North 40 Fly Shop's Holiday Gift Guide
The best fly-fishing Christmas gifts—and deals—you can find anywhere.
Coeur d’Alene Fly Shop: Holiday Suggestions
Sage Foundation 9’ 5-weight rod
(You’ve always wanted an XP and now you can pretty much own one for half the price.)
Some fly-rods gain cult status among anglers and one of those models is Sage’s defunct XP. That rod was first offered in 2000 and immediately gained favor with streamer fishing devotees, due to a combination of a fast action and light weight. At that time graphite IIIe technology was all the rage and most fly fishers agreed that there wasn’t a better stick on the market. For a small fortune, you could own one, too.
Fast forward to 2017. This year Sage released its Foundation rod series, built with—get this—the same graphite IIIe graphite technology the company used in its XP series. Today, you can own a Foundation rod, offered in 4-weight through eight weight (and all built on 9-foot blanks), for $325. This is roughly half the price of the old XPs and the rod is American made.
The matte black finish gives the rod a sleek look and these rods pair well with Sage’s 2250 reel—the 2250 offers the same matte black finish and balances the Foundation perfectly.
At slightly over three ounces this is a very light and crisp rod. It performs equally well with standard dry flies, nymphs and streamers, as it has a very fast and progressive action. It throws small dries just fine, too, and has the strength to cut through the wind and still make delicate presentations on tough trout. I own a set of the old XP’s—the 590-4 and 690-4 to be specific—and these are the rods I’ve fished for 15 years. I am super stoked to see these Foundations on the rod rack because you can own this premium rod for an affordable price.
With its simple finish and rugged looks, the Foundation will be a killer rod for north Idaho and western Montana trout streams. It should allow an angler to fish whatever he or she wishes, from throwing Stimmies to westlope cutties on the Coeur d’Alene River, to banging the banks with big streamers on Montana’s broad lower Clark Fork. This rod minds well no matter where you fish and any angler would be happy to tear the wrapping paper off this box on Christmas Day.
Grab one for your favorite fly fisher or order your own now (nobody ever said you couldn’t buy yourself a present for Christmas, did they?).
See our selection of Sage Fly Rods online here.
Stanley Fly Shop Growler Review
(Pack your liquids in style.)
As a millennial, it's in my nature to love craft beer and small-batch breweries. Hence, that’s why I have growlers lining the tops of my kitchen cabinets. But to round out my collection, I've recently added a new one—the North 40 Fly Shop growler, made by Stanley. Whether it's cold beer, iced water, or hot soup, this 64-ounce growler has you covered. And when you walk into a pub to fill this thing the laser-etched North 40 logo on the side of this foam-filled and double-walled growler should turn heads.
This growler is dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and is made with 18/8 stainless steel, which means it won’t rust. With a steel inner lid, contents never make contact with plastic or rubber so you’ll avoid any funky plastic taste. You can shlep this growler around with a convenient handle, which also makes single-handed pouring a snap. A vacuum insulated lid keeps contents hot or cold for up to 24 hours. Ice could last 100 hours; hot coffee or soup stays warm for about 18 hours.
So, if you or a friend or family member is in the market for an insulated container, whether that’s for craft beer, hot chocolate or anything else, this is the perfect choice. Price: $49.99
Dr. Slick Eco-Hemostats
(The affordable stocking-stuffer.)
You can not own too many pairs of hemostats because hemostats are super easy to lose. That makes these affordable “hemos" a perfect gift for the angler in the family. With many styles to choose from—scissor clamps, six-inch long clamps, midge clamps—we’ve got you covered for whatever fishing situation you or your family and friends may encounter. Dr. Slick’s lineup of Eco-Hemos are a good answer for folks who may not want to break the bank on a pair of hemos. At half the price of Dr. Slick’s premium line you can afford to throw a few of these in different bags or leave a pair clamped to your waders, and not worry too much about it. They come in a brushed, non-shiny finish and are surprisingly durable for the price. In addition, you can get them with large loops for the biggest of hands and fingers. Dr. Slick also offers many zingers that you can attach these hemostats to and then secure to your vest, jacket or waders.
