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Rod, Gun & Game: Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo set for this weekend By Forrest Fisher OUTDOOR COLUMNIST
The Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is set for this weekend, Jan. 23-25, at the Niagara Falls Conference and Event Center, in downtown Niagara Falls. At this “cabin-fever” time of year, winter-bound sportsmen are looking to learn more about the outdoors and improve their outdoor skills. The Niagara Outdoor Expo this year will help with those needs, providing more than the usual outdoor show, since the show will focus on outdoor education. More than 60 expert speakers will present over 100 seminars during the three day event. With the laudable goal to educate locals and visitors about the Greater Niagara Western New York outdoor paradise we live in, helping folks just into the outdoors to learn more the abundant our outdoor adventures just waiting to be discovered. Most of us already know that the Greater Niagara Western New York area is an outdoorsman’s paradise, featuring some of the best freshwater sport fishing in the world. We have hiking, kayaking, snowmobiling, cycling, camping, shooting, photography and so many more world class outdoor activities! The Expo will offer more 150 manufacturer and vendor booths across 116,000 square feet of space at the Conference Center, while continuous free seminars will be offered in the 10 private, sound and picture screen conference rooms at the site. Numerous nationally and internationally renowned keynote speakers will be on hand each day. On Friday night, Jan. 23, one of America’s greatest outdoor personalities, Charlie Alsheimer, will offer two free seminars: one on Creative Nature Photography and the second on Ultimate Deer Hunting. Alsheimer is a legend in
the outdoor world and his insight into the world of whitetail deer is extremely knowledgeable and thought provoking. If you are a deer hunter and you’ve never heard Charlie speak, you owe it to yourself to sit in on his seminars. If you own a camera and want to take better pictures outside, there isn’t anyone better in the outdoors with a lens. In addition, expert angler, Matt Straw, will be around all three days giving seminars on fishing expertise. Straw is an expert angler himself and his articles are found in nearly every angling periodical around the country, including In-Fisherman, Great Lakes Angler, Salmon/Trout/Steelheader and others. If you are ready for ice fishing, this show will offer an opportunity to get in tune with hard water tackle with advice and new tips too. Whether you are a beginner learning more on how to get started, or an expert learning to expand your ice fishing knowledge, you will be able to talk with Scott Brauer on ice fishing gear and Mike Smith from the Clam Corporation, the ice fishing shelter guy. Both will be on hand to answer ice fishing questions. Tim Thomas from the New York State Pro-Am Ice Tournament’s and Winter Classic will be offering information on those new fishing competitions. Will Elliott will offer seminars on ice fishing WNY and Lake Erie perch fishing. This is the largest educational three-day show of its kind on the Great Lakes. Entry fee for the show is $8, kids 10 and under are free. For more on this show, see www.niagarafishingexpo.com to check the complete list of speakers and seminar times. Look for my better half and I to be on hand to meet with you and talk about the many facets of our great WNY outdoors, we’ll be in the booth with the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen. See you there!
WNY whitetail bucks are even more handsome in January, but it will not be long until the male deer drop their massive antlers and start to grow new antlers for 2015. Ice Fishing Report WNY ice coverings on our inland lakes have grown considerably in the last few days, but anglers should still keep in mind that ice thicknesses can vary greatly on the same body of water due to underwater spring locations and other conditions. So be safe before you are sorry. Drilling holes or tapping with a spud bar to check ice thickness is recommended on your way out, or when moving around. Safety ice picks, boot cleats, throw rope and a floatation device are always recommended safety supplies. Use good judgment and fish with a friend when possible. Those new to ice fishing can check the NYSDEC ice fishing basics web at: http://www.dec. ny.gov/outdoor/7733.html. The Buffalo Small Boat Harbor has good ice of about
8 to 10 inches, with anglers catching yellow perch, sunfish, smelt and a few crappie, mostly using small jigs with grubs. Anglers using tip-ups with shiners have hooked an occasional northern pike and rainbow trout. At Chautauqua Lake, there is about 8 inches of ice in the south end and 4-6 inches of ice in the north end, with perch, crappie and walleye catches reported by anglers this past weekend. Ice fishing is popular on Cattaraugus County lakes too, with ice fishing activity on Harwood and Allen Lakes offering fair ice fishing success for smaller yellow perch and a variety of sunfish. However, there is also the opportunity to catch large breeder trout that were stocked in the fall by the Randolph Fish Hatchery. Safe Act Statistics Since the controversial Safe
Act law was passed in January 2013, and was in effect by March, 2013, there have been approximately 4,000 arrests through mid-December under various SAFE Act provisions, these data from state records obtained by the Gannett News Albany Bureau, according to a report circulated by the New York State Conservation Council. The largest number of arrests have been in New York City (3,230), there have been 53 arrests in Erie County. Most of the arrests are reportedly for criminal possession of a firearm, which is a felony under the new Safe Act Law. The inside word is that Safe Act II is not too far behind. NYSDEC Summer Camp The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Summer Environmental Education Camp registration
opened on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Parents may register their children through DEC’s online registration system and pay by credit card, e-check or with a sponsor code. Parents and sponsors can currently access the registration site to create their profiles on line. It is important that all contact information is updated since email will be the primary method of contacting parents and sponsors. The link to the registration site is http://www. dec.ny.gov/education/61769. html. Look for the green “Register for summer camp button.” In addition to inviting parents to register their children to participate in DEC summer environmental education camp program, several local WNY sporting clubs sponsor one or more children for a week at camp. These include the West Falls Conservation Society, East Aurora Fish and Game, Southtowns Walleye Association and other groups. Information about becoming a sponsor is available at www. dec.ny.gov/education/1866. html The 2015 summer camp season will not include a price increase, as camps will remain at the $350 weekly fee, but this year, the summer camp week has been changed from 6 nights to 5 nights. The fee includes program supplies for outdoor lessons and adventures, 15 meals, a camper t-shirt and accommodations for 5 nights. Outdoors Calendar Jan . 23-25: Niagara Falls Outdoor Sportsman’s Show and Educational Academy, info: www.niagarafishingexpo.com Jan. 25: 3D Winter Archery, 2015 league, walk-on’s welcome, Evans Rod & Gun, Cain Rd., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., info: 866-5072 Send outdoors info to Forrest Fisher Column 10 days in advance, email: nugdor@ yahoo.com.
Bisons luncheon provides respite from winter doldrums By Mike Haim COLUMNIST
While there’s been an increased amount of daylight every day since December 21, it’s still hard sometimes to overcome the doldrums of winter. One remedy to that malaise: keep counting down the number of days until baseball benchmarks like the start of spring training or opening day. Last Thursday, the Buffalo Bisons emphatically did that at their annual Hot Stove Luncheon at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. This year, attendees received an organizational
update from Toronto Blue Jays assistant general manager Andrew Tinnish and were treated to “fireside chats” with Steve Tolleson and Chad Jenkins, two players who saw 2014 action in both Buffalo and Toronto. Just over a month before spring training begins, there is scant certainty as to the makeup of the Blue Jays roster, especially when it comes to pitching. Starters Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey are all but guaranteed their spots, and Marcus Stroman figures to be a starter as well. After that, expect an open competition. Two pitchers, Aaron Sanchez and Daniel Norris, who came through Buffalo for quick stints en route to their big-league
debuts in 2014, could end up starting the season with the Bisons. The same goes for newcomers like speedy outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and first baseman Daric Barton. Second baseman Devon Travis, acquired from the Detroit organization in a trade for the enigmatic Anthony Gose, figures to be in Buffalo after spending all of 2014 in Double-A. Tinnish addressed the challenges of dealing with players who believe they belong on the major league roster, only to have decision-makers like manager John Gibbons or general manager Alex Anthopoulos determine that a player is better suited to be in Buffalo.
