What to Put in That Christmas Stocking in Arlington
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What to Put in That Christmas Stocking in Arlington

At the end of the case lined with rows of bug wannabes is an Adams fly, which Sanchez describes as a workhorse trout fly for the spring and summer. "It is a generic pattern that mimics a bug." Sanchez says that District Angling on N. Pollard Street has 960 different patterns of flies, from the fur ant used up in the Shenandoah for brook trout, to the surf candy for salt-water species. An entire row of leaders of different weights and sizes is also just stocking-size for that fisherman who wants to build his own fishing pole.

At the end of the case lined with rows of bug wannabes is an Adams fly, which Sanchez describes as a workhorse trout fly for the spring and summer. "It is a generic pattern that mimics a bug." Sanchez says that District Angling on N. Pollard Street has 960 different patterns of flies, from the fur ant used up in the Shenandoah for brook trout, to the surf candy for salt-water species. An entire row of leaders of different weights and sizes is also just stocking-size for that fisherman who wants to build his own fishing pole. Photo by Shirley Ruhe.

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Marnie Nicholson, co-owner of Company Flowers on N. Pollard Street, points to a row of tiny treasures just made for Christmas stockings. The shelf offerings range from red, yellow and blue bird whistles to wildlife snow globes with a deer, bear or eagle trapped inside the globe to bumpy balls and flashing stars. "And," she says picking up a rainbow twirler, "we always have a big box of these because they sell out fast." She demonstrates the label instruction to "spin to create a dazzling rainbow" as the ball expands, twirls and folds back on itself, entertaining the customers nearby.

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Step in the door at Urban Farmhouse on Wilson Blvd. and you can fill up several stockings with red and white polka dot holiday tea towels, hand-painted canvas Santa Claus figures, a variety of ornaments displayed on a white wire tree or oversize key rings in vegan, silicone or the luxury leather ring in a pouch. Julie Tate, who co-owns the store with her mother, says, "A good item to fit in a stocking is the milk bottle candle from a farmer north of Baltimore." At this time of year, the most popular choices are Mulled Berry Wine, 1768 Balsam Fir and The Hearth.

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Ivan Sanchez holds a bass popper used to catch bass in the Potomac River or the James River. The case at District Angling on N. Pollard Street is filled with all sizes and patterns of flies, including the Dave’s hopper, meant to mimic the grasshoppers that get blown into the water on hot summer days.