Christmas shopping: Last-minute gift ideas for outdoors enthusiasts

2021-12-23 08:16:07 By : Mr. SG Derek

Looking for, let us say, “thrifty” essentials options for last-minute Christmas gifts for that outdoor enthusiast on your list?

Here’s a trio of ideas based on years of self-inflicted, life-threatening experiences.

Do you know someone, probably nicknamed “Lefty,” who’s lethally challenged in their blade-handling skills?

Not to mention any names, but someone such as an outdoor columnist who cut the tip off of their left thumb while working part time at a Santa Barbara leather-goods factory while in college?

It brought a whole new meaning to the phrase “I left a little part of me at Styled Steer.”

Before my first trip to Alaska, I was told to pack one of these cut-resistant gloves for assembly-line filleting and fish-cleaning at the lodge.

It’s basically a thick, flexible glove with interwoven metal or carbon threads that protects your digits from ending up in the vacuum-sealed bags with the salmon and halibut.

Also great for practicing your slicing and dicing skills in the kitchen.

The glove works on either right or left hand, or for the terminally inept, you might want to get two.

Notes: It isn’t foolproof for stab punctures, but close.

Because most have a relatively rough surface, it helps when handling slippery fish.

And while it’s relatively thick, DO NOT use as an oven mitt. Those metal threads heat up pretty fast.

They’re available at most sporting goods stores or online and cost $15 to $20.

If you’ve got muck or gunk, whether sand and seaweed on waders, clamming shovels or rakes; gumbo mud on boots or shoes; all of your sodden gear and soggy clothes after an outing or camping trip, these beauties are the answer.

There are always one or two in my truck.

A contractor’s bag also works as a waterproof laundry sack or trash bag, as a cover in camp for gear, even as a makeshift rain poncho if you cut some arm and head holes cut out.

When daughter Meghan was a wee stripling, she walked around using one as makeshift waders, until there was a (minor) puncture.

Laugh now. You’ll thank me later.

Available at almost any hardware or home improvement store, or online.

Cost: $15 to $20 for a roll of 20.

Lose a lug nut, screw, nail, fish hooks, knife or other steel tool in the snow, grass, bushes, creek or sand?

Probing with one of these extendable-shaft magnetic pick-up tools will grab it.

Use a steel tool to find it if you lose the extendable magnet in the sand or tall grass.

And you can use the business end to hold parts or hooks while you’re working on a repair or tying a fly by lantern light.

One of the downsides of magnets is they don’t work on aluminum or other non-ferrous metals.

Available at hardware and home improvement stores and online, often in assortment packs of varying lengths and strengths.

Cost: $15 to $20, depending on how much it lifts. Some are rated up to 20-plus pounds (anyone need to recover a shot put?) - and the size, from clip-on, pen-style, and also depending on the assortment in a multi-pack.

ON THE FISHING FRONT: Sites close to Salem that have been stocked recently with rainbow trout include: Timber Linn Lake (1,000 8-inches or larger) and Waverly Lake (850 keepers and about 150 behemoth brood rainbows), both in Albany; and Salem’s Walling Pond, 16th and McGilchrist, parking off 16th, (1,300 keepers and 100 brood trout).

SHOW AND SALE: The Portland-based Oregon Bass & Panfish Club sent out an alert to members about the annual NW Fall Fishing Show. The club will have a table at the show to dispense information and answer questions about the largest non-competitive organization for warm-water fishing enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest. In the interests of full disclosure, I’m a club member The show is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gresham Ford, 1999 Powell Blvd., Gresham. Admission is free. While something of a come-on, given the venue, with vehicle test drives and a display of fishing boats from Nixon’s Marine, the emphasis is on piscatorial pastimes. One of the features is a fishing gear “garage sale” where you can buy and sell used tackle and gear. Fair warning: If you’re like me, you generally come back with more than you brought. There also will be how-to fishing seminars, prize drawings and a silent auction.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Thought for the week: The most dangerous words while driving in the woods: “It doesn’t look that deep.” The second most dangerous? “I’m sure that’s the turn.”

Contact Henry via email at HenryMillerSJ@gmail.com