By John D'Onofrio
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
GASPORT —
Lockport’s Joe Cuillo was the grand prize winner of the 2010 Erie Barge Canal Fishing Derby.
Cuillo won a new fishing boat and trailer as the Derby’s annual banquet on Sunday at the Gasport Fire Hall.
“I’m feeling good right now,” Cuillo said, claiming his prize. “I woke up this morning feeling unlucky. This is a big surprise. You gotta be in it to win it.”
Cuillo and six other Adult Division winners drew for the grand prize, which was donated by Bryce Marina in Rochester. Middleport’s Malorie Dietz earned the top Kids’ Division prize, a new bicycle.
First-through-third-place finishers in the derby were awarded prizes at the banquet by Derby director Steve Harrington, who was assisted by his wife, Lynn, granddaughter Stephanie Flowers, 8, a student at Roy B. Kelly Elementary School, and several other members of the Harrington clan.
Respective top finishers in the 2010 derby are as follows:
Adult division
• Carp: 1. Donald Beyer (Cheektowaga), Lee Hathaway (Gasport), Chris Cramer (Middleport).
• Walleye: 1. Justin Miller (Wolcottsville), 2. John Perry (Amherst), 3. Matthew Herriven (Middleport).
• Bass: 1. John Kolnacki (Tonawanda), 2. Lisa Fox (Appleton), 3. Holly Steiger (North Tonawanda).
• Catfish: 1. Todd Caltagirone (Lockport), 2. Mike Boncore (Tonawanda), 3. Justin Floyd (Lockport).
• Northern Pike; 1. Joe Cuillo (Lockport), 2. Mark Wolbert (Pennsylvania), 3. Nate Ryan (Wilson).
• Sheephead: 1. Todd Wells (Medina), 2. Tim Duxbury (Ransomville), 3. Pat Barrett (Lockport).
• Bullhead: 1. Denise Richter (Grand Island), 2. Carleen Beback (North Tonawanda), Jerry Najuch (North Tonawanda).
Kids division
• Carp: Jaqueline Young (North Tonawanda)
• Walleye: Dustin Dietz (Middleport)
• Bass: Alec Singleton (Lockport)
• Catfish: Zack Beyer (Cheektowaga)
• Northern Pike: Jared Ras (East Otto)
• Sheephead: Malorie Dietz (Middleport)
• Bullhead: Brooke Beyer (Cheektowaga)
Richter, who’s from Germany, said her boyfriend, Mark Wolbert, talked her into participating.
“He taught me everything about a week before I started,” she said.
“I didn’t know I had a first-place catch until the next day.”
Harrington thanked his many sponsors, weigh stations and well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which stocked the canal with dozens of tagged fish, including one worth $2,500. In all, more than $20,000 in prizes are available in the derby.
Participating weigh stations were Niagara Outdoors, 223 Witmer Road, North Tonawanda (695-5873), Les Allen Live Bait, 350 Hawley St. (433-8983), Harrington’s, 7963 Telegraph Road, Gasport (772-7972), Outdoor Adventures, 541 B. Main St., Medina (585-798-3047) and Jeddo Bait & Tackle, 10282 Ridge Road, Medina (585-318-4310).
“I loved it. People brought in a lot of fish,” said Flowers, who helped greet derby participants at her grandfather’s Gasport bait and tackle shop throughout the derby.
“She was amazing,” added her grandmother. “‘Keep plug’n away,’” she told one man who was leaving.
For more information on the derby, contact Harrington at 772-7972.
Contact US&J sports editor John D’Onofrio at 439-9222 ext. 6247.
