More holiday gift ideas

Thanksgiving happened Thursday! We all know that with Thanksgiving week comes Black Friday, followed up by Cyber Monday. Last week’s column contained several suggestions for presents for your favorite outdoors person. Some items were multiple use, beyond just for the outdoors and several others related to icefishing.

We’ll continue with gift suggestions, but first, I want to wish all you readers and your families a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. Despite the times we live in, we really do have a lot to be thankful for. As the saying goes, if you have clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and food on the table, you’re richer than you know!

We left off last week with suggestions for ice fishing. Let’s pick up there. Buying a new fishing license before your angler goes out in 2024 is always appreciated. The same goes for the 2024 hunting license. A new fishing rod and/or reel will always work, however, gifting a class on how to build a custom rod is a skill many would really like to have.

A selection of fishing lures makes a great stocking stuffer. A new landing net, especially one with a rubberized net would be a step up in dealing with fish you intend to release. The rubberized coating doesn’t tend to rub off the fish’s slime covering completely, which will help the fish survive after being released.

There are a ton of accessories available which are of value to the angler. Things like hip waders, UV resistant clothing, plastic lure boxes, specialized pliers, cut resistant gloves (for cleaning your catch), coolers, fish stringers, and knife sharpeners to name a few. Talk with your nimrod and ask what they need or want and go from there. The local sporting goods stores all have walls covered with these and other gadgets to make fishing easier and more enjoyable.

Before I leave fishing, I want to mention a subcategory which is really starting to take off in Southcentral – surf fishing. Much of the gear is the same, but some is, necessarily larger, and more specialized. If your angler is looking to catch halibut, cod, or sharks, a heavy duty, 10- to 12-foot-long rod and matching spinning reel (around size 8000) is necessary to deal with the tidal currents, fight the fish, and cast the 6 to 12 ounce weights and bait necessary to get out into the areas where the fish tend to travel, usually 100 yards or so off shore.

Larger circle hooks, a good gaff, and some sort of rod holder are all necessary while you’re waiting for that telltale bite and to land the fish once it is brought into shore. 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle has experience with surf fishing and would be a good place to start with questions and lining up necessary gear.

If you can afford it, a new rifle and scope will be long remembered as a wonderful gift. A box of ammunition of the proper caliber with the proper weight and quality bullet will also fit in that hanging stocking. I would suggest a new “hunter orange” hat or gloves or even a vest or jacket which will greatly aid your hunter’s safety in the field. While hunter orange is not required in Alaska, if your outdoorsperson hunts anything in populated areas, it's a smart idea to be seen by other hunters. I personally know a guy who shot and killed a hunting partner on Kodiak Island thinking the partner was a deer. No hunter orange was worn by either person.

A good GPS unit along with a compass and map will help your hunter find his way home. Warm socks, a match safe or windproof lighter, a handwarmer, a new sling for the long gun, a set of quality game bags, a daypack or frame pack, and a good knife are all valuable additions to the hunter’s equipment list. Those same sporting goods stores also have walls displaying numerous accessories for the hunter in your family.

If you don’t know what your person wants or needs, have a chat with them and ask. If they don’t know themselves, you can always buy a gift card for them at their favorite outdoor store with a preset amount and let them pick out that special gift. Just make sure the gift card is used and not forgotten in a drawer.

A subscription to an outdoors, gun, or fishing magazine and a good outdoors book will also be appreciated.