Larry A. Smail's Blog

Beautiful Crooked Creek

The dam over Crooked Creek in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania was erected during the 1930 time frame. This dam and others on tributaries of the Allegheny River were erected as a flood control measure. They hold water back during times of extreme rains or snow melt.

White Violets

I was told, a 50 caliber machine gun was installed  on the dam during World War Two. This measure was done to thwart any attempts of enemy aircraft getting through to bomb the dam. Of course, we know the enemies of that era never made any attempts on the dam, but had the war gone differently one never knows.

Friday morning, I elected to fish the waters of Crooked Creek where the overflow area is. This is where the water of the dam is controlled and let out as needed. The site has always allowed me to catch fish. I have caught many species over the years here. This morning I caught a number of bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish. Had I other types of bait more species may have had been landed. While fishing I watched a deer downstream playing in the water. I, also, watched a Canada Goose and gosling swim about.  

I, as usually the case, fished a couple of hours and began hiking some of the park’s trails. During my walk, I saw five wood ducks; more geese and two deer. I watched around for signs of fawns, but I failed to see any. I saw a lot of squirrels and chipmunks too. I, occasionally, looked over the creek openings for eagle and osprey flights.

Later in the evening, Laurie and I went to Evangel Heights Church to watch the high school musical, “Esther”. This is a Bible story of a young Jewish maiden who, eventually married the King of Persia. She later used her influence to save the lives of her people the Jews. Of course, I saw a gobbler strutting around 6:00 P.M. while in route to the play.

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Collision course!

This morning, since I still had some worms, I headed for the Allegheny River at Kittanning. Pennsylvania to see if the fish were biting. I decided I should just feed the fish since I failed to catch any. Subtle bites occurred, but they were never hard enough for me to strike. I suspect the Eastern Sand Darter or small yellow perch may have been the lucky fish. My size six hook were too large to effectively catch them.

A hook in the bottom of my shoe…..

Freshwater Mussel shells

However, wildlife was abundant  to watch. The river yielded the usual Canada geese and mergansers. I, also saw a few mallards swimming about. A most interesting specie was observed. I was blessed to see a loon all morning. The bird would swim about with its head underwater seeking food and, at times the loon would dive completely under only to reappear twenty or thirty feet away.

A loon!

Directly behind my fishing spot are large rocks. Swallows had their nests in these rocks. The swallows, up to twenty of them, would continually flutter around. Occasionally, one would enter the rocks to visit their nests.