Fly Fishing Gift Ideas, Straight from the Table at Friday Follies

A member-shared holiday tradition at Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds—now in its second December—built from real Friday Follies conversations about fly fishing gift ideas that actually get used, read, and relied on.

With December settling in and the last of the fall fishing trips winding down, many of us start shifting gears. Fly boxes get reorganized. Winter tying plans take shape. And a familiar question comes up—what’s actually been useful enough this season that you’d happily give it, or be glad to receive it, again?

That question has become a December tradition at Friday Follies. For the second year in a row, the conversation around the table turned to holiday gift ideas for fly fishers—not as a presentation or a curated list, but the same way we usually share information: casually, practically, and with a few good stories mixed in.

It’s worth saying up front that Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds does not receive referral fees, discounts, or any form of compensation for the items mentioned here. These ideas surfaced simply because they’re things people around the table have relied on over the past year—tools, books, and small upgrades that proved useful enough to recommend to others, or that we’d genuinely be happy to see under the tree ourselves.

The ideas collected here came straight from that Friday morning discussion, and this piece exists because people were willing to speak up and share what worked for them. A sincere thank-you to everyone who contributed their suggestions, observations, and hard-earned experience—you’re what gives this list its depth and character.

Think of this less as a gift guide and more as pulling up a chair—coffee in hand—and listening in as anglers talk about the things they actually reach for, rely on, and appreciate when they’re on the water.

On-the-Water Tools & Small Upgrades

These are the small, practical tools that tend to earn their place through repetition. They don’t draw much attention, but once they’re part of your setup, they quietly reduce fumbling, smooth out fly changes, and make the countless little tasks on the water feel easier and more efficient.

Multiple Sets of Nippers — One Less Thing to Think About

This one came up as a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of carrying a single pair of nippers and constantly checking pockets or digging through a pack, the idea is to keep multiple sets clipped wherever you fish from—vest, sling, pack, or even a wading jacket.

When you’re changing flies, trimming tag ends, or adding tippet, having nippers right where your hands already are keeps you in rhythm. A few members mentioned how much smoother their days felt once they stopped breaking focus every time they needed to cut line.

As for the nippers themselves, most of us agreed the basics work just fine. Simple stainless steel cutters handle mono and

fluorocarbon easily, and that’s enough for most situations.

That said, a couple of premium options came up as favorites around the table. High-end machined tools like Abel nippers (often $125–$225+) were mentioned for their build quality, replaceable blades, and integrated hook cleaners. Simms’ pro-level nippers (around $90–$100) also got a nod, especially for the built-in threader that’s handy with small flies or tired eyes. At that point, you’re giving the gift of quality in equal measure with a little bragging rights.

The takeaway wasn’t that anyone needs premium nippers—just that there are good options at every level. Whatever you choose, adding zingers or short lanyards makes it easy to clip nippers almost anywhere so they’re always within reach when you need them.

You’ll find both basic and premium choices at Avid Angler, Pacific Fly Fishers, or just about any good fly shop. It’s a small, inexpensive habit shift that quietly improves just about every day on the water.

Oros Strike Indicators — Fewer Fumbles, Better Drifts

Oros indicators came up as a slightly pricier option that many felt was worth it—especially for anyone who’s dropped a tiny screw cap into the water with cold fingers. That experience alone seemed to convert a few people at the table.

Instead of small caps, Oros indicators are built from two larger threaded halves that screw together around your leader. They’re easier to handle, quicker to adjust, and much less frustrating when conditions aren’t ideal. Members who fish nymph rigs regularly mentioned how much simpler it is to fine-tune depth without feeling like you’re working on a watch repair mid-river.

One word of caution did come up, learned the hard way: make sure your line is seated in the center groove before tightening. Skip that step and the indicator won’t hold. As one member discovered on their very first cast, that’s a quick way to watch a few dollars sail away on the wind.

They cost more than traditional indicators, but for many of us, the tradeoff felt fair—less fumbling, easier adjustments, and fewer small parts to lose.

You can find them here.

Magnetic Fly Patch / Holder — A Better Place for Wet Flies

This one came up late in the discussion, but it stuck with people because it solves a problem most of us have dealt with: what to do with wet flies between changes. Stuffing them back into a fly box traps moisture and leads to rust, while wool or foam patches can lose their grip once things get damp or start bouncing around.

Magnetic fly patches solve that neatly. The stronger, metal-backed versions use rare-earth magnets to hold flies securely, even with plenty of movement. Members liked that they keep wet flies visible, allow them to air-dry, and hold on despite plenty of jostling—without bending hooks or tearing materials.

They’re especially handy on days when you’re rotating through patterns, changing flies often, or fishing in sloppy weather. Instead of juggling loose flies or risking damage, you’ve got a simple place to park them until you’re back at the car.

Common features worth looking for include:

• Strong magnets that won’t let flies shake loose

• A metallic or reinforced surface for durability

• A low-profile design that doesn’t snag or get in the way

• Enough surface area to hold multiple flies without crowding

Several members mentioned well-known fly-fishing manufacturers like Cling, Fishpond, C&F Design, South Fork, and Stillwater as examples of companies making reliable versions in different sizes and styles.

The takeaway from the table was simple: this is one of those small upgrades that quietly makes fly changes easier, keeps flies in better shape, and saves a little frustration over the course of a long day.

Lamson Ketchum Release — Simple, Fast, and Fish-Friendly

This one got a lot of nods around the table for one reason: it’s almost comically simple. One member even did a quick demo on a hook right there—slide it down, a quick motion, and the hook popped free. Clean, easy, done.

The real value is on the water. The Ketchum Release is designed to help you unhook fish quickly with minimal handling—especially helpful when a hook is deeper than you’d like and you want to do as little harm as possible. Lamson frames it as a “low-mortality release” tool, and that’s the spirit of why people like it: less time messing around, more time keeping the fish calm and in the water.

A practical tip that came up: a lot of members keep it on a short lanyard (or add a small rubber float to the end) so it doesn’t disappear if a fish flops at the wrong moment.

Also worth noting: it comes in three sizes, which matters more than you’d think. Lamson’s sizing is:

• Big Bug: hooks 6–10

• Standard: hooks 12–16

• Midge: hooks 18–22 

You can see the Lamson listing here. We’ve also found them online and at Avid Angler.

Fishpond Piopod Microtrash Container — Small, Easy, and Useful

This came up as one of those small habits that’s easy to stick with once it’s part of your setup. Clipped tag ends, used tippet, bent flies—those bits add up quickly and are easy to lose between the water and the car.

The Piopod gives them a dedicated place to go. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to zip-tie or clip onto a vest, pack, or sling so it’s always within reach. Drop things in as you go, empty it when you’re home, and you’re done. No loose mono in your pockets, and no plastic left behind on the water.

It’s not flashy, but it quietly encourages better habits—and helps keep the places we fish a little cleaner without much extra effort.

You can find it here.

For Those Who Keep an Occasional Fish: Mustad Fillet Knife Set

Most of us release our fish, but for members who do keep one now and then, a decent fillet knife still matters. This came up as a practical example of a tool that doesn’t get talked about much—until you need it.

One member mentioned a Mustad fillet knife set that included several blades in different sizes (roughly four or five), which makes it easier to match the knife to the fish rather than forcing one blade to do everything. Mustad is best known for their hooks, but their knives follow the same philosophy: simple, functional, and built for real use. The blades are typically stainless steel, thin enough for clean fillets, and paired with grippy handles that are easy to control, even when things get a little slippery.

The set he referenced ran in the neighborhood of $40. He also noted seeing these at places like Ace Hardware and 3 Rivers Marine in Woodinville, though availability can vary by location. It’s probably worth calling ahead before making a trip.

The Knot Kneedle — When Cold Fingers Make Knots Harder Than They Should Be

This one came up as a genuine quality-of-life tool, especially for tying knots on the water when conditions aren’t ideal. Cold fingers, stiff tippet, fading light—those are usually the moments when knot tying turns frustrating, and that’s where this tool earned its keep.

The Knot Kneedle acts as a small third hand, helping hold and guide the line while you tie common fishing knots.

Members who mentioned it weren’t looking for shortcuts—they liked that it made knot tying more consistent when dexterity drops off, whether from cold, fatigue, or just working with very fine tippet. They also noted how much easier it is to tie clean knots without fumbling or starting over multiple times. Several people specifically mentioned using it when fingers are numb or when eyesight isn’t cooperating, which lines up well with why it came up at Follies in the first place.

It’s compact, easy to clip to a vest or pack, and one of those tools you don’t think about much—until you’re glad it’s there.

You can find it here.

FishTechy — Measuring Fish Without Taking Them Out of the Water

This one came up from two club members who’ve been using FishTechy and really like it—especially for its accuracy and the extra information it provides beyond just length. Our co-president, Steve Ruppert, was one of the first in the club to use it and helped kick the tires early on. The version people are using now has clearly matured.

At its core, FishTechy lets you measure a fish while keeping it in the water. You place a small bright orange ball, about the size of a golf ball, near the fish, snap a photo with your phone, and the app does the rest. The ball comes with a clip, so it can be attached directly to your net, and as long as both the fish and the ball are in the frame, it works. The app calculates length and estimates weight while keeping handling to a minimum.

What really stood out was consistency. Instead of guessing, stretching a tape, or lifting a fish onto the bank, you get repeatable measurements and a digital record you can look back on later. It’s especially appealing for anyone who likes tracking catches over time or keeping notes without turning the moment into a production.

The only downside? Once FishTechy’s in the mix, those end-of-day stories tend to get a lot more precise.

You can learn more here.

Comfort, Safety & Cold-Weather Essentials

Comfort and safety came up often in the December conversation—especially when talking about cold weather, fading daylight, and fishing farther from easy access. These ideas focus on staying warm, prepared, and a little more self-reliant, without adding unnecessary bulk or complexity.

ORORO Men's Ororo Heated Vest — Staying Warm Without Bulking Up

This one came up again and again around the table, especially among folks who fish in late fall, winter, and early spring—or who just tend to run cold standing in the water all day. The vibe wasn’t just that heated vests are nice to have, but that ORORO’s have held up well over multiple seasons.

What stood out was how practical the warmth feels. A heated vest brings heat right to your core without adding a bunch of extra bulk, which matters when you’re casting, rowing, or hiking into a spot. The vest runs off a rechargeable battery pack that can deliver heat for several hours at a time, and many members carry a spare battery on long outings so they can keep the warmth going from dawn through dusk.

The temperature is easy to adjust—crank it up while you’re waiting or drifting, then back it off once you get moving. That flexibility makes it more useful than just piling on layers and hoping for the best.

It’s more of an investment than most items on this list, but for those who fish year-round, it kept showing up as something people were genuinely glad they packed because it makes cold days comfortable.

You can check it out here.

Secure (Ratchet) Wading Belt — A Small Upgrade That Matters

This one came up as a simple safety upgrade that pulls double duty. A good ratchet belt works just as well for everyday wear, but on the water it adds an extra layer of security that many members didn’t realize they were missing.

The key difference is the locking ratchet system. Unlike the stretchy belts that often come with new waders—which can loosen, slip at the clasp, or slowly sag throughout the day—a ratchet belt lets you cinch things down snugly and keep them there. That matters when you’re wading deeper, moving through current, or navigating uneven footing.

Several members mentioned ditching the stock wader belt altogether and pairing their waders with a non-stretch, waterproof belt instead. If you do take a spill, a properly fitted belt helps limit how quickly water can enter your waders, giving you more time to recover and less to fight against.

When you’re looking for one, a few things stood out as worth paying attention to:

• Non-stretch webbing (nylon or reinforced synthetic materials) that won’t sag or absorb water

• A true locking or ratcheting buckle that stays put once set

• Enough width to help block water without restricting movement

• Comfort against layers, especially on longer days

For those curious beyond the fly-fishing world, folks who obsess over durability tend to point to everyday ratchet belt brands like Mission, Vedder, Kore, SlideBelts, and Grip6 as solid examples of designs that hold up over time. There’s no single “best” answer—but there are plenty of options that outperform the belt that came with your waders.

