Half a dozen children enjoyed the opportunity to ice fish with conservation officers at Dugan Lake east of Williams Lake last Saturday.
Organized by the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre, the event provided children with warm portable huts, fishing rods, tackle and bait, plus a hotdog lunch.
“The main reason for the event is to get families out so children can connect with the conservation officers and see them in a positive way,” said Sherry Kahanyshyn, supported child development consultant as she cooked the hotdogs with help from child and youth care worker José Salasar.
As six-year-old Matthias Richter bobbed his line in the water, he kept exclaiming to his mom, Annaka, every time a fish came in sight.
“Oh mommy, there’s a big guy right there,” he said. “Come on fishy fish.”
Inspector for the Thompson-Cariboo COS Len Butler was busy helping Ethan Jackson with his bait and said it is always a great event for the COS to partner with the CDC.
“It teaches kids the rules around ice fishing, or in some cases, introduces them to it,” Butler said. “It will help them to follow the rules later on.”
Salasar said there are children who return every year and then new ones who have not been there before.
After he had augured a hole in the ice closer to the shore, COS Sgt. Jeff Tyre said he enjoys coming out to meet new children.
“Hopefully it will get them interested in the outdoors,” Tyre said.
