Smalley's gift ideas for the fly fisherman

Here’s some ideas for the fly fishers on your Christmas gift list:

• Magazine subscription. Traditional rags like Fly Fisherman, Fly, Rod & Reel Magazine, and American Angler cover the general fly fishing activities and destinations. Fly Tyer and Flyfishing & Tying Journal have more tying stories. I enjoy Saltwater Sportsman, looking for tips that cross over to freshwater fishing.

• Fly tying scissors. Not all are created equal. Every tier wants a pair of scissors with sharp tips. Price can be a guide here. Consider Tiemco and Dr. Slick.

• Any outerwear by Simms. Jackets, rain gear, shirts, wading shorts. Trying to reduce sun exposure, I fished (and golfed) all summer wearing an SPF50 Solarflex long-sleeved shirt.

• Local flies. Most local shops can provide a selection of flies (almost guaranteed) to catch fish.

• Neck, cape, or saddle. These chicken parts provide the tiny feathers tiers value the most. No tier has too many. Buy brown. Tyers are always short of brown necks, capes and saddles because we use so many. Think Metz and Whiting.

• MFC Boat Box. For your fly flinger who has lots (and lots) of flies. A real pro can fill a box with just over-sized streamers.

• Collapsible wading staff. Honestly, I never wade without mine. And it has saved me from a dunking more than once!

• Reel Case. Fly fishers often have a selection of reels and spools that need the protection of a padded, divided case, which costs less than a single reel or spool.

• Fly Casting Lessons. Again this spring I will teach basic fly casting lessons. Contact FVCC for class schedules. I’m also available for private individual and group lessons. Just give me a call.

Jerry Smalley’s Fishful Thinking appears weekly in the Hungry Horse News.