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Getting hooked on our lake

For a couple of novice fishermen, teamwork would be the key to reeling in our big catch of the day. On the boat “89 Surprise,” which was captained by Roger and Joyce Corlett, the crew of city Mayor Anthony J. Dolce, Joseph Sempolinski of U.S. Rep. Tom Reed’s office, Brooke D’Agostino and myself spent about four hours on a churning lake Wednesday morning.

Roger Corlett, who had participated in the weekend walleye competition, noted the small waves were nothing compared to last weekend. He said it was much rougher from July 31 to last Sunday, the tournament’s completion date.

As Hamburg residents, the Corletts choose to keep their boat in Dunkirk due to the Chadwick Bay Marina’s proximity to restaurants and events. They attend the city’s Fourth of July, its concerts at the pier and parks. They have had a slip in the city since the 1990s.

They love it.

When the sun began to shine around 9, the lake became much calmer – and the fish started biting. All told, our team had eight bites – two big ones got away. We threw three small ones back and kept some prized walleyes.

In the picture at right, Dolce and I are holding a 7-pound catch. Yes, we caught it together.

According to Roger Corlett, the line was about 450 feet out when we got a bite. I reeled it in for the first 250 before surrendering to the fish. Dolce finished the job.

Following a trip on the lake, the more than 100 participants gathered in the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club for a fish luncheon and an update on the health of Lake Erie. Some of the highlights included:

Rich Davenport of the Erie County Fish Advisory Council gave a report on the “unique environment” of the Great Lakes. Davenport noted for sports fishing, Lake Erie rates first while Lake Ontario is third. “It is an asset and a tremendous draw,” he said.

Large-mouth and small-mouth bass is the most popular catch in sports fishing, Davenport said. For our region, we cater to that demographic. Nationally, Chautauqua Lake rates 86th out of 100 for bass fishing; 56th is Lake Erie in Ohio and third is the Lake Erie Buffalo area. When it comes to walleyes, which rates as a top five catch nationally, Lake Erie’s eastern region right here rates near the top.

Some other popular fish that can be found in Lake Erie are lake trout, rainbow and brown trout, catfish and yellow perch, some of which can reach 15 inches long. “We have some of the best fishing,” Davenport said, noting a regional effort to promote fishing is needed to create a greater buzz to attract future sportsmen. “All three counties need to share in that load and responsibility.”

Sherri “Sam” Mason, who has done ground-breaking work on the harmful effects of plastics and microbeads in the Great Lakes with the State University of New York at Fredonia, shared information about her research efforts since 2012. “You get out in the water and you don’t see plastic,” she said. “The reason you don’t see it is because a majority of what we’re finding is incredibly small. The size of a sand grain.”

In April, Mason’s study led to state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman denouncing the use of microbeads, calling them “a harmful form of plastic pollution.” The Erie County Legislature last month passed a law banning microbeads. Later this month, after a presentation by Mason, Chautauqua County may follow suit.

Color them happy

On Sunday’s Page C2, our newspaper will announce the winners of the Great Lakes Experience coloring contest. Hundreds of entries were submitted and there are three winners from kindergarten to second grade.

Winners will be able to pick up their prizes at the OBSERVER or we will drop them off at their school when the year begins.

John D’Agostino is the OBSERVER publisher. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 366-3000, ext. 401.

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