurel ridges in the southwest region. Late last year it acquired a nonprofit land trust or conservancy, landowners do not pay the Coho Tract in Erie County, 540 acres bordering Lake Erie, realty transfer taxes. In Pennsylvania, neither does the land which will go to the Pennsylvania Department of Conserva­ trust or conservancy when transferring property to the state— tion and Natural Resources to become a new state park. a savings all around. Through local programs, the Western Pennsylvania Conser­ vancy is working to preserve the unusual ecology and excep­ Pennsylvania Land Trust tional fishery in the northwest's French Creek. The Association Conservancy also purchased more than 9,000 acres to consoli­ date the forest boundaries of and safeguard According to the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, an the watersheds of two streams. It has also acquired exceptional umbrella organization that supports the goals of land trusts wetlands, bogs and fens to protect the homes of rare and en­ and conservancies, nearly 100 conservation groups operate in dangered species. the state. Some are small groups concentrating locally with a narrow mission. They range from the Allegheny Land Trust in the southwest and the Conneaut Lake-French Creek Con­ Wildlands Conservancy and servancy in the northwest, to the Pocono Heritage Land Trust Wildlands Preservation Fund in the northeast and the Berks County Conservancy in the Based in Emmaus, the Wildlands Conservancy is the West­ southeast. The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has a list ern Pennsylvania Conservancy's eastern counterpart. The Wild- of organizations on its web site, www.conserveland.org, under lands Preservation Fund is the land trust arm of the "Find a Land Trust," and those interested can locate a group Conservancy, founded in 1984. Most of its project properties by name or county working in their area. are ultimately transferred to the Pennsylvania Game Commis­ Other conservancies and land trusts are active broadly in sion. Some are notable for their water resources and their op­ the state. The "Big 4" in Pennsylvania are the Western Penn­ portunities for anglers and boaters. For example, in eastern sylvania Conservancy, the Wildlands Conservancy (Wildlands Luzerne County, the Wildlands Preservation Fund acquired Preservation Fund), The Nature Conservancy (Pennsylvania more than two miles of the Lehigh River, the Creveling Estate, Chapter), and The Conservation Fund (Pennsylvania Office). with most becoming state game lands. It also protected the Lehigh Marsh, the headwaters of the same river, near Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Tobyhanna. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, based in Pittsburgh, A 1,500-acre purchase by the Wildlands Conservancy, the was founded in 1932. It has protected more than 204,000 acres Powder property, contains nearly two miles of the Little of lands and waters in the state, transferring most to the Com­ , a coldwater stream in Schuylkill County. The monwealth of Pennsylvania to become state parks, state for­ conservancy partnered with the Fish & Boat Commission in the ests and game lands. Five Locks project in Berks County, securing about one mile of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy operates, as its name Schuylkill River frontage. It also obtained a 1,100-acre addition implies, mostly in the western half of the state. Today, anglers to the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Middle Creek Wild­ and boaters enjoy the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State life Management Area, which includes several miles of Segloch Park, Oil Creek in the state park of that name, Hemlock and Run. And it worked in Pike County to protect the Cheecho Wild Porcupine creeks in Venango County (Crawford Reserve), Acres, which supply clean water to Little Bushkill Creek. In all, Lake Pleasant in Erie County, Slippery Rock Creek at the Wildlands Conservancy is responsible for getting nearly McConnell's Mill State Park, Lake Arthur in Moraine State 40,000 acres into protective public ownership. Park, Laurel Run in , Cherry Run in State Game Lands 295 in Centre and Clinton counties, and The Nature Conservancy more, thanks to the work of the Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy is a national organization with a In the northern portion of the Allegheny River, the Western land trust component, the Land Preservation Fund. Its Penn­ Pennsylvania Conservancy has protected scenic shoreline and sylvania chapter is based in Conshohocken, with additional islands, transferring ownership of most to the Allegheny Na­ offices in the Poconos and the Harrisburg area. The Nature tional Forest. In Venango County it worked with the Pennsyl­ Conservancy was incorporated in 1951, with a plan for a system vania Fish & Boat Commission to provide boaters with of sanctuaries to protect rare species and threatened habitats. Fisherman's Cove Access, and it has purchased additional ac­

24 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Land Trust Association 105 Locust Street, Suite 300 Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 230-8560 www.conserveland.org

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy 209 Fourth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 288-2777 www.paconserve.org

Wildlands Conservancy and Wildlands Preservation Fund 3701 Orchid Place Emmaus, PA 18049 (610) 965-4397 www.wildlandspa.org The Nature Conservancy 15 East Ridge Pike, Suite 500 Conshohocken, PA 19428 (610) 834-1323 or l(800)-75-NATURE http://nature.org

The Conservation Fund, Pennsylvania Office 105 North Front Street, Suite 400 Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 230-8166 www.conservationfund.org Most lands managed by The Nature Conservancy are open The Fish & Boat Commission's role to the public for educational and recreational purposes. It has The Fish & Boat Commission has worked directly with protected by purchase or easement more than 9 million acres some conservancies and land trusts on specific projects, but in North America, including more than 46,000 acres in Penn­ the Commission's role, says John Arway, chief of the Environ­ sylvania. In addition to its reserves, the Nature Conservancy mental Services Division, is more to help identify areas that also acquires lands that are transferred to public entities. need to be protected. The Commission also gives technical as­ One of its Pennsylvania fishing-related acquisitions is the sistance and advice in the transactions. West Branch Wilderness, 3,000 acres in Clinton County, which "The Fish & Boat Commission also becomes involved in the contains Ritchie and Johnson runs. Both streams are Excep­ deals the conservancies broker with the Game Commission tional Value waters, and Ritchie Run is a Class A Trout Water. and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources," says Now a reserve of The Nature Conservancy, the parcel connected Arway. "We're glad to get these parcels into public ownership, neighboring Sproul State Forest and Bucktail Natural Area. whoever is the owner. We're longstanding and strong support­ Other projects of The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania ers of conservancies." include the Mt. Bethel Fen Complex, Thomas Darling Preserve Bernard Kiesnoski, chief of the Commission's Real Estate at Two Mile Run, Bristol Marsh, Mountain Run Ponds, and Division, says the Fish & Boat Commission does not buy, nor work on the French Creek Watershed. does it currently have the resources to buy, much land. There have been some notable exceptions, such as its recently obtain­ ing shoreline for angling access along Walnut Creek in Erie County at the Manchester Hole, and the project with the Wild- lands Conservancy on the Schuylkill River. Besides its boat launches at waterways across the state, the Commission owns some lakes in their entirety, as well as portions of streams, such as those along Falling Spring Branch, Franklin County, and Spring Creek, Centre County. Furthermore, through its disbursement of State Wildlife Grants, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and its sis­ ter agency, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, help to for­ The Conservation Fund ward the efforts of conservancies to protect and restore fish and wildlife species of concern. These cost-share grants are Active nationwide since 1985, The Conservation Fund has its made possible through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Fed­ Pennsylvania presence based in Harrisburg, but the assistance eral Aid Program. it provides in protecting lands and waters resonates throughout Grants made to The Nature Conservancy include those to the state. The Fund helps local, state and federal agencies and monitor reptile populations in southeast Pennsylvania and to nonprofit organizations acquire property from willing sellers to perform a statewide assessment and inventory of timber protect open space, wildlife habitat, public recreation areas, river rattlesnake sites. Some of the grants awarded to the Western corridors and historic places. It has helped conserve more than Pennsylvania Conservancy will fund projects designed to de­ 3.6 million acres across the United States. termine the Pennsylvania range and distribution of the East­ In Pennsylvania in late 2003, The Conservation Fund assisted ern massasauga rattlesnake and continue research on in acquiring more than 7,500 acres, the Theta Lands, for freshwater mussels and associated fishes in French Creek. The Luzerne County and the Pennsylvania Department of Conser­ Coldwater Heritage Partnership, a cooperative effort of the vation and Natural Resources. The Watres property in the tract Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania De­ will be added to Lackawanna State Forest. Part of the property partment of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylva­ going to Luzerne County includes Crystal Lake. nia Trout and the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program, The Conservation Fund was involved in adding 9,000 acres, provides grants to conservancies and other groups doing work Pennsylvania Suburban Water Company lands in North­ related to the state's coldwater resources and their fisheries. umberland and Columbia counties, to Wyoming State Forest. The property contains several reservoirs and Roaring Creek. The Fund also worked with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to acquire an 11,900-acre inholding in Sproul State Forest, the Litke Tract, in Centre and Clinton coun­ ties, including two Exceptional-Value and two High-Quality streams. It helped the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy pur­ chase the Coho Tract along Lake Erie, an example of how it partners to accomplish land protection work.

26 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us PFBC Photography Contest 2003W1NNERS

Five judges selected first-, sec­ Seasonal Fishing and/or Boating ond- and third-place winners and one honorable-mention winner in each of the five catego­ First Place: ries of the 2003 PA Fish & Boat Larry Jones, Commission Photography Con­ Pittsburgh, test. Competition was keen with learning to 237 entries, 80 more entries than fly fish, the previous year's contest. Beaver Creek, First-, second- and third-place Fayette County. winners received a certificate, the limited-edition 2003 trout stamp patch and the limited-edition 2003 nongame species patch (paddle- fish). Honorable-mention winners received a certificate and the lim­ ited-edition 2003 nongame species patch. Special thanks go to the judges: Commission Press Secretary Dan Third Place: Tredinnick, Southeast Region William Aquatic Resources Program Spe­ McKay, cialist Carl Haensel, Educational Reading, Media Services Manager Ted Walke, Bureau of Boating & Edu­ in Lehigh cation staffer Sandy Patrick, and County. PA&B editor Art Michaels. A tip of the hat goes to Sandy Patrick and Patti Copp for assisting with the contest organization and winner notification. Winning entries may appear in future issues of PA&B and in other publications, exhibits and projects. Winning entries also appear on the Commission's web site, Second Place: Karen Hassinger, www.fish.state.pa.us. Feasterville, boating on Lake Nockamixon, , Bucks County.

Turn to page 31 to view the

>FBC 9QQ4'J Photography Contest Honorable Mention: Thomas Parks, OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM er CONTEST RULES Pittsburgh, fishing at Clear Lake, Crawford County. www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler 8, Boater • May-June 2004 27 PFBC Photography Contest 2003WNNERS Family Fishing and/or Boating

First Place: Roger P. Wurst, State College, family outing on Spring Creek, Centre County.

• ••

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•:• mr 'A ig •^iJW Honorable Mention: Edward P. Kowalski, Reading, family fishing at Marsh Creek Lake, , Chester County.

Third Place: William McKay, Reading, family fishing near DuBois, Clearfield County. Second Place: Edward P. Kowalski, Reading, family fishing at Marsh Creek Lake, Marsh Creek State Park, Chester County.

Second Place: Ken Smithmyer, Cresson, bullfrog. First Place:

Alice S «£" .. Ogorodny, Pittsburgh, eastern spiny ^fc* softshell ^^k turtle. "~ ':'••• ' '.•*. .' nil

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28 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us Young Anglers and/or Boaters

First Place: Larry Jones, Pittsburgh, four friends fishing Lake Courage, Fayette County.

Honorable Mention: William McKay, Reading, young angler with a largemouth bass at Shillington Pond, Berks County.

Third Place: Paul Overbeck, Rosemont, kayaker on Lake Jean, , Sullivan and Luzerne counties. Second Place: Christine Hodge, Millerstown, young boater on Raystown Lake, Huntingdon County. Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates

Third Place: Craig Bingman, Beaver Springs, eastern American toad.

Honorable Mention: Denise Borsuk, Carlisle, red eft.

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-3une 2004 29 f*<*% PFBC Photography Contest 2003WNNERS Fishing and Boating Resources

First Place: Ron Sturm, Beaver Falls, Tionesta Creek.

Third Place: Daniel E. Weeks, Pittsburgh, Pymatuning Reservoir, Crawford County. s T$l II HJP. "-i •'• ** J,i> -•' * r ,-*ML VttK A, ^^_ M|il •*'. 1 ^M ^ • y'W&tW*•v^lipa - _>»<~~5^^ ——«,. ^•fc«^

Honorable Mention: Bill Neubaum, Harrisburg, view of the West Branch Susquehanna Second Place: Louis N. Ammon, River from Verona, Great Trough Creek, Trough Creek , Huntingdon County. State Park, Clinton County.

