POCATELLO — Anglers of all ages who ventured to the pond at Edson Fichter Nature Area Saturday discovered a bigger bonanza than the clear skies and warm temperatures. Even if they didn’t have a license, the fishing was free.

    Better yet, Idaho Fish and Game had a tent and trailer set up to provide newcomers to the sport with poles, bait and tips.

    It was all part of the Eastern Idaho schedule for free fishing events at select fisheries in the Gem State. Saturday was Pocatello’s first turn.

    “I like it when the little kids come up and tell me how they learned things and caught a fish,” said Torrey Rinehart, an Idaho Falls native working as a summer tech for Idaho Fish and Game. Rinehart is enrolled in the fish and wildlife program at the University of Idaho.

    Rinehart and fellow Fish and Game technician, Alex Whittier, were manning the free fishing stations at Edson Fichter.

    Completely rigged fishing poles, a variety of bait and some instruction were being offered to anyone who wanted them. A signup sheet tracked the number of visitors to the pond who took advantage of the service.

    “This is great,” Whittier said.

    The Brigham Young University mechanical engineering student had taken a summer job with Idaho Fish and Game and he said he enjoys the opportunity to help people participate in a sport he likes and interact with youngsters.

    Whittier shared his joy at having a little girl, who was fishing with her dad, run up to him earlier in the morning and thank him for teaching her how to tie a hook on a line.

    “She was super happy because she also caught a fish,” Whittier said.

    Free fishing days will return to Edson Fichter on June 15 and 17 and the Fish and Game technicians will be on hand with gear and advice. There is a statewide free fishing day in Idaho on Saturday, June 8.

    It is the second year that the Community Fishing Pond has been open for urban anglers and Saturday found the banks lined with families. Adults were busy helping youngsters with the art of angling.

    Among them was former Pocatello Greenhouse owner, Dick Chase. Chase now lives in Meridian, but he was visiting over the Memorial Day weekend with family — including a batch of grandchildren.

    “This area is really nice,” Chase said.

    With assistance from grandpa, it didn’t take long for Kaden Porter to hook into a feisty rainbow.

    “Now be careful and keep him in the water,” Chase told his grandson.

    The boy followed the suggestion and after fighting the fish for about three minutes, Porter swung the 13-incher onto the bank.

    About 20 yards down the shore the same scenario was being played out by Bentley Stanislowski. The youngster had hooked a rainbow and was gung-ho about getting it to shore quickly. His mother, Nikki Stanislowski had to coax some patience from her son. Once the flopping fish was on dry land, Bentley was nervous about touching it.

    Anxious to get in on the action, Dylan Miron was busy baiting his hook a few feet away with some assistance from his father, Bob Miron.

    There were no wall mount worthy trophies landed at the pond Saturday morning, but judging from the smiles — fishing was good.