"Fishmas Lists" 2022

  Seasons greetings from all of us here at Western Rivers Flyfisher! If you have an angler that you need to shop for this holiday season, we know that getting a gift for them can be difficult. This year we decided to make it easy by compiling a selection of products from our staff's "Fishmas Lists" in to categories that may describe the flyfisher in your life. Follow along for some gifts for The Beginner, The Traveler, The Lady Angler, The All-Season Angler, On and Off the Water and the dreaded: Person who has Everything.

During the holidays, we're here to help! Feel free to call, stop by and discuss what the person in your life might want to open up this year. And don't forget, we gift wrap!   

Logan: 

Brodin Gallatin Net $105.00 – This is one of those things I wish I had prioritized as a new angler. While I still don’t believe it’s the most important part of the kit, I do know I would have landed a lot more fish and been able to handle them with more care as I was learning. Also, a good classic wooden net will stay with you for years and wear in with the patina of trips and stories passed.

Blaine:

Entomology Books $19.95 - $34.95 - A great gift for the beginner around the shop is a bug book. There are numerous books out there that describe us anglers obsess over. Learning what times of bugs are going to be around and when can be a great start in an angler's journey. The ones that we typically have in the shop that I would recommend are: "The Bug Book", ""Pocket Guide to Western Hatches", or "Bugwater".

Steve:

Bajio Sunglasses $199.00 - $249.00 - A good pair of polarized Bajio sunglasses. There are few things that are as important as a good pair of sunglasses when fishing.

Nick:

The Little Red Fishing Knot Book $6.95 - There are three things that every angler needs to practice when they’re not fishing that will make their fishing experiences more enjoyable. Top of the list, especially for new fly-anglers, is knots. If you can’t tie essential fishing knots, you can’t go fishing, which is why “The Little Red Fishing Knot Book” is on my Fishmas list. It has simple, easy to follow diagrams of the key knots used in fly-fishing-and more!

Nicole:

Casting Lesson from Nick Teynor $75.00 - For the beginner angler there is nothing I would recommend more than a casting lesson for Nick. This first step is vital in any angler's beginning of the flyfishing journey.

Logan:

Steelhead Hen Print by Greg Pearson $200 (Unframed) - $1000 (Framed) – Greg (artist) was a longtime WRF staffer and guide turned industry professional as well as an extremely talented watercolor painter. It’s important to me to support local artists whenever possible, and what better way than with a piece that’ll keep you dreaming about being on the water.

Blaine:

Tiemco Scissors/Hatch Nippers $68.99 - $137.00 - These people are always difficult to shop for and I think the best approach here is to upgrade something they use all the time. If it is a fly-tyer a nice pair of Tiemco Scissors can be a great gift. If the person is not a tyer a nice pair of Hatch Nippers can be a great way to cross that special someone's mind while they're out on the water.

Steve:

Tom Morgan Rodsmiths 8' 4wt Fly Rod - $1595.00 - A Tom Morgan Rodsmiths 8' for a 4wt is one of the finest & smoothest casting and fishing rods you'll ever put your hands on. They are also beautifully built in Bozeman, MT. One of the best rods one can buy these days.

Nick:

WRF Gift Card - Any Amount - For the angler with “everything”, I have found the best (and easiest) way to make sure they get what they want is to give them a Western Rivers Gift Card. That way they can get what they want, and there is no need to stress out about getting them a gift.

Nicole:

Hardy Reels or Tom Morgan Rodsmiths Rod $395 - $1595 - Beyond pure utility, reels from Hardy, and rods from Tom Morgan offers the kitted angler some story and history to their get-up. From the flyweight to the perfect, to the handcrafted 8ft or 9ft, these reels and rods are beautiful, high performing and unique; perfect for someone who "has-it-all.".

Logan:

Patagonia Woman’s Classic Retro X Jacket $229.00 – There’s a reason why these are one of Patagonia’s longest running styles! An exceptional blend of function and coziness, and the “Snow Pine: Garden Green” is a very subtle but pretty colorway.

Blaine:

Patagonia Woman's Fitz Roy Nano Puff Jacket $279.00 - We have the Fitz Roy Nano Puffs this year and I think they would make an incredible gift for the lady angler. These are incredible comfortable jackets. Lightweight yet extremely warm. These seem to be one of those items that just doesn't go out of style.

Steve:

Patagonia Woman's Swiftcurrent Waders $549.00 - A good pair of women's waders, like the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Wader. Durable, specifically designed for women for comfort and function.

Nick:

Fishpond Woman’s Upstream Tech Vest $199.00 - In my many years of teaching folks how to fly-fish, I’ve noticed a lot of lady anglers using “hand me down” fishing vests from family members. Most of these vests and packs are way too big and bulky, which is why I’d recommend any gal looking for a new, modern fishing vest to check out the Fishpond W’s Upstream Tech Vest. It has great shoulder support, plenty of pockets for all the necessary tools and accessories, and has a built-in net sheath in the back.

Logan:

Fishpond Dakota Carry On $189.95 – These seem to make it on to the Fishmas list yearly, because they seem to just work. Take a handful of rods, reels, boxes and whatever other tackle you might need on a big trip packed neatly inside a comfortably sized case that’ll fit in the overhead or (mostly) under the seat in front of you.

Blaine & Steve:

Patagonia Black Hole Series $169.00 - $419.00 - Black Hole duffel bags are hard to argue with as a present. They have expanded the line a bit and added backpacks, totes, and smaller cubes too that are great for toiletries and any other small item you may need to pack while traveling. As a gift for an angler I think this line is a great way to go. They can be used as gear bags or luggage to and from the recipient's next adventures.

Nick:

Fishpond Thunderhead Large Submersible Duffel $399.95 - If you want a tough, waterproof, and modular duffle for your various fishing expeditions and/or travel needs, I would look no further than the Fishpond Thunderhead Large Submersible Duffle. It has a huge carrying capacity (100 L), removable backpack straps, TRU Zip waterproof zipper, and lots of attachment points. In short, if you need something that allows you to pack everything for your trips-this is a great choice!

Logan:

Patagonia Guidewater Backpack $299.00 – Rain, sleet, snow, saltwater or whatever else that comes your way, you can count on your stuff staying nice and completely dry. I’ve had mine (previous model) for years now and it goes everywhere with me. I travel in it, then fish out of it, it’s my dry bag in the boat and occasionally carries groceries when I’m on my bike.

Blaine:

Simms Wool Half Finger Gloves $29.95 - It's hard to ignore the fact that waters are continuing to drop in temps right now. Those brave enough to venture out into these cold temps could benefit from a new or extra set of gloves. A lot of us in the shop use the Simms Wool Half Finger gloves when fishing in the winter or through some of those cool summer evenings. An extra set of these could go a long way. If these don't interest you the new Exstream Line that Simms has done seems to have some great options for covering up in between casts or runs.

Steve:

Patagonia Convertible Vest & Stealth Backpack $99.00 - $189.00 - A Patagonia Convertible Vest and Pack Vest lets me fish any fly-fishing situation comfortably and effectively regardless of where I'm fishing. Both of these products work great individually and can be connected to form the ultimate pack/vest combo. 

Nick:

Patagonia M’s Cap Cool Daily Hoody $59.00 - If I could only wear one style of shirt for the rest of my life, this would be it. It’s lightweight, breathable; you can wear it for literally any occasion, feels great to wear during the warmer months, and works as a light base layer for the colder months too.

Nicole:

Flies - Any Amount - The all season angler needs a custom fly selection that can keep them out on the water through all the changing seasons on our waters. Flies that are suited for our very own rivers make casting to rising trout all year long enjoyable and productive.

Logan:

Patagonia R2 Techface Pants $149.00 – I got some of these last year for Christmas and I pretty much live in them when I’m not at work. Patagonia’s R1 gridded fleece is extremely warm, soft and light and the techy face fabric is DWR treated and help cut the breeze. Fishing, on the mountain, around the campfire or just lounging around the house these are my go-to’s.

Blaine:

Patagonia Shelled Insulator Pants $189.00 - A great gift for someone that doesn't necessarily have to be fishing related would be the Shelled Insulator pants from Patagonia. These pants are great for keeping warm on fall and winter walks, around the campfire, or under waders if they are looking for a cold weather wading options.

Steve: 

Casting Lesson from Nick Teynor $75.00 - A casting lesson from Nick. Regardless of where you are in your fly-fishing journey, there's nothing like being able to cast well and we can all work on this.

Nicole:

Books! - Between fishing trips reading the stories of those that have waded before can be a wonderful way to pass the time. Western Rivers has non-fiction, fiction, guide books, tactics books and the well crafted memoir.