In my last blog I wrote about the gorgeous and unique wallets, knife sheaths and iPhone/iPad covers made from walleye fish skins by the folks at BigEye.  Judging from the response of readers who subsequently phoned, emailed and/or sent me text messages, the unique Christmas idea struck a chord.  

So, let's keep the thought alive and take a look at a few other Christmas gift ideas you might want to consider for the tough-to-please angler on your list.   

Shakespeare E-Z Cast Baitcast Reel  
Of all the letters and emails I receive each year, I am amazed at the number that are from anglers who, how do I say this delicately, are afraid to use baitcasting equipment because of the birds' nests inherent in the learning process.    

If that is you - or you have that angler on your Christmas gift giving list - give them one of these low profile baitcasting reels.  Honestly, no matter how hard you try to intentionally create a backlash you'll you won't be able to do it, thanks to an anti-backlash mechanical braking system that averts wayward casts.   

I bought two  of these reels for my six and nine year old grandsons last year, and before the season was out, they were using my tournament grade rods and reels like seasoned pros.
   
In fact, the reels do for baitcast fishing what training wheels have done for bicycling.  They teach you how to properly "thumb" the spool and feather your casts.  And in the process, you will never create a backlash. 

Oh, yes, and the reels sell for only about $60.00.  

DuraSafe Coupler Connect Plus Protect   
For about the same price, you can buy also buy a DuraSafe Coupler Connect Plus Protect system.  Twice in the last two years vandals have loosened the pin on my trailer hitch at a public boat ramp while I was out fishing.  If I hadn't noticed it before leaving, the boat and trailer could have popped off the hitch while I was driving down the highway.      

Indeed, two good friends have had this happen and the accounts are harrowing.  One buddy didn't notice it until his boat and trailer literally passed him as he was driving down the highway.   

 Man, wouldn't that freak you out?  

Anyway, it is not possible with the super smart Coupler Connect Plus Protect system installed.  Plus, you can back up your tow vehicle and position the ball on the hitch right under the trailer tongue without ever having to get out to check it.  How cool is that?  Then you take the "Plus Protect", slide it into the bracket to the height of your hitch and attach the hitch pin or better yet, a coded DuraSafe padlock.   Now, it is impossible for your trailer ever to pop off the ball on your tow vehicle.  

Rapala Touch Screen Digital Scale  
Remember, a minute ago, when I mentioned the number of folks who contact me with questions about baitcasting reels.  Well, another recurring question is about the size of fish they catch.    

I am constantly receiving phone calls and email messages from anglers wondering how much I think the big bass, walleye, pike or whatever they  caught and released on the weekend actually weighed.  Usually, the callers have taken the time to measure the length and girth of the fish before letting it go, but rarely do they weigh it.
    
Well, they'll know how much the big bruiser weighed if you give them a Rapala Touch Screen Digital Scale for Christmas.  It is water-resistant, stores and displays the weight of up to eight fish, and with the touch of your finger let's you move around weights to any storage location just like using your iPad or Blackberry.   

The Rapala Touch Screen Digital Scale also has full back up memory, displays the air temperature and runs for 400 hours on two simple AA batteries.  There is a 50-pound scale for weighing big fish and a 15-pound tournament scale for super accurate, down to the ounce culling. 

 Honest truth: I bought a tournament grade digital scale a few years ago and paid over $300.00 for it, but the Rapala Touch Screen that sells for around $60.00 is every bit as good and accurate and offers far more features.  

Frabill FXE Stormsuit  
There is no more brilliant gift you can give the angler on your gift list this Christmas than a Frabill FXE Stormsuit - the driest, lightest, warmest rainsuit on the market today.  I've worn one for two years now and it is the best investment I've ever made.
    
The FXE Stormsuit keeps you dry by using “dolphin-skin” storm flaps to reinforce every Aquaguard waterproof zipper on the suit. 

There is also an internal moisture wicking lining, oversize chin flap and reinforced oversized tool pockets on both the jacket and bibs. And guys, how smart is this: there is even a "spillway" so you can, well, do your thing, without having to remove your pants.  

Navionics App  
Talking about smart, I almost wish I didn't put this Navionics app on my iPad - it's that addictive.   For about the cost of two paper maps you can download every Canadian Hydrographical series map and they're knitted together making for the perfect seamless planning tool!  

You can lay down waypoints to check out on your next fishing trip, share GPS honey holes with friends half way across the country, find the nearest marina, overlay satellite imagery and confirm tides, currents and moon phases.   

If you fish big waters like the ocean, or the Great Lakes, you can even plan travel routes, enter your normal cruising speed and the app will compute how long it will take you to boat to your destination as well as the amount of fuel you'll burn.   

And if your iPad has GPS built into it, the unit will serve as a back up to the chartplotter in your boat.  If you think this is a little futuristic, think again, as the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States has given permission to a company that charters jets to start using iPads for backup, instead of the "old" paper maps.  

SKEENA: A Photographic Journal of Northwest B.C.  
Finally, I have to tell you about a new book that has just come out in time for the holiday season.  It is called SKEENA: A Photographic Journal of Northwest B.C. and the scenic and wildlife photographs are stunning - downright gorgeous, in fact.
  

The book is the result of a labour of love by good friend, and renown photographer, Brandon Broderick.  If you live along the west coast, have ever visited British Columbia or the Canadian Rockies, or simply enjoy, as I do, looking at take-your-breath-away photographs of the Canadian wilderness, this is a must have book for your coffee table.  CLICK HERE TO ORDER  

Indeed, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so if that is the case, feast your eyes on this: