A friend once opined that if you find something that you really like, buy a lifetime supply. He’s right — at least when it comes to outdoor equipment.

I bought a great L. L. Bean bush jacket 10 years ago. It has removable sleeves (becomes a vest) and plenty of cargo pockets. But now it is so frayed and torn that when I wear it people hand me change and preach about 12-step programs.

Bean does not make the original anymore, but it has a similar heavier jacket with more pockets, different collar but no removable sleeves. I bought one — and it is fine, but I should have bought two or three of the originals when I had the chance.

Finding neat outdoor products does not always involve a lot money, a Guccied-up name tag, or the latest fad. Some things and ideas that I’ve liked lately include:

This story continues below
Advertisement

» Wal-Mart MAW gloves. Made by Might As Well, Inc. (I kid thee not), these are lightweight knit gloves. Cut off a finger tip and you have shooting gloves. Remove a few finger tips for fishing, tying knots or photography. To prevent raveling, coat cut ends in Pilobond. Best of all, they come in sets of 12 pairs for $4. That’s not a typo — 33 cents a pair. They are carried at all Wal-Mart stores (I checked), stocked near the garden department. I’m getting a pack for each of my friends, obviously sparing no expense when it comes to gifting close buddies.

» John Page Williams, head naturalist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, put me onto “wristers” — short neoprene “sleeves” that keep your wrists warm. Wrists often get cold when fishing even when wearing gloves and a jacket. Wristers come in several sizes, but they don’t seem to be available locally. Check out Hamilton Marine in Maine at www.hamiltonmarine.com.

» An alternative to “wristers” are neoprene gloves with long gauntlet wrists. These are available from dive stores and some kayak shops, or check tackle shops for Shimano (or similar brand) neoprene gloves.

» Those who tie epoxy flies know that epoxy turns yellow in time. That’s not good. Tuffleye is a new special light-sensitive curing acrylic that does not turn yellow — ever, according to the manufacturer. Now you can tie Surf Candies, glass minnows, shrimp and other epoxy-style flies without fear of color changes. Check out Tuffleye at www.tuffleye.com.

» Since I have a problem with my dominant eye, I recently bought a pellet rifle, then added a pellet pistol. Using both regularly on a small target in the backyard seems to be improving my shooting. It is a cheap way to maintain and improve shooting skills.

» Buy a pair of panty hose if you hunt or fish in chigger territory. Other solutions don’t seem to work, but panty hose prevents chiggers from getting to you.

» For greater stability with rifle or when shotgun turkey shooting, try a bipod/unipod/tripod. This innovation, which perhaps started with Plains hunters, comes separate or attachable to the gun and in a variety of price ranges. From one to three stick supports, these provide far greater stability for aiming and successful shots. If you just want to try the idea, get two sturdy 3-foot long dowels and a heavy rubber band to make crossed sticks for a rifle or shotgun support when in a sitting position.

» My neck gets cold on raw and chilly days. I don’t like front- and back-flap dickeys, which are hard to put on and take off. A good neck-warmer substitute is a knit or fleece collar or skiers headband. Wide models can be pulled up over the ears. All are easy to take off or put on with temperature changes. Get them in bright orange for deer hunting and dark or camouflage for waterfowl, bow hunting and fishing.

Got a tip or two on how to make fishing and hunting easier and more comfortable? Send them in — I’ll be happy to pass them along.

C. Boyd Pfeiffer is an internationally known sportsman and award-winning writer on fishing, hunting and the outdoors. He can be reached at cbpfeiffer@msn.com