“Especially for a young, upand-coming player, it can be tricky,” Tinnish admitted in a pre-luncheon media session. “Obviously the ultimate goal for a lot of these players is to have a long major league career. We try to put the players in the best situation to be successful. Whether we feel they’re ready for Toronto or they end up starting here, only time will tell.” Tinnish smiled when he said he is constantly reminded about the importance of providing the Bisons with players who can produce not only a winning season, but a playoff competitor. The 2014 Bisons posted a 77-66 record, the franchise’s most wins since an 82-62 division-winning season in
2005 as a Cleveland affiliate. Alas, last year’s Herd failed to qualify for the postseason, falling 1 ½ games behind Pawtucket for the I.L.’s lone wild-card berth. “(Our goal for Buffalo is) not finishing above .500 or finishing with ‘x’ amount of wins,” Tinnish said. “The ownership group here and the staff work night and day to try to win games and get to the playoffs. That’s the ultimate goal.” Tinnish admitted being pleasantly surprised with 2014’s organizational successes like Stroman, Norris, and outfielder Dalton Pompey. “From a development perspective, it was a great year,” he explained. “At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t so sure that those guys would
touch this level, let alone the big leagues. The fact they were able to make those strides is encouraging and gives us a lot of optimism about what these players can ultimately be going forward.” The Blue Jays also are proud that the Bisons’ entire coaching staff manager Gary Allenson, hitting coach Richie Hebner, and pitching coach Randy St. Claire will return. “It’s important to have continuity,” Tinnish said. “They got along well with the group and the Bisons felt the same way. There’s (usually) a lot of turnover in minor league coaching staffs, and we feel good about having the whole staff return.” www.twitter.com/mikehaim
Hasek’s No. 39 officially retired by Sabres By Dave Ricci SPORTS REPORTER
When Dominik Hasek arrived in Buffalo in 1992, the last thing on his mind was getting his jersey retired. Back then, the young goalie from the Czech Republic was an unproven commodity just trying to win a job. “My goal was to become the starting goalie for the Buffalo Sabres,” Hasek said. He did that and more.
On Jan. 13, Hasek saw his No. 39 raised to the rafters of the First Niagara Center as he became the seventh players in franchise history to have his number retired. Hasek joined the Blue and Gold elite with Danny Gare, Pat LaFontaine, Tim Horton, Rick Martin, Gilbert Perrault and Rene Robert. “For me, it’s a great feeling to be back in Buffalo where I spent the best time of my hockey career,” Hasek said. “It’s an accomplishment for what I was able to do for this
organization and for this community, for this city and for the people of Buffalo. “I’m very appreciative and I am honored to be one of seven players whose jerseys have been retired.” One of the most decorated athletes ever in the National Hockey League, Hasek owns six regular season Sabre records and five postseason records. A six-time Vezina Trophy winner, Hasek captured back-to-back Hart Memorial Trophies and Lester B. Pearson
Awards in 1997 and 1998. “He’s a legend. The first Czech player in the Hockey Hall of Fame,” said Sabre goalie and Czech Republic native Michal Neuvirth. While Hasek’s unorthodox style would delight and amaze fans, Sabres GM John Muckler would often chastise the young keeper’s reckless style. It took an injury to starter Grant Fuhr to truly open the door for Hasek. Small wonder why, in those days especially, Hasek never expected this kind of
honor. “This is something that you don’t think about at all when you play hockey,” Hasek said. “After you finish your career and you sort of go back. Thinking about what you’ve done, what you’ve done for hockey. The people from Buffalo were calling me and I knew the last few years it’s coming, this day. So it’s not like it took me by surprise.” Hasek’s style certainly had a way of taking everyone by surprise and he made the
impossible save look routine time and time again. “When you spend 10 years on same team you kind of get used to it,” said former Sabre defenseman Alex Zhitnik. “But when you play against him, you understand how great he was.” The ceremony was held prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, the team Hasek won Stanley Cups with in 2002 and 2008 It featured Danny Gare and Rene Robert on the ice with Hasek.