After years of choosing cozy Airbnbs over tents, Precision Fly and Tackle guide Gary Leone set out on a rugged, nine-day backcountry trip through Idaho’s upper panhandle. What he found was more than wild trout and big views—it was a rediscovery of discomfort, simplicity, and the gear that made it all bearable. In this personal field report, Gary shares how Skwala gear kept him comfortable in a variety of conditions, including heat, cold, storms, and solitude. 

Reconnecting with the Wild

I recently returned from a nine-day trip to fish the upper panhandle of northern Idaho. It was a trip I was both looking forward to and dreading. It had been a handful of years since I last backpacked, slept in a tent, and truly “roughed it.” More recently, I’ve opted for the comfort and convenience of Airbnb accommodations. This time, our destination was a primitive campsite hours from groceries, cell service, and HVAC.

From A Gear Lover’s Perspective

My good friend jokes that I’m a “gear lover,” and I can’t disagree. After 30 years of fishing and guiding across the U.S., I’ve grown to appreciate quality fishing gear and clothing. I’ve never been loyal to one brand, but I found a few favorites amongst the popular fly fishing companies. I’ve always felt that the clothing technology of these companies lags behind that of other outdoor companies that cater to hunting, climbing, and hiking. That’s what first caught my attention about Skwala.

First Discovering Skwala

I read about Skwala in Fly Fisherman Magazine shortly after they launched in 2022. Their messaging resonated with my frustrations about the quality and durability of clothing and gear designed for anglers. I was excited to learn that Precision Fly and Tackle would be carrying Skwala, and as soon as it hit the shelves, I purchased a couple of items to see if they were as advertised. They were! I have continued to purchase many of their offerings, and Skwala is in a tier by itself when it comes to fly fishing apparel.

Packing for the Idaho Trip

As I packed for my Idaho trip,  I wanted to be comfortable and protected from what Mother Nature could throw at us. Space would be an issue, as I was limited a single checked bag and a small backpack for all my fishing gear, camping gear and clothing.  The extended forecast predicted a wide range of weather conditions from hot sunny days in the mid-90s to cold nights in the 30s, thunderstorms, and wind.  I needed to pack wisely and efficiently.  I gathered, folded, and neatly packed all of my favorite articles, hoping I’d be prepared, comfortable, and safe.

The following is a listing of what I packed and why I chose each item:

Travel Day Comfort

For travel days, I elected to wear the Icon T-shirt and the Sol Wading Pant. The T-shirt is soft and breathable, and it kept me cool and comfortable.  Hustling between airport terminals to avoid missing a connecting flight, or waiting for hours at the gate as delay after delay appeared on the boards, at least I was comfortable.  The Sol Pants are also unbelievably comfortable and well-designed.  The pockets on the thighs are great for enabling quick and easy access to earbuds, a passport or other ID, medicine, etc.  The zippered pocket in the back provides an added layer of security for your wallet.  In my carry-on backpack, I kept a Sol Defense Hoody in the event I needed to defend against the sometimes neck-numbing air-conditioning on the plane.  

Wet Wading in the Heat

As the majority of the day’s temperatures were in the 80s and 90s, I elected to mostly wet wade in the Sol Wading Pant.  They were fantastic in allowing me to stay cool and were not too light and flimsy.  Many of the pants I’ve worn previously for wet wading got caught up in the current and washed around, which can be annoying.  The Sol pants stretched for ease of movement while scrambling around in-stream boulders and hiking.  They also dried extremely quickly, which was nice for the time spent off the water.  I laundered the pants in a dry bag with soap.  They cleaned up very well and dried quickly, which enabled me to get away with only having two pairs for the duration of the trip.  

Sun Protection That Works

During the hot days, the Sol Defense Hoodies were invaluable.  I packed three of them as this has quickly become my favorite shirt.  My dermatologist cautioned that my fair skin puts me at a high risk for sun-related ailments, especially skin cancer, so I’ve been taking this seriously.  My hands and my neck easily blister in the sun, and I used to have to choose protection over comfort. The new Sol Defense Hoody offers excellent protection with its UPF 50+ rating, while also keeping me cool with its light and airy feel.  The shape of the hood provides excellent coverage of my head and neck, and I only need to apply sunscreen to the front of my face.  The thumb loops at the bottom of the sleeves keep my hands well protected.  The antimicrobial textiles used in the shirt also seemed to keep the shirt fresher for longer. I laundered them in the stream and they air dried extremely fast.  I have no scientific data on the bug protection, but my one friend struggled with mosquito bites.  Meanwhile, although I took two different types of bug spray on the trip, I didn’t use a single squirt of either and only received one bite!  It was on my eyebrow of all places, how rude!  

Field-Tested in Maine and on the Coast 

Staying Dry and Warm in the Storm

Back to Idaho. The midpoint of the trip. We had two days of rain and thunderstorms with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the low-60s, while nighttime lows fell into the 30s. That’s a little colder than I like to wet wade, so I wore my Carbon Waders. They’re extremely packable so bringing a full set of chest waders didn’t take up too much room in my luggage.  The Carbons also provide a very nice range of movement to navigate around the difficult rocks. The convertible feature allowed me to wear them chest-high during the cold morning hours or in deep runs, and then pull them down to waist level as the daytime temperatures climbed. The water was relatively warm, so I went with the Sol Wading Pant underneath the waders.  For a top, I wore the Thermo 150 Hoody. The Thermo 150 is an extremely functional and versatile Merino shirt that provides warmth during the cool parts of the day and is lightweight and breathable with moisture-wicking properties to keep you cool as the temperatures rise. During the rain, I stayed completely dry in the Carbon Jacket. It is the perfect warm-weather waterproof shell.  The Carbon Jacket is the most breathable raincoat I’ve ever worn, providing an unbelievable amount of flexibility and dexterity due to its four-way stretch. When the rain stops, it's easily packable and weighs less than a pound.

Camp Comfort at Night

Once the sun dipped behind the mountains, temperatures dropped fast. The Thermo 350 Pants and Hoody were the perfect combination to wear around the campsite in the evenings.  Their level of comfort and warmth is unmatched.  I didn’t even need a coat to remain cozy around the campfire or while I slept.

A Full Kit of Skwala

It wasn’t until I unpacked that I realized: everything I brought—except my socks and underwear—was from Skwala. Nine days, a full spectrum of weather, and a variety of terrain, and I felt fully prepared and comfortable.

Final Thoughts

Would I have preferred a bed, a warm shower, a few bigger fish, and maybe a brewery nearby? Sure. But when it came to my gear—Skwala had me completely covered.