HARRISBURG
Sometimes what people think they know is not always what actually is, but perception is often difficult to dispel once someone has made up their mind.
A case in point is a statement made by a friend of a friend a few weeks ago on a fall turkey hunt concerning the state of smallmouth bass fishing on the Susquehanna River. One of the hunters in our group mentioned he was taking his son out for bass that weekend on the Susquehanna, which brought the response: “I wouldn’t waste my time because bass fishing on the river is terrible.”
It was obvious this person was not interested in being presented with facts, but be assured that, in addition to being full of himself, he was also full of something else that I won’t even try to get into print. Not wanting to be confrontational, I did mention a friend and I had a “good” trip on the Susquehanna in October, boating and releasing 19 smallies in four hours.
Perhaps what one angler considers “good” can be considered “terrible” by another. One thing, however, is for certain, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is committed to improving the smallmouth bass fishery on the Susquehanna River. That stance was reaffirmed by the agency’s board of commissioners when it adopted a resolution as to its concern and expressing support for continued research and action until the river’s smallmouth bass fishery is restored.
Anglers began to notice a marked decline in the smallmouth fishery on the Susquehanna approximately 10 years ago. Concerns were also raised about the increasing number of bass being caught with large, black spots. Since then it has been learned this spotted pattern on bass is also being found in the St. Lawrence River and northern lakes, with the condition more prevalent in cold water, but not harmful to the fish.
What was a reason for concern, however, was a rise in contaminants found in the river, and in January 2010 the PFBC responded to what it termed “unprecedented declines” in smallmouth bass numbers in the Susquehanna. As such, the agency unanimously passed a resolution expressing concern about the condition of the river and its smallmouth bass fishery and calling on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and United States Environmental Protection Agency to expand monitoring efforts to try to identify the causes of the fishery’s demise.
Since taking that original action, the PFBC has expended considerable staff time and resources both on its own and in partnership with other agencies and organizations in pursuit of an answer to what is plaguing the river. Now, under the leadership of executive director John Arway, the agency has been a leading voice in the call for a formal impairment designation of the river as part of Pennsylvania’s Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report.
Hussar new District 5 commissioner
Eric Hussar of Union County is the new District 5 commissioner for the PFBC, assuming his position at the agency’s final quarterly meeting of the year. His district is comprised of Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.
Hussar is an avid fly fisherman who fishes more than 80 days a year. He is also owner and president of Mid-Penn Energy, a Lewisburg-based heating and cooling company. In addition, he serves as the vice chairman of the Central PA Workforce Development Corporation and is a former board member of the Central PA Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement of Central PA.
Hussar volunteers with “Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing,” a non-profit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities. His four-year term as commissioner expires Oct. 7, 2018.
Changes in fishing license fees
For the first time in its history, the PFBC has reduced the price of annual fishing licenses, beginning with the 2015 license year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. When licenses go on sale Dec. 1, prices will be reduced by $1 for resident and non-resident annual licenses, and anglers who buy 3-year and 5-year licenses will get a reduction of $3 and $5, accordingly, if they buy the license during the month of December.
Meanwhile, beginning in 2015, Pennsylvanians who purchase a senior resident lifetime license who want to fish for trout will be required to purchase a trout/salmon permit each year. Seniors who purchase a trout/salmon permit in conjunction with a resident lifetime license before Jan. 1, 2015, will be grandfathered, but it is recommend those who qualify purchase their license and/or stamp by Nov. 30.
(Dietz is outdoors editor)