Two weeks from today good little sportsmen and outdoor-oriented women will be excitedly unwrapping their Christmas presents. Speaking from personal experience, I am just as eager to peek in the packages now as I was as a youngster. The cap pistols, jack knives and Lincoln logs of childhood have changed to big-boy toys to support my never-ending need for hunting gear and fishing equipment.

Wander through the local sporting goods store or peruse one of the outdoor catalogs that arrive daily during December. The wide array of merchandise for outdoorsmen is mind boggling, and most everything is new and improved this year. If you’re still in a quandary about what to give that special sportsman on your gift list, I have a few ideas that might help.

Flyscapes

If there’s a fly fisherman on your Christmas list, I came across a unique item that’s bound to please. Cindi Brookins of Melrose, Mont., has created a fishing fly candle that’s sure to ignite memories of salmon-filled streams and forest-lined trout brooks. Fly candles are comprised of a clear gel in a glass container with colorful gravel and river rocks layered on the bottom, and small effervescent bubbles rising with the realism of a naturally flowing creek. And there, suspended in the center of this pretend water scene is a vibrantly colored, hand tied fly and short length of leader. The flyscape is so authentic you almost expect to see a fish swim by.

Brookins’ luminary creations come in various sizes, one of which is sure to enhance the atmosphere of any cabin, den or even the office. Beyond their visual splendor, these attractive conversation pieces appeal to the nose as well, with a dozen unique fragrances. Dim the lights and stare at the suspended fly while the aroma of Pitchy Pines, Sage and Cedar, Tall Timber, Big Hole Rain or Northwest Berries surround you. These favorites and several other fragrances make it just like being there.

Fly candles come in three sizes, the largest of which is 26 ounces, and will burn for 250 hours. Thanks to a burn pool about the size of a silver dollar, the fly remains intact in the outer layer of gel even when the candle is finished. A wide selection of patterns are available in dry, salmon, streamer and salt water flies, or Cindi will gladly create a special flyscape if you send her your own hand tied patterns.

Fly candles cost $20-$35 depending on size, and discounts are available on orders more than $100. Check out these unique gifts that offer appearance, aroma, and atmosphere at www.luminousflycandles.com or call toll free at 1-866-679-6131 to order or get further information. Be sure to order one more than you need, because once you actually see how beautiful and authentic these candles are, some friend will end up without a gift.

Winter reading

When closed seasons and winter weather prevent outdoorsmen from actually enjoying the recreations they love, the next best thing is to read about it. I know there are entire television channels dedicated to showing hunting and fishing adventures, but somehow the written word is more intimate. A top-notch wordsmith can turn a phrase that has you wading the salmon stream or jumping up from the duck blind right beside them. Success, joy, sadness and defeat are felt, and how, where, when and with what are all learned from a good book on outings afield and afloat.

Krause Publications of Iola, Wis., seems to understand the needs of today’s sportsmen, and each year they bring forth several tantalizing tomes. As a compliment to last year’s “Legendary Deer Camps,” author Robert Wegner has written “Legendary Deerslayers.” This book is worth having for the photo and illustrations along, but the breathtaking tales of America’s best deer stalkers, from James Fenimore Cooper’s Natty Bumppo to John Audubon to Meshach Browning, are true hunting heritage.

Gun Digest is an annual offering full of stories on shooting and hunting as well as a full listing with photos of current firearms, ammo and optics, and is a must on many holiday gift lists. This year a special edition of arms and accessories for the deer hunter, called The Gun Digest Book of Deer Guns, is on the market. Along with reports on deer rifles, shotguns and handguns, there’s info on ammo and scopes as well as a guide to used gun values.

For those of you who truly enjoy wild game, The Ultimate Venison Cookbook by Jim and Ann Casada is a must. From readying your deer for the table to more than 200 mouth watering recipes, including health smart meals, fancy preparations, soups stews, and chilies, jerky and sausage, and even pate and pie, it’s all there for the tasting. Just reading this book is enough to make your mouth water.

M.D. Johnson’s Successful Goose Hunting has to be at the top of every honker hunter’s wish list, as well as their reading list. This large size soft cover volume is replete with wonderful full color field photos. From clothing to calling, guns to gear and decoys to dining, this book has something to offer even the most veteran waterfowler. If your local bookstore can’t get these four titles, call Krause directly toll free at 888-457-2873 or go on line to order at www.Krause.com. Prices range from $15 to $40 for the four books mentioned.

Gun travel

If you’re like me, during the fall there’s often two or even three long guns in your truck at the same time. During November, for example, I want a deer rifle, 20-gauge grouse gun and a 12-gauge goose and duck scattergun at hand. For safety’s sake and to protect the firearms finish, a large hard case or multiple soft cases have been the answer during travel. This takes up excess space and can be frustrating if you need to access one of the guns in a hurry.

A back seat gun case solved all these problems for me this past autumn. This space saving gun storage unit quickly and simply attaches to the driver and passenger seats of an SUV or pick-up and hangs directly behind these seats. Each of the three lateral pockets easily stores a gun and offers fast, easy access from either side of the vehicle.

Heavy fabric and metal rods for reinforcement protect a gun in each compartment and also keeps them hidden from prying eyes. The Back Seat Gun Case is available in black or two styles of camo for about $60. If the local gun shop doesn’t stock it, check Cabelas, Redhead, Bass Pro Shop or Ducks Unlimited catalogs or their online sites.

Stocking stuffers

If the big gifts are all taken care of, but you’re still in need of a couple of smaller items in the $10 to $20 dollar range, here are some always appreciated items. An annual subscription to a favorite magazine, a box of shells for a favorite firearm, or a half dozen flies, lures, or topwater plugs will fit the bill.

In the $50 range, fly casters can always use a new fly line, and one of L.L. Beans’ magnum cork duck decoys with the new movable preening head will bring oohs and ahhs from the waterfowlers. How about a new goose call, a rechargeable multi LED headlamp or a camo floating gun case?

Three of my favorite gifts last holiday season were comfort items. A pair of battery- operated boot socks that keep my tootsies toasty during ice fishing and spring wading. To maintain feelings in my fingers during cold weather fishing or hunting, and to keep my hands dry, I got a pair of Gore-Tex, Thinsulate-lined deluxe shooting gloves. And third, perhaps my favorite, is a pair of L.L. Bean fur-lined leather slippers.

As a last resort, it’s hard to go wrong buying an outdoorsman next year’s fishing or hunting license. After all, the New Year and ice fishing season are a week after Christmas. A gift certificate to a favorite gun or fly shop or sporting goods company always takes the guess work out of gift giving and allows the sportsman to pick and choose for themselves.

Here’s hoping the Jolly Old Elf in the red suit finds your chimney this Christmas and that your name is on the “nice” list. It’s the gifts for next year’s cast-and-blast outings that help many of us endure the long winter!

Outdoor feature writer Bill Graves can be reached via e-mail at bgravesoutdoors@ainop.com