maodiver, the dates for the various fish ins across the country and set by the folks who usually start that local fish in and they make the date choices based on quality of fishing, access, hatches and availability of accommodations. The Idaho Fish-In dates have been chosen to take advantage of the October Caddis. And to date, everyone who has attended has caught fish! If I were planning a trip to Idaho with kids I think I'd want them to see the absolute beauty of that region in the fall - my kids are all grown up, but I'm told homework can be arranged and taking even a week out of schools just isn't anything in today's world. Sorry, we are not intentionally keeping kids from attending and we have had kids at most of the fish- ins.