Simms BugStopper Shirt: “As Advertised”

The Simms BugStopper NFZ (for “No Fly Zone”) shirt, which is new for 2012, does exactly what it’s supposed to do—keeps you from getting bitten by insects while fishing. As an added benefit it also offers 50+ UPF sun protection, which is important for anyone who spends time outdoors.

Typically I wouldn’t consider a product performing “as advertised” remarkable. And all this shirt had to do was pass a straightforward pass/fail test. If the shirt wears comfortably (and it did) and I don’t get bit (and I didn’t, at least not through the fabric), well, I’m satisfied.

What is remarkable is where this shirt proved itself—in the deep jungle of Guyana, where I spent a week fishing for arapaima, and then on the Guyanese coast where I spent another few days chasing tarpon. Suffice to say that these are two extremely hot, buggy locales. And the stakes are increased, because some of the bugs there can give you diseases and infections that you can’t be vaccinated against.

So I literally trusted my health with these shirts. And, for the record, despite the sweat and scorching sun, they were comfortable to cast in as well. Cost is $90, which is a wise investment if you fish where the bugs are more than annoying.