Dear Tournament Fishermen,
This year, 2016, will be the 32nd Annual Niagara County Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament and we would like to announce some changes in an effort to make it bigger and better. Held out of the ports of Wilson and Olcott in Niagara County, this prestigious contest is the granddaddy of Great Lakes salmon tournaments. Dates this year are for one weekend, May 20-22, 2016. In an effort to keep that bar set high, we would like to offer teams three full days of fishing in a row. Daily prizes will be up for grabs, but the bigger money will be for the total score after three days of fishing. How much we will have has not been finalized at this time. While we are always looking for sponsors, if you have contacts for national or regional sponsors we would love your insight and contacts. We look forward to working with you to keep this tournament the best fishing contest on the Great Lakes! Thanks for all your support!! We’d also like to personally thank Capt. Bob Cinelli for all his hard work, dedication and commitment to this event and it was because of him that the tournament continued at such a high level. However, he has chosen to step back this year.
In addition to fishing three days, teams will not fish beyond 3 pm if bad weather on Sunday. Cost would be $1,000 for the Classic Division (best 12 fish each day); $400 for the Trophy Division (best 5 fish each day) plus administration fees. Sign up for both for $1,300. Cash awards will be handed out for best single day totals for Trophy and Classic divisions each day respectively. The rest of the prize money will be divided up among the top 10 teams after three days of fishing and earning the West Cup. This will be an open communications event. It will be held out of Newfane at Krull Park for weigh in each day. Teams can dock in Wilson or Olcott. Because staffing is so difficult, we are trying to condense manpower. Pro Teams must be in line by 3 pm. No pier spotters. We are trying to simplify things as much as possible. We may have a cut-off time for fishing in the Pro Division, but that has not yet been decided.
In the Recreational Open/Amateur Division – No pros will be allowed to compete at all. No one with a charter license can be on a team. Three individual days only. Teams will need to be in line by 2:30 pm. Scales open at 2 pm for all. Each day is separate for these amateurs. Best two scores win Am Cup. Cost still $125/day plus admin. Registrations – We may be able to offer online registrations until the Monday before the tournament until 5 pm. No cash payments. This would be for all participants. More will be on the website soon. Again thanks for all of your support and we look forward to seeing everyone this May.
Best,
Bill Hilts, Jr. John Syracuse
