FISHCAP News & Reports:
RELEASE THE BASS
On the St. Lawrence, smallmouth bass are now moving into spawning beds. Anyone catching a bass while fishing for walleyes should release them very quickly and even move to another spot to avoid damaging this bass fishery. Bass season opens the third Saturday in June.
Bass fishing is becoming a major plus for the area – as evidenced by the upcoming Bassmaster Elite Series tournament slated for Waddington in August.
For more on fishing in the St. Lawrence River Valley, go to www.fishcap.net
FISHCAP TAKES TOP NYS HONORS
NIAGARA FALLS (May 2) – FISHCAP, a public-private partnership promoting St. Lawrence County as “the fishing capital of the world,” has been awarded top honors by the New York State Tourism and Visitors Association at NYSTVA’s annual conference this week in Niagara Falls.
In announcing the award, Suzanne Bixby, Marketing & Communications Director of Campground Owners of New York and spokesperson for NYSTVA, wrote: “It is my pleasure to inform you that the nomination for FISHCAP was selected by our judges as the WINNER of the 2013 Excellence in Tourism Award for Tourism Marketing (entities with budgets under $500,000).”
FISHCAP was established in 2010 by Pat McKeown, CEO of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce; Massena Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray; and Project Manager Donald R. Meissner, a noted angler and WPBS program host. The project is the first ever public/private partnership, created to promote sport fishing as an economic driver for communities in the St. Lawrence River Valley, New York.
It is also the first-ever economic and educational initiative in the region not supported with taxpayer dollars, developed solely by a strong team of volunteers, run through a Chamber of Commerce with oversight by an advisory board of professional and amateur anglers, and hailed throughout the county as a viable way to build a future.
“We had a tremendous amount of response to our call for nominations,” wrote Director Bixby in announcing the award; “and the FISHCAP project had some very interesting and worthy competition. We congratulate you on your tourism project and your selection as the winner of this award!”
FISHCAP is ending its third year of operation. All efforts during Phase One (2010-2013) have been focused on strong growth, increasing awareness, developing local business, and driving angling tourists to the North Country region in record numbers. To support this claim, DEC records show that seven-day non-resident fishing license sales in St. Lawrence County increased 200 percent since FISHCAP began.
Phase Two, which begins August 1, 2013, will build on the successes of Phase One and will move the project into a regional approach, branding the FISHCAP name, mission and logo, and marketing the tourism focus beyond St. Lawrence County into both Franklin and Jefferson Counties as well as targeted markets in the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Fundraising for Phase Two is already underway.
“We are pleased as punch to be recognized as the best in New York State for 2013, particularly by a group of our own peers,” said McKeown, Co-Chair of FISHCAP. “We couldn’t have done it without our partners and without our volunteers.
“This award is a tribute to everyone affiliated with FISHCAP.”
Current FISHCAP partners are North Country Savings Bank, Town of Massena, St. Lawrence County IDA, Corning, Inc., St. Lawrence Redevelopment Agency, City of Ogdensburg, SeaComm Federal Credit Union, Town of Brasher, Alcoa Foundation, and the Town of Waddington.
Advisory Board members include Burnell Haney, Watertown, US Army (ret.), professional angler; Lewie Barkley, Waddington, longtime St. Lawrence County angler; Bob Giordano, Chase Mills, USAF (ret.), professional angler; Hank Bouchard, Ogdensburg, former sports shop owner, angler; Dave Swanson, Canton, bank president, angler, videographer; Mike Seymour, Ogdensburg, outdoor sports writer, fishing guide, angler; Mike Gagner, Massena, walleye restocking, tournaments, angler; Will Clute, Akwesasne, fishing guide; Chris Flint, Potsdam, professional angler; Chris LaShomb, angler and outdoor adventure TV host. Volunteers are Ed Reyes, Massena, fishing guide and angler; John Pierre Basham, Potsdam, angler and media; Fred Morrill, Dekalb, professional bass angler and county legislator; Steve Thornton, Potsdam, banker and fishing enthusiast; and Patrick Ames, St.Lawrence County Cooperative Extension and angler.
Rapsody Rod Pro Dean Meckes (Dean Meckes Charters) guides Pat Poleto to this nice opening day walleye on the St Lawrence River.
