Dress to kill fish, not yourself

NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.fishotopia.com

As the weather begins to cool in many parts of the country over the next couple of months, the way we dress when heading out fishing can become extremely important — even a matter of life and death!

Scottish comedian Billy Connolly once said: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.” He had a valid point, too. It’s amazing what a difference dressing correctly can make when it comes to taming the worst that Huey can throw at us, allowing us to stay on the water and keep

Over the past couple of years, I’ve come to rely heavily on specialised outdoor clothing from three different manufacturers for all my wading and weatherproofing needs. That trio of makers are Simms, Ridgeline and Fly N Dry. All three produce quality outdoor gear. None of it is cheap, but in this game, you tend to get what you pay for. I’ve got cupboard full of cheap and nasty wet weather gear that simply wasn’t up to the task. There’s a lot to be said for the old adage “buy right, buy once”.

I also put a fair bit of thought into the ability of the clothing I wear to break up my outline and help conceal me from the fish I hunt, especially in any sort of “finesse” situation, or around shallow, the Woodland Camo Storm colour: a dark, blue-based pattern that seems especially appropriate in most saltwater environments, but also works in the fresh.

The other protective garment I’ve been really enjoying of late is my Infinity Jacket from Ridgeline. It’s not quite as sophisticated (nor as expensive and heavy) as the Simms, but it still does a great job of cutting wind and repelling rain. The “breathability” of the Thinsulate material used in this jacket means that moisture in your sweat quickly “wicks” out, but rain is blocked from passing the other way. I picked mine in neoprene chest waders from the Hobart-based Fly N Dry company (a subsidiary of Anchor Wetsuits). Neoprene waders might be a bit “old school” compared to the latest high-tech, breathable waders on the market, but they are less expensive, harder wearing and, in my opinion, much warmer when conditions become really icy. They’re not something you’d choose to put the same company. Wearing that and a pair of their waders, she’s ten feet tall and bulletproof! I also get a lot of use, especially at this time of year, from my extra-high Fly N Dry Launch Boots — effectively extended gum boots or wellies with neoprene uppers… Handy bits of kit!

Your columnist definitely rates his Simms Challenger Jacket on the coldest of days, and a Ridgeline fishing long after others have headed for home. clear water. These days I see lots of folks out fishing in their high viz’ work gear. They’re very easy to spot — and not just to human eyes! Seriously, keep the high viz’ gear for work…

Dressing for the conditions obviously becomes more important as autumn rolls into winter, especially in the south of the country. Being improperly dressed can not only make you miserable and ruin your whole day — it can actually put you at serious risk of life-threatening medical conditions such as hypothermia.

Wherever you fish — even up north — you really need at least a decent jacket of some sort that’s capable of cutting the wind and repelling rain. I make sure I always have one of these packed somewhere in my gear, no matter how pleasant the conditions are when I leave home. Wet weather pants are also a great idea, but if you don’t have those, at least being able to protect your upper body will keep you reasonably comfortable in most situations.

If you wade into the water to go fishing, prawning, crabbing or whatever, you’ll also need to consider owning a pair of waders for prolonged immersion, especially once water temperatures drop below about 18 or 20 degrees.

At the top of my list when dressing to battle the elements is my Simms Challenger Jacket. This is a very classy waterproof and breathable jacket featuring two layers of too.

Simms’ trade-marked Toray fabric, with fully taped seams. It has a three-point adjustable storm hood that conveniently stows in the collar, dual draw-cord adjustable bottom hem, and those deep, fleecelined pockets are lovely for thawing out frozen hands! This is definitely not a budget jacket, but like I said, you get what you pay for. I went for

You get what you

Ridgeline’s “Excape Camo” colour, which can best be described as an autumn-like, “real tree” style of muted, brown-and-tan patterns. It works well in most freshwater and estuary settings, very effectively breaking up the wearer’s outline and silhouette.

Finally, when it comes to cold weather waders, I’m currently relying on a pair of on while prawning on a hot summer’s night, but by the time the back end of the trout season rolls around in our high country, they’re exactly what I want to protect me from that icy alpine water.

As well, as waders Fly N Dry make a few other interesting neoprene garments. Jo is absolutely in love with her rubberised boat jacket from

Owning and using the right clothing has definitely changed my fishing in recent years, giving me more time on the water, and extending my “season” at both ends. That’s a big deal for me, and it should be for you, too. What you wear and how well you prepare for your time in the elements can not only spell the difference between success and failure, or pain and comfort — it can literally be a matter of life and death!

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VICTORIA: Melbourne Marine Centre

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bluewater Marine

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Christies Beach Marine

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Port Lincoln Boat Supplies

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