The focus of the day was walleye fishing and discussions about the benefits of Lake Erie for its natural resources as well as the regional economy and tourism.

Jim Steel, President of the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, and his lovely bride Diane Steel, Treasurer of the ELECBA, provided guests from all over New York State with a warm welcome, including coffee and Tim Hortons doughnuts, as they traveled to the Clarion Hotel Pavilion in Chadwick Bay for a day of walleye fishing on fish-rich Lake Erie.

The captains of the larger charter boats took time for the guests, explaining to them where the fish are, what fishing equipment they use and how much fun it is to catch and eat the delicious pikeperch.

I was with Chuck Parker, president of the New York State Conservation Council, aboard Fish Hunter Sportfishing Charter with Captain Jim Plinzke and first mate Chris Kempf. Plinzke’s 26-foot Sea Swirl with a 5.7-liter Volvo engine and 9.9-hp Mercury trolling motor was perfect for the task. About 15 other fishing guests did the same with other USCG-certified charter captains including Dream Catcher Sportfishing, Wave Tamer Sportfishing, Infinity Charters, Pole Dancer Sportfishing and others.

Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association President Jim Steel (left) and Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel greet invited guests to discuss Lake Erie, fishing and tourism at the Clarion Hotel. Photo courtesy of Forrest Fisher

Mother Nature had other ideas than sport fishing. As we left the harbor, the rising sun in the eastern sky created the perfect backdrop for brilliant rainbows of colored spray. The boats chugged into a prism of waves that grew from 2-4 feet to 4-7 feet in less than an hour.

The charter captains ensured everyone’s safety and returned to port before 9 a.m. The morning’s adventure was over, but more exciting conversations were to come at open table discussions among Lake Erie fisheries managers. Open discussions followed on lake access, financing, tourism, economic stimulus opportunities and similar topics while waiting for lunch, scheduled for noon.

Andrew Nixon, executive director of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, welcomed the group of local, regional and state leaders and thanked ELECBA for providing a hands-on and meaningful venue for the participants. Steel introduced additional representatives from the Chautauqua County and Erie County Fish Advisory Boards, who provided some of the funding for the event, as well as the legislators in the audience.

“When it comes to fishing, if 40 boats come here to qualify for a national tournament, we want 200 boats in the future. We are committed to investing in the (Dunkirk) harbor, access to Lake Erie and the fishery to make sure it stays vibrant,” said Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, in his fishing gear. “On behalf of myself and our employees here in Chautauqua County, I would like to extend a special thanks to the captains and this ELECBA organization that help us keep our economy going.”

Thunderous applause followed.

“This event provides an opportunity for organizations from a wide variety of sectors to come together without borders,” said Steel.

Rich Davenport of the Erie County Fisheries Advisory Board asked everyone in attendance to remember the early 1950s and 1960s and the pollution.

“People don’t know this, but about a month ago USA Today printed an article declaring Lake Erie the No. 1 lake in the United States,” Davenport said. “I want everyone here to think about that, because 54 years ago Time magazine declared Lake Erie dead. Now, 54 years later, with the help of our NYSDEC and with everyone in this room – especially the fishermen – we have helped to put it right.”

“Every year we write a better chapter for the fishery, the wildlife that goes with it and the tourism that goes with it. This fishing license helps to fund all that help. It’s an added incentive to be here, to fish here and to enjoy the fun here,” Davenport added. “I would ask all of us here today to support the promotion of the fishery, not just for economic reasons, but also to ensure that funding continues to improve.”

Steel awarded Davenport a gold star for speaking for less than three minutes, which was met with roars of laughter and applause.

“Thanks to the funding we received, Dunkirk and the waterfront are about to see a lot of new changes: new docks, new lighting, new power, improvements to the hotel grounds,” said Vince DeJoy, Dunkirk Planning and Development Director. “Next year, the National Walleye Tour will return in August 2025. They talked to us when they were last here and we listened. They told us we needed more parking for boat trailers, more access to docks and other things. Mayor Kate Dobias asked me to express her gratitude to ELECBA and all the charter captains and guests for this event.”

Steel introduced Keith Tidbull, a Cornell University professor from Seneca County in Central New York who is part of the leadership of the New York State Conservation Council. He explained that the NYSCC is the oldest conservation group in New York and represents all sportsmen in the state. Their mission is to enforce and influence the sound use of our fish and wildlife and to help spread the good news statewide as part of conservation efforts about good things like what is happening here in Chautauqua County.

Several other speakers participated in the roundtable discussion in the Clarion Pavilion.

You just have to love nature.

CALENDAR

August 7-18: Erie County Fair, Hamburg; Visit the Conservation Building to see live fish and animals and learn ideas for building nests in bluetit nest boxes.

9th-11th August: Sportsman’s Rendezvous, Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds, 501 Erie St., (Route 353), Little Valley, admission $5, info: 716-474-7251.

August 13-14: Meet Rich Lazarczak and the Cattaraugus County Trappers at the Erie County Fair Conservation Building and receive a free gift for children (a piece of tanned fur).

August 15: Southtowns Walleye Association, monthly meeting and Kids Day event, 5895 Southwestern Blvd., craft and learning stations for children: 6 p.m., general meeting: 7 p.m.

August 16-17: Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge, Dunkirk Harbor from Headquarters in the Clarion Hotel Gazebo, $500 entry/team; info: Jim Steel, 716-481-5348 or visit https://innovative-outdoors.com.

August 17: Roger’s Bird-Day Bash, noon-4pm, at the Lodge at RTPI, admission $20; includes all-day admission to RTPI.