Looking The Part

Ice fishing is a gadget sport, somewhat by necessity, but gadget sport nonetheless. These gadgets that have come to the foreground of the sport are what keeps driving more and more new anglers to seek its excitement.

Cold weather gear is nothing new, millions of sportsmen take to the woods in late fall wearing heavy parkas, insulated pants, and thermal underwear. All will keep you warm, few will keep you dry, even while deer hunting. Those same outfits were used for winter recreation on the ice as well, the problem, not waterproof, and many times not warm enough.

The major players in the Ice fishing industry have taken notice and in the last few years the amount of clothing directly marketed to the ice fisherman is substantial.

Clam Corp, known for the first "Flip" or Clam" style ice shelters introduced a line of clothing in 2003. Ice Armor was instantly the industry standard ice fisherman now had a way to stay 100% dry and stay comfortable while being in the elements. Thought of as a ice shelter you wear the Clam "Blue Suit" is the most popular ice fishing suit on the market still today. The 2010-2011 season brings new colors to the Clam Corp's Ice Armor line up, as well as an array of other ice fishing specific clothing including new boots, gloves, bibs and parkas.

Ice Armor "Blue Suit"

HT Enterprises has introduced a suit of their own for the 2010-2011 ice fishing season, Polar Fire will be available to ice anglers in late 2010. Warmth up to -60 and featuring a reflective strip visible for up to a mile away for safety.

 HT Enterprises "Polar Fire"

There are many companies that market ice fishing specific clothing every season. Get to a retailer and try some on yourself. If you see folks wearing some, ask them about it. Find out all you can about the equipment you arm yourself with and purchase with confidence.