Kaenon Variant

Kaenon Variant Sunglasses ($275)
Glass lenses are heavy, and many non-glass lenses have the optical clarity of a plastic bag. Making the sunglasses choice even more difficult is that fact that many polarized "fishing sunglasses" look like they evolved from a welding mask or safety glasses you use in a lab.

If you are searching for sunglasses that are totally functional on the water, but look great whatever you do, consider the new Kaenon Variant frames with SR-91 lenses. The optical quality of their SR-91 lenses approaches that of glass, yet they are so light you forget you are wearing them. There are three lens shapes, three frame colors (Antique Copper, Antique Silver, and Palladium), three lens tints (copper, yellow, and grey), and five different light transmission levels (LTL) to choose from.

I have yellow lenses with a LTL of 35 which means the lenses pass 65% percent of ambient light. They are specialty lenses to cut the glare yet still allow me to spot fish on cloudy, raining or snowy days, or spot my dry fly in late evening. I've worn them while driving AFTER sunset and can actually see better than without them. Most general pupose fishing lenses should have an LTL of 12 or 28 to block more light throughout bright summer days but if you are buying a gift for someone who already has a pair of regular fishing glasses, these specialty lenses might be perfect. For more information on Kaenon and other brands, see the feature article "Polarized Sunglasses," by Ben Romans or visit www.kaenon.com.

Gawesworth's Spey Casting

Gawesworth's Spey Casting ($49.99)
Learning just a few of the basic casts in this book will revolutionize the way you work your fly line on the water-with any rod, single- or double-handed. From nymph fishing to presenting a dry fly in close quarters, change of direction casts made with little or no backcast is not only a fun and creative way to fish but also effective and efficient. Simply learning the single Spey or the switch cast should add ten feet to your roll cast with a single-handed rod.

Gawesworth's book (286 pages, full-color, hardcover) covers all the major casts in detail with photo sequences and illustrations and includes common problems and how to correct them. This is the new standard in Spey-casting manuals. Combine this book with Derek Brown's Spey Masterclass (VHS) and Rio's International Spey Casting (VHS and DVD) in a course of study, and you'll become a better caster. For more information, visit Amazon.com

SA L2L Connectors

SA L2L Connectors
Of all the things beginner fly anglers need to learn, knots are probably the most difficult piece of knowledge to pick up, and only through hours of practicing can you teach your fingers how to tie them. Though knowing how to tie knots will improve your fishing, Scientific Anglers has taken some of the frustration of attaching a leader to the line away from beginners with their L2L connectors ($4), two plastic couplers that join the fly line and leader together in a "snap." No more fumbling with nail knots or loop-to-loop connections. Simply slide your fly line into one side of the coupler, tie an overhand knot, and pull the knot inside the connector. Do the same with the butt section of a leader. Snap the two pieces together and you'll have a strong, floating junction. For more information call (800) 430-5000 or visit www.scientificanglers.com.

BossTin Nontoxic weights

BossTin
Lead shot is a piece of gear that despite its dangerous effect, has remained a constant in almost every fly-fisherman's vest since its conception. Not only is it inexpensive, it is available almost anywhere, even some gas stations. Sooner or later lead shot will be banned on all public waters, but if you're an environmentally conscious angler, you don't have to wait until then. BossTin produces a full range of non-toxic weights in bulk sacks or prepackaged in four, six, and eight division handy dispensers. For fly tiers, they also produce "stylers," a substitute for lead wire in nymph patterns. Check out these non-toxic alternatives, the environment will thank you for it. For more information call (970) 731-6740 or visit www.bosstin.com.

John Barr Signature Fly Selection

Umpqua Signature Fly Selections
Umpqua's Signature Fly Selections ($175-$195) are the culmination of some of our sport's most productive and creative fly tier's efforts. Each box contains selections from a specific tier like Dave Whitlock, Randall Kaufmann, Mike Mercer, and John Barr. Each selection is packaged in a hardwood box with beautifully rounded edges unique to this series. All have the Umpqua logo burned on the lid with foam inserts and magnetic closures. For more information call (800) 322-3218 or visit www.umpqua.com.

Orvis No-Rust Boxes

Orvis No-Rust Boxes
It may look like an ordinary fly box, but it's worth its weight in gold if protecting flies from rust is a top priority (and at an average of $3.00 a piece they should be). Orvis' No-Rust fly boxes are treated with an invisible agent during the molding process that reduces oxidation, a key element necessary for rust to occur. Each box has a snap-tight lid and removable dividers so you can carry anything from tiny trico patterns to long saltwater streamers. The small is 4" x 2 7/8" x 7/8" with six removable slots, the medium is 5 7/8" x 4" x 7/8" with 12 removable slots, and the large is 7 1/4" x 4" x 1 1/4" with six removable slots. For more information call (800) 548-9548 or visit www.orvis.com.

William Joseph Flask

William Joseph Flask
What could be better than stalking, hooking, and landing a trophy fish on one of your favorite waters? Following it up with a snort of your favorite scotch, that's what. To help you with the second half of this scenario, William Joseph, a Salt Lake City based manufacturer of fishing systems, has produced what they call their "ultimate carrying system"-The William Joseph Flask ($19). Made from stainless steel, it fits snug in almost any pocket, has a hinged cap so you don't lose it, is engraved with the William Joseph logo, and holds 5.5 oz. of your drink of choice. For more information call (801) 978-2207 or visit www.williamjoseph.net

Patagonia Stretch SST jacket

Patagonia Stretch SST Jacket($325)
[This product will not be available until early 2005. For more information, visit Patagonia.com. The Editor.]

