Hello BWCA forum,

As you guys can see from the title there is a fisherman in the family and it's his birthday coming up but it's not just any fisherman it's my father. In all honesty, I have never bought my father a decent birthday present that he can keep or use it's always been something that is disposable like a card or something. This year he is 66 and I'm going out my way to impress him but I don't know where to start and that's where I'm hoping you guys can come in and help me out.

I'm not much of a fisherman myself. I have been out maybe twenty times in my whole life and only half of them with my father. So going out with him on a fishing trip is something that I want to do. While out on the trip I want to pull out a new rod or a nice reel but these seem like the obvious choices. I have a feeling you guys would be able to come up with something better than me if not, then to point me in the right direction.

My budget is around $500 so I have a little to play with and should be able to get him something nice. I am open to all suggestions and ideas guys. Really looking forward to speaking with the pros and getting something nice for my father.

thanks everyone
Also, I'm getting a cake like this made at the local baker.#

Have you thought about having a rod made for him? I don't know where your from but we have an older gent in Rochester MN that makes rods. You decide what length, 2 piece or one piece, how many eyes, what type of eyes, fly rod, spinning rod, casting rod, right down to type of wood in the handle, what color of eye wraps, and he can inscribe anything you want on the handle or the pole. He taught rod making in our highschool for years and all 3 of my boys built rods for me, they are priceless. A few years ago I had him make a combination fly and spinning rod for my son when he got out of the Army, was not that God awfull expensive and really something he will use and cherish. Get a good reel and it will be something he should cherish forever. If he camps maybe a really good goosedown sleeping bag and mat, how about an expensive rain jacket and pants. FRED

You could hire a top-notch guide for a day and make some memories.
Or a nice knife.

With my dad, that can afford whatever he wants/needs and probably already has it, it comes down to finding something he wouldn't buy himself, which is often a matter of not yet realizing something's value. I bought him a pair of Van Staal ti pliers a few years ago. That did the trick! We both have a pair now, and won't fish without them.

Van Staal pliers

Get him a new rod and reel......

REEL

ROD

They are all pretty good ideas.

I think a personalized knife and rod is a brilliant idea. I have just had a quick google search on Google for a knife making forum and luck has it there is one. I am going to have a look for a local-ish guy that makes rods you can see some of his http://www.used.forsale/canada/vancouver/fishing-reels-daiwa see what I can do from there.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm relaxing a little now. After I have a little more of an Idea of what I'm going to get and some ideas I will be back to see what you think.

Back soon guys thanks

If you go to a rod maker, make sure you have something specific in mind. Know what your dad fishes for the most, if he fishes 90 percent of the time for crappie and bluegill, a custom rod builder can make a rod for that if he loves walleye fishing that crappie/bluegill rod won't get used.

quote QueticoMike: "Get him a new rod and reel......


REEL


ROD "

+1 yes

quote QueticoMike: "Get him a new rod and reel......


REEL


ROD "

I woulda taken you for a baitcaster man QM

No pro here. These are all great ideas. I like Lundo's a lot. If you're going the knife route, I got one of my buddies a custom fillet knife to commemorate a big achievement from a guy in Ontario named Beebe and it turned out great.

Electric filet knife.
Buy him just one lucky lure.that way when he uses it he will think of you.
If he has a boat maybe a quality depth finder.
Everyone like a new rod. As already stated, make sure it matches his type of fishing.


P.S. what brought you to this site?

quote GoSpursGo: "

quote QueticoMike: "Get him a new rod and reel......



REEL



ROD "

I woulda taken you for a baitcaster man QM"

Nope, I get by just fine with a nice spinning setup. I have tried baitcasters but sometimes I have issues throwing big heavy lures when it is windy. If I were to ever go back it would be a reel without any backlash. The cost is a little too high for those now.

quote GoSpursGo: "

quote QueticoMike: "Get him a new rod and reel......



REEL



ROD "

I woulda taken you for a baitcaster man QM"

I must admit the reel does look nice. Do you have a good review on it?