Support Small Business -- Evergreen Fishing Travel Gifts
It’s no secret that many small businesses – especially those in the fishing and travel industries – are hurting now. If you’re like me, you want to see the ones who support us emerge from this disaster as unscathed as possible.
I realize that many of us who would otherwise be spending right now are not doing so because of financial uncertainties. Even those of us who are still gainfully employed and expect to be so for the foreseeable future may have trouble buying tackle now --by the time you’re back to fishing tournaments or traveling, it may be a totally different season. Your saltwater trip could get replaced with a freshwater adventure, or vice versa. That makes it hard to plan.
Nevertheless, if you are looking to support a small business, and you want to buy a fishing/travel gift for someone else (or for yourself, there’s no shame in treating yourself) here are some items that could come in handy now, in the future, or as gifts for friends and loved ones down the road.
Normally I wouldn’t spend a hundred bucks plus on a fish grabber that also weighs your catch, but I received one as a birthday gift from my father and realized that description doesn’t do the Boga Grip justice. These are exceptionally accurate (they can be certified for world records) and super-durable. I take mine abroad on various exotic travels, but I also keep it in the boat on a daily basis for handling toothy critters. Don’t buy the imitations. One of my guides in Brazil last year had two cheaper versions broken by thrashing payara. You should, however, attach a float of some sort in case it ends up in the drink.
I’m not a jewelry-wearer. I don’t wear a watch and Hanna repeatedly balks that I don’t regularly don my wedding ring, but to her delight I do enjoy giving jewelry, particularly fish-inspired items. This Austin-based company produces cuffs, pendants rings and other items, many of them including species like permit, redfish and peacock bass. They’d be fine on either men or women, and they won’t break the bank. Furthermore, the company also supports their retailers – in fact, they held a “retail takeover” this week in which one of our local fly shops got a percentage of their overall sales for the day.
Another fish-focused jewelry company, this one based in Florida, and it shows in her emphasis on species like tarpon, sailfish, redfish and snook. Her products come at a variety of price points, and in a variety of substances. I bought Hanna the bronze Mahi Mahi cuff a few years ago, before she caught her first one. I guess I owe her something sailfish-inspired now.
This sweatshirt with the built in neck gaiter has been my go-to since I got it last year any time it’s cold and especially when I’m going to be running the boat fast in brisk temperatures. I planned to get another one when this one got worn out, but it still looks brand new. With more and more tackle retailers carrying AFTCO gear, they shouldn’t be hard to find, and I like the fact that the parent company is now donating a mask to first responders for every one they sell.
Gift Card to a Taxidermist
This is the ultimate sign of confidence – both in the angler you’re giving it to (even if it’s yourself) and in the continuing operations of the artist of your choice. Vow to catch a record-worthy or otherwise meaningful fish this year and to get a replica made to remember it forever. I got my personal best done at Lake Fork Taxidermy, my musky done at Lax Reproductions and several (two peacock bass, a tigerfish and a cutthroat trout) done by Advanced Taxidermy, with a payara on the way. There are plenty of others out there who do great work – can you deliver on your end?
