pennsylvania angler & boater— the art of tom duran jr. and ......the art of tom duran jr. and...

44 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • November/December 2016 PFBC Facebook: PaFishandBoat

Editors Note: In commemoration of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater magazine’s 85th anniversary, enjoy selected artwork as featured in past issues by Tom Duran Jr. and Ned Smith.

Tom Duran Jr. began his career as an artist and taxidermist for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History before spending 12 years as a staff artist for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission in the late 1970s and 1980s.

In 1939, E. Stanley Smith (Ned Smith) sold a cover painting, a one-page article and an illustration to then Pennsylvania Angler. The cover painting, “Bird Life Along the Stream,” appeared on the cover of the January 1940 Pennsylvania Angler, and the article and illustration appeared in that issue on page 10. The cover painting was Smith’s first commercial sale. In the 1960s, he began “School’s Out,” a monthly column in Pennsylvania Angler.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater—The Art of Tom Duran Jr. and Ned Smith

November 1971—As the days grow shorter and colder, many fish go on feeding rampages. Among the most active are the bass, and fisherman out now should find plenty of action like this piece of artwork prepared by Tom Duran Jr.

November 1977—Serious musky “hunters” look to early winter as the best time of year to pursue this prized gamefish. Every fisherman’s dream is vividly portrayed on our front cover this month by artist Tom Duran Jr.

photo-Spring Gearhart

Tom Duran Jr.

45 PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • November/December 2016

December 1977—December has become “Fireside Month,” traditionally. For the outdoor types, however, it holds a special fascination. If it has not been your practice in the past, make this the year to sample a winter hike along some waterway you visited during warmer months. The “new look” will delight you. Staff artist Tom Duran Jr. has captured the mood of a typical winter day’s ending with this months cover art.

August 1978—Our front cover’s subject this month, the Largemouth Bass, has enjoyed great popularity among Pennsyvlania anglers for many decades. Although best fishing times for the largemouth are early morn or late evening, he’s not above providing fine midday fishing. “The Largemouth” by Tom Duran Jr.


January 1979—Generally, considered the most prized table fish anywhere, the Walleye will be taken in good numbers both by ice fisherman and those who still pursue him in whatever open water might remain in our rivers. Tom Duran Jr., Office of Information staff artist, depicts the Walleye in a typical scene—a never ending quest for a meal.

November 1979—Northeastern Pennsylvania anglers are very familiar with the Chain Pickerel since he abounds in a good many of their area waters. Ever searching for the next meal, a typical pickerel foray into the domain of the Bluegill is nicely depicted on this month’s front cover by Staff Artist Tom Duran Jr.


August 1982—When a bass ambushes a bug and other baits and hardware, he sometimes misses. The bass often strikes again more solidly, and as you hook him, the fish may explode with a jump. Our cover, drawn by Tom Duran Jr., captures this moment.

September 1982—Making a musky mad is often the result of fooling him, and the one on this month’s cover, drawn by Tom Duran Jr., is just about to throw the lure.


Ned Smith

photo-courtesy of the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

December 1958—This illustration by Ned Smith appeared as part of an article by Ray Ovington on page 13 of that issue.

January 1940—“Bird Life Along the Stream” by Ned Smith.January 1940—This article and illustration by Ned Smith appeared on page 10 of that issue.


Ned SmithSeptember 1964

February 1966

Ned Smith’s artwork was featured on many past Pennsylvania Angler covers.


October 1966

January 1967

April 1967—Ned Smith began a monthly column, “School’s Out,” in Pennsylvania Angler in the 1960s.


June 1968

December 1967

pennsylvania angler & boater— the art of tom duran jr. and ......the art of tom duran jr. and...

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