MORAVIA - Since taking over South Shore marina in 2001 owner Jack Wellauer has been busy with recreational boating and fishing as well as selling tackle and other supplies to fishermen from all over New York.
But the business came with more than just dedicated customers, it came with a few traditions those customers have strongly supported - traditions Wellauer has kept alive and well with the sixth annual fall fishing derby Sept.16-17.
“The derbies are a tradition that the previous owner started,” Wellauer said. “And right off we knew that it was something that we wanted to keep doing and that it was something that the customers really look forward to.”
Twice a year - in the spring and the fall - the derbies attract more than 200 anglers from all over Central and Southern New York and even into northern Pennsylvania.
Wellauer said that throughout the fishing season many fishermen are attracted to Owasco Lake.
“A lot of people want to get out on the lake,” Wellauer said. “For people coming from all these different places it is well known for good fishing and to be a good body of water to be out on.”
But there is also the thrill of the derby itself.
“People that come out for this really love to fish,” Wellauer said. “There is nothing like the feeling of hooking a fish and reeling it in. I think every fisherman that takes it seriously wants to one day be a pro with their own show and everything. Things like this give them a chance to have some fun doing what they love to do.”
The derby is open to anglers of all ages and Wellauer really tries to encourage youngsters to get involved.
“We really want to get as many kids as we can in the derby,” Wellauer said. “We really want to encourage them to come out and enjoy the sport itself and have some fun and we try to make sure that every kid gets something. Some of our vendors help us out and donate tackle boxes and tackle and no matter what every kid will at least leave with a new tackle box and some tackle to go with it.”
With the help of sponsors, the derby is able to offer more than $5,000 in prize money.
“This is not a money making thing for us,” Wellauer said. “And our sponsors don't get anything out of it either. The money is a big enticement, even all the money the fishermen put in with their entry fees goes right back to them 100 percent. I think that makes things exciting; it is a real thrill to go out and do something you like and know that you stand the chance of getting a piece of some pretty good prize money.”
Competitors will be trying to hook a wide variety ranging from northern pike and walleye to perch, rainbow and lake trout as well as bass.
The whole lake will be fair game for the tournament.
“People can fish anywhere,” Wellauer said. “They can even fish on the tributaries if they want to. Most people will probably be out on the water in boats trying to get the bigger fish that are in the deeper water, but the whole lake is open to fish.”
Weigh stations will be set up at the marina where fish will be measured for length and weight, with length determining the winning fish in case there is a tie in the weight.
While this is a very competitive event, anglers are very conscientious about the welfare of the fish.
“Once things get started, people will start calling in to see how their fish measure up to what has already come in,” Wellauer said. “They don't like to kill fish. If what they are reeling in isn't going to measure up they'll let it go and they really try to be very careful with the fish.”
In addition to the pay out for top fish in each category there is a side lunker pool that competitors can enter for an extra $5 with prize money going to the biggest fish of the weekend.
Wellauer said that over the last few years this pool has been worth more than $1,000.
“It is just something to make things a little more exciting,” Wellauer said. “Even kids will enter in the adult division so they can qualify to be part of this. It just makes things a little more fun for everybody.”
With such a rainy summer Wellauer said fishing wasn't as good as it has been in previous years, but this didn't keep people from visiting the lake.
“The rain doesn't stop them at all,” Wellauer said. “They aren't deterred by rain or anything like that. But in general the rain mucks up the water and the fish can't see the bait and it just made fishing a little harder this summer.”
But with the fall season the waters are starting to clear up and should make for excellent fishing for the derby.
“In the fall there is less recreational boating,” Wellauer said. “And the fish will be out more and it looks like there should be some good fishing by the time the derby starts. So we hope to get a lot of people out for this. It is something we do to say thank you to all the people that support us, so we really hope to get a good turn out.”
For more information or to register for the derby or call 497-3006
“The derbies are a tradition that the previous owner started,” Wellauer said. “And right off we knew that it was something that we wanted to keep doing and that it was something that the customers really look forward to.”
Twice a year - in the spring and the fall - the derbies attract more than 200 anglers from all over Central and Southern New York and even into northern Pennsylvania.
Wellauer said that throughout the fishing season many fishermen are attracted to Owasco Lake.
“A lot of people want to get out on the lake,” Wellauer said. “For people coming from all these different places it is well known for good fishing and to be a good body of water to be out on.”
But there is also the thrill of the derby itself.
“People that come out for this really love to fish,” Wellauer said. “There is nothing like the feeling of hooking a fish and reeling it in. I think every fisherman that takes it seriously wants to one day be a pro with their own show and everything. Things like this give them a chance to have some fun doing what they love to do.”
The derby is open to anglers of all ages and Wellauer really tries to encourage youngsters to get involved.
“We really want to get as many kids as we can in the derby,” Wellauer said. “We really want to encourage them to come out and enjoy the sport itself and have some fun and we try to make sure that every kid gets something. Some of our vendors help us out and donate tackle boxes and tackle and no matter what every kid will at least leave with a new tackle box and some tackle to go with it.”
With the help of sponsors, the derby is able to offer more than $5,000 in prize money.
“This is not a money making thing for us,” Wellauer said. “And our sponsors don't get anything out of it either. The money is a big enticement, even all the money the fishermen put in with their entry fees goes right back to them 100 percent. I think that makes things exciting; it is a real thrill to go out and do something you like and know that you stand the chance of getting a piece of some pretty good prize money.”
Competitors will be trying to hook a wide variety ranging from northern pike and walleye to perch, rainbow and lake trout as well as bass.
The whole lake will be fair game for the tournament.
“People can fish anywhere,” Wellauer said. “They can even fish on the tributaries if they want to. Most people will probably be out on the water in boats trying to get the bigger fish that are in the deeper water, but the whole lake is open to fish.”
Weigh stations will be set up at the marina where fish will be measured for length and weight, with length determining the winning fish in case there is a tie in the weight.
While this is a very competitive event, anglers are very conscientious about the welfare of the fish.
“Once things get started, people will start calling in to see how their fish measure up to what has already come in,” Wellauer said. “They don't like to kill fish. If what they are reeling in isn't going to measure up they'll let it go and they really try to be very careful with the fish.”
In addition to the pay out for top fish in each category there is a side lunker pool that competitors can enter for an extra $5 with prize money going to the biggest fish of the weekend.
Wellauer said that over the last few years this pool has been worth more than $1,000.
“It is just something to make things a little more exciting,” Wellauer said. “Even kids will enter in the adult division so they can qualify to be part of this. It just makes things a little more fun for everybody.”
With such a rainy summer Wellauer said fishing wasn't as good as it has been in previous years, but this didn't keep people from visiting the lake.
“The rain doesn't stop them at all,” Wellauer said. “They aren't deterred by rain or anything like that. But in general the rain mucks up the water and the fish can't see the bait and it just made fishing a little harder this summer.”
But with the fall season the waters are starting to clear up and should make for excellent fishing for the derby.
“In the fall there is less recreational boating,” Wellauer said. “And the fish will be out more and it looks like there should be some good fishing by the time the derby starts. So we hope to get a lot of people out for this. It is something we do to say thank you to all the people that support us, so we really hope to get a good turn out.”
For more information or to register for the derby or call 497-3006
The Citizens' Say
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