Best gifts for fishermen & women 2019
Every year our editors spend many hours in the field perfecting their craft. From swinging streamers to monster rainbows, tossing twitching jigs to voracious coho, jigging iron to predatory halibut, trolling herring for kings, or tossing dries to iridescent Arctic grayling, our contributors live to fish. The purpose of our Holiday Gift Guide is to bring attention to some of the items that made us more effective and productive in field, as well as new items being released from trusted brands, so that you can consider acquiring these items as gifts for the outdoor enthusiasts on your holiday list. This is part 1; part 2 will appear in the December issue.
Garmin Force Trolling Motor garmin.com Fish with force using the 50-inch or 57-inch Force trolling motor. It’s the most powerful, most efficient bow-mounted trolling motor available, yet is still extremely quiet. Wireless chartplotter connectivity provides navigation, autopilot, and anchor lock capabilities. Force includes a wireless foot pedal that feels and steers like a cable-steered pedal, a remote with point-and-go gesture steering, and built-in ultrahigh-definition sonar for exceptionally clear images. Think about the smile on your loved one’s face when you give them this as a gift this year! | |
Skinner Sights’ BUSH PILOT Carbine Survival Kit skinnersights.com Introduced a couple years ago in .44 Magnum, Skinner Sights BUSH PILOT takedown hunting and survival carbine was an instant success. In response to popular demand, Andy Larsson of Skinner Sights has taken this “package” to a new level of power. The Skinner BUSH PILOT is now available in the time-proven .45-70 Govt. The BUSH PILOT kit consists of a premium takedown, lever-action carbine built to Skinner’s specs by Chiappa, USA. Featuring Skinner’s rugged, reliable, and accurate peep sights, this carbine breaks down and fits into a 20-inch OAL Skinner designed case. Intended for use in the bush plane, boat, quad, snow machine, or simply tucked behind the seat in your vehicle, the BUSH PILOT is always with you. Included in the kit are essential, premium survival items (Brunton compass, Doan fire starter, flare matches, Ontario Knife Company RAT 7 survival knife sporting the BUSH PILOT logo serial numbered to the carbine, 850 paracord, space blanket/shelter, Hexamine stove), and it all fits into the Skinner folding takedown case. This is a fantastic gift for your mobile outdoorsman and will provide both you and the gift recipient with peace of mind. | |
Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Youth Combo uglystik.com Built for the beating your kiddo might give this rod, the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Youth Combo is the perfect spinning combo for kids from beginner to advanced. Suited for an array of fishing such as trout in Alaska’s lakes or pinks in Hope or Valdez, this rod and reel will hold up through all that in true Ugly Stik fashion. Open up the fishing world even further for your mini anglers with their own rod. | |
XTRATUF Leather Ankle Deck Boot xtratuf.com The leather version of the XTRATUF Ankle Deck boot is crafted specifically for sport fishermen. The Leather Ankle Deck Boot will be a favorite for coastal adventures on and off the boat. These lightweight silhouettes sport non-marking, slip-resistant Chevron outsoles and are 100% waterproof. We’re thinking this could be a great gift for a lot of people we know. | |
KastKing Reels and Tools kastking.com After testing KastKing’s Krome series of rods last year we were impressed. They have many models in the lineup to address a wide range of techniques and the rods are well-built and responsive tools. This year we have been testing KastKing’s spinning and baitcasting reels, as well as scissors, pliers, and a rod rack. We are pleased with the performance of these items, and roused by the variety on offer. Make your angler happy this year and get them a range of items from KastKing. | |
FisheWear Fly Rod Collaboration with SaraBella Fishing fishewear.com SaraBella Fishing’s mission is to create smart, beautiful flyfishing rods that perform with excellence and make a positive impact. They’ve come together with forward-thinking Fishewear to co-brand a dazzling fly rod made just for women. They’re offered in 5-, 7-, or 8 weights, each in their own feminine color. Each rod in the series is a 9-foot, medium-fast action 4-piece made from carbon fiber. There is some variety in grip shape and finish as well as reel seat material. This is truly a beautiful gift for Alaska’s female fly anglers. | |
