NOTE – The Commission recommends 4 inches as the minimum ice thickness for one person. (Ice thickness chart)

The other two guys said that they didn’t have a chance to get it yet. I told them they will have to put their equipment away because they can’t fish. Both guys said okay and that they would just watch their friend fish who had a license.

I left the area knowing that I would return shortly just to see if they were telling the truth. I drove back about 15 minutes later seeing all three guys fishing. While I was issuing the two citations I overheard one guy say to the other, “This was not very smart of you to take me fishing today”.

After hiding my patrol vehicle nearby, I walked through the woods using the last available daylight to see where I was going. At the end of a lengthy surveillance mission, it was found that a large group was illegally netting fish in the area. Working alone, I called PA State Police Dublin Barracks to assist with the arrests as the group left the area. We found that 225 gizzard shad, carp and sunfish were in their possession, as well as one out-of-season adult snapping turtle. In addition, two large sacks of edible plants and flowers were also illegally removed from the State Park Property. We issued citations to the group and all fish were seized. Twenty-three people were involved in the group effort of this theft of our natural resources.

It was a nice thought but unrealistic because a couple of seconds later the man tossed the piece of bottle back into the river. The guy then turned, reached into the raft, picked up an empty bottle then hung back over the raft’s side holding the bottle underwater for a moment until he triumphantly lifted his arm from the water holding the top half of a now broken bottle in his hand. He showed it off to the other people in the raft then tossed it back into the river got another empty bottle from the raft and again held it under water until he was able to break it on the river bed.

I have no idea how one could derive pleasure from such an act but I can assure you that I derived a great deal of pleasure from introducing myself to this guy and issuing all the citations that he had coming.

We had planned to patrol the approved trout waters across the county, but high water and turbid flows kept many anglers away from these streams. After checking a few trout anglers in the morning, we shifted our attention to the Delaware and Lehigh rivers in the afternoon.

The confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers is a fishing hotspot and many anglers take advantage of this prime fishing area. On this day, however, only one person was standing along the water’s edge in this location. The individual was wearing a dark jacket, kept his hands in his jean pockets, and appeared to be taking in the beauty of the area.  

F1, Cadet Sharer and I began to observe the individual through field glasses and soon realized he was up to more than simply observing the beauty of the confluence of the rivers. After a short period of time it became evident the gentleman was fishing with a hand line.

Although he may have appeared to be soaking in the sites at first, he actually possessed a good amount of monofilament complete with a lure to entice fish. The reason he was standing in a nonchalant manner was due to the fact that he had tied the monofilament in a loop, slipped it over his wrist and attempted to hide it when he stuck his hand in his pocket.

After confirming numerous hand line casts and retrieves, F1, Cadet Sharer and I made contact with the individual. He did not possess a valid fishing license and was cited for fishing without a license.

I know many anglers across the state proclaim they have never been checked by a PFBC WCO, but do you really know who is watching or checking your license? Consider the gentleman referenced above and the fact that he was observed and asked for a license by the Chief Waterways Conservation Officer, John Arway, Executive Director of the PFBC, a.k.a. -  F1.

When we arrived at one of my favorite spots on the Monongahela River I went over the basics with Alia showing her how to cast and set the hook. I also explained to her how the drag worked and pulled a couple feet of line from the reel so she could hear what it sounded like when you got a big fish on.

About 30 minutes later Alia started yelling that her reel was making “the big fish sound.” Sure enough her rod was bent in half and the reel was screaming as a big fish was ripping line from the reel. After an exciting fight she got the fish close enough to the boat for Lindsey to net Alia’s first fish, a 7 ½ pound freshwater drum. It wasn’t a state record, but it was big enough to earn her an Angler Award. Not a bad first catch!

If you get a chance this year, take a kid fishing, you just might come home with some great memories of your own!

I joked with him and told him I didn’t know whether to congratulate him on his catch or cite him for fishing with three rods. Then DWCO Valecic chimed in and said we may have to confiscate rods as they may be too short. It turned out bad for one angler losing his two rods and good for another with his catching the two rods. Jamie and I are still scouring over the regulations as I am not sure about the season or creel limit for fishing rods.

