CLAM: Built For the Ice

1983 was an important year for many of the modern conveniences we know today. The Internet began, as did cell phone calls. It also was the year the first Fish Trap was sold and, one can strongly argue, represents an important milestone in the modernization of hard-water angling and Clam becoming the leader in ice fishing innovation. 

Clam has been at the forefront of ice fishing’s evolution for decades.The following snapshots from Clam’s timeline illustrate this point.

• 1980 - Dave Genz builds the first Fish Trap in his garage. His wife, Patsy, sews the canvas pieces together on her home sewing machine.
• 1983 - First Fish Trap is sold.
• 1992 - Dave Genz joins his Fish Trap brand with The Clam.
• 1993 - Clam becomes the largest manufacturer of ice shelters in North America.
• 1997 - Ice Team is formed and becomes the world’s largest ice fishing organization. Original members include Clam and Vexilar.
• 2004 - IceArmor is introduced with the launch of Clam’s iconic “Blue Suit”.
• 2006 - The Fish Trap X-Series of ice shelters debut as “The best ice fishing shelters ever built.”
• 2007 - Clam engineers become the first to use Thermal Trap insulation in shelters and apparel, and further enhance anglers’ on-ice warmth and comfort.
• 2013 - Clam unveils a complete line of Clam Pro Tackle highlighted with a full assortment of Dave Genz Tungsten Series of Jigs.
• 2017 - Clam releases cutting edge Motion Float Technology for their IceArmour suits. This technology assist people in the water in the event of an ice breakthrough, but also gives them mobility necessary to move easily.
• 2019 - Clam releases Side Symmetry Door technology in their new Fish Traps. These new doors allow people to easily enter and exit their fish shelter, and open up their ice  house more on nice days.
• 2022 - Clam releases over 65 new ice fishing products for the 2022/23 ice fishing season, including a new Fish Trap shelter line with XT door system for easier entry and more interior space, and the new and improved Pinhead Pro jigging spoon.
• 2024 - Clam releases The Live Imaging Pole, Live Electronics Shuttle and other Clam Live accessories to give anglers better tools for making modern electronics more efficient, along with its new portable propane radiant heaters.  

As more anglers pulled Fish Traps onto frozen waterbodies across North America and caught more fish, ice fishing’s popularity saw steady growth. Also contributing to the hard-water boom was Clam’s ever-growing collection of quality ice fishing gear.

Case in point, Clam’s 2004 release of the IceArmor suit changed the game and enabled anglers to comfortably fish outside for longer periods — hole-hopping to their heart’s content, even in bitterly cold winter temperatures.

Complementing sleds and suits, Clam continued to grow its ice fishing accessories, along with rods, reels, a growing apparel collection and, eventually, Clam Pro Tackle, Clam Live and portable propane Heaters.

Today, Clam remains dedicated to pushing ice fishing forward by designing, refining and innovating a comprehensive lineup of gear to help anglers stay comfortable, efficient and successful on the ice. A popular refrain at Clam is, “We don’t just make parts, we make it all work together”.

With such a pioneering and holistic approach to ice fishing products, is it any wonder why experienced to novice anglers alike put their trust in Clam?

Clam’s philosophy to constantly push ice fishing forward by designing, refining and innovating gear has had a cascading effect on how ice anglers catch fish. More to the point, Clam’s products, along with its Pro Staff involvement, have directly influenced today’s most effective ice fishing methods and techniques.

As noted, the Fish Trap encouraged anglers to embrace a mobile, run-and-gun approach. No question, covering water is great, but success isn’t measured by how many miles are travelled or how high the step count is at the day’s end. It’s about catching fish. This is why, from early on, Clam has made ice-fishing specific rods and reels.

The Jason Mitchell Meat Stick, for example, is a longtime fan favourite. It’s balanced to load perfectly with heavier search lures yet enables anglers to watch for the lightest pickups. In this respect, the Meat Stick has made anglers more efficient at attaching fish with aggressive jigging tactics, triggering strikes using a variety of maneuvers and then detecting strikes.

It’s no coincidence either that the walleye flutter spoon craze that kicked off years back coincided with the Leech Flutter Spoon’s release. Not to be overlooked either is the fact panfish anglers — and all ice anglers, really — owe a lot to Dave Genz, the godfather of modern ice fishing, who recently was instrumental in Clam’s Tungsten Drop Series. Crafted for precise, effective presentations, these jigs drop fast, produce enticing actions and feature hooks that easily find purchase when you rear back. There’s lot of refinement embodied in The Drop Series, too. Just look at the Drop Jig XXL, both of which feature a unique dingle ball that makes fish come unglued.