MAY, 1 9 7 0

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Keystone state's Official ,

FISHING BOATING S Magazine... ,J

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CONSERVATION VIEWPOINT

by ROBERT J. BIELO Executive Director

THE SHAD-LESS SUSQUEHANNA Another season for the migration of American Shad is upon us. Pennsylvanians must again travel

out of state to Maryland if they want to enjoy angling for this exciting fish in the Susquehanna River. For lack of fish passage facilities the vast Pennsylvania portion of the Susquehamia River remains shad-less for the 42nd consecutive year.

In the early years of this blockage of the annual runs of shad that penetrated central Pennsyl­vania well above Wilkes-Barre on the North Branch, to Williamsport on the West Branch and above Lewistown on the Juniata River, there was a bona-fide excuse. In those days the technology of fish passage was insufficiently advanced to provide successful passage of shad, especially at dams as high as those blocking the Susquehanna River.

But this excuse went out of vogue as far back as 1938 when fish ladders at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River passed some 3000 American Shad. Every year since that date migrating white shad have negotiated the Bonneville fish ladders and many other fish passage facilities on the Co­lumbia River. In fact, hundreds of thousands of shad glut these West Coast fishways each year.

Sadly and maddeningly, the same success story cannot be written here. Some months ago I noted in Conservation Viewpoint that the real barriers to the free passage of shad and other migrating fish in the Susquehanna River were in the minds of men—not in the huge concrete barriers formed by the dams.

Over the intervening years since the dams were built studies, plans and negotiations have con­tinued. As each question about restoring the shad runs is answered, as each obstacle is overcome it would seem we would have moved nearer to our goal—the installation of workable fish passage facilities. And hopefully this is true.

We are encouraged that the owners of the most downstream dam are well along with the prep­aration of functional designs of attraction and trapping facilities that will serve as the first phase of an eventual permanent fish passage facility.

On the other hand, months have dragged by with agonizing slowness in the effort to finalize a simple and straightforward agreement among the states, the Government, and the power company involved that would put this first phase of a paper project into the actual fact of construction.

Recently a new problem was added to the seemingly endless series of challenges that have marked our efforts to get fishways under construction. This problem goes to a much deeper and more basic issue that concerns fears expressed by a Maryland negotiator of possible resentment by Marylanders against fishways. Part of this problem relates to the fact that any fish facilities in­stalled at the most downstream dam on the Susquehanna River, which is in Maryland, might block off a portion of the present shad fishing area. There also is concern in regard to the passage of fish other than shad, such as striped bass, that might use the facilities and move upstream into Pennsylvania waters in great numbers.

There is no easy answer to this concern except that prior to the dams, fish moved freely between Maryland and Pennsylvania to the benefit of the people of both states. Our loss of this benefit for over four decades, initially because of technical reasons and later due to sociological barriers, does not cancel Pennsylvania's right to a share of this natural resource.

While the delays, and years of study and now the dragging negotiations have been frustrating we have never found reason to doubt our cause is right or that we will not succeed. Those who have contributed to the years of delay should by now recognize Pennsylvanians are determined to see that the Susquehanna River is opened to free migrations of fish.

Q Kfc

EXECUTIVE OFFICE Box 1673—Harrisburg, Pa. 17120

Executive Director ROBERT J. BIELO

Administrative Secretary RALPH PUTT

Assistant Director, Fisheries (Vacant)

Assistant Director, Waterways CAPT. C. E. LEISING

Assistant to Director WARREN W. SINGER

Comptroller TOHN M. SMITH

^VISIONS -Education and Training

Division Chief WILLARD T. JOHNS

Special Publications George Forrest

Audio-Visual Aids Jim Yoder

Conservation Education Steve Ulsh

Engineering _, Division Chief EDWARD R. MILLER, P.E.

Leader, Plans and Surveys Section r Wilbert F. Hobbs, P.E.

eader, Design and Inspection Section Roy R. Frank, P.E.

Leader, Construction Section tea j Eugene B. Smith

aer, Maintenance ir Operations Section Edward C. O'Hara

Fisheries Division Chief (acting)

ARTHUR D. RRADFORD Assistant Chief

. Delano Graff Assistant Chief, Trout Production

A,-. Kenneth Corl Mutant Chief, Warmwater Production

C0ori Shyrl Hood verative Nursery Program Coordinator

iv. Robert H. Brown BUTCHERY SUPERINTENDENTS Bennl01^6—GeorSe Magargel C0rrJ

rTSprings—Ray McCreary

HunY1,Union City—LeRoy Sorenson LiZ -nle~Ted D i n 8 l e Jr- < a c t i n S ) 0sWa

l l le—T- L- Clark (acting) PU«y°~-D. Ray Merriman Hev„an' Mount—Charles Sanderson yn°ldsdale—Warren Hammer

Law Enforcement Division Chief

HAROLD CORBIN He • Regional Supervisors K*>l0n One . . . NORM SICKLES C f e : 814437-5774 Franklin 16323 Phi1 1 T w o • • JOHN I. BUCK C n e : 8W-445-4913 Somerset 15501 p, 8ion Three CLAIR FLEECER fW?e: 717477-5717 . . Sweet Valley 18656 Phn F o u r • • MILES WITT

n e : 717-273-2601, Ex. 86, Annville 17003

Marine Services Division Chief

PAUL MARTIN, JR. Technical Services

Dean Klinger

Real Estate Division Chief

PAUL O'BRIEN

PENNSYLVANIA

ANGLER PENNSYLVANIA'S OFFICIAL FISHING AND BOATING MAGAZINE

Published Monthly by the

PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Raymond P. Shafer, Governor

PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION

CLARENCE DIETZ, President Bedford FRANK E. MASLAND, JR., Vice-President Carlisle

GERARD J. ADAMS Hawley DOUGLAS McWILLIAMS . Bear Gap MICHAEL MEAD Warren ROBERT M. RANKIN Galeton

HOWARD R. HEINY . . . Williamsport R. STANLEY SMITH . . Waynesburg

CALVIN J. KERN Whitehall

MAY, 1970 Volume 39/Number 5

IN T H I S ISSUE . . . 2 LEAKY BOOTS—Letters From Our Readers 5 FISHING OUTLOOK—Stan Paulakovich 6 PRELUDE TO SHAD—George Forrest 9 WASHTUB BAIT BOX—Calvin DeViney

10 TRAILERING & LAUNCHING—Don Parrish 12 BOYPOWER REBUILDS A TROUT STREAM—Joe White 14 MODERN CAMPING—Del & Lois Kerr 15 SWIMMING—YMCA 18 SUNFISH AT DAWN—Bill Rozday 19 FLY LINE—L. James Bashline 22 SEA BAG—Robert G. Miller 23 NOTES FROM THE STREAMS—Waterways Patrolmen 28 WATERWAY SHRUBS—Carsten Ahrens 30 FLY TYING—Chauncy K. Lively 32 CASTING WITH THE CO-OPS—Bill Porter 33 BOATING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS—Capt. Jack Ross

Cover Photo/BOB McCORMICK

D. THOMAS EGGLER, Editor / CHESTER A. PEYTON, Circulation Manager

POSTMASTER: All 3579 forms to be returned to The Haddon Craftsmen, Inc.,

1001 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509.

The PENNSYLVANIA ANGLER is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, 3532 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Subscription: One year—$2.00; three years—$5.00; 25 cents per single copy. Send check or money order payable to Pennsylvania Fish Commission. DO NOT SEND STAMPS. Individuals sending cash do so at their own risk. Change of address should reach us promptly. Furnish both old and new addresses. Second Class Postage paid at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, or additional mailing offices. Neither Publisher nor Editor will assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or illustrations while in their possesion or in transit. _ Per­mission to reprint will be given provided we receive marked copies and credit is given material or illustrations. Communications pertaining to manuscripts, material or illustrations should be addressed to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Box 1673, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. NOTICE: Subscriptions received after the 10th of each month will begin with the second month following.

CAN'T GET BETTER!

SILO— Gentlemen:

Your silo tank for raising fish is great and I can find no wrong with it. The idea is similar to one I helped to make for a man who raised fish some 45 years ago and although we had no access to the modern pumps and motors, it was built and the same water was used for years with more added just for evaporation and flushing.

It was crude but it did work and it was all we had. MR. W. FATZINGER, Allentown

BRIDGES TIME GAP Gentlemen:

Man treads heavily on the delicate balance of Nature. Alarmed concern for his impact on the natural environment is recent, but his impact has long been felt.

When a chapter in the story of man's relationship with the land is told forthrightly, it deserves credit. Mr. Savage's "Those Old Furnaces" in your January 1970 issue bridges the time gap by making iron furnace production relevant to the twentieth century scene. His approach makes history meaningful to the pollution-conscious man of today.

Good luck with your magazine and keep similar en­vironmentally aware articles coming!

Sincerely yours, JANE A. HENZI

Park Historian Hopewell Village

Gentlemen: First I would like to congratulate all of you on the P

lication of the Pennsylvania Angler. It is about the magazine I have read yet on fishing. I may only be six teef>.

bu t I love your magazine almost as m u c h as I love nsW

Before I go any further I just wan t to ment ion that

not a bai t fisherman a n d would like to see more fly " ^

articles such as " T O T R O U T W I T H L O V E , " and " W H ^

DRY F L I E S G E T W E T . " I would like to wish all of K

luck with your future publicat ions bu t I don ' t really t J l

you need any. They can't get any better! JOHN F. IRVIN, Philadelphia

LICENSE COLLECTION Gentlemen: , i

I am writing to tell you that I have Pennsylvania fisn

licenses from 1935 to 1959 and if you know anybody l

collects or is interested in having them, they can have tn for the asking. , „

Also can you help me find a jointed Pal-O-Mine fisnl

plug. I would like to locate one for my collection. ALTON F. ROSSI

3051 Aberdeen Avenue Erie, Pennsylvania

NEEDS FLY TYING MATERIAL Gentlemen: I

I am becoming interested in the tying of flies. A frl i in1

gave me a copy of "Fly Tying" by George W. Harvey, "* I have found it the best piece of teaching material on subject to date. Could you tell me where I might find ot information on the subject either which is free or which is sold? . j

Any leads as to where I might acquire such m a t e

would be greatly appreciated. TERRY L. MOLL,

Shamokin

"I'M LOSING INTEREST IN BOATING, GEORGE!"

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L £ H

T&KES ISSUE WITH ANSWER Centlemen:

nave just put a check in the mail for a renewal of my Scription to the Pennsylvania Angler. In the four or five

^ a r s that I have been receiving it I have enjoyed it tre-^ d o u s l y .

However, I find I must take issue with Editor Tom Sgler's answer to Mr. Wayne E. Frey in February 1970

„ ^ y Boots." He seems to gloss over the subject of *° nogs" as if it is nothing more than petty bickering °ng fishermen. I think if we face the issue and let the

, 'Ps fall where they may, we can easily recognize the fish thS.' I W o u l d like to quote from Mr. Frey's letter "the hogs

afti a t We must fish with on opening day and several days e r - ' These individuals are only seen when the streams

f e freshly stocked and the fish concentrated in an easy to ea°n area. When the hatches have started and the fish r<f disPersed and a little tougher to catch these fishermen 11 be after a species which will lend itself to heavier n ng e r s There will be sporadic flurries of activity on their ** °ut when the water runs low and clear they will be

. ^nere around. The mere purchase of a license seems to

r 1Cate to them that they are entitled to take fish at all

es- If they don't catch any it is because the state doesn't f ° ^ enough. If the fish they catch run small, the state is at

u l | because they don't stock enough big fish. They abhor

e e lc*ea of fly-fishing stretches and fish-for-fun sections. The

ncept of fish return is totally foreign and an anathema to e m- They care not a bit for conservation of our water

t a nd; if a stream is ruined beyond repair they will just go

another and if that one goes down the drain then another do. You must understand that I single out no specific

group TK' •

^ "is individual is found among fly-fishers, bait fishermen a l who fish. If a way is not found to weed them out

g nshing will be irreparably degraded. I refer again to 1 Or Eggler's answer, "Is he the angler who wants other

i . g e r s to release their catches so there'll be more fish for

of'ft t 0 c a t c n > " T n i s is a complete distortion of the concept fifh r e l e a se . I catch on the average of two hundred and

ty trout a year. I release at least 90% of these, for as Lee * said, "They are too precious a commodity to be used

y once." Take it from me for what it is worth that they L m u c h more fun to catch than eat. By releasing them I

to see them grow and I want to see them become more selective. I want to see them become more diffi-o catch. Eggler's answer tries to satisfy everyone and

no one. I believe however that this is impossible. ease, for those of us who want quality fishing, let us

of l t - ^ n e r e a r e many more miles of streams and acres Kes for those who aren't satisfied unless they have uties of dead fish to prove their prowess.

lilc ° ° u ^ 8° o n but I think I have said enough. I would ° refer to a man who should be known to you. If you

UH r C a d C h a r I e s K- F o x ' s "Rising Trout" pages 145 to Vou would see it presented better than I can.

GOOD POINTS Gentlemen:

I am renewing my subscription for one year for the Pennsylvania Angler. I enjoy your magazine very much and I think that your editor Tom Eggler had some very good points in the February issue concerning "Fish Hogs" on the Leaky Boots pages. I have been fishing for 18 years and I think Pennsylvania has some real fine fishing! Keep up the good work.

