12 minute read
GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
FROM FIELD...
Looking for a holiday gift for the angler in your life? The new Mag Lip 2.0 accounted for trout in lakes and rivers, along with hard-fighting coho last season. The diversity of this plug greatly impressed the author. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING PICK THESE GREAT PRESENTS FOR THE SPORTSMEN ON YOUR HOLIDAY LIST
By Scott Haugen
Looking for a special Christmas gift for the hunter or angler in your life? Consider these items, which I’ve used in the field and recommend.
MAG LIP 2.0 One of the most versatile plugs I’ve used has continued to impress me all year. Created by Yakima Bait Company (yakimabait.com), the Mag Lip is known as one of the best models of plugs ever created, as its skip-beat action entices a range of species to attack. Last spring, summer and fall I fished the tiny 2.0 version and it worked great on trout, Dolly Varden and coho salmon.
Trolled from a boat in a lake or back-trolled in a river, the Mag Lip 2.0 is a fish-catcher when focusing on trout and Dollies. When bobberdogged in a river, it also produced a number of hard-fighting silvers.
As with their larger cousins, the Mag Lip 2.0 comes in a range of finishes, allowing you to match what fish are feeding on. These little plugs are active, tough and catch fish.
SOFT BEADS FOR COHO Last fall I fished multiple coho streams in Alaska and had phenomenal success with BnR Tackle’s Soft Beads (bnrtackle.com). I’d done great before with the 16mm and 20mm soft beads, but last season was eager to put the
... TO FIRE
When your fish patty begins to fall apart in the pan, don’t stress, as author Tiffany Haugen says it can make for a delicious, seafood-infused scramble for your weekend brunch menu. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)
A SCRAMBLED AND SPECTACULAR FISH/EGG DISH
By Tiffany Haugen
When it comes to cooking fish and game, I’m always experimenting. And believe me, I’ve had more than my share of recipe failures.
But it’s a great day when an apparent failure turns into a tasty recipe worth repeating, like this one.
Looking to make a low-carb trout patty, I knew my batter was lacking in consistency. Thinking the patties would come together during the pan fry, I was frustrated when they all fell apart. They were, however, a lovely golden brown and once they were all flipped, started to resemble scrambled eggs.
Taking a taste from the pan, I knew my family would love this, especially when topped with the avocado mint cream (see recipe below) I had already blended up. What resulted was this trout scramble.
This recipe also works great with any smaller bits of salmon, steelhead, halibut or cod, either fresh or frozen.
1 cup raw fish 1 egg ¼ cup almond meal/flour 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons minced dill pickle 1 tablespoon stone ground mustard 1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
Remove any skin and bones from fish and chop into small chunks. In a medium bowl, mix egg, almond meal/flour, mayonnaise, pickle and mustard. Gently fold in fish and stir until thoroughly combined.
In a large skillet, heat oil on medium-high heat. Drop spoonfuls of fish mixture into the hot skillet, leaving at least a quarter of inch between “cakes.” Once golden brown, flip cakes and don’t worry if they fall apart, but try to keep them bite-sized. Cook other side till golden brown and serve immediately with avocado mint cream.
AVOCADO MINT CREAM Two ripe avocados ¼ cup fresh mint 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons olive oil ¼ to ½ cup cold water Salt and black pepper to taste
Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Add water to reach desired consistency and immediately serve.
Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular book, Cooking Seafood, and other best-selling titles, visit tiffanyhaugen.com.
Designed to mimic a cluster of cured eggs, neutralbuoyant 32mm soft beads were a top producer of coho salmon for the author this year. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
25mm and 32mm versions to the test.
In my first seven casts with a 32mm cerise-colored soft bead, I landed five coho. It got my attention. A buddy stood in one spot and landed over 20 coho in two hours on the same bead, and another friend caught 54 coho before having to replace his tattered 32mm bead. Cerise, clown and mottled pink were the hot colors.
Soft beads are neutral buoyant so can be fished many ways. My favorite was drifted, often with no weight on the 32mm models. They also work well under a float and can be backbounced in ideal water.
SHIMANO NASCI C3000HG SPINNING REEL Affordable, durable and a great allaround spinning reel – whether spooled with PowerPro or a copolymer – what sets the NASCI from Shimano (fish.shimano.com) apart are sealed gears and bearings at the handle and bottom of the spool shaft, which keep out sand and small debris that are notoriously hard on reels.
I used this reel last year to catch trout, char, four salmon species and more. The NASCI is smooth and works in a range of fisheries and water conditions, including saltwater.
HOBIE ACCESSORIES Hobie is world-renowned for their fishing kayaks, but their fishing glasses (hobieeyewear.com) rank right up
New this year to the outdoor world, the line of processing equipment from Meat! is worth the investment, based on Haugen’s experiences. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
there among the best I’ve used. I put their new El Matador polarized lenses to the test in many situations this year, and I loved their performance.
The rubber pads on the nose and arms are comfortable and result in a good grip. The retractable side shield design is ingenious, making for easy and safe storage. These glasses work perfectly for blocking interfering sidelight and keeping out dust in the wind. They also breathe well, meaning no fogging. There’s no pinching or binding so the glasses can be worn in comfort all day long.
YETI DOG BOWLS We have two gun dogs and travel a lot with them. Whether it’s on the road or at home, they always have their Yeti dog bowls (yeti.com). For years I searched for the ideal food bowl for my dogs, and Yeti’s is the best I’ve found.
Dubbed Boomer, the Yeti dog bowl is incredibly durable, thanks to its double-wall, noninsulated stainless steel construction. My bowls have many dents and dings in them, but no rust spots or punctures, plus the
nonslip ring on the bottom is tough and dependable.
It’s a perfect dish for kibble, raw food or even water. It’s simple to clean – wipe it down with a towel or place in the dishwasher.
BOG DEATHGRIP TRIPOD I’m a firm believer in tripod shooting sticks and use them for big game and varmints. This year, Bog (boghunt .com) reached new heights with its DeathGrip Tripod. It comes in both carbon fiber ($257.99) and aluminum ($164.99). Both models are engineered for precision and balance.
The leg design of the DeathGrip decreases flex – thus optimizing stability – and the pan and tilt brakes are solid. The lever-lock leg adjustments are simple to useand quick to handle, as are the push-bottom leg adjustments, which allow you to achieve multiple shooting angles.
The clamp holds your rifle firmly in place and the yoke smoothly pivots, allowing for easy 360-degree rotation and 25 degrees of cant forward and back. They’re great for keeping steady for extended periods, shooting long range or simply making your shot placement more precise.
MEAT! APPLIANCES For decades Tiffany and I have worked with some of the top meat processing manufacturers in the outdoor industry. After this fall, I can say the new line of Meat! products are worth a close look (meatyourmaker.com).
The 1.5-horsepower grinder is the most sturdy, smooth, simple-to-clean grinder I’ve used. The grinding plates yield clean meat and it handles fat and sinew extremely well. It works great on big game and game birds.
Its 10-inch meat slicer is also simple to use. In addition to slicing steaks on it, we love cutting various thicknesses of venison for jerky on the slicer, then cooking it in their dehydrator.
Meat’s! 10-tray dehydrator has excellent temperature control and air circulation, resulting in the best jerky we’ve ever had out of a dehydrator. We also dried loads of apples, pears and plums with great results.
The company’s chamber vacuum sealer is also a top-shelf accessory. We used it on fish, game, veggies and much more, and we’re very impressed with the machine as well as the quality of the company’s bags, which transported and froze without puncture.
Whether searching for a gift, or maybe looking to treat yourself to some new gear, there are lots of options this season. Happy holidays. CS
Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular DVD, Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game, send a check for $20 (free S&H), to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or order online at scotthaugen.com.
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
STARWELD
Starweld boats are as tough as the diehards who rely on them. Starweld is known for its all-welded, rugged reliability. The Fusion series is available from 16 to 20 feet in a variety of configurations based on your needs. Starwelds offer an unbeatable industry-leading lifetime plus-6 warranty for peace of mind.
starcraftstarweld.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
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.
The Boat Insurance Agency is an independent agency representing the best marine insurance companies. They carefully compare a number of policies to find the lowest premiums and best values for your boat insurance needs.
Boat Insurance Agency is owned and operated by Northwest boaters. They have the local knowledge needed to understand boating in the West, along with your special needs.
Contact them for an insurance quote and to learn more about the value and service they can offer.
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
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
The 6.5mm Creedmoor 120-grain Hornady GMX from Black Hills Ammunition offers up to 50 percent more penetration, plus higher weight retention. It generally retains nearly 100 percent of its weight, compared to 50 to 70 percent for lead-core bullets. It also opens immediately upon impact, causing large-diameter wound cavities and anchoring game quickly and humanely.
black-hills.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 U.S. MARINE SALES AND SERVICE
Welcome to US Marine Sales and Service, the Puget Sound’s leader in providing the friendliest service backed by years of expertise in saltwater and freshwater environments. Their goal is to work closely with their customers to save them time and money while creating excellent value in products and service.
US Marine Sales and Service is pleased to offer the finest selection of new and used boats and pontoon boats for sale, from the best manufacturers: Yamaha Boats, WeldCraft Boats, G3 Boats and Suncatcher Pontoon Boats. US Marine Sales and Service also carries a wide selection of Yamaha Waverunners, EZ Loader Boat Trailers, Yamaha Outboards, MerCruiser and Volvo Penta Sterndrives.
usmarinesales.com
SKINNER SIGHTS
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 are not included. For illustrative purposes only.)
skinnersights.com
UNIQUEARs
The Screaming Eagle was built specifically to embody trailblazers, patriots, fighters and the tenacity of the American spirit. This rifle showcases true American craftsmanship with all components made in the United States, and assembly in McCall, Idaho. Chambered in .223 Wylde, this rifle features a 16-inch stainless barrel and custom Cerakote finish.
unique-ars.com/shop/complete-rifles/limited-edition-uar-rifles/ screaming-eagle/
