Resort Wear for Tropical Fishing Trips
When we're out on the boat on a fishing trip, more than anything else I dress for function over style. Of course I always try to look good for the fish, I mean the pictures, but I’m mostly concerned with protecting myself from the sun and not sweating to death.
However, at some of the resort-style fisheries, like Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala, it feels nice to look a little dressed up in the evening. There’s certainly no dress code, but I like to go to the bar area for a gourmet dinner and look fresh and trendy.
However, there are limitations in doing this. One is you have limited luggage space. Two, it's either hot or cold. Three is no one really wants to spend a lot of time getting dressed when there's so much to do. When packing, you need to consider space limitations, what looks good and what packs well.
Fortunately, much of the fishing-type clothing is low maintenance. It doesn’t have to be dry cleaned as it’s made of wrinkle-free, high percentage polyester with spandex or elastane. Everything will be ready to wear as long as you make sure you fold it nicely. Consider using packing cubes, such as ebags.
For the ladies, take a dress that's casual and can be worn as a pool cover up, but also accessorized for dinner. At the same time, you don't want to bring your expensive jewelry – bring some “fishy” pieces to fit the mood.
Skorts are a super high value piece because I can wear on to fish and also to look nice in the evening. Just throw on a different top, a zip up sweatshirt or sweater, and off to dinner you go.
A few of my favorite outfits that go from ship to shore are listed below:
The World Wide Sportsman Button-Up Marina Long-Sleeve Shirt for Ladies has ventilation across the shoulders, made from 100% recycled polyester, lightweight and breathable, chest pockets (carry money, room key, lip balm) and UPF 30 protection.
Pair it with an AFTCO Women’s Fantail Skort 92% polyester 8 % elastane. 4-way stretch (good because the food is so irresistible at the resorts where we fish) and AFGUARD stain resistant (helps if you are messy yet don’t have laundry services).
The AFTCO Sandpiper Dress is 48% jersey polyester, 48% rayon and 4% spandex. Since it is quick dry with moisture wicking material, it can be used as a beach cover up. Dry off and go right to lunch or dinner. The adjustable belt is nice so you don’t look like you are wearing a MOOMOO.
Another great outfit that folds well, and has both moisture wicking properties and UPF 50 sun protection are the Columbia Tidal Sands Skort and the Tidal Tee PFG Fish Flag Long Sleeve T-shirt. I like wearing this outfit on the Fourth of July and Memorial Day weekends as they are very patriotic looking yet can be worn all year round (assuming you are in warm weather).
Columbia also has fishing dresses. The PFG Freezer III Dress comes in so many colors and patterns and is Omni-Wick, Freeze and Shade UPF 50 protection. I still suggest LOTS of sunblock. There are so many options I am not sure which one to purchase.
Two pieces that I just purchased for our next trip to Guatemala came from Scales Gear.
Their Offshore Country Club line has had my eye for a while but I was too cheap to purchase until they had their buy one, get one and sale. Check out the outfit I put together -- it’s set aside ready to go to Guatemala, Offshore Core Women’s Sleeveless Polo and Trippy Fish Wavy Skort. Both pieces are wrinkle resistant, quick drying, moisture absorbing and lightweight.
We all know that I don’t like to fish in cold weather conditions but when we HAVE TO, I need to have not only have great outerwear but base layers that are warm and look good when you strip down.
In Alaska, my outfits differ. Base layers that are warm and have a quick dry function but also are UPF sun protected are a plus (Alaska can be warm in August).
The Backcast Sunshirt is lightweight, quick dry and sun protected and comes in three unique colors, unlike other brands on the market. The colors match all the different patterned leggings.
I wear my favorite pair of leggings, Groovy Grayling, under my waders as well as to the gym. But the best piece of all is the Allagash Soft-shell Skirt. Linda Leary, designer and owner of Fishewear, stated “From river fun to getting things done, all you have to do is zip and go!”
The nice thing about these clothes is that in addition to being comfortable, and fashionable in a fishing setting, they are pieces you can wear elsewhere, whether it’s to the beach, to a casual dinner, to the gym, around town or to the country club. They remind you of the fishing lifestyle even when you cannot be on the water.
