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JUNE 1982 Keystone state's •j. Official ( fisme BOATING Section 404 in Jeopardy? lhe Federal Water Pollution Control Act amendments of 1972, further amended in 1977 by the Clean Water Act, were enacted to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation's wa­ ters. Keeping the Commonwealth's water clean and restoring those that are not fishable, bootable, and even drinkable, is territory the Pennsylvania Fish Commission has staked out, although other agencies have the lead role by statute. Thus, we are delighted to have federal government involved. Most of us are familiar with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which enables the Corps of Engineers to issue permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material into the waters of the Commonwealth and Section 301 prohibits any per­ son from discharging pollutants into waters without a permit. Section 404 has been one of the great tools that we have been able to use in our efforts to maintain our waters the best that we can get. As part of the study of burdensome regulations, the Reagan Administration has designated a committee, chaired by Vice President Bush, titled "The Presidential Task Force on Regulatory Relief". We are sorry to tell you that Assistant Secretary of the Army, William Gianelli, and personnel from David Stockman's Office of Management and Budget suggest eliminating the 404 permitting business on everything but navigable waters. This, to a great extent, would leave un­ protected by the federal Act, the tributaries and adjacent wetlands. Wetlands are a most important resource and certainly we want to see universal application of dredge and fill disposal regulations, as well as pollution discharge regulations. The effect of maintaining Sections 404 and 301 protection is in the best interests of all of the people. Surely we don't have to explain to our readers the values of wetlands or water pollution control, flood damage reduction, erosion and sediment control, groundwater recharge or the benefits realized by fish and wildlife. Fourteen nationally recognized groups reacted to the proposed Army/OMB proposals, includ­ ing the National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Environmental Policy Center, the International Associa­ tion of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and of course the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. We have all said that the present permit application process is highly efficient, in spite of what Assistant Secretary Gianelli has alleged. Our first report was that Vice President Bush has reserved his opinion, but has indicated some agreement with the position taken by so many environmental or­ ganizations. We hope that Section 404 will remain as the Congress originally intended it. In the meantime, however, just in case the whole thing falls apart, we are working together with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and staff from both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate in an effort to have adequately protective legislation, either underway or in place if and when the federal government should let us down. Ralph W. Abele, Executive Director Pennsylvania Angler Pennsylvania's Official Fishing & Boating Magazine Published Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Richard L. Thornburgh, Governor PENNSYLVANIA FISH Volume51 — No. 6 June 1982 COMMISSION MEMBERS Contents Walter F. Gibbs, President Reno Leaky Boots page 2 Calvin J. Kern, Vice President. Whitehall The Best Time For Bluegills by Bill Ignizio page 4 Mrs. Marilyn Black Meadville Waterside Wanderings by Linda Steiner page 7 Leonard A. Green Carlisle Trout Like "Strawberries" (and streamers too) by Jim Bashline page 11 John A. Hugya Johnstown Goldenrods and Walleyes by Gerry Kingdom page 14 Ross J. Huhn Saltsburg Wild Trout Management (Part III) by Delano Graff page 17 Robert L. Martin Bellefonte Boating page 23 Jerome E. Southerton Honesdale Black Bass by Fred Guardineer page 23 J. Wayne Yorks Benton The Other Side Of The Tournament Trail by Wes Bower page 24 MEMBERS Scraper Speeds Scaling by Don Shiner page 27 BOATING ADVISORY BOARD Hard Way Striper by Jay Zack page 30 Clayton Buchanan, Chairman. Pittsburgh Notes From The Streams page 31 Nicholas Apfl Fairless Hills Currents page 32 Charles Chattaway Monongahela Sherwood Krum Hawley Leon Lyon Bellefonte Dave Wolf, Editor Covers — In an effort to gather information on wild trout populations, Fish Commission biologists electro-shock the Letort. Photo by Dave Wolf (see story on page 17). TP JMASTER: A" 3579 forms lo be rePor<ed •<> I he office of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 he Pennsylvania Angler, (ISSN 0031-434X), Copyright 1982, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, Har- "sburg, Pennsylvania. Second Class postage paid at Harrisburg Pennsylvania, Subscription rates: One year — $5.00; Three years — $12.00; 50 cents per single copy. Send check or money order to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Do Not Send Cash. Changes of address should reach us promptly giving both old and new addresses, including both zip codes. Subscriptions received and processed by the end of the month will begin with the second i nth lollowmg. 