Local fishermen have their “walleyes” on the prize

IRVING, N.Y. (WIVB) — Anglers start their engines and keep an eye on the forecast as they embark on the 40th annual Southtowns Walleye Association Walleye Derby.

“We have one of the best fisheries in the country by far, it’s amazing here,” said Brian Plecas, derby co-chairman and president of the Southtowns Walleye Association.

Plecas said the Derby is important to their association because it generates memberships and their youth programs, but it also highlights the importance of the sport of fishing reels to the Western economy. New York State.

“People don’t understand how much fishing we actually have in this area,” Plecas said. “We have between tourism, fishing gear, fishing equipment, fuel, all these different things that drive the economy, and a lot of that is driven by a billion-dollar sportfishing industry dollars here in Western New York.

It’s an industry that they’re trying to encourage more young people to be a part of.

“When I grew up, I was always outside, my mom would throw you out, but we want to get the kids outside more and just introduce them to the next generation to come and fish,” said Sue Guenther, secretary of recording and former president of Southtown’s Walleye Association, “It gets them away from the computers and their phones for a few hours, and gets them doing something outdoors.”

“It’s the future of the sport, I mean, conservation is the key,” Plecas said. “It’s based on youth, all of us trying to leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy. The tremendous resources we have here in Lake Erie and Western New State York is our passion, it’s what we do, we want kids to be engaged and involved.

The youth division of the Derby has its own prizes, but there is a list of prizes for other participants, including gear, tackle, rods, reels, lures, cash prizes and even $1,000 awarded to the maximum big fish caught every day. As for the biggest fish caught throughout the derby, they’re not sure yet exactly what the grand prize will be – as they say the more people participating in the derby, the bigger the top prize.

“One of these days I’d like to catch one that’s in the money,” Guenther laughed, “Just once, come on, give me a break!”

Guenther has served on the association’s board of directors for more than 20 years, after getting into the sport with her husband. She has won countless awards within the organization and shared with us the camaraderie of the organization.

“I made a lot of friendships, a lot of people I probably never would have met if I wasn’t in the club,” Guenther said. “We’ll always learn from each other, we’re all doing a little bit of something different, it’s just a good time.

The 40th Southtowns’ Walleye Association Derby is already underway and will continue through June 16. You must be a member of the association to participate in the derby, and it costs $50 to participate in the derby. For more information about the association and the Derby, visit their website here.