Keeping Warm Fishing During Winter

[fish41]

Without splashing out on expensive thermal suits thought we could throw in a few tips.

Feet- skeetex moon boots --one of the best purchases ive made but the liners get a bit sweaty after several trips.

Head- Cant beat a wooly hat and balaclava when its an icy wind. Or a hood on a jacket

hands- always a bit of a problem with need to bait up regularly --my hands seem to be ok on cold days but "thinsulate" fleece gloves are very good and  i have pair of thin slightly rubberised gardening type gloves that you can still reel in and handle rod ok in.   Found the neoprene ones in aldi with a thumb bit that folds back to help baiting up were a bit cumbersome.

Legs- long johns,jeans and plastic overtrousers to wipe mucky hands on does the biz

Body- Thermal vest, large cotton t-shirt,  fleece type sweatshirt, loose wooly jumper plus fleece and waterproof coat as necessary to keep out wind chill.

add a wool scarf around neck and across chest.

brolley to keep the wind off if pegging down, trees and shrub protection from side winds, fish with wind on back.

warm flask

hand warmers-- found some cheap ones (1.50 pair)  in Aldi that are reuseable but only last about 20 minutes then need boiling in hot water for 10 mins. Do they still do the little charcoal sticks in a pouch?

have a little wander now and again-- usually to the loo if the flask is being emptied.

[DaveE]

Agree with most of your choices but would say that a cotton T shirt is a no no. As the Americans say 'cotton kills'. Cotton holds sweat and then leaves you feeling cold. In extreme weather ie American winters many hunters have been found frozen to death because they wore cotton instead of man-made fibres which wick sweat away.

Would also recommend a waterproof bib and brace so long as you haven't got far to walk.

A hoodie or fleece with a waterproof coat with a hood completes the outfit.

Rather than a scarf, a snood/neck warmer is less bulky and more effective.

Skeetex sell replacement moonboot liners for around £20.

Charcoal type handwarmers are still available from camping stores or websites.
   

[dan the man]

wow thats like the gear for ice fishing lol a good suit [waterproof ] and thermal undersuit ,skeetex type boots and loose socks ,keep warm but dont sweat it getting to a peg

[Steve1]

A lot of good idea's in the posts

My first would be setting my umbrella so I am well protected from the wind
As many layers of clothes that I can get on and still move.

Bought a pair of socks for £39-99 ( seal skins ) water proof and thermal.
Seeing I did not go in the water and my feet where still cold they where a waste of money

For keeping my hands warm I swear by "Hotties", a little pack of chemicals that you shake, there on e-bay
stay hot for a long time, one in each pocket or if wearing gloves slide them onto the back of your hand

[fish41]

Cotton shirts-- have found i do tend to sweat and then chill a bit so end up trying to vent it. Bit of a balance not getting too hot or cold. What alternatives are there to cotton--think most of my layers have cotton---?

Still got my old waxed coat when they were all the rage-- not bad in summer but cold in winter

[DaveE]

A man-made fibre shirt or polo shirt are better against the skin than cotton. Mine are Helly Hansen. The sort of thing that hikers or mountain climbers wear are best. A fleece worn over the top, again man-made fibres, will allow moisture to escape. The 'wicking' materials are generally labelled as such.

[DaveE]

Just remembered that I got mine a few years ago at one of the shops at Cheshire Oaks and I didn't pay a lot.

[fish41]

Cheers Dave will try that out next time am out