(Otter Tail County, Minn.) Feb. 7, 2018 – The Women Ice Angler Project has arrived onsite at the beautiful East Silent Lake Resort. “Accommodation are top notch here,” said Barb Carey, founder of WIAP. It doesn’t hurt there’s good fishing for walleyes not even 100 yards from the door of the four bedroom/three bathroom well-appointed Bear Den cabin on East Silent Lake. The Orion coolers were unpacked with groceries and several of the team arrived a day early to pre-fish. “It’s cold and the bite is tough,” continued Carey. “But we’re ready to get on the ice at oh-dark-thirty tomorrow to catch the early morning panfish bite. We are all excited to find some 11″ bluegills.” Otter Tail County boasts more than 1,000 lakes in the single county, almost too many to choose from.
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-the-ice interviews are available by contacting Barb Carey at email or phone noted above. Special activities continue throughout the weekend including a special meet-and-greet event at The Nest in Perham on Friday evening, Feb. 9 to meet the eight #womenonice anglers. Nearly 30 women have signed up for on-the-ice fishing on Saturday, Feb. 10. Additional spots are available by contacting 1-320-428-5174. Rates include $100 for guided fishing day and $50 for D-I-Y unguided fishing (but with the group).
In addition to Carey, the following ladies will fish in #womenonice this year: 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 goal of the Women Ice Angler Project is to encourage women to try ice fishing as well as mentor those who already enjoy the adventure sport and want to improve their skills. An additional plus has been moving the industry forward to show women ice anglers in corporate marketing efforts and social media. The impact in just four years to showcase women’s visibility has been very powerful.
Day one on the ice will include goals of great photography by Hannah Stonehouse Hudson of Stonehouse Photography. “These cold temperatures give us great light,” Hudson said. “I’m thrilled to have been a part of WIAP since year one.” WIAP photos can be found in retail stores, on product packaging, in corporate catalogs as well as throughout tourism and ice-fishing social media.
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.
