1. Koppers Live Target Frog – $10 to $15

Koppers Frog

This newly released soft-bodied, top-water lure should be shattering a glassy, calm lake near you this summer. This frog bait made some headlines at this year’s 2010 iCast Event and won their soft-bodied award. Koppers try very had to create ‘the world’s most anatomically accurate line of fishing lures‘ and this frog SHOULD catch some bass for you. Feel free to put one under my tree Santa! Visit your local tackle store to purchase or buy online from Bass Pro Shops.

2. A new tackle bag - $30 to $80

Plano Soft Sider Guide Bag

This year I ‘purged’ the junk from my old tackle box and exported them to smaller, fabric-shelled guide bag. It has 4 plastic trays that pull-out with multiple slot size configurations.  I was able to find a place for everything my older tackle box contained.  My gear stays better organized in a more streamlined container.  The molded-hard bottom lining is a must have feature. You can place it in the bottom of a wet boat or dock without water being ‘sponged’ into your tackle.

You don’t need to get the exact one I as I did. I bought a Plano Soft-Sider Guide Bag.  The point is, any new tackle box will cause any angler to re-organize their old one and feel better about themselves…

3. A new handcrafted fishing rod – $150 to $300

This my take a creative note in a stocking (or gift wrap), but consider getting your special fishing jedi a custom rod from from Fetha Styx. They fish the rods they build and the production versions of their rods all come from the DNA of a custom, hand-crafted version. I have been able to interact with some of the crew behind the ‘Styx’ and they are the real deal.

Afraid to get the wrong fishing rod? It may be obvious, but visit the Fetha Styx website with your favorite angler and get some guidance from them. You could also note the printed details, of an old rod, located close to where the reel is attached to the rod handle. Still not sure? Send me an email and I would be happy to help you determine a good fit.

Fetha Styx Fishing Rods

4. A new fishing float tube – $100 to $300+

Fishing Float Tube

Experience your favourite fishing lake from the view of float fishing tube. They are stealthy and easy on fuel. You will be able to access areas that boats can not spook less fish. So far, I have not hooked into a fish my flippers could handle. Prove me wrong.

Higher priced tubes are more stable, easier to enter and support the angler higher out of the water. Cabela’s has some nice examples here.

5. An Ultimate Fishing Trip to Queen Charlotte Lodge – $3800 to $5900

Every time I watched an episode from WFN’s reality fishing show called, The Lodge, I am reminded why this fishing resort is at the top of my own ‘bucket’ list. Catch big fish and relax in style. Meet the stars of the show. Book early through the QCL website – they fill up fast!

Catch The Fish of a Lifetime at QCL!

* for those interested – I make NO money from the links I have direct you to in this post.

It is easy to spot a rookie, and sometimes the saying, “If you want to be – ACT as if…” can speak volumes.  Fly fishing Author, George Douglas, announced the release of his new fly fishing book, Fish Like a Guide.

According to Douglas this book is,

“The first of a series that teaches anglers how to think, plan and adjust at the level of a professional fishing guide. The introduction of the book states that you can spot a professional fisherman a mile away. You can tell by the way they move, the decisions they make, their preparation and strategy–and it is all geared for one thing, catching fish consistently… if you do things in a certain way on and off the river, you will become a better angler.”

In addition to the book launching, Kype magazine (Douglas is a publisher) has announced a drawing scheduled to take place on September 1, 2010 for members of the social community at www.SteelheadSalmonTroutFishing.com. Membership is free for anyone to join. The Grand Prize is a guided trip with George Douglas in Steelhead Alley, Ohio, including two complimentary nights at The Lodge at Geneva on the Lake.

For more information on pre-orders of his new book, the drawing, guide service, and to join the Kype Nation Social Community, visit www.SteelheadSalmonTroutFishing.com

Douglas’ Blog: http://steelheadsalmontroutfishing.blogspot.com/

I understand that at this point you are not going to be able to purchase these items online, but they should be common enough to find in most outdoor stores – big or small.

LED Cap Lights

I saw these cool clip on lights on my last trip to 1 of my favorite outdoors stores. The concept is simple. Its a small light that clips to the brim of your hunting cap so that you can be ‘hands free’ to climb in or out of your tree stand. They are usually under $10 bucks and if you look at the shelf closely you can find a ‘night vision’ bulb color – meaning the bulb is a colour that will minimally impact your low light viewing.

Memory Cards for Trail Cams and Regular Cameras

This time of year I am amazed how memory cards (or sticks) are reduced in price. Try and find out what kind of memory card your electronic device and find a deal. The most common types in my electronics are either SD cards or Compact Flash cards. Go for gigabytes – not megabytes. You should be able to find 2 – 4 gigabyte cards for $10 – $2o.

Berkley Gulp Minnows

The easy to find fish ‘candy’ that works. They are biodegradable, packed full of scent and easy to pack in a stocking. I always am appreciative when I get a package of these minnows. My favorites colours  are smelt and chartreuse shad. They catch pike, bass and lake trout -essentially anything that swims. Let the person you give them to worry about HOW to fish them. Packs run from $5 to $10.

E-gift Certificates

These are the ultimate in last minute gifts. When you visit an outdoor store like Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops, they offer opportunities to buy E-gift Cards. They act just like gift cards but they can be ‘sent’ via email to you or the person receiving the gift TODAY. They can be personalized to match the angler’s or hunter’s taste and they are easy to use. Check out Cabelas E-gift cards here to see what I mean.

Have a MERRY Christmas!

*If you click on the Cabelas gift card link – Muskoka Outdoors receives a small percentage of any e-card purchased. We do not get money when you click on the link. Take a moment to check them out.