The takeaway from the table was simple: this is one of those upgrades you don’t really notice—until you’re glad it’s there.

Olight Clip-On Light — For Getting Back to the Car

This one came from a guest at Friday Follies who often mixes hiking and fishing, especially during the winter when daylight has a way of disappearing faster than expected. Even with the best intentions, it doesn’t take much—one more run, a longer walk out, or a missed turn—for the return to happen in the dark.

What stood out is the clip-on design, which keeps your hands free. You can attach it to a vest, pack strap, or jacket and use it while walking, scrambling over uneven ground, or managing gear—without juggling a flashlight at the same time. That hands-free aspect is what really made people lean in when it was described.

It’s also rechargeable, which means no loose batteries to carry, replace, or toss. Several people appreciated that it’s one less disposable item in the kit, and easier to keep ready by topping it off at home between trips.

It’s small enough that you forget about it while you’re fishing, which is exactly why it works. You hope you won’t need it—but when you do, it’s already there.

You can see the clip-on version here.

Portable Jump Starters — Peace of Mind Beyond AAA

This came up in the context of trips that take you well beyond the reach of roadside assistance. When you’re fishing remote access points, crossing passes, or lingering a little longer than planned on a cold day, a dead battery can quickly turn into a problem. A portable jump starter takes jumper cables—and the need for a second vehicle—out of the equation entirely.

Several members mentioned keeping a jump pack under a seat or in the glove box, where it stays out of the way until it’s needed. It’s one of those items you hope you never use—but are very glad to have when the drive home doesn’t go as planned.

• A quick word of caution also came up: check the charge and top it off every few months. Like any battery-powered safety item, it only helps if it’s ready when you need it.

It’s also worth noting that many manufacturers now offer jump packs with a wide range of features—higher cranking power, better cold-weather performance, compatibility with tool batteries, and added functions like device charging or built-in lights. Some members pointed to examples from Ryobi, Craftsman, and Milwaukee as a reminder that there’s a broad range of options out there depending on what tools or batteries you already use.

The takeaway around the table was simple: pick the one that fits your needs and budget, with an eye toward performance you trust. Saving a few bucks up front doesn’t mean much if it struggles when you’re far from help.

These are widely available online and in-store at places like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Costco—which is where one of our members picked theirs up.

A Core Gear Upgrade: The Fly Rod

Some upgrades stand on their own. A fly rod is often the most personal and influential piece of gear an angler owns, shaping everything from presentation and control to comfort over a full day on the water.

Rather than offering a long list, this section highlights a single, well-considered upgrade that made a meaningful difference in how several of us fished this season.

Project One 10' 5-Weight Fly Rod

This came up because a few of us have been spending more time on moving water—and thinking ahead to doing even more of that in 2026. A longer rod isn’t something everyone reaches for right away, but once you fish one in the right situation, it starts to make sense.

The extra reach of a 10-foot 5-weight makes it easier to keep line off the water, especially when fishing nymphs under an indicator. Less line on the surface usually means less drag, cleaner drifts, and fewer small adjustments every few seconds. It’s also helpful when you’re working across multiple seams or trying to maintain contact without constantly lifting and repositioning.

This isn’t about distance or power—it’s about control. For members who are starting to fish rivers and streams more regularly, or who want a setup that makes indicator rigs a little easier to manage, this rod checked a lot of boxes. We also like it because it's equal parts durable and budget friendly!

You can find it here.

Travel, Transport & Organization

Once you’ve settled on the right core tools, how you carry and move them matters. These ideas focus on protecting gear, simplifying transitions between access points, and cutting down on re-rigging—whether you’re hiking through brush, hopping between nearby spots, or loading and unloading over the course of a long day.

Fishpond Dakota Rod & Reel Case — One Grab-and-Go Setup

Former club president, Greg Sisson, brought this one to the table again this year, which says a lot by itself. When you’re traveling—whether that’s a road trip, a flight, or just moving between fishing spots—the appeal is simple: grab one case and everything you need goes with you.

The Fishpond Dakota case holds multiple rods and reels, already rigged and ready. Instead of juggling rod tubes, reel cases, and extra bags, it keeps things together in one place. Members who’ve used it mentioned how much easier it makes packing and unpacking, especially on trips where you’re in and out of the car or airport more than once.

It’s not the cheapest option out there, but it’s well made and clearly designed with travel in mind. There is a less expensive version that carries rods only, but for most of us, the version that also holds reels felt like $50 well spent. One bag, fewer loose pieces, and less to keep track of.

You can see the rod-and-reel version here.

Fold n Hold — An Easier Way to Transport a Rigged Rod

This one stood out partly because it’s a member-made idea. The Fold n Hold was developed by OFF member Rob Born and his son, and it came up not as a shiny new gadget but as something people are actually using.

In simple terms, it makes it easier to move a fully rigged fly rod without cutting off your fly or dragging line through the bushes. The Fold n Hold lets you break a rigged rod into two sections and secure everything in place, which comes in handy when you’re walking through brush to reach the water. Several members mentioned how much smoother those short access hikes felt without snagging hooks, guides, or tippet on every twig.

It’s also useful when you’re hopping between nearby access points. Instead of re-rigging every time you move, you can break the rod down, drive a short distance, and be fishing again in minutes. It’s a small, thoughtful piece of gear that solves a problem most of us have dealt with.

You can find it here. Members also noted seeing it in store at Avid Angler.

Learning, Tying & Skill-Building

When fishing days get shorter, learning often fills the gap. These ideas focus on staying engaged through the off-season—keeping hands busy, skills sharp, and curiosity alive—so time away from the water still feels connected to time on it.

Fly Fishing Advent Calendar — A Fun Way to Fill a Fly Box

This came up as a lighthearted, seasonal idea—especially for those long December stretches when fishing plans turn into tying plans and daydreams about spring. A fly fishing advent calendar is exactly what it sounds like: one small surprise per day, usually a hand-tied fly behind each door, counting down to the holidays while quietly stocking a fly box for the year ahead.

Most versions include 24 flies and often come with a small fly box, with patterns ranging from familiar standbys to a few you might not have picked out yourself. That unpredictability was part of the appeal for members who mentioned it—it’s less about finding the “perfect” fly and more about the simple fun of opening one door a day and seeing what’s inside.

These calendars tend to run anywhere from around $40 on the simpler end to $100+ for more curated or shop-assembled versions. They’re available through a mix of fly shops, specialty retailers, and a few larger online sellers, and they often sell out earlier than expected as December approaches.

Members described it as a festive, low-pressure way to enjoy the season—and to start the new year with a box that’s already a little fuller.

Postfly Subscription — Learn by Doing (and Tie Flies You’ll Actually Fish)

This one has come up repeatedly over the past couple of years as a subscription people actually stick with. The appeal is straightforward: each month, Postfly sends a fly-tying kit built around a small set of patterns, with all the materials you need to sit down and tie them yourself.

Members who’ve used it mentioned that the boxes consistently include enough material to easily tie around 10 flies, which makes it feel substantial rather than like a sampler. You’re not just tying one or two practice flies—you’re building a small run of patterns you can fish, while learning how and why they’re tied the way they are.

What really works about the format is that it removes friction. There’s no tracking down materials, no guessing at substitutions, and no staring at a vise wondering what to tie next. You open the box, sit down, and get to work. Over time, that steady rhythm builds both confidence and skill.

Members described it as a fun, low-pressure way to learn—something to look forward to each month that quietly fills a fly box while expanding your tying knowledge along the way.

You can explore the different plans here.

YouTube Premium — Fewer Distractions While You’re Learning

This one came from Dennis Potter and landed squarely in the thinking outside the box category. For many of us, YouTube has become a genuine learning resource—whether that’s fly tying, river tactics, or getting a feel for new water before a trip.

What YouTube Premium really offers is fewer interruptions. Cutting out ads may sound minor, but if you’ve ever tried to follow along with a tying video or concentrate on a technique breakdown, constant commercial breaks can be distracting. A few members nodded along when this came up—it’s less about convenience and more about staying focused.

