Q-Tip: A great Christmas gift

It's that time of the year again.

If you're looking for the perfect Christmas gift this year for that super special fisherman or fisher woman in your life, have you thought about buying him/her a 2001, California, non-resident, annual fishing license?

Yep, a 2001, California, non-resident, annual fishing license.

It's very easy to do.

In fact, you can do it right over the telephone.

Here's how in three quick, very easy steps:

1. Dial (916) 227-2246 in Sacramento, Calif. That's the telephone number of the License Revenue Branch of the Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game.

2. Then give the clerk, the recipient's full name, physical description and mailing address.

3. Finally and most importantly, provide the clerk with your credit card number information.

That's all you need to do.

Your Christmas shopping will be over!

Then, the friendly folks at the License and Revenue Branch will take care of the rest, including mailing the license to you in a festive gift envelope.

That envelope is the perfect size for a stocking stuffer, hanging on the Christmas tree. Or you can hand it to your favorite fishing buddy (male or female) when it is time to open presents.

You should receive that fishing license within just a couple of days after the License and Revenue Branch gets your order.

To insure delivery before Dec. 25, you better order it in the very near future. In fact, do it today!

When you do receive that license in the mail, you will also receive a detachable receipt. Later, have the recipient remove the receipt and keep it in a safe place. Then if their fishing license should become lost or destroyed, they can purchase a duplicate fishing license at any California Department of Fish and Game office or any license agent outlet. You do it by just surrendering the receipt and paying a modest, replacement fee.

An annual California non-resident fishing license (ordered over the telephone) will cost $75.25 for 2001. If you were to buy it at a sporting goods store, it will cost an additional five percent.

And while you're at it, why not buy the recipient a second rod stamp for only $9. It will then allow him/her to fish with two poles, during the upcoming 2001 California fishing year.

And as long as you're ordering that gift license and second-rod stamp, why not order your own at the same time.

That way, you can make two fishermen happy with one telephone call.

One of them will be you!

Do it today and then pleasantly surprise that special person on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

It will make a great present for the entire year.

And you learned about it from today's "Q-Tip!"

Remember that telephone number: (916) 227-2246.