'^S3-'>1- Pennsylvania MAY 1985/80V H ANThe Keystone State'sG Official Fishing Magazine >^;.:.~*d$& V? . ; - s^v*^. ~* j#Fi£f ^fis^**£. 9 «#» \ *^EkA- •<**? Straight First, there is a general consensus highest, of course, is in the East, that the priority of the country is to which creates much of the problem Talk stimulate economic growth. However, but also suffers from it, so that a 77 when the next question is asked, percent majority thinks that way. related to environmental matters, then It would appear that those who POLLS 63 percent of the American people claim that acid rain is a regional issue reject a choice between growth and often have no factual basis for such a AND cleanup, if the cleanup must take a stand. It appears that in the Congress, ENVIRONMENTAL backseat. a 7-1 majority wants to tighten sulfur ISSUES By an 8-1 majority, the people favor dioxide standards for new plants. strict enforcement of existing statutes A 6-1 majority wants laws passed on the Clean Air and Water acts; requiring existing plants to meet Most Americans are familiar with another 66 percent favor making the stricter SO2 standards, and the same polls, having seen many during the renewal of these acts even tougher and majority believes that scrubbers last few elections. Most of the more strict than the 10-year-old should be required for existing plants. objective polls are highly accurate and statutes. In spite of these overwhelming are not taken for the purpose of Concerning acid rain pollution, 76 majorities, the public is also aware flavoring public opinion for or against percent of the people consider it a that very little is getting done. After particular issues. serious problem, which is a the recent conference in Canada, the Perhaps one of the most respected considerable increase over the 60 leaders of the United States and pollsters is Louis Harris and percent that thought the same in 1981. Canada would do well to realize that Associates, Inc. Mr. Harris spoke It is interesting that a nearly the public is very much concerned about environmental attitudes on the unanimous 94 percent are aware of about how they are represented. occasion of the 50th anniversary of acid rain. Although polls from time to time the North American Wildlife and A substantial 88 percent majority sway back and forth, indicating National Resources Conference. From nationwide believes that contaminated wavering public opinion, Mr. Harris some of our notes about those drinking water is a serious problem, states clearly that "the dynamic of remarks, it is clear that questions and and a nearly unanimous 93 percent change in recent years has always the manner in which they are asked majority thinks that the problem of been in one direction: the American turn out to be keys to the kind of disposal of hazardous waste is a people get tougher and tougher, and response the public gives, but Mr. serious problem. more adamant and more shocked Harris has been in this business so With majority opinions such as about the state of environmental long that we have not questioned his these, there is an indication of almost cleanup." objectivity. no contest at all—environmental Again we predict that in 1986 the concerns win hands down. people will finally come around to One would have believed after all voting their beliefs, as the public is the rhetoric about acid rain that four becoming more and more committed. different regional opinions existed in They want those who are planning to this country. Using a solution that the speak for the people to know that shareholders of investor-owned they must produce proof that they electric utilities should pay for the care about the quality of the human cleanup of acid rain, 67 percent of the experience. westerners believe this fair and We like Mr. Harris's closing reasonable. In the South, a 68 percent statement: "The challenge is now to majority agrees. In the perpetrating the leadership to catch up with the Midwest, a 75 percent majority governed—to catch up now, not later, supports such a solution, and the before it is too late." <==£&£%& od- /O^Ux^ Ralph W. Abele Executive Director Pennsylvania Fish Commission MA Y1985 VOL. 54 NO. 5 Pennsylvania Super Spring Smallmouth Bass Action by Darl Black ANGLER About 10 years ago, no citation-sized smallmouth bass were caught The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine in Lake Erie waters. Now, about 40 percent of all the big smallmouths registered for Angler's Awards are fooled in Lake Erie. Here's how to cash in on this action. Spinning for Trout by Bob Gooch 8 Let this expert advice help you hone your skills. The Case of the Caddis by Chauncy K. Lively 12 The author shows you how to whip up this creature with many coats. Up Your Score on Shad by Art Michaels I A You may not