Protak Clothing
August 1999. I was not going to rush into purchasing clothing. I had made up my mind to explore as many avenues as possible. What did I need from my fishing clothing. In the summer months, I suppose all that is needed is an extra jumper, and something waterproof to put on if it rains. In the winter, a whole new set of rules come into play, as it is very easy to get wet and cold, and run the risk of pneumonia. Above all else, the outer clothing HAS to be 100% waterproof. Now in the past I have purchased clothing that was supposed to be waterproof, but in reality was only shower proof. There is a great deal of difference in the two statements, and I was determined not to be caught again. In the tackle shops, there were suits that came with a free pair of boots or gloves etc. Now this is tempting, but maybe not the best solution to choosing your clothing. All of the suits looked a bit bulky, but perhaps that is the price you have to pay for good winter clothing. I looked at what was available, but held fire. One day in an angling magazine, I saw an advert for Protak Clothing. Never heard of them, but I telephoned them and asked if they had a catalogue or brochure, the young lady said that she would put something in the post for me. The envelope duly arrived, and I had my first view of the clothing that Protak make especially for angling. As well as the clothing, they also made holdalls etc. A good feature of the pack, was that it included a 4 by 4 piece of material by way of a sample. It was a lovely shade of green, was very soft and pliable, it was also fully waterproof, breathable, and wind proof. I took the chance and sent of an order for a pair of lined bib and brace trousers. They arrived within a few days, and I could take a look at what I had ordered. I gave them to Doreen to have a good look over as far as the stitching and seams were concerned. We both agreed they were impressive. I sent of for the matching jacket to go with the trousers. When this arrived we both tried it on, Doreen disappearing within its depths. I had only had it on a couple of minutes, and I felt my temperature start to go up. With both the over trousers and the jacket on, I felt as snug as the proverbial bug. Fully clothed the suit was not as bulky as others I had seen. It is actually pretty light to wear, which is a plus when having to take a longish walk to your chosen venue.
How has it performed. I can't praise it enough. It is all and more than I ever hoped to find in waterproof clothing. The workmanship is superb, the cut and style is also of the highest standard. I have sat in this suit in pouring rain, sat in my chair that had filled up the seat with a puddle of rain water, and it does not leak. With my Protak peaked cap on, and the hood of the suit up, and the ties of the hood pulled up tight and fastened. there is only about two inches of my face that is not covered. There is no point at all to having the very best in tackle, when you are not able to use it through the colder months, as there can be nothing so demoralizing than to be sitting and slowly getting colder and colder. As the cold sets in, so your enthusiasm for fishing diminishes. Of all my fishing equipment, I unreservedly put this item at the top of my list. It is the business, as it makes everything else possible.
The bib and brace trousers have four outer pockets and one inner pocket, and they have zips fitted to the outside of the legs. This makes it easy to put them on, and also allows plenty of room for them to fit outside a pair of moon boots. It is strange to see so many anglers who have their over trousers tucked into their boots. When it rains, the rainwater has nowhere else to go other than down into the boots. My over trousers are always worn over my boots, and to prevent them getting into the mud, I wear a pair of 3/4 inch home made elastic garters around the bottom of them so that I can keep them high up on the boots, this also stops any cold wind from entering the bottom of the trousers. The jacket has four outer pockets and four hand warmer pockets, there are two inner pockets, one of which is zipped. The hand warmer pockets are very good, and so far I have never had to use a pair of gloves. I am always careful to dry my hands and to get the smell of deadbaits of off them before I tuck them away into the hand warmer pockets, as the thought of herring smelling hands being put into the pockets is a bit off putting. The hood is detachable by zip, although I have never felt the need to remove my one. The heavy duty zip down the front of the jacket enables you to undo the jacket from either the top, or from the bottom going upwards. This facility is a godsend on a freezing cold day for obvious reasons. If I am not wearing the jacket or trousers, I carry them neatly folded up in my folded chair.
As if all the above was not enough to tempt you, then remember that this suit is manufactured in ENGLAND
PROTAK. Invader Boats. 9 Beaufort Close. Alderley Edge. Cheshire. SK9 7HU ....Tel 01625 590140
give them a call and request a brochure and sample of their TR material.
October 2004. This suit is still going fine. It is still waterproof and almost immaculate.
November 2005. I have waterproofed the suit and over trousers in the past week. I used Waterseal and just painted it on and left the clothing out on the washing line until it was dry, and the smell was gone.
