Mother Nature has been sending out too little rain and too much wind for most fishermen.
The heavy rainfall over the weekend put some running water in the larger creeks in the area, but not enough to put a noticeable dent in the water table. Stream anglers were able to connect with a number of fresh run trout especially in Cattaraugus Creek, according to Department of Environmental Conservation biologist Jim Markham.
Markham, who is the Cold Water species specialist, acknowledged that anglers connected with trout in the "Cat" all the way up to Gowanda and the anglers are seeing some larger 26-28 inch fish too, instead of the usual smaller "jacks" or males that arrive first.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek
Ken Hollander, standing next to Rachel Glowniak, along with Willie Fedrick have resumed their Monday “Nights at the round table” free fly tying program at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Monday evenings starting at 6 p.m. The duo will instruct you how to tie your own fishing flies and will provide vises and all materials necessary, FREE of charge. You are invited!
Rick Miller in Irving also stated anglers have been using a variety of presentations to "lure in" their fish. Spinners work well in clearer water and the meat baits like eggs, sacks, minnows and worms do better when the water is cloudy. Tossing spoons near the mouth of the stream is also a proven approach. Smaller streams like Chautauqua Creek and Canadaway have some fish, but the deeper holes will attract the fish as well as the crowds.
Offshore fishing for yellow perch has ground to a stand still with rain and wind in the forecast daily. Even if the water appears peaceful enough near shore, wave action on the horizon (where the water appears to meet the sky) will prove otherwise. Today might be the first day to offer a fair attempt at offshore fishing, but a pronounced "mudline" appears to extend well off shore. Fishing the edge of the mudline may be worth investigating before heading out deeper, as the bait will often hide in the murky area followed by hungry predator fish. Good luck and keep an eye on the sky and your cell phone charged. There are a lot less anglers on the water this time of year.
Calendar:
Ken Hollander and Willie Fedrick will resume the free fly tying clinics on Monday evenings at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club starting at 6 p.m. NOT 7 p.m.. All equipment, vises and materials are provided FREE. You are invited.
The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will resume their annual Hunters Helping the Hungry program starting this Tuesday. Con Club members are urged to bring a non-perishable food item with them to the club on Tuesdays . A monetary donation is also a suitable choice. All donations will be distributed to the needy in the community through the efforts of the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Youth Organization during the Christmas Holiday. Please Help!
NOTICE: The Westportland Baptist Church members are proud to announce they will host their annual "Sportsmans Dinner" this Friday. The dinner, which will be a wild game buffet, featuring moose, swiss steak and other delights, will take place at the Westfield Fire Exempt Hall located on Bourne Street, in Westfield. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. This year's event will feature Steve Chapman, who is an accomplished hunter, speaker, song writer and an award-winning vocalist. Chapman will share his hunting knowledge and experience with the audience and treat you to some of his award-winning songs. The entire event is FREE, but you must make reservations by calling the WPBC at 753-3812. See you there!
Hunter education courses will be held:
Falconer Rod & Gun Club located on the Buffalo Street Extension in Falconer, is scheduled to host a trapping course on Sept. 26 & 28 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. both days. Two-day attendance is necessary for certification.
The Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club has scheduled a two-day trapping course on Oct. 18 & 19 from 6-10 p.m. You must pre-register by phone by calling Roger Witt at 595-3418.
There is a two-day trapping course at the Westfield Fish & Game Club on Oct. 5 from 6-10 p.m. returning on Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Register at the first class.
Fly tying classes will resume on Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m., starting Sept. 10 at the Sinclairville Free Library. Classes will continue until May. Called "Country Kids on the Fly", the group allows anyone aged 8-100 to learn how to tie their own fishing flies. All tools and materials are provided free. Adults are welcome and encouraged to tie flies also, so fly fishing can become a family hobby. Parents must accompany their kids to the first class as important papers will need to be filled out. For more information, call 962-3635 or 485-3919 or log on www.countrykidsonthefly.blogspot.com.
The Gowanda Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Fall Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Cattaraugus Creek. Sign-in gets under way at 5 a.m. at the Gowanda Moose Club, located on Aldrich Street. The tournament begins at sunrise and is a catch-and-release event following DEC rules and regulations, with tournament personnel on site to measure and weigh-in the catch. There will be awards, door prizes and food for the participants at the Moose Club after 3:30 p.m. For more information, log on to www.gowandanychamber.org, or call 532-2834 or 532-2288.
Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.
