Close to one hundred adults and youth bought entries in the 8th Annual NW Ice Fishing Festival at Molson this year, and in spite of very poor fishing (not a single fish caught) the event was a big success. There was a great pancake breakfast and Italian-style dinner and it was decided that all the prizes, including the $500.00 top prize provided by Kinross Gold would be handed out by drawing.

This was a lot of prizes and everyone in the Molson Grange Hall had a great time cheering for the winners. This was the second year that no fish were caught in the derby and the WDFW and organizers are continuing to try to figure out why. Low oxygen content in the chilly winter water is suspected and the timing of the derby is right when the fish are most lethargic. Both Molson and Sidley lakes offer great fishing in the spring and fall.

On my way home from Molson I checked the condition of the Similkameen and Okanogan rivers. The Similkameen is ice free and there are long stretches of open water on the Okanogan in its upper reaches. It is ice bound though from Malott down to the mouth.