Reviews
For those of you that use glow lures when ice fishing, the Lure Lightning charge light will come in handy. The compact light actually replaces one of the nobs on your flasher unit, keeping it at hand. The push of a rubber-insulated button illuminates five 3-watt ultraviolet SMD lights, giving any jig or lure a long-lasting charge. It comes equipped with positive and negative leads, allowing it to run right off a flasher battery pack. The light retails for $33.95. www.lurelightning.com — Javier Serna
NiteIze has really great lights for dog owners who take their pets out after dark. This winter, my dogs are wearing the SpotLit LED Collar Light and the Nite Dawg Collar Cover. My rangy yellow Lab has the surprisingly bright, red Collar Light, making him easy to see as he roams around our expansive backyard. Attached to his collar with a strong carabiner clip, the Collar Light has survived frequent runs in the woods. My older, less energetic husky-shepherd is wearing the Collar Cover, an illuminated strip that is somewhat obscured by her heavy fur. It easily attached to her collar with Velcro and would be fully visible on a flat-furred dog. Both lights have glow and flash modes. MSRP on the SpotLit is $7.19 and the Nite Dawg LED collar cover is $11.99. www.Niteize.com — Shawn Perich
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On a pair of canoe trips this past fall, it was clear that my dog was uncomfortably cold. I ended up wrapping her in my rain jacket as we floated one river in October, but that was still far from ideal. I wish I had Ruffwear’s K-9 overcoat, an insulated dog coat that handles cold weather well, as it has done this winter. It keeps her warm without restricting her movements. She hasn’t tried to take it off. The shell is made of 100 percent recycled fabric and is abrasion- and snag-resistant. It is lined with fleece, though the fleece showing here is actually Ruffwear’s Climate Changer fleece sweater (not included). The coat retails for $64.95. www.ruffwear.com — Javier Serna
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An amazing amount of cookwear and tableware fits inside this compact cookset, which is designed for backpackers, but would be welcome in any camping pack. A 2-liter pot and 8-inch frypan made of hard anodized aluminum stood up to the high-output flames of a cast iron burner inside a Lake of the Woods sleeper house. It also comes with a strainer lid, a pair of insulated mugs with sip tops, a pair of 14-ounce bowls, and a folding pot gripper which all fits compactly into a black sack that doubles as a wash sink. It retails for $89.95. www.gsioutdoors.com — Javier Serna
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MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESS, $24.95
This is a reprint of the classic tale of the 1930 canoe expedition from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay, written by Eric Sevareid, who was joined by Walter C. Port on the summer-long voyage. The two men relied on Cree Indians, traders and locals when they needed food, shelter and guidance. Sevareid corresponded with newspapers on this trip, which helped launch his career in journalism. The book was first published in 1935. Here, it’s been repackaged in paperback with a commemorative tin and a fold-out map of the 2,250-mile journey. — Javier Serna
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The iconic Stormy Kromer hat is proudly made in the USA—Michigan, in fact. Made of wool and lined with cotton, they are custom-sized to fit any head. I love the look of this sassy, plaid Northwoods cap. It has ear flaps to block the cold and a brim to keep the glare from my eyes. Stormy Kromer hats come in a variety of colors and styles, including waxed cotton and sun-block versions. The hats retail for $34.99. www.stormykromer.com — Amber Pratt
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NORTH STAR PRESS OF ST. CLOUD, $14.95
The author was the final keeper at Split Rock Lighthouse, which was decommissioned in 1969. The 175-page paperback focuses on, but is not limited to, Roberts’ Coast Guard career, from 1966 to 1969, when he was stationed at Split Rock. The book also follows his transfer to the North Shore Lifeboat Station in Grand Marais, where his enlistment ended in 1970. Roberts doesn’t focus so much on the background and history of the now-popular tourist attraction. Instead his book is a series of anecdotes and vignettes about life at the lighthouse in the 60s. In that sense, it not only serves as a historical account of life as a Coast Guardsman but also life on the North Shore in that era. — Javier Serna
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Thermacell Heated Insoles foot warmers take the chill out of ice fishing. Place Heated Insoles in your boots and activate with the remote, then adjust heat (medium or high). The insoles maintain a steady temperature inside your shoes or boots, keeping your feet around normal body temperature. Powered by rechargeable, built-in lithium-ion polymer batteries, the insoles can run continuously up to 5 hours or longer if used in intervals. The battery recharges fully in 3 hours. The insoles come in a range of sizes and can be trimmed to fit. MSRP $129.99. www. thermacell.com — Shawn Perich
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Ever since I got the Aussie Dogs Alpine boots, my other winter footwear has been gathering dust. The Alpine boots feature 100 percent sheepskin lining that feels luxurious—I’m tempted to wear them barefoot—and, more importantly, keeps my feet toasty no matter the temp. I sported the Alpine boots on a lengthy hike the other day, and my feet stayed warm and dry, thanks to the sturdy, water-resistant rubber, wool and Cordura construction. The soles grip like gecko feet. A sheepskin “collar” covers part of the outside of the boot shaft, which reaches almost to mid-calf. My vanity appreciates the rugged-chic styling, while my patriotic side appreciates that Aussie Dogs footwear is based and manufactured in the USA. All in all, a smart, stylish choice for any woman dwelling in the north country. The boots retails for $130. www.aussie-dogs.com
— Shelby Gonzalez
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Your Guide to Smoking Whitefish, Sauna Etiquette,
Tick Extraction and More
By Chris Niskanen
MINNESOTA HISTORICAL PRESS, $19.95
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