Alberto Rey is shown with a nice striped bass. OBSERVER File Photo.

This could very well be the end of ice fishing in the area for this season. Skip Bianco at Hogan’s Hut reported on Wednesday afternoon that the ice cover on Chautauqua Lake was opaque in color and the thickness was questionable. Skip commented that at least 25 people fell trough the ice this season and were all rescued. On Tuesday, there were about 30 people fishing north of Bemus Bay, but none reported back with any success. Most of the ice along the shore line is rotten, so be advised.

More warm weather is in the forecast too. Stream fishing for trout most likely will not be an option either. Ice melt and continued precipitation has raised the water levels of all bodies of water locally. Rick Miller in Irving reported that Cattaraugus Creek is high and muddy, as well as the smaller hard bottom creeks. The Dunkirk Harbor has also been unproductive for fishermen lately, with continued strong winds contributing to wave action, and stained water. On the bright side, the powers that be have decided to already start removing the Lake Erie ice boom. If you look closely enough, you will also notice that night crawlers (worms) are already hanging out on the edges of the sidewalks. Wouldn’t it be great to have a nice warm, pleasant spring for a change?

That was an impressive photo of Alberto Rey holding a striped bass that appeared in the OBSERVER last week. Alberto said that he caught and released that striped bass a couple years ago while fishing with his son near the Essex River in Glouchester, MA. Rey was fishing from an island towards the evening and the tide was going out. He was using fly fishing equipment with a 14-pound salt water tippet, and a large streamer type fly that was primarily white with green and grey accents. Alberto had hooked up and lost about four other large fish that day when the big one hit during his retrieve. The fight lasted about 20 minutes,and the line was all the way to the backing when Rey started to reel it in. Alberto was able to successfully bring the fish in for a photo opportunity before releasing it. Congratulations, and good luck in your pursuit of the Orvis Guide Award.

Calendar: There will be a pistol course at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club on Wednesday, March 18 from 5:30 p.m. until 10:30 P.M. There is an $80 fee for these courses. For more information contact Gary at 366- 3397.

The Lakeshore Longbeards our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will be having their next meeting on Monday, March 23 starting at 6 p.m. at Liberty Vineyards located on Route 20 in Sheridan. They will announce the winner of the annual scholarship award and will pick a date for the 2020 JAKES day event. Anyone who has any ideas for the day or who would like to volunteer, are encouraged to attend.

On Monday evenings the “Con 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. This would be a great opportunity for scout leaders to bring their young charges in for a great learning experience. Call 366-1772 days if you need more information or a contact number.

Upcoming Gun Shows: 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 upcoming show listed call Larry Spicer at (716) 792-9972.

The Northern Chautauqua Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet and Live Auction will be held on Saturday, March 7 at the Blessed Mary Angela Parish Social Center located at 324 Townsend St., Dunkirk. Doors opens at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. There will be a raffle and live auction. For tickets and information call Ronald Romance at 969-5166 or visit www.ducks.org/new.york/events.

Children in 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, The group has resumed activities on Jan. 27 after a short recess over the Christmas Holidays. Children ages 12 and up, including adults are welcome and encouraged to attend. All tools and material will be provided for free. Contact Alberto Rey for more information at 410-7003 or go to 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.