Fishing for a cause: 2 Lower Niagara tournaments give back to community

By Frank Campbell

Director of Outdoor Promotions

Destination Niagara USA

The Lower Niagara River has long been known as one of the region's premier fishing destinations, but two recent charity tournaments showed the river can provide much more than great fishing.

Two separate events brought anglers onto the Lower Niagara to compete for walleye while raising money for two very different – but equally worthy – causes: Catching Dreams Charters, which provides fishing experiences for children battling cancer; and Fishing Fur a Better Tomorrow, which supports the SPCA of Niagara and its mission to give animals a chance at a full life. Together, the tournaments put dozens of boats and anglers on the water while demonstrating how the Niagara Frontier's fishing community continues to give back.

Catching Dreams Charters tournament

On Aug. 7, 14 charter boats took part in a charity tournament out of Lewiston to benefit Catching Dreams Charters.

The Lower Niagara provided good fishing, with both walleye and smallmouth bass finding their way into the boats. While the anglers were competing on the water, the larger goal was to raise money for Catching Dreams and its fishing-therapy program.

Catching Dreams Charters is a nonprofit organization that provides free fishing adventures for children and young adults battling cancer. The organization describes its mission as “turning wishing into fishing,” giving young patients and their families an opportunity to get away from the challenges of treatment, enjoy the outdoors and create lasting memories.

The tournament accomplished that goal in a big way.

Enough money was raised to provide future fishing charters for 47 children and their families on the Niagara Frontier.

That number is perhaps the most meaningful statistic to come out of the tournament. Each of those 47 fishing trips will give a child and family the opportunity to spend time together on the water, experience the excitement of fishing, and enjoy a much-needed break from the daily challenges of childhood cancer.

Fishing Fur a Better Tomorrow

Another group of anglers also turned the Lower Niagara into a fundraising venue with the Fishing Fur a Better Tomorrow tournament benefiting the SPCA of Niagara.

In all, 22 boats took to the river to target walleye and raise money for the animal-welfare organization. The SPCA of Niagara operates with a no-kill philosophy and works to provide care, shelter and advocacy for animals in need.

The fishing competition was close at the top.

The team led by Joe Oliverio captured first place with three walleye weighing 14.78 pounds. Brad Weigand finished just two hundredths of a pound behind with 14.76 pounds, while Pat Foote rounded out the top three with 14.52 pounds.

Following the on-the-water competition, participants gathered at Porter-on-the-Lake for a picnic and basket auction. The gathering provided an opportunity for anglers and supporters to celebrate the tournament while continuing to raise money for the SPCA of Niagara.

More than fishing

While the two tournaments supported different missions, both events demonstrated the same thing: the Lower Niagara's tremendous fishery can be a powerful tool for bringing people together and helping others.

For Catching Dreams, the tournament will translate into fishing memories for 47 children and their families.

For Fishing Fur a Better Tomorrow, the anglers' efforts will help support animals in need and the SPCA of Niagara's no-kill mission.

In both cases, the biggest winners weren't necessarily the teams at the top of the leaderboard. They were the children who will get a chance to go fishing and the animals that will benefit from the funds raised.

That makes these tournaments about much more than walleye, weights and bragging rights. They are examples of the fishing community using a resource that brings so many people enjoyment to make a difference beyond the water.

For more information or to support these causes

•Catching Dreams Charters: Catching Dreams Charters provides free fishing therapy and fishing adventures for children and young adults battling cancer. The organization relies on donations and community support to provide these experiences. Call 716-870-5326 or visit catchingdreamscharters.org.

•SPCA of Niagara: The SPCA of Niagara is located at 2100 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls; it can be reached at 716-731-4368 and online at niagaraspca.org.

Whether the goal is helping a child create a special memory on the water or helping an animal find a safe and loving home, both organizations show that sometimes the best way to make a difference is to simply go fishing.