By Steve Chaconas

Oh no, not another tie!

Dude, don’t get Dad another tie! He might wear it…only when you are in town or when you mention it. He really dreads having to tie one on for you! It’s Father’s Day, put a bit of thought into the gift for the guy who was always thinking of you!

Klean Kanteen has been offering non-toxic watering solutions in durable and reusable containers. And now they serve up a nearly endless, up to 6 hours, hot cup of coffee in this sharp vacuum insulated splash proof to-go mug. The cool thing about this dishwasher safe mug is the lid! Easy to disassemble to clean. You don’t want to see what’s living under Dad’s lid. Get 2, one for yourself! kleankanteen.com

Covering Dad from the bottom up, the comfortable and versatile Teva Kitling sport sandal protects all of Dad’s little piggies with integrated toe protection! The Spider 365 rubber outsole provides, wet or dry, durable traction, and a nylon shank keeps feet stable. Dad’s feet won’t stink out the room. Kitling’s have a Microban zinc-based anti-microbial treatment for odor free feet. Water drains from the open construction. Perfect for water activities like fishing, canoeing, and amphibious hiking. teva.com

Make your gift the sharpest all-season sock in the drawer. Dad would rather be fishing and the leaping fish design on the 100% American Farm to Feet Concord socks reminds him. When he takes his shoes off, wool from US-raised merino sheep fights odor naturally with bacteria-resistant properties. Wool also provides temperature regulation through varying conditions. A seamless toe adds comfort. Farm to Feet socks are more than a stocking stuffer! The Concord will become Dad’s sole mate! farmtofeet.com

Toss out Dad’s cutoff shorts! Wrangler Performance Hybrid Cargo Shorts wick moisture away to keep him cool and dry! Not ugly old cargo shorts either. A zippered pocket for security and a quick access flapped pocket provide fishing function. Side and back pockets are standard open style for easy access. Keep dad looking cool while he feels cool. wrangler.com

On the water, keeping cameras and phones safe and dry, Flambeau’s Tuff Box Series provides heavy-duty, waterproof protection. Infused Zerust technology provides additional protection against rust and corrosion from moisture, so Dad’s stuff won’t rust. The clear box lets him see what’s inside and the tough polycarbonate protects the outside from getting in. A rubberized bumper system reduces shock. The Tuff Box gets tougher with a pressure release valve for air travel, atmospheric pressure changes and elevation variances. Also includes a quick-release lanyard with swivel hook so even Dad won’t lose it! flambeauoutdoors.com

For the guy who always gave you the shirt off his back, AFTCO salutes dad with the Spangled long sleeve sun protection shirt keeping him cool and patriotic while wearing red, white, and blue. Moisture wicking and UPF 50 blocks 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Keep dad comfortable and cool while showing his true colors. aftco.com

Don’t forget Daddy’s hands! Hanz Extremity Wear, known for keeping hands and feet warm and dry, introduces the Hanz waterproof Tap-Knit glove! Finally, answer the phone or navigate through new touchscreen boating electronics without lifting a glove. These lightweight gloves also have tiny “gripper dots” for active control to go from steering wheel to navigation screen. Pressure tested, Dads new gloves won’t leak. Hanz makes waterproof socks too! hanzusa.com

Only one part of Dad left exposed. New HT lenses from polarized sunglass expert Maui Jim offer High Transmission contrast perfect for spotting the fishing hole or finding a lost golf ball, while protecting aging eyes from the sun’s mean glare! UV protection isn’t just for skin; eyes are damaged in a more permanent way from sunrays! Maui Jim’s latest style is Kumu, or show Dad you have class with a gift certificate so he can choose his own Maui Jim style. mauijim.com

Dad likes to fish, but often comes home empty handed! The tell-all book Surf Fishing by David A. Brown is the A-Z, step by step, ABCs of fishing from beginner to master caster! The techniques and gear give Dad the hook line and sinker of fishing from the surf, pier or jetty! DVD included! floridasportsman.com/2014/01/15/sportsmans-best-surf-fishing/

If you give it, Dad will use it, wear it or eat it…make a good choice so he won’t think of you when he’s in line returning it!

Potomac River Bassing in JUNE

It’s topwater time! Lucky Craft walkers like the Gunfish and G-Splash poppers are perfect for clear and calm water with overcast skies! Walk the dog with the Gunfish and don’t stop when fish strike! They will come back. The Lucky Craft Kelly J prop bait is a great post spawn tease! For poppers, pop and stop, varying retrieves until a cadence produces. Also try Mann’s Waker over cover.

Use a follow-up, weightless stickworm like the Mann’s 5-inch HardNose Freefall worm on 10-pound test GAMMA Edge Fluorocarbon line for missed bites!

A steady dose of shallow diving Mann’s Baby 1-Minus crankbaits, in craw and baitfish patterns will work over wood and grass. Mann’s Reel N’ Shad is deadly this time of year. For line, 12-14 pound test Edge on a KVD Quantum cranking rod.

Pitch soft plastics like Mizmo tubes on 3/0 Mustad Tube hooks with 14-pound Edge to docks and wood at higher tides, then grass during every tidal phase. Use scents like garlic Jack’s Juice Bait Spray. Also try swimming jigs like Mann’s Stone Jigs with a HardNose Reel ‘N’ Shad around cover. Beef up tackle for this technique.

Mann’s Classic ¼ ounce spinnerbaits with white skirts are effective around shallow cover. Try these and chatterbaits close to grass, wood and rock, bumping cover or snapping free from grass. With high water, cloudy skies and some chop with clear water, try a 3/8-ounce double willow spinnerbait with a firetiger skirt.

Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide & contributing writer for BoatU.S. (BoatUS.com) Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.