Classic Angler Gift Ideas – Fly Fishing Equipment to Gift Your Beloved Angler

You’re probably reading this because you have someone in your life who loves fly fishing, the holidays are coming up, and you don’t have the slightest idea what to get them. Whether your budget is big or small, don’t get snagged on what to get your favorite angler this season. Selected from the best brands in the fly fishing industry, these four pieces of equipment would be a gift any veteran or greenhorn angler would certainly love to receive!

Orvis – Clearwater Rod/Reel Outfit

One of the most established companies known in the fly fishing game is Orvis Fly Fishing; their great reputation comes from their craftsmanship, passion, and response to customer feedback. They took all three components, applied them to their best rod and reel outfit, and from that, their Clearwater Rod Series was born. Orvis Clearwater series came from the minds of their rod designers who gave the entire rig not only an incredible look and feel, but a total rebuild over time in order to maximize functionality and performance. This rod and reel outfit is such a beaut for the hard to beat price; the black chrome blanks keep it looking sleek while the white accents, full black nickel aluminum reel seats, and chrome snake and stripping guide subtlety catch your eye. They include a rod tube at purchase in order to keep the outfit in pristine condition, and they also guarantee 25 years of use. Even if your angler already has a rod and reel set up, Orvis Clearwater outfit is a bonafide upgrade. The Clearwater comes in both the rod/reel outfit or just the rod.

Sage Igniter Rod

Have that avid angler that loves to chase big fish and needs the very best in rod technology? While it is not a rod for the everyday angler, not even close, the IGNITER is equipped with a high line speed taper to carry large amounts of line at distance with wind cutting performance. Perfect for streamer fishing with heavy sink tips or covering big water when conditions turn south. Sage says” If you bring the will, the IGNITER will supply the way”. Think faster, lighter, stronger and incredibly accurate. The perfect gift for that experienced angler in your life that loves the challenge of large trout, big rivers and big flies.

Riversmith River Quiver

There’s no greater sin in this sport than rigging up a brand new rod that is so beautiful, you can’t take your eyes off of it… only to throw it lazily into the back of your pickup or bend it to fit into the back of your SUV where it can suffer great damage and prevent any fishing from taking place. The crew at Riversmith, entirely made up of experienced fly fishers, never want another angler to commit such a sin again, so they set out to give this problem an answer by making the best fly rod roof rack ever. The variety of options that a River Quiver provides to the consumer is pretty endless; coming in either a 2 banger (which holds two rods) or a 4 banger (holds four) model, the versatile mounting system allows it to be attached to virtually any vehicle’s existing or aftermarket rack.

Although the River Quiver is visually appealing on its own, it also comes in silver, black, or sage green, allowing you to match the rig to your angler’s vehicle color. Able to withstand wind, shock, and every weather condition thrown at it from the outside, a polypropylene lining that makes for smooth insertion and removal protects the rods and reels on the inside. While roof racks ensure the best protection to and from your fly fishing destination, or fishing spot to fishing spot, they do not solve for long-term storage. Humidity, general vehicle rough and tumble, and grime or dirt can do a number on rigs stored in roof racks over time. Incorrect storage can shorten the lifespan of any rig where both functionality and aesthetics can take tremendous hits. That’s where the next item on the list comes in…

Fishpond Jackalope Rod Tube Case

After your beloved angler performs routine maintenance and cleaning on their rod and reel, they need somewhere safe to stow it until their next expedition, or maybe until next season. If you want something easy on the wallet but hefty in importance, a rod tube case makes for an excellent gift. What makes the Fishpond Jackalope rod tube case so special? It’s impeccable design; its rigid yet lightweight body is covered in recycled nylon exterior, and its hexagon interior shape allows up to six 9 ft 4 piece rods to be held inside. Designed for both carry on use and long-term storage, the Fishpond Jackalope has a zippered top and bottom. Not only does this feature allow for easy access but in the case of long-term storage, you can stow the tube horizontally and leave one end unzipped allowing the rod and reel to “breathe.” In other words, any moisture remaining on the rig can dry and escape the case, which prevents potential damage to stored gear.

If rod and reel protection and storage is already covered with a previous purchase, what about if your angler needs something to carry the rest of their gear with?

Simms Fishing – Freestone Chest Pack

The last gift option on the list, but one of the fishing industry’s favorites, comes from Simms Fishing. Their Freestone Chest Pack is multi-functional while maintaining less than 1 lb in weight. It’s 330D Nylon Rip-stop fabric is reputedly durable, and the polyurethane backside coating is what keeps it so lightweight. A zippered stash pocket hides on the back panel while a large loop attachment on the front allows for place to attach a tippet caddy, floatant holster, key clip, or other accessories of choice. The removable foam fly panel component is also super handy; giving a place to safely store flies, it’s a compact solution that allows multiple flies to be carried on a person without having to carry around a bulky fly box. The harness design of the pack also allows it to be worn on the chest or to be easily strapped to a pack, accommodating however your fisherman or fisher woman likes to carry their fishing essentials.

