Captain Codey Allen is a USCG-licensed and insured Master Captain and the owner and operator of Lake Affect Fishing Charters, based in Western New York. With more than 25 years of experience fishing the Great Lakes, Codey has built his career around a passion for the water, a commitment to learning, and a desire to share the incredible fisheries of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario with others.

A lifelong Great Lakes angler, Codey specializes in walleye, trout and salmon fishing, with Lake Erie walleye fishing out of Barcelona Harbor serving as a major focus of his charter operation. His approach combines years of experience with an emphasis on constantly adapting to changing conditions, learning new techniques and putting his clients in the best possible position to have a successful day on the water.

Beyond guiding, Codey is an accomplished tournament angler. He has competed extensively throughout Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, earning numerous top finishes in walleye and salmon events. Among his career highlights are winning the 2015 Southtowns Walleye Derby with a 12.35-pound walleye and capturing the $25,000 Grand Prize in the 2019 Fall Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Derby with a 33.50-pound king salmon. The Lake Affect team has also consistently finished among the top competitors in major regional events. (Lake Affect Fishing Charters)
For Codey, however, fishing is about more than tournament results or filling a cooler. He believes in teaching anglers while they are on the water and helping people understand the fisheries they are experiencing. Whether it's an experienced tournament fisherman, a first-time angler, or a family introducing a child to the Great Lakes, Codey takes pride in making every trip educational, hands-on and enjoyable.

Safety is also a cornerstone of his operation. Lake Affect Fishing Charters operates with a strong emphasis on professionalism, preparation and providing a safe environment for everyone aboard.

Codey's passion for the Great Lakes extends beyond fishing. He is committed to introducing people to these remarkable fisheries and helping them appreciate the resources that make Western New York such a special place to live, fish and explore.

From chasing trophy walleye off Barcelona Harbor to targeting salmon and trout on Lake Ontario, Captain Codey Allen has made the Great Lakes a way of life - and Lake Affect Fishing Charters is his way of sharing that passion with others.

"Fishing is more than a job for us - it's a way of life." - Capt. Codey Allen

Born and raised in Western New York along the Niagara Escarpment, Joe Fonzi has spent most of his life in the outdoors: fishing, hunting, and trapping. Joe began his outdoor adventures as soon as he was old enough to keep up with his dad and grandfathers, who did it all from fly fishing to trapping. He still owes much of his success to the lessons and ethics that were set forth by these early mentors.

Joe is a graduate of both, New York State school of Environmental Science and Forestry (BSF); and SUNY Brockport, where all of his emphasis was placed on environmental studies. His graduate work was in fisheries management with importance placed on freshwater ecosystems; he participated in a 2 year fisheries inventory study of the New York canal system from Lake Erie to the Hudson River. For the past 22 years Joe has held a US Coast Guard license he's used turned his passion for fishing into a successful fishing charter business. Captain Joe, charters fishing trips on lakes Erie and Ontario, spending almost two hundred days a year in his Ranger boat, targeting smallmouth bass, perch, and walleyes.

When Joe isn't guiding, he tries to fit in as many fishing tournaments as possible. With finishes in the top 5 of both the National Bass and Walleye circuits Joe has accomplished something that most anglers don't even attempt. Other tournament accomplishments include: 6 top ten finishes in the FLW and qualifying for the FLW Costa championship both years he completed the circuit. Joe has also had success north of the border with several wins and top 10 finishes in both the Canadian Sport Fishing League (CSFL) and the Renegade Bass Circuits.

Joe holds pro-staff positions with several outdoor equipment companies including Mack's Lures, Steelshad Lures, Warrior Lures, and most notably Ranger Boats (for the past 14 years) and member of the Mercury Marine pro-team. Joe is entering his fifth year as a Cabela's pro staffer, he often participates in the Cabela's day's events at the Cheektowaga location. Joe also does several seminars each year for local sportsmen's clubs and outdoors shows in both the US and Canada, talking on a wide range of subjects from fishing ethics to tournament-winning strategies.

Captain Craig Sleeman is a professional walleye angler on the National Walleye Tour and competes in tournaments in the eastern basin of Lake Erie. He is a past Grand Prize winner of the prestigious Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout, the Primitive Patriot Walleye Challenge, the Cattaraugus Conservation Club Walleye Tourney, and a two-time winner of the Innovative Outdoors Walleye Tournament.

