USA Ice Fishing Team Vies for World Championship in Kazakhstan : The Fishing Wire

USA Ice Team Vies for World Championship in Kazakhstan

Lombard, IL - The USA Ice Team will be competing for the 2012 IX World Ice-Fishing Championship in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Almaty Region at Kapchagai Reservoir on Blue Bay on February 6-12. Team USA Captain Mike McNett announced the final selection of the 11 anglers representing the United States at a USF3/USA Ice Team press conference.

"Each of these 11 will fish to qualify for the team in Kazakhstan," McNett explained. "Five from each team will compete with an alternate to replace the worst finisher on day one."

The team is composed of veteran Team USA ice anglers, including six gold medalists from the 2010 World Ice Fishing Championship team, and up-and-coming anglers that have fished their way up the ranks of competitive ice angling.

Here are the representatives for the 2012 USA Ice Fishing Team:

The USA Ice Team is hoping for their second world championship in Kazakhstan. USA Ice Team photo.

Bob Esbensen, Palatine, Ill., 2010 Gold Medalist
Billy Whiteside, Eau Claire, Wis., 2010 Gold Medalist
Bob Horn, Montgomery, Ill.
Chad Schaub, Sand Lake, Mich.
Jeff Kelm, Sheboygan, Wis.
Mike Boedeker, Lansing, Mich., 2010 Gold Medalist
Myron Gilbert Brooklyn, Mich., 2010 Gold Medalist
Ryan Wilson, Waupaca, Wis.
Steven Burkart, Amherst Junction, Wis.
Tony Boshold, Chicago, Ill., 2010 Gold Medalist
Mike McNett, Lombard, Ill., 2010 Gold Medalist

"This is the first time the WIFC is being held in Asia and we feel that the only team that has the advantage is Kazakhstan. The venue had to be changed because of warm weather conditions," McNett said. "As far as we're concerned we have the best coaching staff, all the needed baits, ground baits, mapping skills and top American anglers with tested world-class speeds for catching small roach. I haven't felt this good about a competition away from home EVER. We will be in the medal mix and our guys are determined to prove that we are just as good at away games as we are at home!"

Team USA Member Bob Esbensen will be fishing for gold at Kapchagai Reservoir in Kazakhstan. USA Ice Team photo.

The USA Ice Team is sponsored by Cabela's (www.cabelas.com), which has donated Guidewear protective clothing; Shark Fishing Tackle (www.shark.lv), which has donated mormushka jigs, rods and bait funds; American Fishing Contests (americanfishingcontests.com), which has donated funds to cover expenses; and St.Croix (www.stcroixrods.com), Kahtoola (www.kahtoola.com) and EGS, which donated gear and technical expertise to support the team's effort at winning their second World Ice-Fishing Championship.

The USF3 is the governing body of international competitive angling for the United State. Its mission 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, for more information.

via thefishingwire.com

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THE DAILY CATCH http://fishingnews.posterous.com/usa-ice-fishing-team-vies-for-world-champions USA Ice Team Vies for World Championship in Kazakhstan Lombard, IL - The USA Ice Team will be competing for the 2012 IX World Ice-Fishing Championship in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Almaty Region at Kapchagai Reservoir on Blue Bay on February 6-12. Team USA Captain Mike McNett announced the fi ...