Clothing and Gear that Thrived on a Wet Weather Trip to Panama
One problem with fishing is that you cannot control the weather. That means you have to be prepared at all times to take on the worst of the worst. When we fished in Panama in November of 2021, I realized too late that my “waterproof” jacket was NOT waterproof any longer. Similarly, the sun can burn the hell out of your feet but gym shoes aren’t the answer, especially if it might rain. On our return to Panama this year, I was much better prepared — which was fortunate because it rained much of the time.
Traveling to fish to so many places and in different conditions you often need specialized gear. That’s especially true if it’s going to rain – because if you’re wet it can be uncomfortable, or even unsafe, and can impact your ability to hook and land the fish of a lifetime. Through trial and error, I’ve built up an arsenal of some of the best gear for wet weather conditions. Here are some of my favorites:
Magellan Outdoors Pro – Women’s Angler Fishing Shoes
I’ve worn these shoes for much of 2022, starting with the last time we traveled to Lake El Salto, where I stand all day on the hard deck. I was so pleased with their comfort and their girlie look. Finally, a lady angler fishing shoe that can be worn not just for fishing but all summer long and in both warm and wet conditions.
They have traction on the soles and drainage holes which was awesome on our November Panama trip when we chased inshore and offshore species. We gaff the fish and get water and blood all over everything. The previous pair of boat shoes I wore, when they got wet, rubbed the side of my foot raw. The Magellan versions drain well and dry quickly and no rub marks.
They are noticeably light and slip on and off with the help of their toggle laces that cinch up nicely. No laces to come untied, tripped over while fighting a fish or getting around the boat. I wear a size eight and the sizing is spot on. I wore them without socks and noticed the side ventilation kept my feet from sweating.
Upon getting them home they didn’t have the TERRIBLE smell like the ones Pete wore. I did throw them in the washing machine with light detergent and dried them in the dryer and they look and smell like new. They come in gray/pink and white/blue and are reasonably priced. At the end of the day my feet and back weren’t sore, my toes aren’t stubbed and dinged, they aren’t rubbed raw and they wash well.
LEUS Fish Stack Fishing Eco Towel
What the hell did I need this for? A fishing-specific towel? Well, I found out when it rained most of the time we were out on the water in Panama. I happened to put the towel, folded, in my rain jacket pocket, which kept it dry. It’s feature-rich, made with Repreve post-consumer recycled polyester, antimicrobial microfiber, waffle textured, super absorbent and has a no rust lanyard with plastic snap.
When your hands are wet it’s hard to continue to grasp the fishing pole, I made sure that the towel was handy when it was my turn to pop, and it probably saved me from dumping the expensive rod and reel combo in the water more than once.
The loop snapped through one of the rings that was fastened to the lower portion of my Gill rain jacket. It’s as if these two companies worked together to make this happen (they didn’t, but you’d have thought they did). Now I see dozens of uses for this this towel in the boat. I am always looking for something to wipe my hands on after catching a fish and releasing in back into the water. It will be great for those hot days on the water to wipe the sweat off my face (yes, I sweat -- it’s not ladylike but so be it). It can also be dunked in the water and because of the material it will dry fast and can be used again and again.
Machine wash cold and hang dry. I found it to be the perfect size and folded up it fit in my pocket without making too much of a bulge. The towel that I questioned ended up being one of my most useful acquisitions of 2022.
Gill Pro Tournament Three Layer Jacket (FG100JGXL)
Our Florida Keys trip in May was the first time I wore my new Gill rain jacket and it kept me dry but Florida rainstorms last about as long as it takes to find the jacket in the boat, get it out, and get in on. Then the rain stops.
While in Panama I really got to put the jacket to the test. It does suck to fish in the rain but with the right gear it almost feels like it’s not raining. I know that makes no sense but it makes sense to me and I bet you can understand exactly what I mean. If nothing else, you can focus more on casting and fighting the fish, not on how miserable you feel.
