COLD REALITYWednesdays, 9:30am EST / 8:30am CST on VERSUS Who needs a boat when you can walk on water?A fresh and electrifying television series, ICE MEN entertains and educates audiences by revealing a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to prepare for, compete in and win world-class ice fishing tournaments. A completely unscripted plot delivers plenty of comedy and drama as we closely follow the successes and failures of four two-man ice teams locked in competition against hundreds of others over a full season on the North American Ice Fishing Circuit. "This is not your typical fishing show," says Mike McNett, the show's Executive Producer and Director. "We wanted ICE MEN to be educational, yet entertaining and appealing to the broadest possible audience." So, how does one go about creating a popular and successful television program about subject matter that tends to threaten the consciousness of most people? "We recognized the need to shatter commonly held perceptions about ice fishing," responds McNett. "We also knew the show wouldn't work unless we could really pull back the curtain on tournament ice fishing." But when your primary goal is to reintroduce a sport in a way that changes perceptions in this country (think soccer), you had better be innovative and fearless. ICE MEN delivers on both accounts. The show is part sporting event, fishing clinic, and documentary, strategically hashed together and cleverly disguised as high energy character-driven reality TV. Audiences return for an engaging story and dynamic, off-beat characters, but they are getting quite an education as well. Viewers are shown the latest techniques and gear used by professional ice anglers in the heat of competition, when every ounce counts. "We wanted to make the educational aspect of the show effective yet seamless and understated," continues McNett. "Some of the most valuable information comes from watching what these guys do under pressure in real-world situations. Viewers wind up gaining genuine insight and are more likely to retain and apply it successfully." With its hip look and feel, engaging plot and leading-edge information, this innovative, award winning show is definitely one you'll want to catch. |
executive producer: producer, director & host: associate producer: post-production & editing: videography: narration: original music:
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Mike McNettLombard, IL Born 11/28/1965 in Freeport, IL. Mike's chosen profession: Executive Producer / Director ICE MEN, NAIFC Tournament Director, USA Ice Team Captain, Owner, Clean & Restore Systems Hobbies: Camping, reading, writing, fishing and spending time with the family Mike's fishing style: Jedi... Spring bobber fishing Mike has been ice fishing for 33 years, 6 competitively, finishing in the top ten 9 times and earning $15,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Mike? |
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Jacek GawlinskiRound Lake, IL Born 03/28/1975 in Warsaw, Poland. Jacek's chosen profession: Sales Rep Hobbies: NONE! (FISHING AINT HOBBY THIS MY PASION or something between sport and religion) Jacek's partner: Zibi Wojcik Jacek's fishing style: Fast, faster, just speed baby! Jacek has been ice fishing for 27 years, 4 competitively, finishing in the top ten 4 times and earning $4,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Jacek? By the way... How long I have to wait for my f@#$%!ing ring!? |
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Zibi WojcikRound Lake, IL Born 02/07/1967 in Sosnowiec, Poland. Zibi's chosen profession: CNA Hobbies: Fishing and Mushroom Hunting Zibi's partner: Jacek Gawlinski Zibi's fishing style: Spring Bobber Zibi has been ice fishing for 35 years, 3 competitively, finishing in the top ten 4 times and earning $4,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Zibi? By the way... In America kids are lucky to have clubs and organizations in every sport to learn early in life. The NAIFC Kids Ice Camp is a great place for kids to learn at at any age how to fish. I enjoy giving the things I have learned to kids so they can learn how to enjoy the outdoors. And who knows one day they might need to have the ability to catch fish to eat. They can learn the basic skills they need from the Ice camp. Early learning=success. |
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Bob HornNaperville, IL Born 11/20/1965 in Naperville, IL. Bob's chosen profession: House Painter Hobbies: Fishing, music of any kind Bob's partner: Tony Boshold Bob's fishing style: Finesse Bob has been ice fishing for 7 years, 4 competitively, finishing in the top ten 4 times and earning $1,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Bob? By the way... Have a safe and fun ice season. Fish On. |
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Tony BosholdCarolstream, IL Born 11/30/1972 in Designed and manufactured in Chicago, IL. Tony's chosen profession: Own and operate All-Phase Carpet, Rug, Furniture and 24 hour flood clean up firm Serving Chicagoland since 1990. Promoter, speaker and writer to the fishing industry. Hobbies: Honey do's, camping, skateboarding, listening to music and reading, apending time with the family. Fishing is a matter of life or death! Tony's partner: Bob Horn Tony's fishing style: Jedi / Prowler - Don't wait, go get 'em! Think power fishing with finesse. Tony has been ice fishing for 28 years, 19 competitively, finishing in the top ten 10 times and earning $20,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Tony? |
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Dave YoungCharlotte, MI Born 02/21/1945 in Charlotte, MI. Dave's chosen profession: Retired from GM Hobbies: Hunting and fishing Dave's partner: Mike Boedeker Dave's fishing style: Tight-lining Dave has been ice fishing for 55 years, 8 competitively, finishing in the top ten 19 times and earning $10,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Dave? |
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Mike BoedekerLansing, MI Born 06/15/1949 in Lansing, MI. Mike's chosen profession: Die Maker (retired) Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, softball, golf, taxidermy Mike's partner: Dave Young Mike's fishing style: Tight-lining Mike has been ice fishing for 59 years, 25 competitively, finishing in the top ten 7 times and earning $6,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Mike? By the way... I'm going to be fishing somewhere anyway so why not enter a tounament. It never ceases to amaze me of the great fishing we have all across the ice belt. It's really not very expensive to fish a regionally local tournament and if you qualify for the championship there are some big rewards to be had. If you are willing to spend a little more time and money to travel I believe that the new friends you make and the experienses you have will be well worth it. |
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Joe PikulskiBrooklyn, MI Born 06/17/1957 in Toledo, OH. Joe's chosen profession: Charter Boat Captain Hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, Softball, spending time with the family. Joe's partner: Myron Gilbert Joe's fishing style: Spring bobber Joe has been ice fishing for 45 years, 20 competitively, finishing in the top ten 17 times and earning $40,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Joe? By the way... Kids Ice Camp: Taking a kid fishing and teaching them patience and how to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate mother nature is a stepping stone in life. My fishing is dedicated to my uncle Ed. |
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Myron GilbertBrooklyn, MI Born 03/22/1959 in Adrian, MI. Myron's chosen profession: Charter Boat Captain Hobbies: Hunting and fishing Myron's partner: Joe Pikulski Myron's fishing style: Run and Gun Myron has been ice fishing for 45 years, 20 competitively, finishing in the top ten 17 times and earning $40,000 in total winnings. What does fishing in the NAIFC Tournament Series mean to Myron? By the way... My grandchildren Kaleb and Deidre are the love of my life. |
