Insulator Pant

Wading can be a little chilly after breakup but there's no need to go numb below the waist just because you fish in cold water. The Insulator Pant serves as a warm buffer between you and your waders. They're made of eco-friendly polyester (51% recycled) double-faced fleece (brushed on both sides for loft and warmth) with a moisture-wicking finish. Details: elasticized waistband with drawcord and a brushed tricot lining, two tricot-lined front pockets, one zippered hip pocket and tapered cuffs for a smooth, low friction underwader fit. They are recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program. I know many of you have expressed appreciation for the old El Cap pants. The Insulator Pant was cloned from the rootstock of that classic style.

Photos by Rene Braun

Double Haul

There seemed to be a lot of interest in fishing packs so I hauled together a bunch of pix and words to illustrate one of the revised styles in the Patagonia S8 line. The Double Haul is a modular, multi-functional pack designed to meet the needs of the multi-dimensional angler. It's been redesigned to separate into components. The padded shoulder strap can be disconnected from both the front and back pack. That's what makes the modularity possible. The padded connecter has a tool slot and you can stick on a fly patch if desired. The back pod is large enough to carry a compressible jacket or insulation and standard size hydration reservoir plus it converts to a stand-alone waist or sling pack. The front pack organizes fly boxes and other necessities and can be used separately as a chest or sling pack too. Details include: 8.8-oz nailhead nylon dobby and polyurethane coated 420-denier pack cloth construction; back hydration pack can hold a rod tube in it’s tunnel, two attachment points can accommodate pin back, post and clip retractors; magnetic tool loop. Check out all the Double Haul posts below for more detail. Click on the pix for larger views. Also note that some images show the old Gi II pants, revised Sunshade Shirt, new Sun Mask and new Surf Sneakers. (Hydration reservoir, retractor and hemos shown above are not included.)

Photos by Tim Davis

Double Haul - Chest Pack

The front pack (Single Haul) can be worn solo as a chest pack by connecting the neck and waist straps . The pack is narrow but tall so you can fit large boxes in it and still see your feet.

Photos by Tim Davis

Double Haul - Front Pack Sling

The front pack has been nicknamed the Single Haul and is very useful worn on its own. It's an ideal minimalist pack that will hold large fly boxes vertically and a standard size bottle of water. The neck strap is needed to create a 3 point connection which allows the user to swivel the Single Haul from back to front and back again very easily. You can also substitute your stretch wader belt (shown above) in place of the one that comes with the Double Haul to avoid doubling up on belts.

Photos by Tim Davis

Double Haul - Back Pack Sling

This picture series shows how the hydration pod can be worn "sling style" on its own. This is a high riding set up which is great when wading deep or dodging waves. The back pack tunnel can serve a variety of angling needs. The tunnel can serve as a rod or water bottle holder. The rod tube can be lashed at one of the web loops. These web loops can be used to tend a pair of hemos and more.

Photos by Tim Davis, Joe Ziepniewski and Janice Parente

Double Haul - Hip Pack

The hydration pod portion of the Double Haul can be worn as a hip pack once detached. The hydration feature remains functional and you can see that there is still retractor attaching capability.

Photos by Tim Davis

Double Haul - Mixed Bag

This shot shows the front pack worn sling style with the back pod in waist pack mode. Another configuration would be Single Haul in chest pack mode with back pod worn as a hip pack. The back pod has a "tunnel" which can stow a water bottle. The tunnel can also be used for a variety of other purposes depending on how the pack is worn.

Photo by Rene Braun

Double Haul - Magnetic Loop

This picture shows the Double Haul magnetic accessory loop and a good view of the new "fish pull" which is a signiture detail on all the fish products. The magnet makes for a great place to temporarily place a fly when changing patterns and is also strong enough to hold hemos. The picture shows how the magnet in the loop holds nippers from dangling.

Photo by Rene Braun

Double Haul - Drainage

Double Haul drainage details were paid great attention. The packs are not completely waterproof (not seam sealed) but they resist liquid penetration (coated fabrics with a DWR) and they won't hold water....because it always seems to find a way in.

