2007 Portable Modification Get Together!!! Sat. 9/22 at Thorne Bros.

[Matt Johnson]

It's about time to start planning for the 2007 Portable Modification Get Together. Yes, it's in the middle of the summer and I'm not putting the long rods away, but it is only about 4 months until we see first ice

When: Saturday, September 22

Where: Thorne Bros - Fridley, MN

When: 10am - 4pm

This will be our 3rd Annual modification event and I'm really looking forward to seeing new and old ideas alike. Last year we had several drop-down fish houses in attendance, and of course a handful of portables as well.

Feel free to bring any tools or equipment to modify your fish house and we'll try and work together to help create those tricked-out on-ice fish catching machines!

There will be plenty of space to park the houses along side the Thorne Bros store.

We'll have a grill there for anyone interested in chowing down on a few brats, hamburgers, etc (bring your own food)... also feel free to bring any chips, salads, or any other food you would like to share or devour on your own

Thorne Bros is also going to offer a discount/sale to all those in attendance. So if you're looking to checking to add a new Panfish Sweetheart, Walleye Sweetheart, or any variation of a custom Thorne Bros ice rod to your line-up, it will be an excellent opportunity to save a few bucks and see the rods first hand.

This is also a great chance to chat and meet with fellow FMer's and Pro Staff.

I'll be posting more information during the next couple months as we approach the event, so keep an eye out for more bits and pieces...

So, who plans on attending this year's modification get together?

See you there!

***We have food!!!

Timber Valley and Associates will be donating FREE brats and pop for those in attendance. Timber Valley is a rep group for MarCum and Jiffy, and they will also be showing off a few new ice houses that will be available for the 2007/2008 season.

So I would like to thank them for helping out with our get together.

[Matt Johnson]

Looks like we'll have a pretty decent semianar line-up. So far it looks like Borch will help discuss the team concept of attacking a lake during the winter. And Corey Bechtold and myself will discuss aggressive tactics for big crappies. We'll also have some seminars on rods and gear, as well as modifying your portable... I've also arranged for some gear to be given away...

If you're looking to buy a portable fish house, auger, new flasher, etc... then we're going to give a discount to everyone...

Last year we modified a few houses, and this year we can certainly do the same if anyone is interested...

[harvey lee]

I will also have a new portable from Otter Outdoors set up for people to check out.

[Tyler Holm]

Quote:

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If you're looking to buy a portable fish house, auger, new flasher, etc... then we're going to give a discount to everyone...

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Sweet!. I've got an new auger budgeted in for this ice season! I'll bet this is one of only only places you can get a discount on augers at this time of year. I hope to be able to make it.

[Matt Johnson]

We have food!!!

Timber Valley and Associates will be donating FREE brats and pop for those in attendance. Timber Valley is a rep group for MarCum and Jiffy, and they will also be showing off a few new ice houses that will be available for the 2007/2008 season.

So I would like to thank them for helping out with our get together.

[Matt Johnson]

Seminar schedule for the Portable Modification Get Together at Thorne Bros!!! ...

11am: Team Ice Fishing

Host(s): Jeff Borchardt, Corey Bechtold, Matt Johnson

Description: Using a team approach to become more effective on the ice. Working as a team to catch more fish!!!

12pm: Ice Rods

Host(s): Pat Smith - Thorne Bros Pro Staff and Custom Rod Specialist

Description: Learn about the various types of ice rods and how they can help you become a better ice angler. Also how different ice rods apply to different situations.

1pm: Plastics for Panfish

Host(s): Corey Bechtold and Matt Johnson

Description: Aggressive and finesse techniques for crappies and sunfish. Learn how to attack the lake without the use of live-bait.

2pm: Fish House Modification Q and A

Host(s): Chris Hanson

Description: Chris will answer questions on modifying your portable fish house. Learn a few of the details on how Chris masterminds his way through fish house design

3pm: Efficiency on Ice

Host(s): Pat Smith and Matt Johnson

Description: Become more productive on the ice. Learn about modern tools and how they help you spend less time locating and chasing fish, and more time catching fish. Flashers, cameras, GPS, augers... become an ice fishing machine!!!

Seminars are free and we invite everyone to attend. Stop by and check them out and bring questions

[hanson]

This will be a fun day!

Thanks to Matt Johnson for organizing this, and to Thorne Bros for hosting us!

Matt has kindly given me a little time for a Q & A session on modifying your portable shack. My love is fishing (specifically Ice Fishing) but my training & experience is in design and architecture. So when you combine those 2 areas of expertise, I really get excited. .

I modified my Otter Den nearly 4 years ago now which turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done to my ice shack. The following winter, my Otter Lodge took the design plunge and I came up with an adequate solution. After a couple weekends of using it, I knew I could improve and re-embarked on my design. Currently, I'm very satisfied since the design suits my needs but am always looking to improve.

I'll be available to answer questions, help with process, generate some thoughts, etc. The thing to remember is there is no one correct way. This sport is pretty individualistic so everyone has their "own" right way.

See you guys there!

[Matt Johnson]

Bruce Mosher from Today's Tackle (Ice Buster Bobber) has donated some gear for the event as well

Also expect to see a few new items from Little Atom Tackle at the store, as well as the boys from LaDredge Outdoors (Structure on a String)...

[Matt Johnson]

We have structure! If you're looking to save a few bucks on Reel Weeds (LaDredge Outdoors) we will have a pile of Structure on a String and Camera Cable Structures available. Bill from LaDredge will also be stopping by to chat for a little while...

[IcePro]

I am looking forward to meeting everyone at this event.

As Matt mentioned I will be displaying new items from Jiffy, Marcum, Tica and R2-Tec.

Jiffy….

Has a new STX-PRO unit available this year.

2hp that will drill a 10” hole

R2-Tec…

R2-Tec is new line of fish house that is out for this year. This house is insulated with Thinsulate. I will have thermal images of the house to show how well it retains it heat. Thorne Brothers will be one of the few dealers stocking this house. You will be one of the first ice fisherman to see as well.

Factory personal for this house will be in attendance to discuss the house in detail.

MarCum…

New cameras

New ice rod accessories

Tica…

No new items (how do you top the Cetus)

But will be providing some give a ways

I will also be bringing some donations:

Jiffy hand auger, hats and who knows what else.

Oh yeah… I will be providing brats and pop

Brent

Timber Valley Associates

[Matt Johnson]

Tomorrow's the day! I'm really looking forward to this. We just recevied more donations... more burgers and buns... gear from MarCum... the list just keeps growing!!!

See everyone tomorrow! Going to be a great time!

[Northlander]

Brent can you send me all the info on the Tica line counters you have? Im curious about these.

[Matt Johnson]

First off, thanks to everyone who attended the Portable Modification Get Together this past Saturday at Thorne Bros. All the staff at Thorne Bros had a great time and I've been hearing nothing but positive comments from those in attendance. It's always nice to meet new people and put a few more faces with some of the names, and of course I enjoy seeing familiar faces too

Hopefully everyone went home with something from one of the raffles. I would also like to thank everyone for attending gthe seminars and for asking questions. I had a blast throughout the entire day!

Here are a few pictures from the event... I also encourage others to chime in and post any pictures they might have... and expect to see the 4th Annual Portable Modification Get Together held at Thorne Bros again next year!

The Location

The Gear

The Food

The Crowd

The Seminars

The Raffles

Thanks again to everyone who attended the 3rd Annual Portable Modification Get Together!