BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
GREEN COVE SPRINGS— The agency that runs Clay County’s efforts to attract sporting events said the county is seeking to host fishing tournaments as a way to increase overnight hotel stays in Clay County.
Alan Verlander of Airstream Ventures told the Clay Tourist Development Council that the county is looking to partner with Bradford or Putnam counties to put on a fishing event.
“This is not something that we could do by ourselves and it’s an enormous opportunity for our region,” Verlander said, “and so we’re exploring the idea of sharing that opportunity.”
Verlander said that unlike other sports that are seasonal, fishing is more of a year-round opportunity. He said he has already met with Bradford County officials about partnering on a tournament and hopes to meet with Putnam County representatives soon.
The Palatka area already has several large fishing tournaments including the Bassmaster’s Elite Series which draws the top anglers in the country to Palatka’s riverfront.
