Photo by Gene Pauszek Pete Begier, Dan, Mike and Levi Kindermann, Don Szwejbka and Charlie Copola were busy tying jigs and flies on Monday night at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation fly tying event, open to the public.

Fishing lately continues to be a slow go, with cold, temperatures, and snowfall impacting local waterways.

Rick Miller in Irving commented that even the hard bottom streams like Walnut Creek and Silver Creek have been running high and dirty lately, but showed signs of clearing later on Wednesday. Cattaraugus Creek remains high and muddy. Miller did comment that the construction work at the state launch at Sunset appears to be nearly complete.

It’s hard to believe that walleye season will open in 16 days and turkey season will open on May 1.

The Dunkirk Harbor was filled with lots of ice earlier in the week and on Monday, the harbor was full of mergansers, and sea gulls. Anglers continue to connect with a few steelies off the pier but the action has slowed down from previous weeks.

Chautauqua Lake also is a stop and go situation with freezing temperatures having a negative effect on the calico bite. Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut/Stow reports that the crappie were biting off a weed bed near Prendergast, but anglers had to either use their trolling motors or paddle through the area to get any action. Ashville Bay has had active fish visit occasionally, but some of the areas available along the shoreline have been closed off due to excessive angling pressure/litter and other misdeeds. Look for the action to pick up once the temperature warms up later during the week and reportedly next week too. Look for some bullhead action to start up with some warm rainfall.

There will be a number of attractions at the Fishing show on Saturday, including giveaways. Make sure you visit the Chautauqua Vacation land booth, as they will be signing youths up for the free lifetime license giveaway of next year. If you have a story or a hunting/fishing photo you would like to share stop by the OBSERVER booth. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Calendar: The Lake Erie Outdoors fishing show scheduled for Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., will be a good time with 50 vendors scheduled. There are BoGo tickets ($3 entry) printed in the OBSERVER daily. There will also be a huge give-away for those attending including a $500 Outdoors gift card from Wal-Mart, overnight stay at the Clarion, gift certificates, food and more. Hope to see you there!

Southtowns Walleye Association will have its monthly meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Bay Rat Lures. Open to the public.

A free drop-off electronics recycling event will take place on April 21 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Park & Ride Lot at SUNY Fredonia. Recycle computers, tube TVs and monitors, telephones, microwaves, and other small electronics and appliances. Go to Sunnking.com for more.

There will be a free hunter safety course at the Con Club on April 18-19 from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Two day attendance. Call Gary at 366-3397 for information.

The Ripley Rod & Gun club will host a ham shoot on Sunday, April 22 starting at noon. This event will include archery and cross bow competition (bring your own equipment). Rimfire rifle and pistol (bring own ammo) and shotgun (slugs and shot shells will be provided). Muzzleloaders and scopes will be allowed. Ripley is also having an air rifle field target competition on April 22 with a free intro to air rifles at 8:30 a.m. Safety and range briefing at 9:45 a.m. and match shooting at 10 a.m. Four loaner rifles available. Open to ages 8-11 accompanied by a parent. Ages 12-18 are allowed without parent or guardian. Eye protection mandatory for both events and hearing protection for the ham shoot.

The first annual Lake Erie Outdoor & Fishing Show is scheduled for April 21 at the Clarion Hotel Marina & Conference Center from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Call 366-3000 ext. 420 or email mpatton@observertoday.com.

Monday night, free fly tying courses at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club are from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tying vises, instruction and materials are all provided free. No registration is necessary. The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club is located on Mullet Street in Dunkirk. Turn towards the lake at the Country Fair store located on Lakeshore Drive West (Route 5).

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. Classes are Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. 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.

The Great Lakes Experience Festival in Dunkirk will return this year on June 9 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event will once again be held in Memorial Park. More details at a later date.

There will be a fundraiser on April 21 from 4-6 p.m. at the Southtowns Walleye Association Club located at 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, to benefit the New York State Conservation Council. A lunch will be served and a number of raffles and silent auctions will take place to generate income for this worthwhile cause. For tickets ($20) contact Dan at 655-0975.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety course, a turkey shoot or any other outdoors event, and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 E. Second St., 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.