30 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us PENNSYLVANIA ^004- PFBC Photography Contest

mp— OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM 6Z CONTEST RULES

The 2004 Pennsylvania Fish & Boat * Commission employees and volun­ s Each photo must include the Commission Photography Contest is teers and their immediate family mem­ entrant's name, address, phone number, intended to foster a greater apprecia­ bers are not eligible. location of the photograph, species iden­ tion for Pennsylvania's fishing and ^Entries must be original works taken tification (if applicable), and category, boating, and aquatic resources. in Pennsylvania, and they must have in addition to a fully completed official Contest winners will receive a cer­ been taken by the person entering the entry form on this page for each cat­ tificate, the limited-edition 2004 trout contest. egory entered. stamp patch and the limited-edition ^Entries must also show adherence to ^Multiple submissions are allowed, but 2004 nongame species patch. Honor­ Pennsylvania fishing and boating laws participants are limited to a totaL of two able mention winners will receive a and regulations. entries per category. certificate and the limited-edition sin photographs, all boaters and an­ %The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Com­ 2004 nongame species patch. glers in boats must be wearing properly mission shall have the right to digitize Winning entries and honorable men­ fitted, buttoned and zipped life jackets. and use all submissions for publishing, tions may appear in a contest feature ^Entrants are responsible for securing illustration, World Wide Web display, ad­ article in a future issue of Pennsylva­ photo releases from identifiable subjects. vertising, trade, exhibits and promotion, nia Angler & Boater. All entries may ^Entrants may submit only mounted and in any other use in any medium for also be used elsewhere in the maga­ 35mm color slides, color prints in sizes any purpose whatsoever without com­ zine, on the magazine's cover, in Com­ 3 y2"x5", 4"x6", 5"x7", or 8"xl0", or pensation. mission publications, on the unmounted medium-format and large- H Winning entries (1st, 2nd or 3rd Commission's web site, and in Com­ format transparencies. place) from previous Commission pho­ mission exhibits and other projects. vMl submissions must be in color-no tography contests are not eligible. The contest will run from May 2004 black-and-white photos. H Entrants who want their materials through December 2004. sNo mounted, over-matted, framed returned must include a self-addressed, RULES or glassed prints will be accepted. stamped envelope with the right amount sRetouched or electronically manipu­ of postage and appropriate packaging VThe contest is open to amateur pho­ lated entries are not allowed. to safeguard materials. Submissions that tographers (anyone who makes less than ^Please do not send negatives or digi­ do not include return envelopes and half one's annual income from taking tal files. postage will not be returned. and/or selling photographs).

PHOTO CONTEST ENTRY FORM www.fish.state.pa.us orm m Complete this form with each entry and mail to: PFBC Photo Contest, PA f. mTrf"f\nrrc This I °y °e photocopied. Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. The deadline for the Commission's receiving entries is December 31, 2004. • 1. Seasonal Fishing and/or Boating (main focus on activity with seasonal backgrounds Please Print Clearly (snow, ice, fall leaves, etc.) Entrant's Name: • 2. Family Fishing and/or Boating (emphasis on two or more family members) Q 3. Young Anglers and/or Boaters Address: (main subject anglers or boaters less than 16 years old) • 4. Fishing and Boating Resources City: State: Zip: (primarily waterway scenic emphasis) • 5. Reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates Phone: (animal closeups or photos with the animals as the primary subject)

E-mail (if available): I received this form from (check one):

• PA&B magazine Date: • the Commission's web site • Photo dealer Signature: • Other (specify) by Ron Steffe

Through eons of time, the steady flowo f cesses. On a bicycle, though, it becomes an easy effort to find the fishing and solitude you may seek. Pine Creek's sparkling water along the high Camping is allowed in the Canyon, but permits are re­ plateau of Tioga and Lycoming counties has quired. They may be obtained at several places, but the best gouged the landscape to form both the way to access this information is to contact the Tioga State Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania and its won­ Forest District Office in Wellsboro. The phone number is 570-724-2868, or email [email protected]. derful scenery. Now, more than ever before, The upper trail reaches provide access to a world of excel­ it has become much easier to reach this lent trout fishing. The waters of the Pine are heavily stocked beautiful place, and in so doing sample the beginning along U.S. Route 6 and at points where stocking trucks can reach the stream. Natural disbursement of wonderful fishing for which Pine Creek is stocked fish provides good trout populations along the entire known. stream course, and Commission Area 3 Fisheries Manager Bruce Hollender says, "As long as water temperatures in the In the bottom of the gorge, the remnants of a railway sys­ Pine remain cold enough, some wild trout, brooks and tem parallel Pine Creek. Although the tracks themselves browns, will leave the cold mountain tributaries that flow were last used in October 1988 and are now long gone, the into the Pine and live there a while." bed remains, having found a new use as a bicycle/hiking If you have ever looked at a photograph of a stream from . The path is part of Pennsylvania's extensive network of the western part of the United States, say, Montana or Idaho, "Rail Trails," and for those choosing to use this trail, it is an and dreamed of fishing those waters, the ones with conifer avenue to enjoying the deep reaches of mountain beauty and forests and large grassy meadows sloping to their edges, you excellent fishing. can picture the upper section of Pine Creek in Pennsylvania. Starting at the Ansonia Access along U.S. Route 6 and It is not too difficult to visualize a lone fly-fisherman casting continuing downstream to the town of Waterville, the old an imitation of a green drake, one of the Pine's famed railway bed follows Pine Creek for 42 miles. According to hatches, which occurs from late May into early June. The fly the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources floats slowly on a path to faster water. The splash of a trout, (DCNR), future plans will have the trail going from the pull on the line, the ensuing battle, all within this western Wellsboro, Tioga County, to Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, setting, are just the very thoughts that have lured anglers a total of 62 miles. from all over the East to the Pine. Accesses for hikers and bicyclists are spread well apart, At the town of Blackwell, near the Tioga/Lycoming and large numbers of users are not the norm. That is not to County line, Pine Creek becomes slower and deeper. At imply people do not visit the area. Canoes and rafts often Rattlesnake Rock, a well-known access, a 30-foot deep hole dot the Pine in high water. There are even equestrian ac­ forms in the sharp bend the stream takes around the large

32 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us 0 .gWafO***-';*&#*•B * •**

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Baits, flies and lures Fishermen pursuing trout in Pine Creek use the usual assortment of nightcrawlers, red worms, mealworms and minnows. Spinners are also good choices. Fly anglers use nymphs early in the sea­ son. Caddis imitations bounced along the bottom with a small splitshot also work well. When mayfly and caddis hatches begin on the Pine, fly anglers do well with imitations in sizes 16 to 22. Sulphurs in sizes 16 to 18 and Blue-Winged Olives also work well. By late May into June, large flies in sizes 12 to 16, including cad­ dises and green drakes, fool trout and smallmouth bass. Minnows, worms and crayfish are excellent live baits for smallmouths. Small to medium-sized crankbaits and spinners also work.—RS. \ • • • rock outcropping. Trout remain, but smallmouth bass become part of the picture. "Smallmouths are found in the entire length of the Pine," Hollender says, "but downstream in Lycoming County is the best fishing for them. There the water has many more deeper and slower pools, the type of water one would associate with smallmouth bass fishing." Suckers, fallfish, chubs, rock bass and even scattered catfish and carp are found in the Pine. "Water levels vary with each rainstorm," Hollender says. "In extremely high water levels, smallmouths stay along the stream's banks, out of the strongest flow. Much of their food will move there, too." Hollender says that crayfish and minnows are the best bet for baits in the Pine. "We have found rosy faced shiners and common shiners to be the most abundant shiner species that live there. Longnose dace, some blacknose dace, assorted darters and madtoms make up the rest of the forage base." Pine Creek has much to offer serious anglers seeking to get away from the crowd. Hollender, himself a camper in the Canyon when he can find the time, offers this: "It has become more common to see the bounce of flashlights in early morning hours along the Pine as people take advantage of this resource. Still, the chance to fish alone is much easier to obtain here. It is a beautiful place with good fishing. It is publicly owned, and should be used by an­ glers. But the public has the responsibility to keep it clean." At all access areas the following words are posted: "Remember, it's carry in, carry out." It is too great a treasure to treat otherwise. Hop on a bike and tour the Pine. In a lifetime you could never fish all the enticing spots you will pass. Come to think of it, that's not a bad way to spend a lifetime.O

9 Class A Wild Trout Waters Brookside 101 Mill Run (From headwaters downstream to mouth) 102 Miller Run (From headwaters downstream to mouth) 105 Ramsey Run (From headwaters downstream to mouth) 106 Slate Run (From confluence with Francis Branch and # Approved Cushman Branch downstream to mouth) Trout Waters 107 Trout Run (From headwaters downstream to mouth) 140 Little Pine Creek 108 Truman Run (From headwaters downstream to mouth) 141 Little Pine Lake 127 Francis Branch (From headwaters downstream to the 147 Pine Creek (Waterville confluence with Kramer Hollow) on SR 44 to Blackwell on SR 414) 160 Apple Tree Hollow (From headwaters downstream to mouth) 151 Upper Pine Bottom Run 165 Bohen Run (From headwaters downstream to mouth) 197 Marsh Creek (mouth upstream to the mouth of Straight Run) 166 Buck Run (From headwaters downstream to mouth) 199 Pine Creek 168 Cedar Run (From headwaters downstream to confluence w Access Areas with Fahnestock Run) 518 Pine Creek-Ansonia 169 Cushman Branch (From headwaters downstream 519 Pine Creek-Blackwell to mouth) 530 Little Pine Creek-Little Pine Creek State Park 172 Fahnestock Run (From headwaters downstream to 541 Pine Creek-Hamilton Bottom confluence with Cedar Run) 542 Pine Creek-Clarks Access 173 Fourmile Run (From confluence right and left Branch 543 Pine Creek-Black Walnut Bottom downstream to mouth) Special Regulation Areas 174 Francis Branch (From Francis Road bridge at the (33) Little Pine Lake-Select Trout-Stocked Lake Program confluence with Kramer Hollow downstream to mouth) Little Pine Creek-Delayed Harvest ALO 181 Cedar Run (From confluence with Fahnestock Run downstream to mouth) Slate Run-Heritage Angling 187 Callahan Run (From headwaters downstream to mouth) Francis Branch-Heritage Angling Cedar Run-Trophy Trout Program

34 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-3une 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us Your Fishing Field Guide Baby Hopper The Baby Hopper ^ by Carl Haensel Some years ago, an angler I knew from Florida traveled north to fish with me for trout in limestone streams. Even though it was mid-May, the temperature predictions told us we would be sweating in short sleeves by 11 a.m. every day. On the first day we chose to fish, we were on the stream just as the sun crept over a low line of trees. I selected a pair of nymphs from a box in my vest and started casting to a likely run, as I do regularly. My friend walked down to the stream and sat down on the bank to rig up his rod. Not more than though not always at the same time on the calendar. five minutes later, his line was tight with a nice brown trout Grasshopper populations vary greatly in size from year to on the end. I kept casting, and only after watching him year, and emergence times can differ by weeks. Even devel­ catch four more trout did I ask what he was using. opment times vary: It can take roughly 35 to 50 days for A windy fellow, he proceeded to hold forth with a lengthy an egg to become an adult grasshopper, depending on the explanation about the fly, who tied it, its travels in a fly box, species. his travels fishing... I just wanted to catch some trout. Keep an eye out for the critters in your lawn, and you'll When I finally got a word in, he said that he had seen a have a good idea when to take your own little hoppers fish­ bunch of sluggish young grasshoppers on the bank when he ing. Take special note that these small grasshoppers cannot sat down, and he picked the fly that best matched them—a fly. That means their populations will be localized early in Baby Hopper. the season. That usually also means that fishing them I have always used terrestrial insect patterns in my fishing, tightly to the bank is the best option, since fish will rarely but I often wait until mid-summer to pull them out of my see them mid-stream. box. This day, we continued fishing almost until noon, pick­ As with other terrestrials, a firm "splat" on the water can ing off nice browns through a grassy meadow on the small­ often bring up fish that don't respond to a softly landed est grasshopper patterns we could muster out of our boxes. cast. This can also mean that long drifts are not needed to We even clipped down a few large flies with scissors until bring up the fish. If they don't respond in the first half- they started catching fish. dozen feet of drift after the "splat," pick up and cast again. Baby Hoppers are best tied on hooks in sizes 12 to 16. Some of my favorite places to look for good hopper fishing Size 14 is my favorite. Use standard-length hooks to keep are on waters that flow next to cattle pastures and grassy the body size small relative to the hook gap. I use bullet- meadows. head patterns be­ Get out this cause they're easy year and take to build in small advantage of sizes. Cement the this early sea­ turkey wing section son opportu­ before construction nity for some for better durabil­ great terres­ ity. The body is trial action. Q made of a green Antron®-hare blend. The overwing is elk hair. Since that first day, I've taken ad­ vantage of similar opportunities al­ most every spring,

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater •, May-June 2004 35 by Rob Criswell photos by the author

