Christmas is just around the corner and, if you are like me, you are probably thinking about buying gifts for family and friends, or possibly dropping a few hints about new hunting and fishing gear you would like to find under the Christmas tree this year.
It is often hard to choose that special gift from among the wide assortment of equipment that is available. If you are shopping for friends who hunt and fish here are some suggestions.
Everyone can use a new fishing rod and manufacturers continue to turn out some excellent products. While you can pay a lot of money for a high end rod there are also some excellent values available in both spinning and fly rods. If your friend already has a good selection of fishing rods, consider buying them a rod case to transport them in. After breaking several rods over the years I can attest to the benefits of a well-made storage case.
The new reels are light weight and have very good drag systems so they also make a very nice gift. If your friend already has several fly reels consider an extra spool or two to allow them to carry different fly lines. New lines, either spinning or fly, will be welcomed by any angler. While most anglers replace the line on their spinning rods fairly regularly we expect to get several years from a fly line. A good line is an investment which will pay off in longer casts and improved performance.
Anyone who fishes regularly will lose a lot of gear, such as lures and flies, over the course of the season. As a result, a selection of spinners, spoons and flies makes a great gift. A tackle box, with enough room to store all the equipment you accumulate, is also a good choice.
If they don’t tie their own flies a fly-tying vise, and a few tools, will start your friend on a lifelong hobby which will provide hours of enjoyment.
Hunting and fishing also have a lot of neat equipment associated with it from knives and flashlights to dip nets, hats and camouflage. A small flashlight is a great gift to help get safely in, and out of the woods in the morning and evening, and a compass makes a practical gift.
One of the many fine books or DVD’s on topics ranging from duck calling to fly tying or fly casting would be welcomed under the Christmas tree by any angler. The Nova Scotia Map Book which has topographic maps of the province will be a big help in finding your way to that back woods spot where the big bucks are, especially if you combine it with a geographical positioning system, or GPS, unit.
One of the best gifts you can give is to offer to take a friend on a hunting or fishing trip next year. That’s a gift that will benefit not only them, but you as well.
Merry Christmas
Don MacLean is an outdoor writer and biologist who lives in Pictou County.
