Non-Fishing Clothes That Make Fishing Better
Thanks to some generous industry friends and some overactive credit cards, Hanna and I have far more fishing clothing than we really need. We tend to revert to certain favorites over and over and over again, until they wear out or get replaced by something better. Much of it is from companies like AFTCO and Simms and Huk that make gear specifically for anglers – it stands to reason that they’ll understand the market and fill their products with angler-oriented features and designs. However, we don’t just limit our outdoors wardrobes to items made expressly for the water. Both of us have plenty of other garments and footwear that we rely upon. Here are four of my recent favorites:
Ariat Rebar M4 Low Rise DuraStretch Made Tough Stackable Straight Leg Pant
I have a weird-shaped body so I bought these as a substitute for the Carhartts that I desperately wanted but which just didn’t fit. I purchased them before COVID, and then never wore them as I worked from home for two years and lived in shorts and sweatpants. I’m sorry I waited so long because they’ve become my go-to casual pants for both fishing and everyday wear. They were already “broken in” and fit perfectly, and as an added bonus you can wear them out to dinner in the evening with a button down shirt and look dressier than if you’d worn jeans.
As I get older, I realize that treating my feet well while I fish is the key to my whole body feeling good at day’s end – especially my back. I already had a pair of On’s waterproof shoes and loved them, so I added another pair for everyday wear, and they’ve migrated to the boat on dry days. They’re light as a feather and provide tremendous support. I’ve enjoyed other brands including Hoka and Asics, but these are my favorites.
Keeping with the “good shoes” theme, I wanted a shoe I could wear on the boat that had the functionality of Crocs (i.e., could be hosed down to get rid of the tuna blood), yet with a little more support and which wouldn’t come off if I was flying up to the deck to launch my popper. The Scenario got great reviews. I was afraid the rubber would pinch my skin, but they fit like comfortable gloves.
Arcade + Marsh Wear Belts
As with pants, where I’m somewhere in the range of the uncommon 31” inseam, with belts I always seem to fall in-between sizes. That’s not a problem with these infinite adjustable, elasticized belts. They even have fishing themes. Perhaps most importantly, they won’t set off airport metal detectors, so they’re ideal for travel. I got two – one in the black tarpon pattern and one in the gray mermaid pattern.
Remember, just because it doesn’t say “fishing” or “angler” or “pro basser” on the label doesn’t mean that it won’t be ideal for your time on the water.
