Mother Nature is playing her version of “April Fools” with the recent snowfall.

One nice predicament is that the trout bite is still in full force at many local streams and tributaries. Marty Klemann, a local NYS licensed guide (Canadawaycreekoutfitters.com) announced that Saturday was another exceptional day to be fishing artificials and flies on local tributaries.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources for Region 9 has been busy stocking mostly brown trout in a number of traditional areas since March 21. A report focusing on Chautauqua County’s Goose Creek was stocked heavily on March 30, while Clay Pod, in the Town of Poland, is scheduled for April 4. The Bear Lake Outlet will be stocked with brown trout on April 8, as well as Cassadaga Creek, Conewongo Creek West Branch. Also included are Farrington Hollow Brook in Cherry Creek, Canadaway Creek in Arkwright, and Mill Creek in Gerry. Note that two-year-old brown trout will be stocked in Arkwright, Cassadaga Creek and Mill Creek. Mill Creek will also be stocked with brook trout.

The two-year-old fish are about 14 to 15 inches long while the others are spring yearlings averaging about 8 to 9 inches. Be advised you will need a NYS fishing license if you are 16 years of age or older, and the season opened on April 1 and runs through Oct. 15. Size limit is “any size” and the daily limit is five. See Page 14 of the NY Freshwater Fishing 2015-16 Official Regulations Guide for more information.

At the recent meeting of the WNY Environmental Conservation Federation held at Hoaks, Gary Huber, the representative for WNY Deer Search, reported that Deer Search responded to over 750 calls to help recover deer in 2015. Deer Search is always looking for members and dog handlers. Part of the training includes a two-hour seminar, which the group is willing to perform at any rod and gun club that is interested.

A tip of the hat goes out to this fine organization not only for their efforts, but also for their assistance to other groups. They have been a major contributor to the Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen. Deer Search offers a gun raffle ticket throughout out the year. Profits go to pay for their insurance and the rest goes back to the community. Tickets are $20 for a 30-gun raffle and a call to 648-4355 will get them to you.

After over 42 years of service, Senior Wildlife Technician in Allegheny County, Gary Klock, will be retiring. Note that Region 9 Wildlife Division is currently going to be down three biologists.

Calendar:

The monthly meeting of the Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club, located at 4391 Cassadaga Stockton Road, in Stockton, will be held today at 4 p.m. The agenda will include 3-D archery schedules and the 200-yard rifle shoots, as well as the annual raffle. They start off the meeting with dinner, which will be Italian sausage with peppers and onions, so come hungry.

There is a pistol course on Sunday, April 24, at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club. The course is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m., and will conclude at 8 p.m. There is a state-mandated fee of $75 to attend this course. To register, or for more information, contact Gary Dudek at 366-3397. There is also a FREE Hunter Safety Training course scheduled at the Con Club on April 20 and 21 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.. You must pre-register on the DEC website before attending. For more information, call Dudek at 366-3397.

The former S.A.R.E.P Youth Fly Fishing program has a new name and meeting place. The group is now called “Children in the Stream Youth Fly Fishing 4H.” They will be meeting on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. at SUNY Fredonia in room 111 in the swimming pool complex in Steele Hall by the sculpture overlooking the pool.

There are free Monday night fly tying courses at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club from 6-8 p.m. The group is referred to as “Kids on the Fly.” Their mission statement is to: Offer students ages 9-50 an opportunity to learn about fly fishing and tying, as well as learn about the environment in Chautauqua County. The non-profit organization offers all the material and instruction for free. Come see for yourself.

Bison City Rod & Gun Club will host an outdoor gear flea market on Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Admission and tables are free on a first-come basis. Due to the Safe Act, no guns can be displayed, or sold, at this event. For information, call Paul Stoos at 563-9258 or Willie Sieber at 260-3240.

The Westfield Fish & Game Club is offering an NRA-certified course on “Basics of In Home Personal Protection.” The course will teach you how to protect yourself and loved ones in the event of a home invasion. The course is six to eight hours long and starts at 9 a.m. sharp. This course is for experienced shooters only and you must bring a copy of your state and county pistol permits, your own gun, 100 rounds of target-grade, standard-velocity ammo and, if available, two or more magazines and speed loaders, eye and ear protection, and a pen for taking notes.

There will be a test afterward and you must be 21 years of age and will be evaluated on your experience before you can take the course. Only 15 people to each course. Call Dave Narducci at 753-3731 to register. Club members’ cost is $65, and $80 for non-members. The final course will be held on April 23. Note that the last time to register for this courses is Tuesday, April 19. The class starts at 9 a.m.

Four boater safety courses are set for Chautauqua County. All courses are set for Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. May 7 is at the Cassadaga Legion, 228 Maple Avenue, in Cassadaga. Next is May 14 at Southwestern Middle School, 600 Hunt Road, in Jamestown. The third course will be held on May 21 at the Lawson Center, located at 73 Lakeside Drive, in Bemus Point. The last course will be June 11 at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, which is located at 1 Mullet Street, in Dunkirk.

Students are to bring a bagged lunch, except the May 21 course, which will provide a lunch. The Chautauqua County Sheriff Department will provide the training free of charge for students ages 10-17. Attendees aged 18 and older will have to pay a $10 fee to NYS to receive their certificate. No pre-registration required.

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