rr Pennsylvania !tao'im/80t 'NGI The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine w -*-**< Straight TalK and Wildlife Service and the National control, fish pathology, and fish Marine Fisheries Service, a Great culture are being utilized in the Lakes Caucus of state directors listed Strategic Management Plan. A good and reviewed 40 major areas of look at the predator/forage STRATEGIC GREAT concern relating to management of communities in Lake Erie is very high LAKES FISHERIES the Great Lakes fishery. on our agenda, as well as possibilities In the process of identifying the of use of common advisories of MANAGEMENT PLAN critical issues and strategies that contaminant levels in fish flesh. pertain to the Great Lakes fisheries We have seen considerable give and In June 1981, 12 state, provincial, and for the rest of the 1980s, that caucus take over the years relative to Lake federal agencies signed a Joint determined that the previously Erie, and these things do drag on; but Strategic Plan for the management of adopted Strategic Great Lakes that is unavoidable. Our own staff is the Great Lakes fisheries. This was the Fisheries Management Plan deeply committed to working on result of three years of hard work by (SGLFMP) was still relevant, but that lakewide management plans with fish steering committees, a Committee of a review of the progress achieved in community objectives, and these, of the Whole, working groups, and the the plan's implementation was much course, will have to be general, Great Lakes Fishery Commission. needed. The caucus concluded that flexible, and dynamic. With so many The plan recognizes that only through the key issues concerned the need for things beyond our control, if cooperation can the mechanisms for integrated fishery management plans something happens that we don't protecting, rehabilitating, and wisely for each lake, for improved expect, predict, or control, we have to using our Great Lakes fishery jurisdictional coordination, for greater adjust to fit the reality. resources be strengthened. The emphasis on environmental problems, There are only three people who backbone of this cooperation is in for coordinated enforcement, and for signed the original Strategic Plan in Lake Committees, and as you can directed research, and that these needs 1981 who are still working on the imagine, Pennsylvania's interest is in could be handled within the same jobs, and I happen to be one of the Lake Erie Committee, where we framework of SGLFMP. them. I am convinced that although are joined by Michigan, Ohio, New Therefore, the state directors in that much of the leadership has changed, York, and the Canadian province of Great Lakes Caucus petitioned the the new participants certainly have the Ontario. Great Lakes Fishery Commission to background and the potential of being At a meeting in Washington in reconvene the Committee of the the same stalwarts who put together June 1985, hosted by the U.S. Fish Whole, and we are pleased to report one of the finest strategic plans ever to to you that the committee will meet in be conceived. Toronto, Ontario, in February 1986. The common goal statement At that time, the directors of the adopted in 1981 still applies: "To agencies will consider a number of secure fish communities, based on issues, including the role of the Great foundations of stable, self-sustaining Lakes Fishery Commission, the role stocks, supplemented by judicious of Indian tribes, the role of fisheries plantings of hatchery-reared fish, and agencies in the Habitat Advisory provide from these communities an Board, an update on directed optimum contribution of fish, fishing research, and certainly the progress in opportunities, and associated benefits recent law enforcement initiatives. The to meet needs identified by society for: committee will be reviewing how wholesome food, recreation, efforts of allied experts in habitat, law employment and income, and a enforcement, research, sea lamprey healthy human environment." <^gj&2tLud- UTLUL^ Ralph W. Abele Executive Director Pennsylvania Fish Commission Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Fish Commission Marilyn A. Black, President ANGLER Meadville Theodore T. Metzger, Jr., January 1986 Vol. 55 No. 1 Vice President Johnstown Walter F. Gibbs Seven New Year's Resolutions by An Michaels Titusville Leonard A. Green Should old fishing habits be forgot and never brought Carlisle to mind? Yes, especially when the first three months of 1986 Ross J. Huhn offer a time for revitalizing and renewing your fishing Saltsburg and boating strategies Calvin J. Kern Whitehall Robert L. Martin Comparative Trouting: Penn's Woods vs. the Mother Bellefonte Joan R. Plumly Country by S. R. Slay maker II Jenkintown Consider this unique perspective on fishing in Pennsylvania Jerome E. Southerton and on fishing where our fly fishing traditions originated Honesdale J. Wayne Yorks Benton Pennsylvania Fish Commission Annual Report Boating Advisory Board Clayton Buchanan, County Features — Lehigh County by Fred Mussel Chairman and Montgomery County by Guy A. Bowersox .... Pittsburgh David Coe State College Helen B. Lange Sharpsville Edward J. Rogowski Currents 14 Holland Anglers Notebook 14 Staff EDITOR/Art Michaels i GRAPHICS/Ted Walke m. PHOTOGRAPHER/Russ Gettig CIRCULATION/Eleanor Mutch STAFF ASSISTANT/Jayne Povleski The Cover First on the ice after a snowfall is a lone angler at Glendale Lake, in Prince POSTMASTER: Send 3579 forms to Pennsyl­ Gallitzin State Park, Cambria County. The cover picture was taken by staff vania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harris- photographer Russ Gettig. burg, PA 17105-1673. Pennsylvania Angler (1SSN0031-434X), • 1986, is published monthly. Staff photographer Gettig also caught the back cover scene along a stream Second class postage paid at Harrisburg, PA. near Bellefonte, Centre County. Subscription rates: one year, $6; three years, $16; single copies are 80 cents each. For subscription and changes of address, contact Angler Circula­ tion, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box ' -ifeaf '673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Address all other correspondence to: The Editor, Pennsylva­ nia Angler, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Editorial contributions are wel­ comed, but must be accompanied by a self- addressed, stamped envelope. Submissions are \ handled with care, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return or safety of submis­ - i sions in its possession or in transit. The authors' views, ideas, and advice expressed in this maga­ zine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or offi­ cial position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commis­ i. -• rasi- sion or its staff. page 4 * I • s .:>• •» I Much of your fishing success later this year hinges on the plans and , preparations you make during the winter. Seven New Ifear's Resolutions Is gearing up for the coming spring Take your children, or your now." In my mind, that's reason part of your winter routine? Getting I grandchildren, fishing. "Before enough to enjoy fishing with them ready means first making many plans, you know it," my wife said to me the while the opportunity exists. So my so here are some ideas for New Year's other day, "our son and daughter will New Year's resolution in this area resolutions that you may want to be too big to pick up and hold, too includes taking the kids fishing often consider in the early part of 1986. big to enjoy the way we enjoy them this spring. 4 Pennsylvania Angler Along these lines, if you'd like to take your children fishing for the first time, you may not want to miss the Fish Commission's special publication This winter, called, "Teaching a Youngster to resolve to be a Fish." Along with another article, safer boater, "Teaching a Child to Boat," this and check into 8-page publication offers valuable tips courses offered to adults who plan to teach kids to by fish and boat. It's available free from organizations the Publications Section, like the U.S. Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Coast Guard Box 1673, Harrisburg, PA Auxiliary, U.S. 17105-1673. Power If you'd like to give your kids Squadrons, something extra special this year, and Red Cross. consider PLAY—Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth. This Fish Commission program has taught thousands of youngsters about fishing, boating, and conservation, and a yearly membership is only $2. Each member receives a package of Pennsylvania Angler many years ago. flotation device). These items are information, a quarterly newsletter, a I went to the lake the author lifesavers. Fish Commission experts colorful patch, a membership card, suggested and I fished when he said to estimate that 85 percent of the deaths and access to "The Tackle Box," a try my luck. I used the rigs and gear in Pennsylvania boating accidents special correspondence center for he described. In two hours, I boated a could have been prevented if victims personal answers to fishing and 5-pounder, my heart pounding as 1 had been wearing PFDs. boating questions. For details, contact horsed the fish over the gunwale with Want more details on PFDs to PLAY at the Fish Commission the black grape worm draped across study this winter? Request the address above. the gill cover. pamphlet, "Personal Flotation Make time to go fishing. Sure, we It works. Do it. Try some new Devices," from the Fish Commission 2all are busy, but don't you admire techniques this year, and you at the address above. It's free, but people who have the time for fishing probably can expect similar new, with requests include a self-addressed, when the action is best? You know, exciting results. stamped business-sized envelope. the people you read about in Be a safer boater. Boating Get your tackle in top shape. This Pennsylvania Angler who are there at 5accident statistics compiled by the 7 New Year's resolution means the right time to score like crazy? Fish Commission and the Coast repairing and maintaining gear so that These anglers don't have the time Guard are sobering—most boating in spring you can concentrate on either, just like you.