For most of the era known as the “ice fishing revolution,” portable flip-over style shelters were either poorly constructed or overly expensive—sometimes both. Thanks to the ice pioneers at Frabill, though, a new shelter design has simultaneously coupled luxury accommodations with a price that Joe Angler can appreciate. “For the money, the Excursion offers anglers optimal comfort in a premium piece of real estate,” notes Frabill Product Manager, Andy Schmelzer. “With a fishable area that’s nearly six feet wide by over four feet deep, you can really stretch out and set the hook. There’s a lot space for electronics and other gear, too. For less money than any competing product, it’s the best featured three-person shelter you can buy.”

Excursion’s list of advantages doesn’t end with comfort and price, however. Accoutrements include a deluxe padded bench seat that ips up for quick access to gear. Frabill’s patented MaxVent™ system allows the angler to adjust airow for optimal shelter venting, and reduced condensation. And for quick entrances and exits without removing snow banking—for checking tip-ups, etc.—a large front door opens with a smooth, heavy-duty zipper. “The name Excursion says it all,” states Frabill pro angler and ice shing sage, Marty Glorvigen. “We tow this
shelter deep into the rugged Canadian north, where we’ll fish for everything from crappies to walleyes, lake trout to big pike. The Excursion has the room to tote all the gear we need. It’s just a tough, shable ice shelter with the room to hook and land any fish that swims.”

Tough indeed. The shelter’s durable yet lightweight thermo-formed sled base eats North Country ice for breakfast. And once the hotspot is reached, the Excursion’s frame takes shape in seconds. Meanwhile, staying cozy for the long haul results from Excursion’s remarkably durable tent with additional polyurethane coating—it keeps heat in, and light and condensation out. Finally, the shelter includes four clear removable windows and eight 2”x2” safety reflectors. Schmelzer summarizes: “For under $450, this is one ice fishing package that’s impossible to beat.” Glorvigen shares a similar perspective: “For the multi-species angler -which I think includes a lot of us- this is the ideal ice fishing shelter.”