NAIFC

The countdown to the 2010 World Ice Fishing Championship (WIFC) is underway. For the first time in the United States this prestigious tournament found a home in Rhinelander, WI March 12-14, 2010. Eleven countries will be represented when they take to the frozen waters of Boom Lake.

Similar in many ways to the Olympics, teams from around the world come together at the WIFC to compete for the championship title in both team and individual events. Each team consists of five anglers with one alternate, a captain and coach. Most teams will also bring support personnel, trainers and managers.

The 2010 USA Ice Team roster of six anglers was determined by a combination of selection and trial competition based on performance. The coaching staff selected two team veterans, while the four remaining roster spots were determined by performance in a series of trial tournaments designed to echo the conditions of the WIFC. The trial series’ final event was held on Lake Thompson over the weekend. Making the 2010 team are:

• Doug Bussian, Columbus, WI
• Mike Boedeker, Lansing, MI
• Tony Boshold, Carol Stream, IL
• Billy Whiteside, Eau Claire, WI
• Myron Gilbert, Brooklyn, MI
• Bob Esbensen, Palatine, IL

View Results »
(more…)

Anglers Take the Ice

In the final qualifying event of the 2010 NAIFC tournament season, the ice belt’s finest anglers traveled to northern Wisconsin’s Lake Thompson-a relatively small natural lake near Rhinelander. At approximately 400 acres, Thompson offered the competitors three distinct basin sections, from the deeper, structure laden western basin to the shallow, featureless upper section. In addition to being the last chance to qualify for the December NAIFC Championship, the Lake Thompson event, held Saturday, February 21, also offered anglers one more chance to achieve Team of the Year honors.
(more…)

Midwinter Crappies

At a trio of recent North American Ice Fishing Circuit tournaments two familiar themes persisted. Following the 2009 Championship and the season’s first qualifying event on Richmond Lake, South Dakota, successful anglers were the ones using a well-tuned sonar unit in conjunction with select jig-micro plastic combinations.

Little Lake Wissota, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin – Sunday, January 24

At Little Lake Wissota, as in previous events, adverse weather and fussy panfish were the dilemmas. For successful anglers, elite electronics and picky presentations provided the cure. Saturday, January 23, the eve of the tournament, a substantial rainshower washed the ice with up to three inches of standing water. Meanwhile, at pre-event activities, things were looking decidedly better. The Kids Ice Camp hosted a record 370 youth anglers and their parents for a total turnout of over 500 participants. (more…)