N.latur, e is replete with contrasts and contradictions. They they exhibit the qualities of the finest sprinters and star run the spectrum from the weather and landscapes to natu­ halfbacks, they possess the stamina of marathoners, some­ ral communities and individual species. But few can com­ times migrating hundreds of miles. pare to the wild differences between juveniles and adults of Odonata, which includes both damsels and dragons, the order Odonata—the dragonflies and damselflies. means "the toothed ones," referring to their jaw structure. Juvenile dragons, called "nymphs," or "naiads," are known This order is divided into two suborders, the Zygoptera to many as "mudbugs." They present a beastly image and (damselflies), which translates to "similar wings," and the skulking demeanor, crawling slowly through and over the Anisoptera (dragonflies), which means "unequal wings." muck, detritus and cobble of stream and lake bottoms or Dragonflies are generally larger and stouter than their deli­ sneaking up and down underwater roots and stems. They cate cousins, and considerably stronger fliers, but the easiest may be wide and flat or elongate and cylindrical, and they way to differentiate the two groups is to wait for the subject are cryptically colored in green or dull-brown hues. The to land. If it holds its wings together above its back, it's a lower lip of these diminutive monsters is modified into a damsel; if it leaves them straight out to both sides, it's a sort of "trap" consisting of an extendable arm tipped with a dragon. pair of sharp hooks. It gives the youngster's face a gro­ Several key adaptations, in addition to its fantastic flight tesque appearance. It is, however, a lethal weapon that al­ abilities, have allowed the dragonfly to survive the millen­ lows this evolutionary wonder to ambush enough prey to nia. Most arresting of these features are the disproportion­ grow, molt and metamor­ ately huge compound eyes, phose into adulthood. which dominate the head, The adult dragonfly, on the each with as many as 30,000 other hand, is the embodi­ hexagonal facets. Vision is ment of grace, speed and best to the front and above, beauty. A fine example is the but dragons can see in practi­ common green darner, one of cally every direction. And al­ our most abundant and recog­ though the eyes cannot be nizable dragons. Its head and focused for different distances, thorax are bright green and these insects can detect minute yellow, its abdomen is a rich movements, notice other drag­ turquoise highlighted by a onflies nearly 100 feet away, continuous string of onyx and see well in the dappled chevrons, and its wings are light of a river's edge. In addi­ fine lace accented with a vein of gold. It courses effortlessly tion to the compound eyes, three simpler eyes, called over forest or pond, deftly plucking its prey from the air. "ocelli," positioned on the top of the head, are used to sense In fact, the flight of the dragon is incomparable in the light levels and aid in navigation. natural world. With wings humming at 30 to 50 beats per Adding an array of formidable mouth parts to the second, its profile is like that of a Cobra helicopter. These dragon's "flight and sight" assets makes it a predator with­ "top guns" of the insect world can accelerate to 35 miles per out peer. There are enough lips, serrated jaws and exten­ hour in a quick burst, stop or change direction on a dime, sions to form a toothy basket that allows the airborne fly sideways or backward, and perform loops. Although hunter to catch most prey without bothering to use the

36 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us Youghiogheny River

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' ^5' Mudbug (Aeshna darner '•j*&* nymph) * m ^y/f/llioijUc M% ane maons spiny cage it can form with its Dragonflies are a large legs and thorax to dispatch order with 5,000 species Common the largest victims. worldwide and 300 in North green Dragonflies of the mudbug darner America. Some 115 species stage are efficient killers. have been collected in Penn­ These -uglies lie in wait sylvania, and that's good for a meal or stalk unsuspect­ news: "Odonates" are one of ing worms, aquatic insects, our most beneficial insect snails or even small fish and groups. The items of great­ tadpoles. Their favored fare is est popularity on the drag­ the larval form of the mos­ onfly menu, by far, are the quito. When a victim moves adults and juveniles of mos­ within striking range, the quitoes and biting flies. In mudbug shoots out its for­ addition, dragon nymphs ceps-tipped extendable lip may serve as an important at an incredible speed of food source for popular l/100th-second. Then it pulls , including large- the hopelessly snared, hapless mouth bass, rock bass, blue- prisoner to its waiting mouth. gills and yellow perch. Dragons and damsels These rapacious preda­ claim one of the most bizarre tors may thrive in nearly any mating rituals in the animal aquatic environment, in­ kingdom. When a male spies cluding bogs, swamps, a potential mate, he clasps streams, rivers, ponds, lakes her head with appendages on and even spring seeps. But his abdomen, frequently • 'M where pollution strikes or causing puncture wounds to lingers, their metallic forms her head. The female then and filmy wings soon disap­ curls her abdomen forward pear. The future is not to meet the male. They re­ sunny for many Keystone main in this "mating wheel," State dragons. Although either perched or in flight, green darners and common until her eggs are fertilized. She then deposits the eggs in the whitetails abound, the Pennsylvania Biological Survey con­ water or on aquatic plants, in some cases while still in the siders only about one-third of our dragonflies secure. An­ male's "headlock." other one-third are considered rare, and the status of the A dragonfly nymph will molt and shed its exoskeleton eight rest is uncertain. At least six species appear to be gone from to 16 times, if it can avoid becoming dinner for a heron or the state's waterways. fish. As maturity approaches, which may be in as little as a Nevertheless, things appear to be improving for some of month or as long as several years, the large eyes and different our Odonata. For example, the green-faced clubtail, hand­ colors become visible through the naiad's shell. Then, under somely marked in black and yellow, had been collected only the cover of darkness, the larva climbs from its watery envi­ once in Pennsylvania—in 1900 from the Youghiogheny rons and attaches itself to a rock, mud bank or plant stem, and River, where it then disappeared, the victim of acid mine begins its "breakout." It gulps air to swell its body and split its drainage. Remarkably, it was "rediscovered" in 1993 in the outer skin, and the aquatic creature suddenly becomes terres­ Clarion River, whose waters ran "black as ink" in 1909. trial. The "teneral," a newly liberated dragon, waits for day­ These aerial acrobats are important to us for more than light for its first flight, leaving the "exuva," or discarded just fish forage and legends. Their grace and beauty evokes exoskeleton, as a graphic reminder of its transformation. an appreciation for nature that many creatures cannot du­ Dragonflies have long been the stuff of superstition and plicate. But they are also environmental indicators that tell myth. Dragons were erroneously thought to possess a power­ us what may be wrong with our ecosystems, and with the ful stinger in their abdomen, and were dubbed "horse-sting­ uncertain status of so many, we should all be watching ers" and "horse-adders" in some regions. This misconception them closely. Lest we forget, the dive-bombing adult awes frequently sends the ignorant scrambling. Dragonflies can us only if the lowly, aquatic mudbug survives. And as our deliver only a minor "nip" if improperly handled. water quality goes, so goes the mudbug.Q

38 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us How I Became Fly-Fisherman and Fly-Tier by Art Michaels

D'urin, g the summer of 1968 while I As soon as I twitched the popper, the ter a short drift, the beetles disappeared was a college student, I often visited a water bulged and splashed, the popper in quick, small splashes. heavily fished bass lake. One of my fa­ disappeared, and I struck. The line drew I didn't even rig the fly rod. I rushed vorite tactics was to work a weedless tight with strong pulsations. Something home, sat down at my makeshift spoon adorned with a pork-rind trailer big in the depths then dragged the pop­ kitchen-table fly-tying bench and cre­ in coves covered with lily pads. I would per toward the nearest cover. The pulsa­ ated a Japanese beetle imitation: On a cast the spoon far into the thick stuff, let tions diminished under the weight of a size 12 dry-fly hook I fashioned a piece the lure sit on top of the lily pads for a forest of lily pads. I winched a pile of of closed-cell foam divided in the middle moment, and then slowly drag it toward green leaves and stems to the boat, and with black rod-winding thread. I tied off me, dropping the lure into holes in the when I dug my hand into the twiny the thread with half-hitches. Then I lily pad stands. tangle, I grabbed the lip of a 4-pound stripped peacock herl, and between my After a month of fishing this way, largemouth bass, the biggest I had ever thumb and forefinger blended the herl snags took all of my big spoons, so I be­ taken from that waterway. with head cement. I dabbed and gan to use smaller pork-rind trailers, After releasing the fish and preening smeared this mixture all over the two which I sliced from larger pieces, and the bass popper, I cast again near the first body segments. smaller spoons. The idea of fishing spot. I promptly hooked another large- I returned to the stream with a few of smaller-sized offerings was new to me mouth, a 2.5-pounder. my Japanese Beetles. I was so eager to try because I had been accustomed to using them, I didn't allow enough time for the medium-sized to large-sized lures. head cement to dry completely. Never­ I began to fool more fish consis­ theless, I knotted one to the leader and tently with littler lures and more aunched it upstream and across, delicate presentations. I became ttk again slapping the fly on false casts. intrigued with the smaller-is-bet- My Japanese Beetle drifted only a ter idea, and to take the idea fur­ few feet before it disappeared in a ther, I borrowed an old fly rod bubbly splash. Astonished, I was from a neighbor. I gained enough fast to a fish, a trout fooled by my know-how to be effective with the fly hand-tied imitation, caught on a fly rod by imitating the casting move rod, bumbling false casts and all. ments of more proficient fly-rod anglers I didn't realize that slapping a terres­ I had observed. trial imitation on the surface might have I bought a few bass poppers, and one I had discovered a fishing secret: attracted strikes. Nevertheless, in about morning just after dawn I rowed my Small lures and delicate presentations an hour that afternoon I caught and re­ boat into a cove. I rigged the 8-foot fi­ can fool more fish than larger lures and leased seven brown trout, each of which berglass fly rod and its reel of 7-weight more trumpeted approaches. measured 16 inches. level line with a 7- or 8-foot leader of 6- Later that summer I went to a swift, In becoming a fly-fisherman and fly- pound-test monofilament that I had cut wide stream in the area where it entered tier, I did not have the advantage of a from my spinning reel. Onto the leader a small, deep reservoir. Pursuing the mentor's example and guidance. Even I tied a yellow rubber-legged, feathery smaller-is-better idea, I had hoped to so, during that summer a series of small bass popper. Even though I slapped the catch trout on my first few hand-tied angling successes guided my way. I was popper several times on the water in be­ flies, something I hadn't done before. To much too excited about hauling in mon­ ginners' false casts, I was able to heave it reach the stream, I tramped through an sters to be discouraged by clumsy novice some 30 feet to the middle of an opening area thick with vegetation, where all the fly creations and inept casting. The fun in the lily pads. I let the popper rest mo­ bushes were covered with Japanese of catching big fish led the way, and tionless for a moment, just as I'd worked beetles. I grabbed some and tossed them along this path the flies improved and I the spoons and pork-rind trailers. onto the swift, dark stream flow, and af­ corrected those slapping false casts. O

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 39

^ fhether you want your boat to look like new for the You can use baking soda by mixing a few tablespoons with coming season or you want to sell your boat, appearance is just enough water to make a paste for those hard-to-clean wa- everything. With a few evenings and little outlay of cash, terlines. Furthermore, you'll be surprised how much easier big you can get your boat shipshape quickly. hull-cleaning jobs go when you throw a handful or so into a First, consider your boat's hull. Most boat frames are pail with commercial hull wash solution. covered with plastic resins and a top layer of gelcoat, or If your boat is fairly clean, mix about four tablespoons of they're aluminum, which is sometimes painted. After years baking soda with a quart of water to wash it. Wash as usual of use in even the cleanest water, gelcoat boats stain, and if and rinse with clear water. For a solution that really leaves left unattended, those stains become difficult to remove. Gelcoat is only a very thin layer of plastic on top of a much thicker, laid-up fiberglass resin. If you use a cleaner that is too abrasive, you'll wear right through the gelcoat and leave the base color showing, or you'll create an obvious dull spot. Even if you use a power washer, you'll still need to address some stubborn stains. You may think household detergents do a great job on boat grease and grime, but they're not good for fiberglass boats. You could use household detergents to cut grease, but they have a very high pH. If you don't rinse the detergent com­ pletely from the hull, the high pH will actually cause the detergent to etch into your boat's gelcoat. Many good boat cleaners are available at your local marine store, and whether - your boat is docked all summer long in the water or if your boat spends a lot //* 4 / i// £f/i of time on a trailer, it's just common sense to use the most environmentally safe cleaners. Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is probably one of the easiest and best all-around compounds for cleaning, polishing and deodorizing your boat. It is a mildly alkaline crystal­ line powder that cuts grease and dirt. It fizzes in vinegar and is effervescent in water, and it is a gentle abrasive, safe to use on al­ most all surfaces.

