David Johnson
12-03-2003, 01:00 PM
It was November and one of those cold, crisp mornings where you have to blow the ice out of the rod guides and keep the sandshrimp in the cooler so they don’t freeze to death.
I was thinking on how my toes were cold but also about how many times people show up for a day of fishing without the proper clothes to stay warm.
As this winter steelhead season progresses be sure to hit the river dressed for the occasion.
I’ve heard that wool will retain something like 80% of it’s warmth, even when wet. Wool socks are a must; a wool hat will also keep the heat from wicking off the top of your head.
Wool gloves have been the stand-by for NW steelhead fishing for years but I prefer gloves made from some of the newer, high tech materials as the wool tends to “shed” into the moving parts of the reel and they are a magnet for getting stuck in the hooks of a plug.
Fleece or neoprene are great options. Last year I bought a pair of gloves for my wife called “Seal Skin Gloves”. They are totally waterproof and she loves them.
Then there’s rain gear. I’ve had a lot of guys in my boat go home soaked all the way through while wearing gortex in heavy, NW drizzle. For me it,s rubber all the way. Grundens are my choice. With double buttons and neoprene cuffs, these things keep me dry through anything.
It’s also a good idea to dress in layers. You can always take something off but it’s nice to have when you need it.
When I wear long underwear I’ve found that polypropylene is a great material. It is lightweight and it draws the moisture away from your skin. They are great for wearing under neoprene waders. Check out the ski clothes department.
When it’s cold, dry and windy my hands take a beating. They dry out and will start cracking, especially if in contact with borax egg cure. This fall while fishing I started rubbing my hands with Mikes Gel in anise scent. It helped.
I hope a few of these things will help you with the comfort level this winter as you chase those silver bullets.
I was thinking on how my toes were cold but also about how many times people show up for a day of fishing without the proper clothes to stay warm.
As this winter steelhead season progresses be sure to hit the river dressed for the occasion.
I’ve heard that wool will retain something like 80% of it’s warmth, even when wet. Wool socks are a must; a wool hat will also keep the heat from wicking off the top of your head.
Wool gloves have been the stand-by for NW steelhead fishing for years but I prefer gloves made from some of the newer, high tech materials as the wool tends to “shed” into the moving parts of the reel and they are a magnet for getting stuck in the hooks of a plug.
Fleece or neoprene are great options. Last year I bought a pair of gloves for my wife called “Seal Skin Gloves”. They are totally waterproof and she loves them.
Then there’s rain gear. I’ve had a lot of guys in my boat go home soaked all the way through while wearing gortex in heavy, NW drizzle. For me it,s rubber all the way. Grundens are my choice. With double buttons and neoprene cuffs, these things keep me dry through anything.
It’s also a good idea to dress in layers. You can always take something off but it’s nice to have when you need it.
When I wear long underwear I’ve found that polypropylene is a great material. It is lightweight and it draws the moisture away from your skin. They are great for wearing under neoprene waders. Check out the ski clothes department.
When it’s cold, dry and windy my hands take a beating. They dry out and will start cracking, especially if in contact with borax egg cure. This fall while fishing I started rubbing my hands with Mikes Gel in anise scent. It helped.
I hope a few of these things will help you with the comfort level this winter as you chase those silver bullets.