WADDINGTON – The Bassmaster Elite Series events planned for Waddington will instead take place in Clayton from July 23 to 26 so that the competition can adhere to state health and safety guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The St. Lawrence River event has been held in Waddington since 2017.

Daily takeoffs and weigh-ins for the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will be held in Clayton which is hosting the event in cooperation with the Village of Clayton and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce.

The change follows recently released state guidelines for professional sports competitions which include diagnostic testing and protocols for daily health screenings for all athletes and staff, along with a host of other safety and social distancing measures. Under these guidelines, no fans or spectators are allowed to attend events, even those held at outdoor venues.

“We have enjoyed record-breaking fan support in New York for years,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “While fans won’t be able to attend the events on-site this year, we are thankful to everyone who is helping B.A.S.S. to safely bring the fun of competition and beauty of these fisheries into the homes of millions of fans via our live, on-the-water coverage.”

Coverage will be shown Bassmaster.com, ESPN2 and ESPN3

“I’m pleased the North Country will once again play host to the Bassmaster Elite Series,” said state Sen. Patty Ritchie. “Given current public health concerns, it’s critical this event is executed safely. To that end, state and local officials are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the community, as well as tournament participants.

“I would like to thank Bassmaster and Jefferson County officials for making this event a reality. There’s no place in the world like the Thousand Islands, and I’m excited for the opportunity to again showcase the St. Lawrence River and this beautiful part of Northern New York."

Said Scott Gray, chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators, “Jefferson County is delighted to host and welcome the professional sport Bassmaster Elite Series tournament and ESPN to the Thousand Islands region. Our world-renowned waterfront is ideal for sport-fishing.

“It has been a pleasure working with B.A.S.S. to ensure the non-spectator event features our beautiful region while considering the safety of everyone involved by adhering to the New York State guidance for traveling anglers and our community.”

The second stop in New York takes anglers to Lake Champlain, on the Vermont border, which last hosted the Elite Series three years ago.

A previously scheduled tournament in New York — the Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake, originally set for July 14-17 in the Village of Union Springs, N.Y. — is being rescheduled for another fishery later this season.

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