Are you looking for a way to have a good time, win some nice prizes, help handicapped sportsmen and promote children’s outdoor activities, all in the same evening? The answer is the S.H.O.T.S. Banquet to be held Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Rusty Rail in Canastota.

Many people in the area are familiar with S.H.O.T.S. and the good work they have done. After a year of re-organization they are active again in many projects, and have many more planned. Sportspeople Helping Others Through Sharing is a nonprofit, 501c3 charity dedicated to helping others discover or enjoy the outdoors. They provide sporting opportunities for others with a special emphasis on youngsters, physically challenged sportsmen and the terminally ill.

As an example of some of their activities they helped a physically challenged lady achieve the dream of her lifetime by sending her to a special fly fishing outpost in Montana. At Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days they held a turkey box call seminar and all youngsters got to build a box call to take home with them. Through their physically challenged program they were able to take a group of special education students trout fishing.

S.H.O.T.S. has been a major supporter of National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) which supplies archery equipment to schools. In addition to donating thousands of dollars to schools for equipment, they have helped with expenses when the state winners went to Kentucky to compete on a national level. This year they took on the Future Anglers Outreach, a program that provides basic instruction and a rod and reel for each youngster to keep. This year’s event had 150 kids and they hope to make it an even bigger event in the future.

For these and other efforts S.H.O.T.S. was recognized with the prestigious “Sportsmen of the Year Award” by the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame. They were honored at the annual NYSOHOF banquet in April.

The S.H.O.T.S. banquet is a major fund raiser for the worthy causes listed. But it is also a time for sportsmen to get together and enjoy an evening of fun and camaraderie with other sportspeople. There will be raffles, games, and door prizes.

Sponsors and donors are encouraged to help out. For individual tickets or information on being a donor or sponsor contact Mike Patricia (315-363-6736), Andy Jeski (315-363-5585), or Charlie Pace (315-655-9766). We hope to see you there on September 8.

SHORT CASTS

WOOLER MEMORIAL FISHING TOURNAMENT: Get your tackle ready and make plans for family fun on Oneida Lake this weekend. This is a family fishing event designed to showcase the Oneida Lake fishery and get youngsters involved.

The Bill Wooler Fish-On Memorial Tournament will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25 on Oneida Lake. The adult division will be for walleye based on length and pay cash awards while the kids division will have entries for all species of fish. All youngsters will receive a prize and refreshments.

All those involved last year commented on what a well-run tournament it was and how great it was to see youngsters involved. Weigh-ins will be at Marion Manor from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. Awards and chicken barbecue will follow. Proceeds will benefit the Wooler Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Sponsors include Lake Ontario Outdoors, FishNY.com, Pirate Charters, Hanifin Tires, Marion Manor Marina, All Seasons Sports and The Oneida Daily Dispatch. Registration is at Marion Manor Marina. Contact Matt White (762-8148) for details.

FISHING REPORT: A few days ago I stopped in to All Seasons Sports Shop in Pulaski to visit with my friend Jim Dence. Jim took time out from his busy schedule of re-stocking his inventory to talk about fishing, particularly Lake Ontario. As Jim noted this has been a fantastic year for Lake Ontario, especially salmon fishing.

All year long people have been catching salmon, possibly an effect of the mild winter and early spring warming up the water temperatures. But lately they have been catching good numbers of big salmon. Several 35-40 lb. fish have been taken in the past couple weeks.

As Jim pointed out these big eating machines still have a month to go before entering the river and the spawning stage. Imagine the size some of them will be by then. The fishing action has kept Jim busy filling up his inventory of lures and tackle.

He said that the popular flasher and fly combinations have been very effective, but anglers have also been taking them on spoons like Michigan Stinger or Northern King. Colors vary from day to day based on weather conditions, so anglers are stocking up.

In the Oswego to Mexico Bay area many of the fish were taken at various depths over 100-160 feet of water but some anglers were working out to the 200-250 foot depths. Downriggers, Dipsy Divers and copper wire were all working well.

Jim laughed that he was so busy keeping up with the lake fishing that he was having trouble getting stocked for the river fishing that will probably start in another few weeks, or his large mail order business. One glance around his store or his supply room and you would see that his motto – “If we don’t have it, you probably don’t need it” - is pretty accurate.

Jim is a local guy who operates a large tackle store on Route 13 in Pulaski that is frequented by most of the top guides in the area. He is never too busy to give an angler advice or suggest the proper tackle and lures. Check out www.AllSeasonsSports.com or call 298-6433 for more information.

We were camping for a week at Southwick Beach, just south of Henderson Harbor. Lake fishing in that area was also excellent according to Captain Bob Dick of Moby Dick Charters. Similar lures were working for those who trolled the Trench, in front of Sandy Creeks, or in front of Stony Creek.

Largemouth bass fishing in the interior waters, unfortunately was not good. Low water levels, warm temperatures and an abnormally abundant weed growth stymied most bass and pike anglers in Sandy Pond or the various ponds in Lakeview Marsh area. My best luck was in Lakeview Pond in some areas where milfoil wasn’t as thick.

YOUTH GOOSE HUNT: The Oneida County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and DEC Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) are teaming up to offer a special goose hunt for youth again this year to introduce youngsters who may not otherwise have the opportunity for goose hunting.

Dates are Sept. 22-23, 2012. Saturday, Sept. 22 will be the meeting with parents, ECOs, Hunter Mentors, target practice and other preparation for the next day hunt. This day starts at 9 a.m. until done. The actual hunt will take place on Sunday, Sept. 23. Youngsters will have the opportunity to learn the skills necessary for goose hunting and then actually experience it with the guidance of an ECO or Hunter Mentor in the field.

The program is open to youths age 12–17. All must have a small game license and HIP number, and youths ages 16-17 will need a federal wildfowl stamp. Interested participants should contact Larry Chandler at 315-338-3445, ECO Steve Lakeman 315-734-0648 or ECO Ric Grisolini 315-240-6966 for an application for this program. Space in the program is limited so be sure to register early.

GOLDEN PARK PROGRAM: If you are a NYS resident 62 or older on any weekday (except holidays) you can obtain free vehicle access to state parks and arboreteums. Simply present your current valid NYS Driver’s License. This policy applies both to Office of Parks and Recreation and DEC facilities.

NY CROSSBOW COALITION PICNIC: New York Crossbow Coalition is holding a Demonstration - Annual Meeting and Picnic Aug. 25 at the Albion Fish and Game Club on Rte 13 just east of Pineville. Attend and shoot one of the available crossbows or bring your own. Discussions will include efforts in the coming year to get legislative approval. Check nycrossbowcoalition.com for additional information.