SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Not all young Yellowknifers get a chance to go out on the lake and do something familiar to many Northerners -- ice fishing.

Brian Heppelle, executive director of the Fly Kid Foundation, right, is ready to hit Kam Lake for some ice fishing this weekend with Gord Olson, owner of Polar Tech and former mayor Gord Van Tighem, a board member with the NWT Wildlife Federation. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo

But Brian Heppelle, executive director of the Fly Kid Foundation, hopes to provide that opportunity this weekend.

Their event takes place Saturday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Kam Lake boat launch.

"Bring yourself and we'll do the rest," Heppelle said.

A joint venture between the foundation and the NWT Wildlife Federation, Heppelle said they'll have a standard ice fishing set up, as well as other activities like toboggan and snowmobile rides.

The non-profit foundation, established in 2006, focuses on educating children about conservation and the environment through flyfishing.

This is the first year the foundation has taken to the ice. Heppelle said it's important to let local youth see the diverse habitats around Yellowknife.

"We want to show people what they have in their own backyard," Heppelle said.

"You really don't have to go far."

Former mayor Gord Van Tighem, a board member with the NWT Wildlife Federation, said places such as Kam Lake, at the southern end of the city, provide a "living classroom," allowing children to learn about the diverse species of local fish, such as walleye, northern pike and lake whitefish.

Gord Olson, owner of Polar Tech, a sponsor of the foundation, said the event will also allow children the opportunity to learn ice fishing when they otherwise wouldn't be able to.

"There's a lot of double-income families in town that might not have time to take their kids out on the ice," Olson said.

Van Tighem said it's important for him to pass down knowledge to a younger generation.

"A lot of us started (fishing) at that age and there's a generation gap now where that's not happening anymore."

For an activity where all you need is a small rod and an ice auger, Heppelle said it's important to introduce it to as many people as possible.

"We want to get 'em hooked on ice fishing," he said.

The foundation provides the equipment and means to ice fish for those who might not have access.

"If they have an interest, we'll facilitate."

The foundation runs more programs in the summer months, with an angling event coming up on Father's Day.