This wading jacket is loaded with features, but the simplicity of the jacket's overall design is the main selling point. Its clean lines and lack of external accessories reduce the many things your fly line can get caught on when fishing and reduce snags when you're breaking trail back into a secret spot. No exposed fly patches, D-loops, and other technical doohickies will betray your obsession while walking the dog or going out on a date.

The hood rolls up and out of the way into a fleece-lined collar. Waterproof, zippered front pockets keep fly boxes and contents dry and secure and have small zippered pocket inside them for small items such as tippets, split shot, and strike indicators. D-rings, rod holder loops, and other small pockets are tucked away and out of sight.

The jacket is made from a tough, waterproof, three-layer stretch nylon fabric. To keep you dry, the outside of the jacket is treated with the same water repellent as other Patagonia technical outerwear and has a full-length waterproof zipper. The sleeve cuffs cinch watertight (but don't chafe your skin), so your arms don't get wet when casting in the rain or releasing a fish. By all accounts-waterproofness, accessories, fit, durability—this jacket is a great improvement on the old SST.

Dakota Angler III

Dakota Angler III ($55)
Your fishing friends will no longer have an excuse to be late once you give them the Angler III timepiece/fishing tool. The Angler III has an analog Moonglow luminous dial with a calendar display, and L.E.D. Microlight for tying on flies or finding your way back to the car in the dark. It also has stainless steel line nippers on a retractable zinger, an integrated hook sharpener, and a compass. The Angler III is available starting November 2004 in yellow, blue, green, and black, and hangs from your vest with Dakota's "Cuff Clip" for easy access. For more information visit dakotawatchco.com/.

Daylight Table Top Lamp

Daylight Table Top Magnifying Lamp ($89.95)
The best fly-tying light sources replicate the natural light of the sun. Natural light allows fly tiers to see colors more accurately and makes it easier to tie flies because of the higher contrast and lower glare compared with tungsten, fluorescent, or halogen bulbs that have a red, yellow or green tint or emit a high frequency flicker. These lower-quality light sources cause stress, eye strain, and reduced productivity--especially during extended tying sessions. The Daylight Table Top Magnifying Lamp has a heavy table base with two long flexible arms--one for the lamp and the other for the magnifying lens. The 18-watt daylight simulation tube is long, providing a large lighted area. The 1.75X magnification acrylic lens has a 5-inch diameter. Retail . For more information visit us.daylightcompany.com

C&F Designs Waterproof Micro-Slit Foam Fly Box

C&F Designs Waterproof Micro-Slit Foam Fly Box ($39.95)
A fly box is either just a place to stash your flies when you are not using them or an organization tool that helps you prepare for the conditions you meet onstream, protect your flies from rust and crushing, and provide easy access to the right flies at the right time. If your definition of a fly box is the former, an Altoids or lozenge box might suit you.

If you would like a fly box that makes your time on the water more enjoyable, it might be time to ante up the cash for a C&F Design Waterproof Micro-Slit Foam Fly Box (or two) and the related fly filing system. A clamping clasp and silicone gasket make the box absolutely waterproof and the tough rugged construction makes them nearly indestructible.

The removable inserts (two per box) come pre configured with either 10, 12, 16, or 20 rows of Micro-Slits or with large-fly Micro-Slit "streamer" foam to hold any size flies. Since the hook point and/or barb never actually punctures the foam, Micro-Slit foam holds your flies securely in place but doesn't deteriorate and rarely needs replacing.

The various inserts are all sized to fit the same box (7.75" x 4.48" x 1.65") so you can quickly change a dry-fly box to a streamer box just by replacing inserts. Additional inserts can be stored in the Fly Filing System box.

Spotters Slider sunglasses

Spotters Sunglasses
Spotters is an Australian sunglasses manufacturer with a proprietary glass lens it recommends for fishermen called the Penetrator. These lenses block 100% of UV light, 92% of blue light, and from 51 to 80% of visible light (depending on the lens tint), and are photochromatic. The lenses are "VCE enhanced" (Visual Color/Contrast Enhancement) which is Spotters' patented process the company says actually helps improve ability to pick up details like cruising bonefish. Bottom line: I see better in these sunglasses than any other lens I've tried. The downside is that glass lenses are heavier than other materials and are not shatter-proof. They are, however, more scratch-resistant.

Spotters offers five different frame brands with several frame styles in each. Rubba Touch frames are high-density nylon frames with anti-Corrosion hinges, a hard shell case, silicon nosepads, and wrap-around styling for better coverage. Slider (pictured) frames with glass Penetrate lenses are $225. Visit spotters-shades.com for more information.

Fly Hive

Fly Hive
Just about every serious fly tiers has enough materials to start their own supply catalog. But there comes a time when having too much isn't the problem, it's where and how to store it. Fly Hive File Bags ($79.95) are a new solution. Their system allows you to not only categorize and store you materials, but the clear, heavy-gauge bags also protect them from damage. Each bag contains a plastic vertical support that keeps materials like necks and saddles flat, and the Velcro openings keep them secure. The bags can then be labeled and stacked on a shelf like a row of books where they're out of the way. Each set includes 8 large (12.5" x 12.5") and 2 small (6" x 6") bags. If you're out of shelf space, check out the Fly Hive Bag ($39.95), it holds several storage bags. For more information on Fly Hive, call (239) 282-2248 or visit www.flyhive.com.