Extravagant Ones:
As you seasoned veterans out there are well aware, several years ago we began an Extravaganza tradition (that we will carry on again this year) of, on the first day of fishing and introduction, delivering gag gifts to your guide--a guide who, with only a very few exceptions, will be with you for all three of your extended days of fishing and instruction (i.e., the key to your success regardless of your fishing prowess).
So, on day one of fishing, as you don your spiffy Hawaiian shirts (a first time event, courtesy of an idea from [y]our outfitter par excellence, John "The Great" Gould), you will have the chance in front of your entire group to say hello in rare form by the witticism of your gagish gift. The boat with the best gift(s) is publicly anointed and rewarded in and for each group and we have found this to be a fun-filled, sure-fire first introduction between your boat and its guide.
Classic gag gifts in the past have included Group B's Doug "Popeye" Hamilton's lure-embedded toilet seat and port-a-potty (matching his prior year's gift of a 3' long spinning lure); veteran Tom Stallard's elaborate "Fish-O-Matic" (a handmade expandable fish that can be extended to any dimensions); and branded products by Group B's branding expert "Down River Dave" Studeman. Gifts have also been as underwhelming as a simple 12 inch Channel Lumber ruler pulled off the shelf by Group A's John "SOS" Reimann, tasteless tee-shirts (which were a big hit, btw) and bottles of beverages stemming from cheap to elaborate wine, brandy and exotic liqueurs.
Let your conscience (or lack of one!) be your guide; go shopping in that garage and "re-gift" items and toss something in your suitcase so that your first impression on your guide is a lasting one!
Best to all,
RCR
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