Are you looking to get a gift for the fly fishing angler in your life this holiday season? Look no further than the Trouts Fly Fishing Holiday Gift Guide for 2021. This gift guide is a list of the top fly fishing items to give this holiday season broken down by price point with descriptions of each item! If you have any questions on inventory or if your items will make it by Christmas, shoot us an email or live chat, and we will get you squared away! Without further ado, let's dive into the Trouts Fly Fishing Holiday Gift Guide for 2021.
Cover and slider image courtesy of Nathan Lemon on Unsplash
The G. Loomis IMX Pro Series is a formidable and high-performance series of fly rods that doesn't break the bank. Built to the unrelenting specifications of professional fishing guides, the IMX-PRO series is comprised of 15 purpose-driven designs to meet the performance demands of modern freshwater fishing. The G.Loomis IMX Pro fly rods are the perfect fly rod if you are looking to upgrade and test the waters when it comes to "high-end fly rods". Each size and length of the IMX PRO lineup was designed to do an exceptional job, and it shows. The IMX Pro series offers anglers fantastic single had rod options in a price range that make a perfect gift for the angler looking for the ideal trout Spey rod that works well on larger rivers outside of Colorado. A popular option for this fly rod is the IMX Pro Creek Fly Rod. Coming in at a lighter rod weight than the rest in its class, the IMX Pro C is a fantastic summer alpine and creek fly rod that does not break the bank. At its core, the IMX-PRO Creek is a dedicated high-power rod targeted to small water junkies. If you are someone who values a rod that has fast line speed at a short distance while still maintaining its accuracy, this is the rod for you.
In the hand, the new IMX PRO Creek is as airy as a feather, and when paired with the Ross Colorado (2/3wt) reel, the whole setup feels balanced, strong, and ready to make those quick casts to hard-to-reach trout. In my experience, you receive the best performance from the rod when you pair it with Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout 3wt line. This line loads quickly, shoots fast and manages roll casts like a dream. Another option in the IMX Pro Fly Rod series is the Euro Nymphing Rod Style. Downright deadly, modern euro nymphing is a beyond-proven tactic for boosting catch count. For many anglers - especially those in high-traffic fisheries with pressured fish - it's one of the best ways to achieve maximum effectiveness efficiently. True disciplines of this method require specialized tools with innovative actions and components configured to satisfy a set of unique tactical demands.
With a moderate flex pattern and ample power throughout the bottom half of the blank, the IMX-PROe is designed to load quickly for improved casting accuracy without sacrificing the "oomph" behind the hookset. Conduit Core Technology and our GL7 Resin System combine to reduce overall weight, resulting in a lightweight, scary-sensitive blank. A custom half wells "Euro Grip" matte finished reel seat with counter-weighted fighting butt, precise guide spacing to eliminate line sag, and pointer finger "sensitivity zone" on the blank above the grip round out the feature set for this purpose-driven euro nymphing powerhouse.
Ross Animas Fly Reel:
The 2019 Animas takes the time-proven features that made the original Animas a guide favorite and incorporates new machined features that bring it into the modern era of Ross. A fully-redesigned frame and spool are highlights of the new Animas. The spool shows off the cutting-edge manufacturing techniques Ross Reels has developed, delivering a robust and visually stunning design. The Animas also re-joins the family by incorporating an ultra-light canvas phenolic handle which gets tackier when wet. A new trouble-free spool release yields zero-maintenance performance, allowing the Animas to be ready for any fresh or saltwater excursion. The frame is accented by a machined silhouette of the Colorado mountains in Ross Reels’ backyard. Its uniquely ported design and structural profile are eye-catching industry firsts. The two-tone drag knob sports an updated aesthetic with a lower profile and increased grip. An improved composite drag system delivers more power in an established Ross design used and loved by more than 80,000 fly anglers the world over. The Ross Animas comes in two color styles, Matte Black and Platinum, and will fit just about any fly rod you want it to. The Ross Reels Animas is a beautiful reel that allows the new era of fly reels to be born.
