Great Lakes Lure Maker

May 20, 2016

The charter idea is a great idea, and the 50/50 is also a great idea. Keep them coming cause I have a list started.

Thanks to Catherine Valley Outfitters and Mike Burt of Iron Duke Flies for their pledge of support for next years event! The first of many to come...

Bigfoot, I here your MSG and I assure you things will change. The directors are all on board with the idea that it has to evolve. I assure you it will. I'm looking forward to seeing you at FLTA events soon. You and June have certainly been missed. Owasco is next, the date is June 5th. Hope to see you both there!

May 19, 2016

On a personal note, after going back and reading all the posts I'd like to say thank you for all the positive feed back! I also would like to thank all of you for your support and the several " thank you" comment's and the appreciation for my time and effort. I hope we can continue the legacy of the National Lake Trout Derby!

May 19, 2016

Despite having spent more than I should trying to win that boat for my son maybe they should consider scraping that idea due to the costliness and instead have a raffle for cash supported by just the ticket sales itself which could help offset personal derby expenses for the raffle winner or winners Cash prizes always seem to go over big with folks as many already have boats and that other arrangement of the $3500 or the boat seems like a "hussle" to me and overly expensive as a propostion.

Les, if you win the raffle this year... Please take the money! LOL!!!!

May 19, 2016

Jason as for the boat raffle, why not get hold of the sponsors or take the time out to find new sponsors to donate equipment whether it be fishing related or not. I remember years ago the used to do door prizes and haven't seen that in a long time. After the original Chamber burnt down it seemed as the group didn't have the passion to do the derby any further. If you look at the list of donations, they companies that are on there have been for many many years so at some point they are gonna drop off as well. New blood might be the answer for this whole thing. Technology plays a roll to, they update the site maybe twice a day so if your in contention you would have to drive to N end to see what's on the board. I am no spring chicken but for the amount of years I have fished this derby it's always the same ole same ole. People can only see the same thing so long and they are gonna lose interest. Also thanks for all the research and info for keeping us up to date. Tom Riley

Updating the standings was a key topic to last nights meeting. Those interested in the future of the derby would like to see a more modern approach to dealing with the handling and processing of those statistic's. Given that the derby is very near to start, I don't believe you will see that happen this year, but it is at the top of the list for improvements.

As far as the boat raffle, I don't see that continuing due to the costs. The board was split on that idea, why I can't understand, but it is clear that the derby is not the winner in that exchange.

May 19, 2016

What I've been told is that the marina and I'm not sure which one actually charges them to bring it down for the weekend for viewing purposes on sight and they charge like $500.00 to $700.00 to do that... One would like to think with all the free advertising the marina is getting with there sign sitting on it all weekend they would be willing to do it for free or pennies of that cost...

Mike

Sent from my SM-N910V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

That is correct. They not only charge 700$ for them to display the boat, someone from the derby has to go get it and take it back... Go figure that. In addition, if the winner chooses the boat over the 3500 in cash, the derby has to pay over 7000 for that boat! Does not make much sense to me...

May 19, 2016

Couldn't agree with you more and if we could figure out how to get it to Sampson State Park ( A former military training base ) and a place that could use this support right now and for future years to come that would be even better... There has to be a big fishing company out there that would be willing to sponsor a big part of this too... I think as a group we could all come together as a great team, tag teaming all the different aspects and come up with some just as good or I think even better tournament than we have now...

Mike

Sent from my SM-N910V using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Mike has a good point here... We all have our individual contacts and collectively we can help the future and expand on the current derby.

Sean and les raise a good point as well. Those ideas will be discussed at the next meeting.

On another note.. The boat raffle is costing the derby a lot of money. Some ideas on replacing the boat raffle for something other than a boat or cash need consideration.

Could we start a list of what folks would like to see happen to improve the overall experience of the derby?

May 19, 2016

Yes, I know its late... I swore I wouldn't post this late. Here is the real deal... This derby is far short of achieving its 1200 registrant requirement. The early numbers are at low. Beyond record low... This means they need all our help! Spread the word folks... If they don't reach that magic # this may be the last year...

Post this to all you can. Register all you can!!!! Registration this year will determine if they invest in its future or call it quits... If you want to see this continue, show these folks you care... If you don't know how, call me - 607 426 5094 . thank you!

