Better fishing group's goal

MASSENA — A new working group will convene soon to discuss ways to improve local fisheries, encourage river tourism and foster better coordination between sportsmen's groups and sponsors of angling events across the region.

The group was formed at town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray's recent Focus on Our Fisheries summit, which drew nearly 40 businessmen, public officials and fishing enthusiasts.

Mr. Gray said he was pleased with the interest generated by the forum and is optimistic the new group will do its best to try to overcome some of the challenges preventing the area's rivers from being the kind of economic boon those who attended the event felt they could be.

"We have a tremendous untapped resource in our rivers," Mr. Gray said. "There are a lot of groups doing things on the river, but we're not working together as much as we could."

Several sportsmen's organizations, including the St. Lawrence River Walleye Association, the Northern New York Bassmasters and the New York Bass Federation, were represented at the meeting.

The group discussed the lack of a central source of information about events and offerings, which means groups occasionally schedule overlapping tournaments or derbies, diluting the pool of anglers who could participate in both events.

Walleye Association President Michael J. Gagner and St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Patricia L. McKeown suggested creating a Web site with maps and directories listing local bait shops and fishing-related businesses and a calendar listing angling events throughout the region.

Mr. Gray said the working group likely will address that proposal when discussing how to better market fishing opportunities here and better coordinate among groups and events.

"This new group could help coordinate schedules and tournaments so we're not all bumping into each other," Ms. McKeown said.

The county chamber sponsors the annual Carp Tournament and could be involved in helping improve communication among organizers of other events, she said.

Donald J. Lucas, owner of fishing charter business Muskie Magic, said one area the working group could focus on is improving access to rivers.

And he said finding ways to persuade the New York Power Authority to allow development and use of its riverfront properties could go a long way in furthering tourism and fishing-related business in the Massena area.

"We need to bring the spotlight up here," Mr. Lucas said. "There is no access to the Grasse River and very little to the Raquette and St. Lawrence. That needs to change."