With only two weeks until Christmas, we offer traditional and useful gift ideas for the angler on your list.
Fishing rod
If this is the gift you wish to give, my suggestion is state your intentions in a Christmas card. Tell your angler that you wish to accompany them to their favourite shop and let them pick their rod. With the massive selection of rods on the market today letting your angler choose for themselves ensures the right choice will be made. You could slip a gift card in with the Christmas card, but if you want to give this gift a personal touch, go the extra mile.
Long underwear
Many wouldn’t think of this item for a Christmas gift, but trust me, this one will be valued. Anglers are outside in all kinds of weather and hypothermia is often a real threat in early spring and fall. Long johns come in two styles: one-piece, also known as a union suit, and the two-piece. Each angler will have their own preference. Two piece long johns are made by a number of different manufacturers. Having years of personal experience with both styles and all brands, I have found the two piece to be the most comfortable.
Warm socks
This is another item not thought of when it comes to fishing. Many people make a mistake when buying warm socks. You want wool, the higher the wool content in the fabric blend the better. The manufacturers of all the man-made fibers make grandiose claims about
their ability to keep your feet warm, but in the end nothing beats wool, which also works when wet.
Rain gear
Here is an item that has frustrated more outdoorsman than any other part of their gear. Good breathable rain gear will keep your
angler dry and happy when nature throws its worst. Poor quality rain gear leaves one just as wet with it on as not, due to condensation.
Good rain gear may not have your angler singing in the rain, but you can bet they will be smiling.
The report
Fishing on our Lower Mainland lakes is slow. For better success try a slow troll or retrieve, in the northwest sections of your favorite
lake, from mid morning, through mid afternoon with: Coachman, American Coachman, Professor, Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach, Sixpack, Dragonfly Nymph, Halfback, Doc Spratley, Baggy Shrimp, or Zulu.
The Fraser River back waters are fishing slow to fair for cutthroat. For cutthroat try: Eggo, Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Mickey Finn, Stonefly Nymph, or American Coachman.
The Stave River is fair to slow for coho and cutthroat. For coho try: Christmas Tree, Rolled Muddler, olive Wooly Bugger, Bite Me, or Coho Blue.
The Harrison River is fair for coho, and cutthroat.
