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12/11/2001
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Article/Press
Release
On Ice Tour 2002 - New Product
Preview
By ON ICE TOUR
To a handyman, tools are
everything. So too is the proper equipment in the hands of an ice
angler. Inherently, we’re impaired by having to brave elements
while fishing, surgeon-style, for picky little critters through a
solitary window. Not always easy. But through industry
advancements and tactical innovations – knowledge – we overcome.
And dare I say embrace conditions snowbirds flee from. We love
ice fishing; and country too.
ON ICE TOUR has vigilantly and
mindfully assembled a group of manufacturers who build ice
fishing’s best. Here are the newest and bestest – “bestest” isn’t
a word, but it rhymes nicely.
USL Products (763-559-1092)
continues to satisfy anglers with their mobile fishing shelters.
For 2002, USL has added the Fish Trap Scout and Quad
Shak. The migratory Fish Trap Scout is a one-man shelter
fashioned after the original design by ice fishing master, Dave
Genz. It’s lightweight at 35-pounds, yet totes a load of gear and
flips into fishing position with a snap of the wrist. Intended
for use with an ATV, the Quad Shak attaches to the existing racks,
and when opened, completely shrouds man and machinery. Sit and
jig from the cushioned comfort of your ATV. Hunter’s should be
pleased to learn that Quad Shaks are available in three camouflage
patterns. Geese should think about walking south…. USL Products
also added zippered front doors and sliding bench seats to the
Fish Trap Pro (one-man), Fish Trap Guide (two-man), and Fish Trap
Voyager (three-man).
Nature Vision (218-825-0733), the
company that modernized modern-angling with Aqua-Vu Underwater
Cameras leads us further into the future. They’ve upped the ante,
introducing Direct-Tech and Temp-Tech.
Direct-Tech, which comes on the Smart-Vu advanced underwater
viewing system, tells users what direction the camera is facing by
way of compass characters and arrowed directions. So when a fish
comes into view, you’ll know where it came from. Temp-Tech, which
provides updated temperature readings at lens depth, is available
on the ZT-Series, MC2x, and new Smart-Vu. Also new from Aqua-Vu
is the Z-Mag, an image-magnifying 10-inch diagonal screen
that fits over their standard 4-inchers, and Water-Safe, a
waterproof, floating, and submersible carrier for cell phones,
GPS’s, remote key chains and other personal items.
First, Coleman (1-800-835-3278)
introduced the BlackCat portable catalytic heater and ice anglers
went, “ooh.” Then they unleashed PowerCat, another
catalytic critter – flameless and without carbon monoxide – and
the crowd went “ahh”, but soon silenced when stores ran out.
Guess what? PowerCats are back and in greater numbers…
Ice is useless, actually
inhibiting, without a hole. And nobody burns through it faster
than StrikeMaster (763-263-8999). Their innovative Lazer Mag
Ultra gas powered auger features Triple Power Lazer Blades
that cut 15 to 20% faster than before. The lightweight two
horsepower unit also carries the unbreakable and unbendable
Tufflite Handle, as well, its rotary thumb throttle improves auger
control and eliminates cold weather freezing. It’s remarkable…
Also new to store shelves is StrikeMaster’s Smokeless 2-Cycle
Oil, which is available in singles (5.33 oz.) or a six-pack.
Each six-pack bottle is pre-measured to mix with one gallon of
gas.
ON ICE TOUR’s good friends at Abu
Garcia (1-800-228-4272) still manufacture the smallest reel around
with instant anti-reverse, the Agenda – it rocks on ice.
Additionally, Abu Garcia brings forth the Ambassadeur TGC500C,
an economical baitcast reel that’s perfect for battling lake trout
and pike; Cardinal Ascent, a smooth cranking spinning reel,
which accommodates lines down to 4-pound test (Model ASUL); and
the Cardinal Endeur, a five bearing spinning reel designed
for significant toe-to-fin battles.
The conspicuous black boxes have
infiltrated the Ice Fishing Belt. The contraption is called
Finicky’s Fish Factory, but if you’re not a flag-fishermen,
Maverick Manufacturing (1-800-966-0590) still has something for
you. The boxes’ internal jigging device is now sold separately.
