Around 30 or 40 elected officials, business leaders and local anglers attended a Friday morning meeting to discuss ways to promote tourism through fishing on Weiss Lake.

Friday’s meeting was organized by Daphne Rogers.

Essentially, baby steps will have to be taken – maybe smaller, local tournaments being organized first with a bigger overall plan in mind to grow those in size and stature.

Those in attendance at the meeting heard that Weiss Lake is one of the top lakes in the state for bass fishing, but it was passed over for the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament due to a lack of infrastructure in Cherokee County. Specifically, there is not enough lodging facilities for the large influx of boaters associated with a major tournament.

A major tournament could have an economic impact locally of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Weiss Lake Improvement Association President Carolyn Landrem, Cherokee County Commissioner Carlton Teague, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Director Theresa Hulgan, Centre Mayor Tony Wilkie and Leesburg Mayor Ed Mackey all attended Friday’s meeting, which was simply a starting point and a “Fact finding” mission.