A DECENT wind/spray jacket is a must for all keen anglers. Even in summer, the early morning breeze can be chilly and the spray commonly encountered in small boats is rarely pleasant regards of the season.
Ideally, you want something light, comfortable and easily packed away when not in use. I’ve been wearing a Calibre II jacket from Ridgeline for the past several months. I’ve found it ideal for all forms of fishing as it’s easy to wear and very good at stopping cold breezes and deflecting spray.
This isn’t the sort of jacket you’d use if fishing in extreme cold or really heavy weather. Rather, it’s designed for use in “everday” situations. For instance, I packed it in my bag for a quick trip targeting king salmon and lake trout in Lake Michigan during a visit to the US earlier this year.
The weather was fine – bright sun and quite warm. Out on the water, however, a cool breeze saw me get pretty cold pretty quickly. The Calibre II jacket, which features an internal membrance to cut out wind, plus waterproof inner and external layers, was extremely effective at reducing the wind chill while providing maximum comfort.
Since that trip, the Calibre II jacket has been taken on trips out west canoeing for cod, offshore chasing snapper and on various kayaking missions around my home waters.
As well as stopping cold wind hitting my vitals, the jacket has proved effective at keeping me dry. Drizzle and light rain is no drama at all – zip the jacket right up, pull the hood over your head and you remain pretty comfortable. Ditto when canoeing or kayaking.
As far as I can tell, the Calibre II is designed to keep the wearer dry in standard fishing scenarios. Light rain and spray is no problem. Heavy rain or serious offshore drenching would probably require more specialised wet weather gear. The jacket itself is olive in colour with snazzy orange zips. Unlike inferior jackets I’ve worn, the Calibre II’s zips are fully tape sealed and look more than capable of withstanding heavy use. A recent kayak trip in choppy conditions saw me cop quite a bit of water in the form of windblown spray and small waves crashing over the size of my ‘yak. I can report that the Calibre II’s zips showed no sign of leakage.
Further, repeated use in saltwater environments has so far resulted in no visible corrosion – the bugbear of all zipped clothing used in outdoors situations. The jacket features two large pockets, under arm vents and a hood. A double cuff system helps keeps your hands warm on frosty mornings. It scrunches up for easy storage in a boat or backpack and is machine washable.
Unlike a lot of outdoors clothing, the jacket is more than suitable for use in casual social situations. I seriously wear mine all the time. Best of all, it’s priced at a very reasonable $129.95 and comes in a range of sizes from XS to 5XL. Check out all the Ridgeline jackets, including the Calibre II, at www.ridgelineclothing.com.au, where you can purchase online or find details of your closest Ridgeline retailer.
