Cold Weather Fishing

[yakersaltlife]

Would any of you guys who have been doing this for a few years now chime in on things you use while fishing in colder weather?? I want to make sure I am not going be too cold or do something stupid and get hypothermia. I welcome all thoughts and ideas.

Thanks in advance!

[Pinch]

Drysuit or Chest waders with dry/semi dry top. Wear a PFD! (I dont but the majority of Snaggedline will emphasize this). Tell someone where you are fishing and what time you will be back. Fish with a partner if possible. Layer up with clothes (its easier to take off layers when you are hot then to be cold and wish you had another jacket). Find fish and catch them.

[chex]

The only thing that will save you if you fall in is a dry suit. A decent one will run you upwards of $800.

I don't have one, so I know that if I fall in, I've got about 5 minutes before hypothermia begins to set in. The best thing to do is yak with a buddy and in good conditions.

Assuming you're NOT going to fall in, all you need are layers. I have 3 layers on my legs (compression underarmour coldgear + looser thermal leggings + waterproof rain pants). Top I have 5 layers (compression underarmour coldgear + loose underarmour coldgear + light fleece sweater + sleeveless jacket + waterproof rain jacket)

I also wear 2 pairs of thick Merino wool socks under waterproof SealSkinz socks. On my hands, waterproof SealSkinz gloves do the trick.

Even with 3 layers, sometime 4 on my feet, they are usually the first to get cold.

Good luck and be careful out there. A lot of the smarter people don't even bother to go out in the cold.

[yakersaltlife]

I like to think of myself as one of those "smarter people", so I think I am going to be waiting to fish, but just want to be prepared when its somewhat cold outside. I think I will be starting toward the mid-end of April for fishing, so it might be chilly, but still doable. Thanks for the info guys.

[moc]

I did not fish in the cold either when I first started. I eventually got information from allot of the yakers on this forum and when I met up with them for fishing I saw the gear that they use. Now I go fishing in the cold all the time. If it is freezing then I will opt out. But air temps in the 40 on up...no big deal.

[Southerly]

i think chexone is right. i'm doing something different but can not recommend it to others as necessarily being 'safe'. guys are dying from hypothermia and i would expect at least most of them felt safe before they went out.

the navy has done research on survival using immersion suits and has charts for selecting insulating layers thickness based on water temp, body type (fat), expected time till recovery/rescue.

i think an 'immersion suit' is also recommended by vrmc. not sure but i think this is similar to recreational drysuit but designed to meet gov specs. of course lifejacket, light, horn, waterproof vhf, float plan.

[ictalurus]

Other things to consider when layering are whether or not it's sunny or windy, and how much paddling you'll be doing. If I'm trolling all day, I'll dress lighter. If it's cloudy and/or windy, I'll wear more, especially if I won't be paddling much.

Here are a couple other similar threads:
http://www.snaggedline.com/showthread.php?t=2259

http://www.snaggedline.com/showthread.php?t=607

[new2yaks11]

From my scuba days I know this much, initially after submerging in "cold" water, it takes your breath away. Your brain goes into overdrive "yelling" at you to get out of there. Your motor skills diminish quickly with each passing minute. You might literally only have about 10 good minutes to get yourself out of the water and on your way to safety, at least dry clothes and a warm vehicle to start. Here is a link to a video that I think will give you a great idea as to what might happen if you should fall into cold water.

Be safe out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=J1xohI3B4Uc

[Wonderboof]

wetsuits are cheaper than dry suits and safer since they work even if they get ripped. I use a 3mil for warm wether days and a 6/5/4 mil with builtin hood for freezing weather. I got both wetsuits for less than a single dry suit costs.

[Memory Maker]

The main thing is to be safe ......... always fish with someone ...... there's enough people here to fish anytime.

There is a raging debate over the drysuit ve drytop w/waders and it's a heated debate. Bottom line is the drysuit gives you the best protection but it is expensive and there have been many demonstrations that showed the drytop is ok with little or no leakage. As long as you can get back in the yak in a reasonable amount of time it's ok. Wetsuits are made to be used in the water with a thin layer of water that warms to your body temp. Using it on the yak can be cold and uncomfortable per several guys on this board.

Many guys like the layered approach. Under Armor base layer then some fleece then drysuit/drytop waders and life preserver and a spare jacket and a knit cap.