Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-26
BY W. +. MElIHAN
Superintendent Of the FairInount Park
Anulrium

TT WOULD have taken something
l. more than an enthusiast to have gone
fishing this week The heavy snow
storms put Quictus on any plans to
try for suckers. catfish or any of the
tinny tribe making practice of biting
throughout the winter.
Even if any ono had been hardy
enough TO brave the cold and snow,
there would. most likely. have been few
or no fish found to take the hook
There is much truth in the old saying
that when the winds blow from the east
or northeast fish tas to casting.
The mild weather that prevailed and
the announcements made that catfish
and suckers wcrc biting freely had
caused a great number of anglers. who
usually put away their rods and tackle
late in the fall to take them from their
cases and make preparations for n
days fishing. Consequently there was
much disappointment at the heavy
snow.
Yet. there Is some consolation for the
angler. Storms in late winter. like
storms in summer always benefit the
fishing when things have cleared. The
melting snow carries food to the fishes
and slightly clouds the water, botl
causing suckers and catfish to bite with
less caution.
Only q very rash person would pre-
dict at this time what the weather
will be next week, but it scarcely will
be suitable for fishing either tomor-
row or Monday.
II there is no further heavy snow
fall within the next day or two and the
temDcrnture should rise n little. and
a. - laV npOlpr might
venture to some Of the smaller brooks
for suckers.
Try Small Streams
1t il no, generally known that many
of the smaller streams afford better
sport than some of the larger. There
is Crum creek. for instance. 1t is full
Of holes just deep enough to lure suck
ers. with plenty OF rapids, and what
is more dear to the heart of the fish,
plenty to eat. One day last week,
while the weather was favorable Charles
Fralich took about a dozen from Crum
creek near Swarthmorc.
SkippaCk creek. moderate sized
stream which empties into the Perkio-
men near it's mouth, has long ben a
favoritc resort for sucker fishermen.
One great advantage possessed by the
Skippack is that there are no. long
walks necessary to reach the fishing
grounds. The trolley from Chestnut
Hill to Collegcville and beyond crosses
the stream, and some Of the good pools
are only a few hundred feet above and
below the bridge over which the cal
tracks cross.
Nearer the city. in fact on the out
skirts, there Is little stream whicl
some vpars ago was favOrite fishing
ground for suckers and red ms. IL
took it's serious course through Jenkln
town, John Wanamakcr's property ant
through the little valley beyond. Las
wcpk two Germantown anglers visitet
this little stream and picked up sevcra
| nice suckers.
Apropos Of suckers, in conversation
few davs ago with an enthusiast II
| fshiug he introduced the subject o
nuIlcts aud was under the impression
| that he had caught them years ago II
some Of the streams about this CIT.
and more recently in some OF the New
Jersey creeks. lie was much surprlse'
ot learning than there j. no such thln
n, n fresh water mullet TINS side Oh III
| Allegheny mountains
Not Mullets =.
The fish taken from fresh waters !
this locality under the belief that 1t !
a mullet Is, in fact, one OF the tam'l
~ suckers. Its correct common nam
Is thc chub sucker, so called because IN