When Steve Harrington of Gasport started the Erie Canal Fishing Derby 19 years ago, he couldn’t have imagined what it would become. An event that began with only a few prizes has blossomed into a fishing derby that attracts more than 1,000 participants and features a boat package as a grand prize.
“People thought I was crazy,” Harrington said. “But each year it gets a little bigger and a little better.”
More than $20,000 in prizes will be reeled in during this year’s derby, which runs July 7-19 in the waters of the Erie Canal stretching from the City of Tonawanda eastward to Albion.
The grand prize boat package, supplied by Bryce Marine of Rochester, includes a boat, motor and trailer.
In addition, there will be daily prizes for kids for the heaviest fish and the chance to win a canal trail bike. Last year’s kids division winner was Jackolyn Schaffert of Lockport. The grand prize winner was Justin Cook of Shelby.
There’s an additional $10,000 possible in tagged fish, including one tagged with a top cash prize of $2,500.
The derby features seven fish divisions: small and large mouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bullhead, carp, sheephead and catfish.
Anglers can enter at a variety of locations across Erie and Niagara counties, including Niagara Outdoors on Witmer Road in North Tonawanda and Gander Mountain on Young Street in the City of Tonawanda.
Additional entry sites include Les Allen Live Bait, Lockport; Harrington’s, Gasport; Outdoor Adventures, Medina; and Jeddo Bait & Tackle, Medina.
Entry fees are $11 for adults, $6 for kids 14 and under, $21 for a family, and $5 for the cash bash.
Prizes and awards will be given out at 3 p.m. July 27 at the Gasport Fire Co. All division winners will be notified by phone.
Harrington estimates 1,100 people will participate in the derby. The reason it’s grown over the years is simple, he said. “It’s the canal banks. You don’t need any fancy equipment, you don’t need a boat — you’ve got the canal banks ... You can throw a blanket out and just fish with the kids and picnic. There’s beautiful trails along the canal. It’s great,” Harrington said, adding that more than three-quarters of the derby participants fish from the banks of the canal.
A former charter captain, Harrington said he got the idea for the Erie Canal Derby after fishing other events on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
“I didn’t know it was going to be this big,” he said, adding that much of the event’s success is due to the generosity of its many sponsors. “People just love it.”
For more information on the derby, call Harrington at 772-7972, or visit www.eriecanalderby.com.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: 19th annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby
WHEN: July 7-19
WHERE: Erie Canal waters, with weigh stations in North Tonawanda, City of Tonawanda, Lockport, Gasport and Medina.
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