It's less than a month away, so better make a note in your calendar and plan to attend the 8th Annual NW Ice Fishing Festival at Molson and Sidley lakes, near Oroville. The event will take place on the Saturday of President's Day weekend. There will be prizes for big fish in both adult and youth divisions and some other categories.

Along with the fun of ice fishing, those that attend can also take advantage of a pancake breakfast and some other activities that are fun for the whole family. Since I first mentioned my plans to go to this year, I have received e-mails from folks that have going for many years, and have always had a great time, whether they caught fish or not. In addition to the pancake breakfast there is an Italian dinner served at the Grange Hall, starting right after the weigh-in deadline.

There will be raffles for prizes, too. The cost to enter the fishing derby is $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for kids age 14 and under. For information about the NW Ice Fishing Festival you can call Robin Stice at the Eden Valley Guest Ranch at 509-548-4002, or log onto orovillewashington.com.