By Bill Wolcott<br><a href="mailto:bill.wolcott@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Bill</a>
An 18-year-old Middleport resident caught a fishing pole thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis big at the Wilson Historical Society grounds Monday.
John McClain bought the pole he estimated as 15-feet long at a giant flea market and it was probably the sale of the day as hundreds of people looked for bargains from 250 vendors while enjoying the Memorial Day holiday at the park.
“It was 10 bucks,” the Medina High School student said. “I fish down at Burt during salmon season and people like to get too close to you. With this in my hand, they won’t get in my way.”
Vendors who saw McLain carrying the pole were shocked at the price. “Wow! A 15-footer, that’s a deal and a half,” said Dave Zuppa of West Seneca. “The guy should have charged 100 bucks. It looked like a CB antenna. It’s the biggest pole I’ve ever seen. I would be happy too, buying a fishing pole that big for $10. You could knock the apples off the tree when you get hungry with that. If the fish ain’t biting, there’s plenty of apples around.”
Tom Skidmore was bargain hunting with McLain and bought two “ugly sticks” for $10 each. McClain got the better deal, he said. “These could run up to $600 a rod.”
McClain and Skidmore fish in semipro bass tournaments in a bass league. McClain is thinking of taking his treasure on a boat for bass fishing.
“He’s jumping for joy,” said Hale Cobadel, a vendor from Springville. “He could put it on ebay for a couple thousand.”
Vendors paid $30 a table and some made out better that others. “This year the economy’s bad,” said Cobadel. “Ther’re lookers, but not buyers. They look at it. It’s shiny, but they don’t have the cash to part with.”
There were comic books, record albums, dishes, stuffed animals, beer cans, 8-tracks and a big Barbie blanket available. One could even invest in a horse radish bottle.
The parking lots were filled and there were lines of parked cars about a mile long on Route 425. Folks waited in line for the 1,000 Chivatta barbecued chicken.
It’s worth the wait, according to Jackie Diamond from the Akron, Ohio area who was in a party of seven. They come every year to visit relatives, shop at the flea market and to fish.
Janet and Merle Sechler of Royalton come every year to relax. Merle wasn’t too excited, but Janet bought some comfortable shoes.
Carol and Victor Waney of the Town of Niagara were both buying and selling. They put their goods at Carol’s sister’s table.
“A lot of people just like to get out. It’s a nice day and you don’t have to spend a lot of money,” Carol said. “We just want to leave our stuff here.”
Todd and Amy Murray of Sanborn brought children Jared, 9, and Megan, 6 to the old Randall Road School House which was built in 1861. The family tries to visit every Memorial Day.
“We look around and usually don’t buy too much,” Amy said. “It feels like the beginning of summer when you come here. We’re kicking off the sounds and smells of summer.”
Jared, who attends Holy Ghost Lutheran School, was happy with his purchase, three Hot Wheels for $1.
The grounds house the former Wilson Depot which serviced railroad passengers into the 1930s. Dr. John F. Argue used the building to store his car collection and donated it to the historical society.
Contact reporter Bill Wolcott at 439-9222, ext. 6246.
