Spend the money and get the guideswear.  I've owned Simms, Guideswear, and BPS 100MPH and my personal favorite was the guideswear.  Simms is not in any way worth the cost, and i'd take guideswear or 100MPH over it.  I didn't have bad luck with the 100MPH, the guideswear just fit me better.

I have a Marmot Oracle jacket and a pair of Field and Stream Gore Tex pants.  The jacket has taken a beating and has held up like gore tex but is more breathable.  My advice though on anything you buy would be to make sure it has a good water proof to breathability ratio, seemed zippers and pockets, and pit zips on the jacket. 

Another option is West Marine. I just use West Marine brand made for sailing.  Keeps me plenty dry. West Marine also sells many other good brands. Stuff that is much better than what is offered to the fishing market IMO.