‘It’s really calming:’ Local kids find peace through ice fishing

“It’s just close to town, and there’s good fish in here,” said Wyatt Mastel.

And the pond, contrary to what some may think, produces quite the catch.

“We caught four yesterday and one today,” Mastel said.

And if you are wondering how big the fish can get, the kids say that can range from a few centimetres to much larger.

“About a foot and a half to two feet,” said 16-year-old Riley Felker.

“My dad caught a three footer,” he added.

So what’s the secret to catching a great fish while ice fishing?

“I don’t know, It is kind of just luck, when the fish bites your hook, but I don’t really know the secrets,” said Mastel.

And while the secret may not be as clear as ice. Ask any ice fisher, and patience is one key ingredient.

“ Some days it can be five minutes, other days it can be five hours,” said Felker.

The time spent waiting for a fish means a lot of down time in nature for the four friends.

“ I mean we try to stay off our phones as much as we can because that’s all you do when you are at home really,” said Felker.

“Sometimes we bring our skates and we like to skate around and play hockey,” said Mastel.

For the kids, its the minutes and hours spent waiting that can yield the greatest benefits.

“It’s really calming . You just sit back and relax and hope a fish bites,” said Mastel.

And just when the time is right, up comes a fish to the surface. Another product of a day spent at the local pond.

by Tiffany Goodwein