By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The town lost $1,800 on the Big Bass Blowout fishing tournament. The supervisor says he considers it a success and wants to do it again next year, possibly following a more aggressive marketing effort.

“We didn’t break even,” Town Supervisor Joseph Gray said.

He said they paid out $3,450 in prizes and took in $1,800 in registrations.

They had 12 boats and needed 20 to break even, he said.

Councilman Thomas Miller suggested since two of the boats were from Montreal and Ottawa that they send Don Meissner to fishing shows around those cities. Meissner markets Massena at large-scale fishing shows around the U.S.

“That’s something to look at,” Town Supervisor Joe Gray said.

Gray said Meissner was involved with the Big Bass tourney as well.

“His goal was 20 boats, but he was pleased,” Gray said, adding that the tournament coincided with the opening day of waterfowl hunting season, which may have taken away from the turnout.

“I consider it a success. It didn’t make the initial projections, but I was pleased,” Gray said.

Councilman Steve O’Shaunessy said he was impressed at the humane treatment of the fish.

“All the fish lived,” he said.

Gray said Mike Gagne and the St. Lawrence River Walleye Association were there to ensure the fish were safely reacclimated and released after being weighed. They are brought to the weigh station alive, measured in bags and later put back in the river.

“Everyone seemed to be having fun,” O’Shaughnessy said.