NELSON D. SPAED, Mifflinburg

UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE Gentlemen:

I had what I consider a most unpleasant experience recently when I watched a young lad of about 11 years "fishing" for carp with a bow and arrow. If what I saw this young fellow do is an indication of what all fishermen in his class do, bow and arrow fishing should be im­mediately stopped.

There were hundreds of fish swimming close to shore, with almost an equal amount dead from this dreadful source. He would pull back his bow, release the arrow, pull a fish in and then throw the wounded carp back in the river. There was no sport in it at all.

Fishing is a great sport and fishermen have contributed greatly to the efforts in conservation. Let's keep it that way!

DANIEL GRAMC, Pittsburgh

continued on next page

& *

EDWARD ECKEL, Newburgh, New York "FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, MILDRED, IT'S ONLY A CRICKET!'

M A Y - _ ! 9 7 0

continued from previous page

LEAKY BOOTS - -

"TOPS" Gentlemen:

This is just a short note to say that I think Chauncy Lively's series of fly tying articles is "tops." This is the best series of this type I have seen in the literature, anywhere.

Also, I am a fan of Don Shiner and you have run some very fine articles by him. Your editorial quality and excellence, for a local publication, is amazing. Keep up the good work.

WARREN SHEPARD, Livingston, Montana

"INFERIOR" Sirs:

I am renewing for only one year since I find the maga­zine inferior to what it once was. Once it was a fountain of information for the fisherman.

Today it is loaded with nice little stories, pictures of fish caught and boating information.

Since the magazine now covers both fishing and boating, the data on boats and boating is fine, but where are the articles once so informative and instructive to the fisherman in his quest for catching fish and for making lures and for preparing for the day or partial day of fishing?

DAVE HOFFMAN, Allentown

"SURE YOU CAN FISH ON MY PLACE . . . JUST DEPENDS ON WHO YOU'RE VOTING FOR."

RET "LEAKY ROOTS" Gentlemen:

Enclosed is my order for a three year subscription to tbe j Pennsylvania Angler. I want to tell you I have really e0 ' joyed reading your magazine this past year. I recently re" turned home from Viet Nam and while serving with the

Army, I had the Pennsylvania Angler sent over to me- ' , have quite a few fishermen from all over the U.S. ir»ter' ! ested in it and now I have them talked into fishing Pen11' sylvania waters this year, and you can bet your "LeaW Boots" we will be fishing these great waters.

LARRY W. WILKES, Altoona

IMPRESSED Gentlemen:

I was impressed with the report of Frank Kulikosky °* I Region 4 in the February Angler. I think it is rather inter esting that Joseph Ferraro of Erie lost an 18 inch cob0

jack after he had taken the entrails and the heart out of * " fish. I sympathize with him. I'll bet that fish was a beau1.

What I'm really writing about is to check and see >* Mr. Ferraro is the same man I heard about some time ag°-It seems this man went into a restaurant to get a bite t0

eat (it may have been right after he lost his fish und«f

strange circumstances). Anyway, he ordered a tongue sand­wich. Before he could bite into the sandwich, it started *° lick his face.

I would appreciate your checking this story out. Than'' you for your trouble.

WILLIAM M. STANLEY, Lewisberry

"CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM" Gentlemen:

Enclosed is a five dollar check for a three year reneW»' of my present one year subscription which ended in Apr'''

I find your magazine far superior to the national spo^5

magazines because of the simple fact that each item p e r ' tains to the area I fish—that is Pennsylvania—and the type

of fishing I do. However, I believe if more emphasis wefe

put on fishing and fishing technique rather than boating \

and tourism, your magazine would be perfect.

If you have read this far, thank you for listening to whaf

I feel is "constructive criticism." Continue the good fib-

ROBERT MIZIORKO, Philadelphia

"GREAT" Dear Sirs:

All I can say is you have a "great" magazine—keep UP the good work.

JOSEPH R. KRYSKO, Scranton

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L E *

DELAWARE SHAD t "MORE THAN 5,000,000 AMERICAN SHAD were , e n from the Delaware River between the Delaware Bay and the New York State line last year. Fully as many if Uot more, were taken this year." Sound interesting? Well, a, t n e time that statement was made it was quite true. The pb°Ve quote is part of the annual report of the Board of

' s" Commissioners to the then govenor of Pennsylvania, a"iel Hastings, in the year 1897. The annual Shad run of today, while it is a far cry in

Umbers from those at the turn of the century is still with J5, The horrible polluted condition of that 70 miles of the

elaware River from tidewater at Trenton Falls down-e am towards the Delaware Bay restricts but does not

°P the tremendous urge of this fighting fish to reproduce s sPecies. Again in October and November the delicate t o 4 inch Shad fry must negotiate this death trap on their

e t u m journey to the sea to grow up. Not only does this ea deter Shad migrations but also other fishes such as the

o ° " ° Salmon and Steelhead Trout which were introduced an experimental basis.

s Early in March the American or White Shad begin to

rCh°°l up in the Delaware Bay, preparing for a spawning

t j*n that will take some of them to the upper reaches of 3® Delaware River near Hancock, New York more than

fish, miles away. Unlike some of the other anadromous

e s like the Salmon, Shad do not die after their first Pawning run. Some Shad will spawn in their third year of

e e but most start in their fourth year. Five, six, seven and

^ e t l eight year old fish have been captured in the Dela-i re- This has been proven by scale samples. Those Shad t,

t e r than four years old usually proceed the others in e sPawning run. Averaging about six miles per day, males or Buck Shad

. t t l ey are called, usually come first. They reach the area °ve Trenton Falls in Bucks County around the first of

A . Other following schools continue until the end of Pru. Favorite s p o t s i n Bucks County for Shad fishing are

„ Judders Falls, the foot of the Lumberville Dam and at j ^ e wmg dam at New Hope. This 43 mile stretch from Witu d ° w n t o Trenton Falls seems to produce best .. n small darts plus extremely small flicker spinners in

^ r and gold and small spoons. f n e next 35 miles of the river in Northampton County p m Rieglesville to the Delaware Water Gap have as their

*me time the last two weeks in April and the first two k s in May. Favorite spots here include the section

M A Y - _ 1 9 7 0

FISHING OUTLOOK

By.- Stan Paulakovich around the Golden Ox restaurant just above Easton on Route 611; at St. Anthony's Nose which is a cliff point a few miles above the restaurant; the commission access at Sandts Eddy; the launch area at the Martins Creek Penn­sylvania Power and Light access ramp; the riffle about one mile above Riverton at the cliffs; the huge riff one half mile below the Consolidated Edison power plant at Port­land; and the pool at the Water Gap. Best results in this stretch are strictly on the dart.

From the Delaware Water Gap upstream through Monroe County to the vicinity of the town of Bushkill a distance of 15 miles the river should be at its best around the 10th of May and fishing should be good the week before and two weeks after. The Shad dart is again best in this area and favorite spots are at Sandy Beach, which is about two miles above the gap; across from Pardees Beach; at Mary's Riff and at the mouth of Bushkill Creek.

In Pike County from Bushkill upstream, a distance of 67 miles to the Wayne County line above Lackawaxen is best from mid-May until mid-June. Although Shad eggs

continued on page 26

%

"I SAID WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY FISHING TRIP SLIDES?"

George Forrest, former Pennsylvania Angler editor and currently special programs director for the Pennsylvania Fish Commission takes time out this month from his many activities to write about something he knows well—shad fishing. A life long rod bender, he is considered one of the Commissions most expert fishermen. He calls his comments on his favorite sport . . .

IF GEORGE WASHINGTON had done his historic Delaware River thing crossing in mid-spring instead of mid-winter, he might have apprehended some patriot trol­ling for shad out of the stern of the boat. And, in mid-spring he probably could have carried off half of New Jersey. It's 10 to 1 all the Hessians were at Trenton Falls fishing for alewives.

Really, folks, I cannot say if everyone was shad shanked in those days but I do know that within the past decade the old Delaware has seen more "war canoes" than at anytime since the Indians sent up the last smoke signal.

The Delawares used some pretty crude tackle and tactics to catch shad and they cared less about principles and tech­nicalities. Whole tribes—chiefs, braves, warriors, squaws, and papooses—got out there with traps, nets, spears, beaters and clubs when the shad runs were on. It must have been a sight to behold—the river full of fish, the natives full of fish and everybody filled up to here with the smelly odor of smoked shad over everyone and every­thing. Yet, it kept the tribes in grub for many moons.

Sparse shad references except for commercial fishing came from the Delaware over the latter years. Then, in the early Sixties, some unknown angler was probably fool­ing around casting a spoon in June when a shad hit it. Well—"war drums" couldn't have been more effective or more noisy in transmitting the urgent message—"THINK SHAD!"

For several years in the early 60's the shad runs were sensational with catches to match. Like magic "the river that nobody fished" became overnight one of the East's leading fishing hot spots. The Pennsylvania Fish Commis­sion hurriedly completed fishing and boating access areas at key locations along the Delaware and started more to accommodate the heavy shad fishing traffic.

SHAD Prelude

to

by GEORGE FORREST

But suddenly the shad fortunes in the Delawafe

changed. A series of spring seasons with inadequate rain' fall directiy or indirectiy led to a tremendous oxygen

"block" in the upper bay areas which formed a barrier tne

shad could not penetrate. The season of '69, for examp'1" accompanied by rainfall and a good flow from the rive1

reaching into the bay allowed shad to journey upriver i0

spawn. However, the '69 Spring also brought an up a"d

down river, nasty cold and sunless days. Shad catches ran from fair, so-so, spotty, scattered t 0

just plain lousy. The same applied to the Susquehanna River shad fishery where catches were also poor and et' ratic. Delaware fishermen were learning, like the India*5

before them, the fickleness of the weather, the vagarieS

of the river and the many unpredictable whims of natuTe

that could drastically affect shad fishing from one seaso" to the next.

So much for background to shad fishing for the he' ginner. I merely wanted to tell it like it was, like it is an what it is likely to be.

Now let's get to the business of catching shad. BEST

BET—Find a veteran shad fisherman and get him * take you along. You are likely to learn more on just °ne

trip with an experienced shadder than from all the artideS' books and magazines ever written on the subject.

Actually you need very little equipment to go for sha"' I've seen just about every type of rod and reel used frolP

the classy little ultra-lites to surf rods. I've seen fly rodder having a ball in the riffles and handline operators pulling 'em in.

Standard tackle, however, offers the most fun and sp01^ in overall average conditions. Most commonly used 8* spinning rods 6 to 7% feet (5 and 5/2 feet considered & the ultra-lite class). Reels range from closed face sp11

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L E *

GOVERNOR Raymond P. Shafer enjoys shad fishing on the upper Delaware when time permits. Here he prepares to go out with Joe Samusevich, a shad fishing "pro" from Allentown (stern) and Charley Zaimes, Public Rela­tion Director for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, another avid shad fisherman (back to camera). In the other boat are Keith Schuyler, noted outdoor writer and Robert McCormick, the Governor's Press Secretary. Both are also avid Pennsylvania fishermen.

a s t to open face equipped with mono line from 6 to 10 p 0 u nd test (4-lb. in the ultra).

Lures come in a variety of spoons, jigs, darts and just i n gold hooks. Most popular shad lure to come along Plai

4, lead lik,

e Past two decades is the shad dart—a little hunk of on a hook with a short stubby tail and a body painted

e a lurid hussy. This midget jig, a direct descendant of the old Quilby innow, was first introduced in the 1950's in the Cono-lngo area of the Susquehanna River and is now the

m° s t popular shad lure used from Maine to Florida. *ne shad dart comes in such a variety of shapes, colors

d sizes a beginner is hard put to make a choice. In the e W a r e the old standard of red head, white or yellow

0(iy and yellow tail is first choice (the original dart was ed head, white body and yellow tail.

° ther colors and shades have proved useful under certain a ter and weather conditions. The newer pearl body

ftlshes have improved the dart considerably. In early sea-n> if the water is discolored a dart with a black head, "tte body and yellow tail is a good shad getter. In late ason when the water is lower and clearer a dart with gold a°-> green body and yellow tail does good business. Often ar twilight when the weather warms in late May or early

^ e a black head, purple body and white or yellow tail has a*ly nailed them for me. All gold body darts are great on

uPper dropper as come-ons. But, sir, when the shad are the hitti n g almost any color in the charts will take fish.

Anglers use single, double and triple dart rigs. For a Single dart rig tie the dart direcdy to the end of the line

continued on next page

S U S Q U E H A N N A shad can no longer migrate any further upstream than the C o n o w i n g o Dam near the mouth of the river, although each year thousands try. Lack of effective fishways prevent up­stream migration so Susquehanna Shad fishing is confined to the short stretch of the river below the dam. At one time shad migrated up the Susquehanna into New Y o r k State.

* U Y - _ I 9 7 0

continued from previous page

Prelude to

SHAD and install a trolling sinker three feet above it. In the double—some shadders rig up just like fishing for catfish from the bank; an ounce sinker on the end of the line with one dropper and dart above it, then another a foot above the first dart. The angler bounces the sinker along the bottom in a jigging motion while slowly trolling, a very effective method although the weight detracts something from the fighting and landing. A few fishermen use triple darts on the same rig with varying success (Heaven help you if you get fouled up) .

As a sort of neither-nor guy, I use a duo-dart rig. A keel beaded trolling sinker (one-quarter, one-half and five-eighths ounce depending on depth and current) is tied to the end of the line. A single strand of mono is looped to the end of the sinker to form two lengths of line—one—three feet long, the other 24 inches. The two lengths are bound together with a simple tie about two inches from the sinker end loop. This keeps the separate droppers from entangling. Two darts are tied on; the shorter usually carrying the attractor dart which can be smaller (good hickory shad taker), brighter and more unorthodox than the standard pattern dart tied on the longer dropper.

I like this rig because you often hook two fish at once. This little development has its complications. Not only will one fish take off south while the other insists on going north, it's the netting that gets sticky. Which one do you net first—the one in the upper or the one in the lower berth?

8

THE UPPER DELAWARE in spring can be a busy place. Wh< the conditions are right fishermen from many east coast ciue_

flock to the river.

With the exception of the wading operators, trolling froi" a boat is considered more productive overall because tn"^ water can be covered.

Working the boat is one of the most important tec"' niques in shad fishing and it is an art not mastered ov&' night. The wise old shad veteran knows the river, & currents, depths, shallows and obstructions. From long e"' perience he has learned when to zig instead of zag; whe" to speed 'er up; when to slow 'er down. From the enguie

room he works that boat like a dancer covering the best spots, avoiding the sterile sites. He reads the water—slo^ trolling and steady; slower in murky water, a bit faster & clear. He judges the current velocity and has a sensitive finger on where the dart is riding. If the dart is constantly bumping bottom—too slow. If you can't feel grass or bo1' torn once in a while—too fast.

There are all kinds of tricks with the boat. Sometimes shad hit more frequently while trolling upstream. At others neither upstream nor downstream get action. Cross cu1' rent, zig-zag or on-the-bias trolling patterns often pay o# when conventional methods fail.

Great care is necessary to land a shad. They have paper' thin mouths much like that of a crappie and there is a

great deal of uncertainty on the line from hit to bag. A'1

manners of advice have been given to beginners—keep a

tight line—keep a slack line—don't hoss him and more. AH I can tell you is—hang on, reel slowly, steadily and . • i pray! Always keep in mind . . . never underestimate him— this shad is a real Fancy Dan, a tricky critter with maneu­vers, side slips, jumps and jams and he'll beat you if yolJ

give him an inch.

Now you can sum up the do's and don't all you dans please. I'm a stoic . . . I land a couple . . . I lose a

couple. That's shad fishin'!

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L E *

^om's old automatic washing machine a n be put to other uses once it's done

joshing clothes, or at least part of it can 6 the center portion can be turned into

^ i d ea l . . .

WASH TUB BAIT BOX

by Calvin A. DeViney

IN THE PAST our home made minnow or live-bait Xes W e r e u s u a l l y made from wooden strips and wire

reening. Not only were these time consuming and ex-isive to make, they were easily accessible to vandals, le*s> turtles, etc., as well as being shortlived through rust

1Qn on the screens. K u t an economical substitute is available to all fishermen the form of the tubs from discarded automatic washing

j c«ines. Even if you just threw your own away yester-y» others are free for the taking at local dumps and junk-Qs or from neighbors. Jb-ese baitboxes work as well as the old ones, are easily cle> last longer, and are just about theft proof.

REMOVAL FROM the old automatic washer of the tub usually re­quires the removal of only one nut from the shaft whether it be a side or top entry machine. When completed there is plenty of room for all the bait Pennsylvania fishermen can legally keep.

a»tl THE UNITS is shown chained to an iron stake in a pond where it is used to hold live bait. An old hubcap makes an inexpensive Weatherproof cover. Don't forget the hole in the bottom of the unit where it attaches to the center shaft must also be covered.

AN ENTERTAINING way to spend nearly any summer weekend afternoon is to visit a busy launching area. People who don't know how to properly handle their trailers or boats create confusion aplenty and watching them try to unscramble can be as much fun as boating itself.

BOA TING

TRAILERING & /LAUNCHING by DON PARRISH

Waterways Patrolman, Beaver Count)

DURING THE YEAR 1939, if your dad owned a boat trailer and a car to tow it around, the family was in a select group. Trailers were a luxury in the "good old days." The highways, except for the pike, were little more than cow paths by today's standards. Water? The rivers were always there. Impoundments? A few in scattered areas.

Now, in the 70's, amidst the maze of mini and maxi, arises a new era in boat trailering. The highways enable people to travel anywhere in Pennsylvania in a few hours. Our new boating areas are attracting a fantastic number of beginners to the sport. The latest design in trailers leaves nothing to be desired. Unfortunately, with the swarm of new boaters, comes a problem far more serious than dad's old 32 Ford boiling over on a hot July day in 1940. Unsafe Trailering! Where do you find it? Rolling behind you on the parkway, weaving on the curves, breaking loose on the launching ramp.

Trailering a boat is not child's play, but, when done

properly, can open an exciting new approach to boating It eliminates the need for mooring and adds to the fun ot

boating in different places each weekend. You can en]0^ the sport at its finest on Pennsylvania's waterways.

A newcomer to the art of trailering must consider sever* items before attempting his maiden trip down the foa^" The trailer you buy should be able to handle your boa1' Modern trailers are designed to haul varying loads fro"1

250 to 2,000 pounds. Of course there are larger rigs m heavier craft, but we will concern ourselves with sma" vessels for all practical purposes.

There are three basic types of small boat trailers on t&f market. The full-keel support, the two-cradle support, sfl the underslung. The full-keel support is most popular wit11

owners of wooden boats because this type trailer suppof* the boat on the strongest point, the keel. Sailboat enthus1' asts and owners of small inboard craft favor the two-cradle

support. This type is also widely used to transport raci1^

10 P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N C L E *

THE GENTLEMEN in the upper picture (left) can't seem to decide what move to make next while the lady below is trying to do something—apparently line up boat to trailer—but their problems don't compare to that of the party shown below. Launching a boat with the seacock open could account for their troubles. A little time spent learning some basics or attending a boating course might have prevented all these frus­trations.

i !

5

°°ats with large bottom fins. The underslung model is best ° r metal boats since they give maximum support along . e gunwales, or strongest area. This type makes launch­e s much easier if you are not equipped with a winch. ^efore you purchase a trailer, check with an authorized

ealer to be certain the trailer will handle your craft, ^he next important step is the trailer hitch you select. °n't cut any corners on cost and, by all means, stay away

r°m bumper hitches. They are extremely dangerous! We ^ o w the adage about a chain being only as strong as the Weakest link. This couldn't be stated any better in the case °* choosing a trailer hitch. It may be the deciding factor of whether you make the round trip without difficulty. Far

e t t e r to spend a few extra coins on the hitch and avoid Seeirig your trailer and $2,000 boat passing you on Inter­n e 79! Invest your money in the frame coupler which

astens onto the rear cross members of the car and to the nderneath portion of the bumper.

. Now that we're squared away on the hitch, let's con-Slc*er load capacity. This is the gross weight of your boat,

ot°r, and accessory gear. In the interest of safe boating, ° not exceed the recommended load capacity. Insure the

°ad is balanced with the boat's weight over the wheels. ever place more than 150 pounds of vertical weight on 6 trailer hitch. If the trailer weaves at normal speeds, you Ust correct the problem by distributing the load a little

m°re forward. before venturing in heavy traffic, I suggest you practice

ar>euvering the entire rig in some wide open places. The cant parking lot of a large shopping center is an ideal

.P°t. Remember to watch clearance on turns. When back­s' UP, the trailer goes the opposite way you cut the car

^ - 1 9 7 0

wheels. Practice backing and save yourself a red face on the launching ramp.

Some last minute checks are necessary before you hit the pike. Be certain safety chains are in order, tires properly inflated, the lights function, and brakes, hitch, and tie-downs are ready to roll. Another important item is the licenses which are valid from June 1, thru May 31. Know your trailering laws. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission's Watercraft Safety Division will provide you with a pam­phlet (WS 300) that covers these regulations.

Launching the boat is usually at best a two man opera­tion. Your assistant acts as a guide while you manipulate the trailer. To avoid delaying others on the ramp, transfer your gear into the boat and check the drain plug while you are waiting. When the way is clear, line yourself up at a right angle to the water. Begin backing slowly and come to a complete stop a few feet from the edge. Now your helper can remove tie-downs, tilt the motor up, and unlock the bow winch. This job finished, commence backing until the trailer wheels are far enough into the water to free the boat from the trailer easily. Now, set your emergency brake and be sure the car is in gear, on automatics that it is in park. Your assistant should take hold of the lead line from the bow to prevent the boat from drifting free as it slides off the trailer.

After a day of fun on the water, the boat loading can be an easy task. Just line up in the same manner as to launch, connect the line, and begin cranking the winch lever. Once the boat is on the trailer, pull off to the side before tieing down all gear. You are now ready for the journey home. Drive carefully and keep them rolling merrily along all

summer!

11

AT KEY LOCATIONS for^1

rangers and scout leaders dem°n, strated method of unpacking an

assembling gabions and Pr°P.i, system for filling (left) «Wl, later the scouts from "bucp brigade" lines (below) to brH1" stones needed to fill the gabioif They moved 130 tons of stone W one day!

WHILE MACHINE POWER AND MAN­POWER HAVE OFTEN DESTROYED MANY OF OUR COMMONWEALTHS WATERWAYS IT TAKES . . .

BOYPOWER REBUILDS A TROUT STREAM by JOE WHITE, Educational Director

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Reprinted from

SCOUTING MAGAZINE

TAKE THE ENERGY of 1,700 Boy Scouts, a beautif"1

September weekend, a staff of enthusiastic leaders, a cha'' lenging project, and you get BOYPOWER in action.

That's the way it worked in September 1968, culm1' nating a 5-year effort to improve the fishing quality of M1' Creek in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest. Mi^ Creek has been a fisherman's delight for decades. In early spring it is a roaring, churning torrent that silkens int0

quiet pools and eddies by May, then withers to a trickle v> its broad valleys by the end of June.

To "improve" the stream means deepen pools, intro­duce more oxygen by fast-moving water, and provide lowef

summer temperatures by creating pools in shaded sections' In 1964, Paul Quattrone, president of the Elk County

Angler's Club, approached Ralph Abele, who was then the

dynamic conservation committee chairman of Allegheny Trails Council, headquartered in Pittsburgh. Quattrone had been impressed with Abele's organization of Boy Scout winter-browse cutting projects in cooperation with tne

Pennsylvania Game Commission with more than a thousand Scouts and Explorers. Could Abele provide Scouts to help improve Mill Creek?

Abele's response was immediate. He sent a work force

of 30 boys and leaders to establish trail stream-improvement devices on the upper reaches of the 15-mile-long stream-Filling huge wire baskets with stone, they built gabions

12

^Used extensively in the mountains of Europe to stabilize |gnway and railroad cuts). The boys built diversion de-Ces that speeded up water velocity, causing scouring tion to form deep pools and prevent excessive siltation. Ider the direction of a district conservation adviser, the

c°uts did such an excellent job that the gabions were still udly established the following summer, kirice most of Mill Creek runs through Allegheny Na-

°nal Forest, the U.S. Forest Service welcomed the project J*0 offered additional gabions for its continuation. Each °lds from 2& to 55s cubic yards of stone and cost about

**". The Forest Service agreed to use Mill Creek as a con-°1 stream to compare the improvement in a stream using

"Jan-made devices with neighboring Bear Creek, a stream similar size and character without improvement devices. Again Abele's response was enthusiastic and during a

Summer weekend of 1965, 400 Scouts and Scouters farmed into Mill Creek to build more gabions. The Penn-Wvania Fish Commission, working with hydrologists from ennsylvania State University, selected sites for additional

j^ElD CONSERVATION DIRECTOR Howard T. Hardie (center) refers with District Advisor Gordon Kimpel (left) and Sid Rich-Jfason (right) professional representative from Allegheny Trails Council.

aevices on additional miles of the stream. During the summers of 1966 and 1967, more than 1,400

b°ys worked to finish all the planned structures within the National Forest—about 8 miles of the creek.

The remaining 3 miles of the stream leading into a ^Servoir near the town of Ridgway remained unchanged. P ° r 1968 Quattrone and Abele worked out the most ambi­t s project of all. The goal: finish the remainder of the s t r eam to complete an improved watershed of 11 miles. F°rest Service funds were no longer available, so Quattrone, a small-town attorney with big-city powers of persuasion, g a i n e d grants from Kiwanis and Rotary clubs and the ^anno Corporation, local manufacturing firm. With ma-terials assured, Quattrone told Abele to recruit a major

0 rk force to complete the job.

After establishing the project on the council calendar, Abele began with his council conservation committee and * t eam of more than 20 district conservation advisers. ,Ur ing a weekend reconnaissance with these men, camp­les were selected, water sources determined, and work reas assigned.

toitial response from troops and posts indicated an ex-CePtionally large turnout, so the council (38,000 Scouts) W a s divided into three fields with experienced advisers natried as field directors. Final work-force size was estab­

lished at 1,700 Scouts and leaders. Throughout the week before the project, Elk County Anglers prepared the struc­ture locations, using a backhoe to dig slots in the stream-bank to anchor the gabions.

Back in the Pittsburgh area, district conservation ad­visers were in touch with unit leaders determining final assignments and the number of Scouts coming. Camping areas were assigned, and unit leaders were provided with a fact sheet telling why, how, when and where the project was being conducted.

In the meantime, Abele contacted Fish Commission and Forest Service personnel. Four salaried officers and four deputies, all experienced in gabion structures, volunteered to be on hand. Rangers from the National Forest assisted in finding extra campsites as the cars began to roll in Fri­day night of the weekend project.

