There’s a ton of little gadgets and pieces of gear that go into fly fishing. And while there is a lot of gear that can give a hit to your bank account, the following stocking stuffer ideas are budget friendly but also useful for you or the angler in your life!
Stocking Stuffers
Terminal Tackle
Tippet
As a fly fisher, you can never have enough tippet. I go through countless spools of tippet throughout the year. When it’s time to buy tippet, I do it in bulk! The following spools of tippet are the ones I trust to hold strong when it matters most.
I typically carry the Absolute Clear Trout in 0x – 5x, with 3x being the most common, by far. This is a nylon tippet that has good knot strength and is highly abrasion resistant. From trout to bass, this is the tippet you’ll find attached to my flies.
Bobbers
You can also call these “indicators,” if you wish. Honestly, I use those terms interchangeably. Regardless of what you call them, they come in handy and there are various ones to choose from. Below you’ll find my go to bobbers and the situations I fish them.
The AirLock bobbers are my most used indicators. They come in small and large sizes but I find the medium sized are perfect for the majority of places I fish. I love these bobbers because they make changing depth a breeze and they don’t kink up your leader. The only negative is the little screw top that cinches the bobber to the leader. It’s small and, if it dropped, can disappear quickly. They usually come with a spare in the package, however.
These yarn indicators are awesome for fishing to spooky fish. They land a lot softer than your traditional bobbers (including the AirLocks). If I need to have a real delicate presentation, I’ll put a yarn indicator on.
Streamside Tools
Nippers
Now, this can be a highly controversial topic. There are nippers on the market that exceed $300, which is pretty insane considering that this tool is pretty much just a tool to cut fishing line. I’ve got buddies who use 99 cent fingernail clippers to cut line and they work just fine. On the other end, I’ve got buddies that use the couple hundred-dollar nippers.
However, this is a tool that provides opportunities for friends and loved ones to give a gift that an angler may not give themselves. A pair of custom-made nippers would certainly impress any avid angler.
However, the three options I have listed below are ones that I have in my quiver and use on a regular basis. These fall in the middle tier (as far as price goes) but are highly reliable and get the job done.
A couple of seasons ago, Dr. Slick came out with these off set nippers, at a very reasonable price too! These excel with thicker lines and for cutting tag ends close to the knot. The offset nature allows you to see where you’re cutting better. These aren’t my number 1 nippers but definitely have a place in my quiver.
The LidRig magnetic nipper has been my #1 nipper for the past 4 years. I love that they attach to the bill of my hat. I’ve seen the evolution from their original models and the 3.0 is top-notch. These have no problem cutting through thicker line and the magnets have gotten stronger, relieving any doubt of these things falling off your hat and getting lost.
There’s nothing fancy about these nippers; the SA Tailout XL are simple, effective, and cheap, so you won’t feel so bad if these get lost.
Accessories
Sunglass Cleaning Cloth / Wipes
Keeping your sunglasses clean can go a long way, especially if you’re sight fishing. Smudges on your frames will make it trickier to see fish but also will fatigue your eyes more quickly than looking through a clean sunglass lens.
Stripping Guards or Gloves
Throwing streamers and stripping line can definitely take a toll on your fingers. An easy way to protect your fingers are stripping guards or gloves. Gloves have the added bonus of offering sun protection for your often exposed hands. Don’t forget about winter-time gloves to provide warmth for your hands.
Dry Bag
Keeping certain gear (i.e. phones, cameras, extra layers) dry while on the water is critical. Having a waterproof backpack or a dry bag can come in handy, and I hardly ever find myself without one or the other.
Dry bags come in a lot of different sizes and completely waterproof. I wouldn’t plan on carrying dry bags long distances, as there isn’t a great way to carry them. I put my rain gear, first aid kit, and extra layers for myself and/or clients in a dry bag. I typically throw these bags in a storage compartment in the boat that’s not immediately accessible but that’s also not too far out of reach.
The Yeti Panga is a versatile bag that I use in many different situations. If I’m going on a buddy’s boat and want to keep all my gear consolidated, I’ll take this bag with me. There’s a pocket conveniently located at the top where I put my phone and keys. If I really want to keep my gear to a minimum, I’ll put a few fly boxes and tippet in with my rain gear, first aid kit, and some snacks and have everything I need in one place.
The Yeti Panga probably won’t fit in your standard stocking so calling this a “stocking stuffer” is certainly a reach. However, whomever you get this for would be super stoked.
The dry bag is very packable and should fit into your standard Christmas stocking, which makes it a very useful piece of gear.
Skin Protection
If you spend a lot of time working with your hands in the outdoors, this is the best stuff that I’ve found to help keep your hands from cracking and bleeding. I spend all summer rowing boats, and my hands are constantly going from wet to dry, which takes a toll on my hands. I apply this Pro-Tech-Skin daily and it keeps my hands feeling good. It dries quickly so you don’t have to worry about your hands being greasy.
ChapStick & Sunscreen
Sun protection is super important for long days on the water. Inevitably, your tube of sunscreen will spill and your ChapStick will be lost. It’s always a good idea to have a few backups.
Buff
For those who aren’t stoked on the idea of sunscreen on their face, Buffs offer a nice solution for sun protection of the face. A side benefit of wearing one of these, is that nobody will be able to recognize you while on the water. So, if you call in sick to work and go fish, you don’t have to worry about being caught. Stealthy like ninja.
ToothPicks
Last but certainly not least, Toothpicks make for a great stocking stuffer. But I’m not talking about some cheap ole toothpicks you get at the local grocer. I’m talking about a fine toothpick that can be enjoyed throughout an entire day on the water. The Daneson Toothpicks are just that!
If you have any questions, about gear or fly fishing in general, please email me at [email protected]. I’m more than happy to help you outfit your gear and give you tips on how to be more productive. If you’re interested in a guided trip, please check out our trip offerings!
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