How Ice Fishing Suddenly Got Hot
By ALAN FARNHAM
Jan. 29, 2014
ABCNews.com
Who likes ice? Ice fishermen.
With much of the U.S. frozen over, and with ice forming in places it
hasn't formed for years (if ever), ice fishermen are in heaven. That's
translating into brisk business for merchants like Russ Francisco, owner
of Marine General Supply in Duluth, Minn.
.
On General Supply's website, next to many a pricey new ice-fishing
accessory -- a pop-up shelter ($1,000), a powered ice augur ($570), an
underwater fish-spotting sonar camera ($1,080) -- are the words: "SOLD
OUT FOR THE SEASON."
.
According the American Sportfishing Association, about $260 million was
spent on ice fishing in 2012, up almost 10 percent from the year before.
Of all gear categories, says the ASA, augurs and shelters account for
the most sales, at $85 million and $73 million, respectively.
.
When ABC News contacted Francisco this week, the midday temperature in
Duluth was 25 below. The northern tier, he said, was enjoying a bumper
crop of ice. "But every place has ice this year," he said. "We're
getting orders all the way from Indiana."
.
Other factors besides the record cold explain why ice fishing is hot.
What used to be a masochistic, all-male exercise, in what the Duluth
News Tribune calls "suffering and endurance," has been transformed into a
comfy, warm, civilized pastime enjoyed by men and women alike.
.
According to a 2012 survey done for ASA by Southwick Associates, ice
anglers were more likely to be under 18 years of age than anglers in
general.
.
"It's all about the equipment," Francisco says. "The fishing houses are
warmer, they're easier to set up and take down." Augurs powered by
propane, gas or electricity make boring through the ice a breeze.
Heaters are better than they used to be, ditto rods and reels.
.
Insulated, waterproof suits ensure you'll survive if you fall through
the ice, provided your friends don't linger in fishing you out.
Sophisticated video and sonar systems for snooping on fish look like
implements the National Security Agency would like to have.
.
Yet despite all the nifty, sometimes pricy gear, ice fishing remains a
proposition cheaper than summer fishing, for the simple reason that, to
do it, you don't need to have a boat.
.
Herewith, a smattering of ice fishing gear and gizmos -- all from Marine General's online catalog, unless otherwise noted
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