Your favorite feline outdoors columnist is taking over today's column in the best interest of you readers.
You see, it's that time of year for the holiday gift guide. The holiday gift guide is designed to get you humans to part with a little folding money and purchase the appropriate Christmas gift for your favorite outdoors person. But lo, the CB refuses to write one. Says he's yammered on about every gift he can think of in past holiday gift guides.
I'll wager the last time he wrote a gift guide it was on a manual typewriter. So I, Boat Dock, have drop-kicked my cat butler through the goal posts of life and am here with this year's holiday gift guide.
I'm an expert, all right, because I see what my manservant uses when it's time to fish, hunt, hike or camp. Here are a few ideas.
If I went fishing, I'd dig worms. The CB and his cronies, however, like to use lures. An appreciated gift for the fisherman on your list is a nice selection of lures guaranteed to catch the big ones at Beaver Lake and other hallowed waters. Stop in at your local tackle shop and ask the clerk to put together a selection of lures for catching bass, crappie, what have you, here in our corner of the Ozarks.
Name your price and he or she can put a nice package together for you.
In my view, the craziest thing in the outdoors is duck hunting. The CB loves it, except when his feet get cold. There are lots of heated insoles on the market that fit easily into the feet of waders or a pair of hunting boots. One brand is ThermaCell heated insoles. They sell battery or rechargeable models. They'll keep your duck or deer hunter's feet toasty on frigid days.
These insoles are also a blessing on cold days at the football stadium. Plan on shelling out $75 or more for a set, but they're worth their weight in goose bumps on a frosty day.
The newest craze for the cat butler is the lightweight dehydrated backpacker meal. Just add boiling water and you've got a hot meal. The menu includes beef stew, lasagna, chicken and rice, and lots of breakfast meals. The CB was hesitant to try them, but now raves about their flavor and convenience. They're fine anytime, or make a great backup meal on rainy days in camp.
Mountain House and Backpacker's Pantry are popular brands. They're pricey at $7 or more per meal, but hey, it's Christmas.
Trail and river guides make great gifts. "Arkansas Hiking Trails," by Tim Ernst, is a must-have book for anyone who hikes in our state. There are maps and descriptions of more than 75 hiking trails. "The Buffalo River Handbook," by Ken Smith, is a great gift for anyone who enjoys paddling, hiking or camping at the Buffalo National River.
So there's your 2014 holiday gift guide by me, Boat Dock. Happy shopping.
Outdoors on 12/11/2014