Simms G3 Waders:
In 2018 Simms released their G3 Stockingfoot wader, and four years later, the Simms G3 Stockingfoot wader is still the best-selling pair of waders on the market. When it comes to waders, boots, and apparel, there is no question that Simms has set the standard for other companies to follow. Heck, Simms is (at the time of this posting) the only U.S. company and one out of three companies in the world to have the ability to use and license Gore-Tex materials. Over the years, Simms has offered a wide variety of fishing waders and angler-specific gear; however, to this day, the Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot wader might be the most iconic pair of fishing waders of all time. I bet if you were to take a survey down at Deckers, I'd venture out to say that more than 75% of the individuals own a pair of the Simms G3 Guide Wader. It sounds corny, but these waders are like a fine wine that only gets better with age. So naturally, I thought it would be a good idea to do a review of these bad boys and remind you how the Simms G3 Guide Wader changed the game. First, let's get to the aesthetics. Simms made some significant upgrades to their stockingfoot waders back in 2018. Of those, the most significant changes were mainly in breathability, puncture resistance, and weight. Which, by today's standards, are hallmarks of a good or great pair of waders. A new 4-Layer Gore-Tex membrane that is exclusive to Simms. Specifically, their proprietary three-layer GORE-TEX® Pro Shell in upper (to reduce weight) and a 4-layer GORE-TEX® Pro Shell in seat & legs. Patented front & back leg seams deliver articulated fit, improved mobility & increased durability190% More Breathable due to their proprietary GORE-TEX® design.31% More Puncture Resistant due to the added 4-layer construction in the most abused section of waders.30% Lighter 45 oz. (1275.8 g). Top access zippered stretch pocket plus zippered, reach-through micro-fleece lined handwarmer pockets. Attachment zipper for interchangeable flip-out pocket options. Tippet Tender™ pocket with retractor docking station & tippet spool sleeves included. Perfect for center storage, holding all of your valuable items like your cell phone, fishing license, or keys.
Improvements always sound great on paper, so when looking at the specs of the G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders, it's easy to understand why these waders have generated such a buzz throughout the industry for years now. However, how they perform on the water is what matters. That's the limitless test we give everything in the fly fishing world. As I mentioned before, once I got my hands on a pair, it was my goal to put them through the wringer. After spending more hours than id like to admit in these waders, whether I was bushwhacking in attempts to find some Colorado Natives, sitting on a drift boat, standing waist-deep in water hucking streamers all day, or just simply riding in my truck to the next stretch of water, the word "comfort," was my immediate takeaway. On the warmer days, the improved breathability and lighter weight were more than welcome improvements. On the colder days, the G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders handled the elements with ease. The second biggest takeaway for me was the durability of the new 4-Layer Gore-Tex and the extended section of that Gore-Tex on the lower half of the wader. Colorado fisheries are littered with boulders and gravel trails that we all, at some point, fall on, crawl over or slide down. And if you aren't...well, you are not fishing hard enough. While I am not encouraging any of you to go out and fall on every rough patch you can find, the new Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders would be able to if (read: when) you do. In my opinion, having confidence in gear is the most underrated factor in having success on the water. The less you have to worry about while fishing, the better fishing generally is. I hate to be the guy to say it, but it is all about mindset some days. But, back to waders. The 2018 Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Wader delivers as advertised and is a wader that I (and thousands of others) have the utmost confidence in when they hit the water, no matter what the day may throw at them.
Simms G4 Pro Wading Boot:
A couple of years back Simms introduced a new edition to their G4 lineup. In doing so they turned a lot of heads and garnered a lot of interest for those looking for the very best wading boots on the market. When it comes to wading boots these boots meet the highest level of performance needed for industry professionals to perform their job 200+ days a year. The Simms G4 Pro wading boots are built with a low-profile lacing system and guide-quality Vibram soles that allow these wading boots to be used in the harshest conditions. These rugged-and-ready boots are lightweight and responsive which allow dedicated anglers the ability to navigate varied river beds and rocky trails with ease. Even though these boots are designed to withstand the worst elements an angler can imagine they are the perfect combination of durability and are an excellent choice for those looking for a roomy toe box and an ergonomic fit. It truly is the little things when it comes to the overall design of the Simms G4 Pro Wading boots but it's the little things that make all the difference and make this boot the best in it's class. If you are buying these for the angler in your life remember that you should not buy the wading boot that matches your street shoe size. Typically when shopping for wading boots, you will want a full size up from your regular shoe size; this is because you want to ensure ample room for your neoprene stocking foot waders. It does not matter if you find yourself scrambling over boulders tossing Parachute Adams on your favorite freestones or wet wading in your favorite tailwater you will only go as far as your boots will take you, so it is best to have confidence in your gear. Give the gift of confidence this holiday season with the gift of Simms G4 Pro Wading Boot.
Simms Guide Classic Jacket:
New for 2021, the Simms Guide Classic Jacket is built with the power of GORE-TEX, ready for any conditions out on the water, keeping you dry and warm in the worst of weather. Your dependable, wet-weather workhorse, GORE-TEX Guide Classic Jacket, provides relentless rain protection, ample storage for fishing gear and features a timeless waist-length hemline for compatibility with waders and deep wading endeavors. The new Guide Classic Collection is built to perform while keeping true to its everlasting heritage. SIMMS was the first to partner with GORE-TEX for the ultimate in wading comfort. Carrying forward that performance partnership, Guide Classic Stockingfoot is our most accessibly priced GORE-TEX wader. The quick specs:3-point adjustable storm hood with high collar and bonded brim to shed rain
Hook and loop front patch to store drying flies and center back D-ring to attach landing net
Two large chest pockets designed to carry fly boxes and an interior zippered chest pocket for essentials
Two slash hand warmer pockets are placed high behind chest pockets and backed with brush tricot for deep wading warmth
Waist-high hemline secures with stretch drawcord to pair up perfectly with waders