Outdoors

Anglers now can stock up sans guilt

By Times Staff
Published November 27, 2005

I never thought I'd say this, but I finally amassed all the fishing gear I will ever need. Well, almost. As things break or wear out, I'll have to replace them, but I think my angling household has reached critical mass on the basic items, with a combined 22 fly-rods, 15 fly-reels, multiple pairs of wading boots and waders, and drawers full of fly-tying materials. Frankly, we are out of room.

But for those of you who are not, and who gleefully view Christmas as a legitimate excuse for indulging your obsession without those normal disapproving stares, here are some cool gift ideas:

Fly-fishing lessons. Check out local fly-fishing shops, which usually offer lessons, or join a local fly-fishing club that offers casting practice before meetings as well as occasional clinics. Or, do a little research on the Internet and you'll find several professional guides in the Tampa Bay area who are certified Federation of Fly-Fishers fly-casting instructors. Make sure the instructor communicates well and understands your fishing goals.

Simms Flats Sneakers. These are the most comfortable flats wading boots I've ever owned, with good ankle support, and the $100 price is comparable to other top-line wading boots. Buy one size larger than your shoe size if you will be wearing these laceups over waders.

StreamWorks Lighted Nipper. This is my new favorite little gadget. A tiny red LED light in the nipper makes retying tippet or changing flies in the dark a snap. This tool also contains a hook file and needle for cleaning hook eyes. This is well worth the $17.99 price if you do any night fishing around docks for snook, or like to get to your favorite fishing hole at first light. You can buy these from Orvis, Cabela's and other direct mail merchants.

Flats waist pack. These packs fasten around your waist and are roomy enough for a box of flies, plenty of leader and tippet material, pliers, sunscreen and a couple of bottles of water. A flats pack is essential for any one who spends a lot of time wade fishing. Orvis, Simms, Fishpond and William Joseph are among the companies that make quality waist packs. Warning: Even though these packs are used largely by saltwater anglers, you must rinse the zippers thoroughly in fresh water after each use or they will freeze up. I've learned this the hard way.

Wheatley fly-boxes. This is one of the few fly-fishing items I don't have, but covet. These gorgeous aluminum fly-boxes, made in England by the Richard Wheatley Co. since 1890, are finely crafted works of art. My favorites are the Signature Series, with lids featuring full-color lithographs of trout or classic dry flies and spring-loaded fly compartments. I would never use these boxes anywhere near saltwater, but they'd be great for trout flies or just to gaze at admiringly on a shelf or coffee table. Wheatley boxes range in price from $30 to more than $100.

Fly-tying or fishing DVDs. The Hooked on Fly Tying series of DVDs has a new entrant, Basic Saltwater Fly Tying by Jamie Dickinson ($24.95), which offers clear instructions for tying successful saltwater patterns such as the Clouser Minnow, Seaducer and Lefty's Deceiver. Or, you can learn directly from the masters in 50 Years Behind the Vise - The Fly Tying Techniques of Bob Clouser and Lefty Kreh , which sells for $29.95.

Fly-fishing books. There are dozens that teach the principles of fly-casting and fishing, but even more that explore the sport's emotional side. Try Meanderings of a Fly Fisherman by Seth Norman, Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis by Howell Raines or my favorite, The River Why by David James Duncan. Terrific fly-fishing books for women are Walk on Water by Lorian Hemingway and I Don't Know Why I Swallowed the Fly by Jessica Maxwell.

[Last modified November 27, 2005, 01:19:10]