By Deborah Weisberg
As a child growing up in Dubois, George Harvey fished to help feed his family, with a stick, some string and a hook.
Despite makeshift tackle, he developed a passion for fishing and conservation that would shape his life and the lives of countless others. He went on to teach and write about angling for more than 40 years at Penn State University.
Mr. Harvey was active until a year ago, when his health began to fail. He died Monday at age 96.
Having organized what is believed to be the first college angling course in the U.S., Mr. Harvey became known as the Dean of American Fly Fishing. The only public section of Spruce Creek, near State College, is named for Mr. Harvey, and he was inducted into Pennsylvania's Fly Fishing Hall of Fame on Yellow Breeches Creek in Carlisle.
He received numerous awards, including the Federation of Flyfisher's National Award for Contributions to Fly Tying.
"It's the end of an era," said Dan Shields, a former State College tackle shop owner and the author of "George Harvey: Memories, Patterns and Tactics." "George's career spanned the most important changes in sport fishing, from changes in tackle to the advent of catch and release."
While still an undergraduate studying ornamental horticulture at Penn State, Mr. Harvey developed a reputation as an exceptional angler and fly tyer. He went on to create original fly patterns, such as the Harvey's Favorite, the Spruce Creek Fly, and Harvey's Stonefly Nymph. He designed fly-fishing leader and a style of slack-leader fly casting that are used by anglers around the world.
Over the years, Mr. Harvey took Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter and other dignitaries fishing on Pennsylvania trout streams.
"But the thing that made him most proud," Mr. Shields said, "was his work with students."
One of them, Joe Humphreys, became a well-known fishing instructor and author who took over the Penn State program after Mr. Harvey retired.
"He was creative, innovative and far and away the best angler I have ever fished with," said Mr. Humphreys, of Oak Hall, Centre County. "He would humble angling icons."
Mr. Harvey is survived by a granddaughter and two great-grandchildren. Burial will be private. A memorial service date will be announced.
Donations may be made to the Joe Humphreys' Student Angling Fund, c/o Mark Belden, Pennsylvania State University, Room 2, Intramural Building, University Park, PA 16802 (write ACHAG on check); or Central Pennsylvania Multiple Sclerosis Society in memory of Mr. Harvey's daughter Sue at 2040 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
First Published: March 30, 2008, 4:00 a.m.