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Most have covered boating but I'll touch on wading for those that might do that. I dress in three layers - moisture wicking base layer - patagonia I think; fleece mid-weight middle layer - moisture wicking; fleece lined pants and coat as third layer. Two pairs of thick socks, breathable waders, boots that fit loosely, gloves, and a balaclava keep me warm in water temps down to 30 degrees.
The guy that said layers is on the money. Layers topped off with coveralls. Problem for me is my hands, if anyone ever figures out how to keep the hands warm when fishing in freezing temps, let me know.
Layers is the key to staying warm and dry. The first layer of clothing next to your skin should be able to wick moisture away from your skin. Some of the newer synthetic fabrics will do this better than others. Cotton gets wet and when that happens it looses it's abilty to insulate you. Polypropylene plastic fibers can't absorb moisture so they stay dry as compared to cotton fibers. A mixture of polypropylene fibers and other synthetic fibers works best for the long underware. Check out the new Cold Gear underware that is on display at Dick's Sporting Goods Stores or in the BPS or Cabelas Catalogs.
Next layer I like to use is the new thinsulate pants and long jacket. Under the jacket I wear a thinsulate vest that can be removed or left under the jacket. A wool shirt under the jacket and onto of the long underwear helps.
I also have used a thinsulate coveralls at times.
I wear a thinsulate stocking hat and gloves. My boots are insulated with Thinsulate as well. Until last year my feet were always getting cold. My new boots with thinsulate insulation kept my feet warm last year when I fished in cold weater in Dec.
Thinsulate is composed of plastic fibers that are screeded lenghtwise which causes them to trap air between the fibers. If you look at the material under the microscope you will see how they work. Air is the insulator. This works as well or better than Goose Down Feathers which was what was used in the past. But goose down does not breath like thinsulate and once down gets wet it's going to let the cold though.
I also plan on using these small chemical heat packs to keep my hands warm. It's very hard to keep the hands warm with fishing. Getting minnows out of frozen water is hard on your hands.
Some guys that I know keep several pair of cotton gloves with them and when one pair gets wet they just remove them and put on a new dry pair of cotton gloves.
I plan on trying to use a 5lb propane tank and a catalytic heater in my boat this winter. I am looking for one of those plastic milk crates to hold the propane tank so it won't tip over inside the boat.
Regards,
Moose1am
Make sure that the life jacket is on at all times when the water gets below 50 deg. Even 60 deg F water is cold as heck. Remember that swimming pools keep their water temp at around 78 deg. Even 78 deg F water can chill your body if you stay in the water a long time. Water can ##### the heat right out of your body very quickly.
Wear the life jacket on the outside of your clothing at all times in the winter time when fishing. Moss on launch ramps can cause you to slip and hit your head on something while launching the boat. A friend of mine said he fell on a slipper launch ramp and had to have 21 stitches put in his leg to close a cut. Imagine if he had bumbed his head on something that hard? You can drown in just a few inches of water if you are knocked unconscious.
I use to swim a lot and 25 years ago when I was in great shape I and a few life guard friends of mine decided to jump into the lake in early March. We had not been swimming since Sept the year before and the water was like 45 deg F. I'll never forget the shock of hitting that cold water. Imagine being dressed with lots of heavy clothing and falling into 40 deg F water.
With the new types of life jackets there is no excuse to not wear one.
I like my sterns because it helps keep me warm when worn over my cloths.
Regards,
Moose1am
Multiple pairs of dry gloves and those chemical warmer packs. I have a pair of thinsulate gloves/mittons that have the fingers cut out and the mitton portion flips out of the way when you want to use your fingers. They put a dot of velcro on the mitton flap and the back of the glove so that the mitton flap stays out of the way when you don't have it over your fingers.
That and a big drying towel to keep your hands dry.
Also the dry hands minnow bucket is another thing you might consider. Check it out at [url]www.crappie.com[/url]. They sponger that web site. I would just rather use a dip net or stay with using jigs during the winter time. That way you won't have to buy minnows and get your hands as wet. One of those long poles with the grip handle and prongs that close helps when picking up marker buoys. But these days with GPS you don't even need to throw out marker buoys as much as in the past.
Regards,
Moose1am
basspro goretex overalls ($189.00) worth the investment. i have had mine for 8 years now. fish jan, feb, mar and never have a problem. buy the black ones - they draw the heat when the sun is out. jeans, boots, and a tshirt and flanel shirt and i am set. not to mention, beer!
Goretex material is a waterproofing material but it's not an insulation type material. It's normally used with Thinsulate or other types of insulating materials for winter wear.
Goretex is great for keeping you dry if it's not compromised. I have two Goretext rain suites that won't fit me anymore. I found that I can wash them in "NIKWAX, TX.DIRECT WASH-IN" solution to restore their waterproofing. So I was told by the saleman at the Outdoor shop. That or I could spray them with a spray on waterproofing solution.
Finding clothing with both Goretex outer wear and thinsulate insulation is costly.
I ended up going with a substitute for the Goretex Waterproofing in my new camo 4/1 parka. I'll find out if these substitude materials (Hydroproof Ultra) are as good as they advertise. I hope that they are.
Regards,
Moose1am
The only thing I can add is go buy a 50 dollar full face motorcycle helmet. It will be the best winter weather money you ever spent.
Neoprene waders are the way to go! totaly warm and you can step out of the boat into the water to load up. they are made to stand in cold water all day and fly fish.use whatever coat with them.
Cabelas Guidewear. The best money i've ever spent.