Columbia Sportswear: New Releases

The Columbia team puts their new gear to the test in Costa Rica.

Florida Sportsman staff member Trey Wheeler, right, warms up with some jack fishing close to shore.

Columbia Sportswear has long been an innovator in technological advances in outdoor gear and wear. Their products provide great protection from the elements—whether you're talking about below-zero temps on mountains or scorching sun on Florida waters. The company has been on the cutting edge of fabric advancement for decades, constantly pushing its materials and fabrication technologies to new discoveries as hard as adventurers push themselves.

Each year, Columbia Sportswear unveils its new gear and clothing at a four-day long fishing extravaganza in a top-notch fishing destination. This year, Columbia's new gear days are being held at Crocodile Bay Resort on Golfo Dulce on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica—a rich and varied fishery. Florida Sportsman staffer Trey Wheeler is in attendance in Costa Rica, and he sends this update:

“They unveiled a lot of new gear for fishermen and women, and at the top of this list was the Out Dry Extreme rain jacket and bibs. This jacket has the membrane on the outside making it more waterproof, rugged and lightweight. This jacket got put through the ropes here in Costa Rica with heavy rains. Between storms we were able to get catches of roosterfish, trevally, jacks, snapper, yellowfin tuna and grouper. One group went offshore and caught a 250-pound blue marlin on the fly! This jacket would surely be useful this summer with our afternoon expected storms.”

Good, dependable sunwear that protects from UV rays is a top concern for Florida anglers, and Columbia has you covered. The products debuted in Costa Rica this week will be on store shelves for consumers soon.