At the first sign of spring, anglers are anxious to run out and catch that big one, right?
That raises the question: What will be Bass Pro’s impact on our area? Bob Wilson, owner of Russ’ Bait & Tackle at 1226 Niagara is “…hopeful that Bass Pro will increase interest in fishing and ultimately improve the amount of business I receive.” Conversely, Jerry Olejniczak of Penrod’s Bait & Tackle at 1560 South Park Avenue was not convinced that Bass Pro will have a significant financial impact since there are sufficient stores within a 150 mile radius of Buffalo. Both men, who have been in business 50 years and 30 years respectively, would agree that once Bass Pro is here, the challenge will be to optimize what Bass Pro can do for our area.
Both concurred that Buffalo and Western New York do little to showcase the area’s exceptional fishing and that their businesses would benefit from a concerted effort by local leaders to promote the area. More local tournaments would be a plus for the sport, but Jerry believes that area leaders have “little understanding of a tournament’s positive economic impact on the local economy.”
Making fishing accessible to the community would help grow the sport. Currently, 18 public boat launches exist within Buffalo’s city limits, most of them offering both fuel and food. Of these, all but one is free. There was another free boat launch at the south end of La Salle Park at the foot of Porter Avenue, but it has been blocked with concrete barriers for reasons unknown. Are 18 public boat launches enough for an area our size? Cleveland, Ohio, a city that once had its river catch fire, now has 16 boat launches and a fully developed and resident-friendly waterfront. Therefore, our boat facilities are comparable. We’re all hopeful Buffalo will be as successful in the development of its downtown waterfront as our neighbors on Lake Erie have been.
As an aside, Buffalo, not Cleveland, can take pride in The Great Lakes Center of SUNY at Buffalo State, also located at the foot of Porter in the Coast Guard complex. This facility is one of the most technologically advanced aquaculture laboratories on the Great Lakes.
Governmental support is also needed, and at least one government official is aware of our potential to capitalize on our area’s natural resources. Recent articles appearing in the Buffalo News indicate that Governor Spitzer understands the importance of outdoor activities in New York State, as fishing and hunting generate about $100 billion nationwide and employ 2.6 million people.
Many anglers eagerly await Saturday, May 5th, the opening day for many popular game fish. Most area anglers are interested in walleye and New York’s special early season opener on Lake Erie for smallmouth bass; this is for Lake Erie only. While the walleye catch is limited to four per day, only one bass at least 15 inches in length per day is permitted until the regular state-wide black bass season opens on the third Saturday in June when the limit increases to five.
While we can all point fingers at local leaders, the media, and developers for not realizing this area’s great potential as a fishing destination, the real solution lies with us, the men and women who keep this area going. It’s up to each of us, through our voices and actions, to shape this area’s future by supporting everything that is good about Buffalo and Western New York. So if you’re not already hooked, get out and give fishing a try.
Life in Buffalo will have a new angle.
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Support for Buffalo Rising comes from: