BeenThereDoneThat - I live in Springdale, a couple of miles north of Lock 3 on the Allegheny. I'm 67 years old and spent 36 years in the mines which I think caused my breathing problems. I fished every chance I could and caught plenty of sauger and walleyes fishing off the wall at Lock 3 using Mr. Twisters (not permitted on the wall anymore). Also caught them at the mouths of a couple of streams that enter the river. I still fish a little when I'm feeling pretty good and when its easy getting to the water. I sure do miss it when I could climb down the rocks below all 9 locks on the river or got the boat in close to the dams both day and night. But most of all I miss fishing with Dad, John and other friends. Yesterday when I posted my reply, I forgot to mention Porktown (sorry bout that). I'm sure his posts as well as the ones from members I named have helped many guys find the right stuff!

Have had COPD for a few years now-am 68- carry the inhalers and keep on keepin on.
Aint like it used to be but gonna keep hunting and fishing no matter what-till they throw dirt on me.

OK Paul, was just wondering if ya might live between me and the lakes in my little piece of Penn's Woods.  Always a seat open for fellow ole timers.
 
No doubt in my mind you have complications from working the mines, hope there is assistance to help you cope with the problem and make life easier for you.
 
Atta boy r3g3, give em hell buddy.  When my number is up, I hope they have to look for me.

Man I got to say one thing it takes special people to work underground !  I always said of all jobs that are under paid I would put underground mining at the top of the list. You guys deserve probably 3 times what you earned. I spent several months in a similar situation working underground in a steel mill and it was not fun. Worked in an old steam boiler plant that ran on coal . Dark , wet , and coal smells like pure sulfur after burning. Couldn't stand straight up in the tunnel because the ceiling above was too low with pipes and low beams. No doubt coal dust is as bad as it gets for your lungs too. I would go home wore out, and wash my hair 3-4 times trying to get that sulfur smell out and still I could smell it . It was the worse job I ever had, thank God it was short term.
Here's a few I had from down that way years ago . I didn't do any good. Not sure what number lock.... went with a buddy from there.  #7 or #8 maybe ?  Maybe you were in that boat ? LOL...
 


That's us on the shore fishing
  
 I know we are off subject but I think we all know there is no safe ice around here now............

I don't regret for 1 minute anything I had to do for my Family. So I went to work, strapped on a pair of knee pads (the working height in the mines was 38 to 44 inches), grabbed my light and away we went. I made a good living working underground and made good Friends. Now I'm hoping to make some new Friends, maybe even some new fishing buddies. I still drive and I'm not on oxygen yet. I still have rods, reels, plugs, jigs, harnesses, and soft plastic. All I need is for someone to say lets go. I thank you BeenThereDoneThat for the thought and hope I can get out with you come spring when the walleyes are chasing harnesses and pounding jigs. I'll be ready. Let me know if you're willing come May. Thanks again to you all for allowing me to daydream while reading your posts! By the way the last picture looks like Lock 7. The lock at 8 is on the other side of the river.
Paul

Been there, I'd like to check out Shenango. Where is it? The river? Thanks again.