Fly Fishing Gift Ideas

With Christmas under a month away most people are frantically searching for that perfect gift.  We have a few gift ideas for the fly fisherman as well as a few places to point you in the direction that will help.

Your hometown fly shop is one of the best places to look for those items on the Christmas list.  WV offers some great shops to check out Anglers Xstream in Parkersburg, Serenity Now Outfitters in Lewisburg, Elk Springs located near Monterville, Evergreen in Clarksburg, and McFly Outdoors with a few locations including Flatwoods.  There is also a few great shops that border us South River Fly Shop in Waynesboro - VA, Mossy Creek Fly Shop in Harrisonburg - VA, and Mad River Outfitters in Columbus - OH.  Fly shops provide great and personal service from people that truly understand these products.  They understand the local area as well as hatches and can suggest the flies or gear needed for area streams.  They all offer a great selection of rods, reels, waders, and tying gear.  If gear is not your answer you can always get a guide trip from one of them for anything from trout to bass to musky.  Another great guide is Harold Harsh from Spring Creek Outfitters that always shows a great time on the water.  

If you don't want to pick something out gift cards are always a favorite item for all.  You can get a gift card from one of the fly shops mentioned above or even manufactures offer one.  A few other places that offer a great idea would be Harman's Log Cabins offer great packages to stay on the South Branch as does Elk Springs on the Elk.  They both offer top notch accommodations with good fishing just out the front door.  Another place that offers gift cards to stay is one of the many WV State Parks a couple of the best Kumbrabow and Watoga.  For the fisherman looking to replicate that trophy Mount'n Critters Taxidermy would offer gift cards for a one of a kind reproduction!  

There are some great products available for the fly fisherman this Christmas and we will focus on a few.  

Vedavoo has the Little Bugger Kids Sling for the little fisherman in your family.  A kid sling pack with room for a fly box, tippet, tools, and snacks. 

http://www.vedavoo.com/shop/little-bugger-kid-sling/

Photo from Vedavoo.com

Vedavoo Mason Jar Coozie - Its a mug style Coozie that comes with with a Pint Mason Jar.  Insulated for hot or cold or those extra cold frosty beverages and made in the USA to last!

http://www.vedavoo.com/shop/mason-jar-coozie/

Photo from Vedavoo.com 

Chota STL Plus - Features enhanced styling, and durability while the comfort and stability is retained.  One of the most durable boots on the market. 

http://chotaoutdoorgear.com/shop/footwear/stl-plus-wading-boot/

Photo from chotaoutdoorgear.com

Goat Head Sole Spikes - Screw in cleats for sandals, shoes, and of course wading boots.  Traction control for those slippery streams!

http://www.solespikes.com/fishing/

Photo from www.solespikes.com/

Cheeky Fly Fishing Mojo 425 - extremely versatile reel that handles everything from e salt to the stream.  Super smooth drag that handles those big runs on steelhead, hybrids, and musky!

http://www.cheekyflyfishing.com/reels/mojo-425

Photo from www.cheekyflyfishing.com

Risen Fly Alpha Fly Line - perfect fly line for any level of angler.  Comes in line wts from 3-9.  One of the best valued fly lines on the market.

http://risen-fly.theshoppad.com/#/product/fly-lines

Photo from www.risenfly.com

Super Fly EP Game Changers - Pat Cohen ties up these awesome game changers by stacking EP fivers then coloring them up with markers.  The go to fly for me this year!

http://rusuperfly.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=171

Photo from rusuperfly.com

The Fly Stop - Great selection of flies for any type of fishing.  Not only tons of flies but some of the most affordable you will find.

http://www.theflystop.com/fly-fishing-flies-discount

Photo from www.theflystop.com

MFC Poly Boxes - Great for small flies to a big collection of patterns.  Awesome artwork on each box from artists like Currier and Pucket.

http://www.montanafly.com/Camo/Poly%20Boxes.html

Photos from www.montanafly.com

Rep Your Water Hats -  One of the newest edition to the Rep Your water collection is the WV.  Representing native trout they offer a stunning hat!

http://www.repyourwater.com/collections/west-virginia/products/west-virginia-hat

Photo from www.repyourwater.com

Confidence and Game Changing

One of the most important aspects of fishing is confidence.  You must have confidence in the flies you are using and confidence in the plan you have.  If you don't have that confidence you will either fold early or not stick with it.  When you know something will work and you stick with it chances are it will eventually pay off for you.  I have been using a couple products lately that's helped with my confidence and helped change the game.  First off Vedavoo chest packs have made fishing so much easier being able to have gear right there when you need it and have it out of the way when fishing is hot has been key!  The other thing that's changed the game is the game changer itself created by Blane Chocklett and the version I'm using tied up by Pat Cohen of rusuperfly.com.  This fly has changed the way I fish and increased my confidence level going out I just know I'm going to get a shot at a good fish with it in the arsenal!  It triggers some insane takes and brings the big fish up to feed I've taken numerous citation and personal best fish with this fly this year alone, it's became my go to fly the bread and butter in my box.  The last few days the Ohio River fish have been giving me fits I've missed tons of solid fish on hook set for whatever the reason, last night I left after missing a few and today started the same way.  I took a break today after getting down and wondering if I still had it in me and if my skills were even there to get it done.  After a short break I put all those missed fish behind me and trusted my gear and had faith in the plan.  Being a Christian this is something we do each day no matter how far down we get we trust Gods plan and stick to the plan he has set forth and put our faith that it will work out, maybe that's why Christ went to fisherman to be disciples they are all about the plan.  Well after the break and putting that faith into the plan after a few casts a solid fish inhales the game changer and drag is screaming.  I never even got a look at the fish he was pulling off line in a hurry and headed down the hydolics with mo stopping in sight.  Sometimes people question the gear I use and wonder why I gear up with a 10wt TFO rod and a huge Cheeky Mojo 425 line up with 400gr Rio sink tip, it's times like these I'm glad I do when I'm targeting monster fish.  Not even getting a look at the fish I wasn't even sure what I was hooked into and even if I could turn him with the swift water that he was sticking in.  We were into the backing in no time which brought a whole new set of problems the backing got gunked up and stuck so we were at a crossroads get him turned and some line back on the reel or it's over.  Finally we were gaining some on the fish and winning the battle as we were finally getting him into some calmer water.  After a few minutes he was finally at my feet and taped out at 26" a huge Hybrid Striped Bass out of the mighty Ohio a citation fish in WV and a new personal best on a fly!  Keep the faith in your game plan and have the confidence in what your fishing and it will eventually pay off for you in the end!