Future FMer's 2nd Annual Ice Fishing Get Together - February 21st

[polarsusd81]

Last year was a blast and we are coming back for a second round. We had about 45 kids and just as many adults attend the first annual get together last year and all the kids caught fish and went away with great memories on the ice. I am pretty sure all of them won prizes through out the day as well.

Anyway, we are going to do it again this year. Here is the whens, wheres, whos, and whys about it.

When? February 21st, 2009 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM.

Where? South Center Lake, Chisago County, MN. I will post a couple maps soon.

Who? Anybody that wants to come out and enjoy a day on the ice. The get together is catered towards getting kids on the ice and interested in fishing. Adults are welcome as well, but if you know a child that you think doesn't have an opportunity to enjoy ice fishing as much as you think they could, bring em along, you will be amazed at how much fun they will have.

Why? Why not? It was just way too much fun the first time around to not do it again and the kids love it. There are way too many children out there that don't have the opportunities many of us have for getting out in the outdoors. Getting them involved is the only way to ensure the future generations can enjoy the outdoors.

I will try to do food and drinks similar to last year. Boiled hot dogs with the fixins, juice/milk/water to drink, and some chip assortments. Stuff kids like, and its not too unhealthy, soda is fine, but it is up to the individual to bring it. Alcohol and Beer are off limits, as this get together is mainly targeted towards the children. Hazelden is just up the hill, I'll send ya up if you get outta line (Just kidding).

I will be working with a couple site sponsors and local businesses again this year to gather up some donations to hand out to the kids. We had a drawing last year and gave away tons of cool prizes. Ice fishing jigs, tackle boxes, rods, hats, shirts, decals, all kinds of cool stuff.

We try too keep this get together short in duration as kids generally will lose interest and want to do other things. The main reason this one got a start last year is giving the children an enjoyable experience on the ice to remember. So the next time Dad wants to go ice fishing, the little ones are begging to go with. We will have a soccer ball out there if the kids get bored with fishing, after all it is fishing and some times the fish don't want to cooperate the way we want them to. I plan to have several underwater cameras set up for the Future FMers to watch as fish come and bite their lures, and we will have some extra flashers out there to display as well. I along with several others will be out checking ice conditions and fish movements frequently to ensure the safest possible conditions for the day. Last year we had about 28" of ice on the lake where we were fishing and parked about 35-40 cars on the ice in the area. Most people will drive out on the ice but if you are not comfortable with doing so we can make arrangements to help out, you will just have to let me know in advance. We will target panfish as they are plentiful in the area, but there is a good chance to hook into a large pike or even a good sized bass. One little boy last year even got a small walleye. We will also have quite a few people out there with cameras to capture the moments and may even have a guest appearance. I am still working on that one though.

Last year we had to postpone the get together for a later date as mother nature had different plans for us. It is always a good idea to bring a change of clothes and footwear for the kids in the odd chance they put a foot in the hole or something like that. I prefer to have an adult for every child out there, but I know that may not be realistic. I do want to be sure that each Future FMer under the age of 4 has an adult with them at all times though. This will help eliminate potential accidents. Plan ahead and watch the weather reports, it could be pretty cold, or it could be balmy as it was last year. It was about 35 degrees last year and many of us were out in bibs and a long sleeve shirt, and even that was getting warm at times.

I can't wait to get out there and catch some fish. For a recap of last years event, click on this here link thingy.

I really hope to see a whole bunch of people there again this year.

[Shawnny B]

Lacylynn and myself will be there, maybe Ill get my youngest (she will be 2 in June) out there too. This isnt the take a kid Ice fishing weekend is it? I will also see if my Neighbor wants to come. so that will be ...4 kids, maybe less but we will be there.

Shawn

[Sandmannd]

I'm planning on being there with my 3 year old and new 11 year old daughters. I have talked to a couple of folks with the counties and trying to get some foster care kids out there as I think this would be a great experience for them. I can bring my huge flip over that we can using as a warming tent or to put the food in or whatever. I can also bring my wheeler to help people get on and off the ice if you want. I will help drill holes as well. Let me know anything else you need help with Tom, you have my email addy. Also, if you want, I can offer up a guide trip as a prize for the spring on the St. Croix for a child and their parent.

[polarsusd81]

Sounds good Shane and Shawn. I think it is going to be pretty big this year, so help is a good thing. I will be in contact with a few people to help out. Can't wait, got my first crappies through the ice tonight. The new Bro Gill Getter jigs work.

[YourBobersDown]

Hey Polar,

You know I am in for helping out. Any excuse to use the monster auger is a good one. I have my eye on an 8" since the 10 inch bit may turn into a swimming hole for the munchkins.I may bring my daughter as well. Let me know if you need me to bring anything else or if you need the truck to transport anything. I have the 6 man hut so plenty of room for keeping warm. Just drop me a line.

[Quetico]

I'd offer to help but I'll be out of town that weekend. If you guys need an extra gas auger loaned for the weekend let me know. I do believe its important to get our kids active in the outdoors.

[DonBo]

Tom, I'll be hoping for another cold weekend so the date will be pushed back. I am teaching a Bowhunter Ed class that day.

I will however do whatever you need for signs again, just let me know. I kept the ones from last year so they can be used again.

[ole]

Should have about 5-6 kids coming. If there is anything I can do to help let me know.

I'd be more than willing to give a hand if needed.

ole

[email protected]

[polarsusd81]

Sounds good Ole. Looking forward to meeting you out there.

Just an update for those attending, Bruce Mosher, the owner of Today's Tackle has donated a whole bunch of Ice Buster Bobbers to give to the kids. We will also have quite a few jigs to hand out to the kids as well.

[hopeforfish]

I am planning on bringing a few nieces and nephews and will be able to help out also. I think that this is a great idea!!!!

Hope

[Iambjm]

I am pretty sure that I can make it down there this year, not bringing any kids but sure glad to help out. Good chance for me to see a couple of old familiar faces and meet up with a bunch of new ones. I have about 8 tip ups, many rods, Aqua-Vu, Vex, Wheeler, and a 10 X 10 Easy up tent with sides if ya need one.

email is barb at bjmwebs.com

[pljllo]

Glad to see you are putting it on again this.

Had a good time last year, and will bring the

grandsons out again this year.

Thanks to Deitz folks for drilling and scooping

some holes for us,and Deitz for helping the boys

find a some fish.

[polarsusd81]

Barb, that will be awesome if you can make it down. You might win the longest drive award. If you are trailering only the wheeler, you might be able to leave it at home. The lake has a good road on it that leads right to the spot, might save ya some fuel economy. I was able to drive a front wheel drive car around no problem. I am going out there tomorrow to do a little fishing and come back with a scouting report.

pljllo, will be nice to have you and the grandsons out there again this year. I didn't get a chance to meet everyone last year and I think you were one of the groups I didn't meet. This year, after having a bit of experience from last year, I hope things run just a bit smoother. Would be glad to take some time to chat with you this time though. I will be running around in the red Arctic Armor suit.

[Jordyn Kaufer]

I am going to

Be able to make it out!!

What do you want me to bring as far as to help out for the kids?

[Scottimus]

My son and I had a blast last year. We will be there this year as well. Hopefully my youngest boy will decide to try it this year as well...

[hopeforfish]

Just remembered that I have a wedding that day. I am totally bummend and so are my neices and nephews. The wedding starts at 3:30 and it would be too much of a time crunch even if we came for an hour. Have fun everyone.

Hope

[Iambjm]

It looks like I will be headed to Upper Red Lake that day. I just wish I could make both, but Red Lake is a lot closer. Have a great day!!!!

[Shack]

This is an event you do not want to miss if you have kids and are in the area. I know some came out last year that did not have any gear and gear was shared by others. If you do not have any gear and do not want to impose, Frankies or Gander in Forest Lake has very cheap jig sticks, poles and tip-ups. My boy bought his own jig stick with his own money last year from Frankies and it camewith a bobber and jig on it and I am almost postive it was under $3.00. He caught many gills on it last year at the FM kids GT

Tom (Polar)does a great job of rounding up goodies and stuff for the kids. There was plenty of free stuff to go around last year for the kids. From tackle box's, nice rod and reel combo's, tons of jigs and other stuff. No kid last year walked away empty handed . I may have been hungry, but the food was second to none also.

It was a great time

Unfortunately (as Tom knows), I will not be able to make it this year. I have a prior commitment. I do not even want to bring this up to my kids, as I know they will not be happy with Dad !

Good luck to all who go. Again, it is a very fun event. The closer we get to it, the more people will start to post they are going.

[skiinglady]

I'm psyched and so is my Girl Scout troop! They had a blast last year and have asked me about 100 times when I will take them out ice fishing again. I hope the weather is as nice as it was last year, too.

BTW - If you haven't done so already, make sure to order some girl scout cookies in the next couple of weeks. Sales are down this year.