May 18, 2016

With that said there has to be consideration for that 50-60% of people who do weigh in at Geneva because they also launch there boats there as well. I am sure that Samson can handle the influx of traffic if it's moved there. Lake conditions play a major roll as well cause there are many boats who will only fish the north end in case the lake kicks up and to make a person pack up and haul there boat to Samson to weigh in is asking for trouble. Now here is another thought, if Samson would go in on it why couldn't there be a weigh station at the state park on the north end so this way the Chamber isn't involved at all?

In working on that now. No return call as of yet. Seneca lake state park is operated by NYS Office of parks and Recreation. Same as Sampson. Each park has its own office and manager.

May 18, 2016

Here is what I know from the calls I've made recently. Geneva weighs 50 - 60 percent of all derby fish. Sampson 20- 25 percent. Watkins 10- 15. Sports o rama already has a permit to operate their weigh in. At Sampson and after talking with Nicky the park manager, that permit can be upgraded for other uses such as pavilions and electric, etc. So the loss of Geneva isn't really such a big issue. Some people will have to drive a little further to weigh a fish.

After talking with Colin again today, the real issues are from within the organization. That's why he is leaving and so is James Fluker. Those details I will have more knowledge about after tonight's meeting.

May 18, 2016

Great Lakes Lure Fishing Team is in!

May 18, 2016

Thanks guys! After the meeting tomorrow night, ill let you know what the possibilities are.

May 17, 2016

I will be attending the meeting tomorrow night. My goal is to get the 6 corporate participants to agree that this derby is worth the effort to continue moving forward from its current short comings. I don't know what the answers are from there, but your ideas and support would be appreciated... I will keep you all posted on the outcome of this meeting.

May 16, 2016

Just got off the phone with Colin Morehouse. The 87 year old man who runs the derby. He is in fact retiring after this year. There is currently no one stepping up to replace him.

May 16, 2016

So far no deal yet to come to Watkins. Rumor is Watkins is not interested. Also, the Pesident and treasurer of Sports o rama are stepping down after this year. That's about all I know. I was hoping someone knew if there were interested parties who may be considering taking it over and saving it.

May 16, 2016

After talking with Harvey O'hara the future of this great tradition seems to be in jeopardy. This may be the last year for us to participate in this long standing tradition. Some key members of Sports o drama are calling it quits and it looks as though this may be its last year. Its hard to believe we could lose this awesome tradition. Anyone know if someone is stepping up to keep this tournament going?

May 16, 2016

That is a Kausch 21l ( l for left) It was made in left and right varieties. Great Lakes Lure Co is the proud owner of Kausch since 1985. Landshark is correct, Kausch spoons are very collectible.

December 24, 2015

Thank you everyone for the kind words and congratulations! This site is awesome. I moved from Minnesota nearly 2 years ago and have been learning how to fish for Trout and Salmon in the area waters since I didn't have experience pursuing these type of fish in MN. Tributaries, the shore of Lade O and waders have been good to me for the last year and a half. Knew I would need to get out on the lake and bought a 16.5' Lund this year. I've trolled a little about 10 times so far and seem to be catching bigger and bigger fish, but know there are plenty bigger out there. My three kids (16, 12 & 9) have grown up around fishing either coming with me in the boats, off docks at grandparents in MN or seeing me come home with pictures of trophies released to be caught again when the fish are even bigger. This was not my daughter's first Lake Trout, but it is the biggest anyone has caught from our boat so far...

This site has been great to read and learn from. Many of you understand the passion that I have for fishing and appreciate the effect fishing can have on impressionable children. I even went fishing last year with someone that PM'd me with an open spot in their boat. I learned a little and it turned out that he was a fisherman who was reigniting a lure company, Great Lakes Lure Company. Jason is great guy that is making and selling lures that fish want to eat. My favorite is the Oakie Doakie which I caught my first Lake Trout on from his boat. He's not paying me to say this

I look forward to reading plenty more on this site and sharing my and my children's experiences. Tight lines!

This is the first time I have been on LOU since construction season wound up, and I'm sorry I missed this!

Congratulation Jeff and especially to your daughter! I can't tell you how pleased I was to read your story. I'm glad to hear Great Lakes Lures was the lure she caught that impressive catch with. Looking forward to hearing more stories from you and your daughter next year!

Once again, congratulations to you and your daughter and thank you for the kind remarks. Hopefully we can get a chance to fish together again next year.

Merry Christmas everyone and a safe and happy new year!

August 12, 2015

Thanks Nick. I did see that one and I was gonna buy it for a back up, but as you said, it sold before I saw it.