PFBC in the running for Miss Congeniality
PFBC in the running for Miss Congeniality
By Tyler Frantz
One would be hard pressed to find a government agency doing more to satisfy those it serves than the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. From Keystone Select trophy trout waters and ‘Class A’ designations to community outreach and reduced license fees, the PFBC would certainly have the Miss Congeniality prize locked up in a pageant of comparable organizations.
One must admit, PFBC is certainly doing its very best to recruit, retain and revitalize interest in the sport of angling across the Commonwealth. Through creative thinking and outside-the-box initiatives, it is reaching out to past, present and future anglers, urging them to continue Pennsylvania’s strong fishing heritage.
As part of its ‘Fall into Fishing’ campaign, the commission announced recently that it was cutting the price of select licenses by 50-percent through the end of the year, a move it believes will attract new participants to the sport and encourage lapsed anglers to return.
“This is another way for us to market to a segment of the population which may be drawn to fall fishing opportunities but haven’t wanted to purchase a full-year license,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “At the same time, we think it’s an enticing offer to lapsed anglers, allowing them to renew their interest in fishing.” "Fall is our traditional hunting season, so we want anglers to get their rods and try hunting for their favorite species of fish,” he added. “From steelhead in Lake Erie tributaries, to striped bass in Lake Raystown to trout in the Lehigh, Upper Delaware, or your local fall stocked trout water, fall is a special time to enjoy fishing Penn's waters."
The half-off promotion begins October 1st and applies to annual resident, non-resident and senior resident licenses. The licenses are valid through December 31st. With the discount, annual resident licenses will sell for $12.40; annual non-resident $27.40; and senior resident $6.90.
In another attempt to garner interest in the sport, PFBC has partnered with Bass Pro Shops in Harrisburg to sponsor a unique fishing boat package giveaway during the fall months when many anglers can enjoy the superb fishing that occurs in many Commonwealth waterways.
The grand prize is a Tracker Pro 160 boat and trailer package, with included 20-horsepower Mercury outboard motor. The public can enter this giveaway by visiting www.GoneFishingPA.com, now through Nov. 28th, or by entering in person at the PFBC booth at any Penn State home game this season. Staff will be set up in Penn State Football’s Fan Festival outside Beaver Stadium four hours prior to each game’s kickoff.
Another exciting giveaway is available through a PFBC partnership with FishUSA and Simms. Together, they are sponsoring a ‘Fall Into Fishing’ angler package giveaway, which offers a choice of fishing gear to be given away as the grand prize. The public can also enter this giveaway between October 1st and November 28th by visiting www.GoneFishingPA.com.
But perhaps the most exciting news is that PFBC has begun digging in to fix the Susquehanna River on its own, despite DEP’s refusal to officially designate the river as an impaired waterway, which would’ve opened up essential funding for improvement projects.
As a result of private S.O.S. fundraising efforts, the agency began work on Limestone Run, a tributary to the Susquehanna River that runs through Montour and Northumberland counties. PFBC habitat staff is working with a local farmer to stabilize the stream banks to prevent erosion and reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients that enter the creek, and ultimately, the Susquehanna River. “The ‘Save Our Susquehanna’ message continues to resonate with anglers, sportsmen’s clubs, conservationists and others who care about the river,” Arway remarked about the donations making the project possible. “We’ve exceeded our goal of $50,000 and with the Commission’s $50,000 match, we now have $100,000 to work on the first water and soil conservation project along the river.”
He also noted that the 2016 S.O.S. button is available for $10 from the Outdoor Shop online (www.fishandboat.com) and at all fishing license issuing agents. The funds from button sales and donations to the S.O.S campaign will continue to be used to improve the water quality of the Susquehanna, which is important for the long-term health of the smallmouth bass fishery.
Donations can also be made directly to the S.O.S. campaign via the Ralph W. Abele Conservation Scholarship Fund by visiting www.firstgiving.com/ralphabelefundsaveoursusquehanna.
With fall trout stockings scheduled through October and cooler water temperatures turning on the bite in streams, rivers and lakes across the state, Pennsylvania anglers will continue to reap the benefits of a 150-year old Commission that regularly shows it cares by proving so with its actions.
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