An ice fishing rod loan program is being piloted at the Tourism Discovery Centre in Williams Lake.
“People can borrow a rod, tackle and an ice auger,” visitor centre counsellor Taylor Williams said Thursday as the program was launched. “We’ve had our regular fishing rod loan program for three years, but this is the first year we’re expanding it to ice fishing gear.”
Williams and her fellow staff pitched the idea to Freshwater Fisheries.
“Every year Freshwater Fisheries solicits comments and we made a recommendation,” she explained. “Within half an hour to an hour there are so many great fishing lakes, such as Dugan, Chimney, Felker and Lac La Hache.”
Mayor Walt Cobb said the program offers an opportunity for visitors to stay an extra day in the area.
“I know the fishing rod program has worked so this is a good idea.”
Chamber of commerce president Angela Sommer loves outdoor winter activities and said she envisioned people incorporating snow shoeing, cross country skiing and ice fishing to make it a unique experience.
“I think this program is only going to grow,” she said of the rod loan. “It gives people one more thing to do in the winter and if people have never tried ice fishing they can come out and try it.”
Right now the TDC has three rods and tackle boxes, and one auger for loan. They can be loaned out up to seven days.