If the water level keeps going down, we may have to start calling it Lake 'Eerie'.
It's downright spooky how low the water is. Long-term lakeshore residents are sighting rocks and rubble off shore that they haven't seen visible in over 40 years. Those boaters who attempted to utilize the Dunkirk launch facility met with sand bars and potentially propeller damaging situations. The launch area closest to the launch site building is so shallow it was closed off because the water is so low.
Barcelona is no exception to low water levels either with more beach area visible then I can recall and the areas inside the breakwalls showing lots of tree limbs and floating logs, etc. Sturgeon Point also has reports of low water at the launch sites and Cattaraugus Creek has residents conducting private depth gauging from the launch, out past the outer breakwalls.
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OBSERVER photo by Gene Pauszek
Low water levels at the Dunkirk harbor and other areas have been a problem for boaters lately.
We have had a lot of rainfall lately, but not nearly enough to put a dent in the lake's water level. If you do intend to pull your boat out from Dunkirk and have a larger/heavier craft, you may want to consider utilizing the Chadwick Bay facility.
Offshore perch fishermen are disappearing as the cold weather draws closer. Wind forecasts seem to change by the hour, but there have been decent reports from off the 'Cat' and off Sturgeon Point. The last report off Dunkirk was in 62 feet of water.
There are some reports of crappie action on Chautauqua Lake from shore with night fishing being most productive. Stream fishing will improve with the heavy rainfall we had earlier in the week, but Cattaraugus Creek may take a while to clear out.
Duck season opens Oct. 27 until Dec. 9 with a split re-opening from Dec. 29 until Jan. 13.
Bow season has been open for a while, but as Charlie Alsheimer likes to say, "Things will start to ramp up" pretty soon. Rutting activity should start picking up the last week of October and continue to escalate until gun season.
Calendar:
The SAREP Youth Fly Fishing Program will begins its 14th season of FREE fly tying/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 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.
The Westfield Fish & Game Club will host turkey shoots at its club located on Ogden Road on Sunday, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4. The events will start at noon and last until they're finished. These events will be held rain or shine. The public is welcome. All legal centerfire firearms are permitted. Ammunition will be provided for birdshot and deer slugs only. There will be .22 caliber shoots on the indoor range. Bring your own ammo.
If your club is holding a similar event contact the OBSERVER at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 5 p.m.
The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will resume its annual Hunters Helping the Hungry program. On Tuesdays, Con Club members are urged to bring a non-perishable food item with them. 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 season.
Fly tying classes have resumed on Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m., at the Sinclairville Free Library. Classes will continue until May. All tools and materials are provided free. For more information, call 962-3635 or 485-3919 or log on www.countrykidsonthefly.blogspot.com.
The Ellery Rod & Gun Club located on Pancake Hill Road, Bemus Point will host turkey shoots on Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 . from 9 until noon. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. until noon. These events are open to the public.
The Westfield Fish & Game Club will host its 65th annual turkey shoot on Sunday, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 from noon until finish. The club is located on Ogden Road .
The Evans Rod & Gun Club located on Cain Road between Route 5 and Route 20 will host "Sighting In Day" on Saturday, Nov. 3 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. They feature covered firing line with concrete shooting benches. Targets provided at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. NRA Certified Range safety officers & experienced shooters will provide assistance. Fee is $5 per gun.
The 2012 Arts of the Angler Show will take place on Nov. 10 & 11 at the Danbury Ethan Allen Inn, exit 4 on Route I-84 Danbury, Conn. This will be a little taste of fly fisherman's heaven, featuring the finest contemporary and collectible fly fishing including tackle and accessories, materials, books destinations, guiding, and services for the fly fishing community. There will also be a live auction on Nov. 10. For more information call 845-439-4810 or e-mail: flyfish@catskill.net. Visit the website at www.cffcm.net
Gene Pauszek is an OBSERVER outdoors columnist. Send comments to sports@observertoday.com.
