We here in northern Pennsylvania are very fortunate to live in such close proximity to Chautauqua and Allegheny counties. The fantastic fishing opportunities available in them are incredible.

Writing can at times be challenging. Finding subject matter, meeting deadlines and occasionally just sitting at the keyboard with your mind a blank can be frustrating, but it can have its compensations.

So, when I received an invitation from the Chautauqua County Tourist Association to attend its June Fish Camp and sample some of the tremendous fishing prospects on hand, I was thrilled to say the least. Perhaps, jumping up and down with excitement would be a more accurate description.

So, Monday afternoon found me pulling up to a beautiful cottage with a great view of Chautauqua Lake at 6060 Orchard Rd, Dewittville, NY 14728. The cabin/home sleeps 10 and is owned by the Tabors. The cabin is available for rental, 216-235-5352.

Dave Barus, our host and about as nice a gentleman as you would care to meet, greeted me and soon my gear was stored inside. Soon two other writers joined us, Mike Joyner, www.turkeytalk.com and Bill Ferris, bkferris@kuhncom.net. It wasn’t long until we were sharing experiences and giving each other a hard time. We were a lighthearted and carefree group. I also learned a lot about a great many things here at home and across the world.

Dave took us to the Empty Pint, 2071 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood NY 14750, for dinner that evening. This state of the art brewery set in a log cabin motif makes great beers, some 14 draughts and serves killer pub fare, specializing in huge sandwiches and tacos filled with their own on-site smoked meats. I’m known for having a pretty good appetite, but it was all I could do to finish that huge patty melt on sourdough bread. Yum.

But, back to the fishing. Wednesday I was scheduled to fish with Paul McKeown, a retired New York State DEC biologist and our Chautauqua Lake guide, Don Staszcyk. Don knows almost every pebble on the lake and is consistently winning or placing in the local tournaments for bass and walleyes. To fish with Don or rent a cabin call him at 716-491-2120.

When I pulled into the Long Point Marina, Don and Paul were leaning on the bass boat and talking. I was 10 minutes early, but felt late and hurriedly threw my gear into the Triton. We launched and turned for the south end of the lake. We’d be looking for humps and holes today. Despite the fact it was still early in the season, the bigger walleyes were already deep.

Don idled out and hit the throttle. The boat leapt forward as if alive and soon we were hurtling across the water at over 60 m.p.h. The wind was flapping my face around at that speed and Don was grinning. He still had plenty of speed left, but the chop wouldn’t allow us to go all out. Fine with me, my eyelids were fluttering in the slipstream.

Soon we came tearing up on one of his waypoints and he throttled the beast back. The air became soft and gentle once again instead of an invisible, semi-solid force messing with my face.

We were over a hole with some rock and I grabbed the spinning rod. Thanks to Dale Black of Gamma fishing lines I was using 20lb Torque braided premium line. Next, a small barrel swivel and 24-inches of Gamma 100% fluorocarbon 10-pound test leader. Finally, a five-eighths ounce jigging Rapala.

With little wind Don was able to hold the boat directly over the structure. When the Rapala hit bottom, I reeled out the slack and ripped the lure up about two feet, letting it fall.  When I saw the line go slack I ripped her up again. As the lure fell I felt a light tap through the sensitive braid and set the hook. A heavy weight jerked violently back!

Good grief, a fish on the first cast and it felt big! The walleye shook his head, and bored for the bottom.

Don looked back and gave me a triumphal grin. He’d put us spot on the fish the very first try. “Looks like a good one,” he remarked, reaching for the net.

The walleye bulldogged down, peeling off short spurts of line. I could only hold on and keep up the pressure. The day was dark and overcast and the walleye remained invisible in the gently heaving waters. Then a flash and the barrel swivel appeared with a hefty walleye beneath it.

“Don’t let that fish’s head above the water!” Don emphasized. “If you do they’ll shake their heads and throw the lure. Keep her beneath the surface.”  I relaxed, keeping just enough tension to raise the walleye that final and critical 24-inches. Don slipped the net under her, she thrashed violently and the lure was out. Don raised his eyes and looked at me significantly. His advice was worth its weight in gold.

Good grief, the impressive walleye weighed five pounds! I couldn’t believe it, what a magnificent fish. But, that was just the start! The next four walleyes averaged 24 to 26 inches, my five fish limit weighed 25 pounds! Are you kidding me?

Don was nonchalant; “They run bigger in the fall.” He said.

“I’ll be up!” I replied.