Local Sports

Tough weather, big bass: Conley claims Chautauqua crown

There are few better ways to learn a lake than to compete against anglers who know every weed edge, dock, point and subtle change in bottom contour. That was the challenge facing a talented field of local anglers during the recent two-day Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters Championship.

Organized by Blake Johnson and launched from the revitalized Bemus Point boat access, the championship sent anglers onto Chautauqua Lake from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day last weekend. Among the local talent were Johnson, John Conley, Dave Lewandowski, Tim Wilde, Peter Conley, Drake Piazza, Ryan Full, Mark Holland and others.

Despite less-than-perfect weather, the anglers put in long days chasing five-bass limits.

The Saturday-Sunday tournament was a test of the best, but when the final fish tally was complete, 20-year-old Peter Conley emerged as champion with a two-day total of more than 34 pounds. Full followed with 32 pounds while Johnson finished third with 29 pounds. Full also claimed big-bass honors on both days, weighing fish of 5.26 pounds and 4.64 pounds.

"I worked both the north and south basins, concentrating on the shallow-water big-fish pattern he had identified before the tournament," said Conley, fishing from his Ranger R61 bass boat. "I set my sights on looking for big fish in shallow water before the tournament started. So I looked in those places each day. Even though my boat is a little small for rough water, I toughed out the wind and waves with no problems, like all the others."

His approach is a good lesson for anyone learning Chautauqua Lake: find the fish rather than simply fishing water that looks good. The 17-mile-long lake covers more than 13,000 acres and is divided into two dramatically different basins. The south basin averages only about 11 feet deep, while the north basin averages roughly 25 feet with holes that drop to 75 feet. Weed beds, shallow cover, docks and shoals create abundant bass habitat.

Conley typically carries four rods for tournaments, favoring jigs and stickworms at this time of year. His preferred setup includes a Loomis 7-foot, 6-inch heavy-power, extra-fast rod with a high-speed Shimano Tranx casting reel and 40-pound PowerPro braid tied directly to the bait.

"With the cloudy water clarity, the direct tie braid is effective for underwater baits," he said.

That style of fishing fits Chautauqua well. Bass anglers commonly reach for weed-cover workhorses such as Texas-rigged stickbaits, creature plastics, flipping jigs, swim jigs, tubes and jig-and-plastic combinations. Brands frequently seen in the bass world include Zoom, Berkley, Strike King, Z-Man, Yamamoto and Keitech, with color and presentation changing with water clarity, vegetation and weather. Mike Sperry at Chautauqua Reel Outdoors at the Ashville Bay Marina (716-763-2947) has a nice assortment of these baits. The NYSDEC specifically identifies plastic worms, jig-and-pigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits among productive Chautauqua Lake bass offerings.

For young Conley, the championship was another milestone in an already remarkable first full season as a Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters member. He had already won club events at Cassadaga Lakes, Cayuga Lake and Chautauqua Lake twice this year before claiming the season-ending championship.

Yet perhaps the most important part of his story isn’t the trophies.

"As a new member of the club, I have absolutely enjoyed meeting members of this group. They’re fun and are great competitors," Conley said. "I'd like to add a special thank you to Blake Johnson from myself and all of us for his leadership in organizing all the CLB competitions."

That spirit is what makes local bass clubs valuable. Regular, honest competition gives experienced anglers a place to sharpen their skills while giving younger fishermen a pathway into the sport. At the same time, responsible anglers become ambassadors for the resource they depend upon.

Chautauqua Lake’s future depends on that stewardship. Its diverse fishery -- including largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge and panfish -- is a major recreational asset, while ongoing watershed and water-quality work remains important to the lake’s long-term health.

For the next generation of Chautauqua bass anglers, the message from this championship is simple: learn the lake, respect the resource, compete hard -- and enjoy every cast.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Sept. 24: 3-D Archery, 20 targets Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club, 4 p.m. start, $10 fee, open to public, 4391 Stockton-Cassadaga Road, Stockton; 716-397-9717.

Sept. 24: 3-D Archery & Spaghetti Dinner, 4-7 p.m., West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls; Info: 716-652-4650.

Sept. 26: NYS Free Fishing Day, no license required for residents or nonresidents.

Sept. 26: National Hunting and Fishing Day, Erie County, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission, free fishing, archery, face painting, more; presented by the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen at Elma Conservation Club, 600 Creek Road, Elma.

Sept. 26: National Hunting and Fishing Day, Niagara County, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., NY Power Authority Wildlife Festival at the NYPA Power Vista.

Sept. 26: Air Rifle Shoot, 10 a.m. start, Westfield Fish & Game, Ogden Road, Westfield; info: 716-969-8344.

Sept. 26-27: Youth Waterfowl Hunt Weekend, for youth 12-15 years old, must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Visit www.dec.ny.org.