Ideal Fish House (I know this has been discussed before, bear with me)

[Gunflint Guy]

I have a friend that lives in NE MN and has a couple kids and a minivan. He does not own a snowmobile or an ATV. He likes to fish trout up on the Gunflint once in a while. So he needs a shelter that is lightweight and easy to pull around while still fitting three anglers. In NE MN, where the ice is almost always covered in snow, tub/flip shacks, other than maybe the most narrow solo models, are out-just too heavy and bulky if you want to get away from the landing/ice road any distance. Larger suitcase models are out for the same reasons. Does that leave only hub style? He owns a Eskimo QF 3. Actually the first one he bought broke on the first trip and he got it replaced. This one he has had for 2.5 seasons. It broke a pole out of the hub last year. He worked around it. The hub on that side disintegrated last weekend.

He needs to buy a new shelter. Is there any lightweight option out there besides a hub house? If not, is there a hub house that anyone can truly stand behind and say it is a quality shelter that won't breakdown? He tried the eskimo...have they fixed their issues in newer models? I had Clam hub several years ago that died immediately, way worse than even the eskimo. Have they fixed their issues? Frabill? Shappell? Any straight thoughts are welcome. If you are affiliated with a company, please let me know in your comment. Oh, and I know hub owners have to be careful in the wind...we were careful, I don't think we have been overly tough on our shelters.

Thanks!

[magnum mike]

I have a Clam. The first 3 lasted a trip or 2 before something broke. They upgraded me to the insulated version and not a lick of trouble since. The insulated is well worth the extra $ for several reasons.

[JakeJ_Mn]

I have a Eskimo QF3I insulated - a QF6 - and a 949I Fatfish insulated. These hubs have been up and down many times with no problems. IMO I wouldn't by another brand.

For your purpose, I would buy the 949I insulated. It has 2 doors. Get yourself medium Otter Wild sled to haul the gear.

I can haul my house, auger, and assorted gear alone. I pull this set up with my snowshoes into a couple lakes with limited access.

Not sure how old the kids are, but the heavier tobaggon style sleds are fairly easy to pull for the kids.

I have found one of the problems people have with hubs is stretching them too tight.

[Chad Holst]

For 3 people and light weight its hard to beat a hub house. And for the room, you cant find a better price.

I use a 6 pack by clam and am very happy with the "house" but not so much the small features...well, the QUALITY of the small features. The holder for the zippers fell off on the 1st-2nd-3rd use. ALL of them. one of the rope ties was not sewn on. But, past that first 3 trips everything has been great. It stands up to the weather, is huge and a very important part..HAS A HUGE BAG to put it back in. (why other companies dont use over sized storage bags is beyond me. I would buy a QF in a second, except i may consider another clam just because of the bag, as silly as that is.

NOTE: have him find information on homemade sleds with downhill skis for runners, it will make life a 1000 times easier when using a hub house.

[gunner55]

I think the thread was "That darn heavy sled"

[fridron]

For his situation the hub style is the way to go. I have one of the first Clam hubs and had no problem in getting another pole and hub when I (in my impatience) broke one and then replaced it in the first month. Of course the next year they put 2 doors in them, but I am still using it, though probably not as much as most of you. Am seriously thinking of an insulated one and I don't think the brand will really matter as I have been happy with both the Clam and Frabil products I have owned.