The gift-giving season is approaching, and friends and family of anglers are shopping for gifts for those who wish for fish. The possibilities are endless, but the following list of suggested gifts will put shoppers on the right track.
Stocking Stuffers
A trip to any fishing department will prove that there are literally thousands of fishing-related items that will fit in an angler’s stocking. In order to make sense of this overwhelming selection, the shopper needs to arrive at the store armed with a little information. What type of fishing does the gift recipient prefer? A knowledgeable sales person will be able to steer the shopper in the right direction. Lures, spools of line, packages of hooks, weights, or soft plastic baits are welcome gifts.A subscription to a fishing magazine is another useful gift. The first issue, rolled up and tucked into the stocking’s top, will delight any angler.
If the angler is a fly fisherman, the list is even greater. Fly-tying materials, a selection of new flies or old favorites, a new, pocket-sized fly box, or a good-looking, beaded tool lanyard can fill a stocking’s toe. Fly shops and outfitters will also carry DVDs of fishing adventures and techniques. Major outfitters have internet sites where shoppers can purchase collections of flies, selected for targeted species. Some of these collections even arrive in a new fly box.
Wrap Up a Fishing Gift
Some gifts are a little bit larger than a stocking can accommodate. Books on fishing technique and fishing-themed stories keep the angler out on the water, at least in imagination, even when the next fishing trip is months away.
Fishermen are out in the weather, sunny and rainy days alike. Sun-protecting shirts and hats, and easy-to-carry rainwear are available in good-looking and comfortable styles for both men and women.
Warm, wool socks are a must under waders for cold water fishing. An insulating layer of silk underwear helps keep anglers warm when the river’s edges are crusted with ice. Hand warmers are especially welcome for ice fishermen and others who brave winter’s chill.
A fisherman whose gear is scattered far and near will appreciate one of the new fishing system bags, lightweight, water-resistant carriers with zippered compartments and compartmentalized, plastic boxes to keep tackle organized and tangle-free. Some of these are designed to be worn on the chest or as a sling-style bag while fishing.
Big Gifts for Anglers
Some of these gifts are big in physical dimension, while others are big in terms of cost, but all of them are handsome presents for those very special people on the gift list. Wading boots are a hot item this year as anglers trade in their felt-soled boots for environmentally friendlier rubber-soled boots. Invasive aquatic nuisances, such as didymo, are often transferred in porous felt boot soles, and anglers are conscientiously choosing to retire theirs. Comfortable wading boots with soles that grip are becoming easier to find and more affordable. Although women’s styles are not as plentiful, they are readily available from most outfitters. A pair of new wading boots, stuffed with items suggested above, would make a thrilling substitute for a felt stocking full of oranges and gumdrops.
Anglers who are planning fishing expeditions will love a great rod and reel case. When the rod and reel collection threatens to overwhelm allotted storage space, an attractive rack will turn a clutter problem into a decorative asset. The same can be said for a new fly-tying desk or chest.
Fish finder technology has improved dramatically since these little wonders first came on the scene. If it’s been a while since the angler updated her equipment, a new fish finder is in order. Shoppers can check with the angler’s fishing buddies to find out just which piece of equipment their gift recipients are pining for.
Gifts Go With Fishing Boats
It is often said that a boat is a hole in the water into which one throws money. Anglers who own boats of any type will always have a wish list of boating accessories.
Kayakers have never enjoyed such a selection of items to make a kayak into a focused fishing machine. Anchor systems, storage accessories, clips, cords, and more are all available to customize paddle craft. When more than paddle power is required for a kayak or canoe, a trolling motor takes over. With a bit of sleuthing, shoppers can find out which motor make and model their angler prefers.
Bigger boats also need accessories. Major outfitters are well-stocked with useful items for boaters, such as waterproof utility cases, boating safety kits, fishing rod holders, on-board battery chargers, docking lights, and outboard motor covers.
Selecting a gift for an angler has never been easier. With such a wide variety of useful fishing items, there are plenty of gifts, priced to fit any budget, that will be sure to bring smiles to the fishing enthusiasts who receive them.
Brenda Layman - I grew up in eastern Kentucky in a family that hunted, fished, hiked, and camped regularly. Although I moved to Ohio to become a teacher ...
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