40 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us by Alex Zidock Jr. photos by the author your gelcoat looking like new, wash your boat with a mixture about 45 percent rubbing alcohol with 45 percent water and of one-half cup of white vinegar, one-half cup of household 10 percent ammonia. ammonia and two tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in a gallon of warm water. >• \ :: I-'; •' • : - Bootstripe, boat name Some boats have a bootstripe near the waterline, which is Windows like pinstriping on a car. Bootstripes and other vinyl strip­ If your boat has Plexiglas or Lexan windows, do not use ing and designs can be cleaned with baking soda, but spray­ window cleaners made for glass that contain ammonia. Am­ ing on harsh household cleaning chemicals can loosen the monia will make plastic windows cloudy. Use adhesive. However, if you want to remove a vinyl name or soap and water or commercial plas­ decal from your boat, you can use a hair dryer (not near tic polish. If soap and water water) to heat the letters, and then lift the letters with the won't clean grease from your edge of a plastic credit card. plastic windshield, use a little If the boat's name has been painted on top of the original kerosene on a soft cloth. gelcoat, spray it with oven cleaner or barbecue grill cleaner. For glass window cleaner Wait a few minutes or until the paint starts to bubble, and that is as good as any wipe. Make sure you then clean the area with a solution of you can buy, mix baking soda and water, and then rinse well with clean water. You can also remove tar from fiberglass with oven cleaner, but don't get the cleaner on any painted surfaces, and make sure you rinse thoroughly with clean water. To clean tar from painted surfaces, dip a damp rag into baking soda and then rub it on the tar. Let the baking soda remain on the tar for 10 minutes or so, and then rub and rinse with clean water. Older fiberglass boats may look dusty from oxidation. Sometimes you can renew the look of the fiber­ glass by mixing about three or four tablespoons of vinegar with a gallon of water and applying it to your boat. The oxidation will return if you don't " immediately wax your boat. Aluminum When you are cleaning the aluminum on your boat, remember that aluminum has "grain just like wood. Always work with the grain to make cleaning easier and to achieve better results. You can use a damp cotton cloth with a mild household laundry detergent to clean alumi­ num. If you have cleats and other aluminum that's become dull or rusty, wash it first and then rub it with the shiny side of aluminum foil. If you're using a cleaner with ammonia in it, keep the cleaner away from any aluminum because the ammonia will pit the aluminum. However, if you want to paint an aluminum surface, vinegar can be used as an acid- etch preparation. Wash aluminum with white vinegar and then dry, and after the base primer dries, apply paint. www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 41 Spruce Up Your Bo®* Mildew If you wrapped your boat too tightly when you put it in storage and the cabin or lockers now smell musty and mil­ dewy, put in some charcoal to eat up the smells. You can also place some vanilla extract on a cotton ball in the cabin to mask the odor. If you can fit any mildewed items in your clothes washer (canvas and curtains, for instance), add about one-half cup of white vinegar to the final rinse cycle to get rid of the mildew and the musty smell. Use only cold water for the wash. If you can't remove odors from deck carpeting, try sprin­ kling borax on the carpet and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming. If the carpet is wet, remove as much water Zippers, snaps, vinyl seats from the carpet as you can and then sprinkle baking soda Zippers and snaps on canvas sometimes get stuck. If you on it. When the carpet dries, vacuum the baking soda and use a lubricating spray on zippers, make sure you don't get the odors. Anchors, bait buckets, tackle boxes and furniture any on the canvas because it may stain. You can use lip left in one spot for long periods can leave indentation marks balm or petroleum jelly, and even'vegetable oil works great. in the carpeting. To raise the pile, try putting some ice Any of these products will give new life to your zippers and cubes in the ridges, and when the ice begins to melt, the pile snaps. will rise. Blot these areas to remove the water. Neglected vinyl seats and upholstery will become dry and crack, and using oil-based, all-purpose household cleaners on them will actually speed up the deterioration. Instead, use a paste of baking soda to clean food stains on the vinyl. Once the stain is removed, wash the area with a mild dish detergent, rinse well and then rub on a light coat of petro­ leum jelly. Old crew socks and oven mittens make great washing rags and polishing cloths. Just slip them onto your hand, dip in wash water or wax and easily wipe in all of those hard-to-reach places. A sock or mitten is also great for buff­ ing wax. And even though diapers might be hard to find these days, they're one of the best cloths to use to dry your freshly washed boat. Diapers and old, thick cotton towels were made to soak up water. To clean a smelly bilge, pour in a few tablespoons of bak­ Products for Sprucing Up Your Boat ing soda and let it slosh around. It won't hurt anything af­ ter it's jettisoned overboard, but your bilge will smell a lot These companies have specific marine products for cleaner. Don't overdo the amount; in this application, a cleaning and maintaining boats. Each company will an­ little goes a long way. swer any boat-cleaning and maintenance questions you A baking soda paste is useful for polishing chrome, clean­ may have.—AZ. ing (and deodorizing) your boat's head, and for removing Bio-Kleen (800) 240-5536 • www.sledbrite.com black scuff marks from the deck. Dipping the ends of your battery cables into a cup of water mixed with a tablespoon Boat Life (800) 382-9706 • www.boatlife.com of baking soda will instantly clean the corrosion and allow a Iosso (888) 747-4332 • www.iosso.com solid contact. Lastly, try all these cleaning tips first on inconspicuous MPS Products (800) 362-9873 • www.swobbit.com areas to ensure that there is no adverse reaction to materials Slimy Grimy (800) 922-3097 • www.slimygrimy.com or fabrics. Never mix chlorine bleach with acids, alkalies, ammonia or other solutions that contain these items. Such Star Brite (800) 327-8583 • www.starbrite.com mixtures can produce toxic gases and other dangerous reac­ tions. Use cleaners and paints in well-ventilated areas.O

42 Pennsylvania Angler 8 Boater % May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us ^DIC-OTV Sifiip™

few anglers outside of the The fish Striped bass are members of the temperate bass family. Philadelphia area know one of They are considered anadromous fish, and even though they spend most of their lives in salt water, in spring they ascend southeast PA's biggest secrets: coastal rivers to spawn. Striped bass in the Delaware River Monstrous striped bass arrive spawn upstream to Trenton Falls. From a plummeting population a few decades ago, stripers each spring to spawn in the in the Delaware River have made an amazing comeback. Creel surveys estimate that in 2002, over 36,000 striped bass were lower Delaware River. landed in the Delaware River. Anglers catch them regularly as far upstream as Northampton County as well as in the Phila­ Striped bass numbers have delphia area. Delaware River anglers catch stripers that range from 10 inches to over 30 pounds. Fish exceeding 30 inches are increased steadily since the not uncommon. 1980s, and renewed angling Gear ? Anglers seeking striped bass on the Delaware and Schuylkill interest has appeared as the rivers use a huge array of rods, reels and tackle. Many times it can be challenging to determine the best equipment to use. fishery has returned. While fly-fishers and anglers casting artificial lures do catch

UBI YiYiYt'lYi II i •^ I p ', IP • 1 .. I 1 - :injiipraf! • » V ' • fish, the most consistent way to catch -file-Civ SlfilPCM When to fish striped bass is with bait. Anglers fish­ Make sure to check your Sum­ ing bait find that medium-heavy spin­ mary of Fishing Regulations and ning rods combined with spinning reels loaded with Laws before fishing for striped bass. Currently there are closed 12-pound- to 20-pound-test line work well. Lighter line will seasons for striped bass from January through February and spook fewer fish, but it makes landing a big striper much in April and May. The specific dates appear in the current harder. Summary. No possession of striped bass is allowed in the Bottom-fishing rigs and "spreader" rigs work well when closed season, and they must be released immediately. Anglers using cut bait and other baits fished on the bottom. Many should note that a Pennsylvania or New Jersey fishing license other setups use little or no weight with simply a hook on the is valid on the Delaware River between the states when fishing end of the line. You might want to use circle hooks because from a boat or from either shore. they help facilitate easy release of striped bass. Sizes 1/0 and Dawn and dusk are good times to catch striped bass, al­ larger work well. though anglers also catch large stripers during the middle of the day. Night fishing can also be very productive, though Bait angler safety is a much greater concern. The Delaware River One popular striped bass bait is the blueback herring. Com­ below Trenton Falls is influenced by tides. The receding, or monly called "river herring," these small fish are usually less outgoing, high tide is a good time to try for stripers. than 10 inches long. Anglers commonly "live-line" these fish, along with alewife and American eels. Live-lining a baitfish Where to fish consists of hooking it through the back or lips and allowing it Both shore-bound and boat anglers have a good chance to to drift or swim with little or no weight. These baitfish can also catch striped bass in the Philadelphia area. The Commission's be used in smaller sections as cut bait. "Fishing & Boating Map" and "Southeast Region Guide" show Blueback herring are not generally found in bait stores. all public accesses, but the following areas have been known Anglers commonly fish for them when they fish for striped bass, to produce striped bass when the fishing is good. Numbers on a separate rod with small gold hooks on light line. Note that correspond to those on the "Fishing & Boating Map" and the there are specific regulations for all of these fish,whic h are listed "Southeast Region Guide." Order both publications by con­ in your Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws. tacting the Commission at P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA Bloodworms are near the top of the list of other popular 17106, or view, download and print them online at the baits for striped bass. Local anglers recommend fishing ^Commission's web site, www.fish.state.pa.us. them during the early part of the season when herring ^^ Marina. and other baitfish are not available to the stripers. This large, popular boat launch pro­ They can be purchased at local bait stores along with vides good access to the river. Shore other baits including and clams. angling is available here as well, al­ These baits are generally^,,, ^.-^ jjenkintown though heavy boat traffic fished with,, L ** Hlfc . f Consf aK may influence angler heavy success. Some beach weights areas exposed at low on the > tide are not accessible bottomjujj at high tide. Delaware River Access (Station Avenue). This small boat launch at the far southern end of Bucks County is a top spot for shore anglers as well as an adequate place from which to launch small boats. This area is near the top of some shore anglers' lists of where to go. ^^Frankford Access. Located in northeast Philadel­ phia, this Commission access has a large boat launch with plenty of parking. Shore anglers will find good access to the watexand this area is easy to reach for persons with disabilities. ^^Linden Avenue Access. This city of Philadelphia site offers boaters good access to the river. Shore anglers will find ample room for casting, and the access offers park areas for family-friendly recreation. ($EffER

44 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us Delaware River below the Commodore Barry Bridge. This area is popular with boat anglers and is known for producing large striped bass, as is the area around Little Tinicum Island not far upstream. Current seams that occur below islands or other ob­ structions are great spots to try for stripers. Pennypack on the Delaware. The confluence of Pennypack Creek and the Delaware River is another spot to check for stripers. Shore anglers have access at this site, but those in boats will need to motor in from upstream. Mouth of Poquessing Creek. This creek is the boundary between Philadelphia and Bucks County. It's a good place to try for stripers, as are all creek confluences with the river. Fish sometimes rest in the current outside of a creek confluence in the Dela­ 3 Ridley Park Access. This boat ramp is a good location in ware River. ]ust after a strong rain that brings up the water f elaware County for getting on the water. It is the nearest ac­ level in smaller streams can be a good time to try fishing cess to many lower river hotspots. Little shore angling for around creek mouths. striped bass is available here. Trenton Falls. Much farther upstream into Bucks County, this area is the head of tidewater on the Delaware River. This More shore-fishing hotspots rocky area is not for the inexperienced boater, and extreme Hog Island Road. This spot can be reached off the Island caution should be exercised. You'll find many good angling ar­ Avenue exit of 1-95. The area offers a long stretch of the Dela­ eas between Trenton Falls and Poquessing Creek that are easier ware River to shore anglers. Pay close attention to parking and safer to reach. regulations and don't expect a quiet experience: This area is Note: Fishing near some bridges may not be allowed be­ directly behind Philadelphia International Airport. cause of U.S. Coast Guard regulations. Check with the U.S. Schuylkill River. The dam on the Schuylkill River at the Coast Guard captain of the port of Philadelphia via VHF Philadelphia Art Museum is a striper hotspot in the spring. marine radio. River anglers unfamiliar with navigating near Note that there is a fish passage facility at this dam, and no large commercial and naval vessels need to take extra cau­ angling is allowed within 100 feet of the passageway. Boating tion when boating on the lower Delaware River. anglers often catch fish at other locations on the Schuylkill, but access is difficult. Catch and Release Catch-and-release angling is a vital part of continuing to More hotspots for boating anglers improve the Delaware River striped bass fishery. Anglers The spots below are good places to check out with a boat, releasing their fish should play them as quickly as possible. though many anglers find their own "hotspots." Striped bass When taking photos, keep the fish out of water for as little often favor current breaks and seams, especially those near time as is necessary. Using circle hooks helps facilitate easy shoals or shallower areas. Mainstream deep channels are usu­ release of fish and helps keep fish from getting deeply ally not good striped bass locations. hooked.O

Creel surveys estimate that in 2002, over 36,000 striped bass were landed in the Delaware River. Anglers catch them regularly as far upstream as Northampton County as well as in the Philadelphia area.

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater '.May-June 2004 45 by Deborah Weisberg Y/O hundred years ago, Meriwether Lewis and rumblings among the town's 2,000 settlers about water William Clark were well on their way to finding the pollution. Northwest Passage, having set out in a keelboat built Next to coal and textiles, boat-building was a thriving launched near Pittsburgh on a summer day when its Pittsburgh industry, with eight builders crafting barges, rivers were treacherously low. flatboats, keelboats and canoes. Lewis' 11-man crew had Corps of Discovery II re-enactors are now re-creating the to wait an extra six weeks for its , forcing the launch 28-month, 8,000-mile journey, thanks to scores of organiza­ when the Monongahela River had reached a record low. tions, including the PA Fish & Boat Commission, which In the days before locks and dams, Pittsburgh's rivers supported the bicentennial launch in Elizabeth, a river town were shallow enough to walk across in some places. Sand­ south of Pittsburgh, last August. Historians cannot agree bars between McKees Rocks and Neville Island—one of on whether the boat was built in Elizabeth or in Pittsburgh. the Ohio River's hottest fishing spots today—grounded Nevertheless, by all accounts it was a marvel—a 55-foot the keelboat, and the crew repeatedly had to transfer cargo long, eight-foot wide wooden craft designed for upstream as well as downstream travel. Meriwether Lewis was the per­ sonal secretary to President Tho­ mas Jefferson, who, eager for westward expansion and trade with American Indians, commis­ sioned the $2,500 military trip. Jefferson had just made the Purchase, and Pitts­ burgh, with its rivers, was a gate­ way to the west. It also was becoming an industrial hub, ow­ ing to hills rich with coal. As early as 1803, the banks of the Monongahela were being defor­ ested for fuel, and there were

If HIS MM Clark portrait* courtesy of Independence National Historical Park. Image of Pittsburgh's Point courtesy of Sent. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center. Next page: Keelboat sketch courtesy of the Beiticcke Rare Hook and Manuscript Library, Yale University. lik.n li«.in .i -.l.i 11 li ili .t">> In Hrx \ i I.IIF sun «iir of .hi*. Lit) sou I -.| Keelboat replica photograph courtesy of the Sen. Of Ilir rtiil;i4ia.Hitr. wliilf »n In i ««-.!.Iin- him in lilt;. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center.

