This list of stocking stuffers is intended to help you with ideas for small holiday gifts from $2 to $10. There isn't anything on the list that I do not already own or would like to own. Tackle boxes and hunting packs are bottomless containers that always have room for more useful stuff. For convenience I have broken the list into four categories; although there is some overlapping between saltwater and freshwater lures.
Freshwater Berkley Gulp Powerbait - eggs, grubs, worms, paste - $4 to $10; Split Shot weights in packages (one size) $10; Angler Tackle split shot plastic circle holders and shot - $4 to $5 (excellent containers for keeping various sized split shot); Eagle Claw Bobber Stops - two types, Eagle-Claw, Fluorescent chord and bead $3.50, and plastic bead $2 -these are terrific aids for all float anglers; Special floats for bobber stoppers - $4 to $7; Leo's Bendall Flashers - $3 to $5; Apex Hot-Spot - Trout killer troll - $7; Gibbs willow leaf troll (small) - $9; Flatfish varying sizes - $7 to $10, (I saw a fly-rod size that intrigued me); Casting spoons for trout Len Thompson, Kamlooper, Crocs - $4 to $7.50; Wee - Tad Tomic Plug - $9; Aero Jigs (lead-head) Dressed - $4, bare jigs package. of three - $4; Wigglewood Lures - small plug - $5 to $7; Blue Fox, Mepps and Rooster Tail spinner - $4 to $7.
Saltwater Buzz Bombs, Spinnows, Zzingers, Zeldas $4 to $9; Gibbs Gipsy and Coyote spoons - $7 to $8; Assorted types of salmon hoochies - $7 to $10 (note: when buying hoochies they can be species, area and season timing specific); Hali-Hawg and Gibbs Halibut Grubs $7 to $9; Radiant and Delta halibut hoochies - $9; Delta Tackle and Gibbs Halibut rigged circle hooks - $8; Assorted weights for trolling and bottom fishing - $2 to $5; Berkley Powerbait grubs for halibut $5.50; Berkley Line Clippers, (Black or pink) - $8 to $9; Glow in the dark, red, or white bait buckets for crab and prawn traps - $4; Line snaps for attaching traps
and weights to prawn and crab lines - $3.50; Copper River and other types of scents to attract fish, prawns and crabs - $7 to $9; Smelly Jelly - $7.
Hunting and Shooting Hoppe's Silicon cloth, a great new innovation for the field to protect your guns - $5 to $7.50; Gun locks bolt style - $7 to $9, bolt cable lock - $7; Jerky cure and other meat seasoning - $7 to $10; Paper targets for shooting practice - less than a $1; EZ-Throw 3 clay target thrower - $10 (note: this thrower is made to use in mild temperatures); Rifle cleaning rod - $10; Shot gun shell holder $10; Various deer scents - $ 9; Neoprene scope cover - $9.
Camping and other Outdoor Activities Shoe Goop - Shoegoo - $10; Red Duck Tape and other duck tapes - $4 to $6 (one of the most useful gifts you can give a person who has to fix things in the outdoors); Hand and foot warmers - $2 to $10; Coleman tent pegs in various combinations - $4 to $7 (also useful in pegging down tarps); Clothe pins wood - $3, plastic - $7 (note:-almost as good as tape in some situations); Coghlans emergency blanket - $3.50 (could be an aid to avoid hyperthermia); Magic Stick flint fire starter - $3.50 (it has a piece of pitch wood enclosed, great idea); Coghlans Water Proof Fire Sticks - $3.50; Coghlans Waterproof Matches - package of 4 - $3.50 (note: the last four items are great aids in comfortable camping in our wet climate.) Smiths right or left hand knife and scissor sharpeners -$8; Smoke House Chips, alder, hickory. Mesquite, apple - $5; Coghlans Solar Heated camp shower - $8; Coghlans Light Sticks - $4; Coghlans Table Cloth Weights (neat idea) - $4.50: Coghlans Rubber Mallet for driving in tent pegs - $6; Nylon chords, various lengths, but very useful - $5 to $7.
There are many stores throughout the Valley that carry these items and I wish to thank Canadian Tire, Gone Fishin' and Tyee Marine for their help in making this list. Gifting need not be expensive – just an expression from one kindred soul to another.
Ralph Shaw is a master fly fisherman who was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984 for his conservation efforts. In 20 years of writing a column in the Comox Valley Record it has won several awards.