WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Region Hopes to Lure Fishing Tournament to Thames (New London-WTNH) _ A fishing tournament could become a real catch for Southeastern Connecticut. Business people are thinking about starting a major fishing tournament in the once polluted Thames River. If all goes well the event could mean millions for the local economy. News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports from out Southeastern Newsroom at "The Day". Even on a cold windy day Norwich Harbor is a popular spot for fishermen. Joe Balint is out here about three times a week rubbing elbows with other anglers. Joe Balint, Fisherman: "The harbor's very popular. It holds an excellent population of striped bass. They come in October and those fish stay until about May." Now because there's so many fish in the Thames River, for the first time ever they're talking about holding a major tournament out here. Officials at the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce want to organize the fishing tournament basically to bring in visitors and money. They say the Thames is a great fishing spot and they want to show it off. Years ago the river was polluted by factories and mills. But it's gotten much better and judging by these photos local fishermen have reaped the benefits. Mark Doroshevich, Norwich: "I mean it's cleaned-up a lot and everything. You catch anything from fresh water species all the way up to white perch, stripers, blue fish in the fall, stuff like that." Jack Balint runs a tackle shop in Preston. He says a tournament would be a great boost for his businesses and many others. Jack Balint, "Fish Connection" "A lot more interest in the fisheries up in Norwich, it would bring in fishermen who'd probably spend the weekend at local hotels and what not." "If it goes well they may come back?" "Definitely." Local fishermen, excited by news of a tournament, say 'of course it'll go well.' Joe Balint: "It's probably one of the best striped bass fisheries in the eastern seaboard, especially in the Spring." Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Region Hopes to Lure Fishing Tournament to Thames
(New London-WTNH) _ A fishing tournament could become a real catch for Southeastern Connecticut. Business people are thinking about starting a major fishing tournament in the once polluted Thames River. If all goes well the event could mean millions for the local economy.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports from out Southeastern Newsroom at "The Day".

Even on a cold windy day Norwich Harbor is a popular spot for fishermen. Joe Balint is out here about three times a week rubbing elbows with other anglers.

Joe Balint, Fisherman: "The harbor's very popular. It holds an excellent population of striped bass. They come in October and those fish stay until about May."

Now because there's so many fish in the Thames River, for the first time ever they're talking about holding a major tournament out here. Officials at the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce want to organize the fishing tournament basically to bring in visitors and money. They say the Thames is a great fishing spot and they want to show it off.

Years ago the river was polluted by factories and mills. But it's gotten much better and judging by these photos local fishermen have reaped the benefits.

Mark Doroshevich, Norwich: "I mean it's cleaned-up a lot and everything. You catch anything from fresh water species all the way up to white perch, stripers, blue fish in the fall, stuff like that."

Jack Balint runs a tackle shop in Preston. He says a tournament would be a great boost for his businesses and many others.

Jack Balint, "Fish Connection" "A lot more interest in the fisheries up in Norwich, it would bring in fishermen who'd probably spend the weekend at local hotels and what not."
"If it goes well they may come back?"
"Definitely."

Local fishermen, excited by news of a tournament, say 'of course it'll go well.'

Joe Balint: "It's probably one of the best striped bass fisheries in the eastern seaboard, especially in the Spring."

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.