It's crunch time. Four more shopping days and it's Christmas . . . And you don't have a clue what to give.
What they don't have, they don't need. And, what they need sold out long ago.A quick walk through some recreation stores brought out a few suggestions for those still shopping.
One of the hottest items in the fishing market is ultra-light gear, such as the Zebco MS3000 super-light graphite rod and reel ($69). The extra light tackle makes a small fish into a large fish. To bring a fish to shore takes more finesse and time, and to a fishermen that's living at its best.
Made by a local company, the "Jakstrap" ($5.95) is one of the handiest of inventions yet. It is a patented, adjustable headband flashlight holder. It fits around the head, holds a mini-flashlight and allows the user to see and do what ever is at hand with hands-free lighting.
Angler's Inn offered several more "perfect" gifts for the angler.
Chocolate somehow tastes better when it comes in the shape of a trout. Or, in this case, light or dark chocolate mounted on a plaque or as an individual catch ($3.99 to $6.99).
Anyone who has tried to fillet a striped bass or crappie knows that the joy of fishing ends when the fish is boated. An electric fillet knife can change that. A specially shaped blade makes the job easy and fast. Available in 12-volt ($29.99) for used in the field or 110-volt ($31.99) for use at home.
Silk ties? True. These ties ($32.50), however, show popular flies and fish in detailed design to go with the most formal of attire.
In fishing, the wooden net ($9.99 to $100) is the finishing touch to a complete fisherman. Nets come in a variety of woods - bird's eye, maple, lace wood and even cocobolo wood.
And there's the telescoping rod ($18.99) to fit nicely anywhere. Closed it's only 11 inches, but extended it's 5 feet. Fits anywhere to be fished anywhere at any time.
Evolution Skis offers the ultimate in, of course, skis. On its ski-anywhere-ski it accents with a wooden top-skin. According to the builder, for every set of the "Woodys" ($1,200) on the slopes, there is another set hanging on a wall as art work.
The ski of the future for many might just be the new "Wide Glide" ($595). The skis are wider - five inches at the tip - and shorter, but, report testers, the worse the snow conditions the better the ski skis.
From the Caddyshack golf shop a number of items popped up.
The makers of "Big Bertha" drivers, Callaway, has introduced the "Heaven Wood" ($210). This is a 7 wood with a 4-wood length for those difficult fairway shots where an iron simply won't do.
It has also introduced the "Divine 9" ($210), which is the newest wood in the bag - a replacement for the 9 iron.
Heretofore, Balata golf balls were preferred but often not used because they were soft and damaged easily. Maxflight now has the HT Balata ($27 a dozen) with a tougher shell, but all the features of the softer cover, like more spin and a better feel on the club head.
The Zebra "Mallet" putter had some features golfers wanted, but chose not to buy because it was too large. Now Zebra makes the "Mid-Mallet" ($60), which is smaller, lighter, but still looks like, yes, a mallet.
The latest in irons is the Top-Flite Tour by Spalding ($480 for 3 through wedge). The mid-size heads with flow weight and four-way camber provide easier shots no matter the lie, which for a golfer is most often not that good.
The shotgun, the Browning Auto-5 ($725), was introduced in 1903 . . . and it's still considered by many sportsmen the "shotgun of choice" today. It was the first semi-automatic shotgun made and has a record unequaled in the shooting world.
A stop at REI is always a "candy store" for outdoor goods.
Ever wonder where you are? With the Global Position System ($739) by Trimble Electronic, you'll always know. With a little information fed into the GPS, which then collects data from 21 satellites circling overhead, you'll know within 100 meters exactly where you are on the earth at all times, and at what elevation you are standing. It can be used on land, sea or in the air.
There are, of course, the many multi-tools-in-one. There are up to 13 different tools in one unit ($38 to $50).
The latest in watches is the Avocet ($120) by Veritech. This watch is an altimeter, barometer, temperature gauge, stop watch, and just about anything else. For the skier it will count runs and keep track of vertical-feet skied in a day.
Want an aerial view of the Wasatch Front? There's the Wasatch Front raised relief map ($22). The contour of the land is featured with every rise of the mountains and drop of the valleys. This real-as-life map covers Logan to Nephi.
Perfect for the winter is Polar-Plus, the latest fabric for the cold. It can be found in slippers ($22), blankets ($80) and underwear ($22) and jackets ($120). It keeps out wind and cold, but the heat in.
And, the gift everyone should have one of - the Swiss Army Knife ($12.50), complete with toothpick, tweezers and two blades.