Fishing LineBy WILL ELLIOTT 3/9/2006
Show start

Anglers have many attractions to enjoy during the WNY Sport and Travel Expo beginning at noon today in the Agri-Center and other buildings at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg.
Capt. Doug Stein of Doug's Charters begins the slate of speakers with a "Success with Walleye" seminar at 1 p.m. John Shirhal, with Ranger Boats, discusses "Erie Smallmouth Bass" at 2 p.m. Dan Armitage does a "Success with Steelhead" seminar at 4 p.m.
Armitage may have some firsthand information about area steelies before the Expo ends. He's planning to fish a popular Lake Erie feeder on Friday and should have some good reports during seminars set for Saturday and Sunday.
For a listing of all fishing-related talks and exhibit information, go to: www.sportandtravelexpo.com.Ice outings
Lake Simcoe - Cooks Bay ice holds well on both sides of the bay, and Keswick-area anglers have hit into bigger fish this past week. Pefferlaw River/Port Bolster-area operators have huts out over 30-foot depths on ice 21/2 to 3 feet thick. Bigger perch and a one-keeper-for-two-caught ratio held in recent days.
Operators must remove their huts at Simcoe by midnight Wednesday, but a few huts are still open at Randy's (705) 437-2989 and Hales (905) 955-1104.
Chautauqua Lake - Four- to 6-inch ice coated the north basin last weekend, and walleye anglers from Long Point to Mayville ventured out to 30-foot depths to jig for walleyes. "Most of them were short fish (under the 18-inch length limit)," said Rich Davenport, a regular whenever good ice allows access.
Davenport also noted better perch catches with mousy grubs sent down 30 feet. Perch around the Mayville shallows are mainly a run of runts. A few good 'gills began showing in bays east of Dewittville. Check with Lonny Stebbins at Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle (763-5815) or other reliable area sources before heading to Chautauqua this weekend.
Silver Lake - Ice was iffy in some areas. There was fair access at the south end but not thick ice. Bluegills began hitting in the shallows, and bigger perch hold at 20-foot depths and greater. Check with Ted Newman at Mack's Boat Livery at (585) 237-5983 before taking a shine to Silver.Niagara River
Ice surfaces on Lake Erie cleared waters flowing into the lower Niagara River and drifters are having fun with steelies and lakers. Sacks work best on drift rigs, but some boaters have done well with Kwikfish, especially on lake trout.
A-1 Bait & Tackle holds its Steelhead Tournament from sunrise to 1 p.m. Saturday out of Lewiston Landing. Entrants pay a $20 fee to compete for top prizes awarded steelies taken from the lower river, Lake Ontario and its tributaries. For details, call 754-1895.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com