SADLER: Christmas ideas for fly-fishers

As a professional fly-fishing guide and instructor, I am regularly asked for recommendations on equipment. As Christmas approaches, the questions come fast and furious. Here are some ideas that should be helpful for any fly-fisher or if you are buying gifts for a fly-fisher.

I will mention the brands I use or have tested. There are other good products out there but if I have not used them I don’t feel as comfortable recommending them.

Let’s start with fly rods. For fishing the mountain brook trout streams here in the Valley I like a 6½- to 7½-foot rod and three-weight line.

Not to get all “techy” here, but it is the line that carries the fly to the fish. Flies don’t weigh enough to pull the line like a lure does on a spinning or casting rig. Rods are designed to cast a specific line weight so be sure they are compatible

Rods are designed to flex in different ways. This is commonly referred to as the action of the rod. The stiffer the rod, the faster the action. Faster action rods tend to cast line further. Slower rods tend to cast line more gently.

I suggest using a slow to medium action rod for fishing in small streams. You will not be casting very far and will want to make a delicate cast to the fish.

The brands and series I like are the Scott G2, Winston Boron IIt, Orvis Superfine Trout Bum and Sage ZXL. Admittedly, these are the high-end rods. Each brand has very good rods that are not as expensive but have similar casting characteristics. Any of the shops mentioned later can help you find one.

For trout fishing on local spring creeks and rivers I suggest an 8½- or 9-foot rod for a five-weight line. I think a medium-fast action or fast action rod works well depending on your casting style. The rods mentioned above are good ones and you can add the Scott S4, Winston Boron IIx, Orvis Helios and Sage TCX series to the mix.

For small mouth bass fishing, I like to use a 9-foot rod and either 6 or 8-weight line. I suggest using a faster action rod for fishing in rivers like the Shenandoah or the South River. You will be casting farther and will have to cast heavier flies to the fish.

When it comes to reels for fresh-water fishing I tend to go for value. By and large here in the Valley you are not going to get into drag-burning runs from fish. Let’s face it, an eight-inch brook trout is not going to take all your line. A moderately priced reel will serve you well unless you are headed to saltwater.

A few things to keep in mind when it comes to reels. First, they should be sized for the rod and line setup you intend to use. Reels have specifications that will tell you the line capacity. You need to match that to your setup.

Second, make sure you don’t overfill them. Leave some headroom on the spool. Banging a good fly-line against the cross bar on a reel will wear it out fast.

Finally I suggest avoiding reels that completely surround the spool. If you drop it, and you will, the housing may get knocked out of whack and it will never work right again.

I am pretty much a one-trick pony when it comes to brands, I have an extensive collection from Ross. I just seem to gravitate to them.

Orvis, Sage, Tibor, L.L. Bean, Able, Lamson, Galvan and Nautilus are all good brands. You can easily find a good reel that suits your budget from one of these companies.

Next comes the fly-line. Back to basics first, the line carries the fly to the fish. It needs to be compatible with your fly-rod. For example, if you have a rod designed for a three-weight line, that is what you should use.

Lines are designed to float or sink. They also have tapers. Here are the two I think work best around the Valley.

On small streams on my three-weight I use a floating, double-taper. It is a two-for-one deal. Since I rarely make a long cast, I cut the line in half in the middle and now have two lines of about 30 or so feet each.

The best double taper lines have longer tapers and smaller tips. This helps make for more delicate presentations.

For rivers with my five-, six- and eight-weight rods, I use a floating, weight-forward taper. These tapers are just what they say. More of the fly-line’s weight is toward the front of the line. These tapers are good for making longer casts required on rivers.

Most of my reels have Scientific Angler lines on them. Never had any problem with them and just stuck with them. I have also used Orvis and Rio lines and liked them.

After rods, reels and lines, questions about waders and boots come next.

I think stocking-foot waist-high waders with separate boots are the way to go. They offer better fit, more options and are easier to hike in. When it is warm you can wet wade with just the boots. My second choice is chest-high waders. The good ones can be rolled down to your waist easily and comfortably.

Go with a breathable fabric material for the waders. When it is cold you can wear long-underwear or fleece. When it is warm they are much more comfortable.

I moved away from felt soles years ago for a couple of reasons.

I like the sticky rubber compounds with studs. I like the traction better on more surfaces and it does not transport the diseases and aquatic invasive organisms as easily as felt does.

In our closet at home we have waders and boots from Simms, Cloudveil, L.L. Bean and Orvis. I have also used Patagonia waders, as well.

For years I wore fishing vests. Many of my guide friends still do. When I guide I do as well because I have to carry a lot of backup gear. The thing with vests is they tend to fill up with “stuff” and get hot in the summer.

For the last two seasons I have worn a waist-pack or a chest-pack for flies, leaders, tippet, etc. I carry only what I need for that day. If I go into the backcountry, I take a daypack with raincoat, food and water for the day. This has given me maximum flexibility.

I really like what Fishpond has done with these style of packs. Orvis and L.L. Bean have good ones as well. For vests I like Simms, Patagonia and Fishpond.

Where to shop for these fly-fish gear and gifts?

There are three good fly-fishing shops here in the Valley. In Harrisonburg, try Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. In Charlottesville, try the Albemarle Angler. In Edinburg, try Murray’s Fly Shop.

I strongly recommend going to local shops to buy your gear. Not only will you get the proper fit you need but these local shops also offer expert advice. That is the best reason to shop there. If you have a fly-fisher on your gift list these shops will definitely have great ideas for you.

Here in the Valley we are fortunate to have exceptional places to fish. One of the best gifts for any fly-fisherman is protecting those places and passing along the fishing tradition to someone else. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Editor’s Note: Tom Sadler is an avid fly-fisherman, guide and instructor and founder of The Middle River Group, an organization that provides diverse business expertise to the conservation and wildlife management community and the hunting, fishing and shooting sports industry.

You can contact Tom Sadler by e-mail at .