[truchas]

I just started a thread about garments for fishing in cold weather in the gear section. I was thinking, what do people wear when they go fishing in cold weather? Obviously, I want to be warm but I do not want to feel like the Pillsbury Doughboy... Perhaps you can help me select the necessary items for this situation. Also, with several layers on, including full waders, vest and so, how do people urinate? Sorry for the potentially offensive question to some.

Truchas.

[dshort]

I don't get too fancy...thick wool socks, thermal underwear and sweatpants under the waders, wool sweater and fleece jacket. Wool hat that covers the ears and wool fingerless gloves.

As for your other question...I carefully exit the stream, find a secluded spot in the woods, pull down the waders and go. Other than that I guess your options would be to either pee in your pants or wear a diaper.

[truchas]

LOL! Sure, I know how to do that ;-) The question was more along the lines with a jacket, vest, waders, etc..., there may be a sequence that decreases the number of things you would need to take off to go. From your post, I gather that the waders are the last thing you put on.

BTW, I am not so fond of diapers.. but pull-ups are fine ;-)

Truchas.

[HuronRiverDan]

I start with a layer of silk bottoms and tops, then a layer of medium weight poly fleece on the bottoms, wool socks of course. Waders over these...

For winter fishing I change the mid weights to military weight poly pro, heavier wool socks; and a zip neck pullover. If it's very windy I have a pair of wind pants I slip on over the bottoms. I always use my breathable waders, and go one size larger then normal on my wading shoes. Shoes are felt soled with studs. My Gortex Wader Jacket goes over the top, fingerless wool on the hands and my "Radar" knit hat goes on the ol bean. I have fished some very cold days and usually make out fine.

Dan

[Joni]

I wear the Orvis Thin Skins, top them with the fleece Bibs, wool socks and a wool sweater.
As far as the other...sure as heck...as soon as that cold air hits! But I must have the strongest bladder around. I can go for hours. I figure I am burning it off.

[Kai]

I don't use wool for anything other than my socks. It takes too long to dry out if it gets wet.

I wear polyester long underwear and fleece on the bottom, with polyester top and a softshell on top.

[BlueDun]

There are two "rules" that I follow when choosing cold weather clothing: (1) Cotton kills - when wet, cotton draws warmth away from the body and leaves you cold, wet, and at risk for hypothermia; and (2) when your hands and feet are cold, cover your head - since most warmth escapes through the top of your head, your can keep yourself warm if you keep your head (and neck) warm and toasty.

In general, I do what others have already said - wear some type of silk or synthetic "thin skin" layer with thicker layers on top. I do this for socks, pants, and shirts. I also do this for hats depending on how cold it is. On top, I wear a gortex jacket and my breathable waders.

Also, last year, I found a great solution to my dilemma about what pants to wear on the way to the river - either wear fleece pants and have everyone stop talking and stare when I stop in a gas station or store (fly fishing is not common in this area) vs. wearing street clothes and changing at the river (in the cold). Cabelas' Deluxe Wader Liner Pants look like normal pants, are fleece, and warmer than any pair of fleece/polartec pants I've owned. They are also really comfortable. I would wear them a lot more except that they are way too hot indoors. They fit perfectly inside my breathable waders and they do not leave me wet when I remove the waders.

Cabela's Waderwise&#8482 Deluxe Wader Liner Pants - Regular

[Pocono]

I use the same approach as Dan, starting with a base layer of silk weight capilene; which wicks whatever perspiration you'll produce away from your body and really helps to keep you warm. Then I use a mid-layer to fit the temperature conditions that I'll encounter. I use, almost exclusively, the base layer and mid-layer gear from Patagonia.

I ski a lot in the winter and started using their gear for skiing about 10 years ago. It really works and skiing is one of those sports where you can perspire a lot in cold temperatures. A lot of "push hard, then sit motionless on the lift, about 50 feet up in the air"; the perfect formula for getting really cold. Their Regulator series of mid-layer tops and bottoms fillls the bill for me every time. I've translated my skiing experience into my cold weather fishing and it really works for me. I'm never cold, even standing nearly waist deep in winter water.

I finish it off with a wind-proof lightweight shell. And that, along with my regular waders and shoes, does it for me. No appreciable bulk, the ability to wick away perspiration and a good block to the cold wind.

No, I'm not a rep for Patagonia, but I am a devout user of their products. They simply work for me.

[Joe D]

I use pretty much the same layering system Joni mentioned. I just add a turtle neck when it's really cold and toss a Gore Tex shell over the sweater. A warm hat is a must.

As far as peeing goes... I go the same way as usual. There's just a couple of more layers to fish around through. If you use over sized suspenders on your waders you don't have to take everything off. Just loosen the suspenders with the length adjustment clip and drop them down as low as needed, then pull them up when done and tighten up the suspender straps.

[HuronRiverDan]

My fingerless wool gloves work great for me when I'm steelhead fishing in the colder times. I tail my fish, rather then carrying a net; the wool is easy on them and even when they're damp they keep my hands warm.

Pocono, do you fish steelhead?

Dan