The Ultimate Fishing Wish List

Fishing-Wish-list-LumberJac

Fishing may be the last thing you’re thinking about, especially if you have a foot of snow to shovel every morning. Whether you’re trudging through the cold or relaxing in the sun, this is the perfect time of the year to stock up on some of the best gear available. We’ve put together a list of some of our all time fave fishing gear to help kick start your holiday wish list.

Patagonia Waterproof Stormfront Pack
Forge to the deep pools with the Patagonia Waterproof Stormfront Pack. Your gear and goods are guaranteed to stay dry with this ultra-minimal 25L backpack. I can’t recall how long we’ve been looking for a waterproof fishing pack that doesn’t look like it is some ancient hand-me-down. The Stormfront is made with 100% waterproof fully-welded 800-denier, PU exterior, 100% waterproof slow-rolling TIZIP zipper, and a single-side TPU-coated nylon interior. The pack features a 3D spacer mesh pad to keep your back circulated with air, two rode tube holders, and 6 lash points for additional accessories or move the rode tubes to a preferred side. The shoulder stapes also include a couple straps to clip to an optional convertible fishing vest.

Available through backcountry.com or directly through Patagonia

Streamer Flies Roll
Keep your Streamer Flies in mint condition with the Fishpond Sushi Roll. Due to their size, large streamer flies are often orphaned or crammed in some tiny space leaving them flattened and crushed. If it doesn’t look like a bug to you, there’s no way you’ll convince a trout with some half smashed fly. The Fishpond Sushi Roll gives your streamers and saltwater flies plenty of space to rest, and the built in foam spacers prevent the flies from being crushed. The roll design and equal spacing between the foam protectors allow for the necessary air flow to evenly dry the flies. The exterior is made with an ultra tough fabric, secured with velcro straps, while the foam inner lining provides the perfect backdrop to secure your flies.

Available through Amazon.

Buck Splizzors Multi-Tool
Meet the newest member to the Buck family, the fishing multi-tool Splizzor. The Splizzor is a combination of long needle nose pliers, sheer scissors, and a crimper. It’s one thing to have your pliers ready at a moment’s notice, but fumbling around for a knife or scissors is usually the case when you’re waist deep in a river. Seems like an obvious combination most often found with standard multi-tools, but few have crossed over to create a specialized fishing tool. You can also forget about frayed lines, as the replaceable microserration pattern scissor blades cut through braided line like butter. These Splizzors are made in the USA, and you can expect the same level of quality you get from Buck’s 100-year track record and backed by a long standing 4-Ever Warranty.

Get yours here.

Ronny Fisher Fishing PFD
Work hard and play even harder with the Ronny Fisher Fishing PFD. We often fish from the shore with waders, which leaves us with limited choices. The Astral Ronny Fisher Fishing PFD allows you to expand your horizons to land that prize trophy catch. The boys at Astral (well known for their whitewater gear), have taken it upon themselves (with the aid of North Carolina Kayak Fishing Association), to develop a functional fishing PFD. Together they have incorporated innovative details such as ThinVent, a thin foam used throughout the back, which is perfect for high-back kayak seats. Another awesome design detail is the range of motion, because we all know there is nothing worse than have a restrictive and tight vest. Finally, and one our favorite deets’ is the inclusion of multiple loops and pockets perfect for all your gear like a hemostatpocket knife, fishing license, tackle box, and your all important iPhone case. As a safety measure they’ve added a stow-able rain hood to keep your head drier as well as a high visible marker, when an unexpected storm rolls in. Made out of 500d Cordura and strategically placed 105d Ballistic fabric, make this one light weight but tough fishing PFD.

Make sure you stay afloat this summer and pick yourself one up at REI.com.

Patagonia Foot Tractor Wading Boots
Never lose traction again with the new Foot Tractor Wading Boot by Patagonia. Whether you’re fly-fishing or cast fishing, there is something about wading through a river and throwing out that perfect cast that gets all of us. Amongst the serenity there’s a little annoying fact that no matter how graceful you think you are, the rocks, algae, and wood always bring you back to earth. Albeit brief, it can be a little annoying slipping and sliding, especially since if you were to fall, the river tends to win. The folks at Patagonia and their new Foot Tractor Wading Boot have stepped up their game with award winning, patent-pending aluminum bars. These wading boots are a step above the norm, and a design that at least looks like a wading boot. The Bars employ a more aggressive shape that will easily cut through some of the toughest conditions. When trudging on the trails, it won’t accumulate mud like its knobby counter parts, this is another plus. On top of their fantastic minimal design, they are made from fast-drying synthetic leather plus Venerfy monofilament mesh panels.