46 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us iimimmiMi iiiiiiiwiiiiiii ' i i -4MM

to flat-bottomed boats, called piroques, to keep it afloat. Fish were gutted and cleaned of fat. Then they were pre­ The boat had enough room for 10 tons of provisions, served in salt water to keep down bacteria, or jerked (dried) some of which Lewis had gathered in Philadelphia. George on racks made of willow or Cottonwood. Kegs of salt were Lawton's tackle shop sold him 125 large fishhooks tied onto kept on board and, because it was so valuable, recycled af­ leaders, mostly for trade with American Indians. Because it ter every use. For meals, according to Army regulations, was America's center of enlightenment, Philadelphia was fish were broiled in brass kettles with whatever else had where Lewis spent three months training for the trip, learn­ been harvested, including woodchuck, elk, antelope, bear, ing about first aid, American Indian culture, celestial naviga­ wolf, fox, pelican, prairie dog, duck, mule deer, badger, coy­ tion and other natural sciences. ote, plover and porcupine (Clark's favorite). With luck, Four days after the launch, Lewis, who would ultimately wild onions and prairie turnips could be added to the mix. document 178 plant and 122 animal species and subspecies, Eight wooden stave reels—which are wound mechani­ wrote in his journal that the Ohio River at the mouth of Mill cally—were purchased along with hooks. Fishhooks were Creek was so shallow and clear, "we see sturgeon, bass, pike, then a thriving manufacturing business. Steel hooks were etc." but that the party had "too much of importance to do the up-and-coming thing, but they had no eyes and were than fish." instead splayed, or shaped like spoons. They were tied to

The sketch of the expedition's keelboat, which was built in line with a hangman's knot. In the absence of rods, these Pittsburgh, was completed by William Clark and included rigs might have been fished by hand or tied to tree in his journal. The full-scale replica keelboat, built by the branches. Lewis and Clark probably used the hooks in bar­ Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, was displayed in ter, along with their handmade nets. Pittsburgh last summer. Though trade with American Indians was a big success, finding a water route from the Missouri River to the Pacific Catfish and "perch" were noted in subsequent entries. Ocean was not, and the crew was thwarted at the Conti­ Those "perch" would have included walleyes and various nental Divide. Though the Northwest Passage was a bust, sunfishes, such as largemouth bass. Lake sturgeon, once na­ the day-to-day discoveries documented in the Lewis and tive to the Ohio River Watershed, have been gone from the Clark journals of a trip, which began in Pennsylvania, have river for more than a century, though they remain in Lake proven to be the far more valuable yield. Besides providing Erie. Lewis also may have been referring to paddlefish, a historical insight, they symbolize Americans' pioneering sturgeon cousin that the Commission is now attempting to spirit and the role our rivers have played—and still play— reintroduce to Pittsburgh's rivers. They, too, were as native in bringing adventures to life.O to the Ohio River Watershed as were sturgeon and catfish, but they were all but extirpated by industrialization along the rivers over the last 85 years, and by the installation of Water Trails Then and Now locks and dams that stemmed free flow, and, hence, their Even though Lewis and Clark's water-trail expedition spawning migration. pursued economic goals in an adventurous setting, today's Lewis and Clark learned from American Indians how to Pennsylvania 17 water trails still invite adventurous an­ smoke fish. They also learned , or catching fish glers and boaters to explore Pennsylvania's waterways. barehanded, a practice that is still allowed in the Midwest in The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission designates some circumstances today but is banned in Pennsylvania. official Pennsylvania water trails and offers a full range of The expedition's most effective means of fishing was with technical support to local water trail partners. For more trail, trammel and brush nets that the crew wove with linen, information, contact the Commission at 717-705-7807, cotton and other fibers, or with traps, called weirs, which or email [email protected]. Visit the Commission's they fashioned from willow branches. web site water trail pages at www.fish.state.pa.us.

^••••••••MBMmHHHMHMiaMHHMHMaai www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-3une 2004 47 Pennsylvania's BUI/DUI Toint Task Force Pilot Program by George C. Geisler Jr. Each year, boating-under-the-influence (BUI) accidents ment initiative on both land and water constituted the first account for deaths, injuries and property loss on waterways. of its kind on this scale in Pennsylvania. But when boat operators consume alcoholic beverages or BUI enforcement is limited because of the small number take controlled substances while boating and then get into a of WCOs: They simply cannot detect all boaters under the motor vehicle to drive home, a BUI becomes a DUI (driving influence. However, the joint task force concept (combin­ under the influence). For this reason, BUI enforcement is ing the concurrent under-the-influence enforcement of not limited to the state's waterways. both land- and water-based officers) proposed to increase Alcoholic beverage manufacturers often market their prosecutions for BUI and other related crimes. The task products as a leisure activity related to fishing and boating. force has five objectives: As a result, many people view consumption of alcoholic • Reduce the number and severity of DUI- and BUI- beverages as a routine activity while fishing or boating. related crashes by maximizing law enforcement contacts Moreover, while DUI is not socially acceptable, some people with vehicle and boat operators at times and locations do not believe that impaired boating carries any serious where a specific need for impaired operator enforcement consequence. The increased availability and use of con­ emphasis has been identified. trolled substances often occur during fishing or boating • Encourage voluntary compliance with DUI, BUI and events because people believe they are unlikely to encounter other traffic- and boating-related laws by creating a percep­ law enforcement officers in, on or along waterways. tion of constant enforcement using roving patrols, safety blitzes and sobriety checkpoints. Task force • Maximize the use of public information and news me­ With the help of the Pennsylvania DUI Association, the dia coverage of scheduled enforcement activities, as well as Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission's Bureau of Law En­ the use of public safety messages on billboards, television forcement established a joint BUI/DUI task force pilot pro­ and radio. gram. Task force members @ Create public and include the Pennsylvania vehicle/boat operator Fish & Boat Commission's awareness and concern Bureau of Law Enforce­ for highway and water­ ment, the Pennsylvania De­ way safety. partment of # Establish and Transportation's maintain a cooperative (PennDOT) Bureau of effort among all law en­ Highway Safety and Traffic forcement agencies and Engineering, various county the Pennsylvania Fish & DUI program coordinators, Boat Commission's the Pennsylvania Liquor WCOs for safer driving Control Board's Bureau of and boating. Alcohol Education, and the During the 2001 Most boaters drive vehicles to and from their places of boating. Pennsylvania DUI Associa­ boating season, the task So when boat operators consume alcoholic beverages or take force, funded primarily tion. This cooperative inter­ controlled substances while boating and then get into a motor i by federal highway agency simultaneous vehicle to drive home, a BUI becomes a DUI. intensified patrol enforce- safety grant money,

48 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater % May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us worked simultaneously on both the major boating pools of boardings per detail, totaling 162. The task force issued a the lower Susquehanna River and adjacent roadways to en­ total of 51 citations, an average of 7.4 per detail, tested seven hance BUI and DUI enforcement and prevent BUI- and impaired operators, and arrested two operators with blood DUI-related crashes, injuries and deaths. alcohol content well over the legal limit. Police officers who participated in the roving patrols on nearby highways made Funding arrests ranging from summary traffic violations to DUIs, Unlike most state agencies, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat underage drinking and furnishing alcoholic beverages to Commission receives no general fund money for its operat­ minors. ing budget. For the past several years, the Commission has The overall cooperation of the police and DUI coordina­ worked with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the tors with the WCOs proved successful. All personnel Pennsylvania DUI Association, the National Safe Boating worked together to attain a better understanding of what Council, the Pennsylvania Trauma Society, the Pennsylvania everyone does and how jobs dealing with impaired opera­ Traffic Institute for Police Services, and the Pennsylvania tion enforcement of both vehicles and watercraft overlap. State Police to acquire more training and enforcement tools Boaters often don't realize that BUI, like DUI, is a misde­ for WCOs. As their limited funding allows, MADD and the meanor criminal violation. However, the legal blood alco­ Pennsylvania DUI Association have provided pre-arrest hol content for DUI was recently lowered to .08. The legal breath testing devices and video cameras to several officers. blood alcohol content for BUI remains .10, but the Fish & Video cameras have recently been issued to some officers Boat Commission is working with the General Assembly to for duty use including BUI law enforcement. The effective­ have the BUI law mirror the DUI law as closely as possible, ness of videotaped evidence in criminal proceedings has including the .08 blood alcohol content. long been realized as a great tool for successfully prosecut­ The future of this task force depends on whether agencies ing cases. receive grant money to help fund the impaired boating as­ Because of limited funding, the Fish & Boat Commission pect of this joint program. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Bureau of Law Enforcement is always seeking grants and Commission hopes to expand the joint enforcement con­ donations for such useful enforcement tools as video cam­ cept throughout the state between land- and water-based eras, night-viewing devices, image-stabilizing binoculars law enforcement agencies.O and more to provide these essential but costly tools to George C. Geisler Jr. is a 20-year veteran of law enforcement WCOs to enhance their law enforcement activity. with the Commission. He is an assistant to the director in the PA Fish & Boat Commission Bureau of Law Enforcement. Results This article was adapted from a feature in the August 2003 FBI The results of seven details were impressive overall, de­ Law Enforcement Bulletin, published by the Federal Bureau spite some limiting factors. The task force averaged 23 of Investigation. www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 49 2003 Pennsylvania by Dan Martin Boating Fatalities

