If you’re searching for that perfect gift for the angler in your life, look no further. Our own team of professional guides has hand picked this list of the essential gear every angler needs and wants.
Good Quality Rain Suit
We are constantly shocked to see guests arrive on a northern Canadian fishing trip with low quality, ineffective rain gear. Gore-Tex and Toray are the fabrics you need in your suit…yes a suit (bibs and a parka.) The difference between catching fish while being comfortable or miserable is an extra few bucks. Rain gear is the place to treat yourself and a good suit will last you a lifetime. Retreat it with Revivex which maintains the water repellent coating. Simms, Patagonia, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops and Helly Hansen all sell the good stuff.
Simms Riverbank Chukka
Perfect height for keeping you dry in and out of boats, that one step from the float plane to the beach without all the bulk of knee high boots. An added bonus is you can pack them in a smaller bag.
Tickets to the 2019 Stoke Reel
Tickets to this year’s flyfishing film tour to get sufficiently pumped up for the upcoming year of chasing fish.
Waterproof Duffel Bag
A bag like this will save you grief traveling the world over. They are easier to pack on small planes and protect your gear from rain, unplanned dips and everything else an adventure might throw at it. As you trek to remote parts of the world chasing fish baggage carousels tend to be replaced by patches of gravel beside the plane. Simms, Patagonia, North Face and Cabelas all make solid versions.
Waterproof Camera
Everyone wants to snap a photo on their phone. We love the idea of making your friends and family drool over that big pike that came flying out of the weeds and almost ripped the rod out of your hand! But your phone is not waterproof. The Axis Go Waterproof Smartphone Housing (& float) lets you expand your fish photography skills. The wide angle lens lets you capture both above and below the water, keeping the fishing wet and getting the angler’s big smile.
Waterproof Hard Case
Pick something that fits your needs but as small as possible (such as Pelican 1040 or 1060.) They are just the right size to store your phone, camera, fishing licence and medication in a crush-proof, waterproof home.
Quality Polarized Sunglasses
In fact, get 2 pairs. Find a frame you like and buy a back up! Squinting your way through a week of fishing or being frustrated with poor fitting ones is not cool. We strongly recommend glass lenses. They have quality polarization and protect your eyes from flying lures. To test if your glasses are polarized find a digital LCD display (car radio, watch, gas pump, ATM machine), take them off, hold them out in front of your eyes. You should be able to see the display through the lens. Then turn the frame slightly to an angle and the display should be blacked out. Our guide team loves Costa Del Mar shades with mirrored green lenses – perfect for sight fishing. The rate of success in casting to a fish goes up immensely if you can see it and are not just guessing!
Gaiter or Buff
This amazing tube of fabric has endless uses. It keeps sun, wind and bugs off your face and neck. Plus, it looks pretty cool. Lighter colors work better for sight fishing. Think of a fish looking up from underneath the water… light colors blend into the sky, while a bright pink Buff might just catch its eye while you are trying to stalking it.
Multi tool
A good multi tool is an indispensable accessory for thousands of uses. Look for scissors and a file as fishing – friendly options. Leatherman is the standard.
Travel Mug
You likely have a couple of these in the cupboard at home already but splurge on a good quality one for your angler. Having a vessel to carry your coffee in the morning or a cold drink at night is never a bad thing. If you are visiting Scott Lake, you can even experience the the rare pleasure of dipping it over the edge of the boat for a drink of cold, pristine water right from the lake. YETI makes a great series of these products.
