Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Retro Wednesday at Fontana Sports!






We discovered that Fontana Sports' owner, John Hutchinson, had a file of print advertisements we did back in the 70's, 80's and 90's, so we decided we should share something each week with our Facebook friends. We've termed it Retro Wednesday and there will be a new post each week.












There are some hilarious ones! It's also pretty interesting to see how much has changed (prices, materials, trends) and how much has not changed (brands, phone numbers, some of the products we carry).













We hope you will "like us" so you can see some of our history!
Hopefully chime in and let us know what you remember or don't! :)





Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Events & Clinics - August 2013

NORDIC WALKING CLASS 
Tuesday, August 6th, 2013 at 9:30am
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, as she shows you how to turn your walk into a total-body workout.Enjoy a nice walk outside while learning about the physical and mental benefits of Nordic walking. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

NORDIC WALKABOUT
Tuesday, August 6th, 2013 at 6:00pm
Cherokee Marsh – Meet at the parking lot at the end of the gravel road at 6098 N. Sherman Ave., Madison WI
Now that you’ve taken the Nordic Walking Intro Course, let’s meet for a real Nordic walk! Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, for a total-body workout and enjoy a nice Nordic walk outside. Get any questions you may still have about Nordic Walking answered. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking on gravel. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided if needed. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

NORDIC WALKABOUT
Monday, August 12th, 2013 at 9:00am
Governor Nelson State Park - Meet at the park entrance parking lot (2 miles west of State Hwy 113) at 5140 Cty Hwy M, Waunakee
Now that you’ve taken the Nordic Walking Intro Course, let’s meet for a real Nordic walk! Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, for a total-body workout and enjoy a nice Nordic walk outside. Get any questions you may still have about Nordic Walking answered. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking on gravel. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided if needed. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

NORDIC WALKING CLASS 
Monday, August 12th, 2013 at 6:00pm
Downtown Location - 216 N. Henry St., Madison WI
Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, as she shows you how to turn your walk into a total-body workout. Enjoy a nice walk outside while learning about the physical and mental benefits of Nordic walking. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

DISC GOLF BASICS
Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 at 6:30pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Interested in getting into Disc Golfing or wondering what all the buzz is about? We will cover how disc golf works, the best places to go around Madison, and how to best get into this sport. This is a free event.

FONTANA SPORTS SUMMER TENT SALE
Thursday, August 22nd through Monday September 2nd, 2013
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI HUGE savings under the big top tent on all the gear you love! Get ready for the winter season with savings on Downhill skis, Nordic skis, Snowboards and snowshoes! Plus, all the accessories to go with them! Don’t forget to get your apparel and outerwear on sale too! Plus, huge savings on camping, water sports, snorkeling, footwear, socks and more! An event not to be missed!

CHOOSING & FITTING THE RIGHT BACKPACK 
Tuesday, August 27th, 2013 at 6:00pm
Downtown Location - 216 N. Henry St., Madison WI
Join us for an intro course on how to properly choose, fit and pack your backpack in preparation for your next adventure. Come and learn how to get started – no experience necessary! This is a free event.

Visit Fontana Sports Events page: http://www.fontanasports.com/misc_content/events

Thursday, July 25, 2013

U.S.A. THURSDAY

We here at Fontana Sports love that we carry a vast array of products made in the U.S.A. 'Merica! :) In honor of this we started featuring a company or it's products that are made in the U.S. on Facebook on Thursdays.



The first few were easy to come up with because they're the ones we see all the time or have always known were made in the U.S. - Wigwam (made in Wisconsin!), Locally Grown, Timbuk2 custom bags, Sage, Stormy Kromer, etc., but the discovery process of learning what other companies and products we carry that are made in the U.S. has been exciting!


We've learned there are MANY products we carry that are made here in the U.S. and that is a great thing to discover. So be sure to check out our Fontana Sports' Facebook page on Thursdays to learn more about these awesome U.S. companies and products! Here's our lovely employee Matt showing his affection for Stormy Kromer Products, which are made in the U.P. in Michigan. We asked our employees to get creative with the picture and they sure did!


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Fontana Sports' MSD 2013 - a success!

 Maxwell Street Days 2013 was a success, despite the epic rain storm we experienced late Sunday afternoon! Here are some photos of the event that will help everyone get an idea of what Maxwell Street Days are like in downtown Madison each year.

Thank you to all our wonderful customers who made their way through the crowds and sunshine to come see us and do some shopping! Great deals were had on kayaks, PFD's, camping gear, snorkeling gear, snowshoes, summer and winter apparel,outerwear, accessories, footwear, socks and much more!












Also, thank you to our fun, kind staff who makes working these long, hot events a good time! We appreciate your hard work and smiling faces!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Choosing The Right Golf Disc


By Jeff Bedermann

DISC WEIGHTS & STABILITY

Golf Discs vary in weight from 150g to 180g. The lighter the disc the more stable it is where as the heavier it is the more unstable it is. The more stable disc will be easier to control the flight (150-165) & the more unstable (165-180) the harder to control. Stability ratings range from -3 to 3. Discs with a rating of around 0 will be more stable. Discs rated at a minus rating (-) will fly more right and a disc with a (+) rating will fly more to the left.