In 2003, nine fatal 1. ONE FATALITY enced small-craft operator. Ironically, Youghiogheny River, Fayette Co. the anglers had been warned earlier in recreational boating the day by Commission deputy water­ accidents resulted in Sat. 3/15/03, 1:00 p.m. ways conservation officers to stay off the A 19-year-old paddler died when he water because the boat would be over­ 11 fatalities. became separated from the 7-foot loaded if they both went fishing. kayak he was paddling. The type of ac­ This information cident is unknown. The victim 3. ONE FATALITY reviews last year's launched his boat into the high, swift river waters. The victim was wearing a Pecks Pond, Pike Co. Commonwealth properly fitted PFD and a wet suit. Mon. 6/16/03, 6:00 a.m. However, the water temperature was 41 A 25-year-old man lost his life when fatal recreational degrees. Hypothermia or sudden im­ he apparently fell overboard from a 10- boating accidents. mersion into cold water were probable foot rowboat. Two cousins took a boat factors. The victim was a good swim­ from a rental business at about 3 a.m. It illustrates the mer and a very experienced boater, hav­ They rowed the boat to an island and importance of safe ing served as a river guide on the drank whiskey. The victim passed out Youghiogheny for one of the outfitters. or fell asleep. The survivor rowed the boating practices. It is unknown if he had any formal in­ boat to shore, deployed a small anchor struction in boating safety. and went to get breakfast. When he re­ turned to the boat, his cousin was miss­ 2. ONE FATALITY ing. PFDs were on board but not worn. Alcohol and sudden immersion were Canoe Lake, Blair Co. major factors in this accident. The wa­ Sat. 4/12/03, 11:31 a.m. ter temperature was 60 degrees. The A 44-year-old angler lost his life victim was an inexperienced boater and when the 10-foot open motorboat in had no formal instruction in boating which he was a passenger swamped and safety. He was an average swimmer. flooded. The two brothers went fishing in the small boat on the first day of trout 4. TWO FATALITIES season. Witnesses stated that the boat had only two or three inches of free­ French Creek, Venango Co. board. As the victim retrieved the an­ Wed. 6/18/03, 3:00 p.m. chor, he flooded the boat. Both men Two 12-year-old girls lost their lives then fell into the lake's cold waters. The when their 16-foot rented canoe cap­ surviving angler apparently partially sized and was pinned against a strainer. donned a type III PFD. The victim was There were three girls in the canoe as not wearing a life jacket. The water part of a church-sponsored float trip. temperature was 48 degrees, so hy­ The survivor flushed through and was pothermia or sudden immersion rescued from an island downstream. into cold water were probable fac­ Both victims were wearing life jackets, tors. Neither boater had any for­ though a type II came off of one of the mal instruction in boating safety. victims. Both victims could swim. m The operator was an inexperi- They had no formal instruction in boat- 50 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us PREVENT BOATING ACCIDENTS: ing safety other than the pre-trip orien­ the water. The pond was about 100 tation presented by the livery operator yards across. When the victim reached immediately before the float trip. the middle of the pond, the canoe began Though the water was still only 61 de­ to flood. He jumped into the water and grees, hypothermia and sudden immer­ began to swim to shore. Alcohol use was sion were not factors in this accident. a major factor in this accident. There were no PFDs on board the canoe. The 5. ONE FATALITY victim's swimming ability is unknown, though it is probable that the victim was Delaware River, Pike Co. a poor swimmer. It is also unknown if Fri. 7/4/03, 11:30 a.m. the victim had any boating experience A 48-year-old man lost his life when or formal instruction in boating safety. his 16-foot rented canoe capsized in the Shohola Rapids. The victim was pad­ 8. ONE FATALITY oto-Dan Martin dling with his wife. They had rented the Shenango River, Lawrence Co. Wearing a properly fitted zipped and boat in their home state of New York buckled life jacket can save your life and launched it earlier in the day on the Tues. 12/23/03, 9:30 p.m. in an emergency. Be sure all aboard Pennsylvania side of the river. The sur­ A 55-year-old man lost his life when your boat also wear their life jackets. viving paddler wore a PFD; unfortu­ his 13-foot canoe capsized. It was after nately, the victim did not. There was a dark when the victim and another man PFD on board for the victim and he had launched their canoe to hunt raccoons. • -* • j 4 3 J«—» -nf"*- 3"** J -> a been instructed to wear it by the boat There were no PFDs on board the canoe. livery. The victim could swim and may They shot several raccoons and were at­ aasvlvania Fish & Boat Commission have hit his head on a rock when the ca­ tempting to retrieve one from a logjam noe capsized. Though the victim was when their boat hit a submerged object an experienced boater, he had no for­ and capsized. The survivor struggled mal instruction in boating safety. but made it to the bank. The water tem­ perature was 36 degrees, so hypothermia 6. ONE FATALITY or sudden immersion into cold water were possible factors. The victim was a Youghiogheny River, Fayette Co. better-than-average swimmer. He was Sat. 7/5/03, 2:30 p.m. also an experienced boater and had A 46-year-old man lost his life when taken a Commission boating course. This article summarizes the report the 12-foot rubber raft he was paddling "2003 Pennsylvania Boating as part of a group capsized at Dimple 9. TWO FATALITIES Accident Analysis." View, Rock in Swimmers Rapid. After capsiz­ download or print the complete ing, the victim was carried by the cur­ Lake Nockamixon, Bucks Co., report on the Commission's web rent into Swimmers Rapid. The victim Tues. 12/30/03, time unknown site, www.fish.state.pa.us. On the was wearing a PFD and a helmet. A 25-year-old man and a 19-year-old main page's left side under Though the trip was guided, the guide man lost their lives when their 15-foot "Navigate Our Site," click on was not in the boat. The victim was an canoe apparently capsized. The two men "Boating" and then scroll to the inexperienced boater, but it is unknown were duck on the lake. It is prob­ links under "Boat Accidents." if he had any formal instruction in able that the victims capsized the canoe, boating safety. He was a below-average possibly while attempting to retrieve a swimmer. duck. No PFDs were on board. Though the cause of the accident is unknown, 7. ONE FATALITY both men were very inexperienced pad- dlers and had no formal instruction in Private Pond, Allegheny Co., boating safety. The canoe had been pur­ Sat. 7/26/03, 5:45 p.m. chased the day before the accident. A 43-year-old man lost his life when Though both victims could swim, hypo­ the 14-foot canoe he was paddling thermia or sudden immersion into cold swamped in a private pond. The victim water were possible factors. Q was with two other people at a private Dan Martin is the Commission's Boating pond and took a nearby canoe out onto Safety Education Manager. www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 51 our presence, the two fishermen continued Interesting boat patrol casting. So engrossed were they in their WCO Tom Edwards and I were fishing that they not only missed our en­ just beginning a boat patrol on the trance, but they also missed the repeated Allegheny River in Venango County, entrances of another visitor. The visitor and we were about to traverse some darted from the darkness and into the dim particularly challenging water. He light to a point just behind the fishermen and insisted that he was more than ca­ then back into the darkness. The small furry visitor pable of operating the boat through nthe made several trips while we waited in the shadows. Fi­ the area, so against my better judg­ nally, after several minutes of amusement, the visits ment I acquiesced and handed the Streams stopped and we approached the individuals concern­ helm over to him. A smooth ride ing their fishing activities. While checking for licenses and fish, through the area resulted, except for a small "bump" when we we were told of their unsuccessful night. They had caught no passed through a standing wave. As soon as we were past the fish and were seeking advice. I handed them their empty worst of it, I complimented him on his boat-handling'exper­ chicken liver containers and said, "First, you need bait." Bewil­ tise and skill, and reminded him of the intricacies of the next dered, their confusion turned to laughter when I told of their portion of water. I realized that I did not have to talk as loudly elusive little raccoon friend.—WCO Joshua Roland, Lebanon/ to get the word to him, because the motor was not running. I Southern Dauphin Counties. then explained to him that it was not necessary for him to prove his skill to me any further by navigating through the rap­ ids with no power, but he was not to be swayed, and we calmly Two fine fillets (but not as smoothly) floated back almost to where we had I had visited the Allegheny Fish Hatchery and was headed started. WCO Edwards then reconnected the gas line that had downriver on my way back to Warren. It was a beautiful day become dislodge from the "bump," started the motor, and with blue skies, white clouds and a bright sun. The winding again navigated perfectly through the area. Amazed at how road tracks the river, and after traveling about a mile or so calm and collected he had been throughout the incident, I downstream, I noticed the shadows of two large birds on the attempted to duplicate the experience later in the year for road and in front of me. I was trying to get a look to see what DWCO Mike Eismont. Assisted by some engine trouble, I they were, but unfortunately I couldn't see them. Suddenly drifted us merrily downriver, fending off boxcar-sized boul­ there was a loud bang on the roof and it was obvious that ders with a slightly overused oar, and commented to my something had hit the Blazer or the Blazer had hit something. deputy on how interesting it was for I stopped and got out to inspect, the water to be getting onto our hats and I discovered a splatter of blood on while we were in a boat. He did not the passenger side roof. I began reply. Instead, he busied himself with speculating about what I may have studying the manual for the inflat­ hit—turkey vulture, turkey, hawk, able PFD he was wearing and tried squirrel, etc., when I glanced back on several more. He missed the down the road and noticed something whole point of the trip through the lying on the road. I backed the Blazer area. I might have to demonstrate it up and got out to take a look. What I for him again.—WCO Thomas J. saw was a decapitated white bass that Tarkowski, Venango County. fell from the sky, hit the roof of the Blazer and landed on the road. I sus­ pect that either an or an osprey Chicken livers to go had it in its talons and dropped it in While patrolling with a DWCO on such a way that it bombed the Blazer. the Susquehanna River last fall, under In all of my years of travel, this was the cover of darkness at one of the 4^ <#k a first for me! Although I thought river accesses we covertly arrived and about harvesting the fresh fish since it witnessed fishing activity along the was about a foot long and possessed access shoreline. Quietly moving in two fine fillets, I was headed for Erie closer, we spotted two individuals and had no time to break out the fillet fishing by lantern light. Waiting pa­ knife and process the fish at road­ tiently in the darkness, we identified RACCOON-READY LATE-NIGHT, LANTERN-LIT side.—John Arway, Chief, Environmen­ each individual casting and retriev­ tal Services Division. ing their fishing rods. Unaware of LIVERS

52 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us Guarding "Paradise' During May I was patrolling Schuylkill County's "Paradise Hole," a picturesque area of the Little Schuylkill River. I ob­ served an unattended vehicle, and I became suspicious be­ cause littering had become a problem in the area. I spotted one person fishing. Using the huge pine trees for cover, I was able to approach within 15 feet behind the fish­ erman. I observed the fisherman for several minutes catching trout and releasing them. He then began pulling out items that were in wrappers. Every time he pulled something out and opened it, I was sure it would end up on the ground. It never happened. I was just about ready to talk to the man and check his fishing license when his became tangled. He spent several minutes trying to save his line but he couldn't. The fisherman cut his fishing line and began pulling it in. I thought he might throw the discarded line onto the ground and leave it there, but again he proved me wrong. I came out from under cover and basically startled the man. I asked him for his license and began talking to him. I told him that I was quite impressed. He looked at me bewildered. I told him that I had observed him for a while. He was shocked. I then told him why I was there and that when I saw him put his tangled line into his pocket, I knew that he was a true sportsman and he was not the type to litter. He told me he usually picks up litter when he fishes the area. I then thanked him for his superb efforts and for having the decency to help keep a little bit of paradise clean. I shook his hand and left him so that he could enjoy "paradise" a little more.—WCO David W. Decker, Centre County. Staring in disbelief Checking ice fishermen along the Allegheny Reservoir can be quite difficult. The water level of the steep-sided reservoir is drawn down about 30 feet from summer pool, leaving a large area of unstable ground, covered with snow and sheets of ice. To get to the water, I had to traverse this obstacle. Ap­ meeting. The day came when I was headed to Walden Pond proaching two fishermen using more than the allowed num­ with my canoe, so I called the dispatch office to see if Officer ber of tip-ups, I stumbled, slipped and fell at the top of the Ford would be out on patrol that day. Unfortunately, he was bank. I proceeded face-first and slid on my chest for about 100 off that day and the dispatcher said he would tell the officer I feet down the bank and out onto the ice. Jumping to my feet, had called. As I arrived at the access area on Walden Pond, I I saw the two anglers staring at me in disbelief. Without miss­ saw many anglers and the lake's surface boiled with freshly ing a breath, I smiled and said, "Bet you wish you had a video stocked trout. I approached one angler to ask. how his luck had camera right now!"—WCO William E. Martin, Warren County. been. He said he "hadn't caught anything yet but it would only be a matter of time until they started biting since the fish guy Columbus Day had just stocked." He then asked me if I had brought along any This past Columbus Day weekend I traveled to Massachu­ fishing gear, adding that if I had planned to fish, I had better setts for a short vacation. I was planning to do some canoe­ "watch my back" because "the warden was probably up in the ing while I was in the Concord area, so I called ahead to the trees checking up on things." Little did he know that I had just environmental officer who covered that area to get some idea called the warden's dispatch and knew that he was off that day. of what I would need to paddle legally on Walden Pond. Dur­ I am sure that he had no idea he was already talking to a war­ ing my conversation with Officer Ford, we decided to try to get den (from Pennsylvania, of course). I wished that angler good together one afternoon while I was in town. He told me to call luck and began to ready my canoe.—WCO John R. Cummings, his dispatch once I was up there to make specific plans for Cumberland County. Q

www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 53 Northwest Region DWCO William D. Logue Clarion County DWCO Logue entered deputy service with the Fish & Boat Com­ OEPUTK mission in 1998. Since then he has served the anglers and boaters of Clarion County. During the last two boating seasons, DWCO Logue has increased his volunteer hours to provide coverage in the absence of the district officer. He has assisted the PA Game Commission DWCO William D. Logue (right) with and other agencies in routine law en­ Assistant Regional Supervisor Robert Nestor forcement patrols. He has also partici­ pated in special operations all over the found time to take an active role in his com­ Northwest Region. DWCO Logue has munity as well as fulfill the duties of a deputy waterways conservation officer. Southwest Region DWCO Amil Zuzik Western Westmoreland, Fayette Counties DWCO Zuzik has been an ac­ OF THE tive DWCO in Westmoreland YEAR County for more than 27 years. During 2003, Amil spent many Ueputy waterways conservation of­ hours on fish and boat patrol, es­ ficers (DWCOs) work with WCOs, pecially during the early morning performing mainly specialized law en­ and late-evening hours. Amil as­ forcement duties in protecting, con­ sisted district WCO Ron Evancho serving and enhancing our water with most of the fish stocking resources. Their duties also include duties, which covered two districts. Amil DWCO Amil Zuzik (right) with Southwest watercraft safety law enforcement. attended many sportsmen's club meet­ Regional Manager Emil Svetahor. Deputies work long hours, often dur­ ings and conducted programs on fishing ing weekends and holidays, and even for youth groups. Amil assisted with a daughter for her cancer treatments. Amil is though they receive a small allowance fundraiser for retired WCO Don Hyatt's a dedicated and professional officer. for some expenses, they are otherwise not compensated. Any officer may nominate a deputy Northcentral Region for this recognition. Regional com­ DWCO Jeffrey H. Colwell mittees of personnel in the Commis­ Cameron County sion bureaus of Law Enforcement and DWCO Jeffrey H. Colwell has Fisheries review the nominations and been serving the Commission's choose the winners. DWCOs receive Northcentral Region since 1991. plaques for these awards. The awards Jeff has a long and tireless history carry the distinction of their recipi­ as a local sportsman, having de­ ents knowing that they were selected voted many hours benefiting fish, by their peers. wildlife and fellow sportsmen. He The law enforcement regional man­ is also a great supporter of his dis­ agers presented DWCO Officers of the trict WCO, William Crisp. Year awards during regional meetings early in 2004. Here are the 2003 DWCO Jeffrey H. Colwell (right) with DWCOs of the year. Northcentral Regional Manager Brian Burger.

54 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us Southcentral Region DWCO Bradley H. Criswell Bedford, Western Fulton Counties DWCO Criswell has been a DWCO DWCO Bradley since 1977. His law enforcement career H. Criswell began at Shawnee State Park, where he (left) with worked as a park ranger for several years. Southcentral He has assisted Area Fisheries Manager Regional Larry Jackson with many fish surveys of Manager Shawnee Lake, Cumberland Dams and Donald Lauver. various Bedford County trout streams. Bradley has led the annual Envirothon for the Chestnut Ridge Middle School. He has also assisted the local WCO in photo-JastaantRegiinui presenting programs to the PA State Po­ years. His local knowledge of people and Supervisor Tom Burrelt lice Camp cadet participants and Scout­ places has been invaluable to WCO ing groups. DWCO Criswell averaged Kane. A great communicator, he makes about 200 hours per year of law enforce­ sound decisions and uses good judg­ ment patrol time during the last two ment in law enforcement situations.

