16th Annual Fishing and Heritage Day Set for May 17

The Otselic Valley Fishing and Heritage Association will host its 16th annual Fishing and Heritage Day in South Otselic on Saturday, May17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This rural hamlet was home to the world-renowned Gladding Fishing Line Co., which began in 1816.  

There will be two fishing clinics at the State Fish Hatchery, where young anglers are invited to fish for trout. The clinics are free, and fishing poles are provided for those who don’t bring their own. Fly tying demonstrations and an aquarium will be inside the hatchery, in addition to its 14 fish tanks where young fingerlings get their start.  

In addition, there will be special program offerings featuring the indigenous people who once occupied and used this area. Doris Wilkins Wilt from the Oneida Nation Cultural Center will conduct two workshops for making beaded strawberry picture frames for participants in the third grade and up. Ron Patterson, also from the Oneida Nation, will give a presentation on early maple sugaring, hunting, and fishing techniques.

 A collection of Haudenosaunee artifacts will also be on display. Outdoors there will be numerous environmental, conservation, and public service organizations sharing their displays. There will also be an opportunity for artists to practice their talents painting with local artists Adam Schmidt and Rachel Conley. All supplies and materials will be provided. 

In the Town Park, there will be arts and craft vendors, antiques, children’s games, raffles, food, and live music, along with a special exhibit in the Town Hall featuring the1906 story of resident Grace Brown. 

Gladding will once again display one of their vintage rope braiding machines. In the Grange, home of the Old School Wool and Weaving Center, there will be demonstrations of some of the expansive exhibits of vintage looms and spinning wheels. Across from the Grange, at the Otselic Valley Central School, the week-long art show will be open, exhibiting work by students and other local artists. In the center of town, vintage tractors will again be on display, with some going on parade at 1:30 p.m.  

This free, family event attracts hundreds of people each year from the surrounding region. Residents are invited to join them on Saturday, May 17, to celebrate this central New York hamlet, once touted as “the fishing line capital of the world.” 

For a complete schedule and listing of activities and programs, visit ovfish.org.