MIKE BRAUN Local outdoor gift ideas

The holiday shopping season is upon us with Christmas but one scant month away.
To help all of you out there with outdoors lovers on your Christmas shopping lists, I've compiled some special gift ideas.
What's special is that they are all local, either in production, sales or location. I think it is important to give as much business as is possible to our local merchants rather than hitting the ubiquitous catalogs and national Web sites that drain sorely needed funds from our local economy.
You'd be astounded to discover just how much variety and value can be found at sellers of outdoors goods in the Mahoning Valley.
Little shop of fly-fishing
First off, let me lead you to a cozy little shop just off U.S. Route 422 in Girard.
Books and Hooks is a full-service fly-fishing shop nestled on the second floor of the former Maple Avenue Elementary School on Maple Avenue in Girard, one block south of the I-80 exit.
Dale May, who has been in the fly-fishing business for many years, has a dazzling array of gear, books, lures, clothing and more.
Amid the wooden floor boards and a setting that will take you back to your blackboard-eraser-clapping days, Books and Hooks offers just about anything that the fly-angler could want. Here's a great place to load up on stocking stuffers -- such as lures and items to build lures -- or bona fide gifts, such as exceptional waders, books of all kinds, posters, rods, reels and line.
You can reach Dale for ideas or just to get directions at (330) 545-1906.
Web-based company
If you are hooked on the Internet and simply just gotta order online, then another local outfit will do just nicely.
Type www.gilliesgear.com into your favorite Web browser and go exploring among the offerings of Gillies Gear, a local outdoor gear and clothing outfitter who has some of the best-made clothing and equipment I've seen in a long time.
Owner-operator David R. Lewis' Canfield-based company offers a wide array of sweaters, coats, waders, wader packs and more.
If you are looking for a good bargain for holiday gift-giving, Lewis reports Gilles Gear is having a 50-percent-off sale. Everything on sale is under warranty but sizes are limited. Check out the Web site for product information or call (330) 533-6490 for further details.
Pass the ammo
There are several exceptional locations around the Valley to find a gift for those on your list who are into firearms.
You'd have to go pretty far to find something not available at Miller Rod & amp; Gun, 5140 Youngstown-Poland Road in Boardman, or at the Shooting Gallery at 8070 Southern Blvd. Either shop has or can get nearly anything the firearms enthusiast can dream up from ammo to shotguns, gunsmithing to scopes.
You can also find a line of firearms just down the road at Red's Sports, 14125 Market Street Ext. near Pine Lake or in the Warren area at the Stocker's Shop, 5199 Mahoning Ave., 1.5 miles north of the state Route 5 bypass on state Route 45 in Champion.
What else is there
And, after all that, if you still can't find something, then head to one of the local sporting goods meccas.
Gander Mountain in Niles or Dick's Sporting Goods in Boardman both stock an impressive array of all things outdoors.
Gander Mountain wins hands-down in the "we have everything but the actual fish, deer or duck" department. If you can't find what you are looking for here, or at least someone to tell you where you CAN find it, then it simply is not made or worth having.
Despite the fact that winter has started to set in, don't forget the gift possibilities at one of the many local bait and tackle shops that dot the area landscape. Most stay open throughout the winter in some fashion and would be able to provide the angler on your list with stocking stuffers galore .
And don't forget some gifts for your "wild" friends. A stop at Wild Birds Unlimited in Boardman for a few pounds of seed, some suet or even a new squirrel-proof feeder would not be a bad idea at all.
So, if you are looking to play Santa to your favorite angler, hunter, birdwatcher or what-have-you, remember our local merchants this holiday season and shop the Valley.
braun@vindy.com