Bassmasters: Big Exposure for Bedford

The News & Advance
Published: July 22, 2008

When the Bassmasters come to town, they bring fast boats, lots of devoted fans and big bucks. The good news for Central Virginia is the professional bass fishermen are returning to Smith Mountain Lake. Bedford County is preparing to roll out the red carpet for them.

It’s good news for the region because the ESPN-televised tournaments will give the county national exposure that it couldn’t get otherwise.

Bedford officials learned recently that the Bassmasters Elite Series is returning to the Parkway Marina on the Bedford County side of the lake in April 2009, and again in August 2010. The event drew thousands of fans last June despite scorching temperatures. County and tourism officials estimate that last year’s event generated a more than $1 million boost in tourist spending in the area.

And just as important, said County Administrator Kathleen Guzi, is the national exposure that the sports television network will give the county. “You can’t put a dollar value on that,” she said.

Guzi explained that the 2007 event was so successful that ESPN approached Bedford and Franklin counties about the 2010 tournament. Both localities had to compete in a bid process to host the 2009 event, which involved putting up a $40,000 combined bid.

But, she said, that bid is a small investment that creates for the lake a prime spot for top-notch anglers and displays the area’s scenic mountain views surrounding the lake country.

Although the fishing tournament, which pits professional anglers against one another to see who can snare the highest total weight of fish in a race against the clock, didn’t return to the lake this year, Guzi said it is an achievement to secure three tourneys in four years. She said the county would keep trying to bring the fishermen back to enhance county recreation.

Referring to residents who came to watch the anglers return to the dock for the official weigh-in, she said, “We had so many positive comments from our citizens,” she said. “They don’t have to travel far, especially with gas prices as they are. They can come watch a national sporting event at home.”

Vicki Gardner, with the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce, pointed to the popularity of the professional sport when she the fishermen are “the best of the best” who “have a following.” And those followers show up on the lake front along with local residents.

She said the tournaments are a good way for the lake to create a name for itself as a premier “name-brand” fishing location.

Gardner added that the ripple effects of the nationally televised event are a big boost to Lynchburg, Roanoke and surrounding areas, providing a huge economic impact for the tourism sector.

The Bassmasters are coming and they are welcome. Now, all Bedford County and the folks at the lake have to do is be certain they are ready for the national exposure.