wading jacket?

I'm interested in buying a wading jacket. A day off, especially a day off when I can do what I want to do, is few and far between. Last Monday was such a day. I spent the day fishing the Caney Fork river for the first time, and enjoyed myself tremendously. At least until I slipped and got my right arm wet. The wind was very strong and with a wet sleeve, it wasn't long until I was cold. I hiked back to the truck and luckily had a jacket in there and I went back to fishing. The jacket I had kept the wind out, but it has a cotton lining and if it had gotten wet, I'm afraid my day would have ended much quicker. So, I want a good wading jacket, but at a cheap price. :) What can I say, I'm tight. Oh yeah, I'm also mostly broke.:P Anyway, I'd like a good jacket that I can pack up in my vest, for those few precious days when I get to do what I want to do. And the weather isn't cooperating real well.

What do you guys use? and what do you reccommend?

thanks in advance,
hNt

I am sure there will be specific suggestions for brands etc. I have a Redington and am very happy with it. The two major points I wouild like to suggest are:
1) get one that is breathable, it is not nice getting clammy inside a jacket that doesn't let moisture out even though it doesn't let any in.
2) get one that has a cuff that can be tightened to fit you - perhaps a neoprene and velco combination. The casting arm can get wet to the elbow with rain dribbling down as you cast.
Some of us here in Ontario have satisfied these requirements (and your packability question) for $100Cdn.

... but one of the really good waterproof / breathable, and light weight jackets around at a pretty reasonable price. Follow the link.

http://www.rei.com/product/804391

This jacket has been around for a long time with very few changes. It usually gets rave reviews, but note that the reviews at REI seem rather inconsistent. Think in terms of more moderate weather, wind, and activity level and most of them are very favorable.

John

P.S. If you join REI, at the end of the year you will get a dividend of 10% of the amount you spend there. At least last time I checked. Best to look for yourself if you decide to give them a try. REI, by the way, probably has the best customer service of any company that I have ever dealt with.

Have to agree with John on this one, mine is a few years older though :) It really packs down for storage and can offer some really nice rain protection. The only thing is it's not lined so I like to pair this with a fleece or a synthetic like the Nano Puff from Patagonia. Which I can testify to is really worth the money since last weekend I dunked my arm in up to my elbow to tail a big Bull trout and within minutes the garment was dry and I never got cold but I also had their Capline long top on under. It's worth the investment.
Attachment 7545

I really recommend GregH's #2.

I just got the Simms freestone, the last model for $139! (new ones are out and list for something like $399!) I haven't tried it out, but it has all the features that I like. Big cargo pockets, folds down into nothing, adjustable cuffs and a good zipper.

TT.

Rain jackets that are made for wading usually have cuffs that keep out water and packets that store gear in the right places that regular rain jackets don't always have. Rain jackets are often longer than wading jackets so if you wade very deep, the bottom of your rain jacket will get soaked inside and out, which will make it uncomfortable to wear once you get out of your waders.

Here is a really good one from LL Bean for a reasonable price: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/36449?feat=2103-GN2

Cabelas has a wading jacket on sale at $70-80.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cloth...3Bcat103879080

I have a slightly older version of the jacket that oldfrat suggests. I would like the jacket to be a little shorter, but when need be, I just cinch the bottom hem and hike it up a little. It does pack down nice. The newer version has a lot more pockets also.

luckie88 - read your post and I'm having an awful hard time feeling sorry for you, but if you need some advice, I would suggest you quit fishing for big Bull trout - that should keep your arm dry, although you'll probably just switch to fishing for big brown trouts! Some PEOPLE never learn! LOL!!!!

Best regards, Dave who would relish a wet arm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oldfrat

Cabelas has a wading jacket on sale at $70-80.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cloth...3Bcat103879080

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I have a Cabela's Backcountry wading jacket, which may be similar to the one above. It works well for me. While many of these jackets are "packable", none of them are as compact when packed as you would like. I generally don't carry mine in the back of my vest unless there is a fair chance that I'm going to need it on any given day.