I know the story only too well (because I'm as guilty as anyone!)
It's only a few weeks until the holidays and you still have a list of people
that you'd like to give something to but you
a.) Haven't got the time to go shopping;
b.) Don't want to fight the crowds;
c.) Don't have the money to be extravagant;
d.) Don't know what to get them;
e.) You didn't get anything from them last year so you
don't figure you shouldn't get them anything this year;
f.) All the above;
g.) None of the above;
h.) Some of the above;
i.)___________________(Fill in the blank;)
Anyway, I thought I'd put together a few ideas to help us
all out. Who knows, it may even work for me!
1. A book of maps and notes on good fishing holes. Maps are pretty
inexpensive and some are even free. Stop down at your local DNR or
conservation office and check it out. They usually have lots of maps (it's
their business to sell licenses so they want you to know where to use them
so you'll buy another one next year!) Buy an inexpensive binder and insert
sheets and put the maps into the inserts. Annotate on the maps where there
are good places to fish (if they complain that they didn't catch any at that
spot you can always say that the fish were there last time you went! (make
sure you look dumbfounded when you say this)). Also mark easy places to
launch boats or float tubes, angry (or friendly) landowners to stay away
from, pastures containing ornery bulls, etc. You may even want to make
notes on what type of fish you caught and what flies you used to catch them
(this will normally be taken as a challenge to see if they can do better).
You can make it as fancy and thorough as you want or just leave it basic.
Either way, it'll be appreciated.
2. Recycle some of your old tackle. There's probably a kid or an adult on
the list that would really like to learn how to fly fish but is lacking even
the basic equipment. Some of us have an older rod and reel sitting around
collecting dust somewhere we no longer use because it's been replaced,
sometimes several times over. Maybe the tip is broken off or the cork grip
is worn a bit but basically, with a little bit of elbow grease, it's still a
usable setup. Find it, clean it up, repair it, put a new coat of polish on
it and give it as a gift along with a promise to take them out and teach
them the sport. Who knows, you could wind up with a new fishing partner or
be teaching the next 12-year-old A.K. Best how to fly fish. Besides, you'd
be getting rid of some of the clutter in your tackle area, which in turn
will probably make your spouse a little happier!
3. Build a display box of favorite or famous flies. Display boxes are
inexpensive and can be picked up at almost any chain store hobby area. They
come in different sizes and shapes. You can get them made out of wood,
plastic, art board, etc. Some are glass front or Plexiglas or open front.
Regardless, pick up a few small corks while you're there to mount the flies
on then glue the corks and flies into the display box. Again, you can get
fancy and stop at the fabric store and pick up a little velvet or satin
cloth for the back ground (gingham is a little too busy I've noticed) or buy
a plain wooden one and finish it to the persons decor, etc. The only
question now is: "Where do I get the flies?" Open up your vest and start
looking there first. Or go down to the local fly shop (or go online) and
pick up a few, it'll only cost you a few bucks. An even less costly (and a
bit devious) idea for a fly tier would be a hook display with as many
different styles and sizes of hook as you could find (or afford) with a
small title paper under each one. And, since you only need to put one of
each hook in the display box and they come 25 to a pack your "stuck" having
to use the rest for your own fly tying. a terrible thing to have happen! You
could adapt the same idea for tippet material, lines, leaders, etc.
(although I would hold the line on different sizes and weights of rods
unless you were REALLY trying to kiss up to this person!)
4. Make up an Anglers Journal for a friend. I know you have a computer,
otherwise you wouldn't be reading this column. So use the word processing
program that came with it to build a form for a journal page (ok, so you
might have to read the manual or get someone to help you figure it out, but
swallow your pride, it's for a good cause). Include plenty of data items
like date, time, air temperature, water temperature, hatches, number and
kinds of fish caught and their pertinent measurements. Who they were
fishing with, the size of their hat, whether they had on their lucky underwear,
you know the ol' "who, what, where, when, why" stuff. Maybe leave an
area for photos. Most programs will even allow you to import graphics so
you can put pictures or cartoons on the pages, use your imagination. You
can pick up 3 ring binders at most discount stores or office supply stores
that have clear plastic pockets on the outside of the binders for title
sheets. They're really inexpensive too, only about $3 to $5.00 apiece.
Again, you can go from basic to extravagant, depending on how much time and
money you want to put into it. Once you get the gift done make one up for
yourself so you have some winter reading plus a handy reference for the next
years fishing.
5. For the Fly Tier who has everything. Have you ever been to a furrier?
(Just a quick note: don't mention this one to your wife if she's ever
expressed an interest in a fur coat!) Normally, at least in most semi-urban
areas of the country, there's a furrier. . . a business that makes fur coats for
people who still have the guts (and money) to wear them. Stop in and talk
with them and see if you can pick up some of the scraps for little or
nothing. I know the local one sweeps the floor every night and just tosses
it all in the trash (or at least used to). See if you can get a few scraps
of fur that are hard to come by. Also check with a few of the local
trappers and see where they sell their raw furs and contact that company and
see if they have any odd or lower grade finished furs they'd be willing to
part with. I mentioned it to a neighbor who traps and he took me over to
his buyer who started handing me all kinds of stuff that he would have just
tossed out because it wasn't up to grade, and it was all already tanned and
finished. Put together a package of furs, pelts, feathers, etc. (sort of a
rummage/remnant box) for the fly tier(s). Another source, believe it or
not, is your local Good Will, Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul, or second
hand clothing store. You can pick up an old fur collared coat for a few
dollars, take off the fur, toss or recycle the coat and help a good cause
all in one swift move! You might be surprised what people give to these
places. While you're in there look around for old tackle, rods and reels.
Who knows, you may find a nice antique cane rod like I did one day (still in
its original rod sock and tube).
6. For the "Accident Prone" angler friend. Put together an emergency kit
that fits under the seat of their vehicle, a pocket of their fishing vest,
or in their glove box. Include minor medical supplies for scrapes and cuts
(bandages, antibiotic ointments, sunscreen, dressings, hook remover,
directions on emergency situations, survival guide, etc.) But don't stop
there. There are also real emergencies to consider! Include one of those
inexpensive rod tip repair kits (OK, so they're not wonderful but if it gets down
to going home or keep fishing with a crappy, glued on tip which would YOU
do?). Maybe include a wader repair patch kit, and, if they use a float tube,
then include a tube patch kit. None of this stuff is expensive but how
often do we really have it when we really need it? Buy a small plastic box
that has a tight, water proof, lid that it will all fit into for a couple of
bucks, wrap it up and "Viola!" The next time your friend stumbles, rips his
waders, skins his knee and breaks the tip off his rod, you've just become
the hero that saved the day! Of course there is the point of excess, at
which time he will cuss at you every time he has to move the thing out of
the way to get to his equipment. So keep it compact.
Ok, now it's your turn. Got any quick and inexpensive ideas? Put them out
on the bulletin board area and help those
of us who are "clueless" or "gift givingly challenged." Till next time, may you
have fair weather, good fishing and the only thing that bites are on the hook
at the end of your line! ~ Randy Fratzke
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