I am looking at getting a new rain coat for fishing, and want to stay bone dry, What do you use, any recommendations, or problems with what is currently out there.
Thanks, Matt

What size do you wear? I'm putting together a list of things I need to try to get rid of so I can send Uncle Sam a check by mid April. A like new Simms G3 is on the chopping block.

Sorry, it's a large

Sitka Cloudburst. Cheaper than a Simm's and better designed in my opinion. I bought it primarily for hunting but it has gotten much more use while fishing. It's got a great hood especially when rowing as it can be cinched down and doesn't mess up your peripheral vision.

Frogg Toggs

Shouldn't Uncle Sam be cutting you check in mid-April?

The poorest rain gear i have ever tried - Frog Toggs. They tear easily and come apart at the seems. I have had compete sets
and will never have another. Joust my expirence. YMMV

Simms Pac-Lite for days I expect light rain. Yesterday wasn't one of them but it still kept me nice and dry. Light and easily packable. Good as a wind breaker as well on non rain days.
Patagonia River Salt for heavy rain days.
FS

I use a Grundens Brigg rain jacket. I look like a slob in it, it sucks to fish in, and it gets hot when the temp. is above 50, but it keeps me bone dry, no matter how hard it rains. It comes in a forest green color, so at least nobody can call you the "fishing banana," and the fish won't see you coming half a mile away. At $110, it's not a cheap rubber coat by any means, but I got mine at a fundraising banquet for $50, so it was an easy decision.

If you agree with me that being dry is THE most important factor in staying warm and un-miserable, and you don't want to break the bank, rubber is the way to go. The fact rubberized gear is what crab fishermen in Alaska wear tells you all you need to know. If you are more concerned about ease of access and comfort while fishing (I miss those things in my coat), a $300+ wading jacket is what you need. I'd really like to have one of those nice wading jackets, but I can't stomach the cost.

Simms Guide jacket for river fishing, it cuts rain/wind in anything short of a full-on OP deluge.

For saltwater or stupid wet all day soakers like we get, then its Grunden's time. Like the blue rubberized hooded pullover, can't remember the name of it.


c/22

Just picked up the blue Grundens pullover raincoat and pants. Waterproof pockets, neoprene cuffs. Bone dry.

No doubt about it. Grunden's will keep you bone dry on the outside but will turn into a steam bath on the inside! I've had a set for twenty years and love them but their only place on a river is when standing around a campfire while the goretex is hanging up drying.

If bone dry is the desire, hard to go wrong with commercial raingear by Helly Hansen or Grundens. But you will sacrifice mobility/movement and breathability, which can cause its own moisture in perspiration. If it is not real cold, go with a light grade. Or if money is no object, go with a couple high quality Gortex jackets, rotate them while using, and use the Revivex spray in between.

I agree, if you are buying this stuff for $29.00:



But...I needed an "emergency jacket" after suffering a zipper blowout during a monsoon weekend, and picked up this one because it was only $80 and I needed one asap:



...and it's been almost a year and I haven't bothered replacing it because it has worked great so far! I have four fishing jackets and this one gets the most use.

It's the "Hellbender", and if you're trying to do it on the cheap this one is a good option.

Fish on...

Todd

That's what I assumed would be happening. Even better when you pay a CPA to tell you otherwise




As for rain jackets, get a good one. Nothing sucks more than being soaked.

Unless you are running a complex business there is zero reason to use a CPA for taxes. Turbo Tax is VERY simple and it will see to it you get all you have coming. I have two Schedule C businesses and the usual other stuff. TT handles it quite nicely. I work with several CPA firms. They usually have a non CPA run tax software packages for the simple returns. They then bill it at $250.00 per hour.

i currently wear a redington sonic pro jacket that i picked online for about $100 a year or so back. every bit as good as a simms in quality, but i wish the hood was more adjustable. the thing is so huge i could probably put it over a brimmed hat, and without a hat on i can pull it down over my chin.

however, it's light, and it keeps me totally dry.

if i'm in the boat i wear my grundens.

Matt, for in the drift boat I have tried them all and no matter which one I have tried they all made my forearms wet while rowing or on the sticks. Until I bought a Simms G4. The cuff tightener is awesome and I don't get wet arms anymore. For all other sled/ocean fishing it's the grundens with neo cuffs. I have the heavy duty set & the lighter summer time set.Good luck,


SZ

Have had good luck with the grundens gage stuff. Not exactly a pocket-laden jacket but for the most park keeps me dry. Does seep through the zipper a bit on the really wet sideways rain outing. PVC rain gear is the grundens harvestor series. When I get tired of patching my 12 year old harvestor bibs I'll be replacing them with the same exact pair.

On sale at Dennis Company for 20% off. Jacket was $99.99 with the discount.