Photo by Rene Braun

Hall of Fame Gear

Way Yin, Topher Browne (Patagonia Fly Fishing Ambassadors) and Brian Bennett (Patagonia Fly Fishing Sales manager and Moldy Chum founder) were discussing an interesting topic - "Hall of Fame Gear". It seemed like a good thing to pose to the Way Upstream community. If you were asked to list some of the best fly fishing specific products that have come out over time (clothing-wise), a hall of fame of killer stuff so to speak, what would the list look like? This list should be what you, after years of trial and error would recommend to your friends to cut straight to the best. I'm not so interested in a specific technology (like breathable membranes) or what was a breakthrough product at the time (like bootfoot neoprenes), but what still rocks after having tried all the rest... even stuff you wish was still being made because you'd wear it right now. Post your top 10 favorites.

Photo courtesy of Mike Thompson and Pedro Lopez-Baldrich

Keep the grit out

A while ago I posted a request for wader feedback that was widely commented on. Since then I've been working on the new wader development and have a specific area for the Way Upstream community to focus and comment on. This area is the gravel guard. I'm testing various fabrics, high filtration mesh and neoprene for this integrated feature. I'm testing various shapes and sizes. All seem to have strengths and potential weaknesses. What do you like, hate, wish for in gravel guards? Do you have a favorite? Do you like them integrated? Let me know your thoughts, comments or stories.

Photo by Mikey Wier

Guidewater Duffle

I've been meaning to circle back on some questions that came up in past comments about new gear. One question was about an angler-inspired duffle bag. Here is some workbook copy and pictures for you to review.

Whoever said getting there is half the fun obviously wasn’t dealing with dripping waders, muddy boots or current airline restrictions. Whether you’re traveling by truck, skiff, floatplane or jetliner, the Guidewater Duffle makes hauling gear easy. This new design is a more technical version of our original Wet/Dry Gear Bag with a welded waterproof dry compartment and breathable/drainable mesh side. The coated, floating baffle separates wet and dry gear, so your wading boots won’t soak your “coming home” shirt. Tough dual-coated fabric, high-airflow mesh, water-resistant zippers and rod tube attachment points combine to create the ultimate angler’s duffle. Better yet, both sizes (reg. and large) meet domestic airline carry-on requirements, eliminating worries of arriving waderless. So maybe getting there can be, shall we say, a quarter the fun?

Let me know what you think. I'll try to address the Double Haul changes in a future post too.

Top photo by Rene Braun

Product shots by Steve Swartzendruber

Copy by Dylan Tomine

Hoppicator

I saw this pattern in Fly Fishing Life Magazine. It seemed brilliant to me so I asked Mikey Wier for a Way Upstream story. Here are the words and some of the pictures that he sent:

"The Hoppicator has been a great pattern for me. I’ve been developing the system for a several years now. I usually fish it in conjunction with weighted nymphs. The main premise is to get away from using lead or tin weights, foam or yarn indicators. I don’t like the weights because they are just more litter than needed and often tangle on your line if you overhead cast. I stopped using indicators because they scare spooky fish around here in some of our technical catch and release fishing areas. Now I just use the Hopper Dropper or Super Hopper Dropper as I call the heavier set up for all my trout fishing and even some steelhead fishing in heavy water. The system is just as versatile as traditional indicator fishing, as far as depth and weight adjustments. You just have to be slightly more perceptive about the current flows and actual river depths when choosing the right fly combo. I usually use a heavy “bomb” fly like my double tungsten Jawbreaker or Tungsten Caramel Caddis Pupa to get down deep. I then use a dropper of something smaller like my Mint Chocolate Crawler Nymph or Butterscotch Sprinkle. This system also really came in handy for the Team USA competitions. The rules call for no weight or indicators so most people just dry dropper or Czech Nymph. That’s great for some water but some places require the kind of long dead drift you can only get with an indicator. My Hoppicator set up conforms to the Team USA rules and no one else had anything like it. It won a couple beats for me. Many of my trout patterns, including the Hoppicator, will be available soon from Idylwilde Fly Company." Photos by Mikey Wier

Deep Wading Jacket - Front

Way Upstream commenter Bradley asked to get a closer look at the S8 redesigned Deep Wading Jacket. Here it is for you all to see. Click on the shot and mouse over the comment boxes to learn more.