September 1968 in Pennsylvania was hot and dry, and water for 1,700 Scouts and Scouters who showed up was scarce. Ralph Lewis, indefatigable Elk County angler, drove a water-tank truck night and day, filling jerry cans and canteens at water-short areas.

Saturday morning assemblies were conducted in various areas near campsites by rangers and Fish Commission per­sonnel. Scouts and leaders were shown how to fill the gabions, and district advisers and field directors were briefed on conduct, safety measures, and emergency first aid stations. By the time the sun was up, more than 1,700 boys and men were in the water passing tons of stone, one by one, down long "bucket brigade" lines to "filler men" in the gabions, placing each stone for greatest density.

As the baskets filled, reinforcing wires were laced through them for internal strength. When top layers were complete, the wire lids were pulled into place using logger peavies. The result was a stone-filled structure, filled under stress, harnessed by a heavy-gage net of galvanized steel.

Teams of older Scouts were sent upstream to check and repair gabions installed in previous years. These work crews reported all devices in excellent condition.

Early morning work went smoothly with enough Scouts available to allow rest periods from the back-straining task of finding and passing thousands of rocks by hand, some­times for more than 100 yards. By lunch time nearly all the devices were well on the way to completion. By 3 p.m., the final wire lid was peavied into place. With weary steps, troops and posts assembled for the march back to camp and dinner. They had moved more than 130 tons of stone!

As always happens with youth, the weariness lasted only until they had devoured dinners of stew, bannock, roast chicken, or Chili. By 8 p.m., nearly every person on the project had assembled on a hillside for a gigantic camp-fire program. After roars of "How" had echoed into the hills in honor of the leaders and conservation professionals present, the program gave way to folk-song presentations and a full-fledged songfest. To the delight of all, the Quat­trone family and ladies from Ridgway then fed the crowd a truckload of cookies and milk under portable floodlights.

After field church services Sunday, carloads of Scouts started the 3-hour trip back to Pittsburgh.

Quattrone and Abele expressed the fervent hope that among those to share the improved future of this stream would be those Scouts whose combined BOYPOWER made it possible.

* U Y _ 1 9 7 0 13

MODERN CAMPING

by DEL & LOIS

KERR

LAKE ERIE IT IS RATHER IRONIC that one of the most heavily

visited of Pennsylvania's many state parks has no camp­ing facilities. Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie's famed peninsula is a spot that is unique in the Commonwealth.

Viewing miles of white sand beaches and quiet lagoons is a memorable experience, to say nothing of the fabulous fishing opportunities which this great body of water pro­vides. The introduction of coho salmon recently has cer­tainly added to the anglers' excitement.

Apparently due to severe lake storms, erosion and other weather problems, a formal campground on the shores of Lake Erie is not entirely feasible for the Department of Forest and Waters to undertake.

Erie County has had no other state parks; no state or federally operated campground is now available. There are brighter prospects for the future, however. Recendy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Roard of Com­missioners of Erie County have signed agreements for the development of a $5 million recreation complex.

This is to be built in combination with a $10 million flood control reservoir which the army engineers have under construction on French Creek in central Erie County.

The park, which is expected to take three years to com­plete, will offer a total of 313 camping sites and 380 pic­nicking sites, as well as hiking and wildlife areas. The dam will impound a 580-acre lake. This will offer opportunities for swimming, boat launching and fishing.

French Creek has always been a hot spot for fishing and the deeper waters of the dam will offer even greater variety. Although the park is not on Lake Erie, it will pro­vide a public campground within driving distance of the lake attractions.

Although the park campground picture in Erie County has been bleak, such has not been the case with regard to privately-operated campgrounds. -Within the last ten years, quite a few private campgrounds have sprung up. Some are located along or nearby the lake shore while others are somewhat farther afield. Most are still within a short drive of the lake.

Campground facilities vary considerably so it would be wise to check out several to find the one that best suits your particular camping tastes. We can only cover a few of the more popular spots here, but any good campground directory lists a wide choice.

One of the most elaborate is Folly's End Campground,

14

located three miles south of Fairview off Route 98, a five-minute drive from Lake Erie. This is a recreation-comple* type modern campground with a wide range of activities including movies, horseback riding, hayrides, swimming and a fishing pond. Up-to-date sanitary facilities and trails hook-ups are provided. Campers can choose from 150 sites-

Two long-established campgrounds located right on °r

near the shore of Lake Erie are Cassidy's Campground* with 50 sites, and Coles Reach with 25.

Newt's Campsite located on 60-acre Lake LeRoeuf a t

Waterford is another popular spot. Newt's is on Route 1« eight miles south of Interstate 90. There are 50 campsites-Facilities include modern sanitation, boat launching and rentals and supervised swimming.

Historic Fort LeRoeuf, a French stronghold in the early days of the French and Indian War, was located at Water-ford. A monument and museum are found in the town.

At Lake Erie, fishermen can angle in the bay or go Offl| on party boats on the main lake. Scenic cruises on excitf" sion boats, too, are a treat for the whole family.

Many blazed hiking trails on the peninsula allow the nature lover to closely observe the flora and fauna. Botanis'5

have found over 450 species of plants and ornithologists have seen over 280 species of birds. Another delig htful way to explore the peninsula is by canoe through the shal' low waters of the many ponds and lagoons.

A major attraction in Erie is the Niagara, restored flag' ship of Admiral Perry, used in the War of 1812. Other historic attractions are the monument overlooking Misery Bay, the Old Customs House, the Anthony Wayne Block­house and Perry Memorial House.

"AX)

"ISN'T LEMONADE A GREAT EYE OPENER, DAD?"

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L E *

AN OVERTURNED canoe in a quiet lake near shore in warm water during the summer may not be any trouble for four young healthy boys who know how to swim well, but an overturned boat in cold or rough water carrying poor or non-swimmers could well spell disaster and the two young girls (below) could both be in serious trouble even in quiet water close to shore if they don't know how to swim well, should their boat upset.

A S p o r t Y o u S h o u l d K n o w NEXT TWO PAGES

SWIMMING WATER SAFETY BEGINS WITH YOU. No one knows

when man first summed enough courage to jump into a body of water instead of walking around it but one thing is sure—he's been doing it ever since!

After countless ages, swimming remains one of man's most useful, beneficial sports. Few other activities com­bine as much exercise, relaxation and sheer fun.

Another reason for swimming's timeless popularity: nearly everyone—young, old, even the handicapped—can enjoy it. A sunny day at a lake or beach . . . any day at an indoor pool . . . and the fun beings.

But swimming also has a serious side. Statistics show five to seven thousand Americans drown each year! The "cul­prit" is simple carelessness—over-familiarity that some­times blinds swimmers to basic safety rules.

To reduce the dangers—and add to the fun of summer outings—experts of the 125-year-old YMCA have drawn on

^ A Y — i 9 7 0

continued from previous page

A Sport You Should Know

SWIMMING its 85 years of water safety experience to compile some valuable, professional tips.

First and most important rule, they say, is to learn to swim well. Because swimming seems so natural, some people ignore the need for skilled professional training. Yet the poor swimmer remains a constant menace to him­self—and others.

Non-swimmers pose a greater threat, according to YMCA water safety experts. Until they learn the basic funda­mentals the only advice is stay out of the water! Even wading can bring disaster if you step into an unexpected "drop off."

It doesn't matter if the choice is a pool, lake or beach— make sure a life guard is present. Other useful precautions: never swim alone, obey all warning signs. Many a noggin has been split in shallow water . . . many persons have been infected by polluted water because they thought the warning signs just part of the scenery.

It's also wise not to swim through patches of seaweed; it entangles you and saps your strength.

DEAN KLINGER, Pennsylvania Fish Commission marine services specialist, lectures a proup of youngsters about the value of life saving devices on one of Pennsylvania's many lakes.

Because swimming is an exercise, personal safety ofte11

depends on physical condition. If you don't rest and coo' off after exertion, YMCA experts warn, plunging back int° cold water may cause you to black out from a sudden rise

in blood pressure. It may also cause painful, disabling cramps.

Recognizing physical limitations—and refusing invita­tions to competitive swimming when you're not in shape—! is no disgrace. Endangering a rescuer's life by collapsing from overexertion is! Learn how far you can swim and don go beyond your limit. If you do compete, race toward—no* away from—shore, and have a third person present.

Vital to measuring your ability is knowing the waters

depth and the current's strength. Remember, you can't tell either from the surface and must make it a point to find out'

If you are trapped in a strong current, "Y" experts give

this advice: don't fight it. Swim across the current and gradually work your way in toward shore.

Perhaps the greatest water menaces are the "would-be

hero" and the "water show-off." It's a grim rule, but pest' forming dangerous stunts to impress people sooner or later gets you in trouble. And rescue attempts by unqualified swimmers can multiply tragedies.

Not all of water safety is directly related to swimming' The rise in popularity of boating and skin diving has added to the problem.

Once more, application of common sense rules can keep you free of trouble. Most important . . . as with all water activity—is only good swimmers should go boating °t attempt skin diving.

Other tips: when getting into a small boat, use only the stern or the bow so you have greater stability. Don't dive from boats; you may literally knock yourself out. When you want to take a dip, throw in a rope or anchor to make sure of the depth, slide into the water and keep close by' If alone, keep a grip on the tow line.

Though following the safety rules avoids most accidents, a few emergencies may still occur. If they do, remember1

the best policy is always to keep calm, and use your head-Here are some emergency rules laid down by YMCA experts:

If a boat capsizes—stay with the boat. If a swimmer Is

in trouble—and you're not a rescue expert—try reaching him with a pole or clothing or throw him something buoyant to hang on. Sometimes it's possible to reach the swimmer by hanging onto a dock or float with your free hand.

Even if the rescued swimmer looks in hopeless shape, quick application of artificial respiration usually revives him.

It's at times like this when some basic training in artificial respiration technique can prove invaluable. The funda­mentals learned in a course taken even years ago may come

back into sharp focus when the need arises—no one should be around the water unless they have some training in these life saving methods. One prime example happened last

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L E 8 J.

a r when Pennsylvania Fish Commission Watercraft afety Officer Sam Hall (at the time a Waterways Patrol-

Jar>) heard cries for help from Speedwell Forge Lake near s home. Rushing from the house he saw two people "^ggling in the water out in the lake. Swimming out he s* brought the wife to shore and then returned for the s°and who had disappeared below the surface. "all managed to grab the man and drag him ashore. "I

, " n t had any training in artificial respiration techniques nce J graduated from the Commission's H.R. Stachouse fining School but suddenly when we got to shore and

Pressure was really on it all came back." }"& man survived, although he was hospitalized in

."ieal condition for several days. His wife who had been ra8ged ashore first also survived. Had Hall not been a Pable swimmer and trained in artificial respiration tech-

lctoes the story would have almost certainly been different, ^earning how to swim well is fun and easy, particularly Younger people. It's also healthy and for those who enjoy

di

Qece;

e r Water sports such as fishing or boating it's absolutely ssary.

LEARN TO SWIM WELL.

AN AFTERNOON outing along a Pennsylvania waterway (above) is a great way to enjoy the outdoors but everyone should know how to swim, as well as life saving techniques. Fishermen (right) should be careful while boating. The man standing on the bow of that boat is putting his life in jeopardy. The YMCA is one of a number of organizations where swimming instruction is available. Some of the things they suggest are shown below.

Learning artificial respiration techniques, like swimming, isn't difficult. You'll never save your own life by knowing them, but the life you save could well be that of one of your children or a loved one as well as that of a stranger.

Many organizations offer courses in swimming and life saving techniques. For example the YMCA operates over 765 swimming pools throughout the nation and at each you can learn from experts how to swim—or how to im­prove your swimming ability—as well as artificial respira­tion techniques.

ALWAYS RACE TOWARDS SHORE —

NOT AWAY FROM IT.

NEVER SWIM

A L O N E .

DON'T ATTEMPT A RESCUE UNLESS YOU'RE A STRONG

SWIMMER, SKILLED IN LIFE-SAVING.

IUNFISH AT DAWN mjBlXTM' I WOKE on a Monday morning, my teeth chattering and

my body quivering from the chill of early morning. I anxiously donned my fishing gear and fastened a tiny pop­per to my leader. This was my standard weapon for pan-fish and I held great confidence in it.

I slipped quietiy out into the nippy morning air, gently closing the door of the cottage behind me. The clock on the candy store said 6:15. Minute wisps of fog rose from the glassy, mirror-like surface of the lake. The dock and boats were covered with dew. Not a breeze stirred, not a sound intruded the unusual calm, save the barely audible rhythm of the waves, lapping softly on the shore. Oc­casionally a loud splash, doubtiess from a jumping bass, broke the silence sending an army of riffles marching toward the shore only to weaken and lick the soggy shore­line weak and insignificant.

I strode sleepily across the damp wooden dock, rod in hand. Upon reaching the edge of the pier, I gazed out at the foggy expanse of water. A few fishing boats were visible through the curtain of mist. The lake seemed cold and uninviting at this rare hour. Rolling hills and pastures stretched away to the west, concealed by the low-lying cloak of mist.

Approximately 50 yards out on the lake, a bed of rusty-colored weeds rose out of the gray, fog-shrouded water. It was here that the larger of the lakes' inhabitants dwelled —crappies, muskies, walleye—however, I was content to remain here.

I carefully tossed the multi-colored popper into the placid water. A few riffles were created and for awhile the lure lay dormant, and partially submerged. The riffles at­tracted a group of interested sunfish. They seemed to materialize out of nowhere. These fish were chunky, and orangish-tan in the water.