Northeast Region DWCO Albert P. Snyder Northern Wayne County DWCO Albert P. Snyder has served DWCO Albert P. with four WCOs. He has a 30-year back­ Snyder with ground as a public school science Northeast teacher. He administers the annual pro­ Regional Manager gram for Camp Starlight for the Com­ SallyA.Corl. mission, and he is a boating safety instructor. DWCO Snyder is also a dedi­ cated trout stacker. He initiated a high- profile pollution investigation on the West Branch Lackawaxen River, and he has indirectly assisted in dozens of Fish & Boat Commission cases.

Southeast Region DWCO David W. Breyan Northern Chester County DWCO David Breyan has been a deputy waterways conservation officer DWCO David W. since 1999. He serves in the Northern Breyan (left) with Chester County district with WCO Rob­ Southeast Regional ert Bonney, who nominated him. Dave Manager Jeffrey Bridi. is employed as a park ranger at Marsh Creek State Park. He is not only an ac­ photo-Bureau of Law Enforcement Director Tom Kamerzel tive deputy officer, but he also volunteers with the Muscular Dystrophy Associa­ tion, Habitat for Humanity and the Big Brother Program. Dave not only actively patrols the streams checking anglers, but tion of a siltation incident that affected because of DWCO Breyan's observations he also has helped investigate pollutions. Marsh Creek Lake. Officer Bonney was and evidence. Q Recently he assisted with the investiga- able to track down the responsible party www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 55 CURRENTS

No Special Advisories ing years and young children. The advi­ lifted is the largemouth bass mercury ad­ for State-Stocked Trout sories do not apply to fish raised for visory in Lake in State officials responsible for moni­ commercial purposes or bought in stores Clearfield County. toring Pennsylvania waterways and pro­ or restaurants. One meal is considered However, officials issued a one-meal- tecting public health announced last to be one-half pound of fish for a 150- per-month PCB advisory for brook trout February that the annual screening of pound person. Pennsylvania is the only from the West Branch of the Schuylkill adult trout stocked for the Pennsylvania state to test its state hatchery trout annu­ River in Schuylkill County. This expands Fish & Boat Commission indicates that ally and provide consumption advice the advisory from just the lower half of no special consumption advisories are using the Great Lakes Consumption the basin that was under this advisory last warranted. The fish are safe to catch, Advisory Protocols. year. Officials also issued one-meal-per- handle and eat consistent with a general For 2004, mercury consumption ad­ month PCB advisories for channel catfish statewide advisory. visories have been lifted for smallmouth in the West Branch Susquehanna River at All recreationally caught sport fish in bass in the lower Delaware River and Williamsport, Lycoming County, and for Pennsylvania are subject to a one-meal- Estuary in Bucks, Philadelphia and carp in Pool 6 of the Allegheny River in per-week consumption advisory. This Delaware counties, and in the Clarion Armstrong County. A two-meals-per- blanket advisory is designed to protect River near Cooksburg in Forest, month mercury advisory was issued for pregnant women, women of childbear- Jefferson and Clarion counties. Also brown trout in West Branch Caldwell Creek in Warren County. "Our goal with these advisories is to give Grilled Striped Bass anglers the best available information," with a Grilled Tomato-Onion Sauce Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. by Wayne Phillips "The information provided in fish Grilling adds a wonderful consumption advisories helps people flavor to fish and veg­ plan what fish to keep and how often and etables, and it lets you how much of their catch to eat. By pro­ escape the heat of the viding detailed advisories, we enable an­ kitchen. glers and others who eat recreationally caught sport fish to make an informed Ingredients decision," added Fish & Boat Commission (for four servings) Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austen. r Boneless, skinless Department of Health Secretary Dr. striped bass fillets Calvin B. Johnson noted that people who %/ 6 Roma tomatoes regularly eat sport fish, women of child- »•' 1 large sweet onion bearing age and children are most suscep­ • 4 cloves roasted garlic photo-Wayne Phillips tible to contaminants that can build up in t/ Extra-virgin olive oil fish over time, and that they should space }• Salt and pepper to taste Serve out fish meals. Ladle the sauce, either heated or at "When properly prepared, fish provide Procedure room temperature, over the fish. Since a diet high in protein and low in saturated Cut the tomatoes in half. Slice the the grill is on, why not grill some veg­ fats," said Dr. Johnson. onions into quarter-inch slices. etables like zucchini, asparagus, mush­ Current and updated advisories for Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil. rooms or potato wedges to serve with 2004 are published in the Summary of Grill until they begin to char, and then the bass? A crunchy coleslaw is perfect Fishing Regulations and Laws, provided to let them cool. Add tomatoes, onion for a warm summer day. and garlic to a food processor and each purchaser of Pennsylvania fishing pulse briefly. Add a quarter-cup to a Hints licenses. half-cup of extra-virgin olive oil. Sea­ Grill the tomatoes and onions until More information on fish consump­ son the sauce with salt and pepper. they are slightly charred. The charring tion advisories is available at the Fish & Pulse until the ingredients are com­ gives a terrific smoky flavor to the Boat Commission's web site, bined but the sauce still has some tex­ sauce. You can also thin the sauce with www.fish.state.pa.us, or at DEP's web ture. Drizzle olive oil on the striped some chicken or fish stock, if you wish, site, www.dep.state.pa.us, keywords "fish bass and grill the fillets. Season with to lessen the amount of olive oil used. advisories." salt and pepper once grilled.

56 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us CURRENTS Funding Needs Critical, Commission Tells Senate Committee

Obtaining increased funding is the "The Governor's proposal would allo­ Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commis­ cate $50 million in new Growing sion's highest priority, the agency told a Greener II conservation bond fund Senate panel during testimony in money to be split between the Game March. Addressing the Senate Appro­ Commission and the Fish & Boat Com­ priations Committee, Commission Ex­ mission and to improve state infrastruc­ ecutive Director Dr. Douglas Austen ture over a period of four or five years. told senators that the Commission has Sportsmen all across Pennsylvania will urgent fiscal needs for programs and benefit from the proposed investments properties. "The Fish & Boat Commis­ in open space and habitat conservation, sion needs funding to carry out our abandoned mine lands reclamation, day-to-day operations, and we need remediation of acid mine drainage, and funding to address long-term needs at nonpoint source pollution abatement," state fish hatcheries, dams, boat ramps Austen said. and other facilities," Austen reported. "In the last few months, we've made real progress on the funding front. But there is still a lot to do." Austen cited the introduction of Angler*s Notebook™ Jomm hum* House Bill 2155 as one positive step to address funding woes. The bill was de­ If you think wearing a life veloped by a coalition of angling and jacket will make you uncom­ boating organizations working in co­ fortably hot, think again. The operation with key legislators. It would newest U.S. Coast Guard-ap­ increase fees for fishing licenses and proved Type V inflatable models boat registrations, some of which are feather-light, airy and cool, haven't changed since 1991. Fishing li­ and one size fits most adults. censes and boat registrations account for the vast majority of Commis­ If your outboard seems to lose sion revenue. Unlike most other state power or vibrate excessively, you government agencies, the Fish & Boat might have a bent propeller shaft. Commission does not receive annual Diagnosing a wobbly prop can be General Fund appropriations for op­ difficult. To check for a bent erations. prop shaft, first disconnect the "Since 1950, fishing license or per­ spark plug and place the engine mit fees have changed on average every in neutral. Then spin the prop six-and-a-half years. This is the ninth with your hand, and as it turns freely, as a frame of reference hold the tip of a year with the same fishing license fees. screwdriver or pen in front of the prop shaft at the nut. The stationary object It's the fourteenth year with the same against the background of the spinning prop lets you see the slightest wobble. trout stamp and boat registration fees. We are at the end—we are actually well The depths beneath heavily weedy areas or places covered with lily pads can past the end—of a fishing license fee be quite cool during the heat of the day. For this reason, largemouth bass can cycle," Austen noted. As written, the be found in surprisingly shallow spots on the hottest days. Be sure to try these modernized fees in HB 2155 should places with bass poppers, weedless spoons or -rigged plastic worms. provide enough operating revenue to sustain the Fish Fund and Boat Fund One key to Delaware River success is anchoring in just the right for seven years. spot to intercept migrating shad. Study a likely area first from downstream Austen also praised the Growing looking upstream, and determine where the main current is strongest and Greener II funding initiative recently where the flow weakens. Anchor your boat so that your lures are on the edge proposed by Governor Edward Rendell of the main current—between still water and the main current flow. for its potential to make a positive im­ pact for the agency and its constituents. photo-Art Michaels www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 57 CURRENTS

Governor Rendell Stocks Season's First Trout at Little Buffalo State Park

Governor Edward G. Rendell stocked the first trout of 2004 last March 1 during ceremonies at Little Buffalo State Park, Perry County. The event heralded the annual release of millions of trout into the state's water­ ways to support recreational angling and its associated economic benefits. Fishing in Pennsylvania generates about $1.6 billion in economic activity annually. Trout fishing contributes some $500 million of that sum. Sport fishing supports 14,000 jobs and gen­ erates $53 million in annual revenue for the state's General Fund through sales and income taxes. Outdoors- state fish hatcheries to publicly acces­ Rendell's plan to renew and enhance related spending accounts for about sible trout fishing waters in prepara­ the Commonwealth's Growing Greener one-third of all leisure-travel expendi­ tion for trout season, which began this program. Funds from an $800 million tures in Pennsylvania. year at 8 a.m., Saturday, April 17. The Growing Greener bond issue would be "We need to do more to realize the Commission stocked some 2.2 million distributed among three areas over four full economic benefits that a strong adult trout preseason in about 900 wa­ years: nature tourism industry can provide terways across the Commonwealth. • $300 million for parks, open for our Commonwealth," Governor An additional 2 million adult trout will space and farmland, including $80 Rendell said. "By investing in our be released during the season. million in state park improvements state parks and game lands, we are "Many of these fish end up in state and $50 million in capital funds for able to offer our sportsmen cleaner parks like Little Buffalo, where millions the Fish & Boat Commission and the waterways for activities such as trout of people visit each year—not just to Game Commission. fishing. That improves the quality of catch that elusive trout, but to swim, • $330 million for environmental life available to all Pennsylvanians, camp, hunt, hike and enjoy the out­ cleanup. which helps us attract new families doors," Governor Rendell said. "This • $170 million to revitalize older and businesses." year, stocking trucks from state fish communities. Each March 1, the Fish & Boat hatcheries will travel more than • Revenue from fees on pollution Commission begins trucking fish from 360,000 miles across Pennsylvania will repay the bonds and interest on highways and rural them. Under the Governor's proposed routes to deliver 2004-05 budget, garbage-disposal fees trout the distance would rise by $5 a ton, and the fees from the earth to would be broadened to include a fee of the moon and half­ $4 per ton on residual waste. The pro­ way back," the Gov­ posal also includes a fee of 15 cents a ernor added. pound on toxic waste emissions. State fish hatch­ "Investing in our natural assets like eries and other pub­ our streams and parks makes environ­ lic facilities such as mental and business sense," Governor dams, boat launches Rendell said. "We must protect and and state parks upgrade these lands so Pennsylvanians stand to benefit can enjoy this splendor for years to from Governor come."

