This week, we are learning about some features of life in the Arctic. We felt very fortunate to get a gorgeous afternoon of ice fishing on Payette Lake this afternoon with the Tamaracks! We went out onto the lake from the Ponderosa Park Visitor Center.

Hank’s dad, Billy, was kind enough to teach us about ice fishing. He had already drilled some holes with his auger when we met him on the ice so he taught us how to drop the weights on our lines all the way to the bottom and told us to wait to feel a tug. He also showed us how to scoop ice out of the hole with the ice ladle. Everyone was reminded to stay aware and move slowly around the holes in the ice and the fishing gear.

Then we were off to do some fishing on our own! We used worms and colorful fish-flavored marshmallows as bait.

Miss Anneke worked to drill more holes with some students. They measured the thickness of the ice as 16 inches!

The Tamaracks were occupied for all of class by fishing, scooping ice out of the holes, drilling holes, and watching others fish.

During snack at the end of class, we read the story Immi’s Gift, about a girl who lives in the Arctic and decorates her igloo with all of the colorful things she catches on her fishing hook. At the end of the story we find out she is connected to a boy far across the ocean through treasures they have shared.

We reeled in only empty hooks today on Payette Lake but we all enjoyed the opportunity to experience the Lake in its full winter glory!