Give the Gift of Quality Gear or a Guided Fly Fishing Experience

While there are a ton of tools and gadgets in the sport that would be highly useful or simply neat to have, this list comprises top-notch equipment that die-hard fishing fans are guaranteed to have at the top of their wish list. Visit RIGS Fly Shop Online Store to give the gift of quality gear this holiday season!

Still not sure what to gift the angler in your life? Try gifting a Guided Fly Fishing Trip in some of the prettiest parts of Colorado. RIGS offers a large variety of trips for beginners to experts, from drift boat to walk wade, tenkara to sight fishing. Need additional help, call the RIGS fly shop staff to get the best recommendations specific to the angler on your list.

It’s no secret that Colorado has good trout fishing, anglers from across the world travel here to experience a trout fishing trip of a lifetime. Colorado has the highest concentration of quality trout rivers and streams in the United States, an international airport, and a variety of different towns and services spread throughout to fit the needs of many different anglers. Not to mention, the trout populations have been thriving, in part due to well-regulated resource management including catch and release regulations in many of the rivers. But, in the past decade, the rivers in Colorado have been getting more crowded. It may be due to a rise in the popularity of fly fishing, a result of the COVID pandemic, or just overpopulation. The increase in angling pressure can make it challenging to navigate a river system, hard to find public water to fish, and hard to find public land to camp at. So how do you navigate these challenges to plan a successful fly fishing trip in Colorado?

If you are planning a DIY fly fishing trip in Colorado or planning on using a fly fishing guide in Colorado there are a few things to keep in mind, including what fly fishing gear to bring, the best time of year to visit, how to be a responsible angler/how to recreate responsibly, as well as understanding the Colorado fishing regulations. Read on below to learn more about these items to make your fly fishing trip to Colorado is a trip to remember.

What does it mean to be a responsible angler?

A responsible angler can be defined as someone who minimizes their impact on the water, to provide a healthy fishery for generations of anglers to come. A responsible angler also respects other anglers, recreationists, and landowners who are also enjoying the resource. So what are some tips to become a responsible angler?

Tips to being a responsible angler in Colorado:

1) Leave No Trace – Pack it in and pack it out. Be sure to pack out any trash that you bring onto the river. This also means the small pieces of tippet and leaders that may fly onto the ground when rigging up your fly rod. If you see trash when you are out fishing, be an example of good stewardship and pack it out. Try filling up your fly fishing net.
2) Understand the Fishing Regulations – When fishing in a new state, a new fishing license is mandatory. When you are getting this license be sure to check on the specific local fishing regulations of the area that you plan to fish. In Colorado, there are many catch and release areas, seasonal closures due to spawning, barbless fly regulations, and other specific regulations that need to be followed. Be sure to do your due diligence to check the local fishing regulations.
3) Don’t Trespass – The water laws in Colorado differ from other states, in that landowners often own the river bed. In many other states, the landowner does not own the river bed and you can access the water from the high watermark. But this is not the case in Colorado. Anglers cannot hike into a river that has private property. As well, you cannot anchor your boat on private land. Be sure to purchase proper maps or download a GPS app like OnX maps to ensure you are fishing public water.
4) Respect other anglers and recreationists on the water – Anglers are not the only ones that enjoy the rivers and streams in Colorado. The natural resources are managed for all recreationists including hikers, bikers, rafters, kayakers, etc. It is important to keep this in mind when out on the water and be respectful to everyone you encounter on the water. Communication is key, say hi, and be friendly to other people using the resource!
5) Follow good fishing handling and etiquette – Trout are fragile creatures, given that most of the fly fishing you may be doing is catch and release it is important to keep in mind proper fish handling and etiquette. Some basics to keep in mind are, debarb your flies, use a rubber net, keep the trout wet, wet your hands before touching the fish, keep fingers out of the gills, use the least amount of our hand to hold the fish, (stay away from the death grip or whole hand hold), don’t overplay the trout, and do your best to get the trout landed quickly and back in the water to be caught another day.

How to #recreatereponsibly – What does camping and traveling responsibly mean?

Being a responsible angler doesn’t stop when you’re off the water, in the past year a coalition of nonprofits, recreation businesses and agencies have come together with a campaign called #recreateresponsibly RecreateResponsibly.org. In short, it was introduced due to the spike in recreationists across the U.S. and a movement to educate people about being responsible recreationists. The Ridgway Chamber of Commerce has a great resource their plan your trip/responsible travel page. It states, “We invite travelers to visit Ouray County while considering ways to minimize visitor impacts and maximize local benefits. Traveling responsibly means educating yourself on outdoor recreation best practices, local ethics, and community expectations.” Some of the Chamber’s suggestions include know before you go, stick to the trail, trash the trash, leave it as you find it, be careful with fire, keep wildlife wild, share our parks and trails, do your research, hire a guide, and take a course. All of these are great points to understand to help minimize conflict and enhance your fly fishing trip to Colorado.

