CBS Sunday Morning News nature videographer Carl Mrozek visited Lake Erie from Chautauqua County last weekend and caught his first-ever walleye, a whopper.
Photo by Forrest Fisher
We were traveling and staying overnight in a hotel along the roadway in Midwest USA. My better half asked me to figure out the TV for the weather forecast on our journey west. It was Saturday night and we had already been traveling for a few days. We were pretty beat up by the roadway noise and maze of cars during traffic stops. We planned to be up bright and early, grab the free hotel coffee, and return on the road. When the alarm rang at 5 a.m., we decided to rest up for one day. I flipped on the TV, and there on CBS News Sunday Morning was a three-minute story video by someone with a name I had known since childhood. Videographer Carl Mrozek and I were parochial school students and Boy Scout partners in the 1950s.
As Boy Scouts, we had both been part of a hundred adventures and misadventures in the “Beaver Patrol.” Our group of about 12 kids had camped together in local WNY Boy Scout camps and we had found 1950s fun in many ways. It had been a long time. Since those days, Mrozek had become rather noteworthy in nationwide TV and video circles. He has provided special-segment videography TV shows entitled “Moment in Nature” for CBS News Sunday Morning. His expertise in highlighting nature, wild animals, birds, and other critters, can offer viewers the soothing magic of watching nature.
It was a pleasure to welcome him to Chautauqua County. This past Saturday, we were guests aboard 1-More Sportfishing Charters with Captain Dan Bogdan. The day started with Captain Dan sharing the safety features of his 27-foot Tiara boat, setting the stage for a safe Lake Erie fishing adventure. He introduced us to the various devices aboard, including the fishing rods, reels, lures, and electronics that would be used to find and catch walleye. The anticipation was high, especially for my old buddy who had never caught a walleye before. Bogdan explained that the solid offshore winds the night before might have moved the fish.
Indeed, the forage had scooted a few miles west and north to 82 feet of water. We dropped lines about 8:45 a.m., and once found, we caught fish about every 10 minutes. It was exciting. We enjoyed a doubleheader one time too.
Mrozek asked many questions as we watched the electronics. The forage types, size of the forage schools, water temperature zones, underwater current, and others. My old school buddy was a lucky fisherman, he caught the largest walleye — a glistening 27-inch monster. We headed back for the dock at Sunset Bay State Park Marina at noon. With his biology, fisheries and cinematography background, Mrozek enjoyed learning about Lake Erie fishing with Captain Bognar.
Aboard his 27-foot Tiara boat, Captain Dan Bognar of 1-More Sportfishing Charter Service provides affordable fishing charters and boat rides from Sunset Bay State Park marina.
Photo by Forrest Fisher
Mrozek said, “I knew there was a substantial walleye fishery in Lake Erie, I didn’t realize it was arguably the best in the world, and that it had such a substantial impact on the Western New York economy. The upcoming Walleye Shootout Tournament is a prime example of that. It’s a handsome payoff for decades of water quality restoration work by various private and public partnerships that continue to bear fruit today.”
The morning flew by, and our 12-fish walleye limit was a perfect end to our reunion.
Mrozek added, “Guides and Captains like Dan Bognar and his first mate dad, Ed, make it feasible for “armchair anglers” like me to have fresh fish tales (and tails) to share with another generation of outdoor lovers after just one memorable morning on Lake Erie.”
We took our catch to the public fish cleaning station at the Hanover boat launch and prepared to head home. Mrozek had been particularly surprised by the water clarity of Lake Erie and the number of upcoming weekend fishing competitions planned along the Chautauqua County shoreline. The upcoming Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout caught his attention with its impressive prize package of $500,000 in cash and prizes.
“That’s newsworthy,” he remarked, noting the 170 teams registered for the contest.
The surprise and intrigue in his voice added a new dimension to our shared experience. Fun in so many ways. Gotta love the outdoors!
Outdoors Calendar July 18-21: Sunset Bay walleye Shootout, $500 entry, $500K prizes, 6 fish bag/ 1 day, INFO: Captain Don Ruppert, www.walleyeshootout.com. July 27-28: Bart’s Cove Walleye Dual-2, Integrity Walleye Series (IWT-2), Dunkirk Harbor, 3 fish bag/ day, 2 days, INFO: Mark Mohr, 716-998-9871. Aug. 2-4: 20th Annual Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tourney, $300 entry, Dunkirk Harbor, NCCC club weigh in each day, 3 fish bag/day, 3 days of fishing. Info and registration, contact Zen Olow, 716-640-2776.