Bureaucratic Killjoys

I'm taking a break from my usual topics to lament what appears to be the end of an iconic tourist destination - the Linesville Spillway, aka "Where the Ducks Walk on the Fish." For those unfamiliar with the Spillway, it is a place where an uncountable number of carp gather to feed on the bread so generously provided by the tourists.

When you arrive at the Spillway, you are first struck by the sheer number of carp gathered. It is truly astounding. Looking closer, you notice how many of the fish have their gaping mouths turned skyward awaiting another piece of bread. Eventually, you open your own bread bag and join in the fun. As each slice of bread floats to the water, you are surprised again and again with how quickly the fish can consume the bread. With each slice, you aim for a spot, which is likely to cause the greatest commotion. If you are lucky, someone may have even thrown in a loaf of Italian bread to see how long it would survive. Through it all, you are mesmerized.

Slowly, you begin to ponder what would happen to anyone unfortunate enough to fall into the water. You retell stories you've heard of small children who fell in, never to be seen again. None of these stories are true, of course, but they certainly add to the mystique.

Sadly, this is all about to end. It was recently announced that the State would be banning the use of bread for feeding the carp. Instead, you'll be able to toss pelletized fish food to the carp. Now I ask, where is the fun in that?

If you find yourself in northwest PA this summer, make sure you don't miss the chance to enjoy this wonderful place. I know I will be visiting this summer.

And in the civil disobedient spirit of Thoreau, I may just be in Linesville on January 1st, with a bag of stale baguettes, feeding the carp who are wise enough to swim past the pellets of fish food.