Time to give Thanks!! - Rainy Lake - Rainy Lake

As our “Hardwater” season melts away Rainydaze Guide service has opted to pull the plug on our remaining 2011/12 trips. We were forced to reschedule 11 trips and have elected to error on the side of caution for all involved. The allure of the Ri-DONK-Ulous Crappies we were on simply churns my very inner soul as a ice fisherman. My grandpa always told me when it comes to ice fishing it is wise to leave the arena on your own terms. I believe he said when the geese are honking over head you need to proceed with caution; When they are landing by you…… your asking to swim.

Time to give many many thanks to our sponsors.

Marcum Technology, Otter outdoors, Frabill, Custom Jigs and Spins and Big Tooth tackle.

Much different than in the summer guide business; WINTER truly tests your equipment from A to Z!! The wear an tear of a guide season is pretty brutal on equipment. :doah It is my belief the over utilized term “Guide Tested” has dilluted a needed stamp on many products. If it can withstand 1 season of Guide use it likely will last a lifetime of weekend angling use.

Here are a few highlighted items we’ve utilized not only by myself, Search and Destroy Team, and our customers.

1. Marcum Technology; Marcum introduced the LX7 and raised the bar in what Flasher fisherman expect out of Ice sonar. Oversized screen, LCD, Increased power, Increased target seperation…..WOW. From a guy that can be quite critical of my equipment. Kudos Marcum!! You’ve wowed both myself and customer base. Most common customer reaction….WOW!! The fact that we’re walking around the ice with mini computers per say is Game Changing in my mind. My Brain spins wondering what you have in mind next!! Thanks Guys!! We use the LX7, LX5 and VX1 on a daily basis.

Otter Outdoors; The thermal house add has only added to the value in your line up. Of course with our “NON-WINTER” some anglers didn’t get to fully appreciate the increased R Value in your Portable houses. Tougher, Stronger, Smarter and now Warmer!! I’m not sure we have any more bases to try cover!! Thanks Otter. Not only have your sheltered our customers in stle, but you have protected my rods and Augers for several years………PERFECTLY!!

Frabill; My involvement with Frabill is limited to the FXE Snosuit, Tip-ups, and scoops in the hardwater arena. A….A….A The FXE Snosuit is the leader of the pack for taking care of……ME!!! I sometimes chuckle when guys skimp on themselves and then go top shelf on other ice products. It has always been my philosophy that I need to take every precaution while ensuring my overall safety and comfort while guiding. Needs always rise above wants. There are no trips called on the account of weather here in IFALLS!! Your suit dominates the ice and we scoff at weather up here…..Thanks to you. BTW my suit is strapped to my body from November until March………DAILY!! Comes along as I fills the wood boiler, shovel our mountain of a driveway and ice fishes more than one can imagine.

Frabill round insulated tip ups. The only option for me. W work so hard to get ourselves on big fish. a faulty tip up has no room in our equipment list. Happy to report…..ONCE AGAIN…..Worked perfectly, and were very instrumental in helping our customers land elite caliber fish. Doesn’t ice up, Hole stays open, Spins freely, stores efficiently. That gets an A across the board!!

The Frabill “BIG SCOOP” I can’t possibly tell you how many scoopers I’ve broken. I guess they normally ice up and as I smack them against my boots or the ice and they shatter. Those days are over for me. I had one Big Scoop to to start the season, and have one to END the season. I can’t tell you how many fish we used the scoop to measure and how my back dearly loves the long reach. Best of the Best.

Custom Jigs and Spins; Dear Bob……THANK YOU!! Your Diamond jigs, Lightning spoons, H20 Precision jigs and now Wedgee plastics were permanent fixtures in our presentation mix all season long. Please continue to provide dominate tackle allowing us to both “trick and treat” the elite caliber fish of Rainy Lake!!

Big Tooth Tackle; Anytime a company can equally appeal to a conservation minded angler, and a guy looking to increase hooking percentages; YOU GET AN A!! I believe you’ve written your own ticket to success!! Thanks for letting us share in it. It is my sincere hope Ice anglers as a whole continue to place as much emphasis on Conservation of elite caliber fish as we do on landing them.

Lastly I’d like to thank In Depth Outdoors and all of our followers. If it weren’t for the present age of information technology, and wonderful mediums like “IN DEPTH” so few of us would be brought together. A commonplace for true fishing finatics to showcase catches, highlight presentations, share stories, laugh with new friends, and truly enjoy a deep driven passion with other anglers. I believe we’re not only a large group of passionate anglers, but more importantly to me; A quality group of men and women I’m proud to associate my guide service with.

Though for many our season started late and ended early I hope you were able to itch the scratch that has for me…..Already started itch again for next year.