Father’s Day is coming up on June 21. Don’t let it sneak up on you! We’ve got a pile of Father’s Day gifts for dads who love to fish.
There’s a bait-shop joke that goes, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, he has to buy rods, reels, waders, bait, a boat …” It’s a bit corny, but you get the point. Anglers always need some new doohicky to improve their kit.
So if your dad (or any other man in your life) loves to fish, you’re in luck. We’ve got gifts for every budget and every fisherman right here.
Fishing Gifts for the Angler in Your Life
Fenix HM61R Headlamp: $85 on Sale
The Fenix HM61R rechargeable headlamp is a perfect multifunctional gift for the dad that does it all on the water. The high-performance headlamp shines up to 300 hours in Eco mode and has eight lighting modes (including a red light).
When removed from the headband, the light can be used as a right-angle flashlight, and the magnetic base allows you to stick it to a vehicle when getting ready. Plus, it has a waterproof and dustproof design rated to IP68. This do-all headlamp is a perfect gift for dad this year.
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Duck Camp Lightweight Bamboo Fishing Shirts: $49-59
Lightweight and comfortable, Duck Camp’s Bamboo fishing tops are a must-have for dad this Father’s Day. We’ve been testing them recently, and they have an incredibly soft mix of bamboo, polyester, and spandex. This top is quick-drying and antifungal, so it works well for fishing and plenty of other outdoor pursuits.
Nite Ize Hitch Phone Anchor + Tether: $15
We’ve all been there. You’re trying to get the perfect angle of the beautiful ‘bow you just landed and you lose grip on your phone.
Enter the Nite Ize Phone Anchor + Tether to save the day. This simple little contraption can save your phone and your day. Universal for any phone with a case, this is the perfect gift to give dad peace of mind on the water.
Shop the Nite Ize Anchor + Tether
When the weather is nice, nothing beats wet wading. These new shoes from Simms are designed to provide traction on the slippery river rock and be lightweight for hiking to the water and along it. This is a gift that dad didn’t know he needed but will love once he has it.
YETI 12oz. Rambler: $30
This is my favorite travel mug ever. Why? It fits into my truck’s cupholder, I can screw it down and shove it in my fishing pack without stuff spilling everywhere, and it’s indestructible.
Plus, it’s only $30, it comes in a wide variety of colors for mild to wild dads, and the 360-degree drinkable cap is interchangeable among the Rambler collection.
Custom Fishing Net: From $130
Give the dad in your life a one-of-a-kind gift that will put a smile on his face. One GearJunkie editor noted, “I received a PrestonMade Vermillion net as a gift a few years back, and I love it. The fact that it is handmade and that my wife took the time to pick it out something unique for me was really cool. Plus, it’s gorgeous.”
Another Minneapolis net-maker, Dead Drift Nets, has a few standard net options and also takes custom orders to match your dad’s style and fishing needs. Any custom net is a truly unique fishing gift that will last a lifetime.
Shop PrestonMade NetsShop Dead Drift Nets
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Orvis Waterproof Hip Pack: $229
They say it is all in the hips, and Orvis agrees. This lightweight and waterproof pack is perfect for a day on the river. This hip pack leaves your upper body completely free to cast unencumbered by traditional sling packs.
Internal zippered stash pockets, adjustable waist-belt, YKK waterproof zippers, and a gear station on the front of the bag round out a plethora of quality design elements we’ve come to expect from Orvis.
Shop the Orvis Waterproof Hip Pack
Filson Green River Water Shorts: $75
These quick-drying shorts are made for use in and around the water, but they look just as good in the backyard or on a hike. The elastic waistband helps to ensure that they fit well, and the rear pockets have a Velcro closure so dad doesn’t lose his stuff.
Fishpond Thunderhead Chest Pack: $180
The Thunderhead Chest Pack is a fully waterproof carry system that allows you to bring everything necessary for a successful (and efficient!) day on the water. The pack integrates a net-holder so you’ll be ready when the bite is on. This pack was a favorite during a recent steelhead trip.
Shop the Thunderhead Chest Pack
Patagonia Tough Puff Fly Fishing Hoody: $249
Warm, comfortable, and sustainably made, the Tough Puff is built for long days in cold water. It combines a stretchy and durable face fabric with highly breathable stretch insulation to keep you focused on hooking into your next fish.
Our team essentially lived in this jacket for several cold days fishing in Northern Minnesota this spring. Your dad will love it.
Tacky Fly Boxes: From $20
If your dad likes to fly fish, you won’t find better fly boxes than these. The difference is that the fly pad is made of silicone and doesn’t get torn up by hooks, so it should last a long time. They come in a variety of sizes.
If you’re unsure what to get, the Tacky Original Fly Box ($25) is a sure favorite.