1 he Pennsylvania Fish Commission will not assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or illustrations while i men possession or in transit. Communications pertaining to the magazine should be addressed to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, Pennsylvania isti Commission P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Unsolicited materials, manuscripts, or photos will not be returned unless accompanied "> a stamped, sell-addressed envelope for their return. June—1982 • 1 Take A Day Off. Boneless Shad A few of us in northwestern Penn­ For several years I've been hooked sylvania are in the process of produc­ on shad fishing. The fighting nature ing a pilot for a series of television of these fish, and the feeling that each programs, to act as a tour guide to time a shad is on the fish has a good sports fishing in the Erie County chance of winning the battle, has area. There is a sincere interest on the made me a shad fanatic. part of a growing number of local A common problem fishermen sportsmen to promote the area, and have with shad is how to get rid of the at the same time enhance the image of bones when preparing the fish for the today's fishermen. table. I tried de-boning shad for sev­ However, my letter is not mainly eral years, and after approximately 50 about our project, but it is to ac­ minutes per fish most bones were re­ A Poem knowledge the Pennsylvania Fish moved and the fish was ready for the Commission's fine commitment to grill. This tedious work took some of The following poem was submitted to provide a superb atmosphere in which the pleasure out of each shad venture. us by Margaret Humes Collins. Mar­ excellent fishing is at hand nearly The 1981 season produced enough garet is 87 years of age. I thought you everywhere in the vicinity. shad so I could experiment in cooking might enjoy it. Ed We too easily forget, or take for the fish so that all the bones would be All fishermen, they say granted, the excellent job your office dissolved. The fish would remain Are proved to dance and shout, does. Never before have I paid wit­ moist, and the flavor would be re­ When casting flies into a stream ness to such department-wide team tained. After numerous efforts, I They land a rainbow trout! work. achieved these goals. Directions are: Now I have watched such men, It has been my pleasure, in these Using a clean, scaled shad with Their patience so bewilders me, past few weeks, to become ac­ head, tail and all fins removed, They stand waist deep in water high quainted with Bill Willis, foreman at place a piece of heavy duty alumi­ As moveless as a tree. the Corry Fish Hatchery. I could not num foil in a large roasting pan. The foil should be 18 inches in So proud of hobo clothes they are, have asked for cooperation and cour­ tesy like that which was extended to width and 30 inches long. Cut the So quietly they wait, us. thin belly meat and bones from the Just casting flies and wondering if This project would probably not fish. Slit the back along the dorsal The fish will take the bait. have developed beyond the "idea" 1 inch deep, place two strips of No end to hours, nor to days, stage without Gary Moore, an Erie bacon lengthwise on the foil, place They go and go again waterways patrolman. I really want the fish belly down on the foil posi­ Before the dawn, they're up and you to know of this gentleman's gen­ tioned so it remains upright, place gone, uine concern and commitment to the four-half strips of bacon crosswise These funny, grown-up men. goals of the Commission. on the back of the fish, fold the foil But little boys by the creekside, From my firsthand experience in around the fish making a loose en­ A-whistling as they go dealing with these two fellows, I feel I velope folded to form a seal front Don't count their trout by singles, have gained invaluable insight to the and back and on top, and keeping But by the string, you know. challenge your office is facing. the foil from the sides and top of Can it be that our dear menfolk, Sometimes we all feel that regula­ the fish as much as possible.

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