Headlight for Night Fishing

[tracker12]

Looking for a light to use for night fishing. I have a couple head lamps nut they do not fold down low enought to tie the fly on very well. Any suggestions.

 

[Acristickid]

I have an old petzl tikka headlamp- very small but does'nt have a tilt feature and it makes it tough to wear a hat with it on.

Can say I have bought the cheaper types that clip on to your bill of your hat and have lost them all. I either knock them in the water or they get knocked off my hat bushwhacking.

Maybe the type that are inside the bill would be better. That's all I can add.

 

[Padraic]

I bought a Petzl headlamp years ago and I think they are very, very good. The models seem to have all changed, but the features are similar and I think you'll have good luck with them.

Here's one that appears to have a swivel mount:
http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/tactikka-series/tactikka-xp

Use the blue filter while you are fishing. It really helps preserve your night vision.

 

[jayL]

I use the cheap energizer ones that come with red and white lights. It folds down 90 degrees.

I think it was 12 bucks at target.

 

[tracker12]

The Petzels are great but tuff to use with a hat on. I was more for something that would attqach to the bill but would be able to fold down when trying to tie.

 

[jayL]

Here's the one I have:

 

[gzacckey]

Tracker,

Something like this perhaps. It clips to your hat and bend down for tying.

http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=0H4R&dir_id=758&group_id=17492&cat_id=15833&subcat_id=15821

I also have a small led light that has a short (1.5") flexible goose neck. It clips to a hat or pocket and you can bend the light in any direction. I can't remember the name and it's all the way out in the truck right now.

 

[ryguyfi]

gzacckey wrote:
Tracker,

Something like this perhaps. It clips to your hat and bend down for tying.

http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=0H4R&dir_id=758&group_id=17492&cat_id=15833&subcat_id=15821

I also have a small led light that has a short (1.5") flexible goose neck. It clips to a hat or pocket and you can bend the light in any direction. I can't remember the name and it's all the way out in the truck right now.

I think I've seen a cheapo one of those at the checkout at walmart. Thought about picking one up. I use a head mount light with 3 settings that adjusts. Haven't used it much yet, but like it so far. My wife picked it up so don't know where she got it.

 

[Raff]

It really depends on if you want to fish with the headlamp on, or with it off. If you want to fish with a headlamp on, I think your best bet is going to be either red or blue LED's. With white LED's, the light wavelength intensity is pretty high, and could create a glare on the water that will spook fish. Red or blue leds have a much lower wavelength intensity, and won't have the same effect. That's why when you turn on a white LED in a car, the windows will light up like a lamp with glare, but if you turn on a red or blue LED you don't have the same effect. I am by no means an expert, this is all info I gleaned from working at a store during college that sold LED's.

A lot of headlamps out there now have a white with red or blue option.

Although you can never go wrong with Petzel, I bought the Badlands 12 LED Headlamp, and I really like it. For people like me with Barry Bonds-sized noggins, the strap over the top is kind of nice. And for normal retail cost (about $23), it's a pretty good value.
http://www.badlandspacks.com/index_reload.php

But I do LOVE fishing mice and streamers on western rivers at 2AM. The big boys come out to dance.

 

[scotto]

I picked up a 2 pack at Bass Pro Shops of a store brand clip under the visor model. One lamp is green, one is white. I use the green on stream and doesn't seem to diminish night vision. I use the white on my walk to and from the stream as the white is much brighter. They are 2 years old, are still working fine, have not YET been lost and were approx $15 for the 2 pack.

 

[TYoung]

Here is one that might satisfy your requirements.

Trevor Young

Link

 

[tracker12]

I think that Orvis lamp will work. Not a bad price also. Thanks for the lead.

 

[gfen]

Came back from Cabela's today, where I bought one of their house branded headlamps... On sale from $39 to $29 (white/green LEDs) or $25 (white xenon and white LEDs).

It was a mostly spur of the moment purchase, but it seems to work pretty well. Figured I'd throw it out there since it is on-topic.