The holidays should be a particularly festive time for the fly angler. Why, you ask? Well, they make for a great excuse to stock up on some new gear!
Below, my 10-plus favorite ways to make the best use of that excuse.
Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
This shirt is super soft, super light and super handy on the flats while chasing bonefish, tarpon, permit and striped bass. It’s made of 70% bamboo (the rest is polyester, which provides the stretch) and is rated at SPF 20 to keep you from burning. There’s even a nifty pocket on the left chest, which fits a pair of sunglasses. Comes in 11 colors. $75
You need to protect your legs from the sun, too. These pants work well for both saltwater flats and mountain streams. They feel like hiking pants—nice and grippy—but dry out as quickly as any other wading pants on the market. Comes in two colors. $120
Hardy has long been one of the best in the saltwater category, producing rods that win tournaments and break world records. This new model has everything you could ask for in a saltwater rod: It’s got enough spine to fight a 150-pound tarpon and enough finesse to make sure you can accurately present your fly to the fish in the first place. Comes in 6-12 weights. $995
This reel, which is about 30% lighter than most in its class, nicely matches today’s lightweight freshwater rods. But you can use it in the saltwater, as well. I have the eight-weight version, and it has more than enough backbone to slow down a speeding bonefish or bruising striped bass. Made in New Hampshire. Comes in 1-9 weights in three different colors. $400-480
This pack is waterproof and has a roll-top, which I’ve come to prefer over regular zip tops (it really keeps the water out). It is spacious (50 liters of capacity), and has water bottle holders that can double as rod-case holders, as well as a removable waist belt. Equally at home in Alaska and Abaco. $300
A classic pair of Costa’s at a very reasonable price, great on the flats, the river or about town. They come in two fits for different-sized noggins, and feature the standard Costa trait—excellent scratch-resistant lenses that will help you find fish. Comes in five different lenses. $160
Old Town Loon 106 Angler Kayak
This is an excellent little kayak for those who love to fish small streams, the flats and ponds. It weighs just 55 pounds, so it is easy to transport, and has two rod holders, a comfy seat and even a USB port. Comes in two colors. $1,300
If you fish, I would argue that you need a Buff. The garment is multi-functional: It protects your neck from the sun on hot days, and keeps you just a bit warmer on cold ones. My favorite Buffs are the ones designed by the Montana artist, Casey Underwood. Comes in two different designs. $25
Howler Brothers Script Snapback Hat
A fishing hat can seem like an afterthought sometimes…until you wear a cruddy one. I have owned Howler Brothers hats now for close to 15 years, and they have never let me down. They perform (the dark under-brim reduces glare, which helps for spotting fish) and hold up for a few seasons, which is a lot for a fishing hat. $35
Two Great Books and a Film
With The Catch of a Lifetime ($35), Peter Kaminsky has pulled off something that hasn’t been done in decades: A high-quality collection of fly-fishing stories from the angling world’s best writers. There’s a good chance your favorite fishing scribe—is it McGuane, Hiaasen, McPhee?—has a story included. (Full disclosure: I penned a small piece within the book.) The sporting artist, C.D. Clarke, has been a long-time favorite of mine, which is why I was pretty pumped that he released a book of collected work, The Sporting Art of C.D. Clarke ($85), with nearly 200 paintings from his 40-year career. And, finally, a short film for you to check out: School of Fish, by filmmakers, Colin Arisman and Oliver Sutro (and backed by Orvis and Trout Unlimited), is the story of an indigenous family, salmon fishing and the Bristol Bay Guide Academy, which trains the next generation of guides and conservationists in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Beautifully shot and heart-warming (and free starting November 28, 2023).