September 2000
Information provided by Pennsylvania Fish & Game Finder Magazine
(814) 374-4888

BLAIR, CAMBRIA, FAYETTE, HUNTINGDON & MIFFLIN COUNTIES

MAJESTIC WORLD LODGE & RETREAT is family owned and operated, making your total satisfaction guaranteed. We are located in some of the highest mountains in Pennsylvania. Nestled in these beautiful High Mountain Woodlands, Majestic World offers you the “Big Game Hunt Atmosphere” normally only associated with a trip to the Western United States. Now save travel time, licensing fees, and the hassle.

At Majestic World Lodge & Retreat offers each year, a limited number of SCI quality trophy elk and red deer hunts which include 5X5 and up to 8X8 bulls/stags. We offer you an astonishing selection of big game animals including elk, red stag, whitetail, sika and fallow deer. We feature hundreds of acres with specially bred bloodlines from around the world to offer the very best selection.

Pete, Sr. at RICHLAND MARINE in Johnstown is having a Spectacular Four Winns Boat Sale. Pete is offering huge savings on new 18’, 19’, & 20’ Four Winns powered by Volvo Penta. If you have promised your family and yourself a new quality boat, this is your best chance at the best price. Call Pete or stop in at 1321 Eisenhower Blvd. in Johnstown, PA. For the best repair work, Pete, Jr. heads up the crew of factory trained mechanics. For more information call (814) 266-6633. They urge everyone to learn all they can about their boat, the laws and particular rules of the waterways they are using and be a responsible boater!

Attention: hunters and anglers! A trip to PECHIN SPORTS WORLD just off Rt. 119 in Dunbar is a must stop. Marion and her helpful staff are happy to assist you find everything you need for hunting, fishing and camping.  Get all the tackle, live bait and camping supplies at unbelievable prices. While there look at the huge inventory of hunting supplies, clothing, bicycles and accessories. Pechin is your one stop store for the tri-state area. (724) 277-4251 For a list of all their shops check out their web page www.pechin.com.

Some of the best striper fishing to be found is in Raystown Lake. Stop at SEVEN POINTS BAIT & GROCERY and find out the best locations and conditions. While you’re there load up on the large inventory of  groceries, clothing, fishing and camping supplies and live bait and gas. If you’re going to be on the lake all day get some delicious made to order deli sandwiches. Raystown Lake is one of the most beautiful fishing areas in the state. For the latest conditions call (814) 658-3718.

OUTDOORS
BY: PAUL DICI

There is a maxim that states, “Ten percent of the fishermen catch ninety percent of the fish.” This is probably, because of the time and knowledge some men put into the sport. This became quite evident last week when I talked with a couple of friends. One guy told me that he was catching a lot of smallmouths at Lake Erie. He said that they were hitting small chubs that he used after they stopped going after the softshells he was using. The next day the other friend told me that the smallmouths stopped hitting in Erie after smacking the crabs for weeks. What happened is that one fisherman knew when to change baits and the other did not.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross recently announced that Keith Harbaugh has been appointed as the new regional director for the agency’s Northwest Regional Office in Franklin, Venango County. Former regional director Larry Harshaw, was promoted to deputy executive director in the Harrisburg headquarters.

Johnny Flora, from New Castle, recently told me that he stopped fishing for trout at the end of May because they are, “All caught out.” Well, let me tell all of you that the streams are still full of trout. Last week I was fishing the Slippery Rock and when a hatch started the creek erupted with feeding trout. A few days later the same thing happened at Neshannock, so, don’t put away your fly rods or your altra light spinning rods.

The Game Commission approved a $7,500 grant for Pennsylvania State University to conduct a survey of 1,000 deer hunters this summer and fall. Results of the survey will be available to the Commission in 2001. Calvin Dubrock, Bureau of Wildlife Management director suggests that the survey will give the Game Commission, “insight” who are Pennsylvania’s deer hunters and establish a profile of deer hunter perceptions and characteristics.

This survey seems, to me, to be a waste of money. We know who the deer hunters are and don’t know why money should be wasted on a survey. The next thing they will do is establish a “support group” for hunters who miss a buck!

Years ago I belonged to a group dedicated to protecting the Allegheny River and maintaining the river as a viable fishery. The group was named the, “Allegheny River Protection Association.” Most of the members were from the Franklin-Tionesta-Tidioute-Oil City area. Ed Widdows, from Tidioute was one of the driving forces in that organization. I wonder what happened to that group.

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently moved into new offices. The Commission moved into a new building constructed on a 35 acre lot in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County. The mailing address will be the same: P.O. Box 6700, Harrisburg, PA 17106. The new telephone number for the Commission is 717-705-7800.

I have been seeing a lot of rabbits when I drive around the woods and fields. Just hope the predators don’t pick too many of them off by hunting season.

Beaver River is giving up some nice bass and walleyes around the New Brighton Dam. The fish are hitting fatheads and night crawlers.

I don’t think that I will ever understand Lake Arthur, Moraine State Park. Some fishermen swear by this beautiful lake and others call it the, “Dead Sea.” I used to catch a lot of bass there many years ago but have not fished the lake since the late 80’s.

If you live in the Lawrence/Beaver County area don’t overlook the Connoquenessing Creek. This under fished creek is full of bass and occasionally gives up a nice musky.