Freshwater snorkelers explore the underwater world
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COOKSBURG, Pa. -- "I saw one! I saw one!"
Jeremy Ellis, 11, of Imperial popped his head up out of the river, wide-eyed and smiling. The excitement was palpable as the group surrounding him quickly dunked their heads into the water to catch a glimpse of his find: a 20-inch channel catfish. It was the first fish Jeremy spotted while snorkeling the National Wild and Scenic Clarion River.
Jeremy, his sister Sydni, 10, and grandmother Janet, of Butler were among 11 people who participated in the inaugural Snorkeling the Clarion River program July 1 at Cook Forest State Park in Cooksburg.
Dale Luthringer, environmental education specialist at the park, said he got the idea after he started snorkeling for fun.
"Identifying the wildlife in the water is something that's always interested me," he said. "Instead of just swimming, you're seeing what's out there in the river as well, so it kind of puts another twist on top of it."
Luthringer began the program with basic safety tips and fish identification before leading everyone into the water to demonstrate how to prevent a snorkeling mask from fogging up by spitting into it.
It was at this point that Janet said fear gripped her.
"I was so scared I could hardly spit in my mask," she said. "I was so nervous because I hadn't [snorkeled] before."
Janet was spending the weekend with Jeremy and Sydni at a nearby family cabin. She brought her grandchildren to the program because they love the water and thought it would be something they would really enjoy.
She was right.
"I didn't know what to expect, but once I got into the water, I knew it was going to be fun," said Sydni. "I thought it was really cool seeing all the fish like the minnows. I really loved seeing the catfish."
Jeremy said he enjoyed the serenity of being in the river.
"I just like floating around, relaxing and looking at all the fish," he said.
Luthringer said fish typically aren't bothered by snorkelers invading their habitat. As long as they move slowly it's not uncommon to get within 5 feet of fish.
"You can get pretty close before they really decide that they've had enough of you and kind of scoot off to the next little hole," he said.
John Schreffler of Shippenville accompanied a few fish down the river.
First Published July 17, 2011 12:00 am
