This year saw a few adjustments. There were fewer youngsters in attendance, but more parents showed up. Thanks to our friend Zen Olow, Sportsman Federation President — and wearer of many hats and titles that support the fisherman — the event received permission to be a free fishing day on-site for the kids and adults — just another opportunity for people to try their hand at fishing before purchasing a license. The menu changed, going from picnic cuisine to pizza, wings and ice cream, for the sake of convenience. The beautiful Dunkirk Yacht Club graciously opened their doors to our group at 8 a.m. and the two-dozen eager anglers tried their luck. Before heading out they were all equipped with a mandatory life jacket, supplied by the Con Club. Handing out the PFD’s were Bob Gloff and Julio DeLeon, who both set the kids at ease with their smiles and charm. Each child received a cup of worms to be used as bait, thanks to Gerri Begier from Bill’s Hooks.

The fishing was slow at first, due to a cold front moving through and a month of fishing pressure from our friendly out-of-town bass fishermen.

Thanks to two young local anglers, Jack Forbes and Nick Zatorski, who were absolutely super. Most of the kids caught fish ranging from black bass or rock bass to perch. All the fish were released. My friend Gary Pleva assisted with photos, and Jeff Tintsman and his wife offered supervision. The Con Club Ladies Auxiliary dispersed the fishing gear that all the kids receive plus handled the food and clean-up. The ladies also contributed money to the event. Thank you! There were smiles all around.

Inside the Club, were some hands on activities that included fly tying thanks to Don Szwejbka and Mr. Green, who run the Monday Night free fly-tying effort at the Club. The Rob Graham family provided an indoor safe shooting gallery for the youngsters. Trappers/Instructors Rich Lazarczyk and Gary Dudek were joined by Bob Edwards, who wanted to see what our program is like. Behind the scenes was Milt Quandt, Doug and Jim Jaffray and Rose Mary Olow who helped make the event another success. Simply Perfect Creations by the Sopinski’s did another great job on the T-shirts. This event is made possible by funds generated by the February Chicken BBQ and donations. We are looking forward to next year’s event, which will be, as always, the first Saturday in June. Hopefully you will join us.

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Max Tenemore is shown with a nice rock bass.

Calendar: NYS fishing regulations used to have a lunker bass season that opened up on the first Saturday in May. That regulation has now changed and opens on Lake Erie and its tributaries on Dec. 1, until the third Saturday in June, and allows anglers to harvest one 20-inch minimum bass per day. (See page 46 of Rules and Regulations.)

June 8-16 is the 35th annual Southtowns Walleye Association Walleye derby. You can sign up locally at Bill’s Hooks located on Lake Shore Drive West. You MUST be signed up prior to June 8.

June 8 is Teach-me-to-Fish Day at the Tift Nature Preserve. Contact Mike Todd at 851-7200 for details.

The Great Lakes Experience is June 8 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Memorial Park. FREE.

June 21-22 is Lake Erie Big Dawg Walleye Tournament, out of the Dunkirk Harbor. Contact Mark Mohr at 998-9871 or go to www.razorsbigdawg.com.

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Shown from left, newcomers Brody Moore, Joshua Thurber, Connor Higginboth and R.J. Higginboth display a nice black bass.

WNY Heroes Fishing Day is June 28. Open to ALL Military veterans. Call 630-5020 to sign up. Charter Captains call Jim Steel at 983-7867.

June 29 is Family Fishing Day at the foot of Ferry Street. Contact George Johnson at 818-3410.

June 29-30 are Free Fishing Days.

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.

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Tyler Bernard shows a bass as big as his smile.