Yes, there were tons of goodies - lots of neat rods, reels,
fly materials - stuff we fly fishermen love to love. But
my pick has to do with surviving to do it again another day.
Since my little brush with hyperthermia
this summer on the Manistee River, it has crossed my mind
that we anglers tend to take a few more chances than might
be considered smart.
I choose the Stearns Ultra Manual
Inflatable vest for several reasons. It is not the
only product of it's type on the market. Frankly some
of the others may be just as good. But on this one,
I went with an old, well-known name. JC and I have had
other Stearns life vests. We also own, and wear,
Stormy Seas jackets (which look like a wind-breaker),
which we wear salmon fishing on the saltwater.
But the old style life vest or
the Stormy Seas jacket is just too warm to wear in
summer, and bulky to boot. The Stearns device however,
is very light, comfortable on - and does not hinder
casting.
If you are fishing on big water,
wading in unfamiliar water or fishing after dark,
I highly recommend wearing some sort of floatation
device. But none of us are going to wear one that
is uncomfortable or keeps us from casting!
Note the Stearns Ultra #1131 is
Coast Guard approved! There are restrictions for any
of the manual devices. It must be worn on the outside
of your clothing or vest. You must either pull the
landyard which activates a co2 cartridge, or inflate
by using the Oral Tube.
This particular device is for
adults and not for kids. The point is this little
device will keep your head out of the water, and
very well could save your life - especially if you
are out fishing alone. Retail price is about a
hundred bucks. Cheap insurance.
~Deanna Birkholm
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