I’m so jealous of Gil Gilpatrick. Not only is he one of Maine’s premier Allagash guides and outdoor columnists, he churns out books like Stephen King and John Grisham. Where does the guy find the time? His latest book is a keeper: “Building Outdoor Gear.”

Gilpatrick is well qualified to write this book. In his other life, when he was not on the river with Allagash “trippers,” he spent 27 years as a vocational instructor. He has taught hundreds of high school students and adults how to build snowshoes, strip canoes and a number of other outdoor-related projects.

In this new book, Gilpatrick teaches you two important basic craft skills – how to work with epoxy and how to do seat “caning.” Other chapters in the book include instructions for making a laminated canoe paddle, a canoe chair, a canoe/boat seat, a wood pack frame, sturdy trip boxes, a camp bucksaw and a personal hatband.

Most outdoor folks know the warm and fuzzy feeling derived from using your own home-built gear in the out of doors. It is what drives fly tiers to spend hours crouched over a bench vice with piles of feathers and mylar tubing. If you are ham handed like me, there are projects in Gil’s book that you will never tackle, like caning. I would rather take a sharp stick in the eye than sit for hours meticulously weaving a boat seat out of cane. But there are other less intimidating projects in Gilpatrick’s book for nimrods like you and me. Specifically, the laminated canoe paddle and the reflector oven.

These two projects caught my eye and got me thinking about cleaning up the shop and buying some raw material. Gilpatrick’s plan for crafting a laminated paddle is thorough and seemingly within the reach of most hobbyists. When completed, the author says that you will have a paddle that is light but extremely tough and durable.

For my money, the most interesting chapter is the one on reflector ovens. The photos and line drawings are most useful. You get, not only the author’s design, but some alternative oven designs from other knowledgeable Maine outdoorsman. And, as with his other chapters, Gilpatrick keeps it interesting by interspersing his fabrication instructions with anecdotes from the field and historical tidbits. For example, did you know that the term “reflector oven” is actually a misnomer? That’s right, these ovens should really be called “baker ovens” because they cook from trapped warm air more than they do from reflected heat. As Gilpatrick points out, the more black and sooty these reflector ovens become, the better they cook. ( A break for the guy or gal whose name is on the camp cleanup roster).

As with all of his other books, “Building Outdoor Gear” is a no-nonsense how-to book that is well written and rich in content. True to his calling as a river guide, Gilpatrick is a straightforward practical man whose love affair with the outdoors and pride in woodsmanship comes through in his writing and book planning. He writes as efficiently as he paddles.

This book is a value at $13.95. It is well illustrated with 120 photos and drawings on 120 pages. These books are available online at www.gilgilpatrick.com or at selected stores and Amazon.com. For an autographed copy give Gil a call (before the Allagash season) at 207-453-6959.

Salute to wardens

Our hats off to the Maine Warden Service. This month marks the 125th anniversary for the men and woman in the dark green uniforms whose dedication and hardwork help safeguard Maine’s natural resources. They also safeguard us, the outdoor folks who sometimes become lost or injured in the Maine woods under some of the worst weather conditions you can imagine. Over the years a dozen wardens have given their lives in the line of duty.

A special tip of the hat to Warden Bill Livezey who was named Maine Warden of the Year at the Maine Warden Service 2005 Awards Banquet in Orono last week.

Warden Livezey’s boss, Game Warden Colonel Thomas Santaguida, had this to say about warden Livezey: “By definition, this award is given to an individual whom, in the past year, has conducted themselves in such a manner as to display an exceptional expertise in the area of conservation law enforcement, management, public relations and all aspects of a Game Warden’s duties.”

Game Warden Paul Farrington received a Meritorious Service Award. He risked his own skin last year to save a woman from a burning house in Lee.

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected].