The Pymatuning Spillway in Linesville

I say it every year - you have to see it to believe it. I'm not sure what's more fascinating - the giant carp at Pymatuning's Spillway in Linesville or the fact that thousands of people visit each year. According to this internet article, it's the second most popular attraction in Pennsylvania (the Liberty Bell is number one). That's probably a stretch, but it is remarkable that this draws such a crowd.

Visitors (or 'hurlers', according to Roadside America), throw bread to the seemingly ravenous fish. The larger carp can weigh 40 or 50 pounds!  The competition between the fish and ducks (or geese) for the bread isn't always pretty. One of our cousins saw a bird being eaten by the fish.

In 2008, officials decided that the bread wasn't healthy for the carp and visitors could only feed pellets to the fish. You can see the New York Times article here. As you can imagine, that didn't go over well. Within a few months, the bread was back, and the New York Times wrote about the Spillway again (here).  

The Wall Street Journal also wrote about the Spillway (here). In case you're curious, yes people do fall in each year, and no the fish do not eat them. 

In case you're hungry after all of that, there is a little stand that sells food. Fudge anyone?

A Visit to Pymatuning Lake

Last weekend we were invited to the North Shore Boat Club at Pymatuning, where we spent the most beautiful, relaxing morning. Conneaut Lake is the largest natural lake wholly within the state of Pennsylvania. Pymatuning is just a few miles away and is much, much larger than Conneaut Lake. It's technically the largest lake, but it's actually a reservoir and borders both Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Conneaut Lake is a busy lake full of speedboats, jet skis, cottages and visitors. Pymatuning, on the other hand, is serene, quiet and wooded.There are strict speed restrictions for boats on Pymatuning. We could never do this safely on Conneaut Lake. Below, Kate and I take the kayaks out.

Will and Bob have their turn.

Bob said our morning at Pymatuning was like summer camp. Our friends who invited us have a rustic cabin near the lake where they brought Ben to shoot a rifle. The kid came back with grin from ear to ear.

After a little target practice, the boys (the older boys) get ready to kayak. They were the luckiest of all of us because they saw FOUR bald eagles.

Just so Will didn't feel too left our about not shooting the rifle, our hosts sent him home with a handful of firecrackers. Clearly we're not in California!

The Spillway

It's not summer without a trip to the Spillway, the place "Where Ducks Walk on Fish". This is NOT in Conneaut Lake (I don't think we'd ever go in the water if it was). The Spillway is in nearby Pymatuning Reservoir. Pymatuning is huge compared to Conneaut Lake, but since it's a man-made lake and it extends into Ohio, Conneaut Lake still qualifies as the largest natural lake wholey within the state of Pennsylvania. This was Francie's first time to see the giant carp. At least, she said it was her first time, and I have to believe her. Once you see this it becomes etched in your memory forever.

I love this sign. Really, who would want to wade in this water or catch one of these fish?!

The kids are tossing bread to the giant carp. This is what people come from all around to do. There's even a concession stand that sells cotton candy, fudge, postcards, bumperstickers and t-shirts. Believe it or nor, this is a very popular attraction.

These guys are HUGE. You really have to see it to believe it.. And yes, the ducks do walk on their backs as they fight the fish for the bread.

Jamestown Pioneer Arts Festival

Every year, for I don't know how long, we've gone to the Jamestown Pioneer Arts Festival. On the bank of Pymatuning, the festival has Civil War and Native American encampments as well as arts and crafts and food booths.

Civil War Encampment from Pennsylvania Bucktails.

This guy is there every year. He had a new trick this year where he'd challenge people to a tug of war while standing on blocks of wood. As soon as his opponent began pulling he'd loosen his grip. He won every time.

New this year - Abe Lincoln himself! He even handed out cards with one of the newly designed Abe Lincoln pennies.

The Pymatuning Spillway

You really have to see the Spillway to believe it. This roadside attraction is supposedly the 2nd largest tourist draw in Pennsylvania. Located in Linesville on the spillway of Pymatuning Lake, the spillway holds thousands of giant carp. People come from all around to feed bread to these fish. The water is so thick with fish that the carp literally fight to get back in the water at times. To make it even more interesting, the ducks also try to get the bread - hence the Spillway's line - the place where ducks walk on fish. Make sure to scroll down to the see the video.

Pymatuning Spillway Update

Looks like the people have spoken. January 1, 2009 was to mean the end of feeding bread to fish at the Spillway in Linesville. After much public outcry, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources decided that the feeding can continue for another year. This doesn't necessarily mean the end of the debate, however. It's merely another year for the Department to evaluate the decision. Until then, enjoy watching these giant carp flop on top of each other as they fight for loaves of bread.

Pymatuning Spillway makes the New York Times!

Today's New York Times reported on the bread controversy at the Linesville Spillway. Click on this link to read the article. Many thanks to my brother for pointing this out.

Pioneer Arts Festival in Jamestown

We go to the Pioneer Arts Festival every year. It's held nearby, on the banks of Pymatuning (in a beautiful area, not near the Spillway and those bread-eating fish). The two day event includes everything...Civil War reenactment, Native American village, crafts, kids activities, and pie eating contests.

Civil War reenactment...

Firing the guns...

In the Native American area...

The Native Americans in this area ate well! Examples of their food...

Candle making...

Blacksmiths...