Jtomsdvania September/October 2003 $3.00 www.fish.state.pa.us . / I The kegAtotte QtateA OMiciaP # J? Fishing and Sooting Magazine .wan m m » KEEP* PENNSYLVANIA! PROTECT • CONSERVE • ENHANCE {FISHING! Transitions fry Dennis Guise, Deputy Executive Director "Transition" is the watchword of today's Fish & Boat ation of a detailed fee proposal, the anglers and boaters of Commission. Pennsylvania are focusing on the future of fishing and With the retirement of Executive Director Peter A. boating and trying to ensure we have adequate operating Colangelo in June, the Commission has embarked on a funds for years to come. We want particularly to thank nationwide search for a new executive director. In the Chairman Bruce Smith and Chairman Ed Staback and meantime, I have been entrusted with responsibility for the staffs of the House and Senate Game and Fisheries leading the agency during this transition period. I see Committees for their interest and support," Concilia said. this transition as an opportunity to make positive changes We estimate that the consensus proposal advanced by and build a solid foundation for the future. the sportsmen's groups will increase Fish Fund revenue The Fish & Boat Commission is not standing still or between $4 million and $4.5 million per year. The new treading water during this transition period. There is boat registration fees proposed by the sportsmen will much we can and must do to provide our customers, the increase the Boat Fund's income by more than $1 million anglers and boaters of Pennsylvania, with the fishing and per year. boating opportunities they expect and deserve. If this proposal or a similar one wins approval by the We must mend fences with the General Assembly and General Assembly, it will generate new revenue to sustain forge a strong working relationship with the new admin­ the Fish Fund and the Boat Fund at current program istration. We need to strengthen the tremendous ties we levels for up to seven years. have with all those who love fishing and boating and The license and registration fee proposal addresses treasure our aquatic resources. If partnerships with the operating costs. In addition, we need to succeed in sportsmen of Pennsylvania were important in the past, developing a new alternative funding mechanism to pay they will be even more important in the future. We must for major capital projects at state fish hatcheries and improve both internal and external communications, and dams managed by the Commission. we've already taken concrete steps in this area. We must As readers of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, you know stand up to defend public rights to fish and boat in how important fishing and boating are to you. But we Pennsylvania's public waterways and continue our work need to emphasize again how important they are for to protect, conserve and enhance our water resources. Pennsylvania's travel and tourism economy. Recreational The Commission must do all this and more with a fishing contributes more than $1.6 billion each year to the small, dedicated staff of hard-working professionals state's economy. It supports about 15,000 jobs and whose activities are subject to severe fiscal constraints. contributes more than $50 million in general fund The staff's success in exercising fiscal discipline is shown income tax and sales tax. by the fact that our fund balances at the beginning of the Our state fish hatcheries and state dams are truly current fiscal year, on July 1, were higher than we might engines of rural economic development. When the state have expected in light of the reduction in interest income undertakes the major construction projects needed at and license revenue. But now, the agency needs to focus these facilities, it will bolster the economy in many ways: more than ever before on funding issues as we seek • Benefits will flow from major construction projects in increases in operating revenue and alternative funding for the rural communities where state fish hatcheries and major capital projects. dams are located. I am pleased to report some real progress in our efforts • Benefits will be derived from operation of state to win favorable consideration of increased fishing license hatcheries and employment of staff. fees for the first time in about eight years. On August 4, • There will be travel and tourism benefits from the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs hosted visitation to state hatcheries and state lakes. a meeting involving several angling, boating and • And most important of all, there will be economic sportsmen's groups, as well as key legislators and their benefits of recreational fishing supported by state hatch­ staffs. The groups developed a new fee proposal for ery fish and fishing and boating at state lakes. fishing license and boat registration fees. Commission During this transition period, as always, it will be you, President