Holiday Fly Fishing Gifts
 

So my family will always ask me for a list of gifts ideas for the holidays.

I am seeking some good Fly Patterns to use in NJ and especially Black River/Hackelbarney. I was only successful with the White Marabou Muddler.

Much appreciated!

Re: Holiday Fly Fishing Gifts
 

Gifting tackle and fly material etc is something Id buy myself.
Gifting gear is a good idea. Ask for waders, even if you got a pair now you'll eventually need another. Or a nice rod or reel. Usually gifting gear is more sentimental than just fly material, or hooks, etc.

Re: Holiday Fly Fishing Gifts
 

Black Ghost streamer for Smallmouth bass along with Gaines poppers.

Re: Holiday Fly Fishing Gifts
 

The family member wants to spend like $50. So, I figured flies would work nicely. Plus, all of my stuff is new as Father's Day and Birthday covered the waders and Pole, Vest.

Re: Holiday Fly Fishing Gifts
 

Well the wild browns I've caugth like white 1 inch twister tails. Rainbows I've gotten on black marabou jigs.
So maybe stick to white streamers and pick up black marabou.

Before buying material for new flies, first buy a few flies from Shannon's or sporting life and test them out before committing to buying a whole bunch of material.

If you are confident with the flies, create more yourself.
If they prove to be less effective than what you already use, you saved urself money.

Re: Holiday Fly Fishing Gifts
 

Send your family member to one of our good local fly tackle shops and ask the staff to pick out a selection of flies within the budget. Tight Lines, Shannon's or Ramsey Outdoors will know what works in the Black River at Hacklebarney. Have them identify the flies chosen by name and size. They may even gift wrap at Christmas. Best to choose two of each in a smaller selection for $50 which will probably get you about a dozen different patterns.

You will get a surprise when you receive them and could always phone later for advice on how to fish them.

Good luck!

Re: Holiday Fly Fishing Gifts
 

Check out https://ascentflyfishing.com/, they have great quality flies at great prices. They do a thing called "Biologist Pack Fly Selection", you send them the rivers you will be fishing and they match fly patterns to the insects found in the rivers. Great way to learn what flies imitate which insects.

Re: Holiday Fly Fishing Gifts
 

For NJ you can't go wrong with following:

nymphs in sizes 14-20
Gold ribbed hares ear
Pheasant tail
Prince
RS2

Streamers in size 8-12
Black, brown, or olive wooly buggers
Gray Ghost
Blacknosed dace
Muddler Minnow

Dry fly sizes 14-20
Adams
Royal Wulff
Elk hair caddis (olive, black, brown, yellow)