Holiday Gift Guide 2024

Happy Holidays from all of us at Western Rivers!

It's our goal to make your holiday shopping as easy as possible for the angler in your life. We know we can be tough to shop for and that's why we've collected this list of gifts for a variety of categories that may describe your someone special! From the beginner who is just getting started on this journey to the angler who has everything they could ever need, take a look below for gift ideas hand selected by our staff!

As always, we are here to help. Don't hesitate to stop by or give us a call if we can offer any suggestions or help in any way. And don't forget; we gift wrap!

The Beginner  - The Traveler - The Lady Angler - The Fly Tyer - The All Season Angler 

On & Off the Water - The Person Who Has Everything - Under $100

Steve:

Flies - A nice fly box loaded with an assortment of flies would be a gift that any angler, especially someone new to fly-fishing that would be not only practical, but speaking from experience you can never have enough flies. Whether it's flies for here in Utah, or other waters in the west, having a good selection is paramount to having success. 

Logan:

Bajio Sunglasses $259.00 - A good set of polarized sunglasses is one of those items that's often overlooked as an important piece of your fishing outfit when getting in to the sport. Having a proper pair of polarized sunglasses keeps your eyes safe on the water and gives that extra fish-spotting power!

 Blaine:

Books! - I think looking into the books we carry can be a great gift for the beginner. Whether that ends up being a basic knot book, a guide to all things fishing, or destination specific. A book can be a great way to captivate a new angler and can make for a great gift. Book Ideas: Pocket Guide to Western Hatches; D Hughes, The Little Black Book of Fly Fishing; K. Deeter, No Nonsense Guide to Fly Fishing Utah; S. Schmidt   

     Will:

Echo Micro Practice Rod $39.99 - This practice rod was designed by World Champion Fly caster Tim Rajeff to simulate the feel and mechanics of a real flyrod. Each foot of yarn simulates five feet of fly line, so casting six feet of line with the micro practice rod almost perfectly simulates the timing and casting window of a 30-foot cast with a normal fly rod. This rod is a fun and easy way for beginners to learn the timing and feel of a proper cast and can be used both inside and outside.

Garrett:

Rio Powerflex 3-Pack Tippet $12.99 - Every person starting out can either use some help building out a selection of quality tackle, or refresher on the terminal stuff such as tippet and leaders.

    Wilkes:

Umpqua Dreamstream Core Tying Tool Kit 7pc $84.95 - As a beginner in the world of fly fishing, the world of fly tying unlocks a new skill and hobby. This kit offers all the tools that one would need in order to get excited as a new fly tyer!

 Anthony:

Fishpond Canyon Creek Chest Pack $79.95 - For someone just getting started into the sport of fly fishing, it's essential to have somewhere to house all of your accessories and flies, the Fish Pond Canyon Creek Chest Pack is the perfect size for a beginner, where the last thing you want is to over complicate your load out, this pack allows for just enough room so you have your essentials and nothing more. It’s easily accessible and stays nice and tucked out of the way while you're hiking into your spot and doesn’t get in the way while you're casting. This pack is designed to integrate into the other Fish Pond products such as their Thunderhead Submersible Backpack, so when it's time to expand your inventory on a long day out or a weekend trip, having this pack as a base of operations will enable you to stay light or pair up with a compatible backpack and be prepared for a weekend out.

Nick:

Beginning Fly-Fishing Class - $350, Crash-Course Fly-Fishing Clinic - $150 -Coming from a self-taught background, I know firsthand how daunting getting into fly-fishing can seem. It doesn’t need to be that way! That’s why we offer group Beginning Fly-Fishing Classes that provide the gear for you, and walk you through what you need to have, know, and do in order to have enjoyable experiences on your own. If you don’t have the time or budget for a three-session class, the Crash Course Clinics focus on the essential knots and fly-casting skills necessary to get out to fish. If you’ve been looking to start off your fly-fishing journey on the right foot, this is a great place to start.

Bryce:

Fishpond Stormshadow Large Rolling Duffel $399.95 - The brand new Stormshadow duffel from Fishpond is one of the most thought out pieces of of luggage for the traveling angler. This bag features dimensions that will fit a 4-piece rod, separate compartments to keep your wet/dirty items isolated and a waterproof and durable face fabric to keep everything safe and going strong on your next adventure.

Nick:

Simms Riverkit Rod Roll - $179.95 - It is super important to protect your fly rods, especially when going to and from the water. The Simms Riverkit Rod Roll does this and more! This lightweight rod roll has four individual rod sleeves to put fly rods in, fits four-piece fly rods up to 10’ in length, and you can remove rod sleeves as necessary if you want to travel light. There are also pockets on the inside for leaders, tippets, and whatever else you want to pack. If you want to protect your gear, but travel light, this is a great option to consider!

