US Invites the World to Wausau for WIFC X
OutdoorHub 08.14.12
The United States Freshwater Fishing Federation invited 16 national ice-fishing teams affiliated with the Federation Internationale de la Pesce Sportive (CIPS), the international governing body of competitive fishing, to the 10th annual World Ice Fishing Championship (WIFC X) in Wausau, Wis. The ice-fishing teams hail from Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine.
“Munenori Kajiwara, captain of Team Japan, was first to accept the invitation,” Mike McNett, US Ice Team captain said. “I know Team Japan is working hard to bring awareness to the plight of their fisheries through the conservation efforts of anglers in light of the tragedy at Fukushima. We applaud Team Japan’s willingness to travel so far and welcome them to the WIFC X.”
The USF3 and City of Wausau will be hosting the 10th World Ice Fishing Championship at the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir on February 11-17, 2013. The US Ice Team previously won the 2010 World Ice Fishing Championship in Rhinelander, Wis.
The international contingent of anglers will bring some of the most advanced ice fishing techniques, baits and gear to the championship, many rarely seen or even used on American fish.
“Most ice anglers would be stunned to see the specialized rods, reels, bite indicators, jigs and attractants used to pull fish out of an ice hole,” McNett explained. “Ice anglers from all levels can learn a lot from attending the competition. I would encourage them to make plans to be in Wausau and study from the best ice anglers in the world.”
After five days of pre-fishing on the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, the world ice-fishing championship will determined over two days of ice-fishing over two heats on February 16-17. Teams will draw for their sectors and fish a three-hour heat. The combined weights for each team will determine overall rank and score, with the winning world championship team crowned on February 17. The official weigh-ins will be at the Plaza Hotel, where there will also be a trade show and youth ice-fishing camp each day open for the public.
The USF3 would like to thank the following sponsors that support the US Ice Team’s efforts in competing at WIFC X: Shark and American Fishing Contests, Cabela’s, HT Enterprises, Humminbird, St. Croix Rods, G2 Gemini Custom Apparel, Kahtoola MICROspikes, Sunline, Marukyu Baits, Power Boots-Sweden and Strike Master Ice Augers.
To contact USA Ice Team Captain Mike McNett, email him at otis_mcnett@hotmail.com or ice@usf3.org. The USF3 is the governing body of international competitive angling for the United State. Its mandate is to promote the sport of fishing among American anglers and to foster the best possible relationship between American anglers and our fellow international angling friends and competitors. Visit www.USF3.org or www.facebook.com/USAngling, for more information.
