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The temperature continues to drop - as well as the leaves - and snowfall most likely will soon be here on a regular basis. Trout anglers continue to reap the bounty of our area's waterways and deer hunters willing to spend time on their stands are reporting an increase in deer sightings.

This columnist checked out the action at Canadaway Creek on Tuesday and talked with several anglers who were trying their luck. Dan Richardson, Scott Harrington and Doug Draper commented they were having a good time plying the waters of our local streams. All three anglers including Scot Draper, who was already at the car, hail from various points of Utah. When asked why they traveled all the way east to our area, they all grinned and replied, "the search for 10-pound trout on a consistent basis."

The anglers practice catch and release and all were well equipped with fly fishing gear. All the anglers were using various egg pattern flies as well as floats to present their artificial offerings. The guys commented they had encountered a few 8-pound rainbows as well as a 12-pound brown trout on the Niagara. The guys make the trip to our area once a year and often bring their wives, who tend to visit the Niagara Falls area. Tuesday evening they had a lot of the waterway to themselves. Cool!

Jim Markham at the Department of Environmental Conservation Fisheries station commented that Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua Creek are hot right now, with most of the fish located between Laona Falls and the mouth of the creek. The Cattaraugus Creek area is starting to clear up, with most of the activity centered around the dam area. The streams near Buffalo are also turning on, with fish reported in Buffalo, Cazenovia and Cayuga Creeks. Markham also commented there are still reports of anglers catching large yellow perch off Sturgeon Point.

Many anglers have already put their boats up for the winter, but Markham commented that this time of year, when the DEC sets nets for walleye in 45-feet of water, they find the reef and shoal areas loaded with walleye. The fish return to their springtime spawning haunts to put on the feed bag before the winter sets in. Few, if any, fishermen cash in on this opportunity. If you try your luck, use stick baits and be sure to wear your PFD as it is the now the law as of Nov. 1. Carry a cell phone and make sure your lights and safety gear are in working order. Good luck!

Calendar: The Ellery Rod & Gun Club will host a turkey shoot at their club located on Pancake Hill Road off Dutch Hollow Road in Ellery, on Nov. 8. Breakfast will be served before every shoot. Everyone is welcome to participate.

The Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club will host a turkey shoot on Nov. 8 from noon until 3 p.m.

The Ripley Rod & Gun Club will host their annual Turkey shoot on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15. Start time is noon. They offer competition shooting for slug, shot, pistol (bring your own ammo). Scopes are allowed. Raffles will take place all day.

If your club or organization is conducting a Hunter Safety/Archery/Trapping course or event that pertains to outdoors sports and/or activities, contact this columnist c/o the OBSERVER Sports 366-3000 ext. 5 evenings, or 366-1772 or fax 366-2389.

The Evans Rod & Gun Club located on Cain Road between Routes 5 and 20 will host "Sighting In days" on Nov. 7 and 8 (Saturday and Sunday) from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. This event is open to the public to sight in your deer slugs, rifles, handguns and muzzleloaders. Covered Firing line with concrete shooting benches are provided. Targets are also provided at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. NRA Certified Range Safety Officers and experienced shooters will be on hand to provide assistance. There is a $5 fee per gun. Refreshments are available.

There will be a gun show in Hermitage Pa., at the Hickory Post VFW, 5550 East State St. US Rte. 62, on Nov. 7 and 8 For information, call 569-6810 or log on www.nfcshows.com.

There will be a gun show in Cheektowaga at the Niagara Frontier Collectors, at the Knights of Columbus Banquet Hall, 2735 Union Road, on Dec. 12 & 13. The event benefits the Buffalo Childrens Hospital.

The Chautauqua County Sheriffs office will host a youth and adult snowmobile safety course on Nov. 27 starting at 9 a.m. The course will be at the Cassadaga Legion located at 228 Maple Ave., Cassadaga. The eight-hour course will also have a lunch period with pizza, so bring a donation if you plan on joining. Pre-register by calling 499-4929 and follow the instructions at the end of message. You can also e-mail vanzile@sheriff.us and include your name, address, age, date of birth (must be at least 10 years of age) and a phone number you can be reached at to register. For other dates and locations, log on www.sheriff.us or www.nysparks.state.ny.us.

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