TNNSYLVMIA AUGUST. 1973 Keystone State's Official FISHING* BOATING Magazine... ^ 25c Si agl*- Single Copy THE NATURE OF FISHING r I "'here are many highly competitive and commercialized fishing tournaments being wide- -•- lv and increasingly organized and promoted specifically aimed at the relatively limited sup­ plies of predator game fishes, such as the largemouth bass, particularly in the southern states. These game fishes play an essential natural role in helping to control the excessive production and stunting of bluegills and other prey panfishes which in turn support the vast majority of rec­ reational fisheries nationwide—including the vitally significant family fishing activities. For many centuries, angling has been regarded as "the gentle art" while serving usefully during many recent decades as the foremost form of contemplative outdoor recreation, and widely recom­ mended by health authorities as a tension relaxer for the rejuvenating of the spirit of Man. A wave of criticism from the public has encouraged a trend toward the voluntary release of tournament-caught fish. Still, the philosophy of these highly organized competitive tournaments (for the benefit of a few) remains in significant conflict with the contemplative philosophy of rec­ reational fishing for the benefit of the general public. In fact, uncontrolled tournament angling may well prove to be at odds to the broad public interest as it will tend to curtail contemplative recreational fishing opportunities for the general public. While the spread of highly organized tournaments has not had any serious effect in Pennsylva­ nia, we believe that as the fish conservation agency for the Commonwealth it is our duty to close­ ly monitor and evaluate all such tournaments. Related research is needed in order to develop biologically sound regulations designed to preclude adverse impact upon the fishing opportunities for the millions of anglers who continue to look to recreational fishing for contemplative purposes —as well as for rewarding catches. RALPH W. ABELE Executive Director ^EMBERS OF THE COMMISSION PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER "OMVARD H. HEINY, President . Williamspori Q£ RARD J. ADAMS Hawley Pennsylvania's Official Fishing and Boating Magazine CLARENCE DIETZ Bedford ***» GUAGLIANONE Johnsonburg Published Monthly by the "^LIAM O. HILL Erie PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION ^VIK J. KEHN Whilehall COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IlASK E. MASLAND, JR Carlisle ^**ES J. STUMPF Laughliniown MILTON J. SHAPP, Governor ^UAM COX Elysburg ^gjJTIVE DIRECTOR Volume 42-No. 8 August, 1973 jMvV.Abele P ^TANT TO THE DIRECTOR CONTENTS P*d T. Hardie S'TROLLER Stinkhole Sturgeon of Presque Isle, by Edward D. Mentz 6 %aWT.Durkin feeO F INFORMATION Fishing Fancies, by George E. Dolnack, Jr 8 "lard T. Johns, Director Native-All The Way, by Paul D. Ropp 10 t^£AU OF FISHERIES &: ENGINEERING *ard R. Miller. P.E., Director When Conditions Are Right, by Theodore E. Kiffer 12 (Jj^EERlNG DIVISION E"*" F. Hobbs, P.E., Chief L* *rank, Assistant Chief Bantam-Size Trout Net, by Don Shiner 14 JURIES DIVISION bek"r D- Bradford, Chief Anchoring Properly, by Stan DuBas 16 f"° Graff, Assistant Chief T lteh^ PRODUCTION SECTION -°«. Chief Blue Trout, by Ed Pearce 19 VI*SVATER PRODUCTION SECTION Hood, Chief Train 'Em Young, A Safe Boating Tip 20 f^S^U OF WATERWAYS re • Charles E. Leising, Director STATEWIDE—2; FISHING OUTLOOK—3; LEAKY BOOTS—4; BOATING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—21; k ENFORCEMENT DIVISION STREAM NOTES—24; ANGLER'S NOTEBOOK—26; KEYSTONE CAMPING—28; CO-OP NEWS—29; FISH Kto*\ Buck, Chief TALES—30; TAKING A CLOSER LOOK—Inside, Back Cover. ^ m W. Manhart, Deputy Chief L ^CRAFT SAFETY DIVISION M arti JAMES F. YODER, Ed/for We s >>. Chief ^Porl, Marine Education Specialist dt P^^UjDF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES State Headquarters 3532 Walnut Street, Progress L • O'Brien, Director (Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120) Rl«n r^^ AID COORDINATOR Telephone Information 717-787-2579 C Reed FISH CULTURAL STATIONS — DIVISION OF FISHERIES BELLEFONTE John Bair, Supt. UNESVILLE Tom L. Cltrk, Supt. io RASTER: All 3579 forms to be returned OSWAYO D. Ray Merrlman, Supt. '"73 »f Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Box BENNER SPRINGS William Kennedy, Supt. K * «arrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120. BIG SPRING Wayne Weigle, Supt. (acting) PLEASANT MOUNT Charles Sanderson, Supt. b N i V S, NSYLVANIA ANGLER is published month- CORRY/UNION CITY LeRoy Sorenson, Supt. REYN0L0SDALE Zenas Bean, Supt. J'eet, I,Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut a ar c r-J*.f* risburg, Pennsylvania. Subscription: One HUNTSDALE Ted Dingle, Jr., Supt. TIONESTA Charles Mann, Supt. (acting) "fy. SpU,°; three years—$5.00; 25 cents per single v c ;5'a p-P heck or money order payable to Pennsyl- WALNUT CREEK Neil Shea, Supt. 