While I was waiting for the kids to arrive and to begin the program I noticed that the eagle had flown out of sight. I hoped that he would return. While answering the question about what services the Fish and Boat Commission provide the community of Harveys Lake and who benefits, I saw the eagle swoop into sight and begin chasing fish below the surface. I took the opportunity of that teachable moment to stop talking and let the children concentrate on the beauty before them. As the eagle cleared the ridge out of sight I added that they were just witness to one more member of the community that benefits from our programs! And I gave the eagle a verbal warning for fishing without a license.

Although I informed these two visitors to our property that I was only aware of one definition for “Keep Out”, I later decided to check and make sure that a new meaning had not been added since my time in school. According to Maxmillian Dictionary: keep out - used on signs to tell people not to go into a place. Seems pretty simple to me!

As I walked over a bridge which crosses the stream I was going to fish, I noticed some commotion and bird chatter along the far stream bank. The chatter was the unmistakable call of a Kingfisher, but the commotion had me confused. The Kingfisher was flying in short bursts along a tree branch, but it would not fly far from the branch. After one such burst the Kingfisher dangled just under the branch by its wing and it became obvious that he was caught by something tangled in the branch.

Realizing the problem, I made my way downstream and waded towards him in an effort to help the little guy out. I thought I saw commotion from the bridge, but as I got closer to the Kingfisher the real commotion started. As soon as I got within arms reach of the Kingfisher, he began to fly in circles at frantic speed just above my head. I had to duck during each of his circles so he didn’t fly into my forehead. Getting frustrated, and out of concern for my forehead, I took off my hat in an effort to catch him. After two unsuccessful swipes with my hat and trying to think of another plan, the Kingfisher tired himself out and I was able to finally get a hold of him.

Once I had him in my hand, I realized the Kingfisher had a hook embedded in his left wing which was connected to a gob of fishing line tangled in the tree branch. Although I was there to help, he was clearly not happy with my approach to the situation. The Kingfisher gave me a stern glare and held his long beak open just waiting for the opportunity to clamp down on one of my fingers as I held him in my right hand.

I cut him free of the fishing line to take the pressure off his left wing and to get him in a better position to free the hook. I thought he would be appreciative of this, but he still glared at me and held his beak open ready to clamp down on one of my fingers when opportunity presented itself. The hook was pretty well embedded in his wing, but I was able to get a grip on the shank and cut it with a pair of pliers. I thought I had the problem solved, but the hook did not dislodge from the Kingfisher’s wing.

As I tried to get a better look at the hook I left my right index finger stray and the Kingfisher seized the opportunity to clamp down on it. I started this evening simply looking to do some fishing and all of a sudden I found myself trading glares with a Kingfisher that is now clamped down on my finger! Feeling the pressure, I looked at him and said, “Easy, I am just trying to help you out!”

A few moments later and with another bend of the hook with the pliers, the Kingfisher beat his left wing a few times and the hook was freed. It flipped up in the air and hooked itself on the front of my t-shirt. At this point, I lofted the Kingfisher in the air and he took off upstream cackling like nothing ever happened.

I’ve fished this section of stream a few times since this incident and have been greeted by a Kingfisher and his call during each visit. I can’t identify for certain if the Kingfisher I see and hear is my buddy, but I always extend a hand and wave hello as he flies by just in case.

Upon arriving at the hole I sat down on the bank and took my time rigging my fly rod as I measured up the anglers in front of me. It became quickly evident that no one was having much luck as the fish weren't very cooperative but everyone was playing nice so far. I decided to move into a position at the head of the pool as the fish looked more active there and stacked together (seemed like the most likely place to observe a violation should one occur).

After settling in among the other fishermen the fellow next to me started to discuss the shallow water and how spooky the fish were. After a while he started to talk with me about how the "Wardens were thick as flies" on the Erie tribs this time of year. He also cautioned me that even when you don't see them that doesn't mean they aren't there. "You know, sometimes they hide up in the weeds and the trees and spy on ya, and then they even come to the stream dressed as fishermen and you never know, there might be one fishing next to you."

