Although a late-night blaze destroyed his Gasport home in April, Steve Harrington refused to let the annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby fall apart with it.
The 21st annual event start today on the shores of the canal and will continue through July 17. Though it’s been a bit hectic this year, Harrington said the derby will provide a slight reprieve to his personal loss.
“I’m dealing with that, but I have to pull it off,” Harrington said. “I owe it to all the participants from all over the years to do it. ... It’s been a little rough, but I owe it to the participants.”
Harrington said he expects a record turnout this year. A year ago, more than 1,300 local anglers flocked to the canal derby. The event has grown every year, Harrington said.
“Each year it gets a little bigger and a little better,” Harrington said. “More families are getting involved. Parents are spending time with the kids, getting them outside. In the last four, five years, that’s been the big thing.”
Harrington said he expects a record turnout this year. A year ago, more than 1,300 local anglers flocked to the canal derby. The event has grown every year, Harrington said.
“Each year it gets a little bigger and a little better,” Harrington said. “More families are getting involved. Parents are spending time with the kids, getting them outside. In the last four, five years, that’s been the big thing.”
Registration costs $21 for families, $11 for adults and $6 for participants 14 and under. More than $20,000 in prizes will be awarded during the event, including a boat package raffled off at the end of the derby. Youth anglers will have the opportunity to win a canal trail bike as well. In addition, up to $10,000 in sponsored tagged fish are up for grabs. One tagged fish is worth $2,500.
The canal derby features seven divisions — small and large mouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bullhead, carp, sheephead and catfish. Registration is open all throughout the derby, Harrington said, and those interested can enter at seven locations, including Niagara Outdoors and Wiggeling Willies Bait Shop in North Tonawanda, as well as Gander Mountain in the Town of Tonawanda.
The canal derby features seven divisions — small and large mouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bullhead, carp, sheephead and catfish. Registration is open all throughout the derby, Harrington said, and those interested can enter at seven locations, including Niagara Outdoors and Wiggeling Willies Bait Shop in North Tonawanda, as well as Gander Mountain in the Town of Tonawanda.
Harrington said Tuesday that nearly 700 people have registered so far.
“There’s 50 miles of the canal banks that you can fish anywhere,” he said. “There’s more spots on the canal than ever. It’s just great. ... It’s basically about having fun and getting outside. It’s a lot of fun.”
For more information, visit eriecanalderby.com.
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http://tonawanda-news.com/sports/x1692753466/Erie-Canal-Fishing-Derby-starts-today
