OUTDOORS: Fishing fundraisers becoming more popular

COMMENTARY

By Bill Hilts Jr.

Rob Ray of East Amherst and Larry Playfair of Grand Island showed up at the Lewiston launch ramp carrying a dozen donuts. It’s not unusual, those two Buffalo Sabres alumni are from Canada and we kidded them about the stereotypical relationship between Canadians, hockey and donuts. Heck, the biggest Canadian icon that lends credence to that fact was Tim Horton himself, that late great defenseman who played for both Toronto and Buffalo.

Another popular Canadian pastime is fishing and on this day we were going to spend a few hours on the Lower Niagara River with Capt. Bruce Blakelock of Lewiston. Blakelock, a huge Sabres fan, jumped at the opportunity to take the former Sabres out on the water. His concern a week prior was that the ice boom would be pulled and it would shut the fishing down. As luck would have it, they were to pull the ice boom the morning we would venture out. Timing is everyting. Someone should have told the fish, though.

• First Period. We headed to several drifts around the river to seek out active steelhead. Minnows and egg sacks were our choice of bait, using three way rigs to maintain contact with the bottom. After a few hitless drifts, we decided to motor up to Devil’s Hole where Capt. Jim Taylor was working his magic. “We have three fish so far,” he reported.

“I figured as much because you had your phone off,” said Blakelock. But the fish had shut down after we arrived. I finally broke the ice with a seven pound steelhead that hit a minnow, jumping to an early lead in the morning competition.

Throughout the morning, we made further plans for the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Spring Salmon Spectacular, an encore event as a follow up to the outing we had last July in Olcott. This year’s event, tied in with the Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament, is well on its way to another success. Set for May 29 out of Krull Park and the Town of Newfane Marina, a total of 27 boats are already spoken for. Their biggest problem is coming up with enough Sabres Alumni, active players or other notables like Lindy Ruff or Rick Jennerette who both fished last year.

• Second Period. After a few more drifts and no more fish, we headed back down river again. Artpark was first, followed by the cliffs area and continuing down through to Stella. A phone call back to JT brought a stern response and some much-needed information. “Keep Hilts out of here. We hit two fish as soon as he left,” teased Taylor. That was all the information that Blakelock needed and he fired his new 21-foot Lund and 200 horse Honda up and headed south. This time it was Playfair lighting the red light with a nice trout on a pink egg sack. He found out that it really does feel different between the fish and the bottom. Ray was back on the phone “and in the donut box.” He cemented a deal for hot dogs and hamburgs for the outing for 200 people and then coaxed Andrew Peters into fishing the event.

“There isn’t anyone who keeps busier promoting the Sabres and works to help local benefits,” said Playfair as Ray worked his magic on the phone. “It’s non-stop. Time was starting to run out and Ray was under some peer pressure.”

• Third Period. Ray received another phone call and as he was adjusting his blue tooth, his first steelhead hit. Not that we were noticing, but Ray lost both the fish and the phone call. Quick with his excuses, he turned that right around and pointed the finger at Blakelock. “You guys have all the excuses why the fish aren’t hitting today,” said Ray as he put on some new bait and put his line back down.

“We need one of those excuse wheels that they have down at the 3-F club for shooters,” said Blakelock. Time was ticking away and Ray needed a fish.

Ray reflected on Western New York and how giving the people are. “It’s like one big charity-giving population,” he said. “The people here are great. I went to the fund-raiser fo Jon Cinelli and couldn’t” believe the number of people who showed up.”

Almost on cue, he finally hit a nice steelhead on the next drift and this one stayed on. All tied up, sending the morning adventure into overtime. On the next drift, I hit another fish on a minnow, our biggest of the day at 12 pounds. Ray hit on another donut.

“He eating lunch when we get back in,” chimed in.

“It’s always room for a donut,” said Ray.

The Buffalo Sabres Alumni Spring Salmon Spectacular has been finalized and it should a great time. We just need to work on the weather. In the meantime, if you want to find out more about the event, check out www.sabresalumni.com. Yes, they will have donuts available for early morning registration.

CF sponsors steelhead challenge in Lewiston

Cystic Fibrosis has announced that they will be conducting another fishing fundraiser as a sister tournament to their popular Basseye event held on Lake Erie. This particular event will be called the Lower Niagara River Steelhead Challenge and will be held May 1 out of Lewiston. This contest will also be part of the National Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series which was founded by Gary and Susan Ellis.

Gary Hall of Niagara Falls, chairman for this local tournament, pointed out that there will be a kick-off party on April 30 at Barton Hill Hotel and Spa and it will be open to the community to attend. In addition to excellent eats and drinks, there will be plenty of auction action to peak your interest and help a most worthy cause — from live and silent to basket raffles. Tickets to attend are $75. Waste Technology Services of Lewiston is co-sponsor of the event with CF. For more info contact CF at 686-9400 or visit http://cff.org/chapters/wny/.

Summer youth archery camp deadline is April 30

Youngsters age 12 to 15 who reside in Niagara, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Wyoming or Allegany counties are eligible to attend the 14th annual Youth Archery Camp slated for August 1-3 at the Depew Rod and Gun Club grounds on Fisher Road in Oakfield. The camp is designed to provide up to 30 youth with an opportunity to undergo some extensive educational training on bowhunting and outdoor camping. They will also have the opportunity to earn their Bowhunter Education Certification. Applications must be received by April 30 and there are a limited number of spaces available. To receive an application, give Lowell Perry a call at 434-4637.

Bill Hilts Jr. is the outdoor sports specialist with the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation. Contact him at bhiltsjr69@cs.com.