April 1991'/$!. 50 Pennsylvania ANGLER The Keystone States Official Fishing Magazine On March 30, 1866, Governor Andrew Curtin signed Act 336, which established the post of Pennsylvania Fish Commissioner. The first commissioner was charged with the responsibility for management of Pennsylvania's fishery resources, which at that time were limited to the migratory fishes in the Susquehanna River. In 1873, the effort was expanded to a three-member Commission, and this responsibility has been expanded by additional legislation throughout the past 125 years. Today, protection, enhancement, conservation and management of Pennsylvania's valuable fishery resources is in the hands of the 10 commissioners who comprise the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. In 1931, Act 121, the first motorboat law, was enacted and the Fish Commission was given the additional responsibility of regulating and managing motorboating activities on Pennsylvania waterways. Today, fishing and boating activities are dove­ tailed into all Commission efforts to provide the most effective services and recre­ ational opportunities for all anglers and boaters. During this long heritage, 125 years for fisheries and 60 years for boating, Penn­ sylvania has developed programs and facilities while providing countless hours of recreation for Pennsylvania residents and our many visitors. Pennsylvania has some of the most beautiful waters found anywhere, and they provide a wide variety of fishing and boating opportunities. Hundreds of lakes, 42,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 42 miles of Lake Erie shoreline offer unlimited fishing and boating. There are 365 days of fishing activity available each year, during sultry summers and the coldest winters. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission has handled the challenges of these past 125 years efficiently and successfully. Its many progressive programs have received national recognition and have earned widespread respect. The Commission's enlightened approach to the needs of the aquatic resources, together with strong public support from the fishing, boating and conservation-minded public, makes the Commission a unique organization. Although its accomplishments during its 125-year history are impressive, the most impressive achievement is the fact that all Commission operations and the majority of its land acquisitions and developments have been financed by anglers and boat­ ers—not the taxpayers. This "user-fee" method of program funding adds to the uniqueness of Pennsylvania's fishing and boating programs, and places special challenges and demands on the Commission and its staff to operate in an efficient business-like manner. The agency must operate within a "balanced budget" and conduct its programs to maintain a high level of public interest and involvement. Few public agencies operate in this manner, and few agencies are able to attract and retain the highly motivated and dedicated professional staff needed to maintain such long-term success. Anglers and boaters have been very generous in their support of Pennsylvania's fishing and boating programs and deserve much credit for the Commission's 125 years of progress. A review of Commission efforts during these past few months clearly indicates that its 125th year is one of its most rewarding for staff, sportsmen and most importantly, the Commonwealth's valuable resources, both natural and human. How long can the Commission continue to operate successfully as a professionally managed sportsmen-supported agency? The answer is simple. It can continue indefinitely if the anglers, boaters and other concerned individuals continue to provide needed "user fees," and if they insist that the agency is permitted to protect, con­ serve, enhance and manage Pennsylvania's fishing and boating resources without unwarranted political interference. Pennsylvania cannot afford anything less. Pennsylvania April 1991 Vol. 60 No. 4 Pennsylvania Fish Commission William J. Sabatose ANGLER President The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine Brockport Leonard A. Green Vice President Carlisle Hats Off to Commission Volunteers by Bill Porter During this 125th Commission anniversary year, think about the vital Marilyn A. Black conservation work that Commission volunteers perform. We owe Cochranton them a lot 4 David Coe State College Tracking Shad for Better Catches by Dennis Scholl Ross J. Huhn How would you find shad if there were no daily fishing reports, no crowds to Saltsburg follow and no rumors to hear? An expert channels a clear path to success 8 Calvin J. Kern Whitehall The Venerable Gray Hackle Peacock by Chauncy K. Lively T. T. Metzger, Jr. Check out a classic—a terrific fish-gcttcr that's