Choosing A Bivvy From The Huge Array Available

When I first started night fishing with a buddy all those years ago, the only shelter we had was a large fishing umbrella. Some of thase night became very wet and cold. What we would have given for a 2 man bivvy! Things improved slightly with the addition of  a wrap around skirt made from a taupauline.  With two old style camping style chairs and a parafin tilley lamp it became quite cosy.  The light output from that old lamp was truly amazing, often too much, and the heat output as well as keeping us cosy, was enough to slowly cook eggs and bacon for breakfast.

How times have changed! Todays anglers, in comparison, are positively spoiled. Todays top of the range bivies, like the trakker armo bivvy, provide true 2 star comfort. Todays angler has it easy; with beds, sleeping bags, tables and chairs housed in a fully weatherproof bivvy
Many anglers have more than one bivvy. One lightweight for general simple shelterfor summer use, and a second rigid frame version for the more serious sessions in the winter.

Selecting a bivvy will be very much down to personal preference, as only you will actually know what suits you best. Try not to be swayed by what others might say; yes, their bivvy might be the best for them, but that does not necessarily mean it's the right one for you!

There is a whole range of budgets to suit all pockets, though you should make sure that when you look at the prices. List the costs of the complete package you require. It is often more economical to buy the higher price unit, if the lower cost one will need for you buy lots of addons to get the same functionality. The lower price bargain bivvies will often not last as long as the top range models, so will end up more expensive in the end.

So check the above points when choosing your new bivvy, choose a maker with a reputation to maintain and remember that the quality product will generally require the higher investment, you wont regret it in the long run and your bivvy will last you many years and keep you dry and warm on the bank. However, with the vast improvements in material technology, even modern cheap bivvies can prove to be a good investment. Ask for advice from other anglers you might see with bivvies on the bank; they will quickly point out any problems they might have had.