Father’s Day takes place during such an awesome time of year, that liminal period between spring and summer that happens to be among the best times to get outside. And your dad, he’s an outdoorsman, right? Or, at the very least, he fancies himself as one?
Below are some gift ideas that will enhance his time spent outdoors (or maybe compel him to get out more). The gifts run the gamut, from a day (or a week) with an excellent young fishing guide, to some top-notch gear, to a great-tasting, low-calorie beer and even to some activities worth pursuing when your outdoorsy dad finds himself stuck, ugh, in the not-so-great indoors.
Fishing Guide, Brian Dopirak
After his promising baseball career was cut short by injuries, Brian “Dope” Dopirak turned his attention to becoming a fishing guide. He has quickly reached fishing’s major leagues. Dope is the son of the legendary tarpon guide, Al Dopirak, and what’s going on here is something similar to baseball’s Boones, Griffeys and Guerreros: The undeniable talent is in the blood. Dope guides from near his home in Clearwater, Florida, up the coast to Homosassa, targeting redfish, snook and tarpon. For my money, the best place to book him would be in Homosassa from May until early July, where Dope has a bead on the huge tarpon that swim in that legendary spot. Dope can be booked through his website for around $650 a day.
Poncho’s Purist Fishing Shirt
Though the trend in fishing shirts lately has been toward the crewneck long-sleeve, I’m still a bit old school. I like the look and feel of traditional collared fishing shirts. The biggest reason: I like having pockets that can hold flies, tippets, pen and paper or sunscreen. Poncho was founded by a no-nonsense Texan named Clayton Spencer, and the shirts he’s crafted fit his personality. They have no excessive frills. The shirts also have no excessive fabric, slimmed stylishly to fit today’s angler. What’s left is, simply, good-looking functionality. $70. Check them out here.Dad says he is easy-going and wants for nothing, but you know when it comes to his Father's Day present, it's got to be good. To help you with your Father's Day gift shopping, we compiled a list of one-of-a-kind and actually useful gifts that fit any budget. This gift guide includes grooming products, personalized presents, affordable best-selling items, and some hilarious gifts that will make him LOL for days.
Tibor Reels
So maybe you’ve been waiting for just the right time to buy your first (or second or third) reel made by Tibor, which have been the standard in fly fishing reels now for four decades. You are now officially out of excuses. With Tibor’s new Signature reel color series, the company has the entire gamut covered, from old school frost silver and jet black to nearly any color combination you can imagine (think: Arctic frost). “The most beautiful machines have the least moving parts,” Tibor founder, Ted Juracsik, is fond of saying. But his reel company now has a pleasing array of different colors to compliment that credo. From $655-$1025. You can see all the new colors—and all of the old ones—here.
Skinny Water Culture Hawksbill Hoodie
I know I said I like some pockets on my fishing shirts. But on occasion, when I want a little freedom from fishing doo-dads, I’ll throw on a shirt with just one pocket and get out of the door. The sight-fishing addicts at Skinny Water Culture, based in Stuart, Florida, have married function and style in their Hawksbill hoodie, which is soft, stainless, and stretchy in the right places, and offers plenty of protection from the sun. $55. Take a look.
Orvis Pro Wading Boot
Wading boots with rubber soles have always made intuitive sense: They dry more quickly than felts, last longer, are more comfortable and less slippery on grassy banks and—because they tend not to carry around waterborne organisms from river to river—they are better for our watersheds. And yet, I’ve been through a fair number of them and have never found any that stack up to felt-soled boots when it comes to wading stability and security in the river. But after a few trips with the Pro Wading Boot, I think I can definitively say that Orvis has finally cracked the code. And to think that all it took was a partnership with auto tire giant, Michelin, to do so? These boots offer all of the above-mentioned advantages of rubber soles, with the added bonus of in-river traction that measures up well with felts. Plus it’s cool to have what is essentially a pair of tires on your feet. $229. Check them out here.
Fisher + Baker Camden Shirt
While at dinner after a day on the water, or perhaps even when traveling to and from your fishing destination, it’s nice to, well, look nice. The Camden Shirt, made from a breathable, quick-drying combination of merino wool and organic cotton, fits that bill. It travels well, and looks great while wearing a sport coat or shorts. $158. Here’s the shirt.
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty
Quick, what’s the first thing you reach for after a day on the water? OK, what’s the first thing you reach for after a quick scan of all of the texts and emails that piled up while you were making casts? That’s right: A cold beer. I don’t know about you, but after a long day in the sun, I prefer a beer that’s not too heavy and that doesn’t pack too powerful of an ABV punch. The people at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (located near some very good fishing in Delaware Bay, by the way) have created just that beer for those of us who like the hoppy taste of an IPA: The Slightly Mighty, which has just 95 calories and an ABV of 4%. $10-$12 for a six-pack. The beer is here.
“The Overstory” by Richard Powers and “Finding Joe Brooks”
Even the most avid outdoorsman is forced to spend some time indoors. To help pass those irksome hours, I have two suggestions. Richard Powers’ “The Overstory,” is one of the best novels I’ve read in years. It is, ostensibly, about trees. But trust me: It’s about a lot more than that. And do yourself a favor and check out “Finding Joe Brooks,” the well-shot documentary about the legendary angler who pioneered so much of what we take for granted in the fishing world today.
And one more...
School of Trout
Is dad a trout fisherman? Does he want to become one? I can't think of a better way to either learn the sport or enhance existing skills than getting a Masters degree with the folks at the School of Trout. The school, which offers both a basic and advanced class, is held in one of the most hallowed trout settings in the world: The banks of the Henry's Fork in Idaho. The "classes" include seminars on trout behavior, equipment, knots, casting and hooking and releasing fish. And the professors? This might be the best thing about the school. A partial list includes Tom Rosenbauer, Hilary Hutcheson and Craig Matthews, who will teach you how to fish. Kirk Deeter, the editor of TROUT magazine, will fish you and give you tips on writing and editing. The artist, Bob White, will introduce you to the colorful palettes of the trout world. Photographer, Tim Romano, will teach you how to get just the right shot. And Conservation Hawks founder, Todd Tanner, will help you understand why it's all worth it. Register here.
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