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Friday
Dec192008

Frabill Fish On!

DateFriday, December 19, 2008 at 10:31AM

Technology is constantly changing the ice fishing world.  Yesterday, I had a chance to experience one of the biggest changes, which I also classify as a, "Duh, why didn't I think of that ten years ago kinda thing..." Fishing buddies Brian "Bro" Brosdahl, Paul Hansen and I took out Frabill's new, R2-Tec to test the latest portable shelter technology.  The R2-Tec is lined with a quilted, insulated material which uses Thinsulate.  It's called Norpac. We wanted to know just how warm one of these shelters is compared to canvas-covered shelters.  Keep in mind, the R2-Tec is several hundred bucks more expensive.  I figure we wanted to know if the added price is worth the technology.  In very unscientific terms,  we took turns zipping ourselves in and warming up the shelter with a Buddy heater.  Guess what? We had to shed layers.  Almost uncomfortably warm at times.  An absolutely amazing difference, in my opinion.  Now, in very scientific terms, 3M and Canvas Craft (which produces the Norpac material) tested the R2-Tec n a refrigerated, ice cream truck.  They dropped the temp to -10 below zero and tested the heat-holding properties of R2-Tec next to a standard canvas shelter.  Side-by-side, the R2-Tec averaged +40 degrees warmer than the canvas shelter.  In all honesty, I was absolutely blown away by the R2-Tech.  Here's actually infared video from the test. 

 

 

Video #1 shows the heat leakage from the R2-Tec.  You'll notice almost not heat loss.  The video of conventional canvas shows a bright red glow coming from the center of the shelter.  Major, major heat loss.  Using the R2-Tec, I don't know I'll ever be able to go back to a canvas shelter.   Be sure to watch for the story on this new technology in an upcoming episode of Due North Outdoors.  It's pretty cool to see how 3M tests this stuff.  Meantime, Bro, Paul and I had great fishing yesterday afternoon.  The tip-ups weren't very active, but when they popped, we had something on the end of the line.  I love tip-up fishing for pike.  A big tip Bro handed me last season, use circle hooks on your tip-ups.  They essentially set themselves and you'll find you rarely deep-hook your fish. I can't say enough about them. Anyway, right about 4:15 yesterday, we watched wave after wave of sunnies and crappies start to zip under our Frabill Shelter. Bro figures the fish were moving from near shore, out into the main body of the lake. They were also on the move chasing blood worms. The good news? We were using Bro Gill-Getters and Bloodworms (both new from Northland) and they were deadly. Makes for a darn, fun afternoon! I'm not a sales pitch kinda guy, buy you really should check out Frabill's insulated shelters. They will change the way you fish. See you on the ice!

AuthorBill Sherck | Comment8 Comments |

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Reader Comments (8)

Hansen looks like Rocky's brother, Vito. I know where there might be some loan shark work for him in between fishing and flying. Love the hat Paul. Bill, nice Pike. Cool story on R2-Tech

January 6, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAndy

What a great blog! It is a pity that I can not find RRS address. If RRS offers a subscription service, I can easily follow your blog!
By Air Jordans

April 12, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterAir Jordans

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