Fishing Bivvies & Tents

How Often Will You Use It?

If you only head out to the river or lake once a week you might want to consider a cheaper fishing bivvy as it will last you a few years if only used infrequently. If you’re a regular fisherman then you will want to buy a top of the range bivvy that costs a bit more. If you like to fish during the winter, a quality fishing bivvy is essential as you will require a good level of durability and protection.

Style

There are a few styles to choose from when it comes to fishing bivvies. Each has it’s advantages that are worth considering before making a choice.

A standard Cabrio bivvy is spacious featuring a generous footprint providing enough room for bedroom chairs. It is designed for the serious angler who needs plenty of room and the desire to stay dry, warm and comfortable throughout their session. It includes a full mosquito net and even a gutter to help drain away any imposing rainwater.

A Cabrio Hybrid Brolly bivvy is designed for full flexibility in one quality system. It gives you the speed of a traditional brolly system with extra durability, ultra waterproof features and fabric that allows you to stay warm and cool. It can transform easily into a session shelter with extended porch space with infill.

Number of People? We've got both 1 man and 2 man bivvy Shelters

If you enjoy fishing on your own, you have the choice of some really great 1 man fishing bivvies that offer quick set up, good protection from the weather and a solid groundsheet with mosquito mesh to keep out those annoying bugs. Perfect for anyone that wants a no-fuss start to their fishing experience.

If you like to fish with your best mate, it’s wise to choose a 2 man fishing bivvy. Specifically designed for the long sessions by the water with your fishing buddy. They offer a lot of space so that you don’t feel claustrophobic with great protection from whatever the weather brings.

Bivvy Wraps

Wraps are extensions of a fishing bivvy that allow for extra features such as space and better bug protection. A bivvy wrap is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys long sessions or fishing trips. Wraps allow for extra space in the porch for socialising, storage or even a kitchen. The wrap is designed to fully cover a Cabrio bivvy with simple attachment and set up. Once the wrap is attached it creates a twin skin effect with the fishing bivvy that eliminates any condensation inside which is extremely useful during the winter months.

How to keep warm in your bivvy?

When temperatures drop and your only protection from the elements is your bivvy, it makes sense to maximise your comfort. Feeling cold and damp will do little to enhance your enjoyment of your fishing trip and could see you heading for home ahead of schedule.

Use your bivvy wrap

Many bivvies are supplied complete with an overwrap. This will provide a valuable additional layer of insulation while reducing condensation and damp inside the bivvy. Condensation forms when your body heat raises the temperature in the tent and moisture condenses on the cold surface of the bivvy. You won’t need the wrap in warmer weather as condensation won’t be a problem but in the winter months, peg over the wrap, making sure that there is a gap between the wrap and the bivvy.

Use a groundsheet

A groundsheet is essential in cold weather. Preventing the dampness in the ground from entering the bivvy while providing additional insulation, it could make all the difference to the environment inside your bivvy. Tuck your mud flaps under the groundsheet to reduce draughts. A groundsheet will also keep your bivvy free of mud and dirt.

Peg your bivvy correctly

It pays to keep more than one set of pegs for your bivvy. Shorter pegs are useful for firm ground while longer pegs are must-haves for both softer ground and windy conditions. Always ensure that your bivvy is securely pegged and that the fabric is taught. If you are using a wrap, it should be as taught as you can get it and must not touch the bivvy.

Pick your spot wisely

Pitch your bivvy on the driest area of the swim. In good weather, you will want to position your bivvy facing your rods but this might not be the best choice in winter. If there is shelter to the right or left of the swim, position you bivvy so as to take advantage of the protection from the wind afforded by the foliage.

Bivvy heating

In the coldest conditions, you may require additional heat in order to keep warm and to sleep well. But safety is a major issue. Anglers have lost their lives using inappropriate heaters which have leached carbon monoxide into their shelters or even blown them up. Naked flames are clearly a bad idea so choose one of the latest bivvy heaters which are safe and designed specifically for use in tents. Hand warmers will help revive frosty fingers and a hot water bottle is an old-fashioned but highly effective way to keep warm.

Choose the right sleeping bag

Invest in an all-season sleeping bag or choose an insulating bag for the winter and lighter style for the summer months. Before climbing into your bag, remove some layers of clothing. It’s counterintuitive but stripping down will keep you warmer. Your body heat will warm up the environment inside the bag and the technical fabrics used for the shell and fillings will keep the heat in. You will feel more comfortable sleeping with less clothing on and you will gain more benefit from the extra layers when you put them on in the morning. If you still feel cold, place your extra layers over the bag like blankets.