If you or someone you know is interested in fishing, but doesn't have the gear, here's a good deal: Idaho Fish and Game's fishing trailer makes trying the sport so easy that all you have to do is show up.
The department has a traveling trailer loaded with fishing gear. Agency employees take it to ponds around Southwest Idaho to help beginners get started.
The trailer will be on the road weekends and evenings, March through June.
It is stocked with loaner fishing rods and reels, and bait and tackle.
The program is geared toward kids and others who have never fished or who are novices.
"We'll get them geared up and on the water," F&G conservation educator Evin Oneale said.
"The big fish and vivid colors make the trailer a kid magnet. That's what we wanted; a focal point to help get a kid excited about fishing."
And, as a bonus, as long as the trailer is at the pond, you won't need a fishing license to fish there.
Afterward, anyone 14 years old or older must have a valid fishing license.
The program also highlights how accessible fishing is in urban and suburban areas around the Treasure Valley. (For more details, see page O8.)
"The idea is to bring fishing equipment and fishing expertise to what we call our 'bicycle fisheries' - local, neighborhood ponds," Oneale said.
Fish and Game frequently stocks these ponds with trout during the spring, and often right before the trailer's arrival.
In addition to trout, many ponds have other types of fish such as bass, bluegill and catfish.
Most fishing requires no skills beyond casting bait into a pond and having a little patience. But there are many techniques and skills beyond that to catch more fish under different settings and conditions.
"The idea is to help people gain enough fishing experience and confidence to strike out on their own and enjoy fishing as a fun family activity," Oneale said.
TRAILER SCHEDULE
• Saturday, March 23, McDevitt Pond, Meridian, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday, March 30, Wilson Ponds, Nampa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 3, ParkCenter Pond, Boise, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 6, Wilson Ponds, Nampa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, April 11, Quinns Pond, Boise, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 13, Kleiner Pond, Meridian, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 17, Settlers Pond, Meridian, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, April 18, Weiser Pond, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, April 21, Wilson Ponds, Nampa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 24, McDevitt Pond, Meridian, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, April 25, Kleiner Pond, Meridian, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 27, Eds Pond, Emmett, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, May 2, Kleiner Pond, Meridian, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 8, Sego Prairie Pond, Kuna, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, May 9, Wilson Ponds, Nampa, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 11, Weiser Pond, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 15, McDevitt Pond, Meridian, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, May 16, Merrill Pond, Eagle, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 18, Williams Pond, Boise, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, May 19, Mill Pond, Horseshoe Bend, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 22, Wilson Ponds, Nampa, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, May 23, Kleiner Pond, Meridian, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 29, ParkCenter Pond, Boise, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, May 30, McDevitt Pond, Meridian, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 1, Settlers Pond, Meridian, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday, June 8, McDevitt Pond, Meridian, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 12, Settlers Pond, Meridian, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, June 13, Kleiner Pond, Meridian, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, June 15, Williams Pond, Boise, 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 19, McDevitt Pond, Meridian, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, June 20, Wilson Ponds, Nampa, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday, June 22, Sawyers Pond, Emmett, 8 a.m. to noon.
• Wednesday, June 26, Mill Pond, Horseshoe Bend, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, June 27, Wilson Ponds, Nampa, 4 to 8 p.m.
Roger Phillips: 377-6215, Twitter: @rogeroutdoors
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