Penn International VISW pennfishing.com This is the muscle series for big fish in Alaska. Think big, bruiser flatfish and salmon sharks for this high-end reel that will run like an Olympian. The size 30 is plenty of reel for the task with a 4.1:1 gear ratio. They are up there in price, but you won’t likely find yourself disappointed in the spend. Made in the USA, Penn International VISW features include a machined- and anodized-aluminum body and sideplates, stainless-steel main and pinion gears, Penn’s Quick-Shift II 2-speed retrieve and Dura-Drag systems, Versa-Strike Adjustable Strike stop, and double-dog ratchet anti-reverse. Someone is going to feel pretty jolly to discover this bad boy under the tree. | |
Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers’ Co-Operative qiviut.com 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers’ Co-Operative in Anchorage. They make beautiful, hand-crafted, heirloom apparel from qiviut. To celebrate, they have created a Mekoryuk 50th anniversary pattern Nachaq. They had a special batch of yarn spun specifically for the 50th anniversary patterns and it is some of the highest-quality yarn they’ve produced. The anniversary Nachaqs are fashioned after a garment that is no longer made called a Pelatuk, a larger version of the Nachaq. They modified the pattern to just be in the panels. On the solid knit panel, they purled in a “50” in commemoration of their 50th. It’s a beautiful, custom gift that would wow any Alaskan. | |
MUCK Chelsea Boot with Mossy Oak Bottomlands muckbootcompany.com The MUCK Chelsea is easy to wear and is made with waterproof materials for maximum water resistance in the muckiest of situations. With a slimmed down midsole, this boot can be worn for work or casual occasions. New this season is a taupe boot with Mossy Oak Bottomlands camo. This boot incorporates Muck’s time-tested combination of comfort, warmth, and ruggedness. Another great gift idea for the outdoor enthusiast. | |
LeeLock Quick Change Base Bow Roller leelock.com The Quick Change Base Bow Roller functions as a simple bow roller used on its own to put out or take in your anchor line. The unique thing about this bow roller is that the roller can be easily and quickly removed to allow the use of the Columbia River Anchor Nest, any of the three Bow Mount Trolling Motor Mounts or the LeeLock Ladder, giving you four options with a single piece of equipment! Simply unbolt and slide an accessory out, slide another accessory in, and run the bolt through to secure it. Made of aluminum that has been anodized to help prevent corrosion, the LeeLock Quick Change Base Bow Roller will last through years of hard use. There are three holes for mounting. As with all the equipment at LeeLock, it is completely handmade in the U.S.A. Trust us, the power boater on your list would surely welcome this as a gift! | |
Honda EU2200i Generator akmining.com This gift is practical and useful for your outdoor family. Since last year’s 7.0 earthquake that struck near Anchorage, an item like this on the holiday wish list makes perfect sense to the folks around here. The EU2200i is all about quietness, dependability, durability and ease of use. The EU2200i delivers 10 percent more power than the EU2000i without added weight or cost. A Honda generator will last a lifetime and be ample back up power for your home or RV. It also comes in camo and can be used with a companion model. Learn more about the EU2200i or any of the other Honda Generator models with the knowledgeable staff at Alaska Mining & Diving Supply in Anchorage. | |
Man Gear Alaska Gen2-MTU-MOS Holster mangearalaska.com Man Gear Alaska’s patented Gen2-MTU-MOS holsters provide the capability to carry a semi-auto handgun with RMR-style optic or reflex sight and are designed to accommodate a handgun with or without the optic. The holster is offered in three colors: black, coyote brown, and universal digital camouflage. The two-mag pouch option was specifically designed for the Glock Model 40 MOS with the 6-inch-long slide, but also works well with a shorter barrel. It can also be purchased with the slightly shorter, one-mag pouch option. If your outdoorsman is needing a new holster, then this would make an excellent and highly useful gift. | |
Mepps Aglia Spinners mepps.com For as long we we’ve been publishing Fish Alaska, our editors have used Mepps lures to catch salmon, trout, char, pike, and grayling in Alaska freshwater. We recommend the Aglia spinner in sizes 3-, 4-, and 5, in a range of blade colors including green, pink, orange, and blue. New this year is the Aglia Bait Series and we have been testing that in Alaska waters in 2019 with good results. Make your all-tackle salmon and trout angler happy by getting them a stocking stuffed with Mepps lures. |