BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Professional fishing tournaments have been an economic boost to the North Country and Massena in particular, but some local officials say some business opportunities are being missed.

According to Councilor Adrian Taraska, numerous opportunities are being missed with the large number of bass tournaments coming to the area.

In particular, lodging is at the forefront of opportunities. Taraska said anglers, their families and fans alike all require housing when they attend events in Massena.

In many cases, anglers have had to travel from other towns due to a shortfall in housing options during those weekends.

Taraska said he thinks it might be wise for someone to invest in lodging opportunities.

“Right now, we have a certain kind of momentum where this fishing is starting to pay off for the economics of the area. We need to be able to be proactive and be able to do other types of businesses,” Taraska said.

Taraska said the shortage of housing options needs to be addressed, saying many hotels and bed and breakfast establishments have told him that the tournaments have been an economic boost for them.

“Somebody is missing out on a huge opportunity. If we had the right hotel with the right person, they can make millions of dollars, and this is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

According to Taraska, with so many visitors from outside the area attending the events, it could lead to other business ventures settling in the area, leading to a “snowball effect” with their own business ventures.

Taraska said he heard from multiple people that they were coming to the area and staying for the summer.

I don’t know if they’re renting or buying a place, but they’re actually doing fishing tours on the St. Lawrence River. So, that money is staying here. They’re making the money here and it stayed in the area,” he said.

Taraska said it was the board’s responsibility to work with business entities and residents to invest back in the community and to expand offerings to “get us back on the right path to being successful.”

Massena has played host to a number of tournaments already this year, including the Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Big Bass Tour July 28-30, Toyota Series Northern Division Aug. 10-12 and the Phoenix Bass Fishing League North Division Sept. 9-10.

Two more tournaments are scheduled for this year as well, with the Cashion Rods Tour coming to Massena on Sept. 30 and the eighth annual Big Bass Blowout occurring Oct. 7-8.