Since fly fishing occupies relatively scant acreage in the greater outdoor landscape, I’ve long practiced looking in other catalogues for gear that might help my time on the water. Hiking, hunting, and kayaking equipment works when fly fishing. Sometimes, the niche it was designed to fill is precisely what fly anglers need. So it should come at no surprise that conventional fishing gear is worth the fly fisher’s consideration.
One category that makes a lot of sense to consider is rain gear. While fly fishers obviously focus on the right waders, with rain jackets as an important back up item for bad weather, the guys who head miles out into open water absolutely need equipment to keep them dry. A serviceable rain jacket isn’t an option; it is a necessity.
Designed to be utilized by professional conventional anglers, the Great Lakes Pro Jacket by Whitewater is the perfect example. I don’t want to invest in a rain jacket that will keep me mostly dry. I want the kind of jacket that people trust when motoring across a lake in a driving rain. I want gear that does what it is supposed to do and lets me do what I want it to do. On top of that, I want comfort and a few legitimately beneficial features.
These are the four criteria I judge any outdoor gear on when I take it into the field. How did the Whitewater Great Lakes Pro Jacket hold up?
Does it do what it is supposed to do?
In this case: Is it waterproof? After hours out in everything from sprinkles to driving rain, the only water that got in was at the very ends of my sweatshirt cuffs. But this was because I had neglected to cinch down the Velcro on the sleeves. Otherwise, I’ve been bone dry. Even the brim of my hat was completely protected by the stiff front-most piece of the 3-part hood. Items in my pockets stayed dry, too: even when the bottom few inches were submerged.
Is it comfortable?
It is the 21st century. There is no reason to suffer from irritating materials and poorly placed seams. Even a few generations ago, staying dry meant sweating in a rubber-esque shell. These days, softer synthetic materials and effective construction techniques make for serious gear that is a pleasure to wear if out for trout or out for errands. The Great Lakes is soft (for a waterproof layer) and stretchy. I never had a crease poke me or a seam rub me the wrong way. Furthermore, the breathability worked just fine. I stayed dry from perspiration as I hiked, fished, and went from cool to warm conditions.
Does it let me do what I want to do?
I am certainly no clothing designer. Still, I’m confident the hardest part of their job is coming up with a handful of sizes that accommodate thousands of body types in motion. All that said, I do expect my clothes to handle the rigors of casting, hiking, and stretching in a few different directions at once. I’m quite picky about how hoods function, as well. Is my view obstructed when I look in either direction? Does it cling so close to my head that all I hear is fabric rustling when I move? Neither was the case with the adjustment options on the Great Lakes.
Are there bells and whistles?
Real bells and whistles would be overkill. But some pockets and adjustment points are nice. The jacket features four external pockets: two at the chest and two on the side. They all feature water-resistant zippers and are remarkably spacious. While it would not be the most organized alternative to a fishing vest, there is more than enough storage for the minimalist. An internal pocket provides the closest thing to waterproof anyone could hope for. Aside from the pockets, there are some D-rings and reflective tape. But not having stuff protruding from the jacket is ideal. A clean profile prevents snags and prevents fly line from getting hung up.
The Great Lakes Pro Jacket from Whitewater is not only a great example of gear that can easily “cross over” angling categories. It might provide more than most fly fishers need when casting in intermittent rain or a drizzle, but for those who don’t want to get off the water or who want virtually complete protection it will perform exceptionally. And at under $350, it is priced competitively compared to high end wading jackets.
Take a look at the Great Lakes Pro Jacket, and other gear from Whitewater, here.