Tom, I'll give you a head count when the date gets closer. I'll probably bring about a half dozen kids with me.

See you all on the 21st.

Skiinglady aka Jane (Yes, that was me with the big deer and my dad and daughter in that photo/article in the Outdoor News)

[polarsusd81]

Looking forward to seeing you out there again this year Jane. As Shackbash said, this is a really fun event catered towards the little ones and we have quite a few donations starting to pile up to give out. Not as many rods as last year, but I am still working on it.

Lets get out and have some fun.

[thatoneguy]

I would love to go with my son, but it's a little out of easy driving range Hope y'all have a blast!

[polarsusd81]

It would be quite the drive for ya. Prep is going along nicely and I have a good portion of it done. Its just a week away.

[hooksetter]

I got my neighbor and his 10 year old into ice fishing this year and they are really having a great year. They and my son and I are planning to come out to this great event. We have morning commitments so will not be able to get there until 1:30 or 2. Do you think that would be ok?

[polarsusd81]

Oh yeah, I am planning to be out there early in the day to get things set up, and I am sure there will be people out there later into the afternoon. Last year there were some that stuck around until dusk.

[ole]

Do you get on the lake on Hwy 8? Or is there a better place to access. Looking forward to a great time on the ice fishing with the kids.

ole

[polarsusd81]

We get on the lake right on Hazeldon Bay. Easiest way to get out there is Taking Hwy 8 to Olinda Trail (Dairy Queen). Go south (right) on Olinda to Glader Blvd. Take a Left on to Glader and go to the T at the end of Glader. When you get to the T, take a left and you will see the lake on the right side of the road. You will see a drive on access just a little ways up the road on your right and you can drive out from there. There is a group of houses out in Hazeldon Bay, and we will meet up on the far side of the houses. Last year all the cars were parked right up close to shore there, and I am hoping we can do something similar this year. We might spread the cars out into a couple groups this year though as it looks like we will have a few more people this time around.

We will have signs posted up starting at the corner of Glader and Olinda Trail. DonBo has made the signs for us and they look great.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Tom, I picked up the signs today. What time would you like them (us) to be there?

[polarsusd81]

Jer, could you shoot me an email?

I went out to the lake today to get a feel for what the fish were doing and check out all the conditions. Lets just say we should be hoping for a little bit of snow between now and Saturday. The lake is like a skating rink right now. That is the bad news. The good news is that it is very easy to drive around out there and you don't have to worry about getting stuck anywhere. There was between 24-30 inches of ice out there and even with trucks driving around the ice wasn't making much noise at all. We drilled a few holes deep, a few holes on the edge of the drop, and a few holes shallow. The deeper holes only yielded one fish, a big golden shiner. The holes on the edge of the drop produced a few perch, and the shallow holes were pretty darn good. We caught a bunch of bluegills, a couple dandies too.

As of right now they are calling for PM snow showers on Tuesday and snow through the day on Wednesday. They are also calling for snow on Friday. If it works out that it snows when the weatherman says it will, we should be alright for traction out there.

They are also calling for highs right around 20 on Saturday, it will be a bit colder than last year, but we should be pretty good. If you are coming out and have a portable fish house, bring it along as you may want to head in to warm up a bit. It is coming up quick.

Frankies is also going to donate bait for the get together again so if you stop by there, be sure to tell them thank you. Great group of people there. Thorne Bros threw in a few rods for the kids. No, not the customs, but some rod and reel combos from JR's tackle, one lights up when you turn the handle on the reel. Pretty sweet stuff. They also donated some hats and jigs. Outdoor Pro Store and ATI Jigs also donated quite a few jigs for the kids and Bruce Mosher from Today's Tackle sent a big package of Ice Buster Bobbers up as well. Should be a few prizes for everyone out there again. Lets just hope the fishing is equally as good as last year.

ALSO NOTE: This year I would like to have the cars spread out over a larger area for parking as I am expecting more people this year. I will try to get a few cars parked in different areas early so others can see the different groups of cars. I will try to get all the cars parked in an area that is as close to frozen solid to the bottom as possible. It wont be very far to walk no matter what. Please help us keep this as safe and as fun as possible.

[gurkster]

Hi Tom,

I plan on bringing the kids out. Let me know if you need help with anything. I can bring extra gear, snacks, help setup, etc. Would be glad to lend a hand if needed.

Rick

rrgierke at yahoo dot com

[polarsusd81]

Rick, I shot an email over to you. Any help would be greatly appreciated.