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Picture Of The Month



Soaker with a spring sturgeon

Topic: Best PFD  (Read 3243 times)

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New Guy

  • Plankton
  • *
  • Location: Tacoma WA
  • Date Registered: Feb 2016
  • Posts: 9
I am looking for a new PFD for fly fishing from my kayak.  Thought I'd ask the group what they thought was best.


DWB123

  • Salmon
  • ******
  • Location: Seattle, WA
  • Date Registered: Aug 2013
  • Posts: 842
"best" is subjective. try a bunch on and see what works for you. Quality brands are Stohlquist, NRS and Kokatat, generally.


Tinker

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Kevin
  • Location: 42.74°N 124.5°W
  • Date Registered: May 2013
  • Posts: 3338
The one that works "best" for me for fly-fishing is the Kokatat Bahia Tour - but like DWB123 advises: what works best for me most likely isn't right for anyone else.

You really need to try them on, adjusted to fit, and go through your casting motion to see what happens.

I like the Bahia because it tends to stay put when casting and when fast stripping, and I don't use the Bahia's pockets for more than small emergency items - whistle, light, etc.  The downside to the Bahia is that the pocket for the VHF radio is high on the right side of the vest making me to adjust for some casts.

I have a Stohlquist Angler PFD that has more storage options and capacity - and the zip-down/out pockets can be handy - but on me, it shifts and rides up too often when I'm using the fly rod.  Not so with conventional gear.

I do not stand up to cast - that also makes a difference - but this is how they fit and behave on me.  Your experience will vary.
« Last Edit: March 19, 2016, 04:16:52 AM by Tinker »
The fish bite twice a day - just before we get here and right after we leave.


jsmccormick

  • Lingcod
  • *****
  • Location: Salem
  • Date Registered: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 230
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