Captain Lance Ehrhardt is shown cleaning walleye after another successful day of fishing on Lake Erie. A labor of love. OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek.

One of the best things about writing the Sportsman’s Journal is getting to meet outdoors-minded people — men and women who like to fish and hunt, and kids too! I cannot remember exactly when I met Captain Lance Ehrhardt and his wife Joann, but I seem to remember it was while attending an Erie County Federation of Sportsman’s banquet. It was a big affair and there were a lot of people in attendance. Zen Olow was there also, and suggested that I take a picture of Captain Lance and his wife after they received an award for their continued generosity, donating fishing charters to help raise funds for various projects.

Later, I gave Captain Lance a copy of the photo and an article containing the event. Through the years, Captain Lance, Zen and myself, would become involved with numerous outdoor themed projects including the Chautauqua County Sports Fishing Essay projects, the Chautauqua County Sportsmen Federation, the first two Great Lakes Experience events in Memorial Park, and the VIP day. Olow does the driving, and Lance and I would contribute to the conversation, usually involving solving the problems of the world.

Once we got Captain Lance laughing, it would last for the rest of the trip. His unique har-har-har type laughter was contagious. He loved getting involved with the kids. After spending marathon sessions reading kids essays, he would also usually attend the field trips to assist awarding fishing poles to the essay winners. I dare say close to 1,000 or more Chautauqua County kids met Lance when the various county executives and Zen would go on these safaris.

Then there were the VIP days. Captain Lance and his cohorts in the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Association, along with the volunteers from Erie County made the event happen. Usually 20 boats or more participate, taking politicians, business people and members of the Fish & Wildlife industry out on a half day charter to experience a sampling of what Lake Erie has to offer. All gratis. Then comes the fish fry. After the field trip, over 100 people are treated to a fish fry of walleye complete with dinner side dishs. Over 1,000 pounds of walleye are donated annually to these events and Lance, Zen, and other volunteers like Captain Frank Schoenacker and Jim Shut hand clean all those fish. Think about that for a minute!

Usually at least once a year, Captain Lance would give me an invite to go fishing aboard his charter boat, Sassafras, docked at Chadwick Bay Marina. During the summer, that area is a completely different world and life style. Watching the Captain in action, controlling his boat, out on the lake putting us on fish, and moving around in his ship with an agility that defied his large and aging frame, was a sight to behold. Occasionally I get to take control of the boat, while the captain would pause for the cause, and go in the back of the boat, just long enough to irritate his First mate Zen. You don’t put two chefs in the same kitchen.

Captain Lance was fun! Thanks old friend for the barrel of laughs, my first 11 pound walleye, Paulas donuts, showing me and all of us how to get involved actively and politically, and how to realize just how wonderful and important deer hunting and our Lake Erie Fishery is. We will miss you, but never forget you. Say hi to Saint Peter for me.

Calendar: Oct. 1 – Nov. 15 is the Southern Zone Early Big Game Bowhunting Season. The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will once again be hosting a Hunters helping the Hungry Program. Members of the “Con Club” are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the club on Tuesdays during the hunting season. All food and monetary donations will then be turned over to our local charities for distribution to the needy prior to Christmas.

Duck Season in our area (Western Zone) is a split season, from Oct. 19 – Nov. 10, then re-opening Nov. 30 until Jan. 5. Canada Goose season for our area, which is considered the south, is from Oct. 26 to Jan. 13, with a daily bag limit of five geese per day.

There will be a pistol permit course at Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Oct. 30 from 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. To register, or for more information contact Gary Dudek at 366-3397.

Nov. 11 is NYS Free Fishing Day to celebrate Veteran’s Day.

Upcoming gun shows include: Oct. 26-27 at the Ashtabula County Fair Grounds (Ashtabula County Expo Building) located at 127 North Elm Street Jefferson, OH, 44047; Nov. 16-17 Hickory Post VFW 5550 East State Street US Route 62, East of PA. 18 – West of Mercer on 62, Hermitage PA, 16148; and Dec. 14-15 at the Harbor Creek Fire Dept Social Hall located at 7275 Buffalo Road – US Route 20 (located between North East, PA and Harborcreek, PA. All three shows are from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Adults are $5 and children under the age of 12 are free. For more information contact Larry Spicer at (716) 792-9972 or go to LRgunshows@gmail.com or website LRsportingevents.com.

Children of the Stream will present weekly free fly-tying classes every Tuesday from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Costello Room in the Rockefeller Art Center at the State University of New York Fredonia, starting Aug. 27. Children ages 12 and up, including adults are welcome and encouraged to attend. All tools and material will be provided for free.

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.