Syracuse.com - Fishing Heritage Day set for May 18 in South Otselic

[HuntingNY-News]

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This hamlet in northwestern Chenango County has a long history related to the sport of fishing. The event features a full day of family-friendly activities in the community and at the nearby DEC hatchery.

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<p><strong>The following is a press release:</strong></p>

<p>The Otselic Valley Fishing & Heritage Association (OVF&HA) is proud to announce that on Saturday, May 18 from 9am to 4pm, the rural community of South Otselic will host its fifth annual Fishing Heritage Day.</p>

<p>Home to one of New York State’s twelve fish hatcheries, and the former B. F. Gladding Fishing Line Co., the scenic Otselic River flows through this northwestern Chenango County hamlet and its neighboring communities, farms and woodlands. The nonprofit OVF&HA plans the Fishing Heritage Day event throughout the year.</p>

<p>The hamlet has a long history related to the sport of fishing. It has been home to the South Otselic Fish Cultural Center for 80 years, where Tiger Muskie and Walleye are now raised, and then released into the state's rivers and lakes. The former B. F. Gladding Company, established in 1816, employed some 200 people during its heyday, and become the largest, and eventually, the oldest fishing line manufacturer in the world. The angling community considered Gladding's to be one of the highest quality lines available, and earned South Otselic the reputation as “the fishing line capital of the world“. </p>

<p>OVF&HA Board Chairman Carl Johnson noted that “This year's Fishing Heritage Day will continue the annual celebration of South Otselic’s historical past as home to a major fishing line industry, and a state fish hatchery, while recognizing the Otselic River as an important natural resource. Once again, we are fortunate to receive major assistance from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Chenango Valley and Dave Brandt Chapters of Trout Unlimited (TU). Special thanks also go to our many sponsors from throughout the river valley, as well as our corporate sponsors, Gladding Braided Products, LLC and NBT Bank. As in past years' events, we are looking forward to hosting an enjoyable, educational and memorable tradition for local, as well as visiting families who attend“, added Reverend Johnson.</p>

<p>Beginning Friday evening, the Georgetown Fire Department will once again host a fish dinner at their fire hall beginning at 5 pm, with the proceeds to benefit the Department. Beginning Saturday morning the South Otselic Fish Cultural Station will open with their aquarium display, along with other organizational exhibits and information. Tours will be conducted of the hatchery’s operation and history at 10 am and 2 pm. The popular fishing clinics will be conducted at one of the ponds across the highway, conducted jointly by DEC staff and TU volunteers, while several new fishing programs for youth will be conducted by special guest Mike Riordan from Central Square, NY. Instruction will again be offered by Gary Romanic for those interested in learning the art of fly casting. </p>

<p>At the Town Park, art, crafts and antiques will be offered for sale, while exhibits offering information from local non-profit organizations will be available. New this year, thanks to a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, will be four, one-hour performances by the nationally known bluegrass quartet, Remington Ryde, starting at 10:30 am. The grant also funded a new walking tour brochure of South Otselic, featuring many of the historic houses within the National Historic District. Copies of the new brochure, written and illustrated by local artist Michael Sheridan, will be available at the entrance to the Town Park. Across the street at the First Baptist Church, a special program entitled Trunks and Travel . . . a 19th Century Journey, will occur at 1 pm, bringing to life travel and fashion during the Victorian period of the 1890's. </p>

<p>Nearby, Gladding Braided Products, LLC will again host a special rope braiding demonstration, using one of their vintage braiding machines, and offer a selection of their manufactured rope products. </p>

<p>A 2-minute stroll down Maple Street, the Otselic Valley Grange will be hosting its barbecue luncheon at the Grange Hall beginning at 11 am. At the same time in the upstairs room, there will be a special showing of the one-hour film, A North Woods Elegy: Incident at Big Moose Lake, depicting the story of local resident Grace Brown's untimely death in the Adirondacks in 1906. The Grange is also the sponsor of the annual Garage Sale Day, simultaneously taking place throughout the community. </p>

<p>Admission to all activities is free, and free parking is available throughout the hamlet. A free day-long bus shuttle will again be provided by the OVCS to transport visitors between the Town Park and the fish hatchery, where there will also be free horse drawn wagon rides. </p>

<p>Whether or not fishing or local history is a primary interest, everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the fifth annual Fishing Heritage Day, rain or shine, and spend an enjoyable day with family and friends in the historic community of South Otselic, part of the scenic Otselic River valley.</p>

<p>For more information, including a schedule of all activities, <a href="http://www.ovfish.org">visit the Otselic Valley Fishing & Heritage Association's website</a>.<br /></p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog