Hi there and a Happy New Year All!!!

I was wondering what other anglers would recommend for waterproof clothing when fishing. I road tested a brand new pair of trousers and a 3/4 length jacket today. The waterproof trousers are absolutely faultless, I sat & knelt in puddles, wet patches etc and my trousers underneath were bone dry at the end of the day. The jacket on the other hand didn't fair so well, I must add that it rained solid for about 4 hours with no respite. Maybe I stayed out in the rain for too long, not sure. Help & advice much appreciated.....

Thanks, Spuggy

Hi spuggy.
for winter and cold weather fly fishing I use Greys GRXi gear, 3/4 length jacket and trousers, also have their wading jacket. Very good gear. For summer I have the Greys GRXi light weight jacket and trousers which packs away into little bags when not needed, again very good gear.

Waterproof jackets work better with the right layer of clothing underneath, and don't work well if the next layer is something like cotton that draws water through, or makes you sweat and condenses inside the jacket and allows water through.
I wear a soft shell water resistant jacket under a thin berghaus waterproof jacket, that keeps me very dry. Four hours of rain would test most waterproofs though, you'd be better off with a gortex jacket.

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"Quality will be remembered long after the price is forgotten."
"The pain of equipment failure lasts longer than the thrill of a bargain."
(from The Book of Tackle Acquisition, chapter 6, Universal Laws).

I came rather late to Gortex and a couple of expensive jackets later, I've yet to be convinced as both seemed to get a lot of condensation and both leaked at the seams after a while.
A friend who leads DofE stuff and has mountain leaders qualifications etc, reckons that they are only good for 2 or 3 seasons (hillwalking that is) anyway.
I'm resigned to getting a bit damp if it's solid, steady rain and I've gone back to cheap and sweaty but waterproof from the outside.

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

I don't think Gortex is as good as it's made out to be. I've had some good in the early years but later have created condensation and even leaked.

I have also tried gortex and event waterproof coats and been disappointed. I currently wear a cheap poncho style waterproof over old Montain event waterproof coat. Works well. I keep the cheap one packed away in a pocket on my vest. Only use it when it really comes doon.

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"It is not how abundant nor how considerable our catch be, but rather to the sport, and manner in which our quarry, the noble trout is angled."
http://geordietrout.blogspot.com/

One of my chums works in the outdoor clothing industry. I was explaining to him my difficulties with getting wet when wearing my sodden waistcoat outside my breathable/waterproof jacket, and getting a wet bum in a boat. He tells me the two principal problems are (a) condensation, promoted by wet stuff on the outside of the jacket, and (b) the temperature difference between outside and inside the jacket being diminished e.g. if you're sitting on a foam boat seat it will warm up. Seems that water transference relies on the outside being colder than the inside... but that's what also causes condensation...

I've found that wearing decent wicking stuff (not cotton) inside the jacket helps. Have yet to test the neoprene seat in my new GRXi trousers but they've been pretty good on the bank so far.

Neil

I dont think you can beat the snowbee geo great jacket and trousers, rain hail or gale force winds thus stuff will keep you warm and dry..

I'll just say I would have normally used hardy and this year fancied a change and I'll not be going back good price on this product at the mo as well if you shop around....

Leave it to some yank to say that................ I've been wearing Lewis Creek & Hoggs of Fife wax cotton Jackets since 1984 and am happy with them. I also own a CC Filson fishing jacket and love it. I wear a good wool sweater under them and I expect to be damp if I stay out in a gale with heavy rain all day. The wool under layer keeps you warm, top it off with a vintage David Hanna & Son's wool tweed hat and keep the hood up during the worst of it and you'll be as comfy as I.

Ard

Over the years I've tried most waterproofs, in the end they all let moisture in. Unless you park your ass on the bank, like a gnome or a coarse fisherman.. one in the same, your jacket will let in some moisture. I normally find it's at the elbow & the shoulder, that water comes in. This is due to the constant movement.

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All that glitters, will catch anglers.