Due to the rise in popularity of camping in the past year it is very important to keep these points in mind when camping. Hatch Mag recently published a helpful article, “The dispersed camper’s guide to etiquette – A primer on good camping behavior.” The article outlines specific “Rules” that can be applied to campers everywhere.

Hire a fly fishing guide or visit a local fly shop:

When planning your fly fishing trip to Colorado or to a new area of Colorado, hiring a fly fishing guide or visiting a local fly shop can be of significant value in finding out important information regarding the fly fishing. The fly fishing guides at RIGS offer a variety of different guided fly fishing trips including float fishing, wade fishing, sight fishing, and even more remote hiking and fishing trips. The local retail store and fly shop staff is a wealth of resources, from fly selections to maps and gear tips, the shop staff can prepare you for success on the water as well as some local knowledge as to where to camp, eat, and sleep.

Understanding Colorado Fishing Regulations:

Anyone fishing in Colorado should be aware of all the fishing regulations and have a current license. You can purchase a fishing license online or visit one of the license dealers. The fly shop at RIGS is a State of Colorado fishing license dealer. The fishing regulations in Colorado change every year, be sure to follow the current year’s regulations. Most trout fishing rivers are open for year-round fishing, some rivers do have seasonal closures on certain parts of the river due to trout spawning.

Best time to visit Colorado for fly fishing:

What makes Colorado’s trout fishery unique from many other states across the west is that you can fish year-round, 365 days a year. The more or less winter season spans from November-February, where temperatures across the state are typically below freezing. The fly fishing is concentrated on many tailwater (dam-controlled rivers) systems across the state including the Uncompahgre, Blue, Taylor, South Platte, Yampa, Frying Pan Rivers. The fishing can be productive especially when fishing below the surface. This time of year is not for the fair-weather angler, but the adventurous one.

From March to April is considered spring or pre-runoff fly fishing conditions in Colorado. This time of year can be very underrated as the trout are hungry, active and the rivers are typically quieter. Depending on the snowpack, many of the rivers across Colorado experience a period of runoff, typically starting in May and sometimes lasting until late June. The water levels in the rivers rise due to the snowpack melting, making it at times challenging to fish. But, all the river systems are different and while some may be high and muddy others can be fishable. There are also numerous lakes and reservoirs that will be iced off and have productive fishing opportunities.

Once the river levels come down, the summer or peak season for fly fishing kicks off. This is typically from mid-June-September. This time of year can be considered the most productive time to fly fish in Colorado as all the bodies of water are at a fishable level, the bugs are hatching and the trout are extremely active. It is however the busiest time of year to be on the water.

Fall temperatures set in in late September and the rivers begin to become quieter and the fishing can be productive especially using nymphing and streamer fishing techniques. There is not a day out of the year in Colorado that you won’t be able to catch a trout on a fly rod. When in doubt seek out a fishing report!

Fly fishing gear to bring on your fly fishing trip to Colorado:

Bringing the correct fly fishing gear on your fly fishing trip to Colorado can make the world of a difference. Here are the basics we recommend. For a fly rod, the standard 9 foot 5 weight rod will best suit your needs. A 3 or 4 weight fly rod can be great for summer dry fly fishing. While a 6 or 7 weight can be great for streamer fishing or nymphing. A basic fly reel, with 100 yards of backing. A floating trout fly line to match the line weight of your fly rod is necessary. Tapered knotless leaders are preferred in a 9 foot, 5X size or something similar. For tippet, it is important to have a selection of 2X-6X tippet in both monofilament (for dry flies) and fluorocarbon (for nymphing and streamer fishing). Fly selection can vary based on the river systems you are fishing. The basic beadhead nymphs, dry flies, and streamers are essentials to have in your box. Be sure to stop into a local fly shop in Colorado to pick up the local fly patterns.

Waders and wading boots are essential in the colder months, in the summer you can get away with wet wading sandals or wading boots with a neoprene wading sock. The weather in Colorado can be very variable, so it is important to dress and pack different layers of clothing. Make sure to have a rain jacket packed as rainstorms can periodically happen, especially in late summer.

Hopefully, the details outlined above can better prepare you for a fly fishing trip to Colorado. Be sure to give us a call or stop in our retail shop located in Ridgway, Colorado. We are located near 6 quality trout streams providing anglers with a variety of different fly fishing options all within an hour or less. Ridgway, Ouray, or Telluride are all great fly fishing towns in Colorado to stay and experience a true Colorado fly fishing getaway.