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Even if old man winter has imposed his chilly will on your neck of the woods, the water sports fanatic in your life still has liquid recreation on the brain (no, we don’t mean brandy from a St. Bernard’s barrel). Check out our cool gift ideas for anglers, paddlers, and (perhaps the only water sport in season) ice fishermen.
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| SA Flybox |
Scientific Anglers System X Fly Box
If you’re like us, you probably need different flies for every day of the week—not the biggest problem in the world unless, like us, you’ve ended up with scads of disorganized fly boxes. Then we found System X. This waterproof box is constructed of clear plastic, so you can see the contents, and interchangeable foam inserts ($10) make organizing your flies easy: If you need Mayflies on Thursday and Salmonflies on Friday it’s a simple matter of changing the foam instead of carrying another box. Very handy. $20; 800-430-5000; www.scientificanglers.com.
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| Loon Vest |
Loon Outdoors Flak Jacket
Our fishing vests always seem to attract unnecessary gear. The result: They get cluttered, and it’s hard to find what we need. So, when Loon Outdoors introduced this streamlined, lightweight vest, we jumped on it. It integrates two lightweight fly boxes, three storage pockets, four built-in tippet dispensers and a built-in hydration bag. And it’s still lighter than our old vest. $79; 800-580-3811; www.loonoutdoors.com.
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| Fusion DMP MP3 Player |
Freestyle Fusion DMP Waterproof MP3 Player
Freestyle audio lets your take your tunes to new depths with their Fusion DMP Waterproof MP3 player. Surfers, wakeboarders, and kayakers can now rock out on the waves, thanks to the waterproof design and easy to use interface. Since there are no moving parts, your songs will never skip. We especially liked cranking up the tunes while swimming laps at the rec center pool (thanks to the included waterproof ear buds). The ultralight but durable unit floats if you drop it in the drink and the internal battery lasts an incredible 40 hours per charge (unit charges quickly via USB connection). Available in 256 and 512 MB units, it’s also great for running, snowboarding, or everyday use. For PC and Mac. $250 for 512 MB; $200 for 256 MB; 858-481-0811; www.freestyleaudio.com. Click here for special discounted prices for Hooked readers.
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| Bending Branches paddle |
Bending Branches Breeze Plus and Infusion Glass Plus
For touring, there’s nothing like being able to change the feather when facing a head- or tailwind. The Breeze PLUS and Infusion Glass PLUS are both two-part paddles blessed with a technology Bending Branches calls a telescoping ferrule, which makes them adjustable like a backcountry ski pole. Simply twist to your preferred angle and you’re ready to stroke. The Breeze PLUS ($250) weighs in at a feather-light 30 ounces while the Infusion Glass PLUS ($130) tips the scales at 36 ounces (less than a full Nalgene bottle). 866-755-3405; www.bendingbranches.com.
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| M68C GPS/Fish Finder |
Lowrance 68C S/Map Full Color GPS/Fish Finder
Lowrance’s combo GPS/fish finder gives anglers a hi-tech edge while preventing them from getting lost at sea. This detailed color unit features a fully functional GPS system, complete with built in hydrographic maps and a waterproof casing. Hook up the custom sonar transducer to track fish movements and depth profiles up to 600 ft. deep. Interfacing with the unit is simple (and logical); a portable battery gives you the mobility to take the M68C to the far reaches of your favorite lakes, bays, and open water. Take the 68C ice fishing to find the best places to auger holes and bring home a winter bounty! $400; 800-324-1356; www.lowrance.com.
Last Updated: Mar 7th, 2006 - 12:48:01
© Copyright 1999-2006 by Hooked on the Outdoors
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