Musto wading jacket with:
- a folding landing net hanging on the D-ring supplied on the back of the coat's collar;
- the 2 breast pockets each have one lure box (about the size of a chinese meal container) , one for soft plastics and one for hard ones. The Soft plastics are each in a poly bag to keep them separate. Each box has spare leaders inside, again in poly bags. Spare lure clips are clipped onto the zips of the jacket. I usually don't take spinners - too heavy, but might do in a sandy estuary. The zip-up side pockets have 'fish sorting out' gear in one (i.e. forceps, measuring tape, small scales + plastic carry bag for weighing, notebook & pen etc. Other zip pocket has spare spool bound with bubblewrap (in case I trip over), small plastic bottle (tonic water type) of soft drink, and choc bars, sweets etc.
- I carry a wading staff on some occasions, otherwise it's one rod made up, that's all.
- Sunglasses I wear, with a lanyard in case they drop off. They are scratched to buggery, but they are just for fishing.
- Hanging round my neck is an adjustable thin strap, which has large keyring-type rings for camera, sharpening stone, and a very small torch with a red beam, which I can hold in my mouth when sorting out a fish in the dark or murk.
- Camera is a small waterproof type.
I don't care if the lures get wet, they all go under the shower later. Spare batteries for camera, and my mobile phone I keep in a waterproof pouch which has its own lanyard, round my neck (Musto yachtsman's type - expensive, but worth spending about £30 on. A cheaper version is a roll-up one by Gilert from 'outdoor' shops).
I wear a peaked cap, and a headtorch, even in daytime - in case I have to flash an SOS !
All this has proved well for me, but I'm now considering a mini-tripod for the camera (an aticulated type to sit on a rock). Also I've just bought a stronger and waterproof mini drink bottle (flip top type, Stanley, B&Q?)
All this works for me if I'm wading in estuaries or rock hopping in Wales.
Geoff
