RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Fly fishers want to keep special waters
According to one of the largest reports released by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, there are 45 miles of streams available in the Commonwealth in which fly fishing purists can do their thing.
A possibility exists that these fishermen may have to forfeit these special waters where fly fishing zones now abound, and let the bait fishermen and those utilizing plastic lures take over.
The proposal isn't very popular with the fly-fishing enthusiasts, who claim that a mere 45 miles of fly-fishing-only zones are, and should be, for fly-fishing only (there are 4,077 miles of stocked streams in the state).
As it stands now, fly fishers can fish outside the five-month trout season as long as they release their catch.
Commission's contention
Members of the Commission believe that opening up these special zones to as many fishermen as possible will give all fishermen a chance at landing more trout, since this year's stocking program has been much lower than as in past years.
Due to the state rivers being polluted and thinned by drought conditions, hatcheries put out only 3.8 million trout this season, down 30 percent from last year. Problems at some of the state's trout hatcheries also led to the demise of trout stocked.
If the new regulations are approved (the vote is upcoming), they will take effect next January, leaving fly fishers to enjoy their sport until then.
I can't understand why the Fish Commission would come up with a proposal to terminate the fly fishing zones anyway.
The two groups have done their own thing for years now, and without any animosity. Both pay the same fee for a license.
It's one preference against another, and like that old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
To Little Shenango
How about that "first-day" of the 2002 trout season? Our group (all bait, salmon eggs and plastic lures) beaded for Little Shenango, near Greenville. There were five of us and we landed four trout. Three of the four were in the 9-10 inch range, while the fourth was a little larger than the night crawler he was taken on.
The weatherman didn't cooperate either. It rained, heavy at times, throughout the day. Even my salami sandwiches were soaked.
While the trout were scarce, I enjoyed the scenery immensely. The beavers had been working overtime and their work was evident throughout the area.
Greenville B & amp;I Day
If you happen to be a golf enthusiast and want to see several of the young lions on the PGA and LPGA in action, mark your calendar for July 22. That's the day of the 52nd annual Greenville Industrial Day Golf Outing at Greenville Country Club.
This year, B & amp;I officials have landed two highly-talented golfers, Tom Scherrer of the PGA and Beth Bauer of the LPGA. Both golfers make their home in Florida, Scherrer in Orlando and Bauer in Tampa.
A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Scherrer captured the 2000 Kemper Open and was a 1991 member of the Walker Cup team.
Bauer, only 21, was an all-American for two-years at Duke University where she led the Blue Devils to the NCAA Championship in 1999. She also won four events on the Futures Tour. She turned pro in 2000.
Greenville's B & amp;I Day features exhibition golf play by the two pros who are paired with several locals, top Greenville CC players. The gallery can tour the course with the players.
A number of top players on the PGA Tour have appeared at B & amp;I Day including Arnold Palmer.