Welcome to this year’s holiday wish list for fly fishers. I hope you find something useful on the 2022 Fly Fisher’s Christmas list.
Many of these items can be purchased at your local fly shop and I encourage you to do so. But if you can’t find the item, here are links to Amazon (affiliate links) or websites where you can locate these fine products.
Custom RiverKeeper Flies
First on the list are some Custom RiveKeeper Flies. Purchase some for yourself or your fly fisher. I can help select the right flies. Contact me by leaving a Comment below.
Fishing Ideas
Gifts Under $50
Gift certificate for fishing license – This gift is priceless! A fishing license is a gift that keeps on giving every day of the year. A great stocking stuffer!
Catch Magazine subscription ($20)- On days you can’t fish, why not dream about it? Catch Magazine is the official journal of fly fishing photography and film. Subscribe HERE.
Frogs Fanny Floatant ($10) – I really like this product to dry my flies when they finally sink or a fish slimes it. The reason I like it so much is the brush. I’m able to push silica into various parts of the fly. It works especially well on CDC wings. Other silica products work, but this is the one I carry.
Amadou Dry Fly Patch (around $25) – Amadou is a natural tree fungus I use to quickly dry my flies. It works especially well on flies with CDC. Squeeze your fly between the leather covered patches and the moisture is pulled from the fly.
Paint Strainer Mesh Bags ($9) – These bags easily fit over your net and are a great way to capture insects floating on the water to see what the fish are eating. They come in multiple packs so you can give one to a buddy!
Simms Taco Wader Bag, Fishing Changing Mat & Bag ($40)- Keep your waders clean and organized. Large enough to fit up to 2 stockingfoot waders and 2 pairs of wading boots. Stand on the mat to keep your feet dry and clean while changing. Designed with mesh vents allowing airflow.
Here are a few of my favorite books to choose from.
Spey Flies, Their History and Construction ($40)
Favorite Flies for Oregon: 50 Essential Patterns from Local Experts ($25)
The Founding Flies: 43 American Masters: Their Patterns and Influences ($36)
Gifts from $50 – $300
Korkers Devil’s Canyon
Korkers Darkhorse – Women’s
Korkers Terror Ridge
Korkers Boots ($160 – 300) – Korkers are the best boots I’ve ever had! I wore my first pair of Devil’s Canyon boots from 2015 – 2018 and ended up with roughly 350 days on the water. I like the interchangeable soles to switch back and forth between studded felt, regular felt, aluminum hex or bars, and rubber. And I don’t have to deal with shoestrings! I always had trouble tightening the laces in regular boots. Seems like they always loosened up. The improved M2 BOA lacing system is even better than the original. They’re quicker to tighten and snug up tight. I just take a couple of deep squats to make sure the boots adjust to my feet and can always get a few extra “clicks” with the BOA dial. My wife wears the Darkhorse and I’ve added a link to their newest boot, the Terror Ridge. Read my review of Korkers HERE.
Korkers Soles ($50 – 70) – One of the reasons I like Korkers are the interchangeable soles. I wear studded felt 95 percent of the time, but change to aluminum when not allowed, like Yellowstone National Park. In addition, I use the felt soles that come with the boot during guided trips when studs aren’t allowed in the raft.
Studded Felt
Aluminum Hex Disc
Snake River Net Co. Products – My friend Mike Avery is a wonderful craftsman and has multiple products available on his website. Here are three I’ll highlight:
SRNC Net ($155 – $220) – If you would like a work of art, pick up a net from Snake River Net Co. They make 6 different custom nets, using exotic hardwood and a fish-friendly net bag. These are beautiful nets! In fact, I bought my lake net from them.
SRNC Rod Case ($200) – Choose between Walnut, Wormy Maple or Beechwood. Cases are 33″ long and a 1 7/8″ diameter. This case has the engraved image of a trout, walnut ends, and leather straps to secure the lid. Will fit most 2-7 weight, 9 foot, 4 piece rod. Finished in tung oil to protect and leave the natural color and feel of the wood. Includes 4 piece rod sock and free engraving on cap.
SRNC Wood Fly Boxes ($90) – Crafted from Cherry or Maple. Uses barrel hinges and magnetic closures with foam inserts for durability. Custom Logos and personalized engravings can be included to your specifications.
Vests and Packs ($50 – 200) – I’ve had a variety over the years and wrote a post a while back called How to Choose Between Vests and Packs for Fly Fishing. There are many choices in terms of styles and prices. Pick the one that best fits your needs.
Fishpond Vertical Chest Pack
Orvis Guide Sling Pack
Simms Freestone Vest
Gifts Over $300
Fly Reels ($200 – $600) – So many choices here…Lamson, Sage, Hardy, Abel, Ross, and Galvan. You’ll see me on the river with a Ross Evolution LTX and my wife fishes a Galvan Torque (I have one as well as a backup reel). Any of the brands listed are terrific! Again, a gift certificate from your local fly shop is the way to go.
Galvan Torque 5
Ross Evolution LTX
Waders ($200 – $800 or more) – Waders are an important piece of equipment for many fly fishers. There are a variety of providers, but I’ve used Redington and Simms for many years. I’ve included links for the waders we wear.
Fly Rods ($200 – $2,000) – “You can never have enough” fly rods! I’ve been fishing my Winston BIIX fly rods for several years. Best fly rod I’ve ever owned. Winston has replaced my tried & true rod, but there are several other models to choose from. As with fly reels, there are a lot of great rod makers out there…including Sage, Redington, Echo, Scott, and Orvis…the list goes on. Or try an old school bamboo fly rod. Select a price-range and there’s sure to be a good rod in it. Your local fly shop can help select the right one. As with fly reels, a gift certificate is the safe way to go for this gift.
Bamboo fly rod from Bamboo Pursuits (from $1,995) – Speaking of bamboo rods, my friend Dave Dozer builds beautiful pieces of art which he calls bamboo fly rods. I’ve highlighted his rods in previous years, but he is a true craftsman and if you are considering a ‘boo rod, give him a call for the specifics of owning a classic. If you’ve always wanted to build your own bamboo rod, Dave offers a class to accomplish that dream. Contact him at Bamboo Pursuits.
Fly Tying Ideas
Gifts under $50
Gift Certificate for Fly Tying Materials – Another great idea for your fly tyer. They always need something so why not let them select the materials needed for the next fly?
Hooks ($5 – $25) – Whether your fly tyer uses Daiichi, Tiemco, or the new Firehole Sticks, pick up a pack in quantities of 25, 50, or 100. They’re a great stocking stuffer. I always need hooks!
Razor scissors ($35) – These are the scissors I use everyday. I’ve learned to hold them in my hand as I tie. Because of that, I like the 4″ length.
Dr. Slick Ceramic Bobbin, 4″ ($17) – This is the size bobbin holder I like the best. I’ve tried others, but am used to the 4″ size.
Stonfo Rotodubbing #2 Split Twister ($15) – A tool I use when creating flies with dubbing loops.
Dr. Slick Dubbing Hooks ($13) – And the other tool to use after spinning the loop with the twister shown above.
Hareline Finger Dubbing Brush ($8) – This is a perfect tool for brushing out dubbing or modern dubbing brushes. It is a must have for streamer tyers. If your local fly shop doesn’t carry them, here is the Hareline order # FINB.
Dr. Slick Hair Stacker Brass Finish ($18) – THE standard for stacking all types of hair. I have a couple sizes of these brass stackers.
Loon Outdoors Zippy Hair Stacker ($25) – A new style stacker for deer hair. I’m still “old school”, but might look at this again.
MEIHO Clear Case ($14 – 18) – I’ve started using these sturdy boxes for some of my flies. My wife calls them the “provider box”. The compartments are adjustable. I like the medium (1.5 inch deep) for my smaller dry flies and the narrow one (1.1 inch deep) for nymphs.
Ideas over $50
Whiting Hackle ($60 – 120) – How about a gift certificate from your fly shop so your fly tyer can select more feathers? Or go to Jim’s Fly Co. for an online vendor.
Vises ($175 – 600) – Every fly tyer deserves to tie on a quality vise. Here are three great ones:
Renzetti Traveler 2200
Renzetti Presentation 4000
Regal Medallion
Renzetti Traveler 2200 Vise ($230) – This is the vise I used for many years tying several hundred dozen flies with it. It served me well. Your local fly shop should have these.
Renzetti Presentation 4000 Vise ($550) – This is the vise I’ve used for a couple of years and I love it! Before this vise, I used their Traveler series. There are other solid vises as well, including the Regal and Dyna-King brands.
Regal Medallion Vise ($275) – This is a popular vise too, with a quick release that firmly holds hooks.
Renzetti Lunker Pedestal Base – Weighing in at 5 lbs, this is one of the largest and heaviest bases available. 6″x8″ with magnetized compartments and measuring indicators, it’s a powder coated base that surely won’t move on you. It is available in a variety of colors. Purchase at your local fly shop or Fly Fish Food.
Renzetti Tool Bar ($55) – One method of keeping your tying tools close at hand. Purchase at your local fly shop or HERE
Enjoy…go fish!
(John Kreft is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.)