Check out our selection of Dr. Slick here.
What don’t you get with these hemos? You don’t get the fly eye cleanup tool, nor the flat-head screwdriver, and you don’t get a polished finish. What you do get is a smoking deal on a tool that performs its primary duty very well, that being to remove hooks from a fish with ease, and to crimp barbs on hooks. Put these in a fly-fisher’s stocking and you’ll get a smile and a nod in return. Price: $6.99-$9.99
Echo Base Kit Review
(Buy this rod, reel and line combo, and just add water.)
We understand it can be difficult for a non-angler to purchase gifts for a fly-fisher. And we want to take the guesswork out of the equation. If you are wondering what to buy a prospective, entry-level, or even sage fly-fisher this Christmas, grab the Echo Base Kit setup and put it under the tree.
This rod/reel/line setup is awesome for beginners and serves nicely as a second rod for those who are deep into the sport. You can choose between four, five, six and eight-weight rods, and if you have no idea what that means our staff can quickly dial you into the numbers and select the right setup for you and yours, based on where they fish and what they fish for. In addition to a great four-piece, medium-to fast-action rod that has chrome guides, you get an impact resistant quality reel, a top-end RIO fly line, and premium Dacron backing.
It’s all there—all a lucky angler has to do is put the reel on the rod, pull the line through the guides, and start casting. Bonus: This setup comes with a convenient zip-bag with a shoulder strap for those grab and go moments. It also comes with Echo’s lifetime warranty.
If you’re asking, Well, I’m buying for someone who fishes a lot, and has fished for a long time, and probably doesn’t want an entry-level stick, you’ve probably got it wrong. This rod has classic looks, with a dark-blue body, brown/black wraps, silver trim and a western-style grip—it casts well, even at distance, and is comparable to many high-dollar rods on the market today. And even if it wasn’t an anglers’ primary rod, everyone knows you need as many rods as you can get, insurance if you break a rod on a big day on the water. This Echo Base would be a killer backup.
Priced at $149.99, the Echo Base Kit gets novice anglers into the sport without having to sacrifice an arm or leg. We’re not kidding: these kits are a steal and they fly off the shelf. So swing into your local North 40 or order online, today, before they’re gone.
Need the right stick? Order Echo Fly Rods online here.
Sandpoint/Ponderay: Holiday Suggestions
Loop Booster 8’8” #9 Fly Rod
(For pike, muskie and giant browns, this short stick is the real answer.)
This short, powerful rod is not made for mass appeal. It requires a skilled angler with one category of fish on his or her mind—big pike, musky, and giant brown trout. That’s what I’m talking about. And, if you’re a hardcore Northwest angler, you’re probably talking about it, too.
Why is this a great rod for big fish? First, it’s shorter than your average 9-weight, which allows anglers to really snap over those big flies that are required to catch pike, muskie and large trout. This rod also is ideal for working the fly completely back to the boat. The shortish length also allows anglers keep a following pike or musky’s interest with a couple quick figure-eights at the side of the boat.
With this rod, Loop continues to push the innovative envelope with state-of-the-art features, such as a cork/rubber handle, which is optimal for extreme grip and durability. This rod will not slip out of your hands during the gnarliest downpour or on a massive eat. Ceramic stripping guides and chrome snake-guides are finished with a double coating for heightened line shoot-ability, and longevity. The Booster is a three-piece, fast action rod for “direct-to-target application with minimal blank deflection.” It comes with a cloth bag and pentagon shaped Cordura tube. The blank is in azure-blue with a glossy, sleek finish, while the round aluminum reel seat has a matte black anodized finish. Every big-game fly-fisher will turn into a little kid again once they see this sitting underneath the Christmas tree. Price: $279.99
Looking for state-of-the-art? Check out our Loop Fly Rods here.
Loop Dry Backpack 23
(Stuff it full and fish all day.)
It is a little known fact that Santa Clause actually uses this backpack to haul presents around from city to city. When you start looking into this product’s features, it is easy to see why.
Let’s start with size. I’ve stuffed this waterproof 23-liter bag with five fly boxes, a lunch, a jacket, a water bottle, and two spare fly rods, and had a few liters of room to spare. It’s water resistant, too. I often swing flies in belly-deep water with half of my backpack submerged. Not once has there been a drop of water in my bag due to leakage.
Made of 420D nylon with a TPU coating inside, I have enough confidence in this air-tight bag to roll up the top, and throw it in a lake. TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane, which has many properties, such as elasticity, transparency, resistance to oil, grease, and abrasion. The sturdy hydrophobic modern welding construction repels water away from the bag, and dries quickly. Which in turn, lessens the chance of spreading invasive species. The daisy-chain fasteners on the outside of the pack, plus four adjustable straps, lock in your rods so they won’t fall when you do. The inside of the straps display light rubber tapestry designed to latch onto most materials, keeping the bag from shifting off the shoulders as an angler moves around. The outside is finished with two mesh side pockets that hold a summer days’ worth of water (in bottles). The pack also features an ergonomic back plate and well-ventilated cooling channels.
The adjustable waist belt and padded shoulder straps make a full day on the river feel like a lunch-break outing. If Kris Kringle trusts this bag to carry presents, I think it can handle your fishing gear. Price: $129
See the Loop Dry Backpack online here.
Redington ID Reel
(Stackable stickers mean you’ll never get tired of looking at this sweet reel.)
Outwardly express your inner angler with the new Redington ID reel. Designed with a flat-back surface, this reel is a canvas for stick-on and stackable decal creativity. Fish it black, or rep your state with one of 33 artistic decals (including a North 40 Fly Shop version). If you become tired of one look, you can replace with a different decal, placing it directly over the old one (decals sold separately from the reel).
While this reel is easy on the eyes and fun to customize, it’s not all about cosmetics.The ID is 100-percent die-cast for strength, and that manufacturing also makes it affordable. A large arbor means you can retrieve line at speed and hold enough backing to hang onto a giant trout that has its eyes on the opposite bank. In addition, one of the big benefits to fishing a large-arbor reel is that it retrieves fly line 300 percent-to 500-percent faster than your typical narrow-arbor fly reel. The ID reel utilizes a reliable rulon disc drag, and the reel handle is twin-molded for grip and comfort. The drag knob is one-inch wide for easy-to-find, no-look adjustments when you need to drop the hammer on a fish. When a fish makes a screaming run, the reel amplifies its enticing clicking sound to an adrenaline-fueled barrage that most anglers would vote to the top of the iTunes charts. You can get this reel in sizes 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8/9, which pretty much covers any freshwater experience.
The ID reel retails for $89.99, which is a steal because the ID is no piece of junk. Saint Nick himself would chase sipping cutties with the ID reel. Most important, Redington backs this reel with a lifetime warranty. Drag not working like it used to? Drop it off at your local North 40 Fly Shop, and we’ll take care of the details for you.
Shop our selection of Redington Reels here.
Grayl Water Purifier Bottle
(Got a thirst? Just dip this bottle, filter out the bad, and you’ll never be dehydrated.)
Too often, I come home from the water dehydrated and fighting a headache. You would think after 15 or so years of fly-fishing I would learn my lesson. And maybe I have: As I’m typing this, the Grayl Water Purifier Bottle rests at my side, ready to help hydrate at any moment, while eagerly awaiting its next outing to the river.
This purifier removes 99.9999 percent of viruses, bacteria, and protozoan cysts. If you’re worried about that 0.0001 percent chance of ingesting protozoan cysts, I wouldn’t—basically, the Grayl bottle purifies creek and river water in 15 seconds and allows you to easily drink as much water as you need on those hot summer days. And it’s so easy to use, Rudolph could figure this one out.
This 10.9-ounce bottle doesn’t require batteries, bulbs, chemicals, pumping, sucking, or squeezing. This is how it works: Fill up the outer tube with fresh water to an indicated line and place the bottle on the ground. Slide the inner tube (which has a filter at the bottom) into the outer tube and use your body weight to press down on the top portion of the bottle, which forces water through the filter. Then drink all 16 ounces if you choose. Repeat the process for full saturation. With this purifier, you are free to drink anything from pest-ridden pond scum to tap water at shifty international hotels. Still, our suggestions is to resist the pond scum and find some sort of semi-quality water source. There is this thing called Murphy’s Law. However, on western streams, this thing is dynamite. Every outdoorsman and traveling angler could use one of these. Price: $54.99
Lewiston: Holiday Suggestions
Patagonia R1 Field ¼ Zip
(This versatile garment keeps you warm on the water and in the field.)
