Turkey hunters take note, the Lakeshore Longbeards NWTF banquet is this Saturday. OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek.

What a warm winter. Wildlife and the elderly have been reaping the benefits of warmer temperatures and little ice/snow cover. But sooner or later, you just know we are going to get it.

Rick Miller in Irving reports that one boat managed to get in some off shore fishing out of the mouth of the Cattaraugus Creek, but no report on their success. A few trout anglers have also had some success, but the fishing effort has been less than enthusiastic. Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut/Stow reports that the ice is off Chautauqua Lake again and anglers have resorted to using boats to get on the walleye/perch bite.

Shore anglers have also found success by targeting yellow perch at Long Point, and by the Ferry, using live minnows. Keeper size may vary, but the fishing has been decent. Some colder weather is in the future, so we still may get some ice fishing in. A road trip to Jamestown on Wednesday revealed that almost all the snow cover is gone and only a small patch of ice near the boat launch on Cassadaga Lake. Most of the ducks seemed to have moved on also with a few die hard mallards and Canadian geese sticking around. A lot of the ground cover got pushed down after the last snow fall so a rabbit/squirrel hunt with a bonus deer antler shed trip might be productive.

The outdoor show circuit gets started this weekend with the Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo taking place Friday through Sunday at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls located at 101 Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls, NY. There were rave reviews from last years show featuring Teaching Fishing. This year will feature more of the same, along with over 170 booths of exhibitors offering the latest in fishing and hunting gear, electronics, fly-fishing, kayaks and more.

Calendar: Lakeshore Longbeards annual membership/fundraiser banquet, will be held on Jan. 18 at the Koscuisko Club in Dunkirk. Nearly 20 firearms will be raffled off at this event. You can still purchase tickets by calling Bob Turk at 673-6703 or show up at the banquet on Saturday.

The Southtowns Walleye Association located at 5895 Southwestern Boulevard, Hamburg will have their monthly meeting tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will offer discount coupons for the Outdoor Expo and various other information. It’s open to the public.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club is looking for people interested in learning “how to tie their own fishing flies.” Several advanced fly-tiers will be on hand to give individual attention to persons who would like to learn this hobby. All materials and equipment are provided free. The learning area is secure and a controlled environment from 6 until 8 p.m. You get to keep what you make. Refreshments are usually provided and always free. No experience necessary, no sign up required. Just show up and have fun.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, Jan. 26 starting at 2 p.m.

The Con Club annual Sportsman’s Party will be on Saturday, Feb. 1, starting at 5 p.m. Anyone who was entered in the fishing or hunting contest is invited free. Bring a dish to pass. Prizes will be awarded that same evening.

The Con Club will also be having a fishermans Flea market offering used fishing items at great prices on Sunday, Feb. 9. Open to the public.

Upcoming Gun Shows: Jan. 25-26 at the Conneaut Lake Sportsmens Association, located at 11861 Sportsman Road (off Route 18) in Conneaut Lake, PA, 16316. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

March 7-8 at the Hickory Post VFW, located at 5550 East State Street (US Route 62, East of PA 18, West of Mercer on 62) Hermitage, PA, 16148. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

March 21-22, 2020 at the Harborcreek Fire Dept. Social Hall, located 7275 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, PA, 16421 (Located US Route 20 between North East, PA and Harborcreek, PA). Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

April 18-19 at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds. The show is located at the Ashtabula County Expo Center Building at 127 North Elm Street, Jefferson, OH, 44047. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information on any of the upcoming shows listed, call Larry Spicer (716) 792-9972.

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.

The Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo held at the Conference & Events Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls Street Niagara Falls will be on Jan. 17-19. For more info go to www.NiagaraFishingExpo.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.