Guest author bio: Kyle Rutten resides in Georgetown, Colorado, and is in charge of digital marketing and business development at Riversmith, a fly rod roof rack system based out of Boulder, Colorado.

The time of year has again arrived where you scour the internet searching for the best gift for
your beloved angler! While you can make a solo trip to an outdoorsman outlet and find the
coolest little gadget or tool that anyone would grin over, the real secret sauce to gifting a
fisherman is to ask a bunch of other anglers what they’d be stoked to get for Christmas.
Our crew at Riversmith comprises experienced and avid fly fisherman who are always keeping
up with cutting-edge equipment evolving or arriving in the sport. We asked the team what fly
fishing gear they hoped to receive this holiday and tallied up their answers. These five items
made it to the highest ranks, so in good holiday spirit, we’re sharing their answers with you!

Fishpond’s Thunderhead Submersible Backpack
In this sport, there’s a big difference between a cooler full of fish caught in the most serene parts
of nature… and slipping on the slimy surface of a river bottom with all your gear on your person
and having to rush to the nearest bag of rice to drop your phone into. Luckily, the guys and gals
over at Fishpond USA know the latter scenario’s probability all too well, so they set out to make
a submersible backpack to protect all of your gear from the inevitable tumble.
The best part about Fishpond is their upcycled material, which they call Cyclepond. This
company takes old fishing nets and gives it new life by turning it into stellar material for their
backpacks. They made the Thunderhead submersible backpack of that Cyclepond material and
coated it with bombproof 1680D TPU nylon.
Their TIZIP zipper closure allows access to the main compartment of the pack and is also fully
waterproof, with an additional water resistant zipper closure for the very front pocket. The
shoulder strap, removable and adjustable hip belt, and back panel are all made of a lightweight
foam, making the pack light to carry and more buoyant. Included with the pack are some Lariat
gear straps that can be positioned on the left or right side, depending on your preference. The
set up also features a webbed daisy chain and D-Ring, incorporated on the front panel, to attach
various accessories of choice to.
This pack is a game changer and surely to provide your angler with total peace of mind out on
the water (or in it.)

GoPro’s Hero9 Camera
If you didn’t take a picture, did it really happen? These days, logging our fondest memories with
photo or video proof is just part of the whole experience. But some sports are a little better for

the longevity and functionality of our cameras… fishing, not so much. It’s also probably not the
best idea to carry your phone or expensive camera through the rapids for a photo op.
GoPro is a tried-and-true brand that has been around a river or two. The Hero9 was our angler’s
top pick because it sports 5k video and 20 megapixel photo capabilities. In addition to the 5k
video capacity, it features a HyperSmooth 3.0 advanced video stabilization, making video
capture even more lifelike. Time warp, slow-mo, and a lot of other features built into the
camera’s functionality make it all the more fun to capture the moment, and the camera is also
compatible with over 30 mounts and accessories your angler might alright possess.
The most important part about this camera though? It’s waterproof. It can withstand up to 33ft in
water depth, allowing anglers to catch those one-of-a-kind underwater shots. This awesome
device was built for extreme durability as much as the other gear that belongs in this sport.
Speaking of durability…

Riversmith’s River Quiver
While there are a ton of different fly rod roof racks out on the market today, we believe our River
Quiver is hands down the best functioning (and looking.) Designed and manufactured by
experienced fly fisherman, the feature we emphasized the most was durability. The exterior
design can withstand all sorts of conditions such as wind, shock, and impact loads, and it
doesn’t hurt to look at either. While the exterior is super sleek looking, the interior’s protective
poly propylene interior lining keeps rods in tip-top shape.
The River Quiver comes in two different models, referred to as a 2 Banger (holds up to two
rods) and a 4 Banger (holds up to four,) and both can accommodate up to 10 foot rods and 12
weight reels.
A feature of fly rod roof racks often overlooked by other manufacturers is accessibility. Rather
than opening the reel case cover vertically, where a gust of wind can blow the cover down in a
snap and cause damage to the fly rods, the River Quiver opens horizontally and to the right. A
locking mechanism also holds the case cover in place during fly rod removal or insertion,
protecting it in all weather it may come across.
A versatile mounting system also allows it to be matched up with any car, remaining
aerodynamic and quiet, and the lightweight attribute doesn’t add unneeded pounds and payload
to the vehicle. It comes in black, silver, or sage green, allowing you to match it to the look of
your angler’s trusty steed.

Orvis’ Ultralight Convertible Waders
It ain’t fishing if you’re not sporting waders! Although you can certainly fish from the shores of a
waterfront or from a boat’s swivel seat, our favorite fishing happens smack dab in the middle of
a river. Our crew’s favorite wader set comes from Orvis, a huge name in the game who specializes in top-notch fishing equipment. Their Ultralight Convertible Waders are 4-layers of
breathable, waterproof nylon.. so comfortable you could sleep in them.
They’ve improved the design over the years with the most recent upgrade emphasizing range of
motion and durability of the seams. The Fidlock SNAP magnetic fasteners make converting to
waist high waders quick and easy and the external, water resistant storage pocket has a zipper
closure for easy access. The tool dock and fly patch incorporated in the front pocket also come
in handy for quick use.
The overall design improvements also went into the booties; made of neoprene, they are
extremely comfortable with a flex fit, remain lightweight, and were made to stand the test of
time. The whole get up features built-in belt loops and a 1.5” stretch belt included.

Orvis Lanyard
Another crew favorite comes from Orvis again. Their Orvis Lanyard is super functional and
makes for a perfect stocking stuffer!
Its flat webbing design includes six paracord loops, a forceps dock, a drying patch, and a built-in
shirt clip to keep the lanyard secure when bending during the catch and release of fish. It comes
as a simple lanyard for anglers who already have their own tools and supplies, or loaded up and
ready to go, stocked with all the bells and whistles it can house.
Kept simple, yet highly practical, the lanyard has everything an angler might need on their
person. No more fidgeting through pocket after pocket for the tool needed on the fly.

The Best Gift Is the One They Didn’t Know They Needed
If your angler has been in the sport for some time, chances are they already own a lot of the
basics, such as a fly rod, a reel, or a fly box. This holiday season, think like an angler and see
what the other guys and gals in the sport are drooling over.

The Fishpond submersible backpack, Hero9 GoPro, Riversmith roof rack, Orvis waders, and
Orvis lanyard have made it to our crew’s list this 2021 holiday season, and we’re sure your
angler would die for one (or two, or all) of these items.

The fish won’t know the difference, but
guaranteed, your angler will!