Patagonia’s R1 Field 1/4 Zip is a go-to item whether you’re headed outside to hang some Christmas lights, or chop down the tree, or to chase steelhead, trout or salmon in the Inland Northwest. And it doubles as a great layer while hunting birds and big game.
Made from 93 percent recycled polyester and 7 percent spandex Polartec fleece, this baby wicks moisture away from the body with the best of them and keeps you warm. In addition, the R1 has reinforced shoulders, forearms and hem for durability and water resistance. The reinforcements are 96 percent nylon and 4 percent spandex with a durable water repellent finish.
Just like Patagonia’s Snap T pullover fleece, this R1 could become your go-to piece of clothing when heading to the water or into the field, or just hanging around the yard. That diversity makes it a great buy and although some people may shy away from the price of Patagonia product, you have to remember that this stuff lasts—why not buy a loved one or a friend a gift that lasts a lifetime? Price: $99.99.
Check out our selection of Fly Shop Patagonia here.
Hareline Fly Tying Kit
(Creative kids and angling experts would love to open this gift.)
Fly-fishing and fly-tying tying go hand-in-hand and some would argue they are inseparable. That means, if you are buying for a fly-fisher, you can get them specific angling products or fly-tying product and they’ll be happy either way. If you choose the latter, the Hareline Fly Tying Kit is an ideal choice.
Why so, you ask? Here’s why: Catching a fish on a fly that you’ve tied connects you to the water on the deepest level. Especially when said fish is a giant. Really, fly-tying is an art, creativity at its finest, and your options are unlimited. Note: I once watched a film showing a fly-tying contest at an Alaska fish camp and the winning fly was built with a Cheetos.
Unfortunately, fly-tying can be an expensive hobby. To combat that, you could buy the Hareline Fly Tying Kit and make any prospective tier very happy. For $129.99 this kits allows a tier to build many of the top 20 flies in the United States and includes a vice, essential fly-tying tools, hackles and feathers, and hooks. It comes in a convenient carrying kit that you can travel with if desired. If someone you know has shown an interest in fly-tying, get this and they’ll be happy.
Inland Steelhead Box
(Boost your steelhead mojo—this box is filled with proven fish-catchers.)
Most days, a steelheader’s biggest dilemma is chewing a fly. That’s because grabs between each steelhead head can be infrequent. Is it my cast? Water conditions? Or is it my fly? Most anglers usually blame the fly and wonder what they should tie on next.
With the Inland Steelhead Box we’ve tried to take some of the guesswork out of the equation. This box offers only proven flies, fish that have taken thousands of steelhead and could account for the next one you catch.
“So,” you might ask, “What makes them so effective?” Is it the color, the amount of wraps in the throat, the flash in the wing? In my opinion, it’s none of those things. Fact is, each time an angler hooks a fish on one of the flies we’ve included it gains a little bit more juju and that breeds confidence. I have a firm belief that steelhead come when the angler has faith in their act of fishing.
This box of effective steelhead flies should work well on inland rivers, and a few of the flies should draw takes on coastal systems, too. So, on to the million dollar question—what do you get in this box? Here’s the list: Berry’s Comebacker, High Voltage, Freight Train, Skykomish Sunrise, Hoh-bo Spey, Loop Leech, Green Butt Skunk, Brazilian, Max Canyon, and Streetwalker, all in pairs, 20 flies in all.
And, you get a great fly box to boot. The North 40 branded box is completely waterproof and floats. It conceals flies with extra room so you can add more patterns if you choose. Got a steelhead fisher and you don’t know what to get them for the big day? Grab this box of proven steelhead flies and put a big dream in their heads. Waiver: it’s not North 40’s fault if they sneak out the backdoor and hit the river on Christmas Day.