For anglers who regularly use YouTube as part of how they learn, this is a simple way to make that time more enjoyable. It’s not something you’d normally think of as a fly fishing gift, but it can quietly improve how you absorb information throughout the season.

You can learn more here.

Books & Inspiration

Some books help you fish more effectively. Others slow things down and remind you why rivers, lakes, and time outside matter in the first place. Together, these titles reflect the full range of why many of us read about fly fishing at all—to learn, to reflect, and to stay connected to the water year-round.

River Songs: Moments of Wild Wonder in Fly Fishing — Steve Duda

This one hit especially close to home. Steve Duda was our guest speaker in April 2025, and during that meeting he read from River Songs. If you were in the room, you could feel immediately why this book has struck such a chord with readers.

River Songs reads like a travel log through eastern Washington and beyond, but it’s really about paying attention—to rivers, landscapes, wildlife, and the quiet moments that pull you back outside. Duda’s writing is observant and generous, delivered in prose that often edges right up to poetry without ever feeling forced or precious.

Since its release, the book has picked up some well-earned recognition, including a Silver Award in Nature from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, along with finalist honors from the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and the Banff Mountain Book Competition. That kind of reception mirrors what many of us felt just hearing it read aloud.

This isn’t a how-to book, and it doesn’t tell you where to fish or what fly to tie. Instead, it quietly reminds you why getting outside matters in the first place—and why rivers have a way of shaping how we think, move, and pay attention. For many of us, it also sparked that familiar feeling of wanting to load the car and head east.

The Orvis Guide to Stillwater Trout Fishing — Phil Rowley

If there were ever a true manual for fly fishing lakes—any lake—this would be it. That’s why this book landed so high on our list. Phil Rowley is a longtime club favorite, and he’s been our guest speaker several times, most recently in October 2025. Many of the ideas he’s shared with us over the years—and at the Fly Tying Show earlier that year—are laid out clearly and thoroughly here.

What sets this book apart is how methodical and complete it is. Rowley breaks stillwater fishing into understandable pieces: how lakes are structured, how trout move through them seasonally, how food sources behave at different depths, and how lines, flies, and retrieves fit together as a system. Nothing feels isolated. Each chapter builds on the last, so by the time you’re deep into the book, you’re not just learning techniques—you’re learning how to make decisions.

Members consistently pointed to the visual clarity as a major strength. Diagrams, photos, and step-by-step explanations help translate abstract ideas—like depth control, retrieve speed, or insect movement—into things you can actually picture and apply on the water. It’s especially helpful for anglers transitioning from rivers to lakes, where fewer visual cues can make things feel opaque.

Several of us described the experience the same way: it feels like having Phil in the boat, calmly explaining what’s happening beneath the surface and why a small adjustment might matter. That teaching style—patient, systematic, and grounded in observation—is what makes the book so effective.

Rather than offering shortcuts, this book builds confidence. You finish it with a clearer sense of what to try next when a lake isn’t giving anything up easily—and, just as importantly, why.

Morris & Chan on Fly Fishing Trout Lakes — Skip Morris & Brian Chan

This was the second of two lake-focused books that rose to the top of our reading list this year, largely because it addresses something many of us have experienced: lakes can feel harder to figure out than rivers, and good stillwater guidance isn’t always easy to come by.

Skip Morris and Brian Chan bring a complementary approach that works well for lake anglers. The book doesn’t assume you already have it dialed. Instead, it walks through how to read stillwater, understand depth and structure, match insect activity, and choose lines and presentations that actually make sense on lakes—whether you’re fishing from shore, a float tube, or a boat.

What stood out to members was how clearly the information is presented. This isn’t a book you read once and shelve. It’s the kind you come back to before a trip, flip through after a slow day, or use to sanity-check your approach when things aren’t clicking. The illustrations and photos help connect concepts to what you’re seeing on the water, which makes it especially useful if you’re newer to lakes or trying to expand beyond a few familiar patterns.

Several of us appreciated that the book focuses less on secrets and more on building understanding—why trout are where they are, how they move through a lake, and how your tactics should change with conditions and seasons. That foundation is what makes it so valuable year after year.

