Syracuse.com - Gov. Cuomo announces Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament will be held next fall on unnamed Finger Lake

[HuntingNY-News]

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Cuomo also announced the 'Governor's Challenge,' a fishing competition featuring "the governor, elected officials from New York State and some of the biggest names in professional fishing" will be held at the same time.

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<p>Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and B.A.S.S. today announced a Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament will be held next fall on one of the Finger Lakes.</p>

<p>The lake and date of the tournament was not mentioned. B.A.S.S. officials could not be reached this morning to confirm Cuomo's statement, which came out in a press release from his office. The 2014 Elite Series schedule has not been released yet.. </p>

<p>A likely location is Cayuga Lake, where B.A.S.S.-sponsored Northern Open competitions have been held as recently as last year.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bassmaster.com/blogs/2013-st-lawrence-river-live-blog/new-york-governor-stops-elite-event">The governor made the announcement today at the Bassmaster 2013 Elite Series Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown, which began today and finishes Sunday on the St. Lawrence River in Waddington.</a></p>

<p>According to the governor's press release: "Under a partnership with B.A.S.S., the event will include the 'Governor's Challenge,' a fishing competition featuring the governor, elected officials from New York State, and some of the biggest names in professional fishing, to highlight and promote the state's many fishing and vacation opportunities.</p>

<p>"The Governor's Challenge will be held next fall in the Finger Lakes to attract visitors to the Upstate region and boost the local economy," the release said. ""The event will feature a tournament, fishing demonstrations, and a banquet."</p>

<p>The release stated:</p>

<p>"In conjunction with the Governor's Challenge, B.A.S.S. will also hold a Bassmaster Elite Series event. As part of this partnership, B.A.S.S. will provide a promotional media campaign that will feature these two events as well as the many fishing opportunities and destinations all across New York State."<br /> <br />Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., is quoted as saying, "B.A.S.S. is pleased to join with Governor Cuomo and the state of New York in promoting the great fisheries and vacation destinations all across the state. We have held numerous tournaments throughout our 43-year history and look forward to increasing our presence in the coming years. Our partnership with the governor is a great way to showcase all of what New York has to offer to anglers from around the world, and with this announcement, we invite them to join us next year for what will surely be an exciting event in the Empire State."</p>

<p>According to the press release: "New York State is home to an estimated 1.88 million anglers, and New York's sport fishing industry generates an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity annually, supporting nearly 17,000 jobs. </p>

<p>"The tourism industry is the fifth largest employer in New York State. A recent report by Tourism Economics showed that in 2012, traveler spending generated $92 billion in business sales in New York - an increase of 6% from 2011. Tourism also supported more than 714,000 jobs with total income of $29 billion."<br /> </p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog