THE FLIP SIDE

Gift of books easy to wrap, read

Outdoor books for the sherman, paddler and hiker are gifts that will be welcomed on Christmas morning.
Outdoor books for the sherman, paddler and hiker are gifts that will be welcomed on Christmas morning.

It's amazing to think that a fishing contest held in 1967 at Beaver Lake launched today's huge bass tournament fishing industry, but it sure enough did.

That's the year Ray Scott, founder of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, organized his first big time bass tournament, held right here when Beaver Lake was brand new. That was the foundation for the national Bassmaster tournaments that Scott nurtured into the pro fishing events followed by bass anglers everywhere.

The story of that Beaver Lake tournament is part of "Bass Boss," a book about Scott and the growth of tournament bass fishing. It's one of three books we're recommending today for the anglers, paddlers and hikers on your Christmas gift list.

"Bass Boss," by Robert H. Boyle, tells how Scott went from selling insurance back in the 1960s to selling fishermen on the idea of bass fishing for major prize money. Readers here will stay glued to the pages that tell of Scott's struggles to get the Beaver Lake event on the water in 1967. It wasn't called Bassmaster back then, but the contest was called the First All-American Invitational Bass Tournament. First prize was $2,000.

He courted the chambers of commerce in Rogers and Springdale. Springdale showed the most interest in the idea. Scott did most of the organizing from a room at the Springdale Holiday Inn.

A young angler named Billy Dance, better known as Bill today, was among the first to sign up. The event was a success and started the Bassmaster circuit, one of two major league tournament groups, with Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) being the other.

Photos of those early bass tournaments show fishing history, with anglers in their aluminum boats and outboards with tiller steering. "Bass Boss" is a book any fisherman will enjoy.

• "Let Them Paddle: Coming of Age on the Water": Taking a canoe float trip for two or three days is an exciting adventure. How about trips that last for months, with teenagers along?

"Let Them Paddle," by Alan S. Kesselheim is the story of four epic canoe adventures of a husband and wife and their three children. When each child turned 13, the family celebrated their transition to adulthood with a canoe expedition covering hundreds of miles and weeks of river travel and camping.

Trips took place on the Rio Grande and Yellowstone rivers in the United States and two rivers in Canada. Each trip is part of the book's four parts.

Readers wish they were on the river with the family on the good days. Not so on the tough days, like when the family dealt with hordes of biting insects on one Canada trip.

An armchair canoe journey with this book is a joy. The family took time to hike and explore their surroundings on each trip. All readers will glean tips on river camping. Parents may heed a wealth of advice about camping and paddling with their kids.

• "Arkansas Hiking Trails": This is a must have guidebook for anyone who enjoys hiking in Arkansas. In fact, the book by Tim Ernst is so popular hikers who have lived here awhile may already have it. Might have one of Santa's helpers check before giving it as a gift.

The book covers 78 trails with maps, driving directions and mile by mile descriptions and GPS coordinates of each trail. Most are in the Ozarks but some trails in the Ouachita Mountains are also included.

Short hikes and multiday backpacking trails are outlined in the book. The first pages offer tip on backpacking and day hiking, dealing with insects and other wildlife. In the weather section, Ernst emphasizes that winter is a prime hiking season. One of the best times is after an ice storm. "The forest is just incredible," Ernst writes.

We've talked to some people who are on a quest to hike all 78 trails in the book. "Arkansas Hiking Trails" makes the going a little easier.

Local author Ernst is also an incredible wilderness photographer, one of the best in the world. His photo books and other hiking guidebooks make fine gifts at Christmas or any time.

Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAFlip

Sports on 12/13/2016

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