Looking for the right steelhead fly? Check out our selection here.
Omak Fly Shop: Holiday Suggestions
Lamson Remix Reel 3 Pack
(One reel solves all your stillwater challenges.)
The Lamson Remix is what we call, “The working man’s real.” That’s because it’s a true value in modern fly reels. The Remix has a precision American-machined aluminum frame and the same robust drag system that more expensive Lamson reels are famous for. This frame is coupled with 3 interchangeable spools and a divided reel case, which keeps your lines organized and tangle-free. It has become hard to find a sealed drag system as robust as Lamson’s, at a $229.99 price tag. But somehow Lamson has done it while keeping this reel mostly American-made.
This is the ideal reel and spool setup for a lakes. Anglers know that you can’t fish lakes with one fly line. You need multiple lines to reach various depths, all dependent where the trout are holding on a given day, or even at a given hour of the day. Buy this 3-Pack and you can load one real with an intermediate sinking line, another with a Type 3 line, and the final spool with a Type 6 fast sinking line. Now you’re set to crush no matter where the fish demand your fly to be.
In addition, streamer chuckers can hit the river with a floating line, a sink-tip, and a fast-sinking sculpin dredger, all kept in a nice little space-saving bundle. So, when the boss isn’t looking and it’s time to cut out, you’ll waste no time searching for the right line. Just grab and go, knowing you’ve got it nailed no matter what the conditions may be. Just crank the Haggard, string one up, and keep the money in the bank.
Echo 3 5100
(This stillwater stick makes casting a breeze, even at water level.)
When building a quiver of fly rods it’s not complete without at least one reach-out-and touch-’em stick. If your quiver lacks said rod, the Echo 3 10-foot 5-weight solves the problem.
And who doesn’t need a long stick? You’ve heard the sound of your flyline hitting the water behind you and wished you had some length. We’ll, this rod, at 10-feet long, gives you that extra edge to bomb some casts without being compromised on the backcast.
I know there are camps that will tell you “line speed is the answer,” but for anyone who has a shoulder issue and wants to stay in the game, casting faster rods and maintaining line speed is a bottle of Advil and a full week off the water. The Echo 5100 lets you cast at a relaxed pace while still providing the punch and presentation that yields an advantage on those nice “indy-chop” days. This rod has a nice swing weight, a moderate fast action, and it offers the length to easily lift and reposition those long leader chironomid rigs.
There’s more to the Echo 3 5100 than just the lake trick—this long doggie can really perform on the stream, too. When time comes to tight line with a double nymph rig, or stack some mends with a Pat’s Rubber Legs setup, a 10-foot 5-weight is a real game changer, especially one that has both tip sensitivity for subtle takes and backbone for those deep seam mends. With Echo’s contemporary graphite and resin technology, the Echo 3 lineup boasts light weight and outstanding castability, at less than half the price of other 10-foot 5-weights of its caliber. $349.99 will put the Echo3 5100 in your hands and you won’t regret it because she’s long and strong and bound to get hook a set on.
We have more Echo Fly Rods. You can find them here.
Renzetti Traveler 2200 Fly Tying Vise
(A classic fly-tying vice gets better.)
I have worn out my fair share of fly tying vises over the years, so when a good, dependable vise comes along I take notice. And the Renzetti Traveler Series vise is just that.
The series was first introduced in 1988, but my favorite vice, the 2200 arrived in 2012. This is a true rotary vice that has a sturdy 5” X 5” black, powder-coated pedestal base, and a 7” stem that offers the height to tie all of your favorite flies in a comfortable fashion. All of this vice’s aluminum parts are anodized in a gray or black finish. The addition of a polyurethane jaw o-ring affords a longer wear time for the jaw tension. The jaws handle hooks from the tiny #28’s all the way up to a #4/0. This is an affordable quality made vise. Here at the shop we use them for our fly-tying classes as well as our in-house vise. You can buy a vise that costs less, but it won’t take you long to realize it is time to invest in a fly-tying vise that will take you to the next level. So, pay now or pay later. The Traveler 2200 is a good investment at $189.99. This the perfect Christmas gift that keeps on giving for years to come.
