Cold Weather Gear

[Justin Spencer]

I second the thought on pullover mittens on the fingerless gloves, I would rather have no gloves than fingerless only, my fingers get twice as cold as with no gloves, but the pullover mittens work great to keep in heat, and I just open and close them as needed (got a pair at the dreaded wally world the other day for $6 or so, great in a deer stand as well, and will have them in the duck blind this weekend). I love a face mask when it's really cold or at least a stocking cap to cover ears. Good socks and good fleece lined jeans or wading pants to go under waders and you will stay plenty warm. I'm amazed how I don't get cold even when the guides on my rod are freezing up, but the key is to keep hands, feet and ears warm. I agree on spending a few bucks on the hand warmers as they can save a trip, you're spending money on gas and food make sure you spend as much if not more on staying comfortable, if the fish are biting you won't feel the cold, but at some point there will be a lull in the action and if you are warm that can be the difference between a fun trip or a miserable one. Loved the idea about the loop to loop on tippet and having flies pre-tied could have used that the other day!

[Forsythian]

The last couple of winters I've taken to wearing a raincoat as my outermost layer... I bought an oversized Walls with various zippered ventilation areas and it's made a world of difference. That, and sock liners, two biggest improvements to my gear in the past couple of years.

I need to ask Santa for the wool pullover mittens next.

[vanven]

I second the thought on pullover mittens on the fingerless gloves, I would rather have no gloves than fingerless only, my fingers get twice as cold as with no gloves, but the pullover mittens work great to keep in heat, and I just open and close them as needed (got a pair at the dreaded wally world the other day for $6 or so, great in a deer stand as well, and will have them in the duck blind this weekend). I love a face mask when it's really cold or at least a stocking cap to cover ears. Good socks and good fleece lined jeans or wading pants to go under waders and you will stay plenty warm. I'm amazed how I don't get cold even when the guides on my rod are freezing up, but the key is to keep hands, feet and ears warm. I agree on spending a few bucks on the hand warmers as they can save a trip, you're spending money on gas and food make sure you spend as much if not more on staying comfortable, if the fish are biting you won't feel the cold, but at some point there will be a lull in the action and if you are warm that can be the difference between a fun trip or a miserable one. Loved the idea about the loop to loop on tippet and having flies pre-tied could have used that the other day!

I agree 100%. I plan ahead and dress appropriately and I never seem to get cold, yet my days always seem to end early. I get frustrated breaking ice out of my guides before I leave because I am cold.

-Jerod

[Gatorjet]

This is what I wear when fishing Taneycomo in February for the past 18 years.

Military style ECWS polypropylene long underwear including hood

Polypropylene liner socks

Wool or wool/polypropylene blend socks

Jeans and shirt

800 gram thinsulate gortex boots

insulated bibs and coat

Balaclava (like a fleece ski mask, but long enough to fold the bottom back up to cover your mouth and nose)

fingerless fishing glove while fishing

Long gauntlet gloves while driving the boat.

Motocross googles.

[ohmz138]

skiing stuff works really good. Designed for movement and persperation, and can withstand some serious cold if you want to fish it.