the best..

[CrappieJohn]

Being the best at anything is a tough challenge, but I would truely like to thank the Sponsors here at FM for being exactly that.

Fishermen are constantly asking for more and better tools to enhance their fishing experiences and the sponsors here step right up to the plate.

Consider Marcum....They didn't just stop with the LX3, but could have like other makers of locators. They went beyond the LX3 to the LX5 and the much cleaner up-grade of the LX3 to the LX3tc. There was no rest there, just straight forward progessiveness in their thinking....on our behalf.

Todays Tackle has so many innovative tools that a person could spend a lot of time shopping there and not find a thing that doesn't fit in with the ice fishing program. Bruce Mosher has listened to anglers' thoughts and then put his own mind to work to keep his product line at the top of the pile. This year is delivering a few more new items that are certain to be big hits: the tackle pouches, the rod rocker 2 (my personal favorite)...Bruce just keeps on delivering.

Custom Jigs and Spins along with JB Lures are both hitting the shop shelves this year with the usual fine products and even some new ones. Of particular attention for me are the Custom's jigging spoon based on the already popular Demon, that come in 3 sizes and will play into the ice scene from the pannies to waldos. And Custom has added a couple of new colors to it's glow line of paint jobs.

Scenic and JRs can meet the needs of those who are snooping out the jigging spoon arena and both can deliver on color too. Its one thing to provide a standard in the color market, but quite another when places such as Scenic and Jrs can step up to the challenge of doing those "special color orders".

Rods are a hot piece of equipment and every year we see our local sponsors such as Thorne Bros., MidWest Rod and Reel, and JRs step up to the task and meet it head on. Between these three vendors we can find anything from an entry level rod right up to professional grade rods. Some of these are so sensitive that a spring cannot improve upon the strike detection!

The portable shelter market is flying right now as is the auger market. Otter and Nils have come forward with cutting edge design and technical advancements that keep us in speed and out of the elements.

What with all of the shopping a person has to do to stay abreast of the best, I really think we owe the sponsors here at FM a big thanks. They have cleanly eliminated much of that shopping by delivering the affordable best that can be bought.

And another thank you should be handed out to Rick for making many of these products so available right here off the site at the Pro Tackle Store.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Very well said Tom... Thank you sponsors! I see 2006 ice season as a huge success already, and I havn't been on the hard water yet.