Life Preserver

[jollyrodger]

I'm having a week on the Spey in June and will be fishing the Grantown Association water. The Upper Castle Grant beat requires that you wear a life preserver.
Can anyone recommend a half decent one.
Thanks in advance.

[betanut]

shop.lifejackets.co.uk/acatalog/Lifejacket_Fishing_Angling_Lifejacket.html
Get the manual 150 newton model, not automatic one
there are others but these are pretty good ;D

[Yorkshire Esk]

Springer

You should visit your local Halfords, they have these heavy duty mobile inflation.
www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10151&productId=215808&categoryId=31465
No need to worry if you are out of breath.

[betanut]

Alan,
Automatics have a history of 'issues' and have been known to 'go off' after a heavy shower of rain or a good soaking in a boat or seemingly just for the hell of it
A manually activated preserver takes on average less than half a second longer to inflate after pulling the inflation cord compared to it's automatic cousin (OK - much depends on who is pulling the cord) and whilst it does take that extra half second to activate they are much more reliable and easier to maintain.
The automatic models only really score if the 'subject' is unconcious at the time of immersion, that doesn't happen often but it's possible.
In truth a 275 newton would be better still - but that's a different story

[betanut]

Ah ;D Look for a 275 model - you'll not sink with one of them on regardless of how full your chest waders might be (God forbid).

[nscow]

Try www.compass24.co.uk , got an automatic jacket with a hydrostatic mechanism from them a few years ago which is not affected by damp/rain, very comfortable & at a reasonable price.

[weed]

At the end of last year purchased the Parmaris Automatic from Glasgow Angling . Spent most of it's life lying in the boot of car . Two weeks ago I went Grayling fishing on the Tweed because of the water height and my mate wearing his preserver I put mine on. Bank collapsed under my feet and I went straight in knocking myself momentarily out on a rock on the way in. Drifted for a few moments came around in the water facing the right way up albeit minus rod and net. Friend I was fishing with to absorbed trying to catch his own to bother with me and didnt realise anything was wrong until I walked up to him soaking wet feeling an a***
If it hadn't been automatic not so sure it would have been same outcome.
I have learned my lesson and will wear one all the time and because of this favour the automatic.

[elwyman]

That's a very sobering tale Weed, I'm glad you came out of it ok.

I suppose we all think it will never happen to us, but things like bank collapses can happen all too easily. Banging your head on the way in certainly strengthens the case for geeting automatic inflation jackets.

[ar]

Some decent prices on life jackets here too:

www.cheaplifejackets.co.uk/