It is important to remember that companies creating gear and clothing for other outdoor activities have a lot to offer the fly fisher. Your interests, your particular needs, or your budget are all good reasons to shop around.
Your local shop and your favorite fly fishing brands should still get the bulk of your business. They’ll certainly be your primary supplier for angling staples. However, there are plenty of pieces of gear that aren’t explicitly fishing-related. If you stop and look in your gear closet or the back of your trunk, you’ll probably notice that some of the things you rely on haven’t come from fly shops. Some of those things really improve your experience, and by extension, your fishing.
Here are three reviews of products from “outside the fly fishing industry” that I’ve enjoyed on the water:
Find real value: Hurricane Jacket from Sierra Designs (pictured above)
I own a few wading jackets. Some are really nice. So nice, in fact, that they only get used when I know I’ll be fishing in a deluge. Consequently, they don’t get thrown in with my core gear when there is only a slight chance of rain. They certainly don’t live in the back of my car.
The Hurricane Jacket lives in the back of my car, and it gets used a lot.
It is light enough to justify wearing during a drizzle. Pit zips and an adjustable hood make it a shell capable of fending off intermittent showers or driving rains. Plus, it rolls up small enough to fit in a sling pack or vest.
The Hurricane Jacket doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of high-end wading jackets. It also doesn’t carry the bulk or the price tag. But it’s material, construction, and features give you what a cheap windbreaker can’t. At $129, Sierra Designs offers commuters, hikers, and anglers something that is light on their back, in their pack, and on their wallet.
Discover specialized gear: All-Paca Fleece Hoodie from Appalachian Gear Co.
Raining and 70. Windy and 40. From one to the other; back and forth in the same day. The past few weeks were an optimal stretch of weather in which to put the All-Paca Fleece Hoodie to the test. Determined to see if fly fishing challenged the parameters that led to the hoodie receiving Backpacker’s Editor’s Choice Award, I brazenly stuck with it through all the conditions. I paired the All-Paca with a simple baselayer t-shirt, and, when the rain was heavy, the Hurricane shell (above).
I didn’t get cold. I didn’t get hot. I didn’t notice sweat. And I’m not ashamed to admit that after four trips and no washing it smells just fine. The temperatures weren’t extreme, but they were varied. Even when wet from rain or being quickly submerged, I stayed warm. For one garment to cover that spectrum is pretty impressive.
Plus, it is not hyperbole when I say this might be the most comfortable shirt I own.
This is the first piece of alpaca clothing I have owned. It isn’t inexpensive material, but the performance certainly justifies it for those who are looking for something specialized. This garment could be the one shirt you bring on your long weekend float trip or backpacking trip, and you won’t have to worry about any what ifs.
Diversify your experience: Flatpack Grill & Firepit from UCO Gear
There is something about staying near the water when you’re done fishing. Heading to a restaurant is nice. But sticking close to the river, the woods, and the fish has been something I’ve truly come to enjoy as of late. The only thing missing is a hot meal.
The Flatpack Grill & Firepit solves that problem. A little kindling, some downed branches from the parking lot, and a few minutes is all I need to have a fire perfect for a few hot dogs or a steak. Plus, as we all know, there is something inherently good about sitting and watching a fire. The Flatpack sets up in seconds. More importantly, it cools down in a matter of minutes. Shortly after your fire is out, you’ll be able to fold it back up and place it in the included pouch and back in your car.
Assuming regulations allow, the Flatpack is a great alternative to protein bars and cold cuts. Based on season and conditions, some locales prohibit fires on the ground. UCO has come up with a great alternative that allows you to have your fire. It keeps you near the water if you want to fish after dinner. Or, it provides you and your companions that ambiance to take the evening well past when the fish stop rising.
Want to hear more about the reasons why I’ll look at “other pages” of the outdoor catalog when I’m shopping for fly fishing gear? I explain in this article.
The military gear that I have acquired through the years is inherently great for harsh weather! As is what we aptly call “wet weather” gear. Nothing worse than being wet and cold, I have been both, too many times! Caution when cooking: you are better off packing a little charcoal, even a bag of some type of easy lighting that does not need starting fluid, to ensure the taste of what you are cooking remains “edible”. I have used whatever wood was readily available a number of times and the result was not always positive!
Military surplus could be an article all it’s own! Shopping those stores is a lost art.
Good point on the wood. If someone isn’t well-versed in identification, a bag of something from the store is a good idea.
I thought I would cook over some oak that I had once. Yuck is all I can say. I did 30 years in the Army and Marine Corps so I have a store in and of myself! LOL. Blessings on you and your family. The Lord has risen!