UK's Specialist Tackle opens at Riverview

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Jun 25, 2004 by Dickinson, Casey J

WADDINGTON - The British angling community has launched a second front in its pursuit of the St. Lawrence River's huge carp. Peter Henwood, owner of Specialist Tackle, has completed his purchase of the Riverview of Waddington Motel after a year-long tie-up passing through U.S. immigration.

Before Henwood, British angler Bernie Haines came to Massena in 1989 to start his Golden Salmon Ranch carp-fishing business. Long-time residents have also cashed in on the carp trade, and the river will host its second International Junior Carp Tournament this year. A professional carpfishing tournament is scheduled for next year.

After visiting the Riverview annually for seven years to enjoy the St. Lawrence's world-famous carp fishing, Henwood learned that the owners might be interested in selling. Last year, he prepared a business plan and arranged financing through NBT Bank.

The motel has become a popular spot for Europeans seeking trophy carp because of its central location between Ogdensburg and Massena. Europeans who fish strictly for sport and not for food don't share the North American attitude of carp as "trash fish." European guests fly to Ottawa and cross the border at the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge to reach the motel. Though Canada has access to the same river, Ontario allows anglers to use only one line at a time, while New York allows two. The doubling of the odds is a critical factor in choosing to bring his business to New York, says Henwood. Some British anglers have opened businesses on the Ontario side of the river, but the two-line rule makes New York the preferred destination, he adds.

Henwood has invested more than $750,000 to purchase and upgrade the 12room, six-cabin motel located on Route 37 in the Village of Waddington. The motel has several acres of land and dockage on an arm of the river that stretches across Route 37. The average room rate is $55 per night.

Six weeks in the making

Henwood and several family members spent six weeks this spring getting the property set up and unloading the tackle store's inventory. Henwood has opened a branch of his Specialist Tackle next to the Riverview motel in a former woodworking building. The shop sells European-style tackle not found in American stores. Specialist Tackle has a large customer base in the United States and Canada that it serves via the Internet. Several European equipment manufacturers have asked Specialist Tackle to serve as their North American distributor, says Henwood.

The tackle shop has fall carp rigs for rent so guests don't need to bring their gear across the ocean. Peter Henwood says he doesn't provide guide service, instead preferring to point out choice spots. General Manager Robert Henwood leads guests to fishing spots such as nearby St. Lawrence tributary Brandy Brook, where the Henwoods have spread hundreds of pounds of carp bait to draw in the fish.

Next year, the Riverview will add a restaurant to the tackle shop to serve breakfast to guests and others. Robert Henwood says the Riverview's restaurant will serve only breakfast, because other local restaurants have lunch and dinner well-covered. The tackle shop will also host a game room for rainy-day entertainment.

Henwood's son Robert, Robert's wife Clare, and their 2-year-old son Mason have moved to Waddington. In addition to the business opportunities available along the river, General - Manager Robert Henwood points out the quality-of-life differences between Waddington and the London suburb of Brentwood.

"We've come here for a better life," he explains. "It's been months of hard- work, but it's paid off well."

Reminders of the Henwoods' former life and many of its guests' current lives line the motel's office. A set of clocks provides the current time for both London and New York. A large map of the British Isles is posted alongside the clocks, and a framed version of the Henwood family crest is posted on another wall. The crest's description states that the Henwood family has a history in the St. Lawrence Valley stretching back to colonial times. Robert Henwood jokes that he's brought his family home to the river.

Area residents have welcomed the Henwoods to town. The Henwoods reciprocate the warm welcome they've received.

Some fishermen have already turned to the motel for advice on how to get started in carp fishing.

"We got a call from one man out fishing in Lisbon," says Peter Henwood. "He said, 'I've got all these carp in front of me, how do I catch them?"'

Being a British subject does have its disadvantages in the post-Sept. 11 North Country, says Robert Henwood. The increased presence of Border Patrol agents means he has to keep his passport handy. On a recent trip to Albany, Henwood passed through a Border Patrol checkpoint and found himself delayed while agents checked his legal status. New York State's northern border has become an active entry point for illegal immigrants and smugglers, leading to a steadily increasing law-enforcement presence along the St. Lawrence.