14 Fishing Gifts for the Angler in Your Life

Loon Outdoors Iconic Kit

Loon takes a unique approach to fishing tools, and the Iconic Kit combines two of their best-selling tools in one slick package. The Rogue Quickdraw Forceps are a fan favorite, thanks to an integrated easy-on easy-off carabiner, oversized holes for gloved fingers, and the ability to nip as well as remove hooks.

The Nip n Sip 2.0 is also included. And this clever nipper can open beers, cut through line, and clear the eye of flies. It swings over your favorite angler’s neck with an included lanyard. What’s not to love about this dynamic duo?

Fishpond Tacky Day Pack Two-Sided Fly Box

An affordable gift for the unorganized fly fisher, Fishpond’s Tacky Fly Boxes are beloved by many. This particular case holds up to 100 flies, keeping each pristine and well-ordered.

The flies do not come with this box. But, if perhaps you’d like to add some, these Basic Trout Flies and Streamer Assortment Pack from Rio Products could make a nice addition to the gift.

Patagonia Tough Puff Pants

Designed for under-wader comfort, Patagonia’s new Tough Puff Pants are a perpetually cold human’s dream come to life. Plus, 60 g of stretch insulation will keep anglers toasty in cold conditions without compromising mobility like bulky layers of yore.

Although designed for fishing, these pants transcend average baselayers and offer up a new kind of warmth for a variety of winter sports. If your favorite fishy fan also hits the slopes, hikes in the snow, or simply likes to stay as warm as possible, this fishing-friendly gift will warm more than their heart.

BUBBA 7" Tapered Flex Folding Knife

New from BUBBA, this folding knife is an all-star addition to your favorite angler’s kit. If they’re the type to bring home a cooler full of fish, you’ll make their lives easier and safer via a folding fillet blade and a nonslip handle.

BUBBA is known for making gear that beats back erosion from salt and stands the test of time. This particular knife is part of its iconic fillet line, and it adds a new level of packability and on-the-go ease for hardcore anglers on a mission to fill the freezer.

Orvis Recon Fly Fishing Rod and Mirage LT Reel

Orvis designed the Recon for accurate casting, better control, and a soft presentation. One GearJunkie staffer used the three-weight rod, measuring 8 feet 4 inches, for dry fly fishing last season on small creeks and streams around the country. He said, “I noticed a difference in feel on my first cast and it only got better from there. I love fishing with it.”

If the angler on your list (or you) is looking to upgrade to a more premium-feeling rod for dry fly fishing, be sure to check out the Recon. For an excellent reel pairing, consider the Recon outfit, which includes the Hydros I reel, or check out the Mirage LT I or II.

Orvis Fly-Tying Kit

One GearJunkie editor tied her first flies thanks to this thorough and well-thought-out kit from the fine folks at Orvis. You can tie a total of 160 flies with the materials included. And once you’ve gone through those, your functional setup remains dialed.

This is a gift option for a young or beginning fly fisher to stay busy and focused throughout the long winter, while producing something that will last them all year long.

There’s simply nothing like catching a fish on a fly you’ve tied. And if you’re an angler as well, perhaps your loved one will share this educational gift by filling your fly box for years to come as well. Win-win.

Filson Ripstop Nylon Rod Tube

This rod tube is made for epic, rugged adventures, but it’ll also work for a Sunday afternoon on the water. This padded tube holds up to six 9-foot, four-piece rods. We used this classy-looking case on fishing trips this summer and fall.

The Cordura fabric, plastic tube, and padding all do their job well. Plus, it’s a beautiful piece of gear that somehow makes a routine fishing trip feel a little more special.

Midland Walkie-Talkies

If you or the angler on your list fishes in an area without cell service, consider getting a walkie-talkie. Two GearJunkie staff used Midland walkie-talkies while fly fishing this summer and it was a game-changer.

“We used them to chat when the water was rushing and it was too loud to yell across the river,” they said. “We also used them to keep track of each other when we split up on the river. Best of all, we could give updates to our wives who were back at the campsite. It turned out to be the ‘fishing gear’ we didn’t know we needed.”

Old Town Fishing Kayaks and Canoes

If you’re looking to bust out the real deal guns, you cannot go wrong with this big and impressive gift from Old Town Canoe. The Sportsman Autopilot 120 won ICAST Best in Show with its wildly accurate and nimble Minn Kota Spot-Lock technology. Read our full review here.

However, if your loved angler would rather self-propel, the Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 knocks down the price tag. While it isn’t motorized, it provides similar storage space, comfort, and rod set-up for fishy days on the water.

Or if you want to go even more pared-down, the Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman Canoe is the most easily transported and lightweight option for getting onto the water both quickly and quietly.

'Feasting, Fishing, and Living in Alaska: A Cookbook With Fifty Recipes' 

Fishing might often be connected to Dad, but when kids get involved, their passion can also take on a life of its own. So it is with Alaska’s Salmon Sisters, a sibling duo that has made sustainable commercial fishing their livelihood.

Their stories and recipes will inspire fish-loving adults and kids alike, no matter their gender. And this beautiful book is a fabulous, productive, and attractive addition to the bookshelf.

Redington Butterstick Fly Fishing Rod

Built with T-Glass construction on Redington’s Heritage Taper, the Butterstick oozes style. We used this rod-chasing trout in Wyoming and Wisconsin this year and loved every minute of it. This three-piece, slow-action rod allows for delicate presentation of your fly, even in tight spaces. And it comes with a lifetime warranty, just in case.

Simms G3Z (Women's) & G4Z (Men's) Waders

If you have some budget to drop on your favorite angler, a pair of flagship Simms waders under the tree will absolutely not disappoint.

For women, the G3Z is a phenomenal wader that withstands all sorts of environments, while providing a fitted and athletic silhouette that doesn’t get in her way in the field. I wear my G3Zs all day long and have yet to feel uncomfortable or constricted in them.

The G4Z Wader for men is easily the best wader on the market today. But at $850, they’re an investment. A proprietary fabric from Simms adds an unparalleled level of both mobility and durability, while easily accessible zippers on both sets of waders add ease to days on the water.

Simms G3 Guide Wading Boots

These wading boots are made for every fishing adventure. One GearJunkie editor used these boots exclusively through the summer and fall fishing season.

He said, “These boots are solid. For me, fly fishing means a lot of time on my feet and I want a boot that is comfortable and doesn’t cause fatigue. I’m always hiking up and down steep river banks and crossing the river so I need stability and support. I do a lot of bushwhacking so my boots need to be durable. The G3 Guide boot checks all those boxes and, to me, is worth the investment.”

Orvis Pro Insulated Jacket

Part of the Orvis PRO line of fishing apparel, the Insulated Jacket is the right gift for the early- and late-season angler. We’ve been testing this jacket for over a year and it’s become a staple. It has an athletic fit and is body-mapped for temperature control and mobility.

This is Orvis’ “most technologically advanced outerwear” yet. The jacket features a unique coating to improve wind and weather resistance, making it a great piece for an outer layer or midlayer for cold days on the water.