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! This year, tell Dad to take a hike!

The first step begins with comfortable, rugged and stylish footwear. Chaco’s men’s Yonder combines work boot durability with heritage hiker styling. A sturdy ChacoGrip™ block outsole offers performance tread to tred where other treads won’t. Chaco’s LUVSEAT™ footbed guarantees all-day comfort. Full grain leather upper with a rolled collar style, topped off with waxed cotton laces with embossed metal hardware, takes Daddy’s little piggies off road and across town. chacos.com

The perfect sock? SmartWool’s Indestructawool technology construction system keeps Dad afoot in comfort. Identifying trouble areas, SmartWool has created the virtually seamless toe, a bi-elastic fit system to keep socks from slipping and bunching up. Unique mesh zones on the top of the foot increase breathability. This sock has a foothold on comfort and durability. Smartwool’s new PhD Hunt Medium Crew socks are as ideal for fishing as for hunting, making them Dad’s sharpest socks in the drawer. smartwool.com

Legendary sandal-maker Teva takes Dad back to his foot roots. Teva’s Original Universal Premier sandals are constructed with water ready, durable, and quick drying polyester webbing. A perfect fit is secured with hook and loop Universal Strapping System, allowing easy on and off. Dad will step lightly on a contoured EVA footbed supplying arch support. A rugged Durabrasion Rubber outsole takes what the terrain can dish out. Perfect for water activities: fishing, canoeing, amphibious hiking. teva.com

Keeping feet dry even when submerged, Hanz Extremity Wear calf length and over-the-calf height (15″) Submerge Waterproof Sock. Seamless waterproof technology creates a seal for deep water wading. The wicking and breathable liner keeps feet comfortable and dry. Worn with shoes, boots and sandals for any outdoor activity. hanzusa.com

Outer wear or under layer, AFTCO’s Bushido hooded long sleeve performance shirt keeps Dad cool and, when he loses his cool, he’ll be odor free with the antimicrobial treatment. Too nice to be worn just for fishing, this 100% matte polyester shirt makes long hikes or city walks more comfortable by wicking moisture away from the body and drying quickly. Bushido has UPF 50+, blocking 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. aftco.com

Since 1898, Deuter’s been packing it in for every backpack need. New “Walker” supplies lightweight storage for urban, suburban and rural hikes. Laptops in padded security, water bottles accessible, and anything Dad needs on his trek is stowable. Padded shoulder straps, with Airstripes, provide ventilation. Adjustable chest straps keep it secure. Keys are easily found on the inside detachable key clip. Buckles, Zippers, Velcro, and cinch straps keep everything in place. 3 sizes and colors. deuter.com

A unique phone app, onXMaps ROAM membership, keeps Dad on track turning mobile devices into dedicated GPS devices. For walks in the woods or exploring new territory, onXMaps will bring Dad home. It’ll alert him when he’s crossing into private property, with the owner’s name too! Roads and waterways are mapped out, tracing Dad’s every step. Maps can be saved, printed and shared. Whether Dad is on the hunt or a hike, onXMaps keeps Dad on track. huntinggpsmaps.com

Toss Dad’s faded jeans! Wrangler Riggs Workwear Cool Vantage jeans, wicking moisture, will keep Dad looking cool while feeling cool. Wrangler’s five-pocket jean has an oversized watch pocket with room for most cell phones. Even if Dad doesn’t have deep pockets, his jeans will with 13″ front pockets. The front right pocket is reinforced for tape measures. Riggs Workwear comes with a lifetime warranty. Perfect for woods, yard or casual Friday. wrangler.com

Help Dad see what he’s been missing. Maui Jim PolarizedPlus2 lenses block bright sun and harsh glare without compromising colors that become more vivid with crisper contrast. When durability and protection against shattering are the priority, Maui Jim’s Ho’okipa rimless Polycarbonate lenses are molded for Dad’s world and style in 4 colors for varying conditions from overcast to direct sun. Show Dad you have class with a gift certificate so he can choose his own Maui Jims. mauijim.com

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

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

Use follow-up Mann’s 5-inch HardNose Freefall weightless stickworms 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, 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 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 garlic Jack’s Juice Bait Spray scent. Also try swimming jigs like Mann’s Stone Jigs with a HardNose Reel ‘N’ Shad around cover. Beef up tackle for this.

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.