0? iv'<taiSi Com>n'ssion. DO NOT SEND STAMPS. *IM***2? sending cash do so at their own risk. Change 4ii «(,™,j reach us Promptly. Furnish both old tyyp, p„a^resses. Second class postage paid at Harris- REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS—DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT REGION I FRANKLIN REGION III SWEET VALLEY '671 Ssed • rla> lurttcii^ia ui uiusu auuns stiuuiu ue Norman W. Sickles, Supervisor Clair Fleeger, Supervisor 'h» • Ha • tne Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Box urg REGION II SOMERSET REGION IV ANNVELXE •Vn^en ! n anla1 ' FisPennsylvaniah . Copyright © 1973 By *>o CpX Commission. All rights reserved. Thomas Qualxers, Supervisor Miles Witt, Supervisor *"i Sri. Subscriptions received after the 5th of each <w" begin with the second month following. open seasons as, in its judgment, may be necessary to conserve, protect or assure the future fish supply in any portion of the inland waters ... of this Common­ wealth." Thus, though most of the original creel limits of Section 40 were modified by authority of Section 251 (and likewise the penalties imposed by the Penalty Section, 41) the provisions of Section 42, "Exceptions to Penalty," are still valid. It states, in part: "In computing the num­ catching approximately 50 trout in ber of fish taken, caught or had in pos­ ON THE COVER: Tranquil Beltzville a single day and returning all but session, the number of fish returned in Reservoir, in Carbon County, just a their limit to the stream. the condition in which they were caught stone's throw from Philadelphia and It would appear to me that in­ to the waters from which they were taken many other southeastern Pennsyl­ stead of applauding the skill of shall be omitted. ." vania cities. This scene was captured these two fishermen, Mr. Hastings We appreciate your opinion of why for this month's Angler cover by our should have arrested them and you think the word "catch" was inserted roving Keystone Camping columnist, levied appropriate fines for "catch­ in the original language of the law . Thad Bukowski. ing" more than eight (8) trout in but we don't quite agree. In all prob­ a single day. This new lake is going to provide ability, the authors of that law and its that corner of the state with some My question is, is it legal to language are all dead and we'll never top-notch fishing all year long. For "catch" more than the specified really know what they meant, but let's its "finny" population, it's got about limit of any species of fish provid­ look at it another way. everything that swims, from Kokanee ing the angler releases all but the To come up with a single legal-sized Salmon to Tiger Muskellunge. (For limit? specimen, when fishing for native brook specific information regarding direc­ I have seen many fish killed be­ trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, pickerel tions to the lake, etc., contact Water­ cause the angler simply had to res­ —in fact, any species of fish that swims— ways Patrolman F. W. Ohlsen, 900 cue a l<f hook and consequently it is sometimes necessary to "catch" many Center Ave., Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229) mortally injured a very valuable more fish than the creel limit stated for fish. Also, there is the angler who the species. Fortunately, the sages of old has his creel limit and upon catch­ who authored our Fish Laws knew this ing one slightly larger promptly and inserted the "Exceptions to Penalty" ONCE AGAIN WE'VE RECEIVED ONE discards one of the smaller ones section. OF THOSE letters that deserves special in the bushes. In my opinion the ". the number of fish returned in the consideration because it concerns a sub­ intent of the word "catch" in the condition in which they were caught to ject brought up every so often. We feel regulations was to prevent this the waters from which they were taken that by printing it here many of our read­ type of abuse. shall be omitted. ." ers will be better informed. Yours truly, Now, there's some very delicate lan­ RAYMOND T. GOODSON guage in there that apparently you 721 Chestnut Street weren't aware of. However, our Water­ Bethlehem, Pa. 18017 The key to your dilemma is in the ways Patrolmen receive extensive training May 24, 1973 word "Summary"—because that's really in the interpretation and application of Editor, Pennsylvania Angler all that little pamphlet is. It would be every word in the Fish Laws and their P. O. Box 1673 impractical, for obvious reasons, to issue implementing regulations and, though Harrisburg, Pa. 17120 a complete copy of the Fish Laws with they may confuse the layman, they're real­ each fishing license. Few anglers would ly very simple. And believe me, contrary Dear Sir: care to have one, and furthermore, even to the scuttlebutt that might prevail In reference to the June '73 is­ fewer might correctly interpret them for over a glass of suds, these men are out sue of the Angler, I would be de- practical application.