If you are like me then you are doing last minute shopping. A few things to consider while purchasing gifts for your angling friends…
Tying Accessory
You have someone that ties in the family? If so, they probably use a UV light and if you see them using this little device, save them a lot of misery by helping them upgrade.This light by Loon sucks and for about $13 you can get them this thing which is a lot better. I mean look at it, it has 9 times as many light diodes as the Loon model!
This amazing device can be found on Amazon. The important thing to remember is that you want a 400nm UV light and that is exactly what you are getting with this Chinese knockoff super intense light. You still have time to order this for your office white elephant party next week. Here is the link.
Fly Box
Ok, so a $5 flybox is sufficient to get you through life. Everyone knows this, but it’s Christmas so if you want to step up your game a notch then I have to recommend a C&F Design box. You pay a hefty premium for not only the name, but also their nice slotted foam. $60 isn’t cheap but hey, it’s Christmas after all.
Ok, ok. If that seems a little steep how about one of these boxes by Umpqua. They were new this spring and I used one all this year. A very good box that is comparable to the C&F boxes for a lot less money. Either one of these boxes will make an angler happy and allow them to continue their habitual fly collections.
Designer Luggage
Whether you have a rubbermaid container or a Tumi carry on piece, one thing is for certain, every fisherman has a gear bag. Something they throw around in the car, brings with them in the boat or wherever else they might go. Within this bag contains their entire arsenal of fishing weaponry. Often times thousands of dollars and years of collecting have gone into this bag and it is one of the fisherman’s most prized possessions.
For this purpose my personal favorite is the Fishpond Cloudburst. This bag is very versatile, it has adjustable compartments on the inside as well as a plethora of pockets on the exterior to hold boxes, reels or anything else you might want to carry with you. Every retailer that is worth anything carries Fishpond (sorry Orvis) so check it out for yourself.
Flies & Rods
Don’t buy people flies & rods, you don’t know what they want. Get them a gift certificate instead.
Random Streamside Accesories
The days of carrying clippers and hemos as passed. The cool kids now use these sweet scissor clamps. In all honesty they cut better than nippers, and give you everything you need out of hemos. Cut down on the bulk, grab someone a pair of these from Dr. Slick.
Perhaps the most ridiculous gimmick that I have ever gotten sucked into is the Shark Tooth device from Loon. I mean these things are like $1.00 but they are really awesome. Once you start using them you will never go back to being without them. Throw some in a stocking and you will have the only stocking gift in the history of humanity that the recipient remembers 6 months later.
Cameras
Every fisherman has one issue when selecting a camera. How long will it last before you drop it in the water? Well, welcome to the 21st century where waterproof cameras are cheap and the excuse of dropping your camera in the water is no longer valid. Olympus makes a pretty inexpensive camera that is waterproof and will take some good pictures for you. Throw it in the bag and leave it because it is shockproof, freezeproof, and waterproof. If you are a more advanced photographer I can only offer you the following advice.
Comments
Posting your Christmas list on your website is getting a little desperate, don’t you think?
FYI: I’m giving you a well used Carhartt cap with the logo patch torn off of it, and a couple of elk hair caddis I tied in 1996. And some Stren Gold and a slightly melted pack of softbaits.
‘Cause I know you are really all about the softbaits.
Author
1. If you don’t ask you won’t receive.
2. Just because you haven’t used soft baits doesn’t mean they don’t work.
3. Thank you for thinking of me.