GUIDE’S CHRISTMAS LIST
So, what does a Guide of 22 years strong, ask for, for Christmas, you might be wondering…? Well, in all honesty, my list is pretty typical for someone that spends most of his time in the woods and on the water.

At the top of the list is a new Thompson Center Bone Collector muzzleloader. It doesn’t hurt to dream, right? Next on my list: a Primos Bow Holder. The kind you see all the stars using on the most popular deer hunting shows that all down 12 point bucks that score 200+/-. I also asked for a pair of Howard Leight hearing protectors that amplify normal sounds (such as a 12 point buck) and have electronic circuit breakers that suppresses loud ones ( such as a Thompson Center Bone Collector muzzleloader ).

Something else I asked for this year is a new pair of Calcutta 9” Long Nose Super Tool pliers that I keep on the boat (and use almost non-stop, like my Benchmade knife). Continuing along the lines of fishing, I asked for another 60lb Boga Grip to replace the three others I once owned, that I swore I would never sell. I also asked for two Umpqua Briefcase Fly Boxes – one for salt and one for fresh. You would be embarrassed if you saw how and where I keep my tattered fly patterns (if you charter with me, thank you for keeping this and other tidbits of Baymen lore to yourself).

In the merry mood of “why not” I also asked for a pair of polarized sunglasses in color blue, a new digital camera that is shockproof and water proof (I go through one a season), two Zippo hand warmers that use butane fuel, a portable Heater Buddy that uses liquid propane fuel, and a big pile of Fat Wood that I use for starting fires. There are many things I want to be in life, but cold is not one of them.

A Ducks Unlimited pullover fleece with camo accents; a Goose Hummock long sleeved T-shirt (the one with the goose on it); a pocket knife with a built-in flashlight; a BOOYA Pad Crusher Rubber Frog – one in green and one in yellow; an ORVIS Hunting Field Coat; a Filson Waterfolwer’s Sweater with windstopper; another pair of ThermaCell Heated Insoles so I can loan them to people when they ask me if they can borrow my pair; a box of Muddler Minnow fly patterns so I don’t have to tie them (poorly) anymore; a new leather belt (actually, I will buy this myself); a Ford F250 Super Duty with leather interior; 200 acres in Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine – on a lake – with half the property in fields and meadows and the rest in hardwoods – backed up to a mountain range – at the end of a dead end dirt road – loaded with deer, bear, moose, turkey, grouse, snowshoe hare, and woodcock, with the lake covered in waterfowl and filled with giant trout and smallmouth bass; a new Carolina Skiff boat – Extra-wide 24 footer, center console, with a 150 Yamaha, all sitting on a custom bunk trailer; two season tickets to the Boston Celtics (center court with my feet touching the parquet floor) and two season tickets to the Boston Bruins (first row behind the bench).

And now a few things that might surprise you: a new toothbrush; some new razors; a new pair of sneakers; and Dunkin Donuts gift card.

With Joyous Christmas wishes from your favorite Guide in Baymen Land,

Capt. Dave