Just six months ago I described my quest to find the perfect women’s fishing shorts. It’s something that shouldn’t be too hard – they just need to be flattering, durable, functional. Unfortunately, it seems like an endless search.

Before our November 2020 trip to El Salto, I purchased what I thought were “the ones.” I bought them from Amazon, a five pack (grey, pink, purple, blue and black) of women’s quick dry shorts with zippered pockets and a five-inch inseam. They checked all the right boxes, including zippers on the pockets so my SPF lip balm and line cutters wouldn’t slip out of my pockets. At $34.95 (now $39.95) they seemed like an incredible bargain.I read the reviews and sized down, purchased a small and they fit great at home. I place them in my suitcase a month before we left.

We spent two weeks in Mexico and I wore them multiple days. They felt ok, and they didn’t fall apart, but when I later saw myself in pictures and videos they didn’t flatter me as much as I’d thought when I was standing in front of the home mirror doing my fashion moves. I was no longer thrilled with them. They won’t go in the donation pile because they are great shorts for hanging around the house, doing yard work, for sleeping or on fishing trips when no pictures of me will be taken. That left me back at square one. I needed to look outside the box to find something better.

Pete came home from Panama on a mission to find boat shoes so we both don’t stub our toes or crack our heads open on our next trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge. He also wanted something stain-resistant and/or washable so that if they get bloody it’s not the end of the world, but that’s another post for another time.

One of the stores in our local shopping center is 5.11 Tactical, and most of their gear is aimed at “law enforcement, first responders and tactical operators.” I may not fit into any of those categories, but based on past experience I knew that their clothing is well-made and fits my distinctive body. We wandered in and I immediately gravitated to the sale rack.

This time I think I hit the jackpot. Their Layla short comes in four colors: Ranger Green, Black, Khaki and Flint. They feature a five-inch inseam, perfect for us ladies who are no longer in our twenties. They’re 100% polyester with a wicking finish and seven pockets (no zippers but the pockets are deep so nothing will fall out). They have some stretch, the leg holes aren’t tight, and they aren’t too wide – everything is properly held in place without feeling like you are wearing a tourniquet.

Based on a careful viewing in the dressing room mirror, and again at home (under Pete’s watchful and somewhat judgmental eyes) these seem like shorts I could stand to be pictured or videoed in. We’re heading back to El Salto in June and I plan to put them to the test. Same location, same picture angles – hopefully bigger fish and better framed butt and legs.

After we come back I’ll update you on how they really fit, whether they wick moisture in the Mexican summer heat and how they feel once I am in them all day long.

You may not want to wait for my trip evaluation as they are big time on sale. I picked them up for $16 in store ($19.49 online), marked down heavily from the regular price of $49.99.

P.S. The Vista pant, Ranger Green, short length is $25 in store ($29.49 online), marked down from the regular price $69.99. They aren’t too long for this shorty and fit like the Layla shorts. They might have ended up in my cart, too.

Even if the Layla shorts don’t fit your particular needs or body style, I hope everyone can learn four things from my ongoing obsessive quest:

You don’t need to find dedicated “fishing shorts” to find shorts to fish in.
Amazon Prime is the bomb but brick and mortar still has a place when you want to try on clothes TODAY and purchase clothes TODAY.
Most retailers have sales. You may not get your items for free but remember what Cosmo Kramer said: “Retail is for suckers.” Don’t pay full price, wait on the sale price.
There is no one size fits all, especially when it comes to ladies clothing. Cater to your personal needs and contours, not what others say is good for you.