Last year, the NY Musky Expo venue location was at the Chautauqua Suites Hotel and Expo Center in Mayville and was well attended. While attendees I talked with said they enjoyed the family atmosphere at Chautauqua Suites, the enormous exhibition hall at Chautauqua Harbor Hotel may provide more elbow space for vendors and visitors. The complimentary Starbucks coffee on every floor for guests is sure to be appreciated.

“The floor plan will include new venue lighting and curtain walls of beautiful glass windows that surround the showroom,” said Katia Rivers expo chairperson. “Visitors will be able to visit their favorite big musky lure bait makers and fishing guides while gazing out onto the frozen surface waters of beautiful Chautauqua Lake. There may even be some ice strong enough to get out there and ice fish.”

Of course, local anglers have already known that fish are hungry under the ice in recent days, and ice should be around well into and after the show. The recent prolonged cold freeze has been a pleasant ice-box surprise for all anglers who enjoy walking on water with a short ice-fishing rod.

“The NY Musky Expo invites everyone to celebrate the show while we showcase this region’s prominence (Chautauqua Lake) in the musky fishing world,” Rivers said.

Katia Rivers NY Musky Expo chairperson, shares one of her favorite musky-catching baits from Baker Musky Lures. The artificial baits for musky fishing are large, heavy and durable, made with real wood and wire, and extra-strong hooks. Photo courtesy of Zachary Baker

Noted musky expert and guide, Captain Mike Sperry of Chautauqua Reel Outdoors in Ashville, will be on hand, as will the NYSDEC representatives from the Chautauqua Lake Prendergast musky hatchery, the NYSDEC Region 9 Fishery Biologists, Garmin Electronics, Dr, John Farrell — a professor at SUNY-ESF and director of the Thousand Islands Biological Station at Clayton on the St. Lawrence River — and a host of other speakers. These are experts in their fields, and their insights will be invaluable. We’ll announce the seminar schedule later in the week.

Look for an extensive array of famous musky lure makers that include Wiley Lures, Clarkey Baits, Red October, Baker Musky Lures, B&N Custom Rods and Tackle, BamBam Baits, River Dog Fly Shop, Sampson Baits, Duke’s Dozerz Spinnerbaits, Bucko Branded Baits, Wax Lures, JoJo Lures, Leopardi Leo Lures, Mortimer Baits, and dozens more. More than 70 booths are in the venue.

Charter Captains with advice and bookings will be there, too, including Medicine Man Charters, Muddy Creek Fishing Guides, Hanz the Carver, All-Day Musky Charters, Mike Hulbert Guide Service and others.

Some famous and well-noted musky lure makers like Dale Wiley from Wiley Lures will be there. Wiley is an angler and legendary lure maker from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, with famous lures such as Musky King, Musky, Jr., Deep Diver, Musky Killer and Headshaker — all handcrafted and catching giants for over 30 years to his credit. Wiley Lures and many other long-standing traditional musky lure brands like Baker Lures and others will be at the show, which collectors and fishermen hunt down from around the musky world. Visit Joe Stagnitti Vintage Collectibles at the show to learn more about famous musky lures — he might have some for sale.

At the New York Musky Expo, there’s something for everyone. The “Kids Corner,” run by the NY Musky clan, and the kids coloring contest set up by Leo’s Lures will keep the little ones entertained. Plus, kids 12 and under can enter free with a parent or guardian. It’s a family-friendly event that’s not to be missed.

Artistic musky replicas in many forms will be on view for visitors to enjoy next weekend at the NY Musky Expo, Feb. 1-2, at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron. This one is 24-by-48 inches in size. Photo courtesy of John Maurice Muldoon

From musky club groups to musky lure manufacturers, everyone is driving in or flying in with a plan to attend as either vendors or visitors. The Region 3 New York Muskies clan is kicking things off a day early with their meet and greet pre-event meeting from 7-9 p.m. in the Columbia Room at the hotel. Members and representatives from other organized musky groups are invited to join this pre-event gathering, though this event is not open to the general public. Guest speakers for the short kick-off include Chautauqua Musky Guide Todd Rivers, Jane Conroe of the Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium — a Waterkeeper Alliance affiliate, and John Jablonski with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. It’s going to be a diverse and exciting event with something for everyone.

Chautauqua Lake is world-renowned as a premier muskellunge fishery and is a popular noted destination for musky anglers from around the country. The NYSDEC Chautauqua Hatchery at Prendergast Point stocks the lake with 13,000 fall fingerlings each year. The lake produces record-high catch rates, including many fish over 50 inches. The musky population is monitored with trap net surveys and boat electrofishing surveys. Anglers can troll, drift or cast for muskies, but when an angler hooks one regardless of size, it’s hard to tell if the fish or the angler is hooked with memories for all time. It’s exciting.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Jan. 29: Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen, monthly meeting, 7 p.m., Lakewood Rod & Gun, 433 E. Terrace Ave., Lakewood; 716-763-3955

Feb. 1: Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, annual elections day, 1 N. Mullet St., Dunkirk. 716-366-8836.

Feb. 1: Kinzua Dam 16th annual eagle watch, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors center, Warren County, Pennsylvania; free entry all ages.

Feb. 1-2: NY Musky EXPO, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, 10 Dunham Ave., Celoron. Over 70 booths, live lure demo’s, lure swap night, more. Kids 12 and under are free. Info: 716-489-2800

NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.