One practical note: this title can be a little trickier to track down. Our advice is to check your local fly shop first, or visit the authors’ websites. It’s well worth having on hand when stillwater season comes back around.

River Fly-Fishing: The Complete Guide — Peter Lapsley

This is one of those books that shows up again and again on “best of” lists for river fly fishing—and after spending time with it, it’s easy to see why. It earned a spot on our list because it does something rare: it’s thorough without being overwhelming, and genuinely useful whether you’re still learning rivers or have been fishing them for years.

Peter Lapsley walks through river fly fishing from the ground up, covering how rivers work, how trout relate to current and structure, and how different techniques fit different conditions. What stood out to members was how clearly it’s written. The book feels like someone taking the time to explain why things work, not just telling you what to do.

Although it’s written with U.K. waters in mind, the lessons translate extremely well to our home waters in the Pacific Northwest. Similar climates, similar seasonal rhythms, and similar challenges mean the techniques and ways of thinking carry over with little adjustment. Reading water, understanding fish behavior, and adapting to changing conditions are universal skills—and this book does a good job of building them.

Like a few of the other titles on this list, this one isn’t always easy to find. Used copies are fairly common in the U.S., and new copies can usually be ordered through Blackwell’s in the U.K. Our advice from the table was simple: if you come across a copy, grab it. It’s the kind of book you’ll come back to more than once.

Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying — Charlie Craven

This one earned an almost universal nod around the table. Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying feels like having a video tutorial slowed down and laid out frame by frame—only instead of rewinding a screen, everything you need is right there in front of you at the vise.

The photography and illustrations are a big part of what makes this book work. Each step is clearly shown and explained, starting with simpler patterns and core techniques before progressing into more involved flies. That progression mirrors how good tying instruction actually happens, including the way we structure our own winter beginner fly-tying class.

Charlie Craven’s reputation as a tier needs little introduction, and this book reflects that experience. The instructions are precise without being overwhelming, and the fly selection focuses on patterns many of us actually fish. Full recipes, clean technique, and attention to proportion make it easy to build good habits early—or refine them if you’ve been tying for years.

This title also comes with a strong local endorsement. Our class instructor, John Wendt, recently gave it his personal seal of approval, which says a lot given how much time he spends helping new tiers get comfortable at the bench.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been tying flies for decades, this is the kind of book that earns a permanent, easy-to-grab spot above the vise—equal parts instruction manual and inspiration.

The Intangibles

A few of the most meaningful ideas shared around the table weren’t pieces of gear at all. They were reminders that effort, attention, and time often matter more than anything clipped to a vest or packed into a bag.

Hand-tied flies came up again and again. Many members talked about gifting a small box of flies they tied themselves—sometimes built around a specific future trip, sometimes just a thoughtful mix to round out a box. There’s something different about opening a fly box knowing someone sat at a vise and tied each pattern with you in mind. Even if the flies eventually get chewed up or lost (as they should), the gesture tends to stick around a lot longer.

The other intangible was time.

Not time in the abstract sense, but the simple act of showing up: setting aside a day to fish with a partner, a family member, or a friend. No multitasking, no rushing, no checking the clock every half hour. Just being present for whatever the day turns into—good fishing, slow fishing, long walks, easy conversations, or sometimes all of the above.

Around the table, this one landed quietly but firmly. Gear wears out. Flies get replaced. But time on the water together—especially when schedules are full and seasons move fast—is often what people end up remembering most.

Looking ahead…

However you celebrate this time of year, we wish you a peaceful, festive season—one spent less on racing around for hard-to-find items and more on the things that tend to matter most: time with friends and family, shared meals and stories, and a little space to slow down before the next season begins.

If this list struck a chord, it reflects just one of the conversations that happen at Friday Follies each year. The gift ideas discussion comes up once in December, but every month brings a different fly-fishing topic—driven by real experiences, practical questions, and the collective knowledge of the anglers who show up to share what they’ve learned.

You can find upcoming Friday Follies and other club gatherings on our calendar. Join us around the table on the first Friday of every month for a new topic!