Another story that surfaced around the walleye division was when local angler John “Lefty” Walaszek of Niagara Falls – a dedicated derby fisherman – made the decision not to register in the Odyssey. As luck would have it, he reeled in a 13.52 walleye to take big fish in the NRAA contest, but not the win in the club’s two-fish contest … and looking from the outside in the Fish Odyssey. You have to be in it to win it!

As a result of the Grand Prize drawing, Steve Levering of Niagara Falls moved into the first place slot with his nine pound, 14 ounce walleye to earn $500. Both Janese and Levering were fishing the Lower Niagara River using gold-bladed worm harnesses. In fact, they were partners in the NRAA tourney. Other winners in the Adult Division were:

Top Salmon winner was Dave Beyers of Alden with a 33 pound, nine ounce king caught out of Olcott. He was using a Michigan Stinger spoon. Winner of the special $700 pot for the largest salmon caught by a Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association member ($500 for the fish, $200 for the witness) was Tim Condes of Wilson, fishing with his dad, Hank. In what has to be some divine intervention, the Condes duo took over the LOTSA pen rearing project in Olcott after the passing of Meddaugh.

In the Rainbow/Brown Trout Division, Alex Sender of Broadview Heights, Ohio hauled in a 16 pound, nine ounce steelhead while fishing out in front of Olcott, again with a Michigan Stinger spoon.

Top Laker taker was Patrick Barber of Niagara Falls with a 19 pound, nine ounce forktail taken from the Niagara Bar on an Evil Eye spoon. At least that’s what the Killer B’s team member ‘fessed up at the awards ceremony at the Newfane Town Hall.

Top Smallmouth Bass catcher was Brendan Walsh of Niagara Falls, fishing the head of the river near the Round House with a tube jig. The fish weighed in at five pounds, 11 ounces.