^Tn^Z^Ei*] - Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

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Lakes of North-East Pennsylvania "The Big Drink" Wallenpaupack has been my summer vacation spot for the past twenty-two years. I have fished it in every cove and have had some mighty good fishing. As I look back over these many years I must confess that the big lake still possesses some mighty big fish even though it is fished as heavily as any lake in our grand Commonwealth. Brown trout, bass, pike, pickerel, calico bass, rock bass, sunfish, perch and catfish together with the carp make this wide expanse of water their home. The variety certainly has produced some excellent fishing and the Big Drink is still the mecca for thousands of fishermen. I was present at the big lake when it was first opened to fishing and I cannot forget the fine pickerel which we caught from the shore on spoons, plugs and just the ordinary angle worm. Of course such fishing cannot continue forever and it has slowed up since then. There were no boats on the lake on the opening day except those used by the wardens and the shores of this gigantic lake were lined with anglers from all parts of the state. Lake Wallenpaupack has an estimated circumference of 57 miles. Situated in Wayne County, high atop the grandiose Poconos, glimpses of its limpid blueness can be discerned from the highways. But as soon as you come to its rugged shore line the view of its wide expanse of water is breath taking. It is a man made lake which covers untold acres of farm land, deep valleys and trees; some stumps which still can be seen in water that varies in depth depending upon the pumps which carry the water to the generating plants of the Penn Power and Light Company, located nearby. In the spring this lake is fed by many creeks which disgorge the melted snow into the parent body. At this time the lake becomes extremely high and its waters back into the woodlands surrounding it. In the late summer and fall the opposite is true and the lake reaches a very low level, especially if the rainfall is light. Near the Wilson Dam buoys are strung across a section not far away from the giant ramp. Past these buoys you cannot fish. I have looked into the deep water near the retaining wall of the Wilson Dam and I have seen fish as long as some caught in Canada swimming lazily near the screens lined against the giant pipe-line which extends under the highway, nearby. This section of the lake is extremely deep and produced very good pike until it was closed off for propagation purposes and during the recent war, for security reasons. This lake is a well known summer resort and is catering to vacationists from as far off as Florida. Many thousands of people from New York and Jersey come here year after year. Cottages are springing up all around and lots are expensive even though located at great distances from the lake. From early in June until bass seasons end in November hundreds of campers stay in 24 By Joseph A. Yanchik their tents unmindful of the cold nights as the season, wears away. Of course these campers have their luxuries such as electric lights and running water. Many trailers are also parked in the fields surrounding the lake. At night the strumming of guitars at the public camping places fills the air with harmony while here and there huge bon fires cast their red glow against the trees. Here and there the "put put" of a motor boat is heard as it plows through the still waters. Many lights blink from the boats of fishermen who fish this lake far into the night. Some of the outstanding places to visit at this lake are The White Beauty View and the Tafton House near the Wilson Dam. Then, of course, there is the Public Camping spot at Wilsonville and Seeley's Landing. There are numerous landings where parking and tenting is permitted. There is one unforgettable feature about Lake Wallenpaupack and that is the beauty of its sunsets. Artists looking for inspiration need not go further than the Big Drink. It has fish, facilities for swimming and boating and its scenic wonders are beyond comparison. Truly, this lake's magnificence is unparalleled I have had some surprises on this lake. I never believed the story that a fish would leap into your boat unexpectedly until one night when fly fishing I was floating quietly in a shallow cove filled with weeds and stumps when a huge pickerel leaped into my boat and hit my ankle with a thud. I still have the marks to show from that impact. Now I believe a fisherman when he tells me that a fish jumped into his boat. And I recall the day when I heard a splash near a stump and upon investigation found a large pickerel with a pretty large perch in its jaws stuck under the root of the stump. It was unable to back out of its predicament on account of its dorsal fin and I collected both fish very easily. Or the time when I observed a mother duck and her little brood near a stump teaching her young ideas on how to dive and how the little ones swam