LOCKPORT —
Around this time of year — every year since the early 1990s —Steve Harrington makes an annual pilgrimage.
The founder and director of the annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby doesn’t like to talk to his sponsors by phone, so he gets in his car and meets with each one face-to-face.
“There wouldn’t be a Canal Fishing Derby without our sponsors,” Harrington explained. “Some of my sponsors have been with me since the beginning. When they see me coming through the door, they always say, ‘Oh, oh. It must be derby time.’ “
And it is.
The 2012 Canal Fishing Derby begins Wednesday on canal waters between Albion and the Tonawandas. It concludes on July 15. The cost is $7 for boys and girls 14 and under and $12 for everyone else. The family rate is $22 with a cash bash of $5.
The grand prize once again is a new fishing boat and trailer, courtesy of Bryce Marina in Rochester. There are a total of $20,000-plus in prizes, including a tagged fish worth $2,500. There are also daily kids prizes with the grand prize of a new canal trail bike.
Divisions again this year are bullhead, bass, walleye, carp, Northern Pike, catfish and sheepshead.
“I was in a bad accident a few years ago and I couldn’t drive,” Harrington said. “I noticed there weren’t a lot of people fishing along the canal one day, so I said to my wife. ‘I’m going to start a canal derby.’ She said ‘Are you crazy?’ “
The rest, so they say, is history with thousands participating over two decades and almost two dozen new boats and a new canal trail bike awarded each year.
“People are calling me every year from places that are nowhere near the canal,” Harrington said. “This year, my wife, Lynn, took a call from Colorado from a man who said he’s coming to the derby.”
Local businesses are sponsoring the 50 tagged fish, which will be stocked shortly by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, a Bureau in the Department of Interior.
Weigh stations during the derby are at the following locations:
• Niagara Outdoors, 223 Witmer Road, North Tonawanda (695-5873)
• Wiggeling Willies Bait Shop, 457 Oliver St., North Tonawanda (870-9167)
• Les Allen Live Bait, 350 Hawley St. (433-8983)
• Harrington’s, 7963 Telegraph Road, Gasport (772-7972)
• Middleport Sports Shop, 25 Main St., Middleport (772-2110 or 946-9943)
• Jeddo Bait & Tackle, 10282 Ridge Road, Medina (585-318-4310)
Interested participants can sign up for the derby at any of the above locations or at Gander Mountain, 880 Young St., Tonawanda (743-2300).
An avid fisherman, Harrington said he’s most proud of the fact that the derby remains a family-oriented local event that takes advantage of the historic canal.
“It’s just people getting out together because mom and dad are both working and here’s a chance to spend a weekend or a night or day or two fishing together along the beautiful canal. Spending time together — that’s what it’s all about.”
Sports
Related Photos
-
Glenn Koczek of Pendleton shows off the small fish he caught during the 2010 Erie Canal Fishing Derby. This year’s 22nd Derby runs July 4 through July 15 and features more than $20,000 in prizes, including the grand prize of a new fishing boat and trailer. Joe Eberle/File Photo
2012 Canal Fishing Derby is July 4-15
- Sports
-
-
Baseball Lions win extra-inning thriller
The No. 2-seeded Lockport baseball Lions out-lasted the No. 10 Frontier Falcons, 4-3, Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in a Section VI Class AA quarterfinal contest at sunny, breezy Outwater Park.
-
Lockport bows out in VI softball
Lu Krawczyk’s clutch two-out, two-run single in the top of the sixth inning sparked visiting West Seneca West past Lockport, 2-1, in a Section VI Class AA softball pre-quarterfinal contest.
-
Wilson '9' beats previously-unbeaten City Honors on the road
Wilson’s Chris Reid and Mike Thompson combined for 11 strikeouts Tuesday as the No. 9 Lakemen knocked off previously-undefeated and top-seeded City Honors, 5-2, in a Section VI Class B-2 quarterfinal baseball game at McCarthy Park.
-
LHS lax teams ousted
Head coach Scott Reddinger’s Lions dropped a 9-5 contest at Lancaster, while head coach Colleen Byrne’s Lady Lions lost a narrow 12-11 game to visiting Orchard Park.
-
Lions' '9' wins NFL championship
It might not have been the prettiest Niagara Frontier League baseball win on record, nor the most convincing, but head coach Steve Styrzo’s Lockport Lions have written the book on strong pitching and timely hitting throughout this past season.
-
David Ragan revisited
What could Sunday’s Talladega winner David Ragan possibly have to do with Lockport and Western New York?
-
Lockport's Tolli is 3-time Patriot champ
Lockport native Caroline Tolli recently concluded one of the top all-around careers in Bucknell track and field history.
-
Together again
A Newfane family of four, dressed in Bills gear, was among the many who stopped by the Bewley Building to meet former Bills greats Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas.
-
Rampage preseason opener is Saturday
Lockport football fans are gearing up for the premier this Saturday afternoon of the city's newest semi-pro football team, the Lockport Rampage.
-
Barker's Hefferon signs for Seton Hill
Barker senior, Jessica Hefferon signed a National Letter of Intent recently to attend Seton Hill University on an academic and women’s field hockey scholarship.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
