Buying Guide The Fly Rod Combo and Other Great Gift Ideas

Buying Guide: The Fly Rod Combo and Other Great Gift Ideas

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The holiday season is right around the corner, which means it’s time for all of us to start scrambling to find the best gifts for all the special people in our lives.

If you have a family member or friend who loves fly fishing, there is always something to get them.

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The Fly Rod Combo and Other Great Gift Ideas

Never heard of a fly rod combo? Don’t know which waders do the best job of keeping out the cold?

Don’t worry!

We’re taking all the guesswork out of the equation. Keep reading for some great gift ideas for your favorite fly fisherman or woman!

New Gear

Whether the fly fisher in your life is new to the sport or is an old pro, they can always use some new equipment. Some gifts you can put under the tree include:

Fly Rod Combo

For new fly fishers, a fly rod combo can be a great setup to help them get comfortable with the sport without breaking the bank to buy separate pieces of equipment.

A combo comes with everything a new fly fisherman needs to get started. It features both a fly rod and a fly reel, along with a fly line, backing (thinner line on the reel behind the fly line), and either a rod tube or a rod sock for storage.

In addition to saving money, a fly rod combo is also a great option because it’s convenient — everything comes in one package — and everything is guaranteed to work together. Sometimes, fishermen end up with a rod and reel that aren’t compatible, but this won’t be an issue with a combo set.

Nets

A net helps fly fishers land fish more easily and release them unharmed. You can never have too many!

Look for a net that is teardrop-shaped, as these cut through the water better than others. Rubberized nets are the best for catch and release, as the fish tend to not get as tangled in the rubber mesh, and your hooks won’t stick in the rubber as easily (avoiding a tangled mess that often happens with cotton or nylon mesh nets).

Some nets even come with built-in scales or numbers painted on the side to measure the length and weight of the fish they catch. These handy features make bragging easier than ever!

Pontoon Boat

Any kind of boat helps expand a fly fisher’s horizons. Sometimes, they’re necessary to get further into a lake or down a large slow river and catch the biggest fish.

A pontoon boat is a great gift for avid fly fishers. It breaks down and can be easily packed up so they don’t have to worry about transporting it in a truck or trailer.

Pontoon boats are also durable and easy for a fisher to manage on their own, so they’re perfect for someone who likes to get away from it all and fish alone.

Clothing

If your fisherman doesn’t need any new equipment, maybe you can buy them some new threads. Some of our favorites for the upcoming holiday season include:

Wading Boots

A good pair of wading boots is essential. They provide support and traction and make fishing easier and safer.

When you’re shopping for wading boots, look for a pair that is lightweight and features a rubber sole. A good pair will also have solid ankle support and will drain well after being underwater all day.

Fly Fishing Vest

A vest is another great clothing item that every fly fisher should have. The best vests feature lots of pockets and sometimes even waterproof compartments to protect cell phones and cameras.

Make sure the vest is adjustable as well to provide a great fit.

Waders

Waders are one of the most recognizable pieces of fly fishing clothing. It’s not just about looks, though. Waders are necessary in many fishing conditions, especially for preventing hypothermia in cold weather conditions.

Rubber waders are the most affordable option, and they’re quite durable. But, neoprene provides great insulation, so they’re better for extra cold conditions. Many seasoned fly fishermen choose breathable lightweight waders for all conditions, and layer clothing appropriately underneath.

Accessories

New accessories make great stocking stuffers! Some of our favorites are:

New Flies

A fly fisher can never have too many flies. There are tons of options out there, but you can never go wrong with hoppers, caddis imitations, mayflies of some sort, or streamers such as wooly buggers or leach and minnow patterns.

Hoppers are very effective for luring in trout in the summer, especially when they have smaller dropper flies tied to the end of the hook. They’re extremely versatile, and your fly fisher”person” will love to get some as a gift!

If you’re picking up some caddis or mayfly patterns, you may want to ask the shop owner for recommendations based on where you live. There are multiple life cycles represented; such as nymphs for underwater, emergers imitating soon to hatch insects on the rise in the water, and dry flies imitating adults on the water’s surface.

Streamers are also a good option, especially for going after big fish. They often get lost in deep water, so a fly fisher can almost always use some new ones.

Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized sunglasses eliminate one of the most irritating problems a fly fisherman runs into — the sun creating a glare on the surface of the water and preventing them from seeing what’s going on below.

With a pair of polarized sunglasses, your favorite fisher will have a great experience, as they’ll be able to spot fish beneath the water’s surface.

Mosquito Repellent

Nothing ruins a fly fishing trip quite like getting bitten by a million mosquitos. Those pesky insects are inevitable in most fishing spots, so it’s important to have a good mosquito repelling device to keep them at bay.

Sprays and lotions work well, but a device that releases a repelling vapor is even better. This is especially true for folks who like to take weekend fishing trips and need extra protection while they’re sleeping out in the woods!

Knowledge

If your fly fisherman doesn’t need any equipment or clothing, you might feel a bit stuck on what to get them. But, have you considered giving them the gift of knowledge?

There are lots of excellent fly fishing books out there that will help fishers learn more about their sport. Whether it’s a guide for a new fisherman or a book about the best fishing destinations, there’s something for everyone.

Buy Your Gifts Today

Now that you have some ideas for gifts for your favorite fisherman or woman, it’s time to start shopping!

Don’t wait to do your shopping, either. With the holidays coming up, our products are going to be flying off the shelves!

What gifts are you buying the fisher in your life? Let us know in the comments below!

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