Simms Large Waypoints Sling Pack
(This pack won’t get in your way and it carries enough gear for a full day hiking the banks.)
I, like so many other anglers, have gone through my share of vests, hip-packs, chest-packs, etc. I wasn’t happy with any of them. Then one year I was at a sportsman’s show in Spokane and a display caught my eye. It was a hunting pack that had a cross body sling. After trying it on I was sold. Now, fast-forward about 20 years and you can find a Simms sling pack that was specifically designed for the world of fishing.
What I like about the Simms Waypoint Sling Pack is that there is a lot of storage for this size of the pack. I have spent the day hiking and fishing Washington’s Twisp River loaded this pack with everything I needed for a great time. The sling strap is wide and comfortable. The water-resistant Ultra-lightweight fabric protects what’s in the pack in all but the most egregious downpour. While fishing, you can unbuckle one of the straps and swing the pack to your chest, which allows access to the inside of the pack without taking the pack off. One of the unique features is the fold-down workbench. This gives you a safe place to work without fear of dropping something into the water. The addition of compression straps gives you more storage and the ability to secure those items. The pack also incorporates a lot of Simms add-on items. For $129.99 this pack is very affordable. This is one pack that will get some big smiles on Christmas morning.
Simms a favorite? Check out our selection here.
Great Falls Fly Shop: Holiday Suggestions
Loop Q Combo
(Great rod at a great price. Period!)
The Loop Q is the hottest selling fly rod in the Great Falls shop this season. I’ve been talking and blogging about the Loop Q since January. For a recent in-depth review, you can check out our October eMag.
The 5-weight Loop Q became a fixture in my boat this summer while guiding on the Missouri River. It is a balanced, all-round 5-weight ideal for what we ask a 5 to do. You can load it up with an indicator and split-shot, or set it up with a 12-foot 5X leader and a dry fly. It will get the job done and provide a fun platform while doing it. Some great memories were made with the Q 5 this summer on fish that ranged from nice bank-side dry-fly sippers to streamer-scarfing brutes.
You don’t have to fish a 5-weight. In fact, the 8-weight Q became my go-to carp stick this season. That’s because it’s an easy casting rod that works well in-close and at distance. Plenty of fun on an 8-pounder, but able to put the necessary pressure on a 20-plus pound fish. The 8-weight got covered in a lot of mud, took a pounding from some big strong fish, and is clearly ready for more.
If last summer is any indication, there will continue to be more and more Loop fly rods showing up on the waters here in Montana. When we got together to discuss a list of great Christmas ideas, I figured the only thing better than a Loop Q for Christmas would be a Loop Q combo. So, we parted the Loop Q with a Loop Multi Reel. Just like the Q rod, the Multi Reel is a great product, providing anglers with a fully machined, full cage and sealed power-matrix drag package. Coupled with a matching fly line, our combos are offered at an appealing $379 for the 5-weight and $399 for the 8-weight. You simply can’t beat the quality and price of this Q Rod and Multi Reel combo.
Simms Rogue Fleece Hoody
(Bring on the winter steelhead and trout weather. This reinforced hoody handles it.)
Everyone loves the hoody. They are soft and warm and just right for cool weather. But, a cotton hoody is pretty limited when it comes to serious outdoor use. Imagine wearing your cotton hoody on a windy, misty day. You are going to be miserable pretty quick.
But, what if your hoody had weather shielding attributes, such as 100 percent polyester woven face coupled with water shedding DWR finish? The Simms Rogue offers just that and more. Got cold fingers? Thaw them in fleece-backed hand-warmer pockets. Chilly wind blowing? Duck inside the three-panel ergonomic hood.
The Simms Rogue Fleece Hoody is a technical piece of gear ready for action. It’s also perfect for wearing on your next trip to North 40 to pick up dog food and visit the fly shop. All the cool kids are wearing them. My son has three. Get yours for a special holiday price of $74.99.
See our selection of Simms apparel here.
Tacky Predator Box
(Hunting hogs? This box holds the ammunition (i.e. giant streamers) with room to spare.)