Samuel M. Concilia (of North East, Erie the anglers and boaters of Pennsylvania, who set the County) observed that the efforts of the sportsmen were agenda and take the positive actions needed to ensure the "a great start." success of the Commission and the programs you cher­ "The Fish & Boat Commission greatly appreciates ish. The members of the Commission and the Commis­ everyone's efforts to develop consensus fee proposals that sion staff are up to the challenges we face. We're counting can attract widespread sportsmen and legislative sup­ on your support. O port," Concilia said. "By moving forward with consider­ Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, September-October 2003 www.fish.state.pa.us September/October 2003 Volume 72 Number 5 Feature articles Nymph Drifting Techniques for Fall Trout by Vic Attardo 7 Frosty Mornings, Hungry Pike by Mike Bleech 12 The Upright Spinner by Charles R. Meek 18 The Rookies by Linda Steiner 20 Pittsburgh's Downtown TriAnglers by Deborah Weisberg 26 Old Photographs by WCO Eric P. Shellgren 34 13-Point Small-Boat Checklist 42 Hatchery Burglars by WCO Craig Garman 43 Those Other Turtles by Rob Criswell 49 Ethics and Steelhead Anglers by Karl Weixlmann 53 Special features 2004 Seasons, Sizes and Creel Limits 32 Commission Update 33 Fall PLAY Newsletter 35 Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest 45 2003 PFBC Photography Contest Rules and Entry Form 56 Regular features Protect • Conserve • Enhance by Deputy Executive Director Dennis Guise 2 Casting Around by Art Michaels 4 Mail 5 WCO Diary by Clyde N. Warner Jr. 16 Casting Lines with Dave Wolf 17 SMART Angler's Notebook by Walt Dietz 24 Streamside Reflections by Bob Sopchick - 28 Notes from the Streams 54 Currents 57 Fishin' from the Kitchen by Wayne Phillips 58 Angler's Notebook by Jon Farley 59 PFBC Pamphlets 61 PFBC Publications and Products Order Form 62 Cast & Caught 63 shows a Commission patrol boat on T*"^Sr7* fall, be sure to scan the "Boater's Check- 1 *^HI vwlK • soy-lwseil inks Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, September-October 2003 0 Rules Page 32 of this issue includes the 2004 Seasons, Sizes and Creel Limits, a summation of next year's statewide regulations. This same information will appear in the 2004 Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws. These rules are established by legislation or Commission action. On page 53, author Karl Weixlmann sets forth some other "rules," ethics, which are mandated more by conscience. For this reason, they are more open to interpretation than are rules pre­ scribed by legislation or Commission action. Your comments on these kinds of ethical concerns are always welcome. Part of ethical behavior includes setting an example for other anglers, especially new anglers, and showing that it is important to follow all the rules. Breaking rules or regulations has consequences. See page 43 to learn how Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) Craig Garman caught several violators in Cumberland County and what happened to those who broke the rules. On page 20, author Linda Steiner reveals four relatively new officers' perspectives on their jobs of enforcing our rules and regulations. The officers compare their actual experience with the ideas they had before they became WCOs. The "Notes from the Streams" column in every issue gives us an "insider's" view of WCOs, and other Commission employees and volunteers, and their work. This issue's column begins on page 54. Ask WCOs why they chose that career, and you will often find that interest in fishing, boating and the outdoors was a primary motivator when they were youngsters. Forest County WCO Erik Shellgren tells this kind of story on page 34. You may have chosen a different career path, but see if your angling beginnings might be like those of Shellgren. Many readers often ask what WCOs do in their day-to-day activities. To show the variety and depth of these activities, in every issue we publish the "WCO Diary," written by Southeast Region Assistant Supervisor Clyde N. Warner Jr. Check it out on page 16. Another kind of "rules" includes guidelines of prudence when it comes to your boat and equipment. Before your next trip, heed the advice in the "13- Point Small-Boat Checklist" on page 42. Be sure also to understand and follow all the directives in the "Boater's Checklist for Safe and Secure Water­ ways," on page 6.—Art Michaels, Editor.Q 4 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, September-October 2003 You might want to offer them for online auction. Inquiring at local tackle shops could also drum up some interest. You might also consider donating them to a school, scout group, sportsmen's club or veteran's hospital.—Ed. Continuing to fish Your organization does a wonderful job! I support every decision you make because I believe that you truly have the fishermen's interests at heart.