Christmas has come and gone- we know Santa was good to many of you as he purchased a lot of cool stuff and quite a few gift certificates as well in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Some of us have already been out testing our new gear, despite the cold and snowy weather.

The New Year is upon us- time to recharge the batteries and do our best to make our own and others' lives better. We at the Laughing Grizzly resolve to do our absolute best to provide you with the supplies, gear and advice you need to get more enjoyment out of your fishing adventures.

Fly Tying Club
We will be starting a Fly Tying Club in the very near future. Dues will be $45/year. We'll meet one evening a month here at the shop, and you will receive a 10% discount on tying materials and tools purchased that evening prior to or during the club tying session. Refreshments will be served. Stay tuned for more details. Contact Mike at the shop if you are interested.

Our Saturday morning clinics have been a hit, with 20 or more attendees at each session. We've got a great lineup through the winter and spring. Check out the schedule. Come early to get a seat. If you need any additional enticements, we provide coffee and donuts.

Fly tying classes are scheduled at least once a month, and we are happy to set up special classes for individuals or small groups. Ask anyone at the shop or send us an email.

Staff
We've added Joe Johnson as a shop assistant. While Joe is ony 11 years old, he's as skilled and knowledgeable about fly fishing as most adults. You may have met Joe at a TU meeting or on the water up in the Park, but if not, stop by the shop on a Saturday or Sunday morning and say Hi.

Gear
Redington: We've added Redington to our gear lineup. We've brought in some very attractively-priced rod/reel/line combos that are great for beginners of any age. Their fleece clothing line includes fleece pants, pullover tops and and zip-up jackets that are perfect for winter fishing. Dick has worn Redington fleece since before he worked here and swears by it for fall, winter and spring warmth and comfort. We are also carrying Redington's line of entry-level waders.

20/20 Fly Threader: The 20/20 magnetic fly threader is one of the coolest tools you'll ever find. A magnet holds the eye of the fly in perfect alignment for tippet threading first time, every time. It's not just for those of us whose closeup eyesight is failing, either: it's great for tying on those tiny midges in cold, windy weather when numb fingers and teary eyes don't want to cooperate. We've field-tested it ourselves in the most trying conditions. At $11.50, it's a great bargain.

Hat Eyes/Mag Eyes: Hat Eyes are another terrific product for those who need some added magnification for those fiddly tasks like tying on flies and tippet, clipping knots and the like. They slide on the bill of your cap, and fold down when you need them, then flip back up out of the way when you don't. They are made with a sturdy steel frame and glass lenses that makes them practically indestructible. Mag Eyes also makes a version on a lightweight headband for fly tying and other tasks where magnification is useful. Come in and check out both these neat items.

Fly Tying Materials
We receive new merchandise every week based on your requests and the new items that come to our attention. Among the latest items are:

Dave Whitlock dubbing: very buggy and easy to work with. Comes in realistic single colors or dispenser assortments.

Rubber legs: more and more colors and styles, including some cool new patterns.

Dai-Riki Hooks: we have added several new styles and sizes, and will be carrying 100 packs of some types.