The first week of December usually brings the first big cool snap of the season and the area lakes begin their solid transformation with the Northern Lakes already well on their way to making Ice for the upcoming winter and all the activities that go along with Being Minnesotan.Launching frozen turkeys across the ice at bowling pins is one of my favorites but I have considered tossing the Bocce Balls don my frozen driveway on occasion.
This week is also marked by the Ice Fishing Show.
This is a totally unique consumer venue with as loyal a following as you will find.
Like Rock Star Freaky as my daughters would translate this mass of bodies.
I dare say that Metallica,Aerosmith,Eagles and many other bands would be impressed with the throngs of people that travel from a five state area and Canada to wind their way through the aisle crowded with families and guys wearing enough flannel and carhartt's that would bring a tear to even Larry The Cable Guy.
Their is no empty hands as theses same fellas carry around $8.00 Beers and $5.00 Hot Dogs and plastic bags with Manufactures Logos on them all filled with catalogs and a signed calendar from the famous Bikini Clad Ice Fishing Gals,worth the price of admission right their boys.
Working for Factories means Shows and plenty of them.
Most Reps despise the consumer show circuit and would rather suck on a gun barrel,as the saying goes, than hang around dealing with the same sales pitches we hear every year from consumers who may have had one too many barley pops.
"What do you got that's free?"
Therefore bags and catalogs.
Foe myself I still enjoy talking with people and working with my dealers at these shows.
Most people do not realize that we are at these shows to support the dealers that buy product from our factories and we actually do not sell, we inform and send them to Thorne Bros, Reed's, Joe's, Marine General,
The Bobber Shop and if you cannot find it at the show we can tell you where to look for it.
With the Nils Master, Gary Roaches Ice Pro Rods and Triple Fish Ice Line we are happy to say we got pretty good coverage with or dealers and every year it grows.A lot of new faces many familiar faces coming back and we especially like those who come back to tell us there Big Fish Stories.
Of course we also deal with customers who have not had good experiences or want to know warranty information which is by far the biggest request we get. Guys being guys they throw stuff away.
With lines winding out the doors and down Kellogg ave or blvd today was record breaking busy and found people buying which is better. Our industry has held its own and people will spend money on past times in which they are impassioned to.
So, Here what I felt worthy of looking at this year.
Fishing Suits, Kinda like rain gear for Ice and Cold continue to be very popular,
Expensive but popular especially if you spend a lot of time on the Ice.
These will run from 250.00 and up for a jacket and Bibs.
The Artic Armor Suit will also keep afloat if you are unfortunate enough to go through the ice.
Gloves and Boots are always a must see.
with warmth being measured in Thinsulate values these days one must apply the value to what conditions they are facing when they step outside.
For me. 1500 grams of insulation are required for my feet and gloves that allow me to be functional without removing them a must.
My favorite was the Add Heat Vest which works like the ole battery pack sock warmers but more techie.
Wool!!! its making a come back.
Another must for people who fish in the elements is a wind proof jacket. A Must Have and you will use it for the open water season to.
I prefer wool over any of the new light weight sweat wicking stink tank garments which although comfortable and perform as claimed smell awful and need to be cared for more often than wool.
I have a friend whom purchased wool base layers for this reason.
Filson is a recognized name ( The Mackinaw Pant)
and Browning Highland wool series was nice. also
Fish shacks,shanties,huts or whatever you want to call them.
Many styles, Shapes sizes and prices on portables.
The trend is insulated and base camp shelters for those highly mobile ice anglers.
There is a good better and best scale win regards to these purchases from companies such as.
Otter, Frabill, Clam and Shappel.
Their are custom builders such as Canvas works and for the guy that wants everything the Ice Palace which I saw models on display from 14-19 thousand dollar's.
The other trend is to accessorise your sled and house with lights,cup holders tackle bags, real comfy seats and rod holders.
Ice Augers:
Nothing new but electrics continue to be the buzz.
Jiffy and Strike Master have new motor companies as well as Nils Master
Strike Master
Jiffy
Ice Gator( whom I could not find at the show)
and of course yours truly Nils Master.
A very steady stream of people to look at the Nils which made me quite happy and saw 10 units move from the floor to the door on Friday evening alone.
Everyone ran very competitive show specials and for the most part ran in range from 350-499depending on model and engine size.
Tackle.
Plenty of new tackle from everyone and lots being sold.
Lindy, Northland, Rapala and Hali.
And plenty of tackle storage systems in every shape size and form.
Electronics for the most part remained unchanged with Hummingbird, Lowrance,Vexilar, Marcum and Garmin being represented.
Map chips and GPS units for the angler on the move are the trend.
Find the spot immediately.
Your fathers secrete reef is no longer a secrete with Mapping systems from Navionics and Lake Masters.
My dad would be amazed at how this has changed.
Well Practice safe fishing.
and have a good season once it finally gets here.
