Sunday, December 11, 2016

T.F.M. Holiday Gift Guide - 15 Under $50

For the past few days I've been highlighting great gift ideas in my brain that won't break the piggy bank and came up with fifteen favorites for you to check out.

Hopefully I'll have some time this week to work on a few big ticket items too but these "15 Under $50" are a good start to get your Christmas shopping started.

WALTON'S THUMB
Like most anglers, I have a natural attraction to tools and have been impressed with the Walton's Thumb fisherman's tool.  The Walton's Thumb has ten unique functions with pincer, cutter, crimper, and split shot remover along with folding tools of a knife, screw driver, split ring remover, scissor, hook eye cleaner/knot pick, and lastly, lanyard ring.

This is the tool that does all and you didn't even know you needed it until now. 



ASPEN OUTDOOR COMPANY "SCRIBE" FIELD NOTES COVER
This is a small shop outdoor company that is just getting starting to spread it's wings and the "Scribe" Field Notes Cover is a great idea and these are solidly built.  I ordered one for each of my children before they went to Alaska this past summer and ended up getting one for myself as well.  This is something that will last forever and really is something special.

The new Upcycled Wader Scribe looks to be a great choice as well.


CAPS & SHIRTS & OTHER COOL APPAREL
I mentioned it the other week in "6 Fall Collections You Should Be Wearing Now" but also forgot some friends like 720Fly and Nature Boy Designs.  


FLY TRAP XSM
I will be including the Fly Trap XSM in an upcoming Tailgate Gear Review and it deserves on this list as well since it's an impressive accessory to keep flies and tippet spools close at hand.  Available in several different sizes, lightweight, and well built all make this a must have that whoever you're gifting likely hasn't even seen before.  Essentially they don't know they even need it.  Get one for yourself too.


JP ROSS FLY RODS & CO. ZEN TROUT BURL FLY BOX
JP Ross has found a number of places to tastefully place the Zen Trout artwork and this limited edition burl fly box is beautiful as it functional.


LOON OUTDOORS ROGUE QUICKDRAW FORCEPS
I have been using the new Rogue Quickdraw Forceps for a few months now and these are just downright genius.  Capable tool meets carabiner finger loop.

Need other suggestions?  Check out the Loon Outdoors Holiday Gift Guide.

I am also a fan of the Nip N Sip 2.0 nippers that include a paracord lanyard and can pop the pesky tops of your favorite brew.


ORVIS X TACKY FLY BOXES
What's better than Tacky Fly Boxes?  How about Orvis and Tacky Fly Boxes mating and making a couple good looking babies with the Deluxe Fly Box and Dropper Box.  These both are impressive but the Dropper Box may be my favorite fly box out there right now.


POPS Q TOOL
If you spend anytime at the grill then you, I mean whoever you're gifting, needs a Pops Q Tool.  These are "Made in U.S.A." and are the Swiss army knife of grill tools.  Free engraving and available in two sizes.  I like the 18" but your experience may be different.  What I do know is that you'll not find a better grill tool anywhere.


REP YOUR WATER GIFT GUIDE
Did you know that Rep Your Water has donated over $60,000 to conservation in just five years of being around?  That is just one reason I will always look to support this small shop company that continues to impress.

Need some gift ideas?  Rep Your Water put together a handy Gift Guide to get you started.


SMITH CREEK FLY PATCHES
I just talked about the Smith Creek Middle Fork Fly Patch the other day in a gear review and it's worth bringing up again.  Need more space?  Give the Streamer Patch a look.


GIVE THE GIFT OF #STANLEYNESS
Stanley has you covered from coffee to lunch to a streamside nip.  I've been carrying the Classic Lunch Box to and from work and along with carrying just enough for breakfast and lunch each day, I can also secure Classic Vacuum Mug into the lid which makes it so much easier to get everything to the office each morning. 


THE FLYFISH JOURNAL SUBSCRIPTION
There are fly fishing magazines to read about how-to and places to go but The Flyfish Journal fits in it's own space and it's nothing short of high art in words and imagery.  There are several different subscription choices right now including the latest Howler Brothers corduroy hat that will push the budget a little over the $50 mark.


UMPQUA DREAM STREAM 7-PIECE TYING KIT
The holidays often times mean going from house to house to "celebrate" and I've been known to carry a travel tying kit to knock out a few dozen flies in the corner to avoid awkward family conversations.  The Dream Steam keeps all the tool essentials in one place and are available in black or red anodized finish.


VICTORINOX PIONEER ALOX
For a couple years now I've been looking for a good daily carry pocket knife and picked up a Victorinox Pioneer Alox online.  I carried it for a few months and then lost it.  Ordered another and then found the first one.  Win win.  This is a great knife with just the tools that you need and not all the ones that never get used and make up considerable bulk.  The Alox is slender, solidly built, and perfect size to work with.


VEDAVOO X T.F.M. GEAR
Don't forget to take a look in the T.F.M. Store page as there are quite a few gift ideas there as well.  I have a good stock of Vedavoo gear right now and will toss in some extra T.F.M. decals and a Retro Fly koozie with all orders.


What are your favorite under $50 gifts to give...and get?

2 comments:

jj wassom said...

Cam,

As usual, extremely useful information! Just picked up the last two packs of Field Notes (Expedition pack) from Aspen Outdoor Co. www.aspenoutdoorcompany.com These were last minute Christmas presents for my son and son-in-law.(and myself) Hopefully the weatherproof covers will help them to last and will be something they can keep notes of outdoor adventures with their families or their adventures with me.

Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Cameron Mortenson said...

jj wassom... Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.