How did Santa do by you?

[tly]

It's over. Gifts have been exchanged and it's now time to reflect. Did you drop the right hints, did you get that gear you wanted (or permission to buy it)?

Personally, I got nothing relating to boat or fishing. This is despite dragging my bride around to various places pointing out easy to buy, easy to wrap, must have stuff. No luck. My highlight is a shirt (green & gold) inscribed with 'Friends do not let Friends be Viking Fans'.

Did you all do better? Hope so.

Happy holidays all. Maybe the gift is the fact we are finally getting some ice.

TLY

[rickn]

Don't have a bride anymore, but my gf got me a 10 gun oak guncabnet. Think I'll keep her! I did notice and pointed out to her tho, that not all the spots were filled. She told me to check my truck to see what I might find there. Guess she pays closer attention than I thought! Merry Cristmas to all! Rick

[JBL]

My Father-in-law is a good guy, but he gave me a huge kit of bionic minnows. I sort of froze, then almost started laughing, but instead I thanked him and managed to appear quite interested in my new fishing gear. This must be this years version of the banjo minnow or Roland Martins helicopter lures sold on infomercials. Last year he gave me some idiotic mounted trout that would sing a horrible version of 'take me to the river', my kid drove me nuts by constantly playing with it, at least until it mysteriously "disappeared". heh heh

[hammertime]

santa brought me the will and determination to get me through another year of fishing and to finish the goals that i would usally let slide by me over the winter and good health. what a guy !!!

[manitobawalleye]

I have a Christmas tradition... after my other shopping is done... no hints to anyone... just treat myself each Xmas... was a little late this year as my parcel of goodies from thorne bros. is not here yet... always find something i like every year... and for some reason it is usually fishing related... start your own tradition as a reward for the years hard work... Merry Xmas to everyone on board

[Jersey John]

Well I recieved a street sign that says DEER HUNTER RD.
A Walleye parking sign that says Walleye angler parking only, all others get hooked.
A travel clock for my hunting trips
Another fishing sign that says My best catch lives here.
A gift certificate for a Duraliner for my new truck

What more can someone ask for. God bless america, and Merry Christmas to all. JJ

[skeeter]

Santa brought me my biggest present yet. My health back after my heart attack. Also a nice new GMC to pull my Skeeter around. Happy Holidays to all of you. Nels

[Rick]

Boy what a good xmas, no fishing related stuff. because i already have too much i guess, but i did get a sony playstation2 and golf, and fishing games too hold me over until the ice comes, i told her boy i guess i won't be doing any work around the house this winter. with all this fun stuff to keep me busy, my father inlaw is 64 and he loves playing the games, oh well keeps us out of the bars and trouble.
i did get the wife a bose wave radio, wow it sounds great worth the money. merry christmas to all

[Fishnfuul]

I got a vacuum sealer, a Kenmore brand. Hope it's a good one. Merry Christmas to all ya'll!

[Boatnut]

Santa was great to the kids as usual this year.

It's that mailman that brings the visa bill that i'm gunning for! LOL

Happy New year's!

[instigator]

Santa brought me a beautiful St.Croix fly rod them steelies are in big trouble just wish it wasnt so cold out itll take me an hour to dress before i get to go use it well its off to camp tonight hittin the pa tribs of the big pond tomorrow......Fish on......Instigator#735

[Backwater Eddy]

COAL........ again Eh.

;)

We-we-we.....><,GO-PIGGY,>

Backwater Eddy...><, ,>

[mac]

Considering that the real Santa has the same signature on checks that I do, he waited again to see what I might want in the future. Some how I've never been disappointed in what he picks out.

[perchjerker]

Did reel (pun intended) good. Got the walleye parking sign, two talkabout radios, a car charger for my cell phone. Not any reel fishing stuff, I get that on my own...I have yet to go to the inlaws...my father in law is my fishing partner in crime...he might have got me something fishing related. My wife got a kick out of one gift she never expected...a wet suit for water skiing. The boat we just bought is a Sportfish and she loves skiing, as long as my kicker doesnt get in the way! <grin>

[Homer]

New Beckman net
Subscription to Walleye Central
Walleye Central shirt
In-Fisherman Calendar

I must have been *real* good this year!

[Hunter]

The flu!!!!

[Nofish]

Merry Christmas all!

Well gifts got got, and gifts got given. We are away from Family for first time ever. We are going back to ol hometown this weekend to do the family thing.

As I type this, the Christmas ham is bakin in the oven, makin the whole house smell great. The bay has some ice along the shore and the slight snow cover made for a fantastic sunrise and beautiful Christmas day.

Got some neat suff from my wife, and our landlord gave us a smoked sockeye salmon fillet! That won't make the new year, much like that ham!!! :P

Being with my wife and kids, in this outdoor paradise, on Christmas day has been fantastic. Presents are not very high on my desires for Christmas day.

As I say, next weekend is the test for the gift exchanges. I always put the outdoors stuff on my want lists, and specify what stores gift certificates. They never quite get it right, but then it is truly the thought that counts. They tried, and I appreciate that.

