Patagonia das pants – product review

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steelhead clothingPatagonia’s das pants have been a staple of my winter steelhead gear for the past 3 years,  anytime when temperatures plummet into the 30’s, 20’s, and or are your crazy your going fishing range.  The das pants from Patagonia is one of my first layers I put on.  I can still remember the first day I wore a pair of these pants, felt like I was in a warm down based sleeping bag all day.  I love the feel of the pant, it’s more of a relax feel than a tight based under layer.  No yoga lulu lemon feel.  More like a cozy pair of sweatpants. The das pants are easy to wear under waders or bibs.  Plenty of room in the legs and crotch area to move, climb over boat gunnels and jump onto shore.  The nylon shell is a great windproof layer, and is treated to be very water repellent.  Durability just like every other item I own from Patagonia is top notch, 3 years equals about 300 days of use.  Not a problem yet.  Also feel comfortable in these pants after a long day of fishing to wear them into the local watering hole for a little warm-up juice if I so desire.

My only con with the Patagonia das pants is that they can be “too” warm.  I have to watch the high temperature of the day.  If the temps are going to reach middle or upper 40’s, I could be too warm.  I have to adjust my layering and bring my backup pair of pants to change out.  Also if I’m going to do a long walk let’s say on the little manistee for a day of coho and or early winter steelhead, I’m going to be too warm too.  I’ll end up sweating underneath the layer, the PU coated nylon will hold in my heat too much and I’ll end up having puddles of moisture.  But in the same sense if know I’m spending a day in the drift boat or sled, where I’m sitting more than I’m walking these pants are amazing.

Details

  • Lightweight, PU-coated nylon ripstop shell is durable, water-resistant, windproof and treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish
  • Highly compressible, water-resistant 100-g PrimaLoft® ONE insulation provides maximum warmth for its weight
  • Pants have elasticized waist with hook-and-loop tab adjustments at side zips, and separating 2-way zip fly with snap closure
  • Full-length 2-way side zips with insulated wind flaps for easy on/off
  • Elasticized mini-gaiter cuffs with snap-tab closures lock in heat and accommodate an alpine boot
  • 1.2-oz 20-denier 100% nylon PU-coated ripstop, with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Insulation: 100-g PrimaLoft® ONE 100% polyester

by Jon Ray

Happy New Year from MFM

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Happy New Year from Erik Rambo, Jon Ingham, and Jon Ray.  Mangled Fly Media wishes everybody a Happy Mangled Fly New Year.  With plenty of Mangled Flies to come in 2014.

Great Lakes Catch and Release – Picture of the Day

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Enjoying a personal day on the river, trying to find some different angles to capture the release of a great fish, the Great Lakes Rainbow.

Great Lakes Steelhead Sticker available for a holiday stocking stuffer.

Season of the Red-Side

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Early season (late Sept – Novemeber) is all about the chrome, but now as winter sets in.  This year especially with mother nature giving us plenty of snow and cold so far, the red-strips are making a strong appearance.   Big bucks with single and double strips are starting to show up in our catches.  Yesterday in the snow this big buck gave us his best, and his rosy checks just plain stood out.

Winter steelhead fishing is truly in full effect and plenty of fish around for a great day.  Check out the fishing reports at hawkinsflyfishing.com as we play through out the winter.  Give me a call or shoot me an email if your interested in a full or half day.

Fall Run – Trailer

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Very cool video from the Pacific Northwest.  Todd Moen does his usual amazing working with the camera.

 

Steelhead Blues

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Not like the “blues” you are accustomed too, but blue flies.  Not sure why it is when the snow starts flying that blue works.  Actually I’m sure blue works just as well the rest of the year, but for me blue only comes out when the snow flies.  Today was the first day of steelhead “blues”.

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Upper Teens Rainbow

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Another upper teens Lake-Run Rainbow (low sodium) scored on the Big River.  Jay Turner holding a 15 – 16 pound brute.  Great fish Jay.  Nice job.  This winter when they fish turn into double strippers, maybe triple strips????  I can’t wait to photograph them then.

Greatest part of my job is creating memories, and being part of a fishing story that will never be forgotten.

Rolling and Twisting – Picture of the Day

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As water temps drop the alligator roll is a much more common trait than the leaping, jumping, cartwheeling, acrobatic routine that we are used too.  But the acceleration as the fall steelhead do less in the air and more near the surface of the water and still give you some amazing shots.  The power as they turn, roll, twist, and flop, leaves the water doing some pretty cool things if you can capture it in the right light.  So as fall turns to winter (3-6 inches of snow today I heard), I am set to capture what the water does instead of how high the fish can jump.

Mangled Fly Hoodie Spotted

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Aaron sent in his picture of his first steelhead on the swing.  Great fish Aaron, good job! Aaron was fishing with fellow guide, good friend, and steelhead finder Ed McCoy.  Aaron is also sporting the Mangled Fly Hoodie, if you follow the blog you know this is one my personal favorite items for the fall, winter, and spring.  Best hood of any sweatshirt I have owned.   Thanks for sending in the pic Aaron, enjoy your steelhead season.

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