Make an Appointment | arrow About Us | arrow Small Business Services | Locations | Training | arrow Success Stories | arrow Resources
Success Stories: Hall of Fame: Peter Casamento

Peter Casamento
Adirondack-Champlain Guide Service
North Country SBDC

Adirondack-Champlain Guide Service
Pete Casamento

Pete Casamento has been a licensed North County guide and expert fisherman for more than 25 years.  His family-owned and operated company, Adirondack Champlain Guide Service, is the largest guide service in northern New York.  He and a cadre of 15 part-time guides help more than 2,000 clients a year catch the “big fish.” His lodge, offered exclusively to fishermen and their families – it is not a resort lodge – is in easy striking distance of the lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers of the Adirondack Park. The Casamentos are a family group with Jane cooking for the guests and handling the financial needs of the business and son, Casey, now in his third year at Plattsburgh State University also guiding for the business.

Pete and his wife contacted the SBDC in 1992 when a guest lodge on Long Pond went on the market.  They requested assistance in developing a business plan and arranging financing for the property purchase. The owner of the lodge went into foreclosure in the middle of the purchase, greatly complicating the process. The SBDC Business Adviser worked with the Casamentos to develop their bid for the property and assisted them through the process to the closing. The Casamentos returned to the SBDC in 1996 develop plans for an expansion of the business – more boats and improvements to the lodge.

Pete markets his guide service through sports shows, and because he knows where to go for the best bass, salmon, trout, and pike fishing, guest reservations come in well in advance of the season.  Pete has been instrumental in promoting bass fishing tournaments in the Lake Champlain Region. This effort annually brings over $2 million to the region and continues to grow. He is currently advocating for the growth and resurgence of the walleye pike to the area.

 

 
Free Counseling | Services | Locations | Training | Success Stories | Resources
NYS Small Business Development Center
State University Plaza
Corporate Woods Building, 3rd Floor
Albany, NY 12246
In NY State (800) 732-SBDC
Outside NY State (518) 443-5398

SBA Logo
Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.