Steve:

Patagonia Swiftcurrent Ultralight Wader $499.00 $349.00 - For the fly angler who travels, you'll find Patagonia's Swiftcurrent Lightweight Waders the perfect solution for their next trip. They will minimize bulk compared to traditional waders and weight when packing. Regardless of these benefits they are simply great waders. Here at the shop they are the staff's favorite wader during the heat of summer when waders are needed. 

Logan:

Fishpond Dakota Carry-On $189.95 - The simplest yet functional travel focused gear bag. Large enough for at least a week's worth of rod, reels and otherwise; this is the perfect system for international trips or for throwing in the truck as you bounce around trout fishing all summer. Surprisingly tough and the perfect size, almost every one of in the shop owns one of these.

     Blaine:

Patagonia Black Hole Cubes $39.00 - $65.00 - These are always one of the first things I point to as a gift idea. They can be useful in organization for anglers as well as as everyday organization. However where I use mine the most are on trips as a way of keeping things sorted. The 3L can be a great size for small items like cords or small travel items, while the 6L and 14L can be great for larger items and clothing.

Will:

Orvis Mudroom $79.00 - The mudroom is a versatile bag that stores waders and boots for transport, and can unfold and act as a wader mat. There is no quicker way to trash a new pair of waders than by exposing the booties to pavement or gravel, but you can help protect your gear by changing in and out of waders while standing on the mudroom. Also, a great help in keeping cars clean after fishing outings.

Wilkes:

Grayl Ultrapress Filter Bottle 16.9oz $89.95 - Staying hydrated when fishing or traveling is always important. The Ultrapress is the perfect bottle for both because it offers the ability to purify water almost instantly, and its extreme portability allows it to go anywhere.

Nick:

Simms Fall Run Hybrid Hooded Vest $144.95 - 

This a super versatile, comfortable vest that is great to wear as a base-layer when out fishing and around town when running errands. Being able to pull the hood up to keep your head protected from a cold North wind is a game changer and allows you to stay out on the water longer.

Steve:

Patagonia R2 CrossStrata Pants $169.00 - New from Patagonia for women who are looking for that ideal layer for staying warm and comfortable when casting a fly in cool weather is the R2 CrossStrata Pant. With a wind and water resistant outer layer that's laced with warm comforting fleece it's the ideal layering piece for under your waders to stay toasty and comfortable when Mother Nature's got a chill to her. 

Logan:

R.L. Winston Pure 2 Fly Rod $995.00 - In my decade plus of experience here at Western Rivers, I've found that women often have a gentle and finessed cast which happens to be perfectly paired with slower casting rods. The brand new Pure 2 from Winston is light, smooth and casts beautifully making it the perfect tool for the lady angler and one that will have them looking forward to their next day on the water.

Bryce:

Patagonia Women's Swift Drift Sun Hoody $119.00 -  These are a nice lightweight and 40+ UPF hoody with a relaxed fit and nice silhouette that makes these both tech-y and comfy without sacrificing looks; perfect for those summer mornings on the water or out walking the dog in the neighborhood.

     Will:

 Patagonia Terrabone Joggers $99 - These super lightweight joggers are perfect for hiking, wet wading, or under wader pants. I want to get some in the men’s version!

     Wilkes:

  Hatch Iconic Reel $591.00 - $1068.00 - Hatch reels are some of the best in the industry. From the salt where a triple-digit tarpon is ripping your backing out, to the tiny mountain brook trout, The Hatch is an awesome reel to have in your arsenal.

Anthony:

  Patagonia Better Sweater Gloves $55.00 - Nobody likes to be cold, especially out on the water. These start out as fingerless gloves so you can still have a tactile feeling to tie your flies and strip your line when you need to but are easily converted to mittens for when you need a break from the cold and want to warm up. Made with recycled polyester fleece, these are soft and warm for those cold trips out to the water

Logan:

Dr. Slick Arrow Scissors $14.99 - Every fly tyer can always use another set of scissors. These make the perfect stocking stuffer and the fine tips on the Arrow model scissors makes precision trimming easy for all those techy little fly patterns we love to reload our boxes with over the winter.

  Regal Engineering Medallion Vise $350.00 - $390.00 - Having a good vise makes tying easier which makes it more fun. There is a reason Regal has been in the vise business for so long and that's because these are rock solid, simple, and super functional for tying anything from small mayflies to 2/0 tarpon toads.

Fly Tying Class $60.00 - $175.00 - If the person on your list wants to try and get in to fly-tying or maybe just wants to expand their skill set or brush up on the most used techniques, we have a class for them. We offer a variety of classes for all skill levels throughout the winter including our 3-night Beginning Fly Tying Class or our one night Fly Tying Crash Courses!

Nick:

Fly-Tying Books - $29.95-$49.95 There is no shortage of instructional fly-tying videos on the web these days, and despite the over-saturation of content, I feel that good fly-tying books still offer more to the modern angler. Anyone can post a video on YouTube on how to tie a fly, but some of the best tying books also offer awesome insights on entomology, and how to rig and fish the flies you're tying effectively. There are many great fly-tying books, but three that we currently have in the shop are: Barr Flies; John Barr, Flies For Western Super Hatches; Jim Schollmeyer and Ted Leeson, Tying & Fishing Tailwater Flies; Pat Dorsey.

Logan:

 Fishpond Stormshadow Packs (Chest, Sling or Lumbar) $179.00 - $249.00 - This new series of packs from the team at Fishpond combines waterproof materials with organizational details making this series of packs ultra-versatile and user friendly for the days when you don't know what the weather will throw at you!

  Blaine:

 Simms Taco Bag $49.95 - This bag can be a great item to gift someone who fishes all year long. They can be a great to use as a changing mat in all weather conditions and they make it incredibly easy to zip your gear up and go.

Wilkes:

Patagonia Nano Puff Fitz Roy Trout Hoody $289.00 - The nano puff is a perfect layer to keep underneath your waders in the dead of winter or to wear camping in the summer. Its low profile and stylish colors make it an excellent gift this holaday season.

    Anthony:

 Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Backpack $299.95 - For the Angler who goes out rain or shine, dead of winter or heat of summer, you want gear that can handle it all. This bag is the perfect item for those who want to be secure in any weather. I take this bag out specifically because of its waterproof capabilities, especially for wading deep or just being outside when the weather takes a turn for the worst. Throw your phone, wallet, keys, or other sensitive items you may carry with you on your fishing journey into this backpack and rest easy knowing it will stay dry when mother nature decides to bring the rain or snow.

Nick:

Howler Bros. Shoalwater Tech Pants - $99.00 - A comfortable pair of fishing pants is essential for an enjoyable day on the water. The Howler Shoalwater Tech pant is light and breathable enough for wet wading during the warm days of summer, super comfortable to wear under waders during the colder months, and great for wearing around town too.

Steve:

Hardy Perfect "1912" Reel $895.00 -  This is easy; one of the latest classic reels by Hardy, their 3 1/8" 1912 Perfect. It is not only a beautiful fly reel from one of fly-fishings most iconic reel companies, but it will be a gift that one day to be passed onto the next generation when the time comes. It's a classic, and an elegantly designed reel that will highlight any 4 or 5wt fly rod. 

Nick:

Tom Morgan Rodsmiths Fly Rod $1,595 - There are many in (and outside) the shop who feel that I’m the guy with “everything”, but up until last year, I didn’t have a Tom Morgan Rodsmiths fly rod. Now that I have one, I can say that I’m very grateful to own such an amazing fishing tool! These rods are built in Bozeman, Montana one at a time, to the highest standard of quality and craftsmanship, and it’s by far one of the best fly rods I’ve ever owned-and I’ve owned A LOT of fly rods! If you’ve been looking for a rod that is a pleasure to cast and fish, I’d encourage you to come by the shop and see for yourself why those who own one can’t put them down.

Will:

Private Casting Lesson with Nick Teynor $75 - Perfection does not exist. This is especially true when it comes to one’s cast, we can all be better. Even “expert anglers” need to constantly practice and fine tune casting fundamentals to maintain and gradually improve the accuracy, efficiency, and presentation of their cast. The cast is one of the few variables that fisherman are in complete control of. There is no better way to do so than scheduling a lesson with the Shop’s Certified Casting Instructor Nick. As Nick always says, the key to a more enjoyable fishing experience is to “control what you can control”.

Logan:

 R.L. Winston 7' 3wt Bamboo Fly Rod $3750.00 - What is cooler and more special than a bamboo fly rod built by a company that has been building them since 1929? Sure these are works of art but they also fish and cast beautifully making these rods a special and functional fishing tool that can be passed through generations.

Garrett:

 Hatch Nippers $147.00 - A pair of high quality nippers was definitely not necessary but definitely changed the game and made things nice for me in more ways than I'd expected.

     Wilkes:

 Bajio Sunglasses $259.99 - Sunglasses are one of the most important tools that a fisherman can have. It’s impossible to have too many pairs of sunglasses with all kinds of frames and all kinds of lenses. Bajio’s construction on one’s face feels incredible and allows the fisherman to spot fish.  

