Each December I write a column about possible gift ideas for Pine Tree sportsmen and outdoor women. Basically, this article is to aid nonhunting and nonfishing relatives and friends select a Christmas present that’s bound to be beneficial and much appreciated by the recipient. Apparently, I’m becoming a bit predictable in regard to this annual Yuletide story because I received my first e-mail regarding gift giving in early November from a teenage daughter who wanted something special for her dad.

As it turns out, that was the first of more than two dozen computer contacts, letters, phone calls and face-to-face conversations so far this month concerning ideas for presents. Many expressed concern about cost, especially the children, so this year I’m going to relent to readers’ requests and offer ideas for gifts that start as low as five bucks and cost no more than $50. Fly rods, guns, reels, GPS units, fishfinders, scopes and the like are not only expensive, but it’s often difficult to select just the right style or design since most outdoorsmen are fairly particular about favorite name brands and models. There are plenty of generic gifts that cast-and-blast enthusiasts can always use, so let’s concentrate on some of those.

Fishing favorites

I’ve yet to find a fisherman who had too many flies or lures, sufficient spools of line or enough gadgets. Before shopping for rolls of leader material, monofilament casting line or fly lines, surreptitiously check out the tackle box or storage cabinet where your favorite fisherman keeps his supplies and equipment. Purchase duplicates of what are obviously his preferred lines and you can’t go wrong. When bass or bait casting the last couple of years, I’ve been using a fairly new product called Cajun Red, a low-memory red monofilament that virtually disappears underwater. Made especially for spinning reels, this line seldom twists, casts smoothly and offers extremely high knot and line strength, and line weights are available in 2-pound increments from 2- to 20-pound test and costs only $4.99 for 300 yards.

Bass casters can always use more hard and soft baits. Heddon Tiny Torpedoes, Pop’N Image, and Zara spooks are unbeatable top-water baits for $4.99 each, while dependable plastic bait options include Gary Yamamoto’s salt impregnated Senko worms, Yum Dingers and Zoom magnum lizards and crayfish; packs of 10 to 20 plastic baits run $3.29 to $7.99 for these proven trophy takers. A box of Gamakatsu red 2/0 or 3/0 worm hooks and bullet-head weights make great additions, also.

Trout and salmon trollers can always use a couple more Mooselook wobblers, Rapala shallow-diving minnows and Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, especially the Holographic pearl, ghost purple and blue/silver hues. A dozen dry flies, assorted size 16 or 18 in patterns such as mosquito, Henryville special, gray Slim Jim, Hendrickson, green drake and blue dun, for example, can be had for around $15 to $18. Tandem streamer flies run a bit more, but a half-dozen can usually be had for $20. Try to find a gray ghost, red and white bucktail, Blue Devil, Ouananiche Sunset or black nose dace for the assortment.

Other miscellaneous equipment options with nominal prices include neoprene padded reel covers to protect the finish and working mechanism of expensive spinning, bait casting or fly reels during travel and along the stream. Velcro- edged lure covers that fit around the rod and a multi-hook plug attached to a rod- guide eye keep lines and lures tangle-free when several rods are transported in vehicles or boat-rod lockers at the same time. How about a nonslip gripper glove for handling toothy pickerel or tailing feisty bluefish with no fear of dropping and injuring the fish while the hook is being removed for a quick, safe release. Each of this trio can be had for less than $20.

Every fresh or saltwater boater and angler ought to have a set of long-nose pliers with a cutting blade and a coiled lanyard and belt sheath. I use mine to cut heavy leader material, tighten knots, remove hooks from fish, straighten bent hooks on plugs and many other tasks while afloat. Last year, however, my rugged stainless steel pliers saved a fishing trip as well as a visit to the emergency room when a friend buried two barbs of a treble hook in his hand. We were able to pull the hook points through and easily cut them off with the razor sharp cutters.

Which reminds me, a compact first aid kit is another good addition to any boat, ATV, snowmobile or other outdoor vehicle where cuts, jams, punctures, scrapes and other minor injuries occur afloat or afield. Pliers cost as little as $25, but can be much higher depending on design. A basic refillable first aid kit runs about the same, and prices increase with additional components.

A few other sundry angling items to consider include a traditional wooden-framed trout net, a basic fly-tying kit to help neophyte tiers pass cold winter nights or perhaps a bit of art. While visiting Scotland last fall, a friend found an eight-fly shadow box display of hand-tied local salmon flies which surprised and elated me Christmas morning. Perhaps a fishing shirt, fly box, dry fly floatant, a filet knife, some insect repellant or a set of lightweight digital fish scales would make a good stocking stuffer. Catching an angler’s fancy with a Christmas gift is usually easier than catching fish.

