Holiday gift ideas with the angler in mind

I remember the excitement I used to feel as a young angler of about 10 years old looking at an assortment of wrapped gifts under our Christmas tree and hoping to open some new fishing item — a rod, a reel, a fishing lure or a jar of commercial salmon eggs. Any one of these could be a highlight of my Christmas. More than 40 years later, I still get jazzed over fishing gifts, although at this stage in life I am more frequently the giver of such gifts.

There was a time when I would not be as excited about receiving a pair of sox or gloves as a gift, but if they would be helpful on an ice fishing trip my interest would perk back up. From my present job working with hundreds of guests each summer as a fishing guide, I know there are many people who may be just as easy to please with a fishing-related gift. In the Mat-Su core area, several stores stock specialty fishing items year-round and often provide special deals before and after the Christmas holiday.

This may provide extra incentive to purchase the perfect rod, reel, lure or line to be opened as a gift on Christmas Day. Or, when purchasing for an angler who already has a good deal of gear, it may provide the shopper an opportunity to purchase a gift card or gift certificate the discriminating angler can use after the holiday.

After Christmas and New Year’s is when many stores have inventory reduction sales that may provide that special angler on your list an opportunity to get extra value from a gift card when personally selecting just the right gift. Other gift certificate ideas may provide the opportunity to attend one of the rod-building or fly-tying classes offered through 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla, or perhaps a charter fishing opportunity for your special fisherperson.

Reserving a charter fishing opportunity in December or early January often provides the advantage of being able to choose nearly any day in the fishing season, as many fishing charter businesses have guests reserve the bulk of their trips later in the year. There is also the anticipation and talking about the trip in advance that can provide an extra boost to the fishing experience.

Speaking from experience, young kids may simply appreciate the opportunity to go on a fishing trip with one or both parents. Providing such an opportunity may cost more in time and effort from the parents, but what better way to give your kids a positive fishing experience than to provide it yourself if one is so inclined.

Most young kids are much more into action as in catching plenty of small fish than catching one or two large fish. Ice fishing on a local lake can provide such an outing. For new young anglers, choose a warmer day and perhaps bring along ice skates if there is not much snow cover, or a ball to throw as a way to pass a bit of time if the fish are not biting as eagerly as planned. Fishing a location where fires are allowed and roasting a hotdog or two over a fire is another way to liven up a winter fishing trip.

Don’t think a personal fishing trip is only a good gift for the youngsters. I read somewhere in a fishing survey that the biggest reason listed by older anglers for dropping out of the sport is “they no longer had someone to go fishing with.” While there may be a small percentage of anglers who prefer fishing by themselves, most prefer fishing with at least one or two friends or relatives. It simply makes the experience more special when we can share it with someone we love and care for.

For the angler who prefers to fish in warmer summer weather, a subscription to Fish Alaska or Salmon-Trout-Steelheader magazines may provide an enjoyable learning experience for them during winter months. I also noticed several good books and videos available from Fred Meyer and Sportsman’s Warehouse in Wasilla. Last year, a friend got a large specialty electric smoker for Christmas, providing a better opportunity for him to smoke up previous and future catches of salmon.

Pliers, knives, knife sharpeners and even a small outboard motor toolkit are items certain anglers may need and obviously should not be without. Does your angler’s gear clutter up space? Perhaps storage items like tackle boxes, a rod rack or cabinets/shelving may provide an appreciated gift for the both of you.

Purchasing fishing gifts from local stores keeps the local economy going. If you cannot find the exact item you are looking for, perhaps you could special order it, but it is getting late to have a special order arrive in time for Christmas.

If you have to use a large mail order or web-based business to get what you need, can it be shipped direct to a local outlet? I know Sportsman’s Warehouse often provides free transportation between their stores, perhaps providing a means of keeping money circulating in the local economy and a means of getting a specialty item in time for the holiday.

Running out of time and having difficulty coming up with a gift idea? I’ve often opted to purchase a fishing license and/or king salmon stamp. Licenses and stamps expire every year for most Alaskans of a certain age, and the best time to get a new one is right near the start of a new calendar year. You may need to get some personal information to purchase for another person, or personally accompany them to the store. The other neat thing about Alaska licenses and stamps is they can now be purchased from home by someone with a personal computer, Internet access and a credit card. Simply access the ADF&G website at adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=license.main.

Wishing you the best of Christmas fishes.

Andy Couch owns and operates Fishtale River Guides (fish4salmon.com) is a Mat-Su Anglers Club member (matsuanglers.org) and member of the Mat-Su Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission.