Central Oregon in the Summer – air temperatures hover in the mid 90s during the afternoons and dip into the low 50s overnight. Perfect weather in my book. And with fly fishing waters like the Upper Deschutes and Fall River close at hand, we chose the area outside Sunriver, Oregon for a test of three versatile fishing shirts – the Columbia Airgill Chill, the Ex Officio Air Strip Lite and Redington’s Rex Technical Tee. Here’s a quick rundown on the three products and links to the full reviews:
Columbia Airgill Chill Long-Sleeve Shirt – With six deep vents lining the sides, the Columbia Airgill stays true to its name. These gills help keep air circulating around the body on hot days. Although the Omni-Freeze ICE fabric once again doesn’t quite live up to its marketing, other fishing-specific features make this Columbia product a good fishing companion. See review.
Ex Officio Air Strip Lite Long-Sleeve Shirt – This light weight and handsome shirt boasts a range of features that set it apart. Chief among these features are the bellows-style pockets that are large enough for standard-size fly boxes, venting at the sides and back, rod holder and more. See review.
Redington Rex Technical Tee – Wear it as a base layer or over the top of a regular t-shirt, the Redington Rex Technical Tee includes nice venting along the sides, under the arms, and along the wrists. Thumb holes keep the long sleeves in place so your hands stay warm during cool mornings and the sun blocked in the afternoons. See review.
Let us know what you think of these products or others by leaving a comment below.
If you’re in Central Oregon this Summer or Fall, don’t forget your waders. Water temps vary with the coldest spring-fed Fall River staying steady at a bone-chilling 43 degrees. We recommend the Redington Sonic-Pro Wader Pants which we reviewed earlier this year.
And if you’re looking for gear and advice, visit The Hook Fly Shop. They’re well stocked and run guided trips to the local rivers and lakes.