Olcott Beach in the Town of Newfane and Hastings, Ontario have become fishing meccas over the years. Now, both communities want to take it a step further by securing the title of Ultimate Fishing Town, an honor bestowed by the Canada-based World Fishing Television Network.
To win the title, Olcott and Hastings have to finish number one in online balloting. So far, the two communities are way ahead of the competition. Communities that finish first in the balloting can each win $25,000.
When it comes to beating the drum for his community, no one does it better than Hastings Mayor Hector MacMillan.
"Anything to do with fish, it happens in Hastings," said MacMillan.
"It's a big deal for a small village. $25,000 will go a long way to improve fishing, fishing tourism [and] spawning beds. In these economic times, $25,000 is a lot of money to a small town.
Olcott and Hastings want to win the title badly and they're pulling out all the lures to do it.
"We share strategies and conference calls and e-mails and postings on the wall about how we're going to get the vote out. We're cross-voting for each other, as well," MacMillan added.
Voting ends Thursday at 6 p.m.