OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Fishermen found plenty of bargains at the Southtowns Walleye flea market on Saturday.

We are halfway through January and there is more warm weather in the forecast for next week.

And that warmer weather will make things tough for those who like ice and snow, but there will be plenty of outdoors-related activities coming up.

The Greater Niagara Fishing Expo will take place on Jan. 20 through Jan. 22 at the Conference and Events Center in  Niagara Falls, which is located at 101 Old Falls Street. You may want to consider attending all three days, with the lineup of talent that will be there.

If fishing is your passion, there is a wide variety of talent giving seminars. Mark and Jake Romanack will bring their “Fishing 411” show, which is broadcast world wide on the World Fishing Network. Mark has published 13 books on fishing, including the “Trollers Bible” series. Jack Romanack, however, is now on YouTube and co-hosting TV productions nowadays.

If you want to get more for your money on your electronics, you can check out Captain Lance Valentine of Teachinfishn.com, who will be on hand to show you how to use your fish finder and GPS units to their maximum potential.

If you are a fan of salmon, your day to attend is Saturday when the Lake Ontario Salmon & Trout Association will once again host its popular Salmon School. In it’s 10th year, the school boasts six hours of detailed instruction taught by three expert captains: Captain Bob Songin, Captain Jerry Felluca and Captain Russel Gahagan. For more information on LOTSA, logon to their website at www.lotsal.org.

Clam Outdoors and Ice Team will create a full-scale Ice Fishing Show within a show. Legendary ice man, Dave Genz, will be on hand to answer questions. Look for the 2017 Walleye School with separate curriculums on trolling and hands-on techniques. Are you interested in fishing the Lower Niagara River? There are show specials for trips from Jan. 19 until Jan. 24.

There are also specials for ladies and the youngsters, too. Children ages 10 and under get in free when accompanied by a paying adult (limited to two children). There are plenty of activities and events geared toward the younger crowd as well. If your spouse wants to come along, note that the Conference and Event Center will be offering a complimentary shuttle service back and forth from the Fashion Outlets on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 1 until 6 p.m. Visit the website for more information at www.niagarafishingexpo.com, send an email to Info@niagarafishingexpo.com or call 278-2100. Don’t forget to bring your camera as Niagara Falls is only three blocks from the center. And dress warm!

Calendar:

His Way Archers located at 34 Ohio St., Jamestown will start its youth archery program this Saturday. The program runs the second and fourth Saturday mornings of the month. They will have archery instruction for ages 6 to 18 years of age starting at 10 a.m. and ending at noon. Equipment will be provided for those that need it. The cost is $5 per child. The range will be open to the public on these days starting at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call 484-7046 or 485-3598.

The Lakeshore Longbeards announced its annual membership/fundraiser will be next Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Kosciuszko Club, located in Dunkirk.

The next meeting of the Longbeards Committee will be Monday at 7 p.m. at Liberty Vineyards. All are welcome to attend. For tickets, or more information, contact Gary Dudek at 366-3397, Gary Burmaster at 672-4520, Bob Turk at 934-4538 or Scott Dibble at 595-3897.

Free Monday night fly tying classes have resumed  at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, located at the foot of Mullet Street, in Dunkirk. All materials, including tying vises, are provided free. The course is from 6-8 p.m. No sign up or registration is necessary. Students get to keep their flies, too. Bring a friend. Scout leaders are encouraged to stop by and bring their charges. This course is geared for pre-teens and those older, and is connected with Kids on the Fly. Instructors will be on hand to guide novice and veteran fly tyers. Note that often there are delicious homemade cookies too!

Alberto Rey announced the Children in the Stream Youth Fly Fishing Program will begin its 18th year of providing free fly fishing classes to children and adults on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. The program is currently underway and will continue until June 13, except for Jan. 16, March 13 and May 29. Classes will be in the Costello Community Room (P84) on the first floor of the addition to Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia. For more information, contact Rey at alberto.rey@fredonia.edu. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided. This is great for beginners and veteran tyers alike. There will be a Raw fur Auction on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Hinsdale Fire Hall, Hinsdale. The auction starts at 10 a.m. until everything has been sold. Sellers have the privilege to withdraw any lot from the table at the time of sale. Note that no furs will be checked in before 7 a.m. Help is available for grading for sale. For more information, contact Matt Spittler at 359-5141.

There will be a pistol permit course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 5:30-10:30 p.m. There is a $75 for attending this course. For information, contact Gary Dudek at 366-3397.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or other outdoors event and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 East Second St., 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 after 5 p.m. at ext. 5.

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