Gifts for Outdoor-minded people, Part 3
This is the third of a four-part series about buying gifts for outdoor-minded people.
Christmas is a week and three days from today. Now we continue the tradition of suggesting gifts for outdoor-minded people.
Fly tying
This columnist was a die-hard fly angler when this column started 25 years ago. Fly fishing techniques were discussed, along with how to tie the different fly patterns.
Angling equaled fly fishing for me in the beginning, but a reader helped this columnist see the light.
“There is more to fishing than fly fishing,” the reader said.
My head was so buried in using flies, the other types of fishing were not visible. This column is dedicated to any and all outdoor adventures, including all types of fishing, using bait, spinner, spoon and all types of other lures.
Reader suggestions are valuable as witnessed by this reader’s idea. Today my angling exploits are not limited, but open to the old standby-methods, plus any new techniques to be invented.
However, there is still a special place in my heart for using a fly to catch a fish. Why? The reason seems to be what it takes to make a fishing fly.
The beginning is a bare hook. Of course, there are many, many types and sizes of hooks. Take for example a hook used to tie a dry fly, such as a mosquito pattern. This fly is designed to float on top of the water and is supposed to resemble an adult mosquito. There are several types of dry-fly hooks and each type are available in several sizes, such as 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. The size 8 is the largest of this group and the size 22 is the smallest.
The hook, no matter the size, is placed in a fly-tying vise. A thread is attached to the hook and various materials are added, using the tread to secure the material.
The body of a mosquito is usually two moose hairs, one black and one white. Yes, the items used to tie flies is an assorted lot. These include deer, elk, moose hair; pheasant tail and rump feathers; duck, chicken and goose feathers; rabbit and other animal fur; just plain yarn of various colors. These are the run-of-the-mill items.
Last week we discussed reloading rifle cartridges. So how does this fit in with tying flies? The entire world of hunting and tying flies fits neatly together.
Scenario: A hunter reloads a .30-06 cartridge. She shoots a deer using the cartridge. The deer hair from the animal is used to tie a fishing fly. The fishing fly is used to catch a limit of trout at Park Lake.
The hunter uses the reloaded rifle and shotgun shells to bag the animals and birds to provide materials to tie fishing flies.
A fly fisherman may have several sizes of the same fly in her fly box. Indeed, open a fly box and you may see 100 or more flies. This angler may have five or six fly boxes in her fly vest.
There are videos online to show the various fly tying techniques, but there is another way to learn to both tie flies and learn to become a fly fisherman. Visit with members of the Dryside Fly Fishers, the local fly fishing club. All members of the club are eager to visit with prospective members, but beating the loudest drum is member Tera Redwine. Contact her at 509-669-0054.
Christmas gifts for the fly angler include hooks, fur, feathers, hair, fly fishing rods and reels, fly line, tying thread, yarn or a membership in the Dryside Fly Fishers.
Bait and lure fishing gifts
Gifts for the bait and lure anglers include any of hundreds of lures. Take a walk down the fishing aisle of your favorite sporting goods store and the variety of lures will amaze you. Use a few of these as stocking stuffers.
Other items include rods and reels, new fishing line, a net, fishing vest or, gulp, a boat.
Making lures and rods
There are anglers who enjoy making their own lures and their own rods. If an angler on your list indicates an inclination to making lures, there are kits available.
Some people become quite creative when making lures. One Moses Lake angler makes walleye lures out of kitchen spoon handles and it is a fish magnet.
Anglers of all ages
The advantage of fishing as opposed to hunting is a matter of age. Fishing is available to younger people. We have many anglers below the age of 5, while beginning hunters need to develop required skills simply by being a bit older.
On the other side, elderly anglers are many, while elderly hunters slow down a bit as they age.
Next week: Last minute gifts for Outdoor-minded people, Part 4