Anthony:

  Grayl Geopress Filter Bottle $89.95 - When you go on a long weekend trip to your favorite destination or even a short trip for that matter, staying hydrated is absolutely essential but who likes carrying around a heavy bottle full of water? I certainly don’t, but luckily you won't have to with the Grayl Bottle. Grayl allows you to fill up on any stream, lake, or mountain side trickle and with the simple press, filter the water you collect out on your journey making it fresh and safe to drink. This accessory is very light, easily packable, and an absolute game changer for those who value the feeling of being prepared on their journeys to the great outdoors.

Logan:

Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody (Men's and Women's) $179.00 - These pieces are the perfect blend of comfort and function without sacrificing looks! Since I've had one of these, it has kept me warm under my wading jacket while steelhead fishing as well as kept me cozy and warm at work, in the yard or around town.
 

Bryce:

Howler Brothers Rodanthe Flannel $109.00 - This heavyweight blanket flannel makes it on to the list every year because it's super warm and durable and can be worn as a layering piece, fall jacket, or classic flannel whether you're on the water or having a drink at the lodge.

Blaine:

 Patagonia River Rambler Hybrid Sun Hoody $129.00 - This piece is incredible. I’ve worn mine traveling as well as out on the water and I really enjoy the way it feels in both applications. It is a very comfortable and versatile piece and the removable hood makes it work for any occasion.

     Will:

 Patagonia Atom Sling 8L $65.00 - The atom sling is a super versatile pack that has utility in both fishing and non-fishing situations. The sling has enough room to store essentials for a day trip, while occupying a significantly smaller profile than a backpack. It is ideal for walking around cities, hikes, and keeping gear contained on the water.

     Garrett:

 Simms Merino Thermal OTC Socks $39.95 - Great for fishing, hiking, camping or just lazy days at the house.

Wilkes:

Patagonia Boulder Fork Rain Jacket (Men's and Woman's)$229.00 - Having a raincoat accessible at all times is a must. The Boulder Fork  offers incredible water-shedding abilities while also being very packable to have ready all the time. 

Anthony:

 Patagonia R2 Techface Pullover $199.00 - It's always good to have a jacket with you when you go out for a day. This jacket from Patagonia is lightweight and thin enough to layer over, but will keep you warm as just a single layer. This jacket is lined with a grid-fleece interior and features lots of pockets and a hood for braving the wind and cooler temperatures. This jacket is stylish enough that you can wear it out to dinner with your friends or family, and functional enough to keep you warm on your colder morning fishing trips.

Logan & Steve

MiiR/Western Rivers 12oz. Camp Cup $32.00 -  A good coffee cup that will keep your beverage hot or cold AND withstand years of use and abuse around camp and on the way to the water. I've had one of these for years and it goes everywhere with me!

Steve: "Throw in a pound of good coffee, and an Aeropress and you'd be all set."

     Will:

Arrowhead Retractor $29.95 - The Fishpond Arrowhead Retractor is one the most durable retractors on the market. It is made from 6061 aerospace aluminum and a braided line that can withstand up to 130 pounds of force. The arrowhead’s carabiner can be clipped onto vests, packs, or waders. This simple accessory instantly provides anglers with increased options for storage of hemostats, nippers, flotant, or any other small accessory you may need quick access to.

      Wilkes:

 Patagonia Black Hole Cube $39.00-$65.00 - One of the most efficient ways to pack luggage is with Patagonia’s Black Hole Cubes. They offer several diffrenst sizes to store and back all kinds of things.

Anthony:

 Dr. Slick Slickrelease Mitten Clamp $29.99 -  For those who have a limited budget but also want to get the right tools for the job, these hemostats are the perfect option offering a multitude of features that may help to lighten your load of accessories you feel the need to carry. These mitten clamps have a curved nose making it easier to get into the mouth of the fish and get the leverage needed to remove your fly. For the smaller flies, it offers one of my favorite features, the slickrelease, a small loop on the top of the clamps allowing you to simply hook around your line and slide down to the fly and pop it out of the fish’s mouth, without needing to excessively handle your fish. Finally these clamps have scissors built in for clipping line, and an eye cleaner in case your hook eye is gunked up, all of these features built into one convenient tool for a price that is sure to fit into the budget of a new or experienced fly fisher.

Nick:

Lamson Ketchum Release Tool - $19.99 - Fishing barbless hooks, keeping fish wet, and making sure they get back to the wild with minimal wear and tear is more important than ever these days. If you’ve been looking for an easy-to-use tool that helps get your flies back without having to unnecessarily touch fish, and helps you from getting your hands cold and wet during the winter season, the Lamson Ketchum Release tool will get the job done.