Gunning goodies

Hunters and shooters always need more ammo, or components if they load their own shells, and since all those shotguns, rifles and handguns need to be maintained, gun-cleaning materials must be replenished. Sneaky family members can check out the gun safe or storage cabinet to see which boxes of shells are low and need replacement, and by writing down the caliber, load and manufacturer, even the nonhunting gift buyers will purchase the correct ammo. Waterfowlers, trap and skeet shooters and target range enthusiasts go through a lot of shells each year and can always use extra stock, and this gift has a long shelf life.

While the family elves are looking for clues, check out the gun-cleaning kit to see if more solvent, lubricant or protectants are needed, as evidenced by near-empty containers. How about cleaning patches, bore brushes and mops, brass jags and utility brushes for cleaning the trigger mechanism and action? And while checking fluid levels, see if the family sportsman is low on scent killer or cover scent spray, and if attractant scents are used for deer, bear or moose, perhaps a replacement bottle of that product is also in order.

A lightweight gun stocking offers protection to that favorite firearm for short trips to the boat or blind and if the recipient is a duck or goose hunter, consider a foam-lined, waterproof, floating travel case to preserve and protect even if that favorite scattergun takes an unexpected dip. Speaking of protection, I can’t say enough about my Under Armour camo legging and long sleeve shirt; these compression-fit, cold-weather undergarments fit like a second skin and offer warmth and comfort exceeding even more expensive, bulky, goose down long underwear. Each piece is around $50, but Under Armour stockings, gloves and hats are less expensive for the penny conscious but just as beneficial for winter fishing and hunting.

My wife gave me a boot dryer a couple of Christmases ago, a product I’d never have purchased for myself and didn’t really think I’d use. Guess what – from hunting boots to hip waders to wading shoes, this great gadget does it all and it’s quick, quiet and compact enough to carry to camp. Models and styles vary, but most run $25 to $40. A spray can or container of paste boot protectant to keep leather hunting boots supple, waterproof and long-lived makes a great, inexpensive but always necessary gift, too.

Any novice waterfowler would appreciate an Olt 800 goose call or a hand-painted Arkansas-style duck call by Glynn Scobey. Either is less than $40. A pocket knife or hand-held knife sharpener, a headlamp or detachable cap-bill light for hands-free chores, or one of L.L. Bean’s terrific cork duck decoys are all sure to please. Don’t forget a couple of packages of batteries, camera film, or a disposable waterproof camera – we sports always need them but keep forgetting to buy them ourselves.

Perennial presents

Certain Yuletide presents are needed and appreciated year after year – for example, my wife makes sure my Christmas stocking has a new combination hunting and fishing license each December. A subscription to one of the popular outdoor magazines is another good idea, and there is a wide variety of fishing, hunting, archery, fly tying, camping and canoeing publications to select from. I received a year’s subscription to Wildfowl last year, and for any duck and goose hunter, this magazine is a fantastic combination of how-to and where-to stories.

While we are on the subject of reading materials to help pass a few cold winter nights, Krause Publications, one of the foremost publishers of outdoor-oriented books in the U.S. and Canada, consistently has a great selection of deer-hunting titles. I always list their annual Gun Digest on my holiday wish list. If there’s a devout deer hunter on your gift list, go to www.Krausebooks.com and check out “Whitetail Wisdom” by David Schmidt, “Mapping Trophy Bucks” by Brad Herndon and “Strategies For Whitetail” by Charles Alsheimer. This last large tome is comprised of hundreds of beautiful color photos and lots of great, dependable deer hunting lore. For more info on any Krause publication or to order books for Christmas, call 1-800-727-9966.

Another fun way I’ve found to while away a few winter hours is viewing some great hunting and fishing DVDs. If you can’t be there yourself, the next best option is to watch some other lucky shooter or angler enjoying the good life. More and more snow-bound outdoorsmen are enjoying cast- and-blast video games, too. One of my waterfowling buddies got me Ultimate Duck Hunting for single or multiple players and it’s a ball. You select guns and clothes, set decoys, train your dog and actually call to passing flocks of birds. The sights and sounds of its 3D graphics are terrific, and the game provides perfect pastime for offseason waterfowl gunners of all ages.

Check out your local sporting goods store, video store or bookstore, and most every item I’ve suggested will be available or can be ordered. If you strike out locally, try one of the outdoor catalogs or shop online for quick, easy service and delivery. Sportsmen seem to have a lot of gear and equipment, but we always need more, or at least a new or improved version. And remember, it’s not about the price. Most sportsmen would much prefer to receive a $20 gift they need than a $200 gift that’s the wrong size, color, style, caliber or brand. If all else fails, pick up a gift certificate from the family sportsman’s favorite rod and gun shop and let them select their own gift, it’s a sure thing. Have a safe, healthy holiday season and here’s hoping that Santa finds your chimney.

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