ATTENTION FLY FISHERS: PASS THIS ARTICLE TO YOUR SPOUSE, CHILDREN, OR NOT-SO-SECRET SANTA

Need a last minute fly fishing gift? Even if you don’t know the first thing about fly fishing, getting a great gift can be pretty easy. That’s because there are people spread across this country who are literally sitting and waiting to help you buy fly fishing gifts.

Who? Fly shop employees.

In this day and age, fly shops are vestiges of another time. They are niche, independent, brick and mortar stores that are often labors of love. They are the kind of place that you can go to for a gift and some guidance as you shop.

For the non-angler looking to buy a fishing gift, this is perfect. Here are four simple things that you’ll need to know as you go into a fly shop to buy a gift:

Find a shop.

This could be easy. If the person you’re buying for spends a lot of time and/or money at a certain shop, you’re all set. Head in when they’re not there and get buying. The owner or an employee might even know your special someone.

If they don’t go to a shop regularly, or they buy everything online, just Google “fly shop.” You might have one down the road or you might have to drive a bit. Thankfully there are still a lot of stores that carry fly fishing tackle in all sorts of environs.

These days, the industry is such that it is usually the good ones that are around. And what makes shops good is usually the customer service.

Set your budget.

If you aren’t into fly fishing, you’ll be appalled at the upper end of the price spectrum. A quick perusal of the centerpiece items at a fly shop might be alarming. Don’t panic: there are more things out there than thousand-dollar fly rods and hundred-dollar line.

Twenty bucks will get you a handful of great flies. Fifty dollars will buy you some of the latest and greatest tools. Even ten dollars will allow you to get a winning stocking stuffer.

A good shop will have items for every budget, and the workers will know how to direct you – high or low.

Know what kind of fly fishing they like to do.

What do they like to fish for? Where do they like to go? Could you pull up their social media feed and show it to someone at the shop?

Something as general as the name of a river or a species of fish is a huge help. There are a lot of angling rabbit holes one can fall down. But that isn’t what you’re here to do. The vast majority of gear, gadgets, and flies fall into a handful of main categories. Giving a shop employee a few leads will ensure an appropriate gift.

Have an idea of their interest level.

Shopping for a new fly fisher is easy. There is so much you need. Plus, there are so many things that you need in multiples (e.g. flies).

Shopping for a veteran fly fisher is a little harder, but some of the same rules apply. Namely, there are so many things you’ll need in duplicate (e.g. flies, again).

Fly shop employees might not all be expert anglers, but they’ll have expertise in what any kind of angler needs.

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Heading into a fly shop doesn’t have to be intimidating. By and large, the people who own and work at these quirky and fun little stores truly care about their business, their customers, and fly fishing. That means they are going to be ready, willing, and able to help you.