Stay sure footed this summer and pick up a pair at Backcountry.com or Patagonia’s online store.

Epic Ready to Wrap Rod Kit
Can custom get any better than the Epic Ready to Wrap Rod Kit? As you’re probably aware, we totally dig custom pieces. We were first introduced to Epic (made in New Zealand by Swift), when we found a custom rod by Tightloop Fly Rods that impressed us so much it made it into LumberJac’s 2013 Favorites. When we heard that Swift had launched a custom do-it-yourself kit, we dropped everything to check it out. A custom rod is one thing, but to have the ability to be totally involved in the build is another. The Kit includes everything you need to custom make your rod starting with 4 different weight FastGlass blanks in your choice of 5 different colors, 3 different handcrafted Portuguese cork grips, black or titanium finished real seats, and an optional premium cork fighting butt. With so many options (and a Fiberglass rod tube), the Ready to Wrap Rod Kit was designed to fit together seamlessly. Are you up for a build, or will you let the masters build it for you?

Pick your kit up at Swift’s online store.

Duluth Pack Soft Sided Fishing Tackle Box
The Duluth Pack Soft Sided Fishing Tackle Box is guaranteed to do its part in catching the big one. After years of fishing with clunky fishing boxes, we’ve found they lack the quality and functionality as time goes by. Our rods usually get all the care and attention (which they should when they can cost the same as my first car), but don’t you think it’s time your tackle deserves some love? Yes, they don’t cost as much and are usually thrown in the back of the truck without thinking twice, but without the lures there would be no fish. Duluth Pack, one of the oldest bag making companies in the USA, have designed the soft-sided tackle box to last many years of abuse. Handcrafted in Duluth MN. USA, they built this functional bag using rugged 18-ounce canvas, a durable cotton webbing handle and leather details. To top it off, the bags are guaranteed for life.

Available in fifteen different colors of canvas, order yours at Duluth Pack’s online store or at Amazon.com.

Olight S10 L2 Flashlight
The Olight is a 400 Lumes CREE LED flashlight with two EdisonBright Lithium Batteries.
Get em here

Panther Martin Lures
Your trophy catch is waiting with the Panther Martin Lures. We’ve been loyal Mepps fans for years, and more recently tried our luck with a collection of Panther Martins. We were a little resistant at first, but their spinner pattern and color selection is just as wide as Mepps, and the quality will withstand the largest trout that crosses your path. As far as catching fish, lady luck is definitely on your side with the Panther Martins, unless you’re like us and lose more lures than catch fish. Load up on their trusted original collection, or try out their new UV Spinners.

Get em directly from the Panther Martin online store or through Amazon.

Watershed Tote Bag
Bring your gear everywhere with the Watershed Tote Bag. Talk about the perfect bag for your fishing gear! 100% waterproof, the Watershed Tote bag utilizes a patented ZipDry closure that stays closed up to 300′ (that’s damn deep)! Each bag is constructed from Polyurethane Coated Nylon with welded seams that are guaranteed not to crack, fade, or lose flexibility. So even if you’re out ice fishing, there is no need to worry. Available in multiply colors, this bag offers maximum utility that will hold up to any adventure, and won’t sink under pressure.

Get em here.

Gerber Black Diesel Multi-plier
When you only have time to grab one tool, it better be the Gerber Black Diesel Multi-Plier – Military issue. The Diesel isn’t flimsy like most typical multi-tools, this bad-boy is industrial strength and built for any task. What you gain in strength you also gain in size and weight, but it’s well worth it considering you’ll be carrying a tool that won’t let you down. This multi-tool features a one-handed opening, fully locking blades, and lifetime limited warranty. When you unfold this beast you’ll discover needle nose pliers, wire cutter, partially serrated blade, set of screwdrivers, can & bottle opener, file, saw, and a pair of scissors.

Pack one of the best and get em here.

Peetz Fly Fishing Wooden Reel
The art of fishing has been taken to a whole new level with the all new 3″ Peetz Fly Fishing Wooden Reel. As the saying goes, the classics never get old, and there is no better example than the Peetz reel collection. Peetz has been in the fly fishing business for 80 plus years, and that’s one hell of a long time, and it shows with their latest creation. The 3″ Fly Fishing Wooden Reel is one elegant piece of machinery that performs like no other steel/aluminum reel out there. It’s because of the classic use of solid mahogany wood (one of our best friends), brass construction, and the infamous Peetz clicker that makes it incredibly comfortable to use. Made in British Columbia, Canada, Peetz is one of the oldest makers of reels, which is an amazing feat in and of itself. Peetz prides itself on making reels of exceptional heirloom quality that would make me proud to hand it down to generations to come.

Order yours today at Peetz’s online store.