Gift ideas for outdoors people

This year has just flown by! As we approach Christmas, I want to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a happy and productive New Year! Don’t forget why we celebrate the Christmas season and remember to say “Thank You” to every active military person or veteran you may encounter during your activities this holiday season.

This is my last chance before Christmas to make some gift idea suggestions for that outdoors person in your life. Some of this stuff I have already acquired and would recommend, others are items I wish I had and hope to see under the Christmas tree.

I like to icefish! I don’t do it nearly enough, but when I get the chance, I really enjoy it. I especially like fishing for the stocked landlocked salmon in our valley lakes because I like the taste of those fish best. A light action ice rod and just about any type of reel will work here. However, I’m a gear junkie and like to try different stuff. My go-to reels in past years have been either an ultralight spinning reel or a small baitcasting reel. There are a couple of new reel styles that have become popular in the last couple of years.

The first is called an in-line reel and basically looks like a fly reel hanging below the rod’s reel seat on a small extension, similar to a spinning reel. The better quality reels have adjustable drags, free-spooling, and enough ball bearings to make you wonder where they all are. The other reel style looks like a baitcasting reel hung under the rod, also off a short spinning-reel-type extension.

The in-line reels are available in local sporting goods and outdoor stores. The upside-down baitcasting reel hasn’t found its way to Alaska yet (or I haven’t found it here), but is available through outdoor catalog ordering. Either one mounted on a light or ultralight action icefishing rod should give you all the action you might want, even with something as small as a landlocked salmon on the hook!

With ice conditions such as they are, I just picked up a medium sized plastic sled to haul my icefishing gear behind me as I walk on the ice. I’m not risking my truck and I don’t want the hassle of hauling a trailer to bring an ATV or snowmachine along. The other gear sleds I have are too heavy to pull any distance by hand. As long as I don’t walk too far (bad ankle and knee), that’s currently the easiest solution for me to get out on the ice.

I enjoy cooking and I’ve always been a big fan of cast iron cookware. I’ve used the Teflon coated stuff for its non-stick properties, but all the health concerns about the Teflon coating flaking and fumes from heating caused me to rethink this and return to my first choice. Besides, a properly seasoned cast iron pan is as good as any Teflon coating for non-sticking and cast iron lasts forever if properly cared for. I had a couple of small cast iron frying pans and over the past year or so, have finally been able to purchase lids that fit correctly. I’ve also broadened my inventory by adding a 12 inch covered frying pan to my collection, along with four various sized Dutch ovens. My next acquisition will be a deep frying pan (about 3 inches high) with the cast iron cover. That collection should cover about any cooking situation I would attempt!

If your outdoors person is a shooter and you can find some 22 rimfire ammo, I’m sure that would be a welcome gift! A camouflage shirt or a good knife is always useful, as is an additional fishing tackle box or bag for all that extra stuff scattered around the boat or in the back of the car! I’ve recently had the need for some specialized screwdriver bits for some gun screws and small kits available in a store’s hardware section which contain a variety of sizes and bit types have been perfect for my needs.

Finding the perfect Christmas gift for your outdoors person can be very difficult, depending on your knowledge of his/her preferences or even their favorite activities. While it might not seem as personal as a wrapped gift under the tree, I’ve found a gift card from my favorite outdoors store is about the closest thing to a perfect gift I can receive.