58 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us CURRENTS

Proposal to Allow All Tackle in Delayed-Harvest Areas A notice of proposed rulemaking conditions achieve this goal. As a re­ delayed-harvest concept. Moreover, by was published in the Pennsylvania Bul­ sult of extending the fishing opportu­ mid-June, all tackle activity on these letin on March 13,2004, to invite pub­ nities for a longer period, streams in areas should be less intense because lic comment on a proposal to change Delayed-Harvest programs are among many anglers are less inclined to go special fishing regulations for Delayed- the most popular for all special-regu­ trout angling. Harvest, Artificial-Lures-Only lation trout waters. The Commission has reviewed de­ (DHALO) areas. The notice estab­ Under current DHALO regulations, layed-harvest and similar regulations on lishes a 90-day period of public com­ the same artificial-lures-only tackle seasonal trout-stocked waters in neigh­ ment and states that the Commission restrictions apply to the harvest period boring jurisdictions as well as the results will hold two public meetings/hearings (June 15 through Labor Day) as those of studies on delayed-harvest waters in on these proposed regulations. that apply during the remainder of the the Commonwealth. During the sum­ Even though the formal public com­ year. The harvest period allows an­ mer "harvest" season, Virginia, West Vir­ ment period on this proposal started glers to take trout that otherwise face ginia and have no tackle on March 13, the Commission has al­ less desirable habitat with the onset of restrictions and in some cases no mini­ ready received more than 350 written warmer water and low flows typical of mum length limits on waters that for and email comments on the proposal. most seasonal trout-stocked streams most of the rest of the year have more Because this concept has attracted during the summer. restrictive regulations, including no-kill much public interest, the Commission Members of the Traditional Anglers and artificial lures only. decided to have an extended comment of Pennsylvania (Traditional Anglers) The Commission has decided to seek period as well as the public meetings. approached the Commission request­ public comment on the concept of a no- All comments received will be provided ing that regulations pertaining to the tackle restriction during the harvest pe­ to the members of the Commission for Delayed-Harvest programs be modi­ riod for DHALO areas. Some owners of their review and consideration. The fied to permit all tackle during the property through which some DHALO public comment period will end in mid-June through Labor Day harvest waters flow have expressed concerns June. It is possible that the Commis­ period. Fundamental to the interests about this proposal, and the Commis­ sion will review this proposal at its July of the Traditional Anglers is the belief sion has specifically invited comments 2004 meeting. that general license and trout stamp on a number of issues, including the Some people submitting comments dollars pay for stocked trout and thus effects of the proposed change on those seem to believe the proposal is broader all anglers should have equal access to Delayed-Harvest areas located on waters in scope than it is. We have two De­ harvest. In addition to the equity is­ that flow through private property. layed-Harvest special-regulation pro­ sue, permitting all tackle during the View the complete notice of pro­ grams for trout: Delayed Harvest harvest period might be beneficial in posed rulemaking on the Commission's Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) and encouraging traditional anglers to the web site, www.fish.state.pa.us. Delayed Harvest Only(DHFFO). The pro­ posed change applies only to the DHALO (artificial-lures- only) areas. It does not apply to Delayed-Harvest areas with fly-fishing-only special regula­ tions. Delayed-Harvest areas are managed with stocked trout. Delayed-Harvest regula­ tions are designed to maxi­ mize total opportunities and to mix both a harvest and a catch-and- release component. Using stocked trout and tailoring fishing regulations to take best advantage of changing stream www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 59 CURRENTS Pat Shine (right) Youth Bass Anglers was recently recognized as the Conservation School 2003 Pennsylvania\ Invites State Students Water Rescue to Apply Instructor of the •» • ww * « «, Year. Pat has been The Youth Bass Anglers Conservation a water rescue v School is seeking applicants for its four- instructor since *li day program in July. The school will 1989, teaching all iiir''ai certified provide a unique learning experience for Commission young Pennsylvanians with a passion for water-rescue fishing and a thirst for warmwater fish­ programs. Pat is a ery knowledge. The school, the first of member of the Glade Township Rescue Team, in Warren County. He has been its kind in the state, is a cooperative ef­ involved in many successful rescues as part of that team. Pat received a fort among the Pennsylvania Chapter of certificate and a framed 2000 Pennsylvania Waterways Conservation Stamp BASS, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Com­ and Print. Presenting the award were Commission Boating Safety Education mission, Department of Conservation Manager Dan Martin (center) and the Commission's Volunteer Water Rescue and Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps Coordinator George Angstadt. of Engineers, and Penn State University. The program will be held Sunday Online Boat Registration Renewals evening, July 18, through Thursday af­ ternoon, July 21, on Lake Perez at Penn Beginning last February, boat owners were able to renew their Pennsylvania State's Stone Valley Recreation Area in boat registrations online, thanks to an expanded customer service feature on Centre County. the Fish & Boat Commission's web site. Boaters wishing to renew their current Instruction will be geared toward boat registrations can log on to the Commission's web site, young people who already possess www.fish.state.pa.us, click on "Outdoor Shop," and then select "Boat Renew­ some basic outdoor skills and fishing als," where they can fill in the required information fields. A temporary Internet experience. registration valid for 30 days can then be printed. Traditional registration Application and enrollment began in materials will be mailed to the registrant's home. A $2 issuing-agent fee will be March for students aged 14 to 17. The levied for the service. application deadline is May 28, 2004. "Improving our already popular web site to allow boat registration renew­ Study topics will include fish biology, als is yet another way the Commission provides great customer service," said fisheries management, habitat improve­ Commission Executive Director Dr. Douglas Austen. "Online sales of fishing ment, boating safety, fishing skills and licenses have risen steadily since we began offering that option in 2001, and I techniques, fish and boating law en­ expect that registration renewals will provide an equally efficient and popular forcement, fisheries and conservation alternative for our constituents." careers, and tournament angling. A total of 355,265 boats were registered in Pennsylvania in 2003. Allegheny Student applicants must submit a County led the state with the highest number of registered watercraft: 27,932. written essay on the topics "What fishing Coming in second to Allegheny County was Bucks County with 16,332 regis­ means to me" and the importance of trations. York County captured third place with 13,526. conservation. They must also provide a Overall, the total number of registrations fell slightly, down 2,464 compared letter of recommendation from a teacher to the 2002 figures. or close associate. A total of 26 students Commission officials speculate will be selected. that last year's wet spring and A $100 enrollment fee will be charged summer, with many rain-soaked Outdoor Shop weekends, may have accounted for Uctntti Subie on acceptance, so students are encour­ Bolt RBB*»tt«tk>n R»new»l aged to seek organizational sponsorship some of the decline in registra­ through sporting, community or civic tions and renewals. Slower new- ]*A Ball li>(i,!l .11 groups. boat sales across the nation may also have contributed to the re­ «• Oi, BIU.V>I if (nJUiti •{ (••! For applications and more details, W Ufa kail U.l y.« Vw b*M >«tt f you 4a BM taaw,tua>.1 v Uiv* ihii raxa t van fty wbtnpurrha rififfvt l duction in the number of Penn­ (So IVluitytvim i Hik wrf Bail contact Dave Houser of the Pennsylva­ < fat thr talr potpalf •! nthantmf nia Fish & Boat Commission at (814) sylvania registrations. p UU ana* (atibtoI llu bqghont tnr 1 359-5219, or by email at [email protected]. v^'-

60 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 www.fish.state.pa.us PFBC FREE PUBLICATIONS

Please indicate the requested titles with an X. Single copies are free. Limit: 6 pamphlets. For multiple copies, of the same title, please call the Commission at 717-705-7835. Title Description • Angler Award Program State records, big fish, first fish, rules and application I • Basics of Water Pollution Types of water pollution, effects on resources 1 Opportunity descriptions, civil service, non-civil service • Careers with the PFBC • Drinking, Boating and the Law Commonly asked questions with answers • Fish Scale Sketch Commission overview, mission and programs • Fishing and Boating Map Accesses and amenities, with PennDOT highway map • Great Fishing Needs Great Habitat Brochure about habitat components • Hazards on the Water Recognizing, avoiding dangers to boaters • I Just Bought a Boat, Now What Do I Do? Boat registration's frequently asked questions I • Ice Fishing in Pennsylvania Basic how-to information sheet I I • Keep Pennsylvania Fishing & Boating! Commission's funding needs and includes a pocket guide • Paddle Pennsylvania Water trail listings, map and launch permit application • PA Fishes Identification Guide Quick reference with illustrations, depicts over 90 fish species • Personal Flotation Devices All about life jackets, life vests and life preservers I • Personal Watercraft in Pennsylvania Vital information for owners and operators • Snakes in Basements and Buildings Remedies and prevention information sheet Q Snakes in Pennsylvania Biology, identification, venomous, non-venomous • To Protect, Conserve and Enhance Waterways conservation officer career information

Region Brochures -"Fishing & Boating Opportunities in Pennsylvania • NORTHWEST Counties: Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren • NORTHCENTRAL SECTION 1 Counties: Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean • NORTHCENTRAL SECTION 2 Counties: Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union • NORTHEAST Counties: Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming • SOUTHWEST Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland • SOUTHCENTRAL Counties: , Bedford, Blair, I Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, •a. Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, York tApproved trout waters Pumpout stations • SOUTHEAST Counties: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, •Boat access/launch ramps Special regulation areas Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northhampton, Philadelphia,dClas s A wild trout streams Universally accessible areas Schuylkill •PFBC locations FREE of charge!

77 PENNSYLVANIA Name VzL, k Address \m 1 City State ZIP \] m11 Please mail entire form to: Education Media Services, PA Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Or fax to Educational Media Services at 717-705-7831. £ Publication requests can be e-mailed with publication title(s) and complete shipping information to: [email protected] PFBC PUBLICATIONS AND PRODUCTS ORDER FORM

Quantity Description Code# PA Species Price Subtotal Wall Chart Sets (taxable, shipped in mailing n Set of: Coldwater Fishes, Warmwater Fishes, 103FCHTS $5.66 Migratory Fishes, Misc. Game Fishes, Panfishes, Forage Fishes ci7" x 22" full color i Set of: Frogs, Salamanders,Snakes, Turtles (ir x 22" fun color) 103RCHTS $3.77 1 3 Books (taxable, ID PA Amphibians & Reptiles 103AMPR $9.43 CJ Guide to Public Fishing Waters and Boating Access 103PUBF $2.83 ft Pennsylvania Fishes 103FISH $9.43 Endangered & Threatened Species of PA 103ENDS $5.66 i 2003 Patches/MllUS (taxable, limited quantities available, shipping and handling addit 1998 Northern Copperhead 111NCOP98 $4.71 1999 Northern Leopard Frog 111NLFR99 $4.71 c 2000 Midland Painted Turtle 111MPTU00 $4.71 2001 Spotted Salamander 111SALA01 $4.71 i c ^20dT~8lk ?002 Five-Lined Skink 111SKNK02 $4.71 : • I „-; ««| 2003 Paddlefish 111PADF03 $4.71 2004 Timber Rattlesnake - Black Phase New! 111TMBR04 $4.71 2004 Timber Rattlesnake - Yellow Phase New! 111TIMB04 $4.71 2001 PLAY Patch: Sauaeve 111PLAY01 $2.83 3 700? PI AY Patr.lv Hyhrid Strined Bass 111PLAY02 $2,83 2003 PLAY Patch: Rock Bass 111PLAY03 $2.83 7004 PLAY Patch- Chain Pickerel New! 111PLAYQ4 $2.83 teass/ 2003 Trout Stamp "Morning Memories" 111TROU03 $4.71 2004 Trout Stamp "Quiet Time" 111TROU04 $4.71 2003 Waterways Conservation 111CONS03 $4.71 X&4 2003 Game Fish Series Waiieve 111GAME03 $4.71 20C&4- 2004 Game Fish Series Crapoie 111GAME04 $4.71 Get one for your 111ANG03 $2.83 I'm a Pennsylvania Angler Patch fishing hat or vest'. I'm a Pennsylvania Boater Patch 111BOAT03 3ZS3. Short 16-QUnce mug (removable base to add ice) 115SMUG03 $4.71 Tall 16-ounce muo (fits most vehicle cup holders) 115TMUG03 $4.71 Nature Cards Set #1 (Single Pack) 103NC101 $2.83 PFBC Notecards 103NOTECO $9.43 PFBC Safety Whistle 115WHISTL $5.66 Wall chart sets, books and patches total PA residents add 6% state sales tax Subtota Shipping and handling for orders under $10.00 - ADD $2.00 Shipping and handling for orders of $10.00 or more - ADD $3.00 Pennsylvania Angler & lioatcr Subscriptions/Renewals • YES! Enter my subscription for ONE YEAR $9.00 • YES! Enter my subscription for THREE YEARS $25.00 • New • Renewal Account # if renewing: Mii TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED Please mail entire form -ut.1M.ed tn ISM, to: PA Fish & Boat Tree. PLAY Subscriptions Commission, Educational • YES! Enter my FREE subscription. Media Services, P.O. Box Subscriber's Age • Age: 8 (20 issues) • Age: 9(16 issues) 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Use check • Age: 10 (12 issues) • Age: 11 (8 issues) • Age: 12 (4 issues) or money order for remittance made payable to: PA Fish & Boat Name Commission. Prices subject to change without Child's Name notice. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery Street Address Immm ICTgCTnfajJo^toalpaDl City State "Zip" C04 IN PENNSYLVANIA

Kaylea Burton, age 4, proudly holds her first largemouth bass she caught in a Dauphin County pond. She caught the bass on a worm and James L. Here is a photo of my Dad, Jim bobber with her "Barbie" . Hughes, Verona, Grosjean, with a nice 27-inch walleye caught this 11- he caught at Lake Wilhelm, Maurice pound, 31.5- K. Goddard State Park, Mercer inch walleye County. Although he is a dedicated near Lock & catch-and-release fisherman when it Dam 2 on the comes to largemouth and smallmouth Allegheny River bass, northern pike and muskies, this at Sharpsburg. walleye made it to my Mom's kitchen The fish took a for a tasty fish dinner. Over the years sucker. my father has instilled in me and in all his grandchildren a love of fishing and a respect for nature.—Jim Grosjean Jr., Glenshaw.

Picture Yourself on This Page! To contribute a photo to this page, please send only snapshots and prints—no slides and no pictures larger than 8x10. Include a self-ad­ dressed, stamped envelope if you want your picture returned. Address Terry Michener shows the nice Mark Michaux, Donora, holds a 20- items to: The Editor, PA Angler & she caught last summer while inch, 4-pound, 4-ounce smallmouth Boater, PA Fish & Boat Commission, fishing with her brother, Ron, at bass he caught in the Monongahela P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA Promised Land Lake, Promised Land River near Monessen. The smallie State Park, Pike County. The crappie 17106-7000. earned Mark a Senior Angler Award. fell for a crankbait. www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2004 63 May and June have Aafe boating and fating fa/r affl^m may 1 °Po„;._ .. ^P

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For more information: www.fish.state.pa.us