While the remainder of the school looked on intently, a plump sunfish, evidently a scout, ventured to within a few inches of my lure. He regarded the morsel with a curious and cautious eye and then nudged a bit closer to the affair of cork and feathers, his tiny mouth slowly opening. My fingers gripped the rod butt tightly, and my hands grew tense, anxious—then, with a gentle swish of his tail, he returned to his shadowy domain, followed by the rest of the school.

Disgruntled, and subdued, I again cast. For some un­known reason, this offer was irresistible to the sunfish. He rose, making a steady beeline for the surface. I braced myself. This time upon reaching the popper he smacked it viciously, and greedily devoured it. I raised my rod tip. The fish was carrying his prize back to his home, when he realized he had been hooked. A determined battle ensued.

He made a few dives toward deeper water, and I en­joyed containing him, while experiencing the pleasing, ex­hilarating tug on my line. Finding his efforts futile, he suddenly broke the surface with a splash, sending water in all directions. He executed several acrobatic maneuvers, including a series of dangerous somersaults. For a second,

18

I wondered if I had lost him. But there he was again, no* weary from his brief, tiring battle.

The sun had just peeked over the horizon, and the fi^ gleamed in the early morning light. His head and j | 9 were a tan hue, adorned with patches of light blue. H* body was a handsome blend of colors—a brilliant scar'6

flap marked his ear, adding a lovely touch to this sub* beautiful fish.

He had provided me with a few minutes of rare pleasui* This hand-sized fish had staged a valiant battle, thus eM ing the right to return to the waters he knew so we"* I gently released him, and he returned to the safety a* companionship of his school. I patted my lure and grinne* my spirits greatly lifted, and happy with my success. ,

By this time the sun was a pale orange disc, suspend high above the swaying treetops through the morning rnist' The bass were still jumping occasionally, and somewh^ along the lake a motor started. Soon would begin a hec& day—the tranquility of morning would be rudely shatter^ by the constant hum of motors. A few riffles coursed acrOsS

the lake. They would soon be rough, choppy waves. T^ temperature was rising rapidly, and the wind was gr°^' ing stronger.

As the sun broke through the veil of mist and exploded % a burst of light the mists softly melted away, carried off °f

a wisp of breeze. Gradually, day approached. Now that the sun had broken through the low-lyi°Jj

blankets of fog, the fishermen upped anchor and head^ for shore. I pulled in a few more sunfish, enjoying mysel

greatly, and then returned to my cottage, proud of ^ morning's events.

I would be out on the dock again tomorrow, as answered the misty call of the sunfish dawn.

illustration—GEORGE MEGELA

Kit . L- J A M E S BASHLINE tests fly rod handling with new line. Most fly rods now made have recommended line weight stamped on 1 section.

TIPS ON CHOOSING A

Fly Line

\

by L. JAMES BASHLINE X MOST FISHERMEN SPENT half a lifetime learning a difference between an HDH line and an HCH, and

. e t l darned if an outfit known as AFTMA (American Fish-

.,° Tackle Manufacturers Association) hasn't changed i Whole thing! Instead of just letters, lines are now known

^ e lumbers and letters. And the new system shouldn't

anyone too long to learn! experts, psuedo-experts and the guy down the street

i ° once fished in 1957 all offer us advice on how to . ance a line to rod. Some of their advice is good, most of

Kn t. Fly rods and the lines that go with them are very s°nal items. None of us fish like the other fellow does

M — 1 9 7 0

and the line that suits you on a given rod may not make me happy at all. While it's really not important that anyone know what the various numbers and letters signify as long as it casts well on his rod, it certainly can help in initially choosing the right line.

Some old timers may frown and snarl at the new method, but I like it. Back in old "letter" days, one maker's HDH was heavier than the HCH made by another. Still another manufacturer made an HDH that was lighter than someone else's HEH. The fisherman who had a line that worked beautifully on his rod would frequently be disappointed

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19

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Fly Line when he tried to replace it. He wasn't aware that the maker had changed line finish or body material and the HDH that used to weigh 140 grains now weighed 180 grains. The diameter may have been the same, but the weight certainly was not. Fly casters in the know, especially those who were in the tournament game were carefully weighing their lines, long before the fly line producers decided to list their lines by weights instead of diameters. Today, you can be reasonably sure that a DT7F line in the Cortland box will weigh the same as a DT7F made by Scientific anglers, Gladding or Garcia or any other maker. This is a happy thought if you want to try a different color or finish style.

It would most certainly not be proper in an article of this type to tout one maker's line. With few exceptions, most fly lines made in America are well finished and will give long service if not abused. Actually they'll take quite a bit of abuse and, with the newer vinyl and plastic coat­ings that most of them have, four or five normal trout seasons is not an unusual life span.

Not too long ago the only fly lines you could find in the majority of crossroads hardware shops were amber colored level C. The better shop just might have a double tapered line in HDH size, but that was about it. To say that times have changed would be a gross understatement. Today there are over a dozen taper styles available and they can be sinking, floating, or half and half. Confusing? Well, it can be. The key phrase to remember is "the larger the number, the heavier the line."

Most seven and a half and eight foot fly rods today will handle a DT7F or DT6F line. If the rod is a bit on the

stiff side the 7 weight line should be chosen. If your r

favors the softer or what may be referred to as action, then you will find that the 6 weight line will ^v0

better. A very strong eight footer may need an 8 we'e line to bring out the action while an extremely delica

tba"

,art

bamboo rod may be overtaxed with anything heavier a 5 weight.

Most responsible rod makers print a line recommen1

tion on the butt section of their product. For the most p' these line weights work well on that particular rod. •• is, they cast best with a particular line weight. Right at>° here, however, we get into a fuzzy area called, for c

venience, fishability. Sure, a heavy line requires less t° ., arm pressure in making the rod flex properly, but how N

that line strike the water when you are attempting present a small fly to a rather nervous brown trout? * beginner should stick to the line suggested by the mari facturer, because he will cast better with it. As his & develops and his timing improves he'll be able to use

lighter weight line and he will also catch more fish.

When the species sought is not overly spooky and d , tance is what the angler seeks, he must forget the stands double taper line. (Incidentally, double taper is indica now by simply using the letters DT) . He should make u

of a line that has more weight in the forward section of line. These are the "weight forward" lines. New design

tion, of course, is WF. Because the heaviest portion of WF lines is right out front instead of distributed all a'0" the central section as it is in a DT, these lines will cast 1' a bullet on the proper rod. Some trout fishermen, especia • those who use the dry fly extensively, like the lighter ^ lines, because it reduces the amount of false casting n e C. <. sary to extend the line after an unsuccessful drift. *v

several loops of slack line in the hand a couple of »a

casts and shoot! The WF line carries forward easily-

NOTED SPORTSMAN and outdoor writer Joe Brooks fly fishes a central Pennsylvania trout stream.

o»

TO SELECT proper line for the rod is a mistake many anglers make. An improper line can make the best of fishermen cast °rly and a newcomer to the sport may give up in frustration.

The very best way for anyone to determine what line 0rks best on a given rod is to try it with several different

l ights . The line you can handle best is, of course, the 0,le to buy. The cheapest way to accomplish this is to bor-^ lines already strung up on reels from your friends. ' a t l y responsible sporting goods stores have a selection ., 'ines strung up for loan purposes. At least those stores

t Want to sell fly lines should. ^ modern nylon fly line requires very little care. There

j ' 6 a few basics, however, that might make it work better. i °st important of all, give your line a vigorous stretching

6f°re you wind it on the reel. The line has been coiled I the box and will be coiled on your reel. It has to be well 16Xed before it can be expected to lay out straight. This , j t t l e precaution can make ten yards difference in your stance casting ability and aid accuracy immeasurably.

t ^se a tapered leader with a butt diameter that is close 0 ^ e line in size. This will help eliminate that nasty hap-

">th

pening of having your leader double back on the line. I should note here that this leader recommendation applies to bait fishermen who use the fly rod too. That sliding side-arm cast that the minnow and worm fishermen use can be made with much more finesse when using a properly put together line and leader.

Practically all line manufacturers offer instructions in tying the nail knot which is really the only worthwhile way to attach line to leader. It slips through the guides much easier and is far less likely to cause a row of bubbles as your fly floats or swims through the water.

Keep your line clean by giving it a periodic wiping down with a clean cloth followed by an application of line dressing.

One final tip. Don't handle your modern fly line im­mediately after wiping on liquid insect repellent. Some brands of the bug chaser will absolutely melt the finish on the plastic coated lines.

Line Identification The basic identification symbols used in the newer nomenclature require no other explanation than just listing

them; L—Level; DT—Double Taper; F—Floating Line; S—Sinking Line; I—Floating or Sinking; ST—Single Taper; WF—Weight Forward.

Here is a chart for converting former "letter" sizes to AFTMA weight designations:

LEVEL / Old Sizes New Codes

ROUBLE / OH sizes TAPER ' N e w Codes

ROCKET / oid sizes TAPER / New codes

TAPER / Old Sizes

New Codes

G L3F

HEH DT5F

HDF WF5F

GBF WF8F

F L4F

HDH DT6F

WF6F

GAF WF9F

E L5F

DT7F

HCF WF7F

D L6F

HCH DT8F

GBF WF8F

L7F

GBG DT9F

GAF WF9F

C L8F

B L9F

GAAF WF10F

* * Y _ 1 9 7 0 21

HBBEH^HBdEHtl [IBID2HSS

THE SEA BAG Bob Miller

A column of news devoted to the activities items of interest to Pennsylvania's boaters.

HEADS PITTSBURGH CLUB Clayton Buchanan, of 3011 Vernon Ave., Pittsburgh, has

been elected commodore of the Park Yacht Club with head­quarters on Harbor Isle, near Blawnox, on the Allegheny River.

Also elected for 1970 were: Thomas Peterson, vice com­modore; Paul Shively, secretary; Dr. Lester Berlin, treas­urer; Robert Wiengard, Robert DeHaven and Jay Mock, directors.

Buchanan, while extending an invitation to visit the club this summer, explained that the organization leases its facilities on what was once known as Sycamore Island. Transportation is by ferry boat and the club's docks are located in the back channel of the island.

NEW BOAT-CAMPER UNVEILED It's not too many weeks since the close of the 1970

Eastern Sports Show, at Harrisburg, which, to many out-doorsmen, is a much better harbinger of spring than any robin.

For, no matter how much ice and snow there is outdoors, or how far the mercury has dropped, the sight of that array of canoes, rowboats and runabouts, against a back­ground of fishing tackle and camping gear, brings to mind that spring is "just around the corner."

Unfortunately, all too often, the products on display are pretty much the same year after year although the boats may have a few more accessories and the outboards a little more horsepower. Generally speaking, this year's fishing tackle looks much like last year's, and the camping trailers seem to be growing larger and larger and most are equipped with everything including the kitchen sink.

However, I did find, tucked away in one corner of the main arena, a combination "boat camper" which, just a week or two before, was unveiled at the National Boat Show in New York City.

Naturally it's possible to car top a 12 foot boat, and to cram a tent and other gear inside the station wagon, but what do you do with the people?

This combination camper does away with this problem. Everything is carried on board the trailer leaving plenty of room inside the car or station wagon for the entire family.

Ranging in price from $1,400 to $1,500, the boat camper when packed up and ready to go presents an extremely low

22

of boat clubs, flotillas, power squadrons and

JONAH AND THE WHALE? Nope, just W. J. Johnson, of Jonestown R2, showing t h e partially opened boat camper as it apeared earlier this year at the Eastern Sports Show in Harrisburg.

profile to allow for plenty of visibility through the *e' window of any car, even that of a compact model.

Although the entire rig provides 52 cubic feet of s tow space and is 16 feet long, it is only three and one half ' ^ high thus the low profile.

This two-in-one outfit appears to be the ideal choice » the outdoorsman who enjoys both activities—boating a<1. camping—yet likes to rough it with equipment which se' up with ease and wastes little time doing it. ,

Here you have it in combination: a 14-foot utility era1' large enough for all-around family use; and a carflP equipped with double beds, built-in counter and stores alcove.

How about getting that upside down boat off the tra" and into the water?

No problem at all. It can be done by one man i° matter of minutes.

First the boat launching mast is lifted and locked in

vertical position and a winch line, which passes °v

rollers at the end of the mast, is attached to a lifting e> on the side of the boat. t

Turning a reversible worm gear winch, at the base the mast, raises the boat—bow first—up, over and W the water. A transom hinge lock prevents the boat fr° sliding off the trailer. .

Once in the water the transom hinge lock is releas^ the seats are installed and the boat is ready to go.

After launching, the owner then merely moves his B*" I into position and sets up the camper—an operation as ea

as opening an umbrella. i The camper's double beds are full length with two a

one half inch foam mattresses, the mattress covers §| removable for easy cleaning, the large screened wind" have weather flaps which zipper from the inside, an" storage deck outside the living area provides storage an outboard motor, gas tank, anchors or any extra gear>

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L * ^

FROM TIHE STREAMS ^ d b M t e ^ W I

J'fiET AGAIN! , *Vhile on patrol of the East Branch Dam last summer , °ame across a resident of Ohio and proceeded to check ., boat registration and motor license from Ohio. He

e n showed me his fishing license and said, as he handed j en5 to me, that he had purchased them at the Cleveland P°rts Show this spring. I said that I had been there and ^dered if possible I might have been the one who had

d Ae license—sure enough on the bottom of the license 4 u m y n a m e — Waterways Patrolman BERNARD D. ^BRQSE (Elk County)

HELPER— %ANDY ^n December 12, I was checking with Marine Dealers

, °Ut the Capacity Plate Law. I arrived at one dealer at , same time as a shipment of new campers. The truck •j, Ver and I walked to the door and found it was locked. I e driver asked if I would give him a hand with un-

^ g and I said I would. As we were unloading the last j ^Pw the dealer's wife appeared. When I had a chance

°'d her who I was and why I was there. She looked at e> laughed out loud, and said she had thought I was the

"DON'T THINK YOU'VE HEARD THE LAST OF THIS, HARRY BAKER!"

