Holiday Gift Guide 2023

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Western Rivers Flyfisher! Nobody knows best about how to shop for the picky and opinionated anglers in your life than those of us who meet that description ourselves! It's our goal to make you shopping easy so we've compiled a list of our favorite products that anybody would love to see wrapped up for them! 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!

Steve:

Fishpond Nomad Net $135.95- $189.95 - For someone new to fly fishing, often one of the last purchases they make as they find their way is a good net. Fish Pond makes some of the best nets available today. They come in a variety of designs, all with the intention of helping you to land that prized catch, and do so with minimal amount of impact to the fish you admire. They are beautifully crafted, and will serve you well for a long, long time and come in a wide variety of options.

Logan:

Beginner Fly Tying Class $150.00 - While this isn't reserved for a new angler, many may find the desire to tie their own flies at any point in their fishing career. Tying your own flies is entertaining creative outlet and takes the fly-fishing experience full circle for many anglers. These 3-session courses will introduce you to fly-tying and teach you to tie some of our favorite and most productive fly patterns!

Blaine:

Fishpond Tacky Fly Boxes $19.95-  $39.95 - What angler, newbie or veteran, doesn't like more flies? Building out fly boxes and gathering a collection is one of the joys of the fly-fishing journey and an extra box goes a long way for a new angler.

Will:

Pocket Guide to Western Hatches by Dave Hughes $22.95 - This book is the perfect beginner's guide to everything insect related. Hughes provides informative descriptions and detailed pictures to identify insects, hatch information, and flies to match the bugs one may see while on the water. A perfect book for any beginner wanting to learn more about the entomology of the West.

Nick:

Essential Knots and Rigs For Trout Book  $16.95 - You need to be able to tie the essential fly-fishing knots before you can even think of rigging your fishing gear, and you need to be able to rig your fishing gear in order to match fishing conditions. Joe Mahler's book is a great book for anglers of all skill levels, and the colored illustrations make learning knots and rigs simple. 

Beginning Fly-Fishing Class $350 - Getting into fly-fishing can be an intimidating process, but it doesn't have to be. Our Beginning Fly-Fishing Class is a three session class that will teach you what gear you actually need to get out on the water, teach you the essential fly-fishing skills, and we provide all the gear for you so you can experience fly-fishing and decide for yourself how much (or little) you want to invest in it. For more information on the Beginning Class, and to find the 2024 class dates, you can find that HERE.

Sam:

Lamson Liquid S-Series Reel $139.99-$159.99 - The brand new Liquid S Reel by Lamson is the perfect fly reel for someone who is getting into fly fishing and wants a dependable product that will last.

Steve:

Tom Morgan Rodsmiths Fly Rod $1595.00 - I already own one, it was the 5wt that I've been looking for since I purchased my first nice fly rod in 1982. For the flyfisher who has it all, a custom handcrafted fly rod from Tom Morgan Rodsmiths would be that special gift that keeps on giving; everytime they put it in their hand to cast a fly. Since purchasing mine, all I want to do is fish, even though I have some other rather nice options this rod is special. That's why I would love to have another. I had to wait 6 months to get mine, but I would have waited longer. It has been well worth the wait.

Logan:

R.L. Winston Rod Co. Bamboo Fly Rod $3750.00 - A high quality bamboo fly rod is a heirloom fishing tool and functional work of art. This 7'6" 4wt fly rod is a piece of heritage fishing gear that fishes and cast as nicely as it looks. Winston Rods have been building bamboo fly rods in Twin Bridges, MT for decades and everyone should enjoy the unique experience of owning and fishing a piece of this history at some point in their angling career.

Limited Edition Watercolor Print by Greg Pearson $130-$220 - Local Artist and WRF Alumni, Greg Pearson just dropped off a selection of limited edition prints of his beautiful watercolor paintings. It's important to me to support small and/or local artists whenever possible, and what better way to do so then with a new wall piece that'll leave you dreaming about being on the water or in the hills.

Blaine:

New Rio or Scientific Angler Fly Line $99-$129.99 - A new fly line will help all anglers get the most out of their fishing experience and improves all of our performance on the water. A lot of us don't think about it or are too stubborn to replace a fly line when it's time so let us help you find the perfect replacement for the angler in your life.

Will:

Bajio Sunglasses $259.00 - A fisherman can never have enough sunglasses. I am always breaking, losing, or misplacing my fishing shades making a quality pair of backups a necessity. Bajio sunglasses feature glass lenses to keep the harsh light out of anglers' eyes and also reduce glare on the water making it much easier to spot fish

Nick:

Hatch Iconic Custom Saltwater Slam Reels $1,300 - $1,800 - These limited edition Hatch fly reels are as beautiful as they are functional, and tough! If you are looking for a gift to give someone who claims to have "everything", and this person loves to fish in various saltwater destinations, you can't go wrong with any of these Hatch fly reels.

Sam:

Patagonia Forra Wading Boot $299.00 - The newly released Forra boots by Patagonia have blown us away in durability, style and fit. A phenomenal hiking style wading boot for someone who needs an upgrade. Made in Italy by mountaineering company "Fitwell", these boots are built to last.

Steve:

R.L. Winston 9' 5wt Air 2 Fly Rod $1195.00 - A woman's journey into fly fishing often begins with hand me down gerar; rods, reels and waders in particular, for all of us to some degree these items can begin our journey. That said, the essence of fly fishing revolves around the fly rod, and there is nothing like a beautifully crafted, smooth casting fly rod. They make you want to fish, adding significant enjoyment to your days on the water. If you've got a lady friend, partner, or young woman you're trying to get into fly fishing, there's nothing like a good fly rod to do so. The Winton Air2, is such a rod. Light, effortless to cast, and beautiful.  

Logan:

Patagonia Woman's Swiftcurrent Zip-Front Waders $799.00 - Finally there is a wader for Woman that meets the standards and feature package of some of the best men's waders on the market. For the woman who fishes regularly, you can depend on these to keep you warm, dry and comfortable for years to come.

Blaine:

Patagonia Woman's Lunar Dusk Jacket $170.00 - Ultra warm & comfy and good looking high-pile jacket for layering or apres fishing applications!

Will:

Patagonia Woman's Nano Puff Vest $189.00 - This vest is an extremely warm, packable, and versatile piece of clothing. Being both windproof and water resistant it is an ideal piece to stay warm during the colder days on the water without compromising mobility. 

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.

Sam:

Patagonia Woman's R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody $179.00: The Patagonia R1 air full zip hoody is the perfect piece for the chilly parts of the year, layers up well and looks great on non-fishing days.

Steve:

Patagonia Swiftcurrent Ultralight Waders $499.00 I originally purchased these for traveling, and they're ideal for travel since they are so lightweight and packable. Little did I know that they would become my wader of preference on my home waters after that first trip to Argentina that I took them on. Upon returning from that trip, I found these waders to be so comfortable and functional they are now my go to wader choice when fishing my home waters. Here in the west when summer's heat is uncomfortable and you need waders for your day on the water, these are without a doubt the most comfortable waders you'll slip into. Patagonia's unique wader suspender system makes them even more comfortable. Since Patagonia introduced these waders in 2018, they've become the shop staff's favorite wader.  

Logan:

Patagonia Island Hopper Shirt $109.00 - These light weight button down shirts are the perfect shirt to travel in and even fish in when you arrive. The styling of the chest pockets makes for secure but easy access storage for things like boarding passes and passports.

Blaine:

Casting Lesson from Nick Teynor $100.00 - Very few anglers spend enough time working on their cast and one of the biggest limiting factors in getting the most out of your saltwater, international or other fishing is not being able to make the cast. Casting lessons can benefit even the most experienced angler and can be scheduled any time with our FFF Certified instructor, Nick Teynor.

Will:

Orvis Adventure Tote w/ WRF Logo $59.00 - The large interior and smaller pockets make this an ideal item for fishing adventures both near and far. The bag has ample space to carry whatever one may need such as waders, reels, or a riverside picnic. It is made of durable polyester, and the treated interior can even be hosed out for quick and easy cleaning. There is also an integrated roller bag sleeve so the bag can be placed over the handle of a roller bag to effectively free up an extra hand during your airport adventures.

Nick:

Simms Dry Creek Roll Top Backpack $199 / Patagonia Disperser Roll Top Backpack $219 - I use a roll top backpack as my go-to bag for traveling, and I love how tough and versatile they are. Plenty of space to carry your essential fishing gear on the plane as a carry on, and these bags are excellent to use as storage when fishing out of a boat. As an added bonus, you can attach a Patagonia Convertible Fishing Vest to the front of the Disperser Roll Top, and make it into a fishing vest/backpack with minimal effort. 

Sam:

Patagonia Travel Rod Roll $79.00 - The Travel Rod Roll by Patagonia helps keep your rod safe and stays light for traveling and comes in lengths for both single and double hand rods.

Logan:

Lamson Ketchum Release Tool $19.99 - These handy little fish release tools offer a quick and easy way to release a fish that minimizes the amount of fish handling necessary. Additionally, for the colder days on the water it will help minimize if not eliminate how much your hands are in the water.

Blaine:

Fishpond Thunderhead Lumbar Pack $249.95 - Waterproof packs are helpful year round as they'll make sure your gear stays dry but accessible through rain, snow or the accidental swim. Available also in Sling or Backpack variations.

Will:

Simms Bugstopper Hoody $84.95 - This moisture wicking hoody is both an excellent layering piece in the winter, and the fabric is UPF 30+ rated making it perfect for sun protection during the warmer months as well. The fabric also features Simms Insect Shield to keep pesky biting insects away during the buggy outings.

Nick:

Simms Wool Half Finger Mitt $29.95 / Simms Bugstopper Sunglove $44.95 - Your hands are your greatest fishing asset, which means you need to keep them protected and happy. The Simms Wool Half Finger Mitt is an essential piece of kit for me during the colder months, and for when things get sunny, and the biting bugs are out, the Simms Bugstopper Sunglove keeps my hands from getting burned AND bitten. 

Sam:

Patagonia R2 Techface Pants $149.00 - The R2 Techface pants ensure you will stay warm on the water no matter how nasty the conditions.

Steve:

Patagonia Shelled Insulator Pant $189.99 - I originally bought these for fishing, which come this time of year have become a critical layering piece that is a staple of my cool weather layering system. I've also found them great for winter or cool weather walks, camping, or sitting on my porch with my cats enjoying a morning cup of coffee. These pants are insulated with R1 fleece, covered by a wind resistant outer fabric. This is another item that most everyone in the shop has and wears with frequency when the cool weather hits; fishing, walking, or hanging outside. They're awesome!

Logan:

Patagonia R1 Air $99.00 - $179.00 - These R1 air pieces make for great layering pieces that are super warm but also look great as stand alone pieces for whatever comes after the fishing. Comes in Crew, Half Zip or Full-Zip for the Woman.

Blaine:

Howler Brothers Rodanthe Flannel $109.00 - These heavyweight flannels are perfect for layering under waders and insulation but also look good enough to wear out to dinner or working around the house.

Will:

MFC Stanless Steel Flask $29.99 - This BPA free flask holds eight ounces of your favorite beverage. It can be easily slid into a pocket making it a perfect vessel for toasts both on and off the river.

Nick:

The Little Black Book of Fly-Fishing $19.99 - It never hurts to do a little reading, especially if you're trying to learn more about fly-fishing! There is no shortage of great books about fly-fishing skills and tactics, but The Little Black Book of Fly-Fishing by Kirk Deeter and Chris Hunt is a simple, comprehensive book that has plenty of helpful tips for anglers of all skill levels.   

Sam:

Patagonia Swiftcurrent Wading Jacket $399.00 or Simms G3 Guide Jacket $599.95 - A dependable waterproof jacket is necessary in the Rockies variable weather. On the worst days staying dry on the water, to and from the river and around town is a comfort that can't be compromised.