[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ome people might find it bold to ask Santa for a boat, a vise and a rod but as the saying goes, it never hurts to ask. So here goes. We have poured over a lot of phenomenal gear this year and had a hard time narrowing it down. There is really something for every angler and every budget on this list. These are all great products that we had a ton of fun choosing.
Jim Levison Photography- Nobody gets the blitz shots like Jim Levison. His photos alone help legions of striped bass fisherman tolerate the achingly long Northeastern winters. They don’t come nicer, or funnier for that matter, than Jim. All of his prints and framed photos are archival museum quality and are signed and numbered limited editions. Check out his website for and array of exciting images that drop you right in the action.
Redington Butter Stick 262-3- The Butter Stick is, well, like butter and it is great incentive to behave, so just maybe Santa will place one of these super smooth, slow action retro-styled fly rods under the tree. At 6’2″, the 2 weight version is a perfect little brookie rod. It is quite of the old school and part of a current trend towards the reintroduction of fiberglass rods in a previously graphite dominated market. ($249.95)
Traveler 2300 Cam Vise Pedestal Base Model– Standard features for the Traveler Series Vises are an adjustable bobbin cradle, case harden cam jaws, rotary tension screw, a black powder coated base with a 7″ stem, or a *black powder coated c-clamp with an 8″ stem. To utilize the custom features of this vise it must be ordered for the Right (R) or Left (L) hand Hooks range is giving so you can utilize the True Rotary feature of this vise. The Traveler 2200 and the Traveler 2300 Series Vises comes with anodized aluminum parts and a black powder coated pedestal base and a black power coated c-clamp, while the Traveler 2000 offers aluminum parts and an aluminum c-clamp. Regardless of how old your Traveler Vise is you can still enjoy the features and use the new components, which can be a cam jaw, crank arm, a longer stem and rotary head. See FAQ for more details on the versatility of this Vise. ($199.00)
Motorola Bluetooth Stereo Headset with Microphone ( S11 & S305)– I know it seems weird and my friends and clients make fun of me for it constantly, but my favorite and most used piece of gear is my wireless Bluetooth headphones. Essentially my trademark at this point, I feel naked without them. I can re-rig a rod or land a fish while receiving important and time sensitive information about where it is currently “going off”. I can place a phone call without dialing or taking my phone out of my boat’s console and I can rock tunes while cleaning my boat without the interference of wires getting snagged on mop or cooler handles. I love my headphones. There are many on the market right now and CNET reviews them all. I have sported Motorola’s S305’s for almost 2 years now with great satisfaction. The S305’s are still available online but seem to have left the Motorola website, likely replaced by the next generation in-ear S11. So ask Santa to help you out and join the headphone army.
DeYoung 25th Anniversary Abel Super 9– This killer artistic design by Montana native artist and angler, Derek DeYoung, is actually available on every model and size Abel reel, and shipped in a handcrafted wooden presentation box. What nicer way to commemorate 25 years of beautiful craftsmanship, made always and entirely in the United States of America. This is just one of the many amazing DeYoung designs currently available from Abel. ($1225.00/Super 9).
The Alchemst’s Heady Topper Beer- Is beer gear? Well, when I “gear up” for a fishing trip, it always includes a beer stock, so we will go with “Yes,” for now. This is the best beer around. Beer Advocate agrees. The Alchemist is a small, family run brewery specializing in fresh, unfiltered IPA. They are currently focused on brewing one beer perfectly – Heady Topper, an American Double IPA. With waves of hoppy goodness and a creamy texture, we’ll be lucky if Santa doesn’t drink it all himself. Oh yeah, only available in Vermont, so remind Santa to grab it on his way down to your place. Seriously, if you get a chance, get your hands on this wondrous libation.
Sandy Moret’s Fly Fishing School- This is without a doubt the best saltwater fly fishing instruction money can buy. World renown fly anglers give forth their hard earned casting and fishing information. You couldn’t learn more if you read 100 books. Learn saltwater fly fishing from expert instructors and acquire the skills, knowledge, and confidence that would take months or years of trial and error to accumulate! As the “campus” for The Florida Keys Fly Fishing School and central proximity to fishing guides and other dining and entertainment locations, your stay at The Islander Resort will make the time in the Keys flow smoothly as the tides. Learn from the best pros in the Keys with Moret, Huff, Rajeff, Brewer, Chico, Klein, Fordyce, Diana Rudolph, and Jerry Siem. You will be glad you did. Great times, great fishing and great folks.
Bahamas, Belize, Caribbean Bonefish and Permit Collection- They’re all here. These are the flies you’ll need for a week on the flats. This selection contains 44 flies on #6, #4 and #2 Mustad and Tiemco hooks. Included in the collection are traditional patterns such as Merkins, Pink Puffs, Clousers, EP shrimp, and Gotchas. As well as new and innovative ties. These are tied to provide anglers with assorted sink rates for various tide and depth situations. The tried and true, durable C&F Design waterproof fly box will fit easily in a fishing shirt pocket or fanny pack when wading the flats. ($225.00)
Dragonfly’s Marsh Hen- Here’s real bargain on a micro-skiff made by quality builder – probably the best buy on the market. At only 135-pounds, this can be hauled on an SUV rack or out the bed of a pickup. It’s rated for 15HP, but a 9.9HP is all you really need. With two anglers and a 9.9HP, it will plane quickly. A couple of well thought-out design features makes this micro-skiff the best. One, the bottom edge of the transom is slightly rolled (not real tippy, but takes getting used to) so a single angler can pole or paddle from the bow, assuring a quiet approach. Two, entry design produces no hull slap, Three, you can launch the Marsh Hen from places no flats boat could dream of because of a clever design feature – a removable tire system option that allows the boat to be easily hauled around. (Around $13,000)
Jorge Martinez Artist Series Cliff Bugger Beast- I have coveted these boxes of my friends and customers for sometime now. The Cliff Box Bugger Beast is perfectly suited to display your passion and Jorge’s Martinez’s unique artwork. Besides being a phenomenal fly tyer and fisherman, Jorge is also a world class marine artist. His artwork is routinely used as trophies for many prestigious Florida Keys tournaments, such as The Gold Cup, The Golden Fly, The Don Hawley, and the Redbone Celebrity Series. These ink drawings are clear coated for protection from the elements. These killer boxes are customizable for those who want that favorite species in all its glory on the Beast. ($100.00)
Tie Fast Knot Tool- Afraid of nail knots? The Tie Fast Knot Tool ties super-strong knots in seconds with it’s one-piece, stainless steel construction and design. The Tie Fast Knot Tier is the knot tying aid for nail knots and attaching leaders to the end of fly line, but it will also tie a variety of other fly fishing knots. The Tie Fast Tool will easily attach to any fly fishing vest, lanyard or pack. Don’t let a poorly tied know cost you a trophy fish! Available at your local fly shop, online or at any big box outdoor store at less than $10.
Sage One Humidor– This is a pretty cool little gift item for the cigar smoking fisherman. Cleverly designed to look like the successful Sage One series of rods’ storage tube, this little humidor will protect your finest smokes so you can enjoy that perfect post-release cigar on the water. ($50)
Happy Holidays to all our readers. We hope Santa treats you and your family right and wish you tight lines and happy days in 2014. Thanks for another great year at FLM.
