BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Bass fishing tournaments return to the North Country on Sunday, July 6 when the National Professional Fishing League visits Massena for the first time. 

According to Town of Massena Sport Fishing Promotion Director Don Meissner, the event will be a one of a kind event that has not been seen in Massena before. 

In his monthly report to the town board, Meissner said anywhere from 130 to 140 anglers will be in town for the event, which runs from July 6-11. 

“This tournament is different in that the anglers drive their boats with trailers to the stage for weigh-in, and the production crews come into the community several days prior to the event to begin to set up for live-streaming of the actual fishing action. Anglers come from coast to coast, and this event promises to provide Massena with intense national coverage over the course of the tournament,” Meissner said.

He commented that the tournament promoters and anglers will come into the community and offer a unique perspective on the sport, with accessibility for residents to learn more about the sport. 

"More than anything, the people of Massena and the surrounding areas will be able to see up close what goes into this. This is a very unique, incredible opportunity for the region," Meissner previously said. 

He commented that the tournament will likely draw in visitors from outside of the North Country as well. 

"When we've studied how far people have traveled to see these tournaments, we have many coming from Canada, the southern portion of the state, from New England, Pennsylvania. The list keeps growing and we're excited to see our reach expand," Meissner previously told North Country This Week. 

He said the tournament will also include film crews who will capture footage throughout the course of the event, allowing the town to promote more in the future. 

Town grant writer Linda McQuinn offered further updates during the June town board meeting, saying the event is creating "national buzz." 

“Don contacted me just before I came in and he said, ‘Please tell the board and the public that this is really going to be a big event," McQuinn said. 

She said the town's reputation is reaching "far and wide across the United States," leading angler to want to compete in the North Country. 

"They realize how well they're treated by the businesses, by the volunteers, by everybody with whom they interact. So, this is a really good message and I hope that everyone takes some pride in the fact that we're really on the map and folks are very excited to come to Massena," she said. 

The NPFL will join a number of tournaments in Massena this summer, which will host Bass Fishing League on July 12, the Tackle Warehouse Tournament from July 21-27, along with the Big Bass Blowout on Aug. 2-3, the Toyota Series Aug. 11-16 and the Cashion Rods Tour on Sept. 5 and 6. 

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