Layer Up with Lenny’s Essential Winter Fly Fishing Gear Guide – Part 1
by Lenny Gliwa
by Lenny Gliwa
If you are addicted to fly fishing, then you dream of spending countless hours on the water, regardless of the weather or the time of year. However, frigid temperatures and inclement conditions can quickly turn a perfect day into a miserable or even life threatening experience if you're not properly prepared. Therefore the key to staying comfortable and focused on your fishing is layering.
Layering is the practice of building a clothing system that starts at your skin and extends to your outermost shell, designed to protect you from a variety of elements such as cold, moisture, wind, and sun. This versatile approach allows anglers to adapt to changing conditions throughout the day, whether it's a chilly morning that warms up by noon or a sudden gust of wind that drops the temperature dramatically.
While often associated with cold weather, layering is a strategy that can be applied year-round, albeit with some key differences that we will address in future content. In any circumstance, layering provides the flexibility to add or remove layers as temperatures fluctuate or your exertion level changes, ensuring you remain comfortable in any situation.
Your head and neck are crucial areas for heat retention. A well-chosen hat and buff can make a significant difference in your overall comfort throughout your day on the water.
Hats are an excellent place to start when it comes to keeping your head warm. Many will consider windproof or Gore-Tex options for maximum protection in harsh conditions. These are particularly critical when facing strong winds or prolonged exposure to cold.
Buffs can complement a hat nicely, and are available in a variety of different materials, each serving a specific purpose:
Considering your hands are what enable connection and control with your fly rod, you must find a way to keep them warm and dry to function in frigid temperatures.
When considering gloves vs. mittens – generally mittens provide more warmth than gloves because they allow your fingers to share heat. However, gloves offer better dexterity for handling fishing gear and flies. There are hybrid, fingerless options available that free up the index finger and thumb and make it easy for you to grab tiny objects and tie knots, while making it easy to flip back on the mitten top to stay warm.
Hand muffs can be an excellent addition to your cold-weather gear system, providing a warm refuge for your hands between casts.
Your core is the body's primary heat source, making it crucial to maintain its warmth. Here, vests are critical. These versatile garments can serve multiple purposes:
The principles of layering apply equally to your lower body, starting with a liner, moving to a mid-layer, and finishing with an exterior shell. Since you’ll be fishing, your waders will be on the exterior. As for what is coming in contact with your skin and serving as your mid-layer, there's only one choice: merino wool socks and layers. Its superior moisture-wicking and insulating properties make it the ideal material for keeping your legs and feet warm and dry.
A shell with layers underneath offers greater versatility than an insulated shell. This approach allows you to use certain pieces as base or mid-layers in some conditions, and as outer layers in others. This flexibility is key to adapting to changing weather while affording you the advantage of being able to use more of your gear throughout the year.
Both have their strengths:
Down fill power ranges typically from 450 to 900. Higher numbers indicate better quality down that provides more warmth for its weight. Know and compare these numbers to the temperature you will be fishing in and decide what makes the most sense for your scenario.
The adage "Cotton Kills” exists for a reason and is meant to be taken seriously. Failing to take this into consideration could turn what should be a good day into your last day. There’s an important reason for this: cotton absorbs moisture and holds it against your skin, defeating the purpose of breathable waders and waterproof jackets. Avoid cotton at all costs in all of your layers, including underwear.
No, this didn’t just shift gears to a taco debate. Shells refer to the outer layer in the system, and there are nuances that need to be accounted for when choosing yours:
Note: A windbreaker is not a rain jacket. Many anglers make the mistake of relying on a windbreaker for rain protection, only to end up soaked. Always check the weather forecast and bring appropriate gear!
Remember, your layering system is only as effective as its weakest link. Even the best merino wool base layer becomes pointless if worn over cotton underwear. Every layer, from your skin out, plays a crucial role in maintaining comfort and warmth.
In Part 2 of this series, we'll go beyond the foundations we’ve established in this article and dive deep into specifics for how to layer properly, starting with your next-to-skin base layers, moving to mid-layers, and finishing with your outer shell. We'll provide detailed guidance on selecting the right pieces for each layer to create a system that keeps you comfortable in any condition. Jump in to master the art of layering to contend with any scenario mother nature has in store.
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