Top 3 Non-Traditional Father's Day Gifts for the Dad that Fishes

Pops is a fisherman, has everything, and always says when asked what he wants for Father's Day is a mumbled reply, "I want you to be happy and successful." So what do you get the stoic man that has sacrificed peace, quiet, and financial resources for your explicit happiness and success? Here are three gifts that promise to make the hardest to please fishing father with varying tastes happy and proud that you have not broken the bank on the path to your financial independence.

For the Techie Dad

The Casio Forester (Cabela's: $45.00) is an attractive and useful tool for the avid angler and perfect for the dad that loves gadgets and electronics. The Forester watch is a great angler's resource and is sure to keep the most tech-crazed papa entertained for hours. The watch predicts tide tables for most American locations and their corresponding solunar tables. Solunar tables are a function of lunar effect on wildlife. A moon overhead and below one's feet is prime fishing time-anglers love the added complexity of solunar tables to explain why they come home empty handed. Give your dad an excuse to hit the local river, lake, or bay.

For the Cerebral Dad

Pops is a professor or likes the quieter, more cerebral pursuits of outdoors writing and art. James Prosek's award winning book Trout of the World ( Amazon: $23.10) is sure to please. Trout of the World is a collection of one-hundred of the world's trout captured in beautiful watercolors. Prosek chronicles their habitats and species specifics. The book is a handsome hard back that any dad will be proud to display in his office or on the living room coffee table. The well-appointed and tasteful watercolors bring the fish alive and remind us of the beauty in the out of doors.

For the Impossible Dad

Your dad is absolutely technology challenged, hates to read, has everything, and is impossible to please-I have some personal experience here. This is your opportunity to save dad some dough, protect the environment, and feel good all at the same time. Donate to dad's favorite environmental or conservation group in his name. He gets the tax write-off and most donations come with small gifts from the group for dad. If dad does not have a favorite charity, the Coastal Conservation Association, Federation of Fly Fishers, and the National Wildlife Federation are spectacular organizations that give donations back to the outdoors community and are a great place to start.

Although we place a lot of weight on the importance of material goods, your dad, in all likelihood, really does only want you to "be happy and successful." The best gift you can always give dad is still a hug and a simple, "thank you."