6th Annual Youth Ice Fishing Day at Horsethief set for Jan. 17

Jan 13, 2015

It's like a window into a new world. Kids get a chance to experience an iconic Idaho winter activity. — It's like a window into a new world. Kids get a chance to experience an iconic Idaho winter activity--ice fishing--at the 8th Annual Youth Ice Fishing Day on January 14 at Horsethief Reservoir. (IYO photo))

Joe Evancho & IFG news release

HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR, Idaho —The 6th annual Youth Ice Fishing Day at Horsethief Reservoir has been postponed due to lack of ice. Organizers of the event always make safety the first consideration during this event, but are also committed to offering it when conditions are favorable.

The event had been scheduled for Saturday January 10. Organizers will shoot for a new date of January 17, and will monitor conditions this week. If it is still unsafe, the event will be rescheduled for January 31. For more about this event, including updates on ice conditions go to www.idahoyouthoutdoors.org

Idaho Youth Outdoors, Inc. (IYO), based in Middleton, Idaho, is sponsoring their 6th Annual Youth Ice Fishing Day at Horsethief Reservoir on the next available Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is free to all registered participants. An Idaho fishing license is not required because this is a youth-education event. This applies to all registered attendees, including adults. The IYO is a non-profit organization formed by parents who love the outdoors. Its mission is to provide the opportunity for families to enjoy Idaho and all the exciting outdoors adventures the state has to offer.

Pickle buckets and lawn chairs will help make for a comfortable afternoon on Horsethief Reservoir this weekend. — Pickle buckets and lawn chairs will help make for a comfortable afternoon on Horsethief Reservoir. The event has been rescheduled for January, 17.

Sean Cluff is the organization’s president and he said youngsters and their parents have fewer opportunities to get outside and enjoy the state’s recreational opportunities. Cluff owns Grubbin’ BBQ in Middleton, Idaho and he said when he was young it was easy for kids to get outdoors on their own, and get their parents involved as well. “It just seems like everybody is so busy today with whatever they have going on that it’s hard to get parents and kids to do stuff.”

The premise of the ice fishing day is to create an event where families just show up and everything they need will be provided for them. “Even the parents don’t need to do a whole lot,” Cluff said. “We just want to get them reintroduced into something they may have lost or return them to outdoor activities they know, or try something new like ice fishing.”

He said IYO is incorporated so they have no members. “We raise money through a raffle and through private contributions,” he said. “Our Youth Outdoors Ice Fishing Day is a free event for the whole family.” This event includes hotdogs, bottled water and hot chocolate for the kids.

Experts will be on hand to help beginning ice anglers learn the ropes.

Other youth day sponsors include, Idaho Fish and Game, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Girl Scouts Silver Sage Council, Intermountain Jet Boat Association, Grubbin’ BBQ, the YMCA and Hardwater Classic; an ice fishing derby scheduled for later in January in Cascade.

Idaho Fish and Game will have a limited supply of loaner rods and other sponsors will supply bait. Cluff said if you have your own gear you should bring it so the loaners can be given to those who need them. There will also be various ice fishing prizes for the kids throughout the day.

Getting to Horsethief Reservoir will include travel over snow-packed roads. Good snow tires or chains are advisable. The road will be plowed and ready for use but organizers recommend that your vehicle be ready for winter conditions. Parking is limited at the reservoir so carpooling is recommended. Map to Horsethief Reservoir – there will be signs posted along the way as you leave Cascade and turn onto Warm Lake Rd. Travel time from the Treasure Valley is about 2 hours depending on road conditions.

Cluff said that this year the thickness of the ice is uncertain because of all the snow cover so venues may have to be switched. Interested parties need to check the Idaho Youth Outdoors website (http://www.idahoyouthoutdoors.org/) or Facebook page. If you would like to help out at this year’s Youth Ice Fishing Day please contact the organizers at Idahoyouthoutdoors@gmail.com.

Horsethief Reservoir is stocked and ready for the 6th Annual Idaho Youth Outdoor Fishing Derby. — Horsethief Reservoir is stocked and ready for the 6th Annual Idaho Youth Outdoor Ice Fishing Derby.

Cluff added they have a ton of holes to drill and they also need volunteers that are willing to give instruction so the kids are fishing effectively. “First timers are in abundance at this event and it’s very rewarding to help someone catch their first fish,” he said.

“People need to check back often because we will be updating the location on a regular basis. We normally have the event at the south end of Horsethief but we may have to move it to the north end this year,” he said.