^^^a x90 BOATING "EXTORTION" hen between eight and 12 inches of rain fell on eight south­ W western Pennsylvania counties in less than seven hours on July 19 and 20, what has now been called the Johnstown Flood of 1977 created instant devastation in communities that had been touted as "flood-proof." Law Enforcement Officers from our Southwest and Southcentral Regions, including their devoted Deputies and our Area Fisheries Managers, worked around the clock for days — even weeks — in patrols, roadblocks, rescue operations, body recovery, cleanup, and with the damage survey teams that follow these disasters that now seem to give us a "100-year flood" every other year. This one has been termed a "500- year flood." That's another subject and we'll deal with that later. it's beginning to sound like a broken record. What really disturbs us is an offer just made by Bethlehem Steel Corporation to reopen their flood-damaged obsolete plant at a reduced level, provided that a 2-year moratorium is declared on the requirements for capital investment for air and water pollution abatement. In 1973 three infamous bills were introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representa­ tives that were, at that time, called the "Bethlehem Steel Bills." These bills would have ab­ rogated most of the gains in environmental quality that had been secured since 1970; fortu­ nately, they never passed. In effect, Bethlehem was saying that unless they were exempted from air and water pollution regulations for the life of the plant they would have to close - and this would mean unemployment for something like 11,000 employes. This is not a new in­ novation by Bethlehem Steel because U. S. Steel Corporation has used the same blackmail -methods — complete with full-page ads in the newspapers stating that if they had to submit to air and water quality regulations that everybody else observes, they would close and move to another location! The irony of these bills was that Bethlehem Steel Corporation had considered closing their plant anyway because of declining profits. How convenient to blame it all on environmental considerations! We can see the whole thing being repeated now with lip service being given to their pro­ posal for a moratorium on enforcement of air and water quality regulations by elected officials. This isn't going to make any friends, either. But, when this kind of blatant tactic is not only tolerated, but advocated, we have to scream to the high heavens. Air and water quality regu­ lations are adopted for people — yes, all the people. Making one exception, even though Johnstown was admittedly knocked down to its knees again from flood damage, it is a nose under the tent that we will have to live with and fight all over again to get back to the level at which we were before another surrender. We maintain that we can have our cake and eat it, too. Although we're sorry that anybody gets hurt with floods -- those who live on the Hood plains are being bailed out with other people's money. What starts out as a local exemption can end up setting all of our standards back many decades, and it is the people who suffer when air and water quality standards are put into a "moratorium." Ralph W. Abele, Executive Director Pennsylvania Angler Pennsylvania's Official Fishing & Boating Magazine Published Monthly by the PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Milton J. Shapp, Governor MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION William Cox, President Elysburg Jerome E. Southerton, Vice President Honesdale Walter F. Gibbs Reno William O. Hill Erie Leonard A. Green Carlisle John A. Hugya Johnstown Sam Guaglianone Johnsonburg Calvin J. Kern Whitehall James J. Stumpf Laughlintown Volume 46 - No. 9 September, 1977 CONTENTS Sunfish Day, by Russell W. Gettig 6 Fishing the Extended Trout Season, by Theodore E. Kiffer 10 Salmon on a Shoestring, by George H. Block III 14 Fishing for Carp, by Howard A. Bach 16 Raystown's "Cold Turkey" Bass Tournament, by H. Wesley Bower 18 All-round Bass Bait? by Loring D. Wilson 20 Redbank Rescue, by Jim Smith 29 Front Cover: Robert Brennan "32" gets a helping hand from Rich Wilden in landing that husky carp from the Allegheny Reservoir. Howard Bach, who photographed this scene, touches upon carp fishing on page 16 of this issue. Carp fishing can be a challenge. Back Cover: When you've got a paddle full of pickerel like this one, you've got a real trophy! This scrappy member of the pike family is widely distributed in the Keystone State and, like most gamefish, they become more active as the waters cool down. Photo by Jim Bashline MONTHLY COLUMNS LEAKY BOOTS 2 FLY TYING 26 TAKING A CLOSER LOOK 4 ASHORE & AFLOAT. 30 STREAM NOTES 24 ANGLERS NOTEBOOK 32 James F. Yoder. Editor POSTMASTER: All 3579 forms to be returned to the office of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120. The Pennsylvania Angler, Publication #874880, Copyright 1977, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Second Class postage paid at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and at additional mailing offices. Subscription rates: One year—$3.00; Three years—$7.50; 30 cents per single copy. Send check or money order payable 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 month following. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission will not assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or illustrations while in their possession or in transit. Communications pertaining to the Magazine should be addressed to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Unsolicited materials, manuscripts, or photos will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope for their return. ture—away from hectic city life, almost as enjoys fishing and I believe that with the much as catching fish. For seeing a deer helpful advice of his friends and the "An­ drinking from a fast running stream, as gler's" information, he'll soon be catching well as all the other animals in their 'em like the rest of us. natural habitat (including snakes), is Keep up the fine work. I look forward to worth more than anything money can buy. continued great reading and great Penn­ Thank you for all of your hard work for sylvania angling. it is greatly appreciated. Sincerely yours, DARLENE S. BERNOT JACK HAVELY, JR. Duquesne JUST "WATCHING" — BEAUTY BEATTY! NO OFFENSE... Several weeks ago I fished Middle As a former Pennsylvanian who re­ Creek near Speedwell Lake, Lancaster I am not much for writing letters or us­ ceives your fine magazine here in New County. I met a waterways patrolman and ing big words like that Ralph Gilbert of Jersey, I was especially interested in your promptly reminded him that it was tne Morrisville, Pa. No offense, Sir. Mr. Gil­ May issue which featured the Shad migra­ first time I had encountered a patrolman bert's article appeared in "Leaky Boots" tion up the Delaware, and other streams. in twenty three years of fishing. He re­ June issue of the Angler. Just thought you might like to know torted that he was, nevertheless, watching Mr. Gilbert, I don't know you but you that pretty girls from New Jersey journey me. probably have seen me for I have ap­ to Pennsylvania to catch trout; and, in this Our friendly discussion included review­ peared on the cover of the 1976 January case, three nice shad were caught by ing the outstanding natural fishing along Angler and I have also appeared in both Karen L. Beatty of Berkeley Heights, N.J. the Stony Creek of Lebanon County. He the 1973 December and December 1975 She declines to say where in Pennsylvania asked me if I ever tried fishing the Middle issues. I am an avid ice fisherman. she caught these beauties. However, she Creek near "Project 70". After his ex­ Mr. Gilbert, I feel your canceling your did admit that she learned her fishing cellent directions, I proceeded to the area subscription to the Angler is a mistake. skills in the streams near New Stanton, of Middle Creek he described. To my Why? Where can you buy a fine magazine Pa., where she was born and raised. amazement I was overwhelmed by the like the Angler for only thirty cents a A New Jersev Subscriber natural beauty of this section of water. copy? Sure, you may not like the article I had much success catching trout with that appeared in the issue of the Angler as bait when I noticed rising trout. With fly the one you referred to in "Leaky Boots." rod in hand, I discovered the thrill of But, then again, consider all the other en­ catching and releasing rising trout with joyable reading you've had in all the other dry flies. issues of the Angler. Remember we are all If I had not met this helpful waterways not perfect. There are things you may dis­ patrolman, I would not have discovered like that others may like. For me, the An­ this stretch of water and its potential. gler is a lifetime magazine and not because See, fellow sportsmen, they're not out I appeared on the cover. It's a magazine to get you. They're just watching. Fortu­ with no advertisements, cards between nately, for me it wasn't just that.