Review: fishing gear made for women

The general outdoor industry realized several years ago that women get out and hike, bike, camp and climb. As a result, gear makers began producing products designed for women.

More recently, the fishing industry realized that women also like to get out and fish and, yes, they want gear that's fully functional but that also fits them comfortably.

For fly-fishing, especially here in the Northwest, where some of the best fishing occurs during winter steelhead and salmon runs, chest waders are essential. To address the needs of female anglers, Simms designed the Women's Headwaters waders. While some other "women's waders" are merely smaller sizes of men's models, Simms tailored their women-specific waders to the body sizes and shapes of women. They offer 19 different sizes (from Small-short to XXL-tall) of the stocking-foot waders to ensure a good fit for nearly any woman.

The Headwaters utilize three-layer Gore-Tex for the bulk of the waders, with stout five-layer panels on the leg fronts for added durability and protection when working through brush-laden stream banks or rubbing against leg braces in drift boats. Our testers used the Headwaters while searching for steelhead on the ice-laden Methow, and while catching feisty cutthroats in the gin-clear waters of Idaho's Kelly Creek. Donna reported the waders fit comfortably, with no binding in the legs, without being baggy. Articulated seams around the knees and hips add to the mobility.

A favorite nontechnical feature of the waders was the pass-through fleece-lined pocket high on the chest. This pocket proved valuable for rewarming hands during winter trips. The Women's Headwaters waders retail for $299. See www.simmsfishing.com.

To help keep their gear handy while wading the rivers, Fishpond offers women the Firefly Fishing Vest. Designed specifically for river-bum women, the Firefly offers an array of features in a lightweight, sleek design. Mesh fabric in the body of the vest keeps the weight down, while broad, padded straps in the shoulders make the vest comfortable and supportive even if the pockets are loaded down with gear and tackle. Multiple zippered pockets swallow fly boxes and spare spools and a deep pocket on the back offers a secure place to store a spare jacket or lunch. The vest is tailored to the female figure to prevent billowing that can get in the way of casting, making this the ideal vest for women who fly-fish. The Firefly runs $139. See www.fishpondusa.com.