Way Upstream

Copyright 2007

Angler - Topher Browne

Photos by Rene Braun

Deep Wading Jacket - Back

Here's a look at the back of the S8 Deep Wading Jacket. Click on the shot and mouse over the comment boxes to learn more.

Way Upstream

Copyright 2007

Setting the standard

Way Upstream community around the world, a challenging project is now at the forefront. The project is to redesign and possibly redefine an icon. This icon is the SST Jacket (SST stands for salmon, steelhead and trout). This jacket was born in 1989 and has been often copied but never duplicated (top left). Since it's introduction, the SST has continually set the standard for on-the-water weather protection. Today’s version features 3-layer stretch nylon fabric with H2No® waterproof/breathable barrier (bottom right). So what’s driving the change idea? Spring 2008 jacket development (new Guidewater Jacket and redesigned Deep Wading Jacket) is causing closer inspection of this SST reinvention concept for S9. I have some ideas about where I’d like the design to go and I’m sure YC has his ideas too but where do you think it should go? Think about the SST and tell me what you like, wish for, want to improve? Consider color, pocketing, cuffs, hood, salt/freshwater and so on. Tell me stories of your SST. Who knows, maybe you think it’s fine as is, but either way, let me know your thoughts.

Travis Rummel keeps a firm grip on his coffee and spey rod while cruising in his Stretch SST. Photo by Ben Knight

First line of defense

This shot of Jeff Liskay (Patagonia fly fishing ambassador) struck me as a very clear illustration of the function of a garment’s DWR. Click on the picture to see what I mean. What is a DWR? A DWR is a “finish” that keeps the outer fabric from becoming saturated so that the breathable “barrier” can do its job. DWR finishes are the first line of defense in preventing water entry. Patagonia waders, jackets, vests and packs all have DWR finishes. In most cases it’s a proprietary technology called Deluge DWR, which lasts longer than standard DWRs. Garments with the Deluge DWR finish can have good repellency even after years of use. Eventually DWRs wear thin and aftermarket applications are the remedy. Oh and by the way, the picture also struck me as a nice shot of Jeff and his catch. Stay dry everyone. Let me know if you want to have a DWR (durable water repellent) conversation.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Liskay, Silver Fury Guide Service

Information Source on the Web

It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years since Patagonia released it's first fishing vest. This past Thursday a new component to the Patagonia Web site was launched. The fly fishing category pages have been revamped (www.patagonia.com/flyfishing) so that systems, products, stories, links and more are easier to find and research. The now-famous "Running Down the Man" video about surf fishing for roosterfish in Baja is hosted on the fly fishing landing page (watch this if you haven't already; it's a slicker version of what premiered at last year's Fly Fishing Retailer show). Check out the site and let me know what you think.

Tools of the trade

Fly fishing vests, packs, jackets and waders all have been made to accommodate retractors in some form or another. In some cases retractors are being built right into the gear. Retractors are not fly fishing specific. Ski areas issue season passes on retractors. These same retractors are standard in hospitals for doctors and nurses so they can have their security passes ready at all times. I personally haven't developed a "can't do without" need for them as it relates to fly fishing yet but man they seem popular (I have my clippers and hook sharpener attached to basic fly line lanyards). Fly fishing product design seems to demand retractor attachment capability. Do you agree? If so, what kind of retractor do you use (pin back, post, clip, etc.)? If not, why? Regardless of your retractor opinions, what tools are mandatory and how do you attach/store your tools of the trade?

Merging Streams

Here's a Way Upstream press release from our technical department:

"After intensive R&D, we've found a way to merge our blog stream, our comments stream and our photo stream into one. All subscribers will now be able to follow along with new blog posts as well as with comments and select Flickr photos featured on the right hand side of the blog - in other words, the whole Way Upstream experience!! RSS and email subscribers may notice a few hiccups as we work out the bugs but we believe this will be an upgrade for everyone."

Test this latest upgrade and let us know what you think about merging streams!