M * Y _ 1 9 7 0

driver's helper from the way I had been working.—Water­ways Patrolman EDWARD W. BROWN (Clearfield County)

EVIDENCE RECOVERED— • An interesting situation developed one day last summer while I was on patrol along the Raystown Branch. I spotted a fisherman catch a sub-legal smallmouth bass and in his awkward attempt to salvage the penny hook, he killed the small fish. I watched him throw the illegal bass into the heavy weeds growing along the bank. When I started over the bank towards the fisherman he saw me coming and quickly picked up the fish and threw it back into the water where it sank to the bottom. Here was a deliberate viola­tion where the man deserved to be prosecuted—but I had no evidence. Knowing that SWP Redline was nearby with the proper equipment, I went to enlist his aid. He donned his swimming trunks, diver's mask and flippers. Ten min­utes later Mr. Redline had recovered the sub-legal bass and we confronted the fisherman. Boy was he ever sur­prised!— Waterways Patrolman JAMES T. VALENTINE (Huntingdon-Fulton Counties)

GOOD EEL CATCH ^ R a y Canfield on the Delaware Biver between New York and Pennsylvania at Narrowsburg took nearly two tons of eel off his racks during August and September last year! —Waterways Patrolman HARLAND F. REYNOLDS (Wayne County)

WASH AWAY TRASH— • Nature quite often utilizes her universal solvent (water) to clean the over-used lands. Such was the case during the torrential rains of last summer. Water cascaded off the mountains, sheeted across fields and meadows, brooks became rivers and bottomlands became floods. By the morning after the downpour Koon Lake had risen eleven muddy feet. Dissolved therein were tons of various com­pounds. Visually the lake surface was dotted with hair spray, fly spray, shaving cream, deodorant, toilet cleaner cans, bleach bottles, and hundreds of various other items. More than fishermen and hunters have discarded carelessly. —Waterways Patrolman WILLIAM E. MclLNAY (Bed­ford and Fulton Counties)

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23

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STREAM NOTES "FORTUNATE" • I feel that I am one of the fortunate few that gets to see the unusual. One day on patrol in the Decker Marsh area, I saw a family of four otters playing and feeding on the edge of the partly ice covered lake. I watched them for about fifteen minutes. The next day while accompaning Game Protector Ed Clark on patrol in the lower end of Pike County, we spotted another otter family playing on the ice of another lake. I have seen other otters since I have been stationed here but this is the first time that I have observed so many in two days.—Waterways Patrol­man JOSEPH E. BARTLEY (Lake Wallenpaupack Area)

FAMILY OF FISHERMEN • Many of our visiting fishermen are introduced to Pen"' sylvania's outstanding waters through the Cleveland Sport>

Show. In the past two years that I have worked the sbo*' over 500 non-resident licenses were sold; and I remefflW one day when I sold five licenses in rather short orde'

A man stepped up to the booth, which we shared v*^ the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Department * Commerce, and said he wanted to buy a fishing liceHjj After selling Mr. John B. Green, from 6955 RooseVe!l

Drive, Mentor, Ohio, a fishing license, we started 1 discuss the hot fishing spots in Pennsylvania when I noti^ a young fellow looking rather anxiously in my direction, He said, "I'd like a license, too." His name was John | ' Green. "Same name," I said to myself! Before it was ov*' each of his three children John, age 15, Patricia, age 1' Carol, age 13, and his wife Helen, bought a license.

I then started to talk to Mr. Green again and after »v

other discussion about Pennsylvania, I realized that | thought this was a small price to pay for the privilege 9 fishing the finest waters in the East.

I hope to see more fishermen like the Greens at M Cleveland Sports Show in the future!—Waterways Pat'0

man JOSEPH KOPENA (Forest & Clarion Counties)

RIG APPETITE • Local sportsman Barry Lucas, R. D. #2, Phoenixville reports that while ice fishing at Scotts Run Lake, he caught a fourteen inch brook trout that had the remains of seven­teen sunfish in its stomach. Even though this fish had a full stomach, it struck savagely at Barry's bait. This incident is indicative of the ravenous appetite some fish possess.— Waterways Patrolman RAYMOND BEDNARCH1K (Ches­ter County)

"I KEEP ASKING MYSELF, IS DOOR-TO-DOOR SELLING TAKING US TO THE RIGHT CUSTOMERS?"

24

tin

VALUARLE FISH • Special Waterways Patrolman Don Patterson of lM caught a largemouth bass from Duman Dam during past year, which turned out to be very valuable to hi1"' With it Don won several prizes and a total of $80.00 fr01* the Genesee Fishing Contest, when the fish turned out * be a 1969 Grand Prize Winner. Don reports the bass also very tasty.—Waterways Patrolman ANTHONY RAW SKI (Cambria County)

v"5

10\

SEE SLIDE LECTURES— • I have received many fine comments on the new sli" lectures (Ice Fishing and Insects of Streams and Streak' side) recently introduced by the Fish Commission. T h ^

las' ii>'

lectures were a valuable tool in Fishing School courses winter and I believe every fisherman and every person terested in becoming a fisherman should make it a point see them.—Waterways Patrolman ROBERT J. PEt$ (Columbia & Montour County)

THANKS! • I would like to thank the Hillsgrove Fish and Gai11

Club and Paul Siegler from Lansdale, for making the Ic

Fishing Clinic held on Hunter's Lake a success. It was cold day, with freezing rain and the hot dogs and CO$m these fellows provided sure hit the spot. Thanks aga1^ men!—Waterways Patrolman FRANK KANN (Sulliv*1" and Lycoming Counties)

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L E 1 1 ±

REDING TIME-v ^ local Clarks Summit angler, Jim Doty, was fishing on , *e Wallenpaupack through the ice. He always takes his

^arm,,! i . j . L, i. ___ i_ ti..- t ,. , rc°al burner with him so he can have something to eat ^ he is Bshing. h

*ght do some tip-ups all set out, Jim thought he

* jigging, but instead he put a large minnow A 'eft the pole set on top of his tackle box. After about „ Minutes spent checking a tip-up Jim's friend told him

a s Jim picked up a piece of chicken, the jig rod with k chicken they were cooking was ready on the grill.

•Hio

tot,

low was pulled off the box right down through the and that was the last Jim saw of the pole. It was

e a coincidence that both man and fish being hungry p he same time.—Waterways Patrolman ROBERT E.

ASHlNG (Lackawanna County)

J VS LICENSE ANYWAY/ j , hile visiting a sporting goods store and issuing agent, M ^ e opportunity to talk to a local career service man a , ^as home on leave. I saw him buy a fishing license

this puzzled me because service men home on leave Offi f e c e ' v e a free fishing license at any County Treasurer's a °e- I told him of this and he said that he knew it but j> Snt that since he spends 200 to 400 hours a year in ]i(,

nnsylvania fishing he felt that the $5.00 he spends for a j se Would go toward future stocking and improvements. Sen Prouc^ t 0 be part of a country that is protected by jjh 1Ce men such as these!—Waterways Patrolman WAR-

N t . BEAVER (W. Crawford County)

l^El tf^B SALESMAN n Pecial Waterways Patrolman Leroy Gosseck of Beaver ft ty, is blessed with an uncanny ability to sell the Fish n Mission's program. This was proven at the Allegheny °o U ^a i r ' a s t ^ a u when Leroy sold fish identification Q s like they were going out of style. Last winter Mr. en

Se°k was on ice fishing patrol at Brady's Lake when he 1 0 l ln tered a man not displaying his fishing license. Wfj. y informed the fisherman this violation required a ff0

e n Warning and, as the offender produced his license yQ "ls wallet, Leroy noticed a few handy bucks. "Do it) „j the Angler?" he asked. The man's partner chimed Q' get it and let him read my copy." At this point, o v °* offered, "There's nothing like having your very scjj T^gler!" Leroy not only sold the man an Angler sub-^ W l 0 n ' ^ut t ^ l e n helped the fellow drink his coffee! C Werways Patrolman DONALD PARRISH (Beaver °Ut%)

?AP PY BOATERS to s ^ hoaters on the Clarion River seemed mighty happy

V the area patrolled by the Fish Commission last sum-«e majority welcomed inspection of their vessel and

>W j f r y interested in water safety.—Waterways Patrol-

4> t^MES F. DONAHUE (Jefferson County)

BRINGS "GOOD LUCK!" • At an Ice Fishing Clinic at Stevenson Dam last winter Special Waterways Patrolman Swank and I had a reward­ing experience. A young couple from Ohio who were staying with relatives not far from the dam, decided to try ice fishing. They arrived at the dam and Special Water­ways Patrolman Swank and I proceeded to show them how to fish with a tip-up. The young man had no auger and borrowed ours to drill a couple of holes before we left. Before he could drill another hole he had a trout on the first tip-up and while I was getting him an ice fishing booklet from my car about 100 yards away he had a second trout. As I was ready to leave he said "I wish you would stick around. You bring me good luck!" Both trout were taken in less than 5 minutes.—Waterways Patrol­man STANLEY G. HASTINGS (Cameron County)

OILY RABBITS • An alert small game hunter and Pennsylvania Game Commission Land Manager's wife teamed up last small game season to help me catch a careless oil lease operator. Mrs. Sarah Lavery contacted me late one November day with this story: A hunter had called for her husband, Jack, to tell him that he had discovered oil on the stomach fur of two rabbits, and then remembered that a strange odor had followed him most of the day.

Thanks to the information passed on by the hunter to Mrs. Lavery where the location was, and on that same night accompanied by District Game Protector Al Pedder we were able to locate an oil leak that was seeping through the ground into a small stream.

After paying a penalty for the violation, and cleaning up the stream bank, the operator promised to take more care in the maintenance of his lines.—Waterways Patrolman JOSEPH KOPENA (Forest & Clarion Counties)

"SMEDLEY PLANS TO MODERNIZE NEXT YEAR."

25

continued from page 5

FISHING OUTLOOK have been found in the river down below Easton, this area marks the beginning of the choice spawning grounds in the river. Pike County's top picks are at the Bushkill access area, Bob's Beach in Milford, the Matamoras Access Area and at my favorite, the Lackawaxen Pool. This huge pool is known the whole world over because of Zane Grey's many stories about it. This pool always harbors a goodly number of Shad during the season as this is a favored spawning grounds. The home of the famous author over­looks the pool and is in a perfect setting. Lodging, fine meals, access ramp and boats for hire can be found here. Address is: Zane Grey Inn, Lackawaxen, Pa. 18435 (phone 717-686-2922).

The Shad dart is unquestionably the top fish getter in this stretch. Here, however we start to see a smattering of another type of fishing for Shad—using the fly rod with both wet and dry flies. Most authorities generally agree that Shad do not feed on their migratory spawning trip. After the females have deposited their roe and the males their milt, they will start to feed again, preparing for the long journey back to the sea. This is the time to take them on a fly rod.

The final 60 miles of the Delaware River in Wayne County includes part of the West Branch above Hancock. The East Branch flows in from New York just below Han­cock at milepoint 330. Truthfully, I would just as soon forget about this stretch and for just one reason—the Cannonsville Reservoir, about 20 miles upstream on the West Branch in New York discharges water in huge amounts all through the spring and summer months of the year. Since this is a bottom draw off, the water tempera­tures at discharge run in their high thirties and low forties. Shad coming up from the sea for several hundred miles in water temperatures in the low and mid fifties suddenly begin to feel the influence of this cold water and either run up into the East Branch into New York or stay below where water temperatures have been equalized. When you get an accredited reading of 46 degrees in mid-August just below Hancock you can realize how adversely this affects all fish populations. Trout, smallmouth bass, wall­eye and all the forage fishes plus the aquatic insects don't relish these conditions and are reluctant to inhabit such barren water.

Starting at the lower end, favorite spots are at Narrows-burg, Skinners Falls, Damascus and at Calicoon. Equinunk is spotty and from there up it's a hit and miss proposition. Shad darts and both wet and dry flies will take fish in those areas where water temperatures stay above the fifty mark. Check with the river gauging station at Milford for water temperatures and levels before fishing in the upper end of the county. Well, that's where they can be located, but how do you go about catching them? During their migra­tory trip, shad seem to move consistently just on the edge of the heavy current. They rest behind big boulders, rocks or obstructions after coming through each riff. At the foot of each new riff they come to, they also pause and rest just at the edge of the current. These are the types of water

26

to concentrate on in the lower river. The first few ho^ in the morning and the last hour before dark are ah*fl the best. Fishing for shad after dark has always proved* dud. Crystal clear water is not the best but on the o$' hand if the water is too muddied and dirty the shad <^>. see the dart and you're wasting your time. Best conditi0" seem to be just slightly cloudy. Try casting your lure acf0*; and slightly upstream into the heavy current. Let it $ just slightly and start retrieving in short slow twitcb^i When the lure straightens out and leaves the heavy ^ is when most strikes are realized.

When fishing with spinning outfits, both the ultra-W1.: and the standards don't use too light of a line. Four p o ^ ' test works best with the ultra-light and six pound test | the standard. The setting of the drag on your reel is pr° 9 ably the most critical part of shad fishing. Too light 0» 9 drag allows the shad to run for a long time in the heaV,| current and eventually they shake off. Too tight of a # gets you a snapped line as quick as you can blink your flfi

Allentown fireman Joe Samusevich who last year ha<H total of 87 shad netted by himself or by anglers in his b0!.: has devised a unique method for taking shad that | worth repeating. Joe fishes the Lackawaxen pool alH1"^ exclusively and last year took shad up until the last W«v in June. There were still shad in the pool after that. F, uses a one ounce dart on a size 4 hook. It is painted *m 1 a red head and a white body and with a yellow calf's Ms Total length overall is between IK and 2 inches. His fish1"; is usually done just upstream from the mouth of the L a « | waxen River and water depth ranges from 6 to 8 feet. * j | boat is anchored from the bow at a position 10 or 12 & ! above a large rock or boulder at the edge of the curref The lure is then let out so that it is just about at 9 boulder. The rod is then set down on the seat extend^ over the transom so that the line and the dart which sh<><| be about 2 or 3 feet deep will pull directly against «j reel on a strike. If the pull is against the rod a quick Mjj tap and the fish are gone whereas a pull against the {C

results in a run with the dart and picking the rod automatically sets the hook. ,,

Carrol Claiter, also of Allentown, fishes the fly rod » shad with both wet and dry flies. His favorites in wet jjj patterns are generally in the bright colors resembling y . Dart colors. Also in fluorescent reds and oranges with sil j | tinsel bodies and white tails. His choice is either 4 oi

long shanked hooks. Fishing is done with a sinking and about an 8 foot leader tapered down to 4 or 5X tipP i He casts directly across the current and allows a n a t u . , drift with no hand movement. The fly should ride at 3 more feet deep and be allowed to drift until it is straw below. Again most strikes occur when the fly straight | out leaving the heavy flow. Carrol has caught both bt l

and roe shad on the wet fly. t

Dry fly fisherman Ted Jadnich of Waldren, New *% took more than 20 shad last year strictly on dry flies. | fishes primarily the East Branch and all his catches t\ buck shad. He can't remember ever catching a roe Sm on a dry fly. His favorite pattern is similar to the R^jl] Coachman White hair wings and white tail are ado

d continued on next P

li',;

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G l "

Pennsylvania Wil l Host Boating Law Administrators t,

THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH COMMISSION will host ^ annual conference of the North East State Boating Law d«iinistrators (NESBAC) for the first time in Harrisburg ^ month. Eleven states and the District of Columbia '« be represented at the meetings, scheduled to start

' a v 19. States included are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, "^arvland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, ' eNV York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Also

ending will be associate members representing industrial ^ Private organizations with ties in the boating field. NESBAC is one of six regional Conferences which to-

jfether make up the National Association of State Boating avv Administrators (NASBLA). Purpose of the confer-n c e is to promote boating safety and provide a means for n interchange of information and experience among of-°laIs in the various states to encourage cooperation and ^iformity of boating rules and regulations. Currently °bert H. Johnson, Boating Administrator in Maine, is

^resident; Charles G. Bolwell of Rhode Island is vice-President.

Rear Admiral J. J. McClelland, chief of the office of

boating safety, of the Coast Guard, will head the list of several high ranking officers expected to attend. Repre­sentatives are also expected from the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squad­ron, American Red Cross, American Water Skiers Associa­tion, National Boating Foundation, National Association of Engine and Boating Manufactures, Boating Industry of America, and others.

Mr. James R. McQueen, President of NAEBM and also of Trojan Boat Company and Colonel Wayne S. Nichols, District Engineer of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh will be luncheon speaker while main banquet speaker will be Rear Admiral Louis M. Thayer, USCG (Ret.) who is presently a member of the National Safety Transportation Board.

Subjects scheduled for panel discussions include one on Equipment Standards, one on Operations and Law En­forcement, one on Boating Education, and one covering miscellaneous matters such as investigations, statistical re­ports, capacity plates and problems of registration.

^irst Stocking RUN, once so badly polluted it could support

j , . * if any aquatic life, was added to the Pennsylvania s ? Commission's stocking list this year for the first time ">hi istory.

Rob 'ert J. Bielo, Commission Executive Director, an-^ n c e d in March that a 2.5 mile stretch of Pike Run near

a'ifornia, Pennsylvania, had been approved for an ex-p 'mental stocking of 600 trout—300 rainbows and 300 sr°Wn trout—prior to opening day of the 1970 trout sea-

n' "Recent studies by Commission biologists and water

quality technicians have shown that Pike Run now appears to be capable of supporting trout," Bielo said. "The fact that this stream will be stocked for the first time this Spring shows Pennsylvania's pollution abatement programs are paying off. Pike Run is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when enough public support is given in our fight for clean waters."

The new trout stream in Washington County brings to seven the number of approved trout waters in the county.

Ok

l iued from previous page

ASHING OUTLOOK

"$hes this in size 14. Best results for him have been in J5te evening hours from mid-June to early July. Don't e too quickly in fishing the dry fly—the fish will

2 Ua'ly hook himself on the turn down after he has taken !f^

s the shad is an extremely swift and strong fish and a rg

e(i jumper a minimum of 100 yards of backing line is •^fed on your fly reel.

£ ne world's record for the American Shad is 13 pounds Pennsylvania's record is 28/2 inches that went 7

nds 4 ounces. Most buck shad will run in the 3 to 4 ^und class and the roe shad will go 4 to 6 pounds.

Now . . . if water levels during the spring of the year maintain sufficient levels to insure safe passage through the mess at tidewater we're in for a banner year. Just a few other tips. Shad are extremely light shy. Early morning and late evening are always best and shad can then be taken the closer to the surface. On cloudy overcast days this also holds true. On bright sunny days fish deep, near the bottom and especially around boulders and obstructions where shad rest. When fishing darts don't use a swivel but tie your lure directly to the leader. Lastly, if you're plan­ning a shad trip this year in May, contact the Waterways Patrolman in the district your interested in and get his up-to-date report on what's taking place. My observations are based on past happenings and might vary. Good Shad Fishing!

UY__ 1 9 7 0 27

WATERWAYS SHRUBS by CARSTEN AHRENS Illustrations/ Karin Ahrens DeStefano

M A N HAS G I V E N to shrubs a status considerably less

than tha t enjoyed by trees, for their wood has l i tde value as

bui lding materials. T h e y are, however , of great wor th in

conservation for their t endency to b e g round-hugging slows

erosion and gives cover to wild life. Their seeds and fruits

are especially welcome to birds and mammals , including

man . Thei r new wood, especially in late fall, winter , a n d

early spring, takes on pastel shades that give a feeling of

aliveness tha t is apprec ia ted on gloomy days.

A shrub differs from a t ree because it has several t r u i ^ instead of one and seldom rises in solitary spendor ag a l

t he sky. Occasionally the envi ronment decides whether plant will be a t ree or a shrub. I recall the shrubby saSS

fras that grew in thick c lumps along m y grandfather 's l 8 0

yet one tha t I t ransplanted to my yard a score or two Ye®

ago is now a t ree almost 60 feet tall.

Pennsylvania has a wide variety of these useful p and many of them grow where the angler meets them how many of these shrubs you can recognize:

Ian* Se«

A. The COMMON ALDER is characterized by its catkins and the tiny pine-like cones. They are apt to form dense thickets in damp habitats. Beavers are fond of them.

B. The AMERICAN HAZELNUT of FILBERT is distin­guished by clusters of brown nuts wrapped in leafy husks. In Oregon, orchards of filberts are grown; only one stalk is allowed from the roots . . . by vigorous trimming the shrub is forced to become a small tree.

C. The BURNING BUSH, STAFF-TREE, or WAHOO has growing from the axils of the leaves pinkish fruits which open in the fall to expose bright red seeds that are reminiscent of bittersweet.

. D. The BUTTONBUSH has shiny green leaves and spher­ical flower balls crowded with minute snowy flowers that attract hosts of nectar-loving insects. I was once perplexed to find carniverous damselflies hovering about the blossoms until I noticed that they were eating the insects and not sipping nectar.

— E. RED-STEMMED DOGWOOD is less conspicuous than its showy relatives, but it is abundant in our state and with its red twigs, white flowers, and white berries is far from unattractive.

F. The COMMON ELDERBERRY may grow to surprising heights in a single season. It bears compound leaves, white cymes of flowers that become heavy clusters of purple-black fruit in the fall . . . fruit from which de­licious pie and jelly can be made.

G. The HARDHACK or STEEPLE BUSH is a widespread spiraea that holds aloft its rosy panicles or "steeples." Its long flowering season has caused it to become a favorite in many gardens.

H. The WILD AZALEA is one of our showiest shrubs with slightly fragrant flowers bearing extremely extended stamens and pistils. Unlike the laurels and rhododen­drons, it is not evergreen.

I. The WILD HYDRANGIA grows over much of the East and well through the mid-West. The flowers are in flat-topped, creamy-white clusters. The shrub closely re­sembles the garden variety.

J. The JUNE BERRY, SHAD BUSH, SERVICE BERRY, or SARVIS is a delight in blossom or in fruit. If you can beat the birds, a pie made from its berries is one you'll long remember.

— . K. LABRADOR TEA is a low, evergreen shrub with

woolly stems and dense clusters of white flowers. 1° emergencies, the early pioneers were said to use J t s

leaves as a substitute for tea leaves. L. The STRIPED MAPLE is a shrub or low tree char­

acterized by green bark that is streaked with white-The leaves, rounded at the base, terminate in three lobes.

- M. Our State flower, the MOUNTAIN LAUREL or CAL­ICO BUSH, is an evergreen shrub with clusters of deep pink or white flowers. The unique arrangement of f»e

pistils and stamens makes certain that cross-pollination occurs.

N. NEW JERSEY TEA is an upright shrub with large-bright-red roots and clusters of white flowers. Its leaves were used to make a beverage during the Revolutionary War when it was deemed unpatriotic to drink "Eng" lish" tea.

- O. The PURPLE-FLOWERED RASPBERRY differs from other wild berries in that it has large, rosy flowers, maple-like leaves, no prickles, many glandular hairs, and a blooming season that continues during much o t

the summer. But its fruit wouldn't make much of 8

shortcake! P. The PASTURE ROSE is a low shrub with but five pin*

petals on the solitary flowers that may unfold almost anytime during summer or fall. It has needle-l'*e

prickles and dull-green, compound leaves. *. - Q. The ROSEBAY RHODODENDRON or GREAT

LAUREL is another evergreen shrub with large masses of colorful flowers and thick, big, oval leaves. Often

they form thickets that are almost impenetrable. R. The SASSAFRAS with its one, two, or no-lobed leaves

and its spicy aroma is an easy plant to recognize. T«* brewed from its roots and bark was considered a cure-all by the early Americans. ,

- S. The SMOOTH SUMAC is a shrub whose compound leaves flame in the fall and from whose bunches of red berries a refreshing drink can be made. In our state grow several relatives of this sumac . . . stay clear oi

those with white berries! T. WITCH HAZEL is an unusual shrub because of l t s

spidery, yellow flowers that come into bloom after frost, usually in October or November. It also has * trigger mechanism that "shoots" its seeds out into space, away from the parent plant.

ANSWERS BELOW

A. B.

1 12_

C. D.

11 19

E. F.

14 20

G. H.

6 17

I.

J-4

_7 K. L.

15 _2

M. N.

18 16_

O. P.

8 _9

Q. R.

13 _3_

S. T.

10

J5

2 8 P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L E * 1

FLY TYING

by Chauncy K. Lively

EMERGING NYMPHS FISH the Emerging Nymph upstream as you would a dry

THE EMERGENCE OF MAYFLIES from nymphs to winged adults may occur in three different ways. Nymphs of the genus Epeorus commonly emerge underwater and the freshly transformed duns either crawl out of the water or float to the surface. Siphlonurus and Isonychia nymphs generally emerge like stoneflies or dragonflies, crawling partially or wholly out of the water on a protruding rock, log or plant, where metamorphosis occurs in the air. But the method of emergence used by most mayflies takes place at the surface of the water, favoring both the nymph fisherman and the dry fly enthusiast.

In the latter method the nymph swims to the surface and attempts to penetrate the surface film with its thorax, which is endowed with a waxy, water-repellent property. Several attempts may be made before the nymph is suc­cessful in breaking through, but once the act is accom­plished the nymph floats quietly in the surface film, gripped firmly by surface tension, while the transformation takes place. Thus, while the nymph hangs suspended with the top of its thorax above the surface, the air-exposed dorsal portion splits open and the winged dun is able to evacuate its larval skin. This kind of surface emergence is doubly pleasing to the trout for he can choose between dining on the nymphs hanging from the surface or on the freshly emerged duns floating topside. It creates a recogni­tion problem for the angler, though, for trout often feed selectively to one or the other and the rise forms of each are similar.

Much attention and energy have been devoted to the development of the dry fly to represent the mayfly dun but I have heard of few attempts to cope specifically with the emerging nymph as it is entrapped in the surface film. Nymphs of conventional design, tied on light wire hooks and greased to float, will sometimes enjoy a limited degree of success. So will conventional patterns fished with a greased leader. But neither take into consideration the dis­tinctive appearance of the hatching nymph as it drifts toward the waiting trout. Not only does the abdomen hang suspended at an angle below the surface but a reflection of the submerged portion appears just above it on the mirror-

30

like underside of the surface film. The abdomen and i reflected image meet where the thorax breaks through Jf surface film and creates an underwater illusion of a tipped over on its side. The effect may be seen by p0^ ^ the point of a pencil through the surface of water i° glass tumbler and observing the underside of the surf3 I film at an angle. The double image made by the suspend nymph is visible to the trout long before it enters his c°n

of vision and any artificial representing it should prod11

the same effect. , M I

My own approach to the problem is perhaps some^1' radical but it has worked extremely well on several °c . sions when trout were quietiy sipping the inert, drift"1] nymphs and letting the hatching duns go by. And a frie" of mine, an experienced angler of considerable tale 1 hooked and lost the biggest brown he had ever seen ^ fishing the pattern during Penn's Creek's famous Gree

Drake hatch. The essence of the Emerging Nymph pattern is j

buoyant thorax, made of spun caribou body hair a

clipped to shape. The abdomen is fashioned from a gr°Ui, breast feather with the barbules reversed and coated ^ ! vinyl cement to retain the desired shape and add durabil11 When the abdomen is wetted (it should be swished arc"-"1

in the water several times before using) the pattern ha1* in the surface film in lifelike fashion. , j

Natural deer body hair may be substituted for material if caribou isn't available. In addition, a range j shades from light to dark, may be had through the us*3

webby chicken hackle for the abdomen in lieu of gr°u 0

Sizes should range from #12 for the large Ephemera #18 and #20 for the smaller mayfly nymphs. , v

The Emerging Nymph is a special purpose fly <

won't take the place of nymphs intended for deep » . ing; it wasn't meant for that kind of use. The time to " the pattern is when flies are hatching and the trout Se

to be rising but are not interested in dries. Cast it upstre

to individual fish, just as you would a dry fly, and surface rise can be seen plainly enough to satisfy purest purist.

P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N C t h**

Tying The ^merging Nymph: r Clamp a size #14 hook of regular length

and weight in the vise. Tie in size A yellow Nymo thread at bend and half-hitch. Waste end of thread should be left long (eight to ten inches) and ex­tended to left, out of the way. Don't cut

, off waste end of thread. "• For the nymph's abdomen select a

mottled brown grouse breast feather and remove the fuzzy lower portion. Hold the tip of the feather in the right hand and with the left hand stroke the fibres below the tip in the opposite di­rection. Grasp the feather as shown and cpat the reversed fibres and the best side with vinyl cement. Leave the top fibres free of cement.

* Clamp feather in hackle pliers until cement sets. With bodkin point, sepa­rate the first two lateral fibres of the tip and cut the remaining tip fibres away from the center stem. Don't cut center stem. Remaining two fibres and end of

. center stem are nymph's tails. • For wing case cut a section of mottled

turkey quill the same width as abdo-- Jnen. Coat best side with vinyl cement. • Remove lower fibres of abdomen with

a square cut, leaving center stem intact. Length of abdomen should be about equal to length of shank. Cut wing case as shown, leaving a narrow tab on base end.

• Spread a thin line of cement along the square edge of both the abdomen and ^ 'ng case. Hold both back to back, tnatch the square edge of each and Press together. Tab of wing case should

7 \v- ° n c e n t e r stem of abdomen. • With fore end of thread, spin three

srnall bunches of caribou body hair ^natural color) on hook, bass bug style. Half-hitch thread in front of hair at eye

8 t>f.h o o k-Being careful to avoid cutting thread, trim hair to shape representing

9 S ^ P h ' s thorax. With rear thread, tie in abdomen/ W l n g case with two turns around center stem and tab, just behind thorax. Half-

10 h -

j*ull wing case forward over thorax and htnd to hook with center stem at head. trim away excess and tie in a few grouse fibres as throat hackle. Whip nrush front thread at eye and finish rear thread around bend of hook under base

. abdomen. Apply lacquer to exposed H n j ^ * r o n t a n < * r e a r -

Hn°erwater view of Emerging Nymph. Underside of surface film picks up re­jected image.

M A Y _ 1 9 7 O

C A S T I N G W,TTHHE COOPS

A MONTHLY FEATURE ABOUT CO-OP NURSERY PROJECTS

A REVIEW-DEVIATING A BIT from the pattern of reporting on

the cooperative nurseries of a given county, it is time once

again for a growth report of the total program. A similar

article was published about a year ago showing a spiraling

effect upward. This year the spiral continues in the same

direction. Let's examine a few facts for proof.

Bob Brown, Cooperative Nursery Coordinator, supplied the facts and indicated the trend to the cooperative sports­men at the various regional meetings held in February and March of this year.

New nurseries were up 15 from the 1968-69 fiscal year of 81 such installations. Sponsoring clubs jumped to 72 from 63 for the current 1969-70 fiscal year and a new county was added.

More important to the average fisherman would be the number of fish raised. Several amazing facts here. In the 1967-68 year, the Fish Commission furnished clubs with 577,500 fingerlings that produced 399,478 stocked fish, an exceptional survival rate. The fish were estimated to weigh 146,213 pounds. The following year things were even better. There were 588,000 fingerlings provided with 414,726 fish stocked. The weight, estimated by the growth reports submitted by the various clubs, was 179,493 pounds, or about 90 tons of trout for public fishing.

Take a second look at that last paragraph if you will. Comparing the figures, the logical conclusion to reach would be that the cooperative nursery people are learning their trade well. Their survival rate per fish received is im­proving and the growth in pounds of their fish is increasing. This is nothing but good. The pace is expected to maintain itself through 1969-70.

Where does it stop? No one really knows yet for the simple reason that currently there are 52 new sites under observation. This last figure involves about 28 new organi­zations plus additions to clubs currently in the program. Seven new counties will be added if and when the sites are approved, bringing the total to 44, or about two-thirds of the state.

What about your club—interested in joining the move­ment? There's still room for expansion. Here's what you have to do. Initially contact your local Waterways Patrol­man or Bob Brown, assuming you have a site in mind.

Inspection of the site will be made and a preliminary report will be made to you discussing site, water and other factors. Then a waiting period of a year follows, during which time the water is tested at varying seasons for quality and quantity.

Water quality is perhaps the most important issue. Mini-

By BILL PORTER

{*$

PFC REGION THREE Supervisor Clair Fleeger, Trout Product^ Chief Ken Coral, Cooperative Nursery Coordinator Bob Bro iJ and Assistant Paul Byers conducted a training session for c ' members from the northeastern part of the state during the w'nLj Similar sessions were held in each of the Commission's three OW regions within the state.

mum standards for cooperative nurseries are: pH vaW to be within the range of 6.0 to 8.5 with minimum °* solved oxygen set at 6 parts per million. The quanti j factor, which controls the number of fish to be raised, set at 40 gallons per minute minimum. Temperature ft® not exceed 65 °F at the source.

After the waiting period is over and construction is cow pleted, fish will be assigned only to organized sportsrne The kind and number will be established by the Coordin3

tor although club desires will be met where appropn3

and practical.

Periodical inspection of a working nursery is made P/

the Coordinator, his assistant and other Fish Commiss10, personnel. In effect this guarantees professional aid af advice to the cooperating clubs if they need it by t n e . requests, or serious problems may be averted through laC

of experience by the regular visits of the professionals.

Once a club receives fish, its responsibility is not just their care. Records are kept; reports mailed; improvemel1

and repairs made; and legal stocking is done. Fish must v

stocked in waters open to the public although the streak and/or ponds do not have to be on the Fish Commission list of trout waters. The club and the local warden P13' make this decision. And that is about it.

Oh, there's one more thing to say. We've been saying for over two years and we believe that you'll agree f1. Casting with the Co-ops pays off for the Pennsylva11' anglers.

32 P E N N S Y L V A N I A A N G L E

By Capt. JACK ROSS, Pittsburgh Marine Consultant

PROM D. B. B., STATE COLLEGE: The portable gas tank for my outboard is located in an

°closed compartment at the stern of my 14-foot boat. Must Ventilate this space?"

""-Yes, current state and federal regulations require that P compartment containing a gasoline engine or fuel tank

. Ust be ventilated. The minimum arrangement is one two-ch diameter duct for intake, extending at least midway

. wn into the space. A similar exhaust duct lower than the take near the bottom (not so low it could be blocked by cessive water) leading from the compartment, and suit-, e cowls to direct the flow of air complete the system.

lr>ce fires a n ( j explosions are a leading cause of boating Cc»dents, and many of these casualties result from im-

p'°Per ventilation, the small investment is well worth the a d ded safety.

*^OM V. D. C, ANNANDALE, VA. My 17-foot canoe with five-horse outboard does not have

0 he licensed in Virginia. Can I use it in Pennsylvania ^er the reciprocity agreement?"

--Sorry, the 90-day reciprocal use agreement applies n v to numbered motorboats. To use your craft in Pennsyl-a n ' a j you will have to have a valid registration and bow Utribers. We suggest registering it in Virginia, your home ate> which can be done voluntarily even though it is not

j^quired although it is the intent of the law that all boats e registered in the state of principle use.

PROM T. M. C , PITTSBURGH: ^ y boat has zinc cathodes on the propeller shaft and

rudder; and from the wastage of these I can see that they ? e d°ing a good job of protecting the boat from electrolysis , a r i l age. However, I wonder whether the engine should not

e some protection also?"

-The engine in your boat is protected, as are most a r 'ne inboards. There is a large brass hex plug at the for-a rd end of the thermostat housing, and this has a zinc

?*» attached which projects into the flow of cooling water. '*e the exterior zincs, this should be checked annually and P'aced when necessary.

**OM G. W. F., SUNBURY: We recently pin-chased a floating cottage on a private

e- which consists of a small frame building on a wooden , atform, with oil drums underneath. Several of the drums ^ V e sunk, and a number of the others appear to be leaking. o ° w can we replace the drums without pulling the whole

^ g out of the water? There is only a few inches of space

between the water and the underside of the platform, and it is just about impossible to force a drum underneath."

—Remove the small bung from a drum and loosen the large one, allowing it to take in water until it is barely awash, then tighten the large bung securely. With the small bung down, so that none of the remaining air can escape, place the drum in the desired position. Then pump air in through the small bung, still at the bottom of the drum, forcing out the water. When the air bubbles out the bung, replace the plug. A small portable compressor is nice, but the job can be done easily with a bicycle pump and a long piece of rubber hose.

FROM R. J. E., ERIE: "Why are so many manufacturers of boats changing from

wood to fiberglass?"

—Labor costs have forced the switch, particularly in the case of mass-produced "stock" boats. Wood boats are less expensive for materials, but require skilled craftsmen to put the pieces together. Even though fiberglass materials are far more costly, the process of hull manufacture is such that only semi-skilled labor is needed. Labor costs have been rising much faster than materials, hence the change.

"JUST THOUGHT I'D DROP IN TO SEE WHAT YOU WERE DOING WITH ALL THOSE NAILS."

BE A WINNER!

CATCH ONE of Pennsylvania's trophy fish in 1970 and become a Pennsylvania Angler Citat ion winner (two classes—Junior and Senior) or join the elite Husky Musky Club. It's easy! All you have to do is catch a fish of the size listed below according to the described rules and file an appli­cation and you can be wearing one of these highly regarded patches showing you among the angling elite of the Keystone State.

Note: Patti, our married model displaying the patches, cannot be considered one of the prizes.

RULES: Fish must be caught in Pennsylvania public waters by legal methods during seasons open for the taking of the species involved/Fish must be measured, weighed and recorded by fishing license issuing agent or tackle store within the state by the owner, manager, or an authorized agent of the respective establishment/Application must be received within 90 days from the date of the catch/Applicants for Junior Citations must be under 16 years of age (Photographs are desirable as further proof of catch but are not required and non-residents as well as residents are eligible)

MINIMUM CITATION SIZES Senior

Species of Minimum length Fish in inches

American Shad 25 in. Bluegill 11 in. Brook Trout 17 in. Brown Trout 28 in. Bullhead 15 in. Carp 36 in. Chain Pickerel 25 in.

Species of Minimum Length Fish in inches

Channel Catfish 30 in. Crappies (includes black

and white) 15 in. Eel 40 in. Fallfish 18 in. Lake Trout 30 in. Largemouth Bass . . . . 23 in.

Species of Minimum Length Fish in Inches

Muskellunge 45 in. Northern Pike 36 in. Rainbow Trout 27 in. Rock Bass 11 in. Smallmouth Bass . . . . 20 in. Walleye 30 in. Yellow Perch 14 in.

How To Measure:

Junior American Shad 20 in. Bluegill 10 in. Brook Trout 14 in. Brown Trout 18 in. Bullhead, Catfish 14 in. Carp 25 in. Chain Pickerel 23 in.

Muskellunge 30 in. Northern Pike 25 in. Rainbow Trout 18 in. Rock Bass 10 in. Sheepshead 20 in. Smallmouth Bass . . . . 18 in. Walleye 22 in. Yellow Perch 12 in.

Channel Catfish 20 in. Crappies (includes black

and white) 14 in. Eel 30 in. Fallfish 14 in. Lake Trout 24 in. Largemouth Bass . . . . 18 in.

Husky Musky Honorary Membership 30 to 40 inches Regular Membership 40 inches or over

For Contact your district Waterways Patrolman or write: Application: Citations, Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Box 1673,

Harrisburs, Pa. 17120