A little wind on the water never keeps a fisher on the shore.  

That’s something the Annual Ryan Wagner Memorial Ice Fishing Derby, held at Murphy Lake, has instilled in old and new generations of fishers for the last two decades. 

Nestled between Fortine and Trego in the Kootenai National Forest, Murphy Lake is  about 140 acres and 1 mile long. Although just off U.S. 93, the forest is dense and immersive. On a cold, often dreary winter day, it is quiet.  

That is, except for one special day each year. On the day of the annual Ryan Wagner Ice Fishing Derby, the lake becomes a bustling beacon for families to learn about the outdoors. The 2025 tournament drew nearly 400 people to the ice, turning the quiet lake into a lively tent city with grills and snowmobiles and all.  

Thad Briggs, owner of Thad’s Tackle Shop in Olney, is just one of many locals who helps out with the tournament. He said Murphy Lake, mainly known for big bass and northern pike, is especially good for kids.  

“The yellow perch are a little small to filet ... but you know they’re going to catch something,” Briggs said with a chuckle. “You get them hooked on fishing. And it’s good to take the kids out and teach them to be on ice safely.” 

Briggs said that when you take a kid fishing, a “memory is born.”  

And with that memory, comes knowledge about the land, said the fisherman, who was also a hunter and safety instructor for 16 years. 

“I teach them all of it: to pay attention to what’s above the water, and underneath,” he said. “Paying attention to the surroundings, that’s what will help you in life.” 

“The best part is when a kid goes out, catches a fish on their brand-new rod, then they come up and give you a hug... it’s priceless.” 

Each year, Briggs helps hand out free rods to kids under 12 at the tournament. The rods are provided by the Flathead chapter of Walleyes Unlimited, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about fishing and also working to conserve the sport’s species and lands.   

But at the heart of the event, in the minds of the community volunteers, and in the spirit of each new budding fisher, is a memory of Ryan Wagner. 

In February 2005, When Wagner was 18 and a senior at Lincoln County High School, he hit an icy patch on his way to school, slid into a tree and died from the injuries he sustained.  

A memorial was held at Murphy Lake. 

“It was quite the loss,” Mike Sartori said. “My wife [Fern] and I decided the best way to honor his passion of fishing was to hold a derby in his memory and involve the community and youth.” 

Sartori was Wagner’s teacher in Trego in seventh and eighth grade around the turn of the century when Wagner got involved in the Hooked on Fishing program.  

“He had never been ice fishing before, so I paired him up with a buddy with his,” Sartori said. “Once he caught one fish, he was hooked.”  

Wagner became a phenomenal fisherman, kept passionate fishing journals and even nabbed sponsorships from Snappy’s in Kalispell and Thad’s Tackle Shop. He enjoyed working on cars and was eyeing Wyoming Tech after graduation. 

Twenty years later, the tournament has raised $50,000 to support scholarships for primarily Lincoln County students for college and trade schools. This year alone saw $8,000 raised.  

“To see Ryan’s passion of fishing passed on to our future fishermen of the area, that’s the fun part,” Sartori said. “We spend a lot of time getting donations and so forth, but it’s well worth it. Ryan was a good kid and we enjoyed him. I’m sure he’s up above looking down on us and thanking us for what we do.”  

The 21st Annual Ryan Wagner Memorial Ice Fishing Derby is set for Feb. 7, 2026 at Murphy Lake. There is no pre-registration.  

Raffle prizes include an eight-inch Electric Ice auger, a Vexlar fish finder, a 45-quart Lone Mountain cooler, a Brent Helnore fish carving, a handmade quilt by Laura Smith-Persson, and a 5-gallon Lone Mountain beverage bucket. Raffle tickets are $5 or 5 for $20 and are available at Trego Pub and Eatery, Sawmill Bar and Grill, Thad’s Tackle Shop and The Feed Bin. The drawing will take place during the tournament, although being present is not required to win.