Over the last week there were several days that we spent on the water during the rain, which has me thinking about rain coats. Fly fishing during the rain can be quite comfortable, but you have to come to the water prepared for the elements.
In today’s world, there is no shortage of viable options for a rain coat. However, there are still a few items worth discussing when selecting a rain coat for a day of fly fishing.
One of the most important parts of a rain coat is selecting the right size. When it comes to a rain coat for fishing, it’s a good idea to consider a few sizes larger than normal. During the colder months, it’s important to have enough room to fit extra layers of clothing underneath. Having a jacket with plenty of room to spare will also give you the ability to wear your raincoat over top of your vest or pack, which will keep your gear from getting soaked.
Other features that I look at when selecting a rain coat for fly fishing are pockets and a hood. Having a large hood that fits over a hat brim helps keep water off the head, which is much more comfortable.
It’s also nice to have a few pockets on the front of the jacket to keep items that are frequently used easy to reach. Since I keep most of my gear out of the weather under my coat, I slip items such as forceps, split shot, a few spools of tippet, or a small fly box in the pockets of my jacket.
Over the last couple rainy days the fishing has been very good. If it’s time to add a new raincoat to your fly fishing arsenal, talk to Joel in the fly shop and he can help you out.
Hey Kyle, some useful info on choosing a jacket, I have a few things to offer in comparison, fishing here in Ireland we are used to the wet as it rains almost all year round. The jackets most used are made with waterproof pockets, waterproof zips and built in zingers, are breathable to allow walking along banking’s without sweating too much but also keep you dry from the down pour.
Interesting you put on the jacket as an overcoat over your vest where the gear is stowed. I think for us that would prove too cumbersome and slow in retrieving important items needed quickly to improve the fishing, example getting to your forceps to remove a hook from a trout, getting to the de-greaser to run on the leader or Amadou patch to dry a fly.
My jacket at the minute is a Guideline one have it for about 5 years now and can’t remember the model right now but its a short wading jacket and dark grey. I keep my forceps on a zinger on one side and my gink on the other, then in the tow front large pockets my fly boxes and tippet, The large rear pocket I keep more fly lines etc. I like to travel light and fast so I want all my gear easily accessible at all times.
The differences across the pond! Tight Lines!