St. Lawrence County Chamber and SUNY Canton business intern Joseph Goliber gives the new GoFISHNY.com fishing simulator a workout, as he tries to land a sailfish. The interactive angling experience will be at the chamber's “Really Big Show.”

POTSDAM -- A new state-funded campaign promoting fishing across Northern New York will make its local debut at the St. Lawrence County Chamber’s Home, Garden and Business Show “The Really Big Show”

With the sport fishing simulator included in the “GoFISHNY.com” display, the public can get a real feel for what it’s like to land eight species, from a 40-pound salmon to a feisty smallmouth bass or sleek sailfish. The simulator features a full-screen monitor to put “anglers” in the action, as well as a rod and adjustable tension line that pulls or gives way depending on how their fish moves.

The Really Big Show happens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. More than 70 home, garden, food and wine vendors, businesses and organizations will be represented in the Cheel Arena show. Admission is $3.

For more details on the show,  view earlier story.

GoFISHNY.com is a campaign designed to increase awareness of the outstanding fishing opportunities in St. Lawrence and nearby counties. Developed with a 2013 MarketNY grant awarded to the North Country Regional Council by Empire State Development, the regional grant also includes funds for the promotion of other shared tourism assets: motorcycling, boat cruising and paddling. Grant monies, administered through the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, were released in January for use in 2015.

The campaign is being managed by chamber executive director Brooke Rouse and SUNY Canton business intern Joseph Goliber, with input from regional guides, lodging and bait shop owners. Local designer Valisha Arnold of Clever Toad Designs created the new GoFISHNY.com brand.

“It is exciting to work with our regional tourism partners to elevate awareness for fishing in the North Country. Together, we are able to leverage the strong Adirondacks and 1000 Islands brands to help people connect, geographically, with the countless lakes, rivers and streams that are home to diverse fish species in and around those two regions,” Rouse said.

For St. Lawrence County, GoFISHNY.com will continue to leverage the local FISHCAP fishing brand.

The GoFISHNY.com website, currently being updated from a site created by 1000 Islands and Adirondack regional tourism partners, will send visitors to FISHCAP.net and its details on local fishing as well as other recreation and business resources for visitors. A Facebook page also keeps fans updated.

“We are proud of the brand that was built under former chamber director Pat McKeown, recognize its strength in the consumer market and will continue to associate the brand with our fishing promotion efforts,” Rouse said.

The GoFISHNY.com effort includes the creation and promotion of fishing packages, and Goliber has worked with several guides, as well as lodging partners to help compile packages that would appeal to a variety of visitors. “Research indicates an overwhelming interest in all-inclusive “fish, eat and stay” opportunities,” he said. “They are the best way we can show off our tourism appeal while increasing the economic benefit for the area.”

County businesses are encouraged to get in touch with Goliber at the chamber to be included in the events calendar, business and package listings, or for assistance in creating tourism packages. Call 386-4000 or email jgoliber@stlawrencecountychamber.org .

Area anglers are also encouraged to send their fishing photos this season to info@fishcap.net.