Columbia P.F.G.

I can’t say I’m an expert fisherman nor a novice, but I do constantly feel a need to go fishing.  After this summer’s endless repetition of coming home with burnt shoulders, arms, cheeks, and the back of my neck. I decided to consider Columbia’s P.F.G. (Professional Fishing Gear), because Columbia has a reputation of being well suited for the fishing community. I tried the Terminal Tackle Hoodie, in what Columbia calls vivid blue. Let’s start with the basics of the product. It was a thin layer sweater looking shirt made of what Columbia considers quick dry material. The website says its 100% polyester. I decided to go with a XX-Large because I’m not a small guy and most sports companies cater to the uberly thin athletic man.  I am an athletic active person but also have large shoulders, chest, and not to mention my six pack is not what it should be. Yet I am a very active and always looking for the next adventure. That being said, to my surprise this article of clothing was bigger than I expected. It was actually build for the outdoors-man! An X-Large is a real X-Large size and not made to look or feel like a medium like other brands. Let’s put that in the positive column. One of the features to this shirt was its long sleeves. I’m not a fan of long sleeves when I’m on an adventure, especially fishing. I enjoy the sun rays coming down on my shoulders and the freedom of not having sleeves increases my range of motion. It took me a while to get use to these sleeves but at the end of the day it kept me from getting burnt and suffering from a day of discomfort and endless shedding. Long sleeves will go on the plus column too and especially when they’re of a thin breathable material.

Once again, this is a thin layer of a shirt with a hoodie resembling a sweater.  This fishing trip started early in the morning. I could feel the cool wind trespassing the shirt and made me a little nippy in the morning. I recommend layers if you’re not too comfortable in lower temperatures.  I tried the hoodie to protect the back of my neck as it’s a little more sensitive than the rest of me in the cold. The hoodie does the job it was meant to do. It kept me well shielded from the morning wind and dew. The rest of day was sunny and I could feel the warmth on the shirt that would normally be burning me, not to mention the protection from the rays of the sun.  At one point I did get a little heated and splashed a bit of water on me to cool down.  The quick dry material did what it was intended to do and dried up faster than I expected at the same time keeping cool for that period of time. I normally go with strong darker colors in most of my clothing, so I took a chance and expanded my wardrobe with vivid blue.  I had a little sense of boldness with this color, but it was perfect for the occasion (as I thought to myself).

Professional Fishing Gear by Columbia is marketed for the masses as a fishing product that works.  I most definitely agree. They don’t only do a good job of promoting with their advertising and media but they make a great product. I can’t say I’m a fishing addict but I do take every opportunity and push for any reason to go fishing as much as I can. I see P.F.G. in many stores such as R.E.I., Bass Pro Shop, Champs, tackle shops, and different mall outlets and I must stop and check them out. The price was a little more than I like to spend but it was a good purchase.  Will I continue to wear P.F.G.? Yes! This is a product I can stand behind and recommend. If you don’t want to spend the money, look in any Columbia Outlet, many times they have special sales and are worth having a good light weight hoodie shirt to protect you from excessive sun during your fishing adventure. This product is Big Joe approved!!