Month: October 2006

Cloudveil has created a jacket that could change winter and fall fishing for many anglers–no more bulky layers of thermals on cold winter days. The Flat Creek Jacket is thinner than expected for cold weather gear, but the Windstopper Fleece and added insulation keeps the cold out. The front zips can be opened for increased breathability while moving or whenever temperatures rise. The jacket can be worn on colder September mornings at first light or under a rain shell during a November winter sleeting. The three oversized front pockets can all be accessed even in chest high waders, and the colors allow anglers to disappear …

Read more

The San Juan vertical chest pack can do it all. Many anglers burden themselves with an overloaded vest or backpack. I’ve been guiding out of one of these little packs for two years and won’t change anytime soon. Inside it holds two C&F leaf boxes, one large Morrell, and two small myrans, leaders, licenses, etc. On the outside, nylon loops and elastic cuffs secure tippet spools, nippers, dry shake, Gink and weighted putty. It can be worn in a number of ways, but in summer when flows are lower and days hotter, I wear it as a fanny pack. In higher flows it can be …

Read more

The Simms Dry Creek Camera bag is the perfect answer for the angler who likes to pack light, but carry essentials. I rarely fish without a camera on my shoulder, but often find myself waist deep in the Gunpowder, Savage or North Branch of the Potomac River. This bag can allow anglers a chance to bring a camera, that they may otherwise worry about getting wet. It also holds a Patagonia Deep Wading Jacket quite nicely. Straps secure the bag onto a wading belt to keep it out of the way. Extra fly boxes, water, or even lunch can now be brought without a vest …

Read more

The Cloudveil 8X wader is a great wader for anglers, especially those who tend to be smaller and prefer a tighter fit instead of a baggy wader. At a lean 5’7 I fit into the smalls and they are the perfect length, foot size and provide ample room for winter layering. They are durable– not one leak all spring, summer and fall, with many days of use each week. I like the drab color and also live out of the zipper pockets while guiding and fishing. They breathe very well and I rarely find that I am sweating, unless I hike into Falls road in …

Read more

Patagonia’s Deep Wading Jacket is my summer fishing jacket, based on its lightweight and packable design. It can fit into vest pockets, Simms Dry camera bag, or even folded and rubberbanded into a ball and clipped to a wading belt with a carabiner. The sleeve cuffs can be sealed to keep water from running down your sleeve when you hold up that trophy for a picture. The color also blends in well with the dense foliage that grows on riverbanks in the summer. Jason du Pont