AS SEEN IN THE NOV/DEC 2007 ISSUE

A little reminder to the fishermen in our lives….

The festive season is well underway, and soon, all of us will be regretting overdoing it on delicious turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie. Wow, it’s really hard to believe, but it’s already time to start thinking about gifts for that special someone in our lives. That’s right, every man's favorite time of the year - holiday shopping!

Guys don't get discouraged, because buying the female-anglers in your life that perfect present can be a lot easier than you think. Forget about terrycloth bathrobes, expensive perfumes and crowded shopping malls. Instead, swing by your local tackle retailer or boating accessory store and see just how easy holiday shopping can be.   

The marine industry has made it a lot easier for guys to shop for their special someone’s, as there are now multiple lines of outdoor apparel designed strictly for women. In most tackle shops, as well as most outdoor fishing and boating accessory stores, there are racks filled with feminine fishing attire that is both functional and fashionable. The Pink Tuna is one such brand allowing women to do just that by offering everything from hats, visors, tanks and tees to jackets, foul weather gear and even panties – all designed specifically for female anglers. Cat Bartels, the company’s founder, says “No longer do women have to dress in their male counterpart’s old, oversized, well-worn fishing clothes. The Pink Tuna was inspired by endless summers fishing off the coast of Florida and the Bahamas. I set my sights on keeping my passion for the outdoors alive by creating a line of sport fishing apparel and accessories that would be appealing to women of all ages and all sizes who also enjoy the same lifestyle.”

Remember guys, you are not strictly limited to apparel when searching for the perfect fishing related gifts to bring home to your sweetheart. There are now custom rods available that have been specifically designed around a woman’s smaller frame which makes fishing more comfortable and enjoyable.  

As we all know, in today’s busy schedules, spending quality, uninterrupted time with your ‘better half’ is hard to come by. Fishing is a sport that is meant to be shared, and landing a trophy fish means so much more when you can experience the accomplishment with someone you truly care about. So making the investment on custom tackle to keep your lady angler happy is a small price to pay for the overall benefits. It takes a special kind of woman to spend the day fishing with the man in her life so why not make it as enjoyable as possible for her. And admit it, most of the time you, too, enjoy the bond you share while simultaneously targeted all of those glorious game fish.

Another “catchy” gift idea for the special lady in your life is setting up a guided trip that you can both equally enjoy. A guided fishing trip is a gift that never stops giving, as the wonderful memories last a lifetime. After the charter is over, you will not only have many wonderful fish stories, but fresh fish for dinner. Fishing charters are also beneficial in that you will both leave with a lot more fishing “know-how” then you came with. Guided trips can be combined with a three-day weekend, and this can make everyone happy! Maybe you can even go as far as booking an exotic fishing adventure to a remote island in the Caribbean somewhere as a way of showing your special someone how much you really appreciate her.

Let’s also not forget about jewelry. Women love jewelry, and nautically themed jewelry is no different. There are beautiful, well-crafted necklaces, earrings and bracelets out there that any lady angler would be proud to adorn. Many fish charms can have a favorite stone added for the fish’s eye which can make the piece even more sentimental. Imagine how thrilled your wife, girlfriend or daughter would be to receive a gold necklace with a leaping dolphin with her birthstone - just to remind her of the big dolphin she caught the previous summer. Maybe matching “his & hers” fish necklaces are in order this holiday season.

Back in the day, guys used to go on fishing trips as an escape from their women and chores. This is not the case anymore; many ‘wise’ men now invite the women in their lives to join them. Statistics show that more than 17 million women actively fish, and that number is on the rise. For women, the love of the sport is more than catching fish, it is the outdoor experience shared with loved ones that means the most. The dishes and laundry can wait. Trust me; they’ll still be there when you return from fishing.

Speaking of dishes, there are many decorated fish plates as well as various nautically designed kitchen utensils any lady angler would love to find under the tree. In this exciting day and age, not only do kitchen utensils come in fishy shapes and themes, but so do bedspreads, blankets, sheets, throw rugs, you name it.

I, for one, caught “fishing fever” long ago, and I now find myself immediately drawn to anything and everything that has a fish on it. Whether it is a towel, lampshade, pillow, dress or candle - I want it to have a fish on it. My husband is a professional fishing guide, and during the beginning of our relationship, there was a time when I felt that if I saw another fish, I was going to check myself into the loony bin. It’s funny how things change.

Remember guys, your lady angler will appreciate any gift you give her, but if you take the time to select that special something, she’ll enjoy it even more. And while rumor has it that women like to shop, so do most men, especially when it comes to buying marine related gifts. I would not be the least bit surprised if the guy who ventures out shopping for his lady ends up having to be escorted out of the tackle shop at closing time.  Just be careful though, because once the lady in your life catches “fishing fever,” she may never be the same. Happy Holidays!

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