It’s that time of the year when we realize there are only a couple weeks shopping time before Christmas. Many of you have a significant other, whether male or female, who is an outdoor enthusiast. They may enjoy boating, fishing, hunting, skiing, bird watching, hiking or simply walking on the beach.

If someone is into boating, they may need a new life vest, a GPS, a VHF radio or 100 other things that are creature comforts or necessities to supplement their float plan. People who are serious boaters usually are quite particular about the type of equipment that they are looking for to fulfill their needs. If you not absolutely certain about what they want or if you are a novice in water equipment, it might be wise to think about using a gift certificate. A gift certificate serves two purposes – it allows the recipient to apply the specified amount directly to the specific item they wish to purchase and, secondly, it allows you to stretch your budget for a present that you really wanted to get but couldn’t afford, by applying a certain amount of money toward that gift.

Stores like Englund Marine, Jack’s Country Store and Fred Meyer carry a vast amount of fishing, hunting and boating merchandise that will certainly please your loved one. There is nothing that makes a person feel worse than to receive a gift, with really good intentions, that they have little use for and have to return it. You can never make the wrong choice with a gift certificate.

A hunting or fishing license is an excellent choice for a gift, but remember that you will need the person’s social security number and birth date for the purchase.

Gift certificates also eliminate the need to guess at a boot size, jacket size or sports bra size – which could really get you into trouble.

Just a thought, and have very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Outdoor stuff … and just plain gossip!Speaking of gossip, Terry and Barbara, two of my long-time “reliable sources,” have been downgraded to “suspect sources” for lack of doing their homework on a particular rumor. As you all know with the advent of cell phones, information can spread faster than a speeding bullet on the Peninsula.

As a stop on their winter migration, swans are starting to show at Black Lake.

There are some nice bright coho being taken on the Naselle River around the hatchery.

The final shot at recreational crabbing in the Lower Columbia River will take place this week through Saturday. The season does not close, but commercial crab pots will be dropped starting on Sunday, Dec. 12, and allowed to “soak” until the opening on Dec. 15.

A hazardous condition could exist for smaller boats, with a west and southwesterly wind of 25-30 knots expected toward the end of the week.

For those of you who have been getting a lot of crab and have tried crab salad, crab enchiladas, crab cocktails, crab pizza and just about everything else you can imagine, try this one – deviled eggs with crab. While you are mixing the yoke with mayo and other goodies, stir in chopped crab. After you have reassembled the egg, sprinkle crab meat as a topping.

Don’t forget Dec. 10, 11 and 12 clam openers. There may also be some big surf, so try and get your dig in as early as possible.

The ocean always wins and it takes no prisoners.

Ron Malast is the owner and captain of the charter boat Big Dipper, operating out of Pacific Salmon Charters in Ilwaco. For questions about the outdoors call 665-3573.