Quite right friend, quite right.

After obtaining a description of the violators I immediately traveled back to the reported area and parked my patrol vehicle in a remote location. I put on a camouflage coat, grabbed my binoculars and started working my way upstream looking for the violators.

Several hundred yards upstream I spotted several people fishing who fit the description given. I looked for a good vantage point to watch and determine if any violations were being committed. I found a large pile of logs, tree tops and stumps which were the result of the landowner clearing an area. I nestled in at the bottom of the pile and sat on a large log observing.

After sitting there for several minutes I heard a noise which sounded similar to that of a dog shaking its head. Thinking there was a dog nearby I looked but was unable to locate the source of the noise. Several minutes later I heard the noise again. I looked the area over again but was still unable to locate the source of the noise. I heard the noise a third time and was able to determine the sound was coming from somewhere behind me.

As I turned around to look, I was met at a distance of about 5 feet by a very large black bear which was perched on the logs above me and looking down at me like I was about to be its next meal (It was close enough that I could see the moisture on the end of its nose).

Due to the closeness of the encounter I quickly determined it would be wise to retreat from the area immediately. As I jumped up and started my retreat I felt a heavy tug on the back of my coat which pulled me backwards and caused me to fall to the ground. I immediately panicked thinking the bear had grabbed me by the back of the coat. I quickly attempted to get up and continue my retreat but was pulled to the ground again. As panic raced through my mind I screamed like a little girl (I don’t remember exactly what I screamed but I’m fairly certain it can’t be repeated here) and rolled onto my back and started kicking at what I thought was the bear in an effort to defend myself.

Once I was on my back my panic quickly turned to joy when I realized that the bear hadn’t grabbed me at all. The source of me being pulled to the ground turned out to be the elastic drawstring on the bottom of my coat. It had got caught on one of the limbs of the log that I was sitting on when I tried to retreat from the area and pulled me to the ground.

I quickly untangled myself from the log and retreated to a safe distance. I stopped and looked back to see the bear was still standing on top of the logs and she had three cubs with her. I’m sure they were all laughing at the Fish Warden!

As for the violators I couldn’t tell you who they were or where they went. They were gone (They were probably laughing too)!

During the summer field training session, a Cadet, who will remain nameless, and I were on boat patrol and witnessed a violation. Approaching the vessel, the Cadet explained the violation and then checked for the required safety equipment, something the Cadet has done many times by this point in his training.

While the Cadet was talking to the operator, my focus was on holding the boat, and observing the operator and the passengers. I was barely listening to the instructions that the Cadet was telling the operator, until I heard the cadet explain to the operator, “…you test it by peeling the white tape off and pushing the button.” Now, in my experience, I never had to test anything by pulling off the white tape along with pushing a button during a boarding. Quickly glancing over I noticed the Cadet was holding a fire extinguisher with his thumb on the discharge mechanism. Promptly stopping him, I took the fire extinguisher turned it upside down and showed the Cadet and the operator the green test button underneath the nozzle. That is one of the places that they put the test button on a fire extinguisher.

One such time was when I was patrolling with WCO Smolko and DWCO Gustafson on 20 Mile Creek. They observed a small chest freezer, along with more coolers, and landing nets in the back of a minivan. This is what we call on the job a “clue.” Upon further investigation, these anglers in search of Erie’s steelhead, were using untypical fishing gear and were fishing in posted waters. We made contact with these non-residents and gained consent search of their gear, vehicle, and even motel room. Let’s just say these “clues” allowed us to be proactive in protecting our aquatic resources in this instance.

When I confronted the group about the empty cans being littered the same individual adamantly denied having anything to drink or littering. I told this individual that in fact he had been drinking beer and discarded three empty cans and that I knew that he was headed for the “Gourmet Buffet.” The individual looked at me in amazement that I knew what had occurred and accepted the fact that he was caught in a lie. I told him the bad news was he was going to be receiving a citation for littering, but the good news is that he could still go to the buffet right after the paperwork was completed.