Fishing At Thomas Mills

[Thomas Mills, Cambria County, PA, Early Summer, 1960]

Walking through the woods with fishing rods, tackle, and worms are Herman Jerome "Jerry" Byrnes and his nephew Eddie Arthur Byrnes.

They are heading toward the Chest Creek at Thomas Mills. Eddie Arthur is crazy about fishing and jumps at the chance to go anytime, anywhere, for any kind of fish. In a year or two Eddie will learn to create his own artificial bait in the form of colorful, patterned feathers

Today though the baits are worms, and it would be a time of fishing not just planning, preparing, or dreaming. They could hear the creek before seeing the rippling water; the overhead trees and bush were the lacy medium green of early summer. They walked quietly; the fish could hear and feel vibrations close to the creek. Working carefully through the excitement; Eddie Arthur attaches a silvery lead sinker and a red and white cork bobber to his hooked line.