Well we all know that that time of year is comming closer. I was just wondering what type of rain gear you all felt was the best out there. I for many years (8) had a Koolah oil skin that I thought was great. I went to get a new one this year and found out that they went out of business. I have since bought a Filson and am hoping that this will be as good as my old and trusted jacket. What do you folks use?

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dank
Keep The Rivers Clean!

The Filson jacket can't be beat. It don't look good.. It don't smell good.. But it keeps you dry which is what rain gear should be all about. All the gore tex stuff is pretty much crap when you concider the price of it. The seems almost always will start leaking.. If you need a real pretty light teal or blue fashion statement get gore tex. If you want to stay dry and warm, its the filson

Columbia camo gor-tex bib's and coat,work great for the boat's but not so good for beatin the bank and brush.Goodluck, STRIKE ZONE.

Filson makes the best wool hunting jacket with the Mackinaw but for rain gear Grundens might just be the best.

For the boat, I have a real nice set of High Seas rain gear. It has all the wrist straps, ankle straps, neck straps, stand-up collar, etc., etc., to keep you absolutely dry, warm, and snug. But it's no good for moving around.

For streamside, I always check into those wading rain jackets when I'm in a gear store. They always seem to cost in excess of $250.00. That's out. I finally found an Orvis shell. It has wrist straps, drawstring for the waist, stand-up collar w/velcro strap to close it snug, billed hood, nice pockets (both inside and outside) and it only cost met about $35.00. It is very light, but it is also very large and I can wear layers and fishing vest underneith. Good room in the shoulders. Best of all it is really waterproof. It is made of something that looks like ripstop nylon. It doesn't breath, but has both zipper and buttons, so if the rain isn't coming sideways I can open the zipper and keep it buttoned - provides some circulation. It has mesh on the inside across the back and shoulders, which keeps it from clinging. Crushes down to nothing for storage and carrying. Don't know how durable it is, I've only had it for two seasons. So far, so good. I would buy it agian.

Filson for the brush, I use mine mostly for bird hunting as I fish from the boat. For the boat I use Dutch Harbor. They make a nice light wt rain jacket for about 50 bucks. It keeps you dry and doesn't weigh a ton which makes it nice when you're on the sticks all day.

Nothing compares to the quality and versatility of a Grundens. Will last longer then any other rain gear out there.

Bought a coat at fisherman's marine this spring that is the best Ive ever owned. Its made by Walls. The outside is a very soft camo rainproof material.The inside is a thick soft pile that is as comfortable as pajamas. Wore it this spring in miserable driving rains with no leaks and totally warm. Top quality fasteners, zippers, hood. Not binding, not sweaty. I love it...should've bought 2. My wife takes it from me each time we board the boat. I believe they make matching bibs also. Its called Walls Water Pruf. Cost $79 on sale. They said retail is double that.

I picked up a wading jacket/coat from Sage last fall for $50 and love it. It's made from some gore-type thing called Sympatex or something like that. Got it from sierra trading post. I'm always finding good deals from them. Sage advertises the jacket for $200+. Yikes.

I'm a huge Filson fan, for wool. But when it comes to staying dry, the best I've ever seen is Simm's Gore-Tex wading coat. I've had several gore-tex coats, wax "oilskin" and the rubber type. The Simm's never leaks and still lets the sweat evaporate so you don't get that clammy, damp, cold that goes to the bone.

My vote goes to the Cabela's guide wear jacket..... it is spendy, but worth every dry dime in a Feb. rain storm.

TH

Another one for the Filson. I wish I would have bought mine after they put zippers in them though. Had mine for 4 years and have never had a problem.