easy to tie 12 Johnstown Howard E. Pflugfelder Time-Proven Lessons for Catching Trout with Bait New Cumberland byJejfMulhollem Leon Reed Getting back to basics can help you fill your creel on opening day 14 Honesdale J. Wayne Yorks Muddlers, Buggers, Weenies and Ghosts by Charles R. Meek Benton Fishing streamers skillfully is a great way to score early in the season. In the Keystone State, these four flies are the arsenal's big guns 16 Boating Advisory Board Donald J. Little Spinners for Early Season Trout by Mark A. Nale Chairman Let an expert spinner fisherman show you how he scores consistently Philadelphia on trout in April 20 Clayton Buchanan Pittsburgh KIDS PAGE! by Steve Ulsh Judy Obert Fishy spelling, trout fishing manners 24 Greentown Thaddeus Piotrowski Savor Your Opening Day Memories by Nick Sisley Bloomsburg The author has fished for trout on opening days all over the world. Vivid recollections, good times, and close family and friends are what it's Magazine Staff all about 25 Editor—Art Michaels Art Director—Ted Walke On the Water with Dave Wolf Circulation—Eleanor Mutch Of good and bad 31 Staff'Assistant—Rose Ann Bartal Staff'Assistant—Charlene Glisan Ptnnsylvania Angler (1SSN0031-434X) is published monthly by the PennsylvaniaBshCommission,3532WalnutStreet.H«msbur».PA 17109. 61991. Nothing in this magazine may be reprinted without the wriuen permission of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Subscript ion rates: one The covers year. S9; three years. $25; single copies are S1.50 each. Second class postage is paid at Harrisburg. PA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: This issue's front and back covers, photographed by Mark Dauberman, show a Pennsylvania Angler Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish Commission. P.O. nice rainbow trout caught last April in southcentral Pennsylvania. As we get Box 1673. Marrisburg. PA 17105-1673. For subscription and change of address, use above address. Please allow six weeks lor processing. Send ready for the season, let's remember the volunteers who over the years have all other correspondence to: Hie Editor. Pennsylvania Angler, P.O. Box 1673. Harrisburg. PA 17105-1673. Editorial queries and contributions helped the Commission protect, conserve and enhance our resources. Their story are welcome. Kit must be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes. Material accepted for publication is subject to Pennsylvania Fish Commission starts on page 4. Trout fishermen have a wealth of helpful information in this Nla"darels and requirements for editing and revising. .Submissions are handled issue in the articles on pages 12, 14, 16 and 20. As the American shad in this carefully, hut the publisher assumes no responsibility for (he return or safety Ol submissions in his possession or in transit. The authors" views, ideas year's run swim upstream, keep close tabs on their whereabouts by using the and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission or its staff. The information in the article on page 8. Lastly, all anglers and conservationists will Pennsylvania Fish Commission receives federal aid in sport fish restoration. have an opinion on the information spelled out in the article on page 31. Under appropriaie federal acts, the Li. S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age. sex or handicap. " you believe thai you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire more informal ion. please write lo: The Office of Equal Opportunity. Department oflhe Interior. Washington. DC 20240. HATS OFF TO COMMISSION VoLiKims BY BILL PORTER Other volunteer officers come from varied backgrounds and interests. Some are conservation-oriented; others enjoy community service and opt for the Commission's field work. In any event, Volunteerism is serving in a specific capacity willingly and without the deputy force is primarily a group of dedicated younger adults constraint or guarantee of reward. The Commission has several who have survived a selection and training process to become programs for volunteers, and these people provide valuable services deputy law enforcement officers. to the Commission and to the state's anglers, boaters and The selection process is extensive. Initially, the applicant needs conservationists. As we celebrate the Commission's 125th a high school education, a physical is required and a series of anniversary, let's check out the past, present and future needs for interviews and tests continues the procedure. Training is required, volunteers in the Commission, and the work they do. using the Stackhouse School and other appropriate areas before The modern complexities of the Commission's operation place and during the deputy's service years. increasingly greater demands