Let’s face it, whenever something good comes along, it’s only a matter of time before it gets bigger. The Original Tacky fly box kicked things off with its slit silicone storage system, anchoring dry flies and nymphs, unlike anything we’d ever seen. It was sleek, durable and extremely popular.
Next came the Big Bug Box, which holds a variety of large flies, up to 2/0, for numerous angling situations. But still, some of us were saying, “What about the predator hunter?” And Tacky listened. The new Tacky Predator Box is just what the doctor ordered for headhunting missions on the MO, the Big Hole, the Bighorn, and some of those sneaky big-brown haunts along the Highline and elsewhere. Price: $49.99
Utilizing the same silicone mat, the Predator holds bigger flies securely. It also comes with five wishbone pieces to keep things organized. The wishbones are great for giant, articulated flies, keeping them in place and avoiding tangles.
If you’ve got an angler on your list who loves chasing predators and needs a storage place for monster flies, the Tacky Predator Box will be a big hit under the tree.
New Zealand Indicator
(Who knew? A strike indicator that doesn’t scare every fish in a 20-yard radius.)
I’ve been a fan of yarn strike indicators for many years. Casting yarn is like casting a dry fly. It seems more natural than attaching a plastic or foam apparatus to the leader. Beyond aesthetics, yarn has some clear benefits—it lands softly on the water, providing a stealthy presentation. It also has texture that telegraphs the most subtle of changes, such as the gentle sip of a large nymphing trout.
For a long time, I made my own yarn indicators from acrylic yarn I’d pick up at craft stores. I’d set them up a couple different ways. I’d either build an indicator with tying thread, forming a loop that could be hitched to my leader, or I simply hitched a chunk of yarn directly to the leader. The result was an effective indicator, but adjustability was limited and the leader kinked.
The patented New Zealand Indicator tool allows anglers to quickly add an indicator to a leader. Pre-cut tubes can be stored on the tool. The indicator is formed by snaring the leader through the tooth of the tool. Next, the plastic sleeve slides over the line, creating a loop or bite. A pinch of yarn is wrapped over the bite and then the tube is pulled over the yarn, locking it to the leader. Once the yarn is in place, the indicator is cut to the desired length. A little floatant worked in keeps it riding high.
When you are ready to remove the indicator, simply open the loop, remove the yarn and slide off the tube. Boom—a great indicator and a kink-free leader. The New Zealand Indicator system takes the best merits of using a yarn indicator and pairs them to the leader with a simple adjustable and removable solution. I sure wish I would have had this system years ago. Price: $12.99
Simms’ Taco Wader Bag
(How many times have you tried to wader up or down, dancing on one foot, trying not to get the other one wet in the rain, mud and snow? That is the dilemma when getting in and out of your waders.)
Fortunately, Simms’ Taco Wader Bag can take the dancing out of that equation. With this bag you simply unzip it, lay it on the ground, step on top of it and remove your waders and boots. After that, you step into dry boots, shoes or sandals, zip the bag, and toss it into your rig. Done until you get home—your feet are dry and your wet and dirty boots and waders are confined to the bag. That means you won’t need to head to the car wash after fishing. Really, the Taco bag solves one of fly-fishing’s biggest frustrations and you can own the solution for just $39.99. Why wouldn’t you?
Simms’ Bounty Hunter Vault
If you need confidence in a rod vault, this is the one to get. Simms teamed up with the Yellowdog Fly-Fishing Adventures and sent these vaults around the world during the R&D stage. Y-dog suggested some tweaks, Simms made the fixes, and what came out of that marriage is a super-sturdy rod vault that protects the single most important items a fly fisher travels with—rods, reels, lines and flies. You can stuff all of them in this—the Simms Bounty Hunter Vault holds up to 8, 4-piece, 10-foot rods and 8 to 10 reels. It’s padded, configurable with reel dividers, and has multiple zippered pockets to contain leaders, licenses and other nicknacks. It offers detachable back and shoulder straps and a center-balanced handle to grab and go. This thing is strong, too, being built out of high-density closed cell foam and ballistic fabric. Really, if you travel to fish and you want to protect your rods, you need this vault. Price: Carry-On $299.99; Roller Bag; $399.99; Duffel $149.95.
