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Summertime deals “reel in” innovative ideas

Fishing doesn’t have to be expensive if you are willing to get innovative. Here are a few ideas I have learned from other anglers.

Captain Paul Druyer and Bud Marsh were in one of the recent fishing photos and I noticed Capt. Paul had some PVC pipe mounted at opposite angles towards the bow of his 17-foot Lund boat. After inquiring I found that Paul used this for placing two inexpensive, stout but flexible fishing rods spooled with 65 pound test braided line.

These rods become his planner board mast(s). His homemade wooden planner boards are attached and sent off to the side. A dog collar snap attached to string becomes his retrieval for placing release clips. It is a pretty neat system.

I spied a neat fishing net holder on Jack Forbes bicycle.

Jack’s bike has a frame that allows him to attach a piece of PVC pipe to it, so that the net when inserted handle first, rides, hands free and out of his way.

For the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club’s annual Take-A-Kid-Fishing day event, I usually have to set up all the new fishing rods so the youngsters have equipment to use. I noticed that on the brand new spinning rods, the factory had the line spooled to the brim. When you release tension, the line quickly uncoils. When purchasing new spinning reels, it might be a good idea to remove 10 or 20 feet of line (or more) to prevent this from happening.

Summertime is yard sale time, and you can usually find lots of good used fishing equipment at bargain prices. I usually like to make sure the line guides are all intact, and that the reels appear to be in working order. Check the fishing line by wrapping it around your hands a few times and snapping it. Usually most reels are loaded with 10 pound test monofilament. If it breaks easily, consider replacing it. Don’t try this line test with braided line as it can slice into tender hands. Watch for finger nail clippers to be on sale. Buy a bunch, because they make efficient line clippers.

Do not use cigarettes or a lighter to cut your line as heat deteriorates fishing line. The best line clipper/split ring opener I have seen for a bargain price is located near the cash register at Bill’s Hooks.

Flea markets are another great source of used fishing equipment. Guys like Henry Hube at the DART Airport Flea Market, often have a soft spot in their hearts for youngsters and have been very generous.

Cheap bait! Pick your own night crawlers with a flashlight after a soaking rain. At night, look for recently mowed front lawns as the worms will be laying on top and become “easy pickings”. Shine the light to the side as direct light will make the crawlers retreat.

Coffee cans make great containers. At the end of the night discard any worms that are pinched too hard as they will die and cause the others to deteriorate. Keep your worms cool and moist, but not too wet.

Want an easy ruler for measuring your fish to see if they are legal length? Measure your fishing rod from the end of the butt to 12 and/or 15 inches and mark with tape or a marker. Easy! Pick up a pair of needle nose pliers for a hook remover, when fish swallow your hook. And looking to the future, consider using a drone for picking up your fishing line and dropping it further than you could ever cast it. Think about it!

Calendar:

The Orvis Buffalo store recently announced they will be offering beginner classes at their store located at 4545 Transit Road, Williamsville. Classes are on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. For details go to www.orvis.com/buffalo or call 276-7200.

The Southtowns Walleye Association will be holding their annual nine-day walleye tournament for members only from June 10-18. Rob Ray’s 3rd annual Big Dawg Walleye tournament is scheduled for July 9 run from the Chadwick Bay Marina. Optional Big Fish Friday is July 9. For details call Mark Mohr at 998-9871 or visit www.razorsbigdawg.com.

The 7th annual Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout is July 22 with an optional Big Fish Friday on July 21. For details call Don Ruppert at 498-7770 or Bob Rustowitz at 830-6394.

The Northern Chautauqua three-day walleye tournament will be held August 4-6. For details contact Zen Olow at 640-2776.

The Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge from Chadwick Bay marina is August 26, with optional big fish Friday. For details contact Jim Steel at 983-7867 or visit https://lakeeriewalleyetournament.com.

Boating safety courses offered by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 34, will be held on June 17 Paddle Sports America at CNRC Center from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and June 24 at the Ashville Flasher, 5338 Stow Road, Ashville, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For information, or to register, call Judy at 785-2198. The department of Environmental Conservation will be holding their annual Angler outreach for Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River on June 27 at Woodlawn Beach State Park Lodge from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. This free seminar will include presentations and discussion on steelhead, walleye, and sturgeon. For details contact the DEC Fisheries Unit at 366-0228 on weekdays.

The Great Lakes Experience returns to Dunkirk on June 17 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The GLE will be located on the eastside of the city pier next to the Clarion Hotel located on Route 5. The event is free.

The Lakeshore Longbeards, our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, intend to conduct a youth day event refereed to as Jake’s Day on July 22. Details to follow.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or any other outdoors event, and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 East Second Street, Dunkirk, N.Y. 14048, or call the Sports Dept. at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 6 p.m.

Note: If you have a big-game fishing or trapping success story you would like to share, call 366-1772, or 467-2079 and leave a name, phone number and a time you can be reached. You can also call 366-3000, ext. 5, after 6 p.m.

Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com

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