The tour....

[CrappieJohn]

I took off yesterday morning and set my sites for Buffalo, Mn and stopped by to see Corey Bechtold. I caught him doing something he probably doesn't want anyone to know he has skills at....like work. Certainly he showed a distinct distaste for what he was doing and stated that he's prefer to be fishing. Poor guy! lol

Corey and I slipped just up the road from the family bodyshop and visited Jim and his wife at Polar Sport, a new fishingminnesota.com sponsor which makes ice shelters. I had seen a few of these at different places on the ice last year and decided that maybe one would be good in my garage. After talking with Jim, the owner, I decided on the Nordic 2 person model and was promptly set up with the same exact model as that which is marketed thru GanderMountains.

What a unit...swivel, padded seats, ryfax glides on the sleds bottom, complete cover for keeping things clean and safe while hauling, tow bar adaptable. I am very impressed with the "more than adequate" draft flaps. This outfit is short on nothing.... very quality directed. Now all that is needed is some ICE!!!! Again, this is a site sponsor and their product line can be checked out right here on site by clicking on "Our Sponsors".

After returning Corey to his place of toil and torment, I continued down the line and went to Sportsmans Warehouse and checked out a couple other tackle related fixtures ending up at JR's Tackle. I had been there only once before and they were closed....go figure. They were open this time and I got to meet again with the owner and Joel. They gave me a real nice tour and I have to say that they are well equipped to equip the fisherman! WOW....talk about ice fishing tackle. Just when I thought I was done looking at it I went around the counter....for round two. I picked up some dandy ice jigs and a couple rods/reels, said my good-byes and hit the road for home. When I got home with these jigs I laid them out on the computer desk and hit them with the light. They glowed like the were on fire. And at 5 this morning when I came back into the computer room the chartreuse was still glowing! A few of the jigs had blue eyes that were still glowing as well. The red glow jigs didn't make it thru the night, but then the red glow is a toughie to keep ignited. JR's is another site sponsor and can be found in a like manner.

I guess one could say that I had a nice day...taxed this bad back Ive been dinging with, but fun day nonetheless.

Looking at the shack set up in the garage I thought to myself, "Jim really did not miss a thing and went well out of his way to put this great product on the market". These units from Polar are some serious competition.

[Northlander]

Tom sounds like you had a fun time. Duane and Joel are good people and they sure do have some great gear dont they? Did you pick up any Flasher Spoons. They are deadly on eyes and the smaller glow Red ones work on those Red Lake Slabs. I know when I was there I was like a kid in a candy store. Did they have the new ice rods yet? E-mail me please I have some more ? for ya. [email protected]

You will enjoy your Polar Sport as well. A couple of friends started running them last year and they like them.

I cant wait to get my new Otter out on the ice! Looks like no more 5 gallon pails for you hey?

[BDR]

The new JR's 28 Med-lite is in and it is very sweet!! I will have a couple rigged and ready to go as soon as I can get to the ice.

[CrappieJohn]

I picked up a couple light 24 inch rods for crappies and have them rigged already with my 2 pound vanish. It has been wet here all day, but mostly just drizzle and light rain about dark, but now I see the flakes falling. I'd easily forego the snow for cold. I don't have to shovel cold.lol

I have some options for tomorrow, one being the boat. I just got my back to where I only have to medicate twice a day and my range of motion is almost normal. Somehow I don't think I am boat-worthy yet though. I am planning to hit some shoreline stuff on our local lake and see if the gators are where they are not supposed to be.

Yes, I had an excellent day and I always enjoy time spent with Corey the corker.lol He needs to buy a belt. And some new pants. But all he buys is fishing equipment. New faces, new places....when it deals with fishing, it is always good.

[Bryon]

Where is the "Our Sponsors" Link? Can't seem to find it.

[Northlander]

Check under Toms posts. FM SPONSORS in blue

[Northlander]

BDR those 28 Med/Lights will be the ticket on eyes and saugers on LOW. May even need them for those Red Lake Crappie. Teamed up with the new JR's 8 or 11 ball bearing reels and its a fishing machine. My LED Mini Flashlight is a huge hit up here. The guys loved their early Christmas presents.

[Big Paulie]

speaking of the mini led flashlight. Thanks for raving about it Northlander. I picked a couple up at the show, one for work and one for fishing. They are sweet for the price. I got all the guys at work wanting one now..lol.