[DryflyBum]

I'm a firm believer and user of hand warmers, adhesive whole foot warmers, muff with handwarmers inside (plus a face cloth inside to absorb water from hands). I also put handwarmers in my front pant pockets. I agree with Spey Games - the muff is a great warming zone. These are pretty cheap on the internet. I like the idea of the bungee to keep wading staff handle out of water. I do use fingerless gloves with size larger nitrile gloves over them.

I don't have a pair of boot foot waders, but just may spring for them this season.

I typically look like a Michelin man and sometimes get curious looks when I stop to get gas or a deli sandwich on the way to the river. I tell them I'm going to stand in waist deep in 34 degree water for several hours and fish. I wish I had videos of some of the comments I get, lol.

 

[TheSwingingFly]

Zippo rechargeable battery powered hand warmer... will save your day after dunking your hands in the drink to release a fish in the dead of Winter....

If you leave it turned on and put it in your inside chest pocket, it will warm your whole body as a bonus...

My hands don't work like they used to in the cold, spent too many Winters on the water with no gloves, but that Zippo unit has made life way better for me. My left hand will lock up to the point I cannot grab a reel handle to reel line in at times in the Winter, I can bring it back to life with the Zippo and it's a million times better than those junk disposable hand warmer packs...

 

[SSPey]

let me the 99th person to recommend bootfoots … get a good pair and only use them seasonally, they’ll last for years. Mine are oversized for layers up top, and a pair of neoprene socks over heavy wool for toasