When I first started fishing for Steelhead a few years ago, I had nothing. Until then, I was a "good-weather" fisherman who didn't know what cold was. Boy, did I find out quickly?
I will never forget my first time out. I had just connected with an old friend I had never seen since school. Steve was going to teach me everything about fishing for Steelhead & Salmon. It was mid-December, the 16th of 1999, I think. We met at Steve's at 5 a.m. All I was wearing were my pants, a T-shirt, a baseball cap, casual shoes, and a warm-weather jacket in the car.
Steve just looked at me. "Are you nuts?" He said. "He's going to dry the snow." Yes, I replied that this was all I had. "Don't worry about it, and I'll do it. Let's go" As soon as we got to the river, I was just like that, cold. I'm not going to stop because I will be caught with a Steelhead that has been dragging too long. I remember looking at her as I almost fainted at the sight of her as warm as possible. It didn't take long to ask, "Okay, how much is all that money, and where can I get it." I would never go through that kind of day again. By the grace of God, I got my first Steelhead that day but without paying a heavy price.
On my next trip, I was able to lift my gear with waders, as well as a breathable raincoat. The only thing that was missing was the head covering. I knew I was missing something." It was a cold day. It was uncomfortable, but at least it was as unbearable as my first exit. I had a stockpile, so it ended up being okay.
I tell you, my friends, there is no such thing as the comfort of being hot. At 30 degrees Fahrenheit [30 ° C] with rain, snow, and rain. (Yes, I have all 3!). You'll be glad you got the gear. Also, warmth gives you more time.
Here is my suggested checklist when you go out for a day on the river.
1. Wader. You can find them almost everywhere. Like anything else, you get paid. I recommend that the Simms brand G3's or G4 breathable be at the top of the line. They run high, in the price range from $ 350 to $ 699. You can get Rivertek Stockingfoots for $ 299. Riveter is almost as cheap as I could go in the winter. You can also go with a long stand with Neoprene 3.5 mm. You can enter a pair of this range for $ 80 to $ 200.
2. Raincoat. One must be. Raincoats come down to comfort. I need to feel comfortable and fast. So, I use a robust and bright style in Columbia. The point is dry.
3. Your hat. I love Henschel. A nice, high-quality oily skin cap that will keep your scalp dry. A dry head is a warm head. I believe these run in the $ 50 ballpark
4. Naked. There are all kinds of things out there now. I use anything designed to keep moisture out and heat out. On top of that, I usually wear something with wool, in addition to my waders. This all depends on how warm or cold the blood is. Some people like me need 3-4 layers, while others need 1 or 2 layers. Check out these REI or Sport clothing stores.
One last tip, get yourself a dry bag. You will not regret having an extra set of clothes because of the emergency. You never know when the slate will fall, or you will never get better because of the heavy weather. Just put your dry bag on the truck or boat. Dry bags can be purchased at a sporting goods store. The price will depend on size; it costs an average of $ 40.
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