...so off I go in a couple of weeks. I love traveling - whether it’s to the Beaverhead for a day or across the equator for a couple weeks buried in the jungle. This constant movement pattern that I am in right now means that my gear is in complete and total disarray. I know that I have at least one good day of sorting and organizing everything in the man cave heading my way, but my fly-fishing “travel kit” has gotten much simpler in terms of apparel over the last year, thanks to the launch of Skwala Fishing products in early 2022

When I book a trip, the first thing I think about is whether I have everything I need so that I can either track it down in the man cave or run to the fly shop to pick it up. Skwala gear has pretty much eliminated any brain damage around the fly-fishing apparel/technical gear travel preparations when heading someplace that requires an overnight bag or more.

For the upcoming Belize trip, I will be traveling light in terms of gear and clothes as I intent on lugging a rolling Pelican case full of photography gear. I will have plenty of internal debates regarding which rod, reel, line, and flies get to tag along with me. However, my technical clothing selection will include the Skwala Sol Wading Pants, Sol Tactical Hoody, and the Carbon Jacket. I’m sure that I will have a couple of Waylon Jennings T-Shirts and Patagonia Boardshorts for evening attire as well, but that was some simple planning that I just laid out!

I’ve been immersed in this Skwala gear since day one and it continues to just make life simpler and more comfortable for me as a traveling angler. Technical fabric like the Primeflex Dot Air used in the Sol Wading Pant makes these pants more comfortable and breathable than any other flats pants I’ve come across. The Sol Tactical hoodies feature a lightweight knit fabric in the body and Primeflex stretch woven fabric in high wear areas on the arms and shoulders resulting in all day comfort while fishing in warm places. The Carbon Jacket is the lightweight essential raincoat that is unique in that it is waterproof and breathable thanks to its Toray Entrant laminate membrane, but it also stretches with active movements (like casting) because of the Primeflex stretch woven outer fabric.

There is much more to Skwala Fishing gear than it might appear at first glance. Every piece of gear they offer has been designed in-house with technical fabrics, construction, and features intended to enhance the angling life. It has been refreshing for me - after nearly 25 years in the fly-fishing industry – to find a company that is building products that stand on their own rather than as a rebuttal to the competition’s latest release. I still don’t know if I will take a couple of 9 weights versus 10’s on this next trip, but I know that I will be comfortable in my Skwala gear and don’t need to think about packing my clothing until the night before the trip.

Skwala Fishing Gear is available in a growing number of specialty fly shop's around the country, so shop local when you are able! Here in Bozeman - my former fly shop, Fins and Feathers of Bozeman - now called Yellow Dog Fly Shop stocks the complete lineup.