WADDINGTON, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (Dem.) held a press conference today at the weigh-in site for the Elite Series Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown at the St. Lawrence River. Hundreds of interested New Yorkers were in attendance to hear the governor announce that B.A.S.S. will be back in the Empire State in 2014 for another Elite Series event, this time on one of the state’s famous “Finger Lakes.”
One hundred Elite anglers were plying the waters of the St. Lawrence River as Cuomo made his address, having launched just a few hours earlier on the popular smallmouth bass fishery.
“Sportfishing is a $1.8 billion industry in the State of New York,” the governor said. “Those dollars represent real jobs and real opportunity to New Yorkers.”
Cuomo is a renowned outdoorsman and angler in his home state. He’s a frequent visitor to the coast, where he most often fishes for striped bass. His three daughters, Cara, Michaela and Mariah (in attendance) often accompany him on fishing trips.
In his closing remarks, Cuomo said that he and his daughter, Mariah Kennedy Cuomo, would be going on out on the St. Lawrence for a little bass fishing. Then, pointing to the famed blue trophy that will go to the Elite Series angler who wins the Showdown, he joked, “I think I’ve got a real shot at this trophy.”
After the press conference, the governor, his daughter and several others, including B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager Chris Bowes, took to the water to try their luck with some St. Lawrence River smallmouth bass. The launched below the waters being used for competition in the Elite event so as not to disturb the competitors.