If the precipitation holds off today, trout anglers should find stream conditions in their favor in the smaller hard-bottom creeks from Pennsylvania to Buffalo.
The lone exception will be Cattaraugus Creek which is running fast and muddy. With two trips to the town of Derby on Wednesday, I watched the water levels on all the smaller creeks start to clear and slow up by the hour. They all were turning that shade of pale green that promises hungry trout below the surface.
Offshore angling for yellow perch has slowed down even more, but some anglers have been trying their luck. Call Rick Miller at 934-2477 to see if he has live minnows before heading out and keep an eye on the sky.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek
The Lakeshore Longbeards, our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently donated 20 frozen processed turkeys to the Silver Creek Food Pantry for Christmas dinners. Pictured from left are Bob Turk Jr. Margaret Gorndt c/o of the SCFP and Ava Turk, representing the Longbeards Junior members (JAKES).
Dunkirk anglers who frequent the City Pier have been gathering on the east side, closer towards Chadwick Bay Marina in hopes of brown trout. There was a bait die-off in that area and the opportunistic browns are cruising for an easy meal.
Lee Weber in Derby reports the launch area at Sturgeon Point has been blocked off for the season. It could be tough on perch seekers if the weather this winter stays balmy. Late last March, perch pickers reported pounding the ring backs off Sturgeon Point.
Bob Turk reported a black bear was shot in Arkwright on Sunday. If we get lucky, maybe we will have a photo and story to share!
Calendar:
The Southtowns Walleye Association Clubhouse, located at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., in Hamburg, will host its monthly meeting today and will feature Timothy Thomas, President of NYS Ice Pro-Am Tournament Series. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.
Also on Jan. 19, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Soutowns Walleye Hall, there will be a flea-market-type sale of used fishing and hunting equipment, with free parking, free entry and food and drinks available. Tables are $20, with reservations due by Jan. 17. Call 649-8202 for information.
The local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Lakeshore Longbeards, will host its next meeting on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m., at Liberty Vineyards, located on Route 20, in Sheridan. Topic of discussion will include the upcoming membership banquet to be held on Feb. 9, 2013, at the Koscuisko Club, in Dunkirk.
Also on the agenda will be scholarship submissions. All local high school seniors are invited to participate. For more information, find the National Wild Turkey Federation online, and look for scholarship information.
The SAREP Youth Fly Fishing Program will continue its 14th season of free fly tying and fly fishing classes on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Fredonia Middle School Cafeteria. Field trips will occur shortly afterwards. Classes are free and are open to children and community members. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The classes will continue to meet every Monday until early summer.
There will be a Fur Handling Seminar on Saturday, Jan. 5 at the Collins Conservation Club located on Conger Road, Collins. This FREE event will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn better ways of preparing your pelts. There will be kids games, prizes, raffles and the kitchen is open. There will be a fur buyer available after the event. Call Hoot at 532-2457, or Patti at 337-2556 for information. This event is sponsored by the Erie County Fur Trappers Association.
The Northern Chautauqua Beagle Club will host its annual rabbit hunt on Sunday, Jan. 13. The hunt is open to all area hunters. You can enter the day of the event at the club house located 8455 Fredonia Stockton Road in Fredonia from 6-8 a.m. Entry fee is $5. Awards and hot food available at the club around 3 p.m. For information, call Pete Criscione at 366-8989, Liz Dorman at 595- 3993 and John Depew at 789-5522.
For those of you interested in taking a NYS Pistol Permit Class, there will be one held locally on Jan. 26 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For information, call Gary Dudek at 366-3397.
The Jamestown Rifle club will hold Pistol classes on Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 24 and April 28. You must be 21 years of age and a resident of Chautauqua County. All classes begin at 1 p.m. and last around four hours. Call Pat Hayes at 484-9301 for information.
Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.
