Niagara USA to host Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers

AGLOW media event will be held May 14-17

Press release

One of the largest regional outdoor writer/communications groups in the world - the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers - will hold their third annual Mega Media Event (referred to as the Cast and Blast) May 13-17 in historic Lewiston.

More than 25 writers and 22 corporate partners will be on hand to sample local fishing and hunting opportunities as they tell the outdoor world about the area's treasured natural resources. Headquartered at Barton Hill Hotel & Spa for the week, the group will be just a cast away from Lewiston Landing and the launch site to the Lower Niagara River.

"We are truly excited to be coming to Niagara USA and Lewiston to experience the Niagara River and Great Lakes fishing at a time of year when the salmon, trout and bass fishing is at its best," said Josh Lantz, executive director for AGLOW. "I've fished this area several times before and I know it's as good as it gets."

From a fishing standpoint, the Lower Niagara River (the waters below Niagara Falls, just 10 minutes way) is outstanding in May for rainbow/steelhead, brown and lake trout. May is also the peak of the spring salmon fishing in Lake Ontario out of the ports of Wilson and Olcott, not to mention the Niagara Bar area off Fort Niagara. Nearby Lake Erie and the special early trophy bass season will also be an option for writers, one of the top smallmouth bass fisheries on the planet.

"This is the perfect time of year to host quality outdoor writers from the Great Lakes area," said John Percy, president and CEO of Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation. "We recognize the importance of media as an excellent vehicle to get our message out into the public. Outdoor activities like fishing are a perfect fit for our year-round promotional efforts."

It's not just about the fishing and hunting either. Many of these writers will also include area attractions and family-related destinations to help round out their stories. This year the group will be able to partake in events celebrating 200 years of peace and the War of 1812 Bicentennial, and visit Old Fort Niagara, a 300-year old castle and historic jewel, complete with re-enactors dressed in costumes of the era.

"We hosted the annual conference for AGLOW in 2007 and we know what these writers can do," said Bill Hilts, Jr., outdoor sports specialist with NTCC. "This is a collective effort of NTCC, the local communities, the area charter captains and guides - all working together to promote Niagara USA as an premier outdoor destination."