The Cold Weather Steelheading Answer: Simms’ Downstream Jacket

By Greg Thomas

I get it. When you walk out the door on these late summer mornings, the last thing you’re thinking about is a 750-fill down jacket with a full, insulated hood. But, the truth is, fall is almost here and in short time you’ll want to keep as warm as possible on the water. Think steelhead, in the rain, and sometimes in the sleet and snow. Think mornings in the 30’s and frost on the ground right when you crawl out of the tent or out of the back of your truck.

Even this morning, there seems to be a change in the air. As I write this I’m sitting on my front porch in a light jacket. And the news reported West Yellowstone at 30 degrees. That means frost on the ground. Like it or not, the nights and mornings are going to be cool and by October you know the snow will fly.

While we don't stock this jacket, we've got these options from Simms online here.

So what about this jacket? Well, let me share a little personal info with you—when fishing, I tend not to get cold, but when I do get cold I have trouble shaking it. So the key for me, and likely for many of you, too, is to not get cold in the first place. If I’m heading out in the cold to fish, I always wader-up and then run the heater in my truck at full blast until I’m just on the verge of breaking a sweat. And I always wear a quality jacket to keep my torso warm. And the warmest of the lot is Simms’ Downstream jacket, which serves like wearing a high-quality sleeping bag, minus the bulk and weight.

The Downstream is a combination of Prima Loft synthetic insulation and 750-fill water repellent down. The outer layer is not a true rain shell, but it is water resistant and deflects the wind. So you can’t call this jacket your all-purpose solution to steelhead weather because you’ll need a rain shell, too. But, on most occasions, the Downstream is all you need.

When you first put this jacket on you’ll probably notice how comfortable it is. You’ll also note that the cuffs feel a little different. That’s because they’re next level, and an elastic band snugs to the wrist, keeping wind, rain, and snow from creeping along your arm. The rest of the sleeve extends beyond the elastic to keep your wrists and, partially, the tops of your hands warm.

While this jacket is too bulky to pack into its own pocket, it is super lightweight at 26.4 ounces and doubles nicely as a hunting jacket. It can stuff down in a pack quite easily. It’s also the jacket you’ll probably choose when cooking meals, on the tailgate or on a table in steelhead camp. Just last weekend my daughter, who’s 12, wore it while in her 25-degree rated sleeping bag, and was comfortable all night long. Put this thing on and the odds are you’ll stay warm.

Check out our selection of apparel and footwear before you get on the water this fall.

Again, this isn’t the jacket to wear in an all-out deluge, but it is the answer on cold days, on the coast or inland, when you’re swinging for steel and the chill is trying to take over your bones. You should note that this jacket does not have the short wading cut. Instead, it’s a little longer, which means it extends down and rests on the hips. Again, this significantly increases your ability to stay warm. This also means you’ll wear it inside of your waders or you’ll be soaking wet, which kind of defeats the purpose, right.

Here’s the hard part. The Downstream retails for $349.95. That’s a lot. The equivalent of a major Costco run. And feeding my family comes first. If you’re going to fork out for the Downstream you’ve got to look at it as a long-term investment. This jacket is quality made and you’ll likely wear it for 10 years or more.So, the question to ask is this: is being warm on steelhead water and when you’re camping and hunting, worth $34 a year?