The year was 1946. The boys were home from war and our nation needed a breather. The woods and water provided the perfect escape.
A number of manufacturers sprang up to satisfy this desire to be outdoors. StrikeMaster was one of the first. And Some 60 years later, StrikeMaster continues to outfit ice anglers with innovative, high performance ice augers.
"Part of being a legacy manufacturer is reinvesting in the sport." says Senior Vice President Randy Havel. Practicing what they preach, StrikeMaster pioneered a youth ice fishing program in Minnesota's Hinckley-Finlayson schools. There are plans to expand the accredited curriculum to other school districts.
StrikeMaster worked with the association for Advancement of Hmong Women in Minnesota to introduce children to the tradition rich sport. "Fishing is a big part of the Asian culture," says Havel. "Learning how to ice fish allows them to continue that heritage here in North America."
On the recreational side, StrikeMaster cuts the tens of thousands of holes at the Brainerd Jaycee's Ice Fishing Extravaganza, a fundraiser for Confidence Learning Center in Brainerd, Minn. StrikeMaster also waves the ice fishing flag at the International Eelpout Festival in Walker, Minnesota.
Havel sums it up this way: "We are the first generation of modern ice anglers. It's our responsibility to pass the torch; you have to be actively engaged to be a steward." That sort of mindfulness will fortify ice fishing's next 60 years.
