(Otter Tail County, Minn.) Feb. 9, 2018 – Day two bite slowed down for The Women Ice Angler Project, but having the Godfather of Ice Fishing, Dave Genz, join in for the fun might have been part of the cause for distraction. Genz, along with his two daughters who grew up ice fishing with the pioneer (and Missy and Kathy helped build the first ice shacks in their family garage), enjoyed meeting with the gals from WIAP. “It’s great what you gals are doing,” said Genz. “And you’ve got a great team. It’s about time we have more gals ice fishing.”

 

It was cold at -8 with a brisk wind, but the gals enjoyed piping hot antelope venison chili and pub-style sliders cooked on the Camp Chef 60X stove on the ice. Then it was off to the first-ever meet and greet at The Nest of Perham. The Nest sells high-end cooking products and boasts a trendy (and adjoining) coffee shop. WIAP brought fresh panfish fillets and served fish chowder to the 50 guests in attendance in a first-class demonstration kitchen in the back of the store. Everyone loved the fresh fish garnish on the chowder-caught on the ice yesterday by WIAP anglers.

 

A three-man video crew from GrassFed Media of Chicago filmed for a documentary with an in-depth look at extreme adventures.

 

Sponsors include Clam Outdoors, Vexilar, Jiffy, Orion Coolers, Ray Marine Electronics, Acme Tackle, K-Drill, Kahtoola, Camp Chef, The Nest of Perham along with media partners Outdoors First, Larry Smith Outdoors and GrassFed Media. Local hosts include Otter Tail Lakes Country Association (OTLCA) and East Silent Lake Resort.

 

On Saturday, the last day for WIAP, local guides are taking nearly 30 women fishing as a way to connect women ice anglers with the WIAP media event.

 

Barb Carey founded WIAP four years ago, and this year the team members include: pro-staff anglers Shelly Holland, Bonnie Timm, Shantel Wittstruck Rikki Pardun; outdoor photographer Hannah Stonehouse Hudson and outdoor writer Kristine (K.J.) Houtman and Dorothy Rietzler. The Women Ice Angler Project is a media event to shine the spotlight on women ice anglers. Impact in a short period of time has brought attention to the fact many women enjoy the sport and now more media and marketing efforts reflect that participation.

 

For the entire winter, all women anglers are encouraged to post their ice fishing photos and share their stories with #womenonice and follow theiceangler.com. “Our sponsors totally support women in this great sport,” Carey concluded. The Women Ice Angler Project sponsors include Clam Outdoors, Vexilar, K-Drill, Jiffy, Outdoor First Media, Larry Smith Outdoors, Grassfed Media, The Great Wild Radio Show, Fish On Kids Books, Stonehouse Photography, WI Women Fish, Orion Coolers, Ray Marine Electronics, Acme Tackle. Kahtoola, Camp Chef, the Nest of Perham, and hosts Otter Tail Lakes Country Association (OTLCA) and East Silent Lake Resort.