Shop the Tacky Original Fly BoxShop All Tacky Fly Boxes
Redington RUN Reel: $110
This durable, die-cast aluminum reel is designed for the angler looking for a lightweight reel with the stopping capabilities of a carbon fiber drag system. The large arbor makes for quick line retrieval, and it has push-button spool release. This is a reel with plenty of bang for the buck.
Loon Essentials Kit: $33
The name says it all. These are the essentials when you’re out on the water throwing flies and swapping stories. This kit includes forceps, nippers, and a zinger in an affordable package with the quality you expect from Loon. We’ve used this kit on several fishing trips this year and highly recommend it.
A New Fly Rod: From $150
Let’s be honest, any dad would be stoked to get a new rod. Whether it’s his first rod or he’s adding to the collection, it’s a great gift. Many excel in a certain style of fishing or are used the match the size of fish he’s after. Sage, Scott, Orvis, and Winston are all well-respected brands.
If you need a little more guidance, take a look at our review of the best fly rods of 2020. We also outlined some excellent starter/budget options here.
Rapala Fishing Essentials Kit: $18
If you’re gonna hook dad up, you might as well do it with actual hooks and lures. This kit from Rapala combines jig heads, soft plastic lures, and a flash spinner, plus it has clippers and a fish string to hold his catch. And it’s under $20. It’s the perfect gift for the dad who loves to get jiggy with it.
Shop the Rapala Fishing Essentials Kit
Patagonia Swiftcurrent Zip-Front Waders: $749
Dad taught you it’s OK to splurge every now and again, as long as it’s for something worthwhile. Sitting at the intersection of comfort and performance, the Swiftcurrent Zip-Front waders are Patagonia’s heaviest and most feature-rich wader offering.
Engineered for fit, mobility, and durability, these waders are sure to stand up to any task you and your dad put them through.
Shop the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Waders
Bubba Blade 7″ Tapered Flex Fillet Fishing Knife: $55
Bubba Blade’s badass collection of knives are cult favorites of the saltwater world, and your dad will love the robust build of these fillet knives. The 7-inch model is the perfect size for tackling most freshwater or saltwater fish, and the full-tang blade stays sharp and honest for many, many cuts.
Shop the Bubba Blade Fillet Knife
Simms Freestone Wading Boots: $170
A good pair of wading boots make a big difference. They should be durable, have a sticky sole to grip rocks, and be comfortable. Standing on the stream all day can take a toll on dad’s legs and back, but a good boot will ease some of that pain.
We’ve used the Freestone boots from Simms for a few seasons and like them a lot. Simms has several other quality options as well.
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Fishpond Burrito Wader Bag: $60
For the pops who’s a neat freak, this cool little bag is both affordable and helpful. It opens up into a mat you can use to change in and out of waders, then wraps up neatly to protect your rig from mud and water. Gone are the days of shoving waders into a plastic bag or messing up a nice duffel.
Garmin Instinct Adventure Watch: $200 on Sale
If dad is looking for a watch upgrade, this could be it. In our recent tests, the Instinct watch has proven to be rugged and easy to use. We’ve used it to track GPS, heart rate, fitness, steps, stress, altitude, weather, and more during a host of activities ranging from fly fishing to hiking.
Plus, this smartwatch pairs with a phone and has a 14-day battery life. Best of all, it’s 33% off right now.
Shop the Garmin Instinct Watch
RIO Fly Fishing Line: From $40
Does your dad like to fly fish? RIO has several great fly line options. If the gift is a surprise, you can narrow down what line to get by the fish he likes to catch (trout, bass, steelhead, bonefish, tarpon, etc.) and what weight his rod is. If you don’t know, the weight (1#-12#) should be printed on the rod.
Sea to Summit Folding Bucket: $30
If dad likes to keep fish, or just be prepared for any situation, this little folding bucket is a killer add to his kit. It folds down into a pocket-size package, and it expands into a 10L bucket able to hold water, tools, or whatever you can throw at it.
Shop the Sea to Summit Folding Bucket
Orvis PRO Underwader Pants: $139
The Orvis PRO Underwader Pants have a premium feel, with a high-pile fleece interior for warmth, stirrup straps to prevent legs from riding up, side zip vents for increased ventilation, and an athletic fit for style when worn outside of the waders in non-fishing environments.
Our team has fished, hiked, worked, and enjoyed campfires in these pants over the last year. Your dad will love their versatility as much as we do.
Shop the Orvis PRO Underwader Pants
A Gift Card: Any Amount
Sometimes finding the perfect gift is hard. That’s where a gift card works wonders. Click below to get a gift card for one of these great fishing shops.
Shop Orvis Gift CardsShop Bass Pro Shops Gift CardsShop Cabela’s Gift CardsShop Trident Fly Fishing Gift Cards
A Day on the Water: Priceless
At the end of the day, relationships are what matter the most. Whether its a weekend away or a quick evening escape, make some time to get on the water with the dad in our life to create some memories. You won’t regret it.
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The post Father’s Day Guide: Fishing Gifts for Dad appeared first on GearJunkie.
