Genesee will partner to promote fishing in Orleans
File Photos by Tom Rivers – The Oak Orchard Rivers draw anglers from many states to Orleans County.
Press Release
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
BATAVIA – The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and Orleans County Tourism are pleased to announce the launch of a new tourism initiative designed to bring more out-of-state visitors to the 2-county area in 2015 and beyond.
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has been working with Orleans County Sportsfishing Coordinator Mike Waterhouse and recently retired County Tourism Director Wayne Hale to develop overnight, full and half day charter and fly-fishing packages. The program is up and running and packages can now be booked. You can view them online at www.FishingPackages.Net.
Orleans County is a year-round fishing mecca for charter fishing adventures on Lake Ontario, as well as fly fishing on Oak Orchard River, one of the United States top tributaries for Salmon, Brown and Steelhead trout. Many who come to fish in Orleans County stay overnight in Batavia area hotels, due to the limited inventory of guest rooms in Orleans County.
Given the Genesee Chamber’s success at developing and booking golf packages for the area, as well as the regional marketing approach it takes in attracting visitors, it was a win-win for both counties to partner in packaging fishing.
“This is yet another program where the individual strengths of two counties are combined for the betterment of both,” Waterhouse said.
The Oak Orchard River is considered a top fishing spot for Brown Trout, Steelhead and Chinook Salmon.
Visitors have their choice of seven different packages with options for full and half day guided excursions and each includes choice of overnight accommodations in Batavia, breakfast and boxed lunch in Point Breeze, $25 towards dinner at their choice of restaurants in either county, and $50 Batavia Downs Gaming FreePlay.
The tourism representatives are finalizing a new print brochure of the packages and each will take them to upcoming consumer shows. Waterhouse has a full slate of fishing shows scheduled, and the Chamber will also bring them to their golf shows to cross-promote to their golf visitors, who return each season through our packages. A targeted online marketing campaign and TV commercial to run in select Pennsylvania markets is scheduled for February.
“Genesee and Orleans tourism offices have for years pooled resources as we market our areas to visitors,” said Kelly Rapone, Tourism Marketing Director for Genesee County. “Fishing wasn’t an obvious next step, but it certainly was a step in a new direction that made a lot of sense the more we thought about it. The participating charter captains and fly-fishing guides are excited about this, as are our hoteliers, and that’s what makes it exciting for us.”
Packages can be booked by calling the Genesee Chamber office at 585-343-7440 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and a tourism representative will organize the entire trip. Questions may be emailed to visit@geneseeny.com as well.