Junior Carp Toiurnament - 2013
August 15-17, 2013
(L to R) Unknown, Don Meissner, Hank Bouchard, Mike Gagner, all of FISHCAP, chatting about angling at the Massena Sportsmen's Show on Saturday April 13. (John Basham Photo)
St. Lawrence County FISHCAP donating $10,000 to promote Bassmaster Elite Series St. Lawrence River Showdown in Waddington
St. Lawrence County FISHCAP is donating $10,000 to the Village of Waddington for use in promoting the Bassmaster Elite Series St. Lawrence River Showdown in Waddington this August.
In a unanimous vote this week in favor of the donation, the FISHCAP Advisory Board also expressed the hope that the gift could spawn matching corporate or private donations.
"Recreational and competitive fishing can be St. Lawrence County's greatest economic driver,” said St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and FISHCAP Co-Chair Pat McKeown. “If we're successful with the Bassmaster Elite Series in August, new businesses will start and flourish; established businesses will expand and try new ideas. Success depends on all of us.”
“The FISHCAP Advisory Board feels strongly that the event is well worth an investment of time and treasure so that St. Lawrence County becomes known as the fishing capital of the world," McKeown said.
The Village of Waddington is official host of the premier bass angling event, and Mayor Janet Otto-Cassada thanked FISHCAP on behalf of the village. “This is coming together as a fantastic showcase for our wonderful St. Lawrence River and area,” she said, noting the FISHCAP board’s “forward thinking.”
FISHCAP joins other local donors including the Quality Inn of Massena, the Waddington Chamber of Commerce, Commercial Press, Inc ., and North Country Savings Bank “in acknowledging the positive economic ramifications this event will have on St. Lawrence County,” said Deanna Shampine, event coordinator. They know that tourism is a valid industry worthy of investment. FISHCAP’s support will go far in making our event a success, and the St. Lawrence River Showdown Planning Committee thanks the board for this generous gift.”
The Bassmaster Elite Series St. Lawrence River Showdown happens at the Waddington riverfront Aug. 8 – 11. It will bring 100 of the world’s top bass anglers to St. Lawrence County – along with thousands of fishing fans and national media. The St. Lawrence River match-up is one of eight contests in this year’s Bassmaster Elite Series, and the only one slated for the Northeastern United States.
Running concurrently with the fishing event is a “Tastes and Talents of the North Country” festival.
Admission to everything happening during the four days – from weigh-in ceremonies to special entertainment – is free.
For more information on donation or sponsorship opportunities, contact Fundraising Committee Chair Bill Hosmer at 323-6037.
For general information on the event or to volunteer, email barrongd@aol.com or call Bob Giordano at 315-600-7533.
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Weekly FISHCAP Fishing Forecast
- Week Ending Sunday, July 22, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, July 29, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, August 5, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, August 12, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, August 19, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, August 26, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, September 9, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, September 16, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, September 23, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, September 30, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, October 7, 2012
- Week Ending Sunday, October 14, 2012
Fishing Blogs & Reports by North Country Fishermen:
FISHCAP News
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New Freshwater Fishing Book by Local Angler & Guide Available
Mike Seymour, a lifelong angler and licensed guide who has led charters to the best fishing in upstate New York for over 25 years has written a book - The Smart Guide to Freshwater Fishing.
By FISHCAP Editor on Jul 26, 2012 -
NY Bass Chapter Federation to fish the St. Lawrence River
The NY BASS Chapter Federation (NYBCF) will fish the St. Lawrence River on July 22 with anglers competing for their portion of the $20,000 prize money. The first place boater wins a guaranteed $2,500 and the first place non-boater earns $1,500 in their respective division.
By FISHCAP Editor on Jul 16, 2012 -
Hermon 2nd Annual Father's Day Bass Tournament
Hermon 2nd Annual Father's Day Bass Tournament
By FISHCAP Editor on Jun 07, 2012 -
What the Heck is Bullhead?
The Bullhead Affair by Pat McKeown
By FISHCAP Editor on Apr 18, 2012 -
Ice Clearing Activities
The St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation has issued the following notice: Ice Clearing Activities
By FISHCAP Editor on Mar 06, 2012
