How do you keep warm?

[geedavell]

I am planning a trip to Denver for Thanksgiving with the wife.
I have guide lined up for 6 hours.
Talking to the guide, she said it could be 20 or 50 degrees.
This is only the wife's second time out.
I DON'T WANT her to get cold. It will put an end to my fishing trip.
What do you guys recommend to a fair weather angler??

[Darian]

geedavell,.... Maybe your description of your wife'll give you an idea about the answer to your question, "....a fair weather angler??" at 50 degrees she might be OK with it but at 20 degrees (more likely) she'll be uncomfortable unless she's familiar with doing things in ice/snow.

I'd recommend you leave her at the home or hotel you'll be staying at (especially if there's a hot tub or book/good food involved).

If you still want to bring her along, make sure she dresses in layered clothing and good luck.

[Bob G]

I get cold easily here in Colorado, and I have to strongly agree with Darian! Good Luck, Bob

[Sonoman]

Consistent with others' recommendatins
- good base layer
- good fleece to trap warm air
- good down jacket
- shell to stop wind
- fleece gloves
- fleece or wool beanie
- I like one layer to have a hoodie to cut wind on neck and face

[cmcdhuibh]

Sometimes out walking along the river I see those that brave the ice/snow winter temps and wonder, if it where me do I really want to put my hand in that water to release the fish.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Years ago we only had cotton long underwear or wool long underwear.

Cotton soaked up water and wool was itchy.

Then came synthetic polyproline long underwear and socks that could be easily dried.


Breathable waders and raincoats changed everything.

Rubberized rain coats and old rubble waders all filled with moisture from the humidity.


Young anglers have no idea how good they have it.

[Sonoman]

one more thing...I like wearing nitrile gloves under my fleece gloves to keep my hands dry. It's a big help for keeping my hands warm. I get the thick(er) 6mil mechanics gloves from the auto parts store and I can still tie knots

[Darian]

"Sometimes out walking along the river I see those that brave the ice/snow winter temps and wonder, if it where me do I really want to put my hand in that water to release the fish."

As a long time winter, estuary fly fisher, I found that when I had to release fish the water wasn't cold as it was warmer than the air temps. So, when cold, I would stick my bare hands in the water, then in my arm pits to warm/dry 'em. Of course, there wasn't ice/snow on the ground, then....

[Brian Clemens]

I wrote an article in the winter addition of California fly fisher last year about keeping warm during winter steelhead season. A few keep points if you can't get ahold of it
1) size up a pair for boots, I wear a 10-10.5 shoe, wear a 11 for normal socks, sz12 for winter socks
2)keep core warm, a vest helps out a ton, keep it as close to your body as possible. Have a heavy layer on your legs, the blood going to your toes gets cold fast, keeping those legs warm is critical. I even cut a pair of thermals into shorts as an extra layer around my upper legs, but not bulky down low
2a) layer layer layer merino wool
3) you can get warming insoles. Take your soles out of your boots, them put the warmer soles inside your waders then slip into your boots. Your feet will thank me later
4)if your hands get cold, stuff hot hands in your armits
5)do not over tighten your boots ever

[StevenB]

Ok, Assuming you are a beginner like you say, you will likely get fairly short answers to this question because most guys on this board have been outside people for a while and figure this stuff is already well known.

There is a ton of info on the internet about keeping warm and the importance of layers.
Do a little googling.

Having said that, and since I am sitting around on the computer watching it snow outside:

I will highlight the important stuff:

No cotton.

Top: Good light or mid weight base layer, fleece midlayer, water/windproof outer layer with hood.

Bottom: same with waders serving as the waterproof layer

Good gloves that are warm when wet and easy to handle (easy on and off).

Two hats, a warm balaclava type hat that covers the ears, and an overhat that has a brim and is either waterproof or will fit in/under waterproof outer layer’s hood, ball caps are ok for this plus they are usually easy to adjust to fit over the balaclava.


Just for fun I just bought one of these:



Zippo Silver HeatBank 9s Rechargeable Hand Warmer




Gonna try it out.
First test it stayed pretty warm for about 4 hours on medium heat.
But it is kinda bulky and heavy, plus you still gotta carry it around
when it is out of power.


I have had poor results with the old fashion self heating hand-warmers like these: