Keith Lusher 10.16.24
Being an out of doors author typically will get me in predicaments that I look again on a marvel “what was I considering?”
Take the time I needed to take underwater photographs within the river in February. Or the time I swam your complete width of a river making an attempt to movie a fish being reeled in by the angler. That was the time that I barely made it again to the boat as a result of I used to be exhausted from making an attempt to swim whereas maintaining the digital camera above the water’s floor. With regards to getting the proper shot, I do what it takes to get in the suitable place it doesn’t matter what the price.
After doing a little analysis on PFD’s and floatation units, I got here away lower than optimistic that I’d discover one thing that might hold me afloat whereas not getting in my method. That’s till I obtained one thing within the mail that sounded promising. It’s referred to as the Protect Floating Vest made by Striker. Now, I’ve heard of Striker and even personal a couple of articles of clothes they make. My waterproof Adrenaline searching jacket has stored me heat via many a hunt. And my Event fishing pants are all I put on after I hit the water. However I’ve by no means heard of their Floating Vest.
At first look, the vest appeared like one thing I’d put on on a searching or fishing journey. Very fashionable, and never too thick or cumbersome. The vest may be very light-weight and windproof. Its low profile will enable me to put on it as each an outer layer and insulating mid-layer, making it a sensible 3-season choice whether or not on the water or within the woods.
Evidently, this vest could be one thing that I’d undoubtedly put on whereas searching or fishing, however there was one factor left to check – buoyancy!
I made a visit to the marsh in Southeast Louisiana, the place my project was to {photograph} two anglers for an upcoming fishing article. After discovering a duck pond that was stacked with redfish, I grabbed my digital camera and ready to enter the water. I’ve to confess that I used to be so excited that I forgot I used to be sporting the vest, however after leaping into the water, I quickly realized that the Protect Float Vest was residing as much as its identify. It rapidly introduced me again as much as the floor and allowed me to drift evenly even whereas taking photographs within the water. Whereas submerged the vest match cosy to my chest and didn’t bunch up or get in the best way.
After exiting the water, I used to be capable of take it off and wring it out for the trip residence.
However there was yet one more take a look at! The garments that I put on within the rivers and bayous take a beating. It’s typically the case that my spouse can’t get the water stains out of sure articles of clothes. So when she got here to me with the vest after washing and drying it, she held it up and stated, “Right here ya go! appears to be like new once more!” She washed the vest utilizing chilly water on the fragile setting and hung it to dry after. That did the trick!
It’s taken me 5 years to search out one thing that might enable me to function within the water whereas not getting in my method whereas taking footage, and I can actually say that the Striker Protect Float Vest will accompany me on each searching and fishing journey I make sooner or later!
