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Fishing trip a success, but hard work

Photo by Gene Pauszek Brian Deverell and Dave Crouse display a nice catch of “eater sized” walleye.

Strong winds and other elements have turned the fishing pattern upside down lately.

Most of the anglers who competed in the Sunset Bay Shoot Out encountered walleye in a variety of locations. On Monday morning, my brother Ray Pauszek and I decided to try for yellow perch out of Dunkirk. Equipped with a bucket of live golden shiners, we set out and encountered a picture of “Perch haven.” Subtly dropping the anchor, we sunk our bait below and quickly had a telltale hit, but no cigar. No perch either.

We continued to re-bait and miss until we spied other fishermen also in search of productive fishing spots. We opted to try for walleye, and while moving out to deeper water where we had encountered walleye last week, we noticed numerous bait clouds with suspected fish feeding on the “bait” in 40 feet of water.

Moving out to 60 foot plus depths we headed north out to some old way points. We finally hooked up in 73 feet of water and as far as 85 feet. We also notice we had more hits when trolling slightly faster than 2.0. In addition, stick baits placed second to worn harnesses and small spoons on the downriggers.

We ended up with nine walleye but had to work for them. Returning to the perch grounds, we baited up with minnows and drifted through the area. Encountering the balls of bait, etc., on the electronics we quickly landed several yellow perch, but by the time we un-hooked, re-baited and dropped the offering, the perch were gone.

A second pass had another flurry of action, but we had other obligations and had to call it a day. Using a bow mounted trolling motor will likely increase your catch ratio as the perch seem to shun the anchor. In addition, the walleye by midday dropped down to the 40-to-50 foot mark on the electronics .

Skip Bianco from Hogan’s Hut/Stow reports that the walleye fishing continues to improve on Chautauqua Lake, as does the yellow perch catching. Best areas for walleye have been from Long Point to Prendergast. The 18-foot mark down the center of the lake has also been good. Catching has been slow in the areas where the herbicide was applied.

Calendar:

Aug. 3, 4, and 5 are the dates for the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club walleye derby. A three day tourney, with three walleye per day allowed entry. Two to four anglers per boat. A full field of 100 teams is currently signed up with a waiting list. This three day event is considered by some as the most fun event of the area tournaments. Lots of opportunities to win.

On Aug. 7, 8 and 9, several outdoor writers will be in the area to sample some of our tremendous fishing, scenery, cuisine and hospitality.

On Aug. 8, the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Association, in connection with the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, will be hosting the annual VIP Day. Local and state level politicians, as well as various administrators, who play a role in protecting/influencing our environment, are invited to a half a day of fishing on Lake Erie, complete with a friendly competition for who catches the largest walleye, capped off with a fish fry with all the trimmings. Invitation only.

Aug. 25 is the Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge out of Dunkirk. A one day tournament with optional Big Fish Friday on Aug. 24. Limited to 65 boats with the registration deadline on Aug. 1. Contact Jim Steel at 481-5348 or go to lakeeriewalleyetournament.com. Last chance to scratch your Lake Erie walleye tournament itch.

The Children of the Stream Youth Fly Fishing Program will be starting its 18th year of providing weekly free fly tying and fly fishing classes to both youths and adults in our area. Note that classes will switch from Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to Tuesday evenings at the Costello Community Room (P84) in the new addition to the Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia. You do not need any prior experience to attend these classes, and the course is geared towards ages 10 and older. For more information contact Alberto Rey at 410-7003 or alberto@albertorey.com.

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, NY 14048, or call the sports department 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. or email sports@observertoday.com.

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