Viewing 27 posts - 1 through 27 (of 27 total)
  • What Xmas present for fly fisherman?
  • whereisthurso
    Free Member

    I’m clueless on this but both my mum and dad like to do a bit of fly fishing. My dad’s quite into doing crafts, diy etc. so I thought about some sort of fly tying kit and instruction book. Not entirely sure what I’m looking for in terms of materials though.

    Are there any enthusiasts that might be able to offer some better idea? My budget is below £50.

    Yak
    Full Member

    Hipflask and single malt.

    I imagine they will be very particular about their fly tying and you’ll only get the wrong stuff.

    Stoner
    Free Member

    you may have some inspiration here:

    http://www.sportfish.co.uk/christmas.html

    and here:

    http://www.johnnorris.co.uk/shop/ty_947-*christmas-gifts/

    Its a tricky thing to buy for – how likely are your folks to buy you an MTBing Xmas present that doesnt suck? 🙂

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    Coyote
    Free Member

    A book by JR Hartley perhaps?

    whereisthurso
    Free Member

    They’re not big on drinking unfortunately and I’m not sure they’re fly fishing connoisseurs as they just use it as an excuse to get outdoors and pass some pleasant time at the loch.

    I’m sure the gesture and thought will probably be appreciated as much as the quality/value of the gift. Whatever I get needs to be useful and not too gimicky.

    allthegear
    Free Member

    A big rubber salmon to hold up in pictures when the day has been not so successful but they don’t want to admit it.

    Rachel

    jota180
    Free Member
    rusty90
    Free Member

    You can buy a pretty basic intro fly-tying kit for £50 (e.g. Veniard Complete Fly Tying Kit ) but as Stoner says, this might be a bit like buying an MTB enthusiast an Apollo (look darling, it’s got a spring at the back and everything!) A good vice alone will cost more than £50.

    Books are always good, and I can strongly recommend Matching the Hatch by Pat O’Reilly. Does a first class job in explaining what fly fishing is really all about. (I’ve fished with Pat, a top bloke and the fly fishing equivalent of someone like Jedi.)

    Dales_rider
    Free Member

    £50 is not enough to get a “Beginners kit” for fly tying.
    2 alternatives send me the £50 and I will give an introductory lesson
    or
    a couple of These

    GrahamS
    Full Member

    Does he already tie his own flies?

    If so then materials might be good. Depends what kind of flies he ties but my dad always had rabbit and pheasant hides handy for the fur/feathers.

    whereisthurso
    Free Member

    I like that Jota180. Had to google what it actually was but it’s quite a nice thing as killing implements go and will last him all his days.

    Dales_rider
    Free Member

    A stag horn priest whilst it looks nice is not very good to use as intended.

    globalti
    Free Member

    A year’s supply of midge repellant?

    whereisthurso
    Free Member

    What’s wrong with a stag horn priest? Not weighted correctly, not easily cleaned?

    Yak
    Full Member

    Nice heavy metal head is more efficient. You don’t want to use more than one blow.

    wwaswas
    Full Member

    A book by JR Hartley perhaps?

    If only there were a useful source of information about shops that might stock such a title that didn’t rely on a working internet connection.

    One day such a thing will be available.

    eat_more_cheese
    Free Member

    Depends what/where they’re fishing? Small trout flies are notoriously hard to tie-an incredibly steady hand and a magnifying glass are essential. I’ve tried it, but ended up buying online as it’s a skill I’m happy to pay someone else for. Besides, professionally tied flies are a thing of beauty. How about finding the rivers/locations they fish on then buy some nice flies from a local shop relevant to the area. Also flies are different depending on time of the year-nymphs etc so maybe want to get them a ‘year round’ supply.

    irelanst
    Free Member

    £50 is not enough to get a “Beginners kit” for fly tying.

    +1 for that, the kits you can buy are garbage and 90% of the materials will be unusable. For £50 I don’t think you could put together the basics either. Also the type of fishing they do will have a big impact on the materials they need, a reservoir fly selection will look very different to one for small streams for example.

    If they are interested in starting tying then maybe a nice tool kit;

    http://www.lakelandflytying.com/80055/products/dr-slick-fly-tyer-tool-kit.aspx

    Other than that it is better to stick to consumables IMO, so boring things like tippet, gink etc.

    Of course if you really loved them you’d get them a LAW vice!

    GrahamS
    Full Member
    rusty90
    Free Member

    Very difficult to buy stuff for anglers without doing the equivalent of giving a pair of knee pads to a time trialist.

    Even something like a fly box means you have to know what type of flies they’re using.

    Zinger/nipper/forceps set is pretty much universal and always needed
    http://www.fishtec.co.uk/buy.cfm/zingers,-nippers-and-tools/dr.-slick-deluxe-gift-set/40/no/68718

    rene59
    Free Member

    A couple of books and a DVD recommendation.

    Rivers and Lochs of Scotland – great fishing directory details pretty much all the Trout and Salmon waters in Scotland. Great for planning trips.

    Sea Trout Fishing – not fly fishing specific but is one of the best fishing books available.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Trout-Fishing-Hugh-Falkus/dp/1841881848

    Kiss the Water – a documentary about one of the greatest fly tying masters Megan Boyd from Sutherland. Collections of her work are still in demand today and fetch a fair bit of money at auctions.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kiss-The-Water-Eric-Steel/dp/B00IIK6CE2

    I second the comments about kits that are available, not very good at all, think along the lines of bike tool kits available from supermarkets. Far better would be one or two quality tools or a nice vice.

    jota180
    Free Member

    What’s wrong with a stag horn priest? Not weighted correctly, not easily cleaned?

    Mine is weighted nicely with a lead insert and cleans up very easily [when I can be bothered]

    irelanst
    Free Member

    I had a few thoughts last night, if they fish catch an kill places then maybe a smoker;

    http://www.sportfish.co.uk/snowbee-steel-smoker.html

    Or if they like tea then maybe a Kelly kettle;

    http://www.kellykettle.com/kelly-kettles.html

    silverbirchdan
    Free Member

    I can’t believe I’m doing this,
    but,
    coke and hookers? Boom boom.

    Saccades
    Free Member

    If you see a dead badger on the road – harvest the fur and tan it.

    Brilliant for flyties as it’s hollow – I managed to get some for my dad from when we had a cull.

    Or buy an old proper shaving doodah.

    Dales_rider
    Free Member

    Badger ?
    If you see a dead badger at the side of the road stay well clear.

Viewing 27 posts - 1 through 27 (of 27 total)

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