The Motorvator keeps lines inside your permanent or
portable shack pumping continuously, not to mention rods on the
ice.
Northland and Lindy labor
tirelessly to bring winter anglers the finest in tackle. And this
year’s introductions raise the bar. Lindy (218-829-1714) hits
with Techni-Glo, a high energy phosphorescent paint that
beams in chartreuse, blue, red, and green. It’s available on the
Fat Boy, Genz Worm, Flyer, as well as the new Frostee Jig,
which is a fluttering, multi-species vertical lure. Energizing
Lindy’s new glows is made easy with Tazer, a keychain light
source that makes lures shine brighter and longer. Also new for
2002 is the Glow Stick Float Night Light. Available in
four beaconing colors, the sticks mark floats in the dark or can
be pegged above a lure as an attractor.
Neon Super-Glo
is what Northland (218-751-6723) dubs its line of high impact,
colorized phosphorescence. And Neon Super-Glo runs throughout
Northland’s winter lineup, including the original Glo-Ball Jigs
– traditional lead heads – that now burst in Super-Glo blue, red,
pink, chartreuse, green, and white luminescent. The Glo-Buster
Bluelight, a miniature charger, illuminates glow like never
before. Speaking of new glow, Northland coats it on salmon-egg
style hooks, and they call them Super-Glo Attractor Hooks –
incredible for float and tip-up fishing. Their newest lure
creation, the Forage Minnow Fry, is a lifelike, holographic
jig that imitates actual fish fry – thin, round, and big-eyed –
and it’s lethal on crappies, bluegills, and perch. Northland also
offers the Micro Sting’r Hook, a shorter ice fishing
version of their popular Sting’r, and smaller size 10 and 12
Jiggle Bugs and Fire-Eye Grubs, putting greater fear in
panfish.
Who said bait needed to be live?
Certainly not the chemists at Berkley (1-800-237-5539). For
years, anglers have jerked jaws with Power Bait products, and
recently, ice enthusiasts have recognized the virtues of these
miraculous formulations. For 2002, Berkley presents Trout
Turbo Dough, which is 42% stronger than previous recipes and
marketed in eight wild colors. Ball some up, and see how
hardwater brookies, rainbows, and maybe even whitefish handle it.
Also new from Berkley is the
Ice Tip-up. This conventional and economical flag features a
large capacity spool and four tension settings for bites of all
magnitudes.
USL Products, the emperors of
mobile shelters, is spreading their winter-wings, introducing yet
another revolutionary ice fishing product. The Arctic Warrior,
a deadsticking device, blends the usefulness of tip-ups with the
cranking power and excitement of a rod and reel. For combating
walleyes with the Arctic Warrior, you might want to incorporate
the new 26-inch, medium action Berkley Dave Genz
Signature Lightning Rod.
ON ICE TOUR turns ordinary ice
fishing trips into memorable events and hardwater shore lunches
are part of the spectacle. What’s a hardwater shore lunch? A
full scale meal on the ice. Chip, Tommy, and the crew carry a
Coleman 2-Burner Propane Stove and Propane Grill Stove,
both of which are self igniting and run on disposable cylinders or
larger, refillable tanks. The boys tote brats, burgers, and all
the fixings inside Coleman 50 Quart Wheeled Xtreme Camo Cooler
or 42 Quart Camo Cooler. The nifty 6-Can and
10-Can Coolers are ideal for transporting live minnows. To
winter anglers, Coleman is much more than heat and light. Anyone
hungry?
ReadyRig (888-664-1339), the
folks who gave us soft, zippered rod & reel carrying cases,
present the Power Ice Auger Storage Case. The rugged black
vinyl case fits most 8 and 10-inch gas augers, keeping oil and gas
from leaking inside your truck and blades from slicing everything
in sight.
Editor’s note:
ON ICE TOUR – cofounded by Chip Leer and Tommy Skarlis – is an
intensive effort aimed at expanding the sport of ice fishing
through instructional articles, seminars, in-store and ice fishing
contest appearances, and one on one exchanges with the public.
Learn more about ON ICE TOUR and the greatest of winter sports at
www.onicetour.com |