believe this, but shad are actually easy to catch. Playing and landing them is a different story. Here's the lowdown on how it's done. The Seasons of an Angler by Tom Fegely 18 Do anglers go through cycles characterized by different values and attitudes? See if you fit the author's descriptions and ideas. Companionship—at Last by D. A. Yeager 21 Read something very special for all family anglers. County Features—Bedford County by Jim Beatty and Blair 26 County by Richard Tate Straight Talk 2 Anglers Currents 22 Anglers Notebook 24 Mail 25 The Cover This month's front cover, photographed by Lefty Kreh, shows an angler carefully working a caddis fly for a wary quarry. For more information on tying up caddises, see page 12. Smallmouth bass enthusiasts won't want to miss the details beginning on page 4, and Battling American Shad page 14 trout fishermen who prefer to tempt fish with spinning tackle can find a gold mine of information starting on Staff page 8. Finally, catching an anadromous creature is the topic covered on page 14. EDITOR / Art Michaels GRAPHICS/Ted Walke PHOTOGRAPHER / Russ Gettig PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION BOATING ADVISORY CIRCULATION / Eleanor Mutch Ross J. Huhn, President BOARD STAFF ASSISTANT / Jayne Povleski Saltsburg Clayton Buchanan. Chairman Marilyn A. Black, Vice President Pittsburgh POSTMASTER: Send 3579 forms to Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box 1673, Harrisburg. PA 17105-1673. Meadville Nicholas Apfl Pennsylvania Angler (ISSN0031-434X). ci985 is published Walter F. Gibbs Theodore T. Metzger, Jr. Fairless Hills monthly. Second class postage paid at Harrisburg, PA. Sub­ scription rates, one year, $5, three years, $14; single copies are 60 Titusville Johnstown Charles Chattaway cents each. For subscription and change of address, contact Angler Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, P.O. Box Leonard A. Green Joan R. Plumly Monongahela 1673, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1673. Address all other correspon­ Carlisle Jenkintown Sherwood Krum dence to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler, P.O. Box 1673, Har­ risburg, PA 17105-1673. Editorial contributions are welcomed, Calvin J. Kern Jerome E. Southerton Hawley but must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped enve­ Whitehall Honesdale Leon Lyon lope. Submissions are handled with care, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return or safety of submissions Robert L. Martin J. Wayne Yorks Bellefonte in Its possession or in transit. The authors' views, ideas, and Bellefonte Benton advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission or its staff. pring uper OaUmouth Darl Black SMMIMOUTH ACnON! he trees on the peninsula were leaning far to the Springtime smallmouth are highly susceptible to lure right in a strong southwest wind as we drove across presentations during pre-spawn stages. Immediately before Tthe narrow neck of sand that forms the base of spawning and while guarding the nest, the bass are not Presque Isle. To our left the lake rolled with waves crashing interested in eating; they strike a lure only as a protective onto the beach; there would be no attempt to get on the reaction. main lake today. Fortunately, my angling companion and I Although the main lake shoals receive the majority of the were concerned simply with fishing Presque Isle Bay on this spawning smallies, usually the first sign of bass-catching early May outing. A glance to our right into the head of the action is in Presque Isle Bay. The shallower protected bay bay seemed to give us a glimmer of hope; the water didn't waters warm before the main lake. In the usual spring appear too rough. That, it turned out, was wishful thinking. conditions, schools of smallmouths move into the bay Bob and I proceeded to the marina launch ramp and during late April or May. These smallies will have quickly slipped the boat from the trailer into the water. We completed their spawn and will be leaving the bay at about tried to ignore the sound of white-capped waves smacking the time the smallmouths on the main lake are just reaching the breakwall on the bay side. As we motored at minimum peak activity in June. wake speed toward the entrance to the bay proper, Bob recounted the circumstances of two days ago, which led to an exceptional bass-catching outing. In only 2Vi hours, Bob and another angling friend had caught and released over 40 smallmouths averaging 3 to 4 pounds each. They had found a tight concentration of big smallies holding on a deep- water break within the bay. We were confident that we could get a similar catch, if we could fish the area we desired. As we passed the protection of the East and West piers, the full force of the wind and waves hit us.