YOU THE PLAYER

Beginning Player wants a Disc that is lighter (under 165) with a stability rating closer to 0. This will allow for easier and controlled throws.

The Average Player wants a Disc that would be in the middle weight range (165). A heavier Disc with a higher stability rating will allow for more advanced techniques as you grow as a player.
NOTE: A lighter disc will fly farther than a heavier one and this is where stability becomes more important.

The Pro Does Not Need My Advice!!



Visit FontanaSports.com for the variety of golf discs and accessories.

I hope this helps to get you started on your way to a great sport.

Monday, July 08, 2013

Wisconsin's Yellowstone - Fly Fishing in the Wisconsin River

By Craig Amacker

Tired of the summer heat and overgrown vegetation on the trout streams? The Wisconsin River is the cure for the midsummer fishing blues. The river offers lots of back cast room, a variety of hard fighting fish, the chance to throw big streamers on your 7-weight, and scenery that resembles the Yellowstone River in Montana.

The primary fish species are smallmouth bass and white bass with walleye, sauger, largemouth bass, northern pike, musky, catfish, gar, and carp as bonus species. It’s not uncommon to land 6 different species of fish from the same spot on the same fly.

Just like a big western river you’re fishing big water that all looks the same so you have to take a minute to look for current breaks, drop offs, and pockets that hold fish. The easiest places to start are the downstream ends of sand and gravel bars where the depth abruptly goes from 6 inches to 3 feet or more. This structure gives fish shelter and a place to trap baitfish against to feed on them.

An angler can access primitive canoe launches and boat landings at Prairie du Sac, Sauk City (Headquarters of Culver’s), Mazomanie, Arena, and Spring Green. During low water, one can wade fish near any of the boat and canoe launches, and fish the wing dams and drop offs from the sand/ gravel bars, but the best water is accessed with a Jon boat, drift boat, canoe, or kayak.

Proper fly rods are fast action 7 and 8 weights and a weight forward line with a fat front taper. Best flies include bass poppers in white and yellow, pearl crystal buggers, chartreuse and white and chartreuse and yellow Clouser deep minnows, and Murdich Minnows.

Every time I look upriver to take in the scenery, islands, and eagles I think I’m in Montana fishing the Yellowstone, but when my lines goes tight and I set the hook on bronzed back smallmouth I realize I’m at home on the Wisconsin.


Monday, July 01, 2013

Events & Clinics - July 2013

FAMILY CAMPING BASICS
Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 at 6:30pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Family camping is a fun and affordable way to take a vacation. Not sure how to get started? Learn what you need to make family camping enjoyable and easy. We will cover the basics including: how to be warm, dry and comfortable, gear and equipment necessities, ideas for fun activities and great local areas to give a try. No experience necessary! This is a free event.

PADDLING BASICS
Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 6:00pm
Downtown Location - 216 Henry St., Madison WI
Before you head out on the water, be sure to learn the paddling basics. This class offers you an overview of info on Kayaks & Stand-up Paddleboards. Our expert staff will cover Equipment, Apparel, Trip Planning and Transportation. This class is free.

MAXWELL STREET DAYS
Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 8:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday, July 20th, 2013 at 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday, July 21st, 2013 at 10:00am - 5:00pm
Downtown Location - 216 Henry St., Madison WI
Maxwell Street Days are the greatest shopping days of the year in Madison! Enjoy three days of amazing shopping bargains and fabulous food, up and down State Street. Join Fontana Sports for some of our biggest deals of the year! www.MaxwellStreetDays.org

NORDIC WALKABOUT
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 at 9:00am
Token Creek County Park, Deforest, WI - Use 6200 Highway 51 entrance. Meet at the first shelter (on right).
Now that you’ve taken the Nordic Walking Intro Course, let’s meet for a real Nordic walk! Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, for a total-body workout and enjoy a nice Nordic walk outside. Get any questions you may still have about Nordic Walking answered. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking on gravel. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided if needed. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

NORDIC WALKING CLASS
Tusday, July 23rd, 2013 at 6:00pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, as she shows you how to turn your walk into a total-body workout. Enjoy a nice walk outside while learning about the physical and mental benefits of Nordic walking. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

XTREME HIKE - The Informational Meeting
Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 at 6:30pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
The Wisconsin Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be hosting the 1st Annual XTREME HIKE (XH) on Saturday, October 5, 2013. This is a one-day, 30 mile, fully supported hike on the Ice Age National Trail. XH is an event that challenges people to test their fitness ability and endurance during a one-day hike. The hike is fully supported and is inspiring people across the U.S. to hike until a cure is found. Learn more about the event by joining us for an informal meeting at Fontana Sports or visit http://madison.cff.org/XtremeHike. View printable event flyers: Trail Description

CAMP COOKING BASICS
Tusday, July 30th, 2013 at 6:30pm
Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison WI
With years of experience to share, we'd like to help you learn how to create easy and fun meals for eating outside. We will cover the basics including: what to bring, gear and equipment necessities, ideas for fun meals and desserts and how to make the most of cooking in the outdoors. No experience necessary! This is a free event.

Visit Fontana Sports Events page: http://www.fontanasports.com/misc_content/events