Christmas is upon us once again, and for those of use that fly fish, we all know the experience of opening another gift that contains a tie with a fly fishing motif on it. Of course, it is a nice tie, and the gift giver certainly put some thought into picking out our present (who would purchase a fly fishing tie for an avid bowler?).
The problem with the tie is that I already have several of them and they simply are not practical anymore as gifts. Of course, there are always the books that quite often are given to the fly angler, but again, most of them are probably purchased with the perception that if it is fishing related, it is bound to be enjoyed by the fly fisher. Stocks of on-sale copies of Izaac Walton's The Compleat Angler and unsold A River Runs Through It seem to be ubiquitous on the display fronts of major book stores.
Probably most of the items on my wish list have a value beyond what most of my friends would think I am worth. I doubt that I will be opening up any gifts that will really get my heart pumping with excitement as far as my fly fishing activities. But, for those that really want to know what I want, here is my own wish list:
Although I already have a split cane rod, its origin is not really known. It has become something of a family heirloom just because bamboo rods, regardless of their quality, tend to do that. There is something special about holding a rod that you know an ancestor used a century ago on some river in Northern Ireland and Scotland and caught true wild salmon. However, I would love to have my own split cane rod that will become a family heirloom to my great grandchildren. I would love it if one of my friends contacted Wayne Cattanach and placed their order for one of his fine rods. I know Cattanach is a man of passion, and a rod built by him would have character and quality inherent to it. If you think you could consider this for me, visit the Wayne Cattanach Rod Makers site.
I have to admit to Mr. Cattanach (I hope he will not look at me with disdain if I ever meet him) that I do also enjoy what bamboo craftsmen term, plastic rods. Not really plastic of course, but modern graphite rods do come in handy. I already have a great selection of fly rods, from a variety of manufacturers. Most of them I made myself when I had my own rod building business. One rod that I never did build but always wanted to was on a blank from Talon. I really like their Cairnton® series, and an 8' 4 wt. for the small speckle trout streams I enjoy would be very much appreciated. This rod is actually among the Cairnton® Light series.
Experiencing the fish of waters far from my home is another goal of mine. Thinking of places like Patagonia or Iceland can have my fishing adrenaline reach an overload state and as my eyes glaze over, those around me wonder what is happening to me. My friends who have known me for a while realize the problem and merely dangle a well tied salmon fly in front of my face to bring me back from this state. I am sure they must tire of this excercise and I can suggest a cure for it. An envelope containing an airline ticket and reservations made with the Angling Club Lax-Á would be perfect.
If Iceland is not available, how about considering renting a castle for me? The Blackwater Lodge provides this opportunity close by some of the best Atlantic Salmon fishing in Ireland on the Cork Blackwater in Co. Waterford. Now that would be a trip!
Of course, with this travelling I would do, I think a good 4 piece rod would certainly come in handy. I would take along my Cattanach and Talon rods, but if it was under the tree, I would not forget the 4 piece 9' 6 wt. made by Duffields Fly Rods. When travelling, you never know when you a quality travel rod would come in handy.
I like to collect angling art. To add to my eclectic mixture of home made brass reels, antique tackle boxes and wooden rods, a framed assemblage including a Green Highlander, a Lady Amherst, and a Jock Scott would be gazed at quite often. This gift might indeed have therapeutic benefits in lessening the occurrences of my eyes glazing over when thoughts of Iceland come into my head. They would also be easily obtainable from fly tyer Maxwell MacPherson of MaxFlies.
One of my other favorite past times is leafing through the pages of Fishing Atlantic Salmon: The Flies And Patterns, by Joseph Bates. Another book I recently reviewed that keeps my attention with the beautiful photography of Grant McClintock is Watermark. I would love to add McClintock's Flywater to my library. A Master's Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod by Everett Garrison would also be a welcome addition.
I have to admit (probably to the horror of you "fly only" religious preachers) that I also enjoy other types of fishing. If none of the above can be placed under my tree, then how about an Osprey Float Reel from D & M Rods? I don't need gold anodizing. Speaking of D & M, they have a great selection of cedar lures or Musky baits, that I am not sure I would really want to use but rather keep for their classic look, even if they do entice Musky!
Ah, my list could go on and on, but you would think me a covetous person. Even a subscription to one or several of these Fly Fishing publications would be an appreciated gift. Please - no more ties or Izaac Walton, unless of course its a first edition!
Whatever I receive this Christmas, my greatest wish would be for peace and harmony. Even between the Bamboo Craftsmen and Graphite Rod Builders. I would like to also wish you all the best for this season and the coming year. I appreciate the support I have received from many of you as we build the best fly fishing site on the Internet and look forward to the coming year. Whatever 1999 holds, perhaps a good goal for us fly anglers is to spend New Years 2000 on a river somewhere, far away from the buzz brought about by this thing called Y2K, knowing the millenium will still find fish willing to take a fly regardless of what our computers want to do.
Season's Greetings.
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