C L O T H I N G
SIMMS RIVERSHED WADING JACKET $280 //
www.simmsfishing.com
Kayak angling is as upfront hybrid as a sport can get. Fishermen bring their bag of tricks, as do kayakers. Apparel more than anything is the biggest crossover between the two. From the fishermen comes the wading jacket. Cut shorter than a raincoat or paddle jacket, with room for fly boxes and tippet and sporting a hood and cuffs as good as on a dedicated paddling coat, this Simms jacket is a fine example. its short cut is comfortable in the saddle and a shock cord hem snugs tight against the torso. The rivershed is the best of both worlds, Gore-Tex Paclite in the body and Gore-Tex Performance Shell on the shoulders.—Rob Lyon
Pro: Not cut so short that you’ll look like the geek in town. Con: In cold, rough water you may want the latex cuffs of a paddling top instead.
COLUMBIA COPPER CREEK WADERS $199 //
www.columbia.com
while kayakers sport wetsuits or drysuits, fishermen bring waders. A good choice for most kayak angling, they keep you warm and dry on that SoT, are much easier to get in and out of than a drysuit, can roll down and clip off when the tan needs a touch-up, and with a waist belt that doubles as a back support, provide a measure of security for quick immersion. we tested several pairs of these on a 10-mile hike carrying our boats and they vented moisture as well as waders of twice the price. They also have a lot of premium features for a $200 wader, like five-layer body material and seven-layer knees and butt, water-resistant pocket zips, reinforced crotch seams and neo booties with built-in gravel guard.—Rob Lyon
Pro: Excellent value. Con: Inferior to a drysuit in big water.
EX OFFICIO AMPHI CONVERTIBLE PANTS and REEF RUNNER LITE SHIRT $70 pants, $65 shirt //
www.exofficio.com
while there is plenty of apparel designed specifically for fishing and kayaking, there are some good alternatives ideal for people who do both. enter Amphi Pants, ex officio’s ultimate amphibious adventure pants. Made of a lightweight nylon material that feels more like cotton, they are wrinkle- and stain-resistant and quick-drying and include a zippered security pocket on the left thigh and an attachment loop in the front right pocket. Available as pants, shorts or convertibles, they also look great off the water and are perfect for travel. Coordinate with the reef runner Lite nylon shirt with two zip pockets and venting mesh sides.—Greg Bowdish
Pro: Dry quickly, breathe well and take abuse.
Con: Integrated fishnet skivvies in the pants, easy to remedy with scissors if you prefer commando.
Extrasport Sturgeon $130 //
www.extrasport.com
This premium PFd boasts all the amenities of a fishing vest and incorporates extrasport’s retroGlide system of over-the-shoulder straps for a perfect fit. The mesh lower back and sides keep it cool.
Pro: The same custom fit system as Extrasport’s top touring PFDs.
Con: High-riding chest pockets are a bit bulky.
Astral V-Eight $109 //
astralbuoyancy.com
Astral Buoyancy boasts the world’s first breathable PFd made for paddling in hot climates. Contoured foam reduces the body-to-PFd contact by 70 percent while venting ports and a mesh back increase airflow.
Pro: Venting for hot weather and high back for SOTs.
Con: Fewer pockets than dedicated fishing PFDs.
MTI Calcutta $65 //
www.mtiadventurewear.com
while being a full-featured fishing PFd, the Calcutta is unique in that it’s a universal fit for adults of all proportions—ideal for growing young anglers or as a loaner PFd for guests. Five pockets, pliers holder, pin- on-retractor holder, lash tab, d-rings front and back and a hook-resistant shell.
Pro: Unbeatable value and one-size- fits-all.
Con: Fit requires more fiddling with straps than a sized PFD.
38 … KAYAK ANGLER summer/fall 2008
COLUMBIA HENRY’S FORK WADING BOOTS $100 //
www.columbia.com
wading boots are another crossover item from fishing to kayaking. i’ve used them for years with both my drysuit and my waders. The Henry’s Fork wading Boots give you everything you need: good traction, foot support, light weight, quick water dispersion and drying, a snug ankle gusset and rustproof hardware (which you’ll still want to rinse if you’re fishing in the salt).—Rob Lyon
Pro: Much better than tight, ugly, slippery rubber booties paddlers wear.
Con: Overkill in hot weather.
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PHOTO: SCOTT MACGREGOR
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