Northwest Reel Life Jan-Feb 2024 Volume 4 Issue 4 - Flipbook - Page 25
powered heated vest that
is mentioned above. This
is the keystone to keeping
your core warm and
remaining comfortable for
the entire day.
After this, a puff jacket
or fleece, followed by an
impervious outer layer
jacket, round out the
ensemble. When it comes
to the outermost layer,
there is great debate. I will
wear a Gore-Tex jacket
when the weather is not
forecasted to be super
wet. This will generally
stay dry enough, but I
have yet to find a highend Gore-Tex jacket that is
water”PROOF”.
For really wet days, I
rely on rubber. My go-to
is something made by
either Helly Hansen or
Grundens that is designed
for commercial fishing.
There are many options and
most cost less than a highend jacket from Simms,
Patagonia, or another
leading brand. The key is to
go with something that will
keep the rain and wind out.
Also, layering as outlined
above allows you to dress
and undress for comfort, as
conditions change during
the day.
I don’t want to sway anyone
to a particular brand of
clothing as we all have our
preferences. I can attest to
what has worked best for
me based on years of trial
and error as well as talking
to guides who are out in the
elements every day. Getting
cold is a strong motivator
to find a way to keep warm,
so a lot of testing goes into
determining what works
best. I will leave it to you
to listen to the research
and advice of someone
who has invested heavily
in this process or choose
to learn on your own.
Hopefully, this is helpful,
and you successfully chase
steelhead in 2025, while
remaining warm, dry, and
comfortable. Good fishing!