atop her back like planes on a flat top. As usual my camera was not with me and I lost another of nature's tin types. I also recall the day when an otter showed me how poor a fisherman I was. This, sleek, black fellow would slide from a short stump into the water and would crawl back with a perch in his mouth which he gobbled up bones and all. That was the only otter I have ever seen at the big lake and he had a fishing technique of his own. These are the pleasantries I have experienced here by the Big Drink is very treacherous during a storm. Take it from me, Mr. Angler, whenever you see cumulus-stratus clouds on the horizon of the lake, pull up your anchor and scram for shore. This lake becomes a raging, whitecapped monster whose waves will upset your boat or pound it to pieces against the rocks on the shore. Last summer this writer's row boat was unceremoniously tossed upon a slanting rock and before I could get it off of its precarious perch I and my equipment was baled out into about five foot of W at ^ I was lucky that I was near the shore. **fL ger lurks in the big waves on the Big P r)J1 j The only complaint that I have ^ t about Wallenpaupack is that there *5 numerous carp in its murky depth. To tf 1 can subscribe as I have seen these B fellows scooping up various food along % shore lines. However, if you should h° one of these babies you better know bo* •0$ to handle a fly-rod and make sure that T line and leader are in good condition. SUJ fresh water carp are good eating maybe will make for good sport in the future. The surrounding mountains frame the l a with a color of fresh green in the surn^ 1 and myriad colors in the fall. You will ^ Lake Wallenpaupack, not only for its re cr , ational facilities such as steamer rides ^v its excellent fishing but also for its *" altitude where health abounds. Give ll try sometime and you will thank the P eI Xe sylvania Fish Commissioner for one of best fishermen's paradises in Pennsylv 311 . The roads surrounding it are in exceU^ condition and you can't go wrong when 1 go to Wallenpaupack. Cummings Pond This is a small lake not far from OraJJjC Penna. It is state stocked and is grad" a * making a come back. It covers about tw el \j, five acres of land and its average deJL isn't over ten feet in its deepest part. *• „ is a very muddy lake as you will ^ * when you try to lift your anchor. B~Le and gooey it sticks to you like clay. On . left of Fanti's boat site are many stretch ( of lily pads which extend around that V of the lake and grow thicker toward right shore line of the lake. Some Dea ut tiful bass and pickerel have been lifted of these pads. Catfish, sunfish and perch , much smaller. Carp, also, inhabit the ^ a ' j and they are fine sport on a fly rod light line. , This lake's ownership is being c ' a 0t by two families although the lake is divided by means of floating logs as is j case of Perrin's Marsh which is descr jB i in another article. Boats can be refl from both parties at a dollar for the There is no limit as to the number who , the boat for the buck. The deepest P ar the lake is to the right of Fanti's Ian 1 M Ice" tb e There I have seen some fine bass ** on plugs. This is a grand place to take kids. There is a covered fire place for c ° s, ing, picnic benches and fine groves of " gi I consider it a good spot for a lot of sU D "VJg fun and pretty moderate fishing. ** jy close to many towns it is fished inten e and extensively. From the time the melts on it until the snow flies again, ~Jjjj mings is a busy pond. This pond is ".jy most of the time on account of its B° M$ bottom. I have seen catfish caught here y had a distinctive yellow color, particuJ e around the belly. This, I presume, is to the yellow lily pads which seem to x crete the yellow color that I have not .^ on the lake. The sunfish are whitis» , color and are small. However, if you .^ the Missus or Junior to get a lot of aC then take them to this fine pond. PENNSYLVANIA ANG^ t'
More Industry PLAN For "PENNSYLVANIA WEEK" OCTOBER 17-24, 1949 "TRENCHARD" SAID IT— "MENS SANA IN CONTEMPORE SANO" (A Sound Mind in a Sound Body) CLEAN SPORTSMANSHIP—GOOD FELLOWSHIP—HONEST CITIZENSHIP A GOOD SLOGAN For Fishermen Everywhere Who Plan to Make This Year's "PENNSYLVANIA WEEK" The GREATEST Ever! More Jobs Help Celebrate "PENNSYLVANIA WEEK" OCTOBER 17-24 1949 More Income
Page 1 and 2: lENNSYLVSSiA ^Tn^Z^Ei*]
Page 3 and 4: COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PENNSY
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Page 9 and 10: A *W enjoyable fishing arid for bes
Page 11 and 12: JJ e mies, of protection from flood
Page 13 and 14: C\ Hurrah For Little Giant Heeby-Je
Page 15 and 16: •"Ompt Action Saves Fish At Stell
Page 17 and 18: *«irod, Lester W., 316 Water Ave.,
Page 19 and 20: d leaver, James, 355 North St., New
Page 21 and 22: ^NANGO COUNTY Anderson, Don P., 612
Page 23 and 24: tii or ot it> is :e! Spinning In En
Page 25: Westmoreland County Junior Conserva

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