hey tbomn

[vetspet(ind)]

joe....i think you own the otterskin and tried to e-mail you but it was returned...i would like a bit of advice if you have the time...i tried my otterskin magnumII last w/e and noticed two small pinholes near the joints which there was a warning on the directions about pinching the canvas...i'm not sure if when you collapse the tent if the pleats should be inside each individual "u" pole or if you should pull the pleats out and then fold them over the collapsed "u" poles...the other question pertains to how often you move this beast when the fish are not biting....it seems somewhat difficult to erect and collapse when i am solo fishing...do you move around a lot once you have it up?....seems rather difficult and a lot of work to erect in the wind...when i am fishing out of it, it is great...thanks...steve

[tbomn]

I have found that when folding the poles down, pulling the canvas out from around the poles, and folding them inside the house works best. I know that the poles will pinch little holes in the canvas, so keeping the fabric away from that area is best. As far as moving around, yes, I move quite a bit, if the fish aren't active, I may drill upwards to 20-30 holes. I just fold it over the sled, not pulling the poles together, just folding it down. This way set-up is quick and painless. I keep most of my gear in the sled as I fish so pick-up is no problem. I leave my house attached to my snomo at all times, so I am ready to move. I never bank the house, or take my gear out until I find active fish. The otter is so flexible that I don't feel moving is much work at all. I have even pulled it short distances still set up, if you move slow and not too far.... Those poles that have the snap connectors on the ends that slide together work well to just lift the bottom U-shaped pole up off the ice. Just hook the bottom snap-clamp to the bottom U-shaped pole and the top snap-clamp to the top U-shaped pole and then slide the pole together and tighten it up and that holds it up off the ice, and moving is simple.

I really hope some of this is understandable, if not, come to Minnesota and I'll show you :7 LOL

[vetspet(ind)]

so if i get this right...you do remove the snap clamps from the central u poles....and then do not collapse the individual u poles, instead you just flip them over the sled except the long snap clamp you shorten it a bit so that it just holds the u pole above the ice/snow....then when you move you only have to replace the short snap clamps?....if this is your system i will try it next time i go...disassembly was sort of a pain so i want to shorten this phase of ice fishing...do not have a snomo as justifying this expense with our short winter is a bit hard, but my wife already said to get something so i don't have a heart attack pulling my stuff around...thanks for the help..steve