Ray Pauszek displays a nice steelhead caught on Lake Erie last Saturday while fishing out of Dunkirk with friend Brian Deveral.

It was a weekend to remember that I will hopefully soon forget.

I pride myself on having my article ready for the weekend, but this time it was out of my hands.

After 13 years, I was having surgery to repair a groin hernia that forced me into early retirement from my then, full-time shipping job at the former Red Wing company/Carriage House in Fredonia. I had surgery on Tuesday which by the way had been canceled three times already this year. The complicated surgery went better than anticipated, but my release date was going to be a crapshoot. By Tuesday afternoon, they had enough of me and decided to kick me out. Like Dorothy says at the end of the Wizard of Oz, “There is no place like home.”

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I missed my family, my column, my routines, and a great weekend of fishing, but fortunately my brother and buddies had a great time. Brian Deveral and brother Ray fished out of Dunkirk in 70 to 80 feet of water, picking up seven walleye and a bonus steelhead. The fish all came on stick baits and worm harneses. Other boats reported doing well in the same area.

Justin Stevens from Catt. Creek Bait & Tackle called me and commented that the anglers reported a lot of limit catches, fishing straight out of the Catt. in 70 to 80 feet of water on stick baits and worm harnesses. The perch anglers were also seeing success in 55 to 65 feet. Rick Miller in Irving enhanced the glowing report with additional information. There have been reports of juvenile rainbow trout invading Catt. Creek with a few jacks being caught. Some heavy rainfall with cooling temperatures could improve that picture.

CALENDAR

¯ Free Monday night fly-tying instruction has returned to the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club. Don Szwejbka will be returning with some new instructors. Mr. Green, who recently passed away, also will be remembered. Show up at the “Con Club,” which is located near the lake when you turn at the Country Fair store located on Route 5. All materials and equipment will be provided free, at a safe, secure environment. Parents and adults are encouraged to attend. I know from past experience that there are usually delicious homemade cookies and/or desserts at the end, which is usually around 8 p.m. Individual instruction is provided and you get to keep your own creations. Discussions on local fishing activity have been known to occur, too. If you have a desire to learn, then you are qualified. There is no rigid time frame, and you can leave or arrive at your convenience. Hope to see you there.

¯ Gun Show: Oct. 9-10 at 11861 Sportsman’s Road (off Route 18), Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania. This event is open to the public from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on n Saturday and on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Admission for adults is $5. Kids under 12 are admitted free with an adult. Table setup for 8-foot long tables is $35. For more information, contact Larry Spicer at P.O. Box 294 North East Pennsylvania. Call 716-792-9972 or email Lrgunshows@gmail.com. Another upcoming show with the same format, times and prices will be held Oct. 23-24 on the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds at the Ashtabula County Expo Center Building, 127 North St., Jefferson, Ohio, 44047.

Send information on any upcoming events related to the outdoors to: Gene Pauszek, 66 West Doughty St., Dunkirk, 14048. I enjoy writing about your own personal fishing and hunting/trapping stories or those of freineds and family. Call 366-1772. I have an answering machine . Remember, I can’ t always make the phone on five rings, so leave a message. You can also call 716-785-3659. It could be a great season this year. Con Club members are advised that they will have a deer contest this year, so sign up soon.