Gifts that make great catches

Sunset, Dec, 1993 by Michael MacCaskey

Casting about for ideas? Here are presents to please any fly-fisher

SPURRED PERHAPS BY the success of A River Runs Through It, fly-fishing has hooked the popular imagination. If someone on your holiday list has expressed interest in giving the sport a try, a gift of fly-fishing equipment might be just the thing to get him or her going.

The problem is that, as with many esoteric hobbies, there's a bewildering array of paraphernalia to choose from. To help you out, we've selected some equipment that would make any fledgling or even veteran angler happy.

In addition to what's shown above, there are more than 100 how-to videotapes about fly-fishing, many of which are surprisingly good. Some focus on technique, others on specific fish, fishing destinations, or fly-tying. The Doug Swisher videos on basic and advanced fly-casting techniques are quite informative. For fly-tying, the Poul Jorgensen videos are excellent.

Hundreds of fly-fishing books--from simple handbooks to coffee-table beauties--are also available. The cartoon-style Curtis Creek Manifesto (Frank Amato Publications, Portland, Ore., 1976; $6.95) is a classic introduction to fly-fishing.

The most complete catalog is from Bob Marriott's Fly-fishing Store, 2700 W. Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton, Calif. 92633; (800) 535-6633. The hefty 220-page book ($3) lists the store's inventory, including gifts, books, videos, and fly-fishing trips.

Also, consider a gift membership in the Federation of Flyfishers, Box 1595, Bozeman, Mont. 59771; (406) 585-7592. A one-year membership costs $25. Benefits include a quarterly magazine, The Fly-fisher, and connection to a participating local club.