OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek This flock of geese like many others have decided to hang around instead of migrating south like they did in the old days.

You would think that with all the precipitation we have been receiving in one form or another, the trout fishing would improve. From most area reports it has been a slow go.

A dozen or so anglers have tried their luck off the City of Dunkirk pier with limited or no success, even though some bait in that area has been reported. Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut reports that his customers have been having some success on trout at Chautauqua Creek, but the area is limited. Rick Miller in Irving reports that a few anglers have been hitting the hard bottom creeks in his area but the “Cat” has been running fast and muddy for a while now.

There were a few anglers trying their luck offshore on Saturday. A few walleye were taken but hardly any yellow perch. Jim Markham at the Department of Environmental Conservation Fisheries station commented that the last time their study group visited Van Buren Point area, they encountered numerous lake trout, including the double digit sized hawgs. Those fish as well as trout and walleye could still be in that same area. Be sure to check out the shallows as well as the 20-30 foot range, if you do go.

Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut/Stow reports that as of Tuesday the ice is off Chautauqua Lake and another warming trend is coming this weekend. Anglers can still get in some shore line fishing.

Duck season will be coming to a close soon. Here is a shout out to the old timers, (myself included) who used to hunt the outer break wall, especially during the second half of the season. The Rose, Stelmach, Bozzard, Frank Grupa Jr, Berek, Mackowiak, the Gula’s, Farrell, Worczak, Soper, Pleva, and Tietz, can all remember putting out dozens of decoys in the freezing blowing wind at 4 a.m. waiting for flocks of blue bills, butterballs, red leg mallards and blacks, red heads and cans to cup their wings and swing by or drop right in. You cannot get that excitement on a video game. A lot of memories. Plan on making many more with your family, friends, children and/or grand kids, this year. Happy New Year!

Calendar: Lakeshore Longbeards annual membership/fundraiser banquet, will be held on Jan. 18, 2020 at the Koscuisko Club in Dunkirk. Nearly 20 firearms will be raffled off at this event. You can purchase tickets by calling Bob Turk. The banquet committee will be meeting at Liberty Vineyards Winery located at Route 20 in Sheridan on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020 at 7 p.m. It will be open to the public.

Speaking of the Longbeards, high school seniors are invited to apply for a college scholarship from the Longbeards worth $250 or more. If interested, go to www.NWTF.org, select Resource Library, and fill out the application. Submit the completed application by the Jan. 6 deadline. The committee will select the winner the same day and the award will be presented at the banquet. You can also pick up an application at Liberty Vineyards. Fredonia High School students can stop at the guidance counselor for more information.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club will have free fly-tying instruction at their club located at the foot of Mullet Street in Dunkirk (turn towards the lake at the Country Fair store) starting on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. All materials and equipment will be provided free. You get to keep your creations. No sign-up required and open to all levels of expertise. A great way to pass the winter doldrums.

Duck Season in our area (Western Zone) is a split season, that re-opened 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.

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.

On Jan. 4, 2020, the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club will be sponsoring free fly tying classes for youths and adults. These courses will be absolutely free and all materials and equipment will be provided. The classes will continue for the next three Saturdays at the Lakewood Club from 9 a.m. until noon. Free pizzas and beverages will also be provided. Instruction will be provided by the mentors from Kids On the Fly.

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

Southtowns Walleye Outfitters Fair will be on Feb. 8, 2020 at the club. To sell items, it costs $25 per table. Call 796-5372 or 864-2938. No guns or ammunition.

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.