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How Ice Fishing Suddenly Got Hot

VIDEO: ABC News' extreme weather team tracks the latest storms across the country.

Who likes ice? Ice fishermen.

With much of the U.S. frozen over, and with ice forming in places it hasn't formed for years (if ever), ice fishermen are in heaven. That's translating into brisk business for merchants like Russ Francisco, owner of Marine General Supply in Duluth, Minn.

On General Supply's website, next to many a pricey new ice-fishing accessory -- a pop-up shelter ($1,000), a powered ice augur ($570), an underwater fish-spotting sonar camera ($1,080) -- are the words: "SOLD OUT FOR THE SEASON."

According the American Sportfishing Association, about $260 million was spent on ice fishing in 2012, up almost 10 percent from the year before. Of all gear categories, says the ASA, augurs and shelters account for the most sales, at $85 million and $73 million, respectively.

When ABC News contacted Francisco this week, the midday temperature in Duluth was 25 below. The northern tier, he said, was enjoying a bumper crop of ice. "But every place has ice this year," he said. "We're getting orders all the way from Indiana."

Extreme weather: Rare winter storm hits south

Other factors besides the record cold explain why ice fishing is hot. What used to be a masochistic, all-male exercise, in what the Duluth News Tribune calls "suffering and endurance," has been transformed into a comfy, warm, civilized pastime enjoyed by men and women alike. According to a 2012 survey done for ASA by Southwick Associates, ice anglers were more likely to be under 18 years of age than anglers in general.

"It's all about the equipment," Francisco says. "The fishing houses are warmer, they're easier to set up and take down." Augurs powered by propane, gas or electricity make boring through the ice a breeze. Heaters are better than they used to be, ditto rods and reels. Insulated, waterproof suits ensure you'll survive if you fall through the ice, provided your friends don't linger in fishing you out. Sophisticated video and sonar systems for snooping on fish look like implements the National Security Agency would like to have.

Yet despite all the nifty, sometimes pricy gear, ice fishing remains a proposition cheaper than summer fishing, for the simple reason that, to do it, you don't need to have a boat.

Herewith, a smattering of ice fishing gear and gizmos -- all from Marine General's online catalog, unless otherwise noted.

PHOTO: Clam X4 TC Ice Shelter is seen in this undated product shot from Marine General.
Courtesy Marine General
Clam X4 Ice Shelter

The Fish Trap X4 is built with aluminum tubing and ultra tough 900 Denier Fabric. Seats four. Includes emergency tool kit.

Read More: Will That $700 Winter Jacket Keep You Warmer?

PHOTO: The Black Betty Ice Combo is seen in this undated product shot on Amazon.
Fish 13 Black Betty Ice Combo

Solid graphite rod, stainless steel guides with polished inserts, right- or left-hand interchangeable reel.

PHOTO: The Strikemaster Honda 35cc Lite Auger is seen in this undated product shot on Marine General.
Courtesy Marine General
StrikeMaster Honda 35cc Lite Auger

Drill, baby, drill! Signature steel drill with Mora Ice Lazer Blades is powered by 4-stroke OHC engine. Weight 23 pounds. Oil is encapsulated.

In Photos: 13 Things You Didn't Know You Needed to Survive Extreme Cold

PHOTO: The Clam IceArmor Edge Cold Weather suit is seen in this undated product shut from Marine General
Courtesy Marine General
Clam IceArmor Edge Cold Weather Suit

Two-piece suit features ballistic nylon knee, two-zipper pockets at the hip (one passing through the inside) and reflective piping for safety.

PHOTO: The AquaVu underwater LED floodlight is seen in this undated product shot.
Courtesy Marine General
Aqua Vu Inderwater LED Floodlight

Attaches to most underwater cameras. Requires three AAA batteries.

PHOTO: The Striker Ice Predator jacket is seen in this undated product shot.
Striker Ice Predator Jacket (Floating)

What to wear if you're going to be falling through the ice, the jacket features 100g Thermadex insulation and Sureflote floatation-assist liner. "This is not a wimpy shell suit," says the manufacturer. (Price quoted is as bought directly from manufacturer.)

PHOTO: The Marcum LX-9 Sonar and Camera System is seen in this undated product shot.
Marcum LX-9 Sonar and Camera System

Sonar features adjustable ping rate, infinitely adjustable zoom and Fish ID with depth. Comes complete with snow shield.

PHOTO: The Humminbird ICE-597ci HD combo is seen in this undated product shot.
Humminbird ICE-597 ci HD Combo

Combo features brilliant color display with LED backlight, dual beam sonar and 50 channel internal GPS chartplotting with built-in UniMap.

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Feminist News

Delhi Rape and Murder Case Moved to Fast-Track Court

The case of five men accused of the brutal rape and murder of a 23 year old medical student in New Delhi has been moved to a special "fast-track" court, an Indian magistrate declared on Thursday. The first hearing will be held on Monday, January 21st.

On Thursday Magistrate Namrita Aggarwal dealt with various procedural issues relating to the cases of those accused and announced on Thursday afternoon that five cases will be transferred to a fast-track court. A sixth suspect will undergo a separate trial as the court determines whether or not he is considered a minor and should be tried in youth court. If the men are convicted, they could face the death penalty, according to the BBC.

On December 16th, a 23 year old medical student and her male partner were attacked while riding a bus in South Delhi. Both were beaten and the woman was raped repeatedly. She was transferred to a hospital in Singapore and required multiple surgeries for head and intestinal injuries. She died as a result of her injuries two weeks later.

Media Resources: BBC 1/17/2013; Times of India 1/17/2013; Washington Post 1/17/2013; Feminist Newswire 1/2/2012, 12/20/2012

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Quick Hit: The Case Against Breast-Feeding

Hanna Rosin takes on breast-feeding in this this month’s Atlantic:

In Betty Friedan’s day, feminists felt shackled to domesticity by the unreasonably high bar for housework, the endless dusting and shopping and pushing the Hoover around–a vacuum cleaner being the obligatory prop for the “happy housewife heroine,” as Friedan sardonically called her. When I looked at the picture on the cover of Sears’s Breastfeeding Book–a lady lying down, gently smiling at her baby and still in her robe, although the sun is well up–the scales fell from my eyes: it was not the vacuum that was keeping me and my 21st-century sisters down, but another sucking sound

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