OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Tyler Bernard displays a nice black bass he caught at the Dunkirk Yacht Club.

Happy Fathers Day to whom it applies. I like to think that it is no coincidence that Fathers Day and the Bass season opening weekend happen at the same time. In the most recent issue of BASSMASTERS magazine, they report that B.A.S.S. is celebrating their 50th anniversary! Happy Birthday!

An article on page 8 of the June issue reports that a study by Smithwick Associates, “Anglers spend $16 billion annually on bass fishing… That’s more than Major League baseball and the National Basketball Association combined!” Bassmasters magazine has been around for 50 years. The other three major publications that have lasted that long are Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, and Fur Fish and Game. I cannot give you and actual date but one of the articles that appeared in either F&S or Outdoor Life featured color print of a submerged tree stump decorated with a variety of lures and a large pike or musky deeply imbedded in the root system. The story described how the author eventually caught that monster fish by using a live chipmunk with a hook tied to it’s back. The author used a canoe to paddle out to the stump, placed the unsuspecting “bait” on top and paddled away. In short order, the mean old pike took the bait, was caught and the fisherman paddled back and collected a box full of snagged lures. Of course, nowadays, it is illegal to use chipmunks or live mice, gold fish etc. for bait.

Here is another one you might recall: one of the magazines offered a “print” of a top water largemouth bass chasing down a live duckling. It might have been offered by the Arborgast Company. I believe the print cost $50 at the time. I wonder what it would be worth now, in good condition.

One more memory: years ago, I was young and innocent and got in trouble with my parents. As punishment I could not leave the house. My grandfather, Stanley Pauszek (Dzia, Dzia) stopped by and wanted me to go fishing with him. I explained that I couldn’t go, and he persisted that I accompany him, and I should tell my father, when he came home from work, that DZIA DZIA said it was okay. Stanley was shorter than my father Ray, and being young I was perplexed how this would play out. My mom, Ann, was angry but gave in, and when dad came home, there were angry words. A lot of them in POLISH. I did not get in too much trouble. I guess the lesson here is, like in Pinochle, grandparents rules are trump! Have a nice day!

Calendar: The 34th annual Southtowns walleye Derby concludes today at 4 p.m. The Dunkirk weigh station will be open from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. sharp!

Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club walleye derby captains are REQUIRED to sign up for the 2018 event at the following times: June 22 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday June 23 from noon until 3 p.m. You will fill out the entry form, provide payment,and be advised of the derby rules and regulations.

The NYSDEC Lake Erie Angler Outreach event will take place at the Woodlawn Beach State Park on June 20 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. All are welcome. Topic presented by members of the fisheries management group will include walleye, musky, sturgeon and lake trout acoustic telemetry, yellow perch management, and question and answer discussions. The event is FREE. For more info, call 366-0228.

June 29 is the date for the second annual WNY Heroes Military Veterans Walleye Fun Fish Day. The event is based out of the Dunkirk Harbor from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Rain or Shine. Veterans in the competition can weigh in one walleye or one bass. Lunch will be provided by the Northern chautauqua conservation Club from 2-4 p.m. To participate complete the sign-up form at http://eepurl.com/dp97JD or contact Chairman/Captain Jim Steel at 716-481-5348.

July 7 is the next walleye tournament with the Lake Erie Big Dawg Walleye Tournament. This is a one-day 5 walleye/day. Optional Big Fish Friday is on July 6. Unlimited boat field with 2 to 5 anglers per boat. $500 entry fee. 100 percent pay back. Call Mark Mohr for details at 998-9871 or go to www.rayzorbigdawg.com.

July 21 is the 8th annual Sunset Bay Shoot Out. This event is full. Contact Captain Don Ruppert at 435-4137 or go to walleyeshootout.com.

August 03,04 and 05 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.

Cassadaga Lakes Association will host the 25th annual Lew Meade Memorial Youth Fishing Tournament on Saturday, June 23 on Cassadaga Lake. This event is open to the public for age groups 7 years old and under, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16 years old. Fishing will be from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Trophies will be presented in each age group and for boys and girls. In addition, TWO of the winners (not 8) will receive their own kayaks. For more information call Steve Wickmark at 595-2900.

August 25 is the Innovative Outdoors walleye Challenge out of Dunkirk. A one day tournament with optional Big Fish Friday on 8/24. Limited to 65 boats with the registration deadline on August 01. Contact Jim Steel at 481-5348 or go to www.lakeeriewalleyetournament.com.

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.