Trip to Otter

Hawger, Bobber and myself made a trip to Otter on Tuesday to set ourselves up for ice fishing. Let’s just say 2 trucks, a van and a trailer were needed to haul home all the goodies!!! It was very interesting to get a tour of the place and see how it all comes together. They make all kinds of stuffbeside fish house like dock wheels, oil containers, playground pieces and duck boats. (I will be going back next week for a boat) Bobber might be able to explain better how they make things.

First thing when I got home I had to put my house together. I was ready for a real task, but it only took me 30 minutes by myself to have it done. Now all we need is ice and I’ll be set!! My wife says I look funny sitting in it in the front yard.

Photo… I want to see a photo of you yard-fishing!
It was real cool…. I may go back there and see if I can take a media staffer with to get a photo of the mold process used to make Otter Sleds… just wild…. an auto-rotating mold that is as big as an automobile… goes inside a huge oven/building. Makes Otter after Otter… you “otter” see it !
One of you media guys wanna go up? I’ll call and see if they’ll let us do a few shots of it.
Hawger

Can anyone tell me if these sleds are light enough to tote around with a rope around the belly and tow to near by spot jumping? I do not own a four wheeler or a snowmobile and was wondering if a guy could pull a Otter 2 Medium cabin around a bit? Any comparisons to the fish traps (2 man)

Thanks

I’ll go up with ya Dave, How about Monday the 11th of Nov. ? Let me know what you think. This way I can pick up my sled also !!

I would not want to pull the Otter II Magnum Lodge by hand…. weighs 80 lbs…. unless there was little to no show on the ice… then it would not be bad!
Your answer…
I think it would be just fine pulling an Otter II Medium Cabin… weighs 60 lbs with the canvas house. Should not be bad. But… it is a two man house and you’ll most likely have a guest with, most times. Otter Sleds are very heavy duity… they do have a 19 degree angle of attack for deeper snow… and ride high! They climb right up on top of the snow.
Hawger

Yep… lets go! Fun…. I’ll call and see if they are game for us to shoot… an mpeg would be cool!
I am wanting to get another sled too.
Hey!
I am open…. on the 11th… but gotta be home by 2:30pm… or if not… I face the wrath of MOM!
We should think about trying to get outa there about 10am… then do lunch with Mike Little in MPLS on the way back… sound good? BUFFET!!!!
Want me to meet you here in Owat. or in the Twin Cities?
Fun!
Hawger

DeeZee,

I had a 2-man trap and when you got in too much snow I didn’t like it. Like Hawger said the magnum may be a bit for one person to drag along, but the medium should be fine. I got 1 of each to use guiding, and the medium pulled pretty easy around the yard. (Sorry Hawger, no pics. )

Plan on it Hawger…

I’ll be at your place around 9:30 am on the 11th of Nov.

DeeZee, I have pulled a Otter II sled Loaded with auger, 20lb cyl, heater, light,minnow bucket and everything else need for a day out with a rope around my waist ! Haven’t been dissappointed yet ! The best part of it it all fit in the back of my Durango! I have had what I thought was the best of the best, But the new Otter II is so mush more user friendly I have my other two suitcase style for sale!

Richard (Smitty)

Keep a tight line !!!

How about 7:30 am instead?
“The early worm gets the bird”…. Warrior Boats is right next door to Otter Outdoors!
Hawger

That puts me leaving PdC at 4:30 am……..

Sounds good to me

7:30 am your front door

I’ll buy breakfast! Hawger

Thanks guys for the feedback…
I am sold. Hawger, Maybe I will have you pick me one up while you are out there. Thank you buddy.

I will send you a PM sometime today or tommorrow.

Thanks again everyone. Being portable on the ice is a must for me. I am excited to give the Otter a good ol college try.

Steve,

I think you’ll be very happy with the Otter product. The more I fool around with them, the better I think they are. I see a couple of areas that I would modify, heck that’s half the fun of a new shack. Mounting rod holds, lights etc…..

We are going to have to call ahead these orders for products… as our “man” is going deer hunting that day. Send me a P/M with your orders ecnooK and DeeZee.
Hawger

I went up to Otter yesterday and picked up a Otter Lodge Magnum II Lodge… it fit in the back of my GMC van… 2 cool

I shot a couple of shots of the moulding process… the mould is called “the spider” and is constantly spinning. The mould is filled with a material in bead form that milts and coats the inside of the mould, once placed inside the huge oven. The mold keeps spinning inside the oven. Process takes about 15 minutes and yeilds two joined sleds…. that are then cut to make four.

Otter showed me some great new “Otter-wear” logo clothing while there… some real nice caps and shirts, and a couple of great jackets. One jacket is purple and matched the purple Otter Ice House… cool!

I am now ready to hit the ice !

Dave Hoggard

Finished product… Otters out the door… ready for the ice.
Dave Hoggard

Looks like they use a roto-molding process there at otter.
You can make some incredibly durable parts from a roto-mold, We have alot of products roto-molded here at work.

Thanks for the pics!