Niagara USA- The Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby has set new dates for its fall fishing derby.

The Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey Derby – the derby formally known as the “Fall Classic” – is making some massive changes to its event this year. The biggest change is moving the contest up by a full month into the prime of the fishing seasons, set for August 20-28. In what started out as the Niagara County Fishing Derby, this 35^th Annual competition is now opened to three counties (Niagara, Erie and Orleans) in an attempt to revive the derby. With a big focus on the Junior Division, this move will give the kids more opportunity to wet a line because of the fact that they are out of school.

With the huge Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Trout and Salmon Fall Derby kicking off on Sept. 19, this will give contest-hungry anglers an appetizer to the big bucks. While most everything else is the same, there are a few new twists that could land you a few extra bucks. First, a daily $100 prize for the biggest salmon caught each day – taking a page out of the LOC event. Second, the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association (LOTSA) – during a year when the derby will be honoring one of its own, the late Curt Meddaugh – will be stepping up to the plate by offering an additional $500 cash prize for the largest salmon caught by a LOTSA member while competing in the derby. In addition to that, the witness (which also has to be a LOTSA member) will also receive a check for $200. When you register for the Fish Odyssey, toss in another $10 and you’ll be considered registered in that fine organization. You can also register online at www.lotsa.org.

Species categories for the adults include salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye, carp, lake trout and brown/rainbow trout. For the kids, categories will be salmon, trout, bass, walleye, carp and panfish. To make things easier, all panfish catches will earn a ticket, to be drawn at the awards ceremony for special prizes. Those details are still being worked out. Entry fee will stay the same at $20 for the adults; free for the kids. A one day pass will also be available for $10. It doesn’t get any easier than that. Kids can register online at www.fishodyssey.net

Dave Chilson at Empire State Lake Ontario Promotions has bent over backwards to assist in this effort. First, he offered his scales for use in the derby. Second, he offered to promote the event through his newspaper and website. Third, to help keep the shore fishermen happy – as well as the tackle shop owners – he will be creating a special salmon event in the same September timeframe that the Odyssey vacated.

Because the decision to change the derby was made at the July meeting of the Niagara County Fisheries Development Board, some last-minutes details still need to be worked out. Changes to the Odyssey website should be in place very soon thanks to Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors. Check out www.fishodyssey.net regularly. Registrations should be out by Aug. 5 wherever LOC registrations are available in Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties.

The change also comes at a time when lake fishing is at its peak, which coincides with a fishing love of the late Curt Meddaugh. Meddaugh left us last year – much too early – and we will remember him during this year’s Fish Odyssey event as a tribute to all he did for and meant to the sportfishery. Get those kids out fishing!!