I chose the men’s Gill jacket over the women’s because of the 3- versus the 2-layer fabric construction and its breathability. In the Panamanian heat and all that rain, I definitely made the RIGHT choice. The jacket was breathable and kept my clothes underneath the jacket dry. The adjustable Velcro cuffs with inner seal really kept the rain from running up my arms and making my shirt sleeves wet. The hood cinches so that water doesn’t get in and you can still see what you are fishing for.
I understand I am wearing a men’s jacket so for that reason I understand why the back of the jacket didn’t cover my butt -- fashion is fashion. To have the jacket a little longer in the back would have been nice so I would be sitting on the jacket and not the wet surface. That’s why you need rain pants or bibs.
Marmot Precip Eco Rain Pants – Women
Speaking of sitting on wet surfaces, since I brought my rain pants, I guess it really didn’t matter if the jacket was longer in back or not.
These pants are 100% recycled nylon, have a drawstring closure, machine washable, are lightweight and dry fast. I have my Gill bibs that I wear in the cold months but these are better in tropical climates. These could also be worn as well over warm under layered products, if you didn’t want to purchase two pairs. The bottoms have wide openings, I assume to fit over boots, and they have zippers up the pants and snaps on the bottoms to help secure a tight fit.
They didn’t bead water like my rain jacket did but my shorts were dry upon being in the rain all day long once I took off the pants.
I purchased in my normal size and they still fit nicely over my shorts (which I never got pictured because it rained the entire time – oh well, just know I looked really cute underneath my raingear). I am also lucky that these pants were the perfect length which so seldom happens – remember, I am really really short.
World Wide Sportsman Angler Fish Graphic Long-Sleeve T-Shirt for Ladies (Plume)
100% recycled polyester, this long sleeve shirt is lightweight and breathable and tapered (ladylike). Even in the humid, wet weather I was cool as a cucumber. I can’t wait to wear it in the heat of summer.
It’s moisture-wicking, odor fighting (I do sweat a lot, even when it rains – remember, I was fighting GIANT fish), UPF 50 sun protection and colorful fish graphics on the back of the shirt. It fits well, unlike some of the unisex SPF shirts which are better for men. It washed well and didn’t shrink and I like that the logo is small and sits on the left chest.
World Wide Sportsman Button-Up Marina Long-Sleeve Shirt for Ladies (Blue Heron)
This shirt is dressy but casual and is even sun protective. I loved the “blue heron” color on me. I didn’t wear this shirt to fish this trip but did wear it to dinner in Panama City and used the mid-sleeve roll tabs to keep the sleeves up so I didn’t get them dirty during dinner (finger food night). I rolled them down when we sat and had a drink overlooking the water so I didn’t get bit by the no-see-ums. It would go from the water to the bar with no sweat (literally!).
It's long enough to tuck in but not too long to wear untucked and not look sloppy. It has zipped pockets on either side of the chest and snap button collar.
Fishewear Wedge Tote
I have the prettiest dry bag of them all. Most of the dry bags out there are black, blue or grey and that’s BORING. My pretty dry bag has beautiful artistic blue colored coho salmon all over it.
It is a tote and not a roll top, although those are available as well, and can fit waders, boots a belt and a jacket. Fishewear began with Linda Leary’s passion for fly fishing.
It’s got daisy chain lash points, made of heavy duty welded vinyl, weighs just over a pound and built in the USA. The bag is splash proof, not 100% watertight, if submerged, contents MAY get wet. I haven’t had an issue yet and I’ve put it through some nasty conditions, particularly on this last trip to Panama.
I use it on all our fishing trips as my carry-on bag. It has a zippered top and long shoulder straps. It fits all my “extras,” wedges under the airline seat in front of me, has a front zippered pocket for the easy to get to items (phone, money and business cards). My pattern isn’t available any longer but there are several colorful collections, surely one or more will catch your eye. I really love this company and what it does to get women involved in fishing.
As my long time outdoors friend, Bradley Simmons, frequently tells me: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.” I’ve learned that good gear makes good fishing trips into great ones. Now I now have you covered from head to toe with a bag to bring your extras.
