By Hayden Seder
Located 18 miles north of Shoshone on Highway 75, five miles southwest of the Highway 75/Highway 20 intersection, is a little-known recreational spot for Valley residents seeking something a little different: East Side Magic Reservoir. While the west side of the reservoir has long been a destination for Valley residents, the east side offers up its own recreational amenities, as well as a bar and restaurant.
A reservoir of the Big Wood River between Blaine and Camas counties, Magic Reservoir was created in 1909 when the Big Wood was dammed to provide irrigation water for local farming. Magic is both a popular site in itself and also provides access to Lava Creek, Lava Cove, Myrtle Point, Magic Dam, Moonstone Landing and the Richfield Diversion. The reservoir and surrounding land are managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
East Side Magic is a recreationalist’s dream with access to boating, camping, waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, and more. Occasional sailing regattas are held there and there are cabins and kayaks for rent as well as abundant space for camping and RVs.
Nate Norris, the general manager for East Side Magic restaurant and bar, has lived at East Side Magic for 20 years and had the restaurant just as long. Norris took over the restaurant from an older couple and worked to ramp up the bar business, adding live music and helping promote a few music festivals that happen in the area each year (such as September’s Occupy East Magic). Norris’ bar and its closing time of 2 a.m. can be a fun getaway for those on the west side where the bar closes at 7 p.m.
“We joke that there’s rednecks on the west side and outlaws on the east,” Norris said. “West-siders come here in droves because I run this bar that, even though it’s in the middle of nowhere, has great quality and service.”
Norris’ chef previously worked for The Valley Club and Norris himself bartended at some of the nicest bars in the state he grew up in before moving to Magic. He credits this high level of service with the popularity of his establishment.
Norris also spoke to differences he’s seen in his 20 years at East Side Magic; mostly, that more and more people are starting to live there year-round versus the two or three people that did when he moved there.
“We probably have the best sunsets in Blaine County because we have this large expanse of open prairie,” Norris said. “Most people say they came for the sunset and never left.”
East Side Magic is a great spot for fishing, as well with bank and boat anglers alike, catching rainbow and brown trout as well as yellow perch. Bellevue resident April Chizum has been visiting East Side Magic for 35 years for kayaking, windsurfing and, namely, fishing.
“I have a little fishing shack down there that I bought 25 years ago,” Chizum said. “It’s been my little hangout.”
Chizum originally started going down to East Side Magic for windsurfing at a time when the area was ruled by fishing old-timers. Chizum has seen three different owners of East Side Magic in her time.
“In the old days, the area catered more to the fishing crowd,” Chizum said. “It’s still the fishing crowd but also sailors, boaters, waterskiers and jetskiers. It’s amazing.”
Chizum sees more families moving to the area recently and sees the changes happening under Norris’ management.
“I like East Side Magic funky. I have mixed emotions about saying how wonderful it is because I want it all for myself!” Chizum said.