Craig began his career in the Finger Lakes region of New York and continues to tackle competitive yellow perch tournaments in the spring. This experience has improved catchability, decision-making, and pre-fish planning, which have paved the way to his continued success in the Walleye World.

With the continuous improvement in technology, Craig will share the latest cutting-edge tips on trolling, jigging and forward-facing sonar you will not want to miss! Craig's favorite technique for catching walleye is jigging, which has become an integral component throughout the year for fishing walleye in the eastern basin. He'll provide a local spin on the where and when of catching walleye in the eastern basin.

Craig is fortunate to partner with Douglas Outdoors, Doc's Tackle, Torpedo Fishing Products, i-1baits and 5/0 Lure Company, Fish Hawk Electronics, Walleye Nations Creations, Off Shore Tackle and Aquatraction Marine Flooring. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn and improve your game on Lake Erie by attending Craig's demos and hands-on seminars in his classroom sessions this year!

Fishing began as a child, as young as he can remember. He spent his time on the lakes and rivers of Western New York, researching and learning techniques and mostly teaching himself. Starting out with a small runabout and gradually working his way up over the years to a fully rigged charter/tournament boat. The fun of fishing as a child started over 40 years ago and fueled his obsession as an adult and created the drive to share information and the passion with others to enjoy our incredible fishing this area has to offer. Jim has also volunteered through the years for several charity groups including creating the WNY Heroes Fishing Day. This annual event has grown into taking 150 veterans out fishing on Lake Erie.

Owner of Dream Catcher Sportfishing and operator of the 31' Tiara, "Dream Catcher" and also a Vexus DVX 22 Multi-species boat, Jim is a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain, 50 ton and near coastal certified since 2012. He was Vice President for the last few years and has now taken the role of President of the Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association for 2023. The ELECBA is an association of credentialled captains and mates that have become the voice for the local fishery, marinas/harbors, and waterways. Jim spends some of the springtime fishing for salmon and trout on Lake Ontario and the rest of the season for walleye and trout on Lake Erie, chartering and tournament fishing. To see more about Jim and Dream Catcher Sportfishing, visit the website at www.dreamcatchersportfishing.com. They are now offering instructional, hands-on, on-the-water charters to help the beginner to advanced anglers.

The Dream Catcher Sportfishing tournament team participates in all the major walleye tournaments in the Eastern Basin of Lake Erie. They are proud that their teamwork and dedication, which has consistently put them at the top of the field. A few of the team's highlights include 1st place overall and 3rd place heaviest fish in the 2019 Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Derby and finishing with 2nd heaviest fish and 3rd place overall in the 2016 Sunset Bay Shootout, 2nd heaviest fish and 6th place overall in the 2015 Sunset Bay Shootout as well as winning the Amara-Can tournament in 2012 just to name a few.

Conducting many seminars and presentations at fishing clubs, outdoor shows and educational venues as well as representing manufacturers (Church Tackle, Torpedo Fishing Products, Traxstech, Challenger Lures, Three D Worm Harnesses, Fish Hawk) at dealer shows and events gives Jim the ability to share his knowledge, experience and expertise as well as promote the area, fishery, techniques, and products to educate others to increase their success, covering all the bases.

Jim and his wife/fishing partner, Diane, took their passion for the outdoors to a new level by creating Innovative Outdoors. This business focuses on promoting fishing and hunting and products that have been personally tested and proven, they sell what they use. Shop online at www.innovative-outdoors.com or visit the Innovative Outdoors booth.

Experience NY Outdoors, created in 2020, is a TV show that features outdoor sports, events, and venues, predominantly fishing and hunting throughout New York State, and occasionally other areas of the country. The focus is showcasing areas, techniques, or talents in outdoor sports. The show airs on TV stations in Buffalo, Rochester and Elmira along with YouTube and other media. Check out www.experiencenyoutdoors.com or visit the booth.

Captain Lance Valentine is a veteran Great Lakes guide, fishing educator, and the
founder of The Walleye Zone. With three decades of professional experience, Lance is
one of the Midwest's most trusted authorities on marine electronics and sonar
interpretation. In his interactive seminar, he cuts through the technical jargon to teach
you exactly how to dial in your unit, recognize subtle underwater structure, and target
walleyes with pinpoint precision.