Fulton County promotes itself as the “Gateway to the Adirondacks,” but don’t let that slogan fool you … for most folks visiting there, it’s a notch above. Snuggling up to Hamilton County to its north, I can guarantee you that without the sign denoting you’ve crossed the “blue line” border and entering the Park proper, you’d never know the difference.

This rather well-kept secret probably accounted for the large contingency of outdoor writers choosing Fulton County as the site for their 2010 NYS Outdoor Writers Association’s Annual safari get-together last month. Ground Zero for the event was the main shorefront cabin units at Pecks Lake Enterprise Inc, off NYS Rte. 29A near Gloversville. Pecks Lake is only surpassed in size by the huge Great Sacandaga Lake to its east, but since it’s privately owned, it’s far more peaceful. I’ve known the Peck family for many years, and the effort they put forth to make visitors to their lake feel welcome and enjoy themselves is remarkable.

The lake is well stocked with an assortment of game and pan fish, including bass, northern pike, walleye and rainbow trout. Crappie, pickerel and bullhead are also popular catches. Anglers have the option of either launching their own boat at the marina or renting one, complete with outboard motor. While fishing and relaxing are two of the many attractions in Fulton County, additionally there’s the Great Sacandaga, Caroga Lake, West Canada Lake, plus numerous smaller ponds and lakes and abundant streams.