Team is third
Many anglers call them dogfish or
mudfish, andsome refer to the spe-
cies as “living fossil.”” The bowfin is
a primitive fish and the only living
species of what had been a large
family of fishes (Amiidae) which
once lived in North America.
According to the Pennsylvania
Fish Commissionk, bowfins inhabit
Lake Erie and have also been taken
from the Allegheny, Susquehanna
and Delaware Rivers. In fact, on
July 23, 1985, a new state record
bowfin was taken from Presque Isle
Bay (Lake Erie) by Gregory M.
Luciano, of Erie. The new record
bowfin weighed 9 1b. 9% oz. and was
taken from Presque Isel Bay in
1983.
Although the bowfin is most often
caught while the angler is concen-
trating on fishing for some other
species, it’s fighting ability ranks up
there right along with bass and
pike. They are particularly fond of
live bait, butwill take artificials as
well. The new state record was
taken on a shiner.
The bowfin does not rank high,
however, on the gourmet’s list of
palatible finny creatures and is
seldom used for food.
This little-known inhabitant of
Keystone State waters has been
around for a long time, lurking in
heavily vegetated lakes and slug-
gish rivers. He ‘can easily tolerate
warm water tempertures. The
bowfin has an air bladder which can
function similar to lungs, and is
able to surface and push its head
clear of the water to take gulps of
fresh air.
Olive-green on its back, the
bowfin becomes lighter on the sides
to yellow on the belly. it is some-
what mottled. Bony plates cover the
head, while strong scales dominate
the body, both characteristics of so-
called “primitive” fish.
The bowfin is a true ‘‘survivor”.
It is the sole remaining representa-
tive of an ancient family now
almost extinct and known only as
fossils .in the rocks of Europe and
the United States.
-0-
Where are those lunker large-
mouths lurking in early fall? Go for
the green-vegetation that is, of
Pennsylvania’s natural lakes and
ponds. As water warm in late
summer and early autumn, large-
mouth bass seek deeper, cooler
haunts that contain more dissolved
oxygen. Green vegetation adds
oxygen to the water, decaying vege-
tation depletes the oxygen supply,
so do as the bass do-go for the
green.
According to Mike Bickler, Direc-
tor of the Pennsylvania Fish Com-
mission’s Office of Information,
cover is another key to finding the
largemouth. Because the pupil of
this fish’s eye does not contract,
they seek dark, shaded hangouts
such as weeds, moss, lily pads, deep
OLD P
ie one ame fre ole lie)
holes, etc. where they can conceal
themselves.
Bickler suggested using 10-pound
test line with bait casting outfits
and either six or eight pound test
with spinning outfit. Largemouth
are surprisingly wary and lighter
line is less visible to the fish.
Fly rod fishermen can have great
sport during this period using bass
bugs in shallow water near shore
during evening hours. But no matter
where or how you fish, use a quiet
approach in shallow water, as the
slightest nois will frighten them.
Although not as scrappy a fighter
as its cousin, the small mouth, the
largemouth’s popularity is growing
at an ever increasing rate.
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AS LOW
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PHONE 822-1188
654-9707
ROUTE 315
WILKES-BARRE
(Across from The Woodland) )
Turn off the TV set, grab your
fishing gear and head for the near-
est river - the smallmouth bass
action is really beginning to pick up
throughout Pennsylvania.
Field personnel of the Pennsyl-
vania Fish Commission report the
cool, crisp autumn days are making
the ‘‘gamest fish that swims’
attack a large variety of lures,
plugs and live bait.
They are actively feeding to
fatten up for the winter months
ahead, and any of the natural foods
of the smallmouth such as crayfish,
hellgrammites, nightcrawlers and
minnows are producing nice
catches.
Jigs, black roostertails, white pop-
pers and a large variety of smaller
bass plugs, spinners, and spoons
seem to attract ‘Ol’ Bronzeback’
during the fall months.
Although action is really picking
up in the major rivers an their
tributaries, don’t forget the lakes -
Lake Erie is still the top producer of
citation-sized bass in the Keystone
State.
During the afternoon, smallmouth
can usually be found lurking in the
deeper pools. During the cooler
periods of the day - early morning
and late evening - they work out of
the pools into the riffles in search of
food.
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Although a boat is helpful on some
of the larger waters, many fisher-
men prefer to use waders or hip
boots to wade the shallows. The
Commission urges fishermen to use
caution when wading as slippery
walking surfaces and visual distor-
tions of underwater surfaces can be
hazardous.
Fly fishing for bass can be just as
much, if not more, fun than fly
fishing for trout and the smallmouth
will readily strike large bass bugs
and poppers, especially when fished
late in the evening.
If you’ve never tried fishing for
smallmouth on one of Pennsyl-
vania’s major rivers in the fall give
it a try. If you've never tried fishing
- ask a friend or relative to take you
fishing for smallmouth bass on one
of Pennsylvania’s major rivers is an
excellent introduction to what may
be the only true lifetime family
sport - fishing!
ANDY ROAN
Established 1887
For