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Littering... Large amounts of litter are along the streams already. It is embarrassing to the sport and the anglers that enjoy it. Discussion boards have suggested scattering barrels along the streams. This has been attempted in past years only to have them overflowing with a circle of trash around them 15' in diameter in a matter of one weekend. On one occasion, 40 mph winds took care of the problem sending it to who knows where. Officers not only have to "see" the item deposited on the ground but they have to wait until the person leaves it there (possibly 8 hours later) making enforcement rather difficult. The only answer is self-policing and clean up. Many anglers do this and are observed carrying a net full of litter to the dumpster but they are in a very small minority. Let's make a concentrated effort to show a good reflection of our sport. .... jwb Fishing Report ... Steelhead are up to Route 5 on Walnut & Elk. Fishing the shoreline at Trout & Godfrey is either great or terrible depending on the day. Avonia Marina is open now to anglers. All of the tribs need cooler weather & heavy rains to kick things into gear. Concentrations of fish remain at the lower ends of Walnut & Elk with many 10# & larger fish being caught. ... jwb Yellow Perch continue to be caught in limits but water depth seems to be the key. A move of 100 yards can mean the difference of no bites & one fish on every drop. They are still in 58 - 68' straight out from Walnut. ... jwb Stream etiquette is important for everyone's enjoyment of the sport, and will help to preserve your privilege and opportunity to fish. Please consider the following suggestions: Most of our streams run through private property. Contrary to popular belief, in Pennsylvania you can own the stream bed, and a landowner can prevent others from walking anywhere on, around or in the creek. If you are fishing on private property, ask permission to fish if you can identify the landowner. Fishing in posted areas without permission is considered trespassing. When arriving at the streams, remember many areas run through residential neighborhoods. Remain quiet, especially at dawn and dusk. Be courteous about keeping radios turned down and dimming headlights when not needed and do not use your vehicles horn unless necessary. Walk in or along stream beds as much as possible; avoid private lawns as much as possible especially if posted. Keep flashlights pointed at the ground. Never "relieve yourself" within sight of any person or home. Nothing will make the landowner mad faster and jeopardize fishing privileges. Facilities are provided at the Walnut Creek Access and should be utilized. Be courteous to those already on the streams. Walk behind other anglers and out of the water if possible. If you must stay in the water, walk with a minimum surface disturbance. Do not walk through the area where others are fishing. If the area is deep, you should probably be fishing it, not walking through it. When conditions are crowded be aware of your fellow anglers. Watch where you cast to avoid tangles and injury. Just because you were "there first" does not mean you can continue to fish as large an area as you please regardless of how many other anglers arrive. Fish an area appropriate for the number of people fishing around you. In crowded conditions, play your catch only as much as necessary to avoid overstressing the fish and to allow others around you to fish. If your are inexperienced and aren't catching fish, the best education is from watching those who are successful. Crowded stream conditions seem to form a cooperative camaraderie among anglers that can be enjoyed even when it is "elbow to elbow." Fishing with the "crowd" often times can be a lot of fun and quite educational. Many anglers are more than willing to assist you if you ask. Foul language is unnecessary, especially around younger anglers. Foul language and unruly behavior are not tolerated. Be tolerant of the inexperienced angler, especially the young ones. . . remember we were all beginners once. If in a crowd, alert others when you have a "fish on" to avoid tangled lines with other anglers. Leave with everything you bring. Litter can be a real threat to your fishing privileges and can carry a costly fine. Taking a little extra trash home with you can go a long way with local landowners and can make you feel good about your fishing experience. Do not keep any more fish than you are going to make use of. If you do not think you will eat the fish or do not have good use for it, put it back gently and give someone else the opportunity to enjoy the catch. Do not clean fish in or around the streams. It is discourteous to residents and discarded entrails are considered litter and a violation of the law. If you see violations of our fishing regulations or of state or local laws, never try to take matters into your own hands. You can however alert local PFBC officers or personnel at the Walnut Creek Access office of any misbehavior. Such information is always welcome and is very often helpful in finding those violators that ruin the sport. If you elect to report a violation or a problem, try to provide good descriptions, location, vehicle descriptions and license numbers. The more information..the better. Remember, providing law enforcement with such information is only helping to protect everyone's fishing privileges now and in the future. Being courteous and considerate of the local land owners as well as your fellow anglers will pay big dividends in keeping more areas open to fishing and help to keep fishing the fun and relaxing sport that it should be. ,,,rgl DWCO Randy Leighton .......................................................................................................................... Pymatuning Lake- The WALLEYE are back, with the drop in temperatures Conneaut Lake-Large BLUEGILLS and CRAPPIES are being caught around the lake right now and people are having good results working the edges of the weed beds. Jigs, meal worms and maggots seem to be the bait of choice and what is producing the most fish. Bass are also still biting really well with |
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