T.F.M. Holiday Gift Guide - Part 2

It's only 22 days until Christmas and you might be scratching your head on what to ask for, what to buy, and what to surprise someone with.  Listed below are the big ticket items costing $100 and up that I like and either have or wish that I could have someday.  I've got a wish list too (hint, hint).

Some of these are items need a BIG bow and tree to put them under for Christmas morning.

FLY GEAR
Costa Sunglasses - I've been wearing a pair of Costa Zane 580's for almost a year now and they are by far the most impressive pair of sunglasses that I have worn.  The 580 lenses are worth the cost but if that's still to much bank or glass is just to heavy to wear all day then look at the new 580P lenses which are polycarbonate, way lighter, and still give you a great advantage on the water.
 
Fiberglass Fly Rod - The focus of T.F.M. from the start was to highlight the growing number of excellent custom builders and companies that build glass fly rods.  Two years later the links listed under the "T.F.M. Approved Rod Shops" has easily doubled if not tripled.  These builders and companies have offerings that cover the all the price points from $30 to over $1,000 per fly rod and build on blanks they've designed or sourced from other talented blank makers as well.  A custom or factory fiberglass fly rod is certainly something special to consider for a gift.

Fishpond Tundra Tech Pack - There is a T.F.M. review coming on this pack but if you're looking for a large capacity backpack that is loaded with features then give the Tundra Tech Pack a look.  It's a sharp and complete package for $239.00 with backpack and chest pack together. 

JP Ross Fly Rods & Co. - My interest is certainly perked with the Reuben Wood fiberglass rod offered by JP Ross since a short five weight can get a lot of work done on the water.  For the holidays JP Ross is discounting all Reuben Wood orders 25% OFF between now and December 10th for those that use the code "GLASSISNOTDEAD" when placing your online order.  JP Ross will have these orders to you by Christmas.

Leather Fly Wallets - I've known Marc Crapo for a couple years now and find the work that he does with leather to be inspired.  He's again offering his holiday discount of 25% OFF custom leather fly wallet orders and a really great time to pick yourself or someone else up a one of a kind place to keep their "meat", nymphs, and salmon flies.

Phoenix Classics - I've yet to use a silk fly line but have always been interested in it and on the "To Do" list for 2011.  Phoenix Classics offers both Tapered and Parallel silk fly lines to cover different types of water fished by anglers.  They also produce braided and furled leaders as well.
   
South Fork Rod Company - David and Margot Redington have been great friends of T.F.M. from the start and are again offering 25% OFF on all fly rod series through December 10th when you mention the T.F.M. discount.  S.F.R.C. has two lines of fiberglass with the Classic Series and the South Fork Glass Series.  The South Fork Glass Series fly rods are a tad faster than the Classic Series and I especially like the seven foot two weight and the eight foot five weight.  I've got my eye on the seven foot 4/5 weight too since that is just a great length/line weight for the streams that I fish up in North Carolina. 
 
The Spey Company - After being somewhat quiet on the online front for months The Spey Company is back with upgraded various spey reel offerings and the long awaited Single Spey trout reels are available for order as well.  I want a couple of these fly reels.
 
William Joseph - Didn't I mention in the Part 1 of the Holiday Gift Guide that the William Joseph MAG Series is money?  The highlight of the series is the Conduit Gear Bag.  Yes...a gear bag pushing the three bill mark isn't cheap but this bag is great in the kayak or drift boat with a rubber bottom to keep things dry and the various magnetic closures of all the lid and pocket makes it easy to access everything you need on the water.

Z-Reels - I came across the two series of Z-Reels (Natural and Revolution) earlier this year and soon after picked up a Natural 5 which I really like a lot.  Smooth gearing and a attached leather pad to the frame which can be pushed against the spool to slow a hat fish down.  I hope to fish this reel more in the coming year.  Z-Reels is still listing "Introductory Prices" for U.S. sales and worth taking advantage of. 

KAYAK GEAR
Diablo Paddlesports - The crew at Diablo Paddlesports have a great SUP kayak and I  hope to demo one soon for a T.F.M. review.  Great features makes this worth a look if you're contemplating a fishing kayak that you can stand up in for all types of water.  There are two models in their line up with the Adios and the Chupacabra. 

Versa Board - Looking for a SUP that you can fly fish, paddle, and play on?  Look no further than the LiquidLogic/Native Watercraft Versa Board.  We demoed on this past spring and had such a great time on it that we ended up buying one a month or so later.  Want to keep it "clean" without many accessories then you might got the LiquidLogic route.  Want to fully outfit it for fly fishing then the options from Native Watercraft might fit your needs better.  This is a great multi purpose paddleboard/kayak pure and simple.

Native Watercraft Ultimate - I've owned my 14.5 Tandem Ultimate for about a year and a half and couldn't be happier with it.  It is as comfortable in solo as it is in tandem and we've put it through it's paces on ponds, lakes, rivers, and creeks where it is great to paddle and fish from.  Nothing comes cheap from Native Watercraft but splurge for the rudder kit on the initial purchase since it is great to have and all other accessories after that seem a lot more reasonable to add on.

Well...that's about it for my suggestions.  Let me know what "Santa" brings you for Christmas.