Many of us will try to make the most of July and August. Once again, it seems there has been no shortage of wind this year and every year it seems to get worse. With temperatures in the high 80s and getting up into the 90s, a breeze is welcomed by the over-heated, but when you are trying to fish offshore, a strong breeze makes for tough fishing conditions.

The first Walleye Classic, held at Barcelona this year, had to be canceled on Saturday and moved to Sunday due to small-craft warnings, and the WNY Heroes fishing event held last Friday out of Dunkirk was cut short by almost two hours due to uncomfortable fishing conditions.

Rick Miller, who operates a bait-and-tackle store in Irving, commented that the fishing effort has been slow for most of the week, out of all the local harbors. Justin Stevens, operator of Catt Creek Bait & Tackle, reported that the weekly catfish scramble held on Wednesday evenings was canceled this week due to the weather and most likely will be canceled for this coming Wednesday. There were not very many anglers who were able to fish all nine days of the Southtowns Walleye Association Tournament. Strong winds again influenced that situation. It is what it is.

Looking for a fishing report revealed that at least one angler was able to get on to some hot yellow perch action out of Cattaraugus Creek early this week before being forced off the lake. The report indicated he had about three-dozen good-sized perch, nonstop in about 55 feet of water.

Submitted Photo Dana Haven of Bradford, Pa. and Ann Tofil of Forestville took second and first place in the Kinzua Outoor Women’s fishing Tournament held on June 12.

Zach, my contact at Hogan’s Hut in Stow, reports that the white perch and yellow perch bite has been awesome recently on Chautauqua Lake during the morning. Target the 8-to-12-foot depths along weed lines for some continuous action using small jigs or slip bobbers or crappie rigs. You can’t go wrong tipping your offerings with meat. Incidentally, for whatever reason, leeches are in short supply.

On the plus side, shop owners are reporting that their back-ordered fishing supplies are starting to arrive now that businesses that were effected by the COVID pandemic are now getting back to work. Zach also reports that the muskie fishing has been awesome lately in 15 to 20 feet of water along the weedline, especially north of the bridge. Trolling plugs and casting jerk baits are the ticket. Walleye catches have slowed down, but some anglers are finding success fishing the deep holes in 40 to 50 feet. One of the best bass baits lately has been the top-water frog baits. There has been plenty of small mouth bass action reported in Cattaraugus Creek, around the Buffalo Small Boat Harbor, as well as off the Niagara Bar.

Captain Larry Jones commented he recently took his grandson fishing on Wiscoy Creek. The boy was using a black body rooster tail spinner with a white hackle tail and silver blade and caught and released 30 brown trout in the 9-to-14-inch range. Jones figured that the DEC might have recently stocked the area. However, after a little research done by Jason Robinson, DEC biologist/unit leader, it was revealed that the Wiscoy has not been stocked since 1972, but does have a substantial brown trout population, that is notoriously hard to catch. Looks like Jones has found their kryptonite.

Robinson said that Lake Erie anglers are having success fishing for walleye from shore, along rock piles using in-line spinners like Erie Dearies tipped with a nightcrawler now that the water temperature has reached 70 degrees. Best fishing time is at dusk and dawn near 15-to-20-foot depths. Another angler commented he an his partner had walleye success earlier in the week fishing during the evening off Van Buren. Starting in shallower in the 30-40-foot zone they had limited success that rapidly improved when they moved out to 65 feet. Colorado blade worm harnesses in “chicken wing” color pattern were “spicy hot.”

Dredging is going on currently at Barcelona Harbor and the second dock has been in place at the Dunkirk boat launch. Have a safe Fourth of July weekend. Congratulations to Dana Haven of Bradford, Pennsylvania an Ann Tofil of Forestville who placed second and first, respectively, in the Kinzua Outdoor Women’s Fishing Tournament held at Willow Bay on June 12.

CALENDAR

¯ Next up is the Sunset Bay Walleye Shoot Out on July 16-17.

¯ The Southtowns Walleye Association awards event will be July 10 at the club from 1-5 p.m.

¯ Mark Mohr and Joel Ruggerio present the Barts Cove Walleye Invitational on July 31 to Aug. 1. There will be a 50-boat limit at $500 per team. Call 998-9871 or 868-3418.

¯ The NCCC “Con Club” Walleye tournament will be Aug. 6-8.

¯ The Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge out of Dunkirk will be Aug. 20-21, presented by Jim and Diane Steel. If you have a photo or story you would like to share, call 785-3659 or 366-1772.