SENECA — The National Bass Fishing Trails Tournament last week on Lake Keowee undoubtedly made a positive economic impact on the city of Seneca, Chamber of Commerce President Patrick Lee said.

“The organization is for youths 17 years old and younger, where adults mentor them through the sport of fishing,” Lee said. “Participants who stayed the night at the host hotel, the Days Inn, came from Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina and South Carolina.”

The organization’s mission, according to its Web site, is “to provide an atmosphere of adult fellowship and youth learning by offering affordable tournaments for bass anglers and their families with the goal of building relationships and mentoring our youth while improving our fishing ability.”

While the competition lasted from June 24-27, the fishers and spectators stayed in the area from the June 21-28, taking in the area’s scenic beauty and enjoying the shopping and dining opportunities Seneca offers.

“We gave a tour to the spouses of the fishermen,” Lee said. “They toured the county and came back to Seneca, where they shopped and ate.”

Lee said during the course of the week, the fishermen, their friends and families came to love Seneca.

“While they were here they were amazed at the purity and beauty of the lake and this area,” Lee said. “Many of them said they planned on coming back soon.”

The tournament featured 40 anglers and three separate banquets at South Cove Park on Lake Keowee. Outdoor Frontiers television recorded the tournament and will play it on cable TV, giving Seneca even more exposure nationwide.

“That type of exposure is invaluable,” Lee said. “This event definitely has a positive economic impact. It would help any community and certainly has helped Seneca.”

The tournament provided statistics to the Chamber detailing the economic impact the event would have on the area. Seneca businesses are estimated to have made a minimum of $71,500, not counting shopping expenditures during the weeklong stay. The long-term impact in regards to exposure and getting outsiders interested in the Golden Corner cannot yet be fully seen, Lee said. The event, he said, is an example of how Seneca and other cities in the area must use the resources at hand to spur economic development.

“We have to capitalize on the natural amenities we have,” he said. “The lakes, the outdoor opportunities. Capitalizing on those amenities is such a natural fit to showcase the uniqueness of Seneca and this area.”