Holiday Gift Guide

DICKINSON ARMS

New Ranger Series single-shot shotguns from Dickinson Arms combine classic good looks, craftsmanship, excellent shooting performance and remarkable value. There is a full family of models for adults and youth, as well as a shortbarreled, folding Survival model – at retail prices ranging from $144-$164 MSRP.

dickinsonarms.com

SMOKER CRAFT

Big water? Rough water? The Smoker Craft Phantom is ready for anything with its heavy-gauge all-welded hull, deep interior, IGTS integrated gunnel track system and toe holds for enhanced safety.

The Phantom series features an all-new, exclusive Vertex Performance Strake (VPS) hull and sets a new standard for heavygauge welded boats. gauge welded boats.

smokercraft.com smokercraft.com

VORTEX OPTICS

The Diamondback HD line of spotting scopes from Vortex is taking the next step forward with two new configurations, the 16-48x65 and the 20-60x85, providing power and clarity in a redesigned package that’s high on performance and low on sticker shock.

vortexoptics.com

EXQUISITEKNIVES.COM

Exquisiteknives.com offers the finest in custom knives, from hunters to elaborate art knives, and is owned by retired master bladesmith Dave Ellis, who has an extensive collection, as well as contacts worldwide. With the advantage of being a maker, collector and purveyor, Dave can fulfill your every need. Ben Seward is one of Exquisiteknives.com’s picks. This checkeredhandled beauty (left) is just one example of his work.

exquisiteknives.com

SILVER HORDE

The KatchKooler Deluxe keeps your catch fresher and features a compact design for easy storage. Made from high-density closed-cell foam. Waterproof outer fabric. Add reusable ice packs and protect your catch from bacterial degradation.

silverhorde.com

RAD POWER BIKES

The RadRover seamlessly blends rugged capabilities and exceptional comfort. With 4-inch fat tires and a reputation for stability, Rad Power Bikes’ flagship ebike is perfect for off-road adventures, weekend spins around the cul de sac, and everything in between. It’s no wonder it’s the best-selling electric fat bike in North America.

radpowerbikes.com

BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION

Dual Performance is available in 5.56mm with a 62-grain projectile at 3,000 feet per second from a 20-inch barrel and a .308 152-grain version at 2,800 fps from a 24-inch barrel. The performance of these rounds will set new standards and the accuracy ensures terminal capability is delivered with precision.

black-hills.com HAKAI LODGE

Create family memories that will last a lifetime! Share your fishing adventures at Hakai Lodge with your sons, daughters and grandchildren during multi-generation vacations, making it a family event to remember. It’s nice to have a break from your devices and what better way to bond with your family than on a fishing trip in the scenic wilderness of British Columbia? (The lodge has wifi; whether or not you use it is up to you!)

Hakai Lodge is family-friendly and offers special rates for young adults. Their fishing trips are all-inclusive, including round-trip airfare from Seattle, Washington, and range from six days to two days. Check their website for rates.

hakaifishinglodge.com

PROLIX LUBRICANTS

Even Santa would love to see a bottle of PrOlix in his stocking this holiday season! There is no product on the market to date that works like PrOlix; just see their ad in this publication and learn more over at their website! Let PrOlix make it a joyful holiday!

prolixlubricant.com

THE BEST OF THE WEST

The Best of the West Mountain Scout rifle is perfect for backcountry, ruggedterrain hunters. BOTW started with the strong but lightweight BOTW Mountain Hunter carbon fiber stock that has a slim, compact profile, then kept the weight super low by pairing that stock with a 22-inch carbon fiber barrel and titanium action. Chambered in 6.5 PRC, it tips the scale at only 6.8 pounds with a Huskemaw BD 4-16x42 scope!

thebestofthewest.net

SKINNER SIGHTS HTF

The Skinner Sights HTF bag allows your firepower to be “concealed in plain sight,” yet ready in case of an emergency. Holds up to a 40-inch long gun and two handguns. Room for three rifle and eight pistol magazines. Knife, flashlight and accessory pouches. Cordura construction with heavy-duty stitching. (Firearms and accessories in photo are not included. For illustrative purposes only.)

skinnersights.com

WEB STEEL BUILDINGS NORTHWEST

Web Steel Buildings Northwest is a Pacific Northwest manufacturer of preengineered steel-framed buildings. Their frame systems allow you to design just the right building for your needs. Folks are discovering the cost-competitive and environmental advantages of the pre-engineered steel buildings. Applications for residential, commercial and agricultural purposes are available.

wsbnw.com

PACIFIC WINGS WATERFOWL ADVENTURES

Perfect gift for the waterfowl hunter in your life is a hunt with Pacific Wings. Gift certificates available. You can purchase a hunt as a unique gift that is sure to please. Premier waterfowl hunting in Eastern Washington.

pacific-wings.net

GIBSON’S BLIND COVERS

Ever wonder why ducks and geese flare off early? They can see you from above! With Gibson’s Blind Covers you can easily watch the ducks while staying hidden, and then simply gently nudge the covers open when it’s time to take the shot. Made from welded steel, powder coated, portable or permanent, adaptable to boats and stand-up blinds, sizes 2 through 6 feet, adjustable, sold in pairs. You see the ducks and they don’t see you. Drop more birds this season! Price $225$425 per pair. Call (209) 712-9858 to order or visit Gibson’s Blind Covers’ website.

gibsonduckblindcoversinc.com

WOODMAN’S PAL

A unique gift for any outdoorsman, your new Woodman’s Pal will become an instant family heirloom. Both the ash wood handle and the beautiful leather sheath are handmade and finished by Amish craftsmen. Each blade is individually hand-sharpened to ensure the machete cuts through everything. $175. Made in USA.

woodmanspal.com

STOCKY’S LLC

Stocky’s new Accublock Long Range Composite Thumbhole stocks are just the upgrade you need when the action is fast and the ranges get long. A billet of 6160 aluminum is machined into a V block and permanently molded right into the stock to get all of the inherent accuracy available in your rifle. Fast-handling assault-style vertical thumbhole grip keeps you in control for fast followups and a sure grip. Models for just about any Remington 700 rifle in stock as low as $219.

stockysstocks.com

HOT RODS AND TEEMING NETS WARM LATE-SUMMER ARCTIC WEATHER YIELDS PIKE AND SALMON HAULS

BY PAUL D. ATKINS

The big fish on the end of my son’s line wasn’t going to give up easily. With a tight line and a bent rod, Eli worked him toward the boat – only to have him rush back out again.

I grabbed the net and leaned over the edge while trying to get close enough for an easy scoop. Finally, after a game of tug o’ war, he made a mistake and I was successful in getting the motleycolored fish on the deck.

Since that fish was Eli’s first pike, I had warned him about those sharp teeth and how careful he had to be when dealing with them. I grabbed a gill and was working the bright gold hook out of his mouth when I felt the sharp edges dig into my finger. Immediately

Warm August weather in the Arctic hamlet of Kotzebue means getting on the water. And sometimes it takes a two-man team to get big fish in the boat. Author Paul Atkins’ son Eli worked the net on this northern pike like a pro, and even though it sometimes took several attempts, they didn’t lose a fish. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

Late summer’s sunny outings might be all about fishing, but hunting is never far from the mind of Northwest Alaska residents. Eli and his dad’s hunting and fishing partner Lew Pagel take a cruise up a slough to scout for moose and bear. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

blood started to flow and was running down my hand. I guess I should have listened to my own advice.

EVEN HERE IN THE Arctic, August was considered hot. Air temperatures were in the 70s, with a water temperature of 61 degrees. Boats everywhere and kids swimming in Kotzebue Sound were common sights. Everyone was outside enjoying the warm weather.

Summer had finally arrived in the far north, even if it was a bit late. But we took it, especially with all the craziness we’ve been living through. The outdoors is about the only place we can enjoy without having to be as overly cautious as we’ve been.

I had just returned to Kotzebue from the Lower 48 when friend and longtime outdoors partner Lew Pagel called. He proposed a boat ride upriver with the gillnet, plus a couple of archery targets. I thought that taking a few fish would be nice, and getting some long-range shooting in would be perfect practice for the bear hunt we had planned for

the following week.More importantly – for me anyway – was that I could put on long sleeves again and just get out.

We headed up the Noatak River to a nice little sandbar that previously hadn’t been there. The water was lower than usual, and with the dry conditions we were having the bar would probably only grow in size. We unloaded our gear and then went across to the adjacent bank to set our fish trap.

After tightening up the end of the net and dropping it into the water, we went back to the sandbar to set up our bow range. I always enjoy our first outing. Lew and I hadn’t seen each other in months, so it was a good time to catch up, shoot some bows, plan for our fall hunts, plus drink a few beverages. Even though our net only produced a couple of fish, it was an incredible afternoon and a great time. We planned to do it again the following day.

WHEN THE NEXT DAY arrived, instead of the net and bows, this time we grabbed the rods and reels and planned to fish for grayling on one of the clear creeks that flow out of the mountains. I was glad my son Eli wanted to go. Being cooped up at home waiting for school to start – or not start – has been a painful, boring experience for he and I.

So with all of us excited, we left for the ride north across Kotzebue Sound and up the river. When we made it to the creek, we found two boats already there. Somebody else had had the same idea; what a bummer.

Lew decided we should go on up to the lake, where we could fish for pike the rest of the day – at least if the water level was high enough through the long slough that leads back to the shallow lake. It was, but the impressive thing was the amount of big bear tracks we saw upon entering the small channel. Lew loaded his rifle.

The lake was calm but shallow. The water was super clear and you could see fish darting here and there as we made our way in. Lew anchored somewhere in the middle and broke out the rods. We tied on strong leaders to protect from

the sharp jaws that would hopefully strike the big silver spoons tied to the end. It wasn’t long into the fishing that we were all getting hits.

Eli was new to pike fishing, but I knew with the quick action that he was in for a fast and exciting time.

AFTER THAT FIRST PIKE and a Band-Aid job for me, we kept getting strike after strike. We were having such a blast and catching so many fish that I eventually put my rod down and became the guide, or at least the net man; darting back and forth to both ends of the boat while Eli and Lew kept reeling them in was exhausting, but also fun.

Eli finally handed me his rod and told me to fish for a while so he could handle the net. On my first cast, I flipped the silver spoon into the middle of the lake while trying to stay out of the weeds. The fish were everywhere. If you watched close enough, you could actually see them chasing the lure right

If your quarry is pike, you need to be careful with how you handle them, given their mouthful of sharp teeth. Pulling the hook takes a little finesse and a cautious hand. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

“It was a fight to the finish, but my son Eli and I were able to haul this big guy into the boat,” Atkins says. At 41 inches and approaching 20 pounds, this pike was a formidable opponent. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

up to the boat.

On my second cast, I hooked into a real monster. He fought like a warrior, running in and out, giving me a workout.

After his 10th try, Eli got the net under him and it took both of us to drag him on board. What a fish! The big pike was over 40 inches long and weighed close to 20 pounds. He was thick across his back and mean as hell. I told Lew to hand me his pliers and the jaw spreader; I’d take no chances on this one, as he might have bitten my finger off!

We continued to fish and could have probably caught 100 more if we wanted to, but decided we’d had enough and it was time to head home. The mosquitoes would be bad before long and, Eli being allergic, I didn’t want him to have an onslaught of bites. It was a great ride home after an incredible day. I’m so glad those two boats were up that creek.

A COUPLE DAYS LATER, my wife Susie said she wanted to fill the freezer with more salmon. As some of you know, I’m not a salmon eater, but she and Eli are. Susie also said she would like to go along and set the net if it was OK with Lew; I knew it was. She doesn’t get to go much, so

this would be a great break from the rigors of trying to get school ready for what is sure to be a hectic year.

I texted Lew to see if he could go and he was up for it. Just like all of our hunts together, I can always count on my friend to be up for any kind of adventure. So we loaded up the boat and headed across the sound to the mouth of the river.

We picked a beautiful evening with warm skies and dead-calm water. We made it to shore, set up the bug tent and fired up the Thermacells, plus a couple of mosquito coils. We brought chairs, a cooler and a fish table – just in case we got lucky and needed to clean a few.

Lew and I untangled the net, tied one end to a stake in the ground and then moved the boat out away from shore. I pulled it tight and dropped the anchor off back to the bank, we could see fish hitting the net. Big chums swirled and fought to get loose, but it was too late, they were caught. We sat in the tent and over a few drinks watched as the net pulled in every

Eli had never caught

the front of the boat. By the time we got On another day, Atkins and his wife Susie joined Pagel on a gillnetting expedition to fill their freezer with chums. The net wasn’t in the water long before some salmon were thrashing around. (PAUL D. ATKINS) a pike until this one. “I warned him about the fun he would have, especially if they were biting, which they were,” his dad says. “After he got the hang of it, he couldn’t stop.” (PAUL D. ATKINS)

direction. I told Lew that we might have to pull it soon or we would have more fish than we could handle.

After half an hour, we decided it was time and began the struggle of pulling

the net to shore. We could see the big chum swirling in the mass of lines and tangle. We dragged them up to the bank and fought to free them from their

doom. They came one after another

until we had seven big fish lying there before us. It was a good haul and Susie was excited for the bounty that would probably last the rest of the year.

We were so glad we had brought the table, which made the work of filleting a bit easier. I know many guys and gals who are experts when it comes to cleaning fish. I, however, am not one of them.

I usually can do one side and then end up hacking the other. Lew is pretty good at it, so he cut while I held – careful to get as much of the fish into the bag as possible. It took us a while, but we finally accomplished the task.

While we were “field dressing” the fish, the bird life came alive around us. Seagulls and ravens circled above in hopes of a free meal. Susie took the carcasses and laid them on the dry sand, hoping she could coax a bird in for a close encounter.

In the distance we could see swans coming in for the evening and ducks flocking together in some of the shallower pools close to where we were. Seals, curious to see what we were doing, popped up within a short distance of where we stood, only to dive back down once we took notice. It was a beautiful evening in the Arctic, a sight few will ever see.

AUGUST IS A SPECIAL time up here. It’s the end of summer, a time to gather

In the Arctic, especially this time of year, the salmon run is in full swing. Netting a few for the freezer is a must and a fun way to spend the end of summer. Susie Atkins got in on the action. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

Once you get your fish on the bank, it gives you a sense of success, much like hunting. It can be a chore getting them untangled from the mesh of the net, but a freezer full of fillets makes it worth the work. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

with friends and family and enjoy the last warmth before the cold and dark starts to show itself. It’s a time to take in the bounty of the water, or just to take a boat ride for no reason at all; or maybe do it just because you can.

There are lots of reasons for doing what we do and no two are alike, but all of us have our own and they all have a purposein the Arctic. ASJ

Editor’s note: Paul Atkins is an outdoor writer and author from Kotzebue, Alaska. He’s had hundreds of articles published on big game hunting in Alaska and throughout North America and Africa, plus surviving in the Arctic. His new book Atkins’ Alaska will be on bookshelves this fall and available online. Paul is a regular contributor to Alaska Sporting Journal.