Although, every year the Lamborghini and the Ranger bass boat get missed........ }>

Merry Christmas once again, and share the day with someone you love...R

[River_eye]

Got a neat little camera, which is kinda fishing related because you have to have pictures of those big piggies.

Also got a telescoping rod case, I always put off buying one myself, but it's a really smart idea.

[T-Mac]

I made out great! Both my kids are home and my Mom is here, too.
Weather was sunny with hoar frost all over the trees and bushes. To add to the picture, fresh snow and not a cloud in the sky! The mountains are all white, and a herd of elk is feeding up the hill from the house. I ate too much, and laughed alot. It is an excellent Christmas for me, even though I can't forget the victims of the terrorist attacks nor our armed forces people doing their jobs in far away, hostile places.
I am grateful to be so lucky to have been born an American.

PS: I got some new Guide-Wear, too!

[Den]

T_M, how are the eyes doing now?
Den

[redog692]

vexilar fl-18 i know im going to keep her

[Den]

Santa was good this year to me, he gave me a lot of friends, and good health. oh, he even gave me some good gifts, tho not as much fishing related things as i always want, but that could never be true. all in all it was just great to be with the family and the kids, and grandkids for another holiday. as we all saw this last september, none of us are gauranteed anothe day. be grateful and enjoy what we do have this day. good luck and good fishin to all, and also a Happy New year.
Den

[Walteye]

My fishin' partner, which is my 12 year old son, gave my a hanging shadow box for the wall with a drawing of a walleye and misc fishing equipment in it. Being divorced, any second I spend with my son is the best gift I could ever have, and I have had him with me for the last 4 days. Being with family, and being with friends cannot compare to any store bought gift, because you can never get the time back once it is gone to say " I should have ". I hope that everyones' Holidays bring the kind of happiness that I shared with my son. Santa brought a bagfull of happiness to my house!

[Hutch]

Santa's giving me a new 2025. Wish it would show up!!! Heck I wish he would sign the check too.

[Juls_WI]

Good Morning,
I just climbed out of my christmas present(from my parents)this morning....a feather bed!!! All I can say is "Wow!" What a luxury! So warm, so cozy... I slept soooooooooo good...;-)

My sister and brother-in-law gave me a beautiful watch, so I can't tell them I'm late, because I didn't know what time it was anymore...heheh

I got a book from my twin, which has already been snatched up by my sister and bro-in-law who want to read it first. (I can't remember the title...something like "The Four Agreements"..I don't remember the author's name).
My nieces gave me some candles which are always "a good thing" too.

The best present though, was watching my 5 year old niece's face when she opened my present to her, which was her first fishing rod and tackle box full of panfishing goodies. And "NO", it wasn't a Zebco 202..lol It was a nice Diawa ultralight rod with a TICA ultralight reel. Her eyes really bugged out when her dad (my twin) took the rod from her and said, "Oh this is SWEET....honey, I'm going to have to try this out before you do, to make sure it works right, OK?" The look on her face was priceless, but she did tell her dad, "OK" (in a very soft voice). He was only goofing of course..or was he? hhhmmmmm....lol

Most of the family was together this year, and everyone is healthy and happy, so this was a very good Christmas indeed! I'm looking forward to the New Year now, and I would like to wish everyone a Safe, Prosperous, and Happy New Year also!

Juls

[eyedoktr]

Santa treated me pretty well this year. I was extra good and it payed off. I got a $50.00 gift card to Galyan's and enough cash so that when I use my gift card, I won't have to spend too much of my own money.I'm sure I won't get outta there for less than a couple hundred dollars though. On the weird side, my 81 yr.old mother gave me a "rain hat for fishing". It doesn't sound that bad until you realize that it has an LCD screen on the front where you can enter your own scrolling messages, like the advertising ones in bars/restaurants. My brothers both had alot of ideas for messages but they involved "trolling" of a different kind. Oh well,they say it's the thought that counts.

[Skis]

Santa did good! For fishing, I got a new Loki landing net and a $30 Cabela's gift certificate! The gift certificate makes it like Christmas all over again when I get to Cabela's!

[ETT]

Amen, Den!!!

Every year it seems there's some inexpensive gift that means as much or more than the ones that cost hundreds. This year it was a framed 8x10 enlargment of the 3 boys still at home (actually they're all in college). They started a family tradition of their own, and the enlargment is of them with their gear and the ducks harvested. Across the top it says "Stedke Boys Annual Duck Hunt". Dad was invited but kinda stayed away on purpose.

They enjoyed each other without me being there to referree, and the best part, THEY ALL BOUGHT THEIR OWN LICENCES. The photo will always be very special, and kinda bitter/sweet.

Each day is a new begining, make the most of it.

Have a safe, happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.

[T-Mac]

Finally getting better, Den.
Still have not regained 100% clarity in the scratched eye...maybe never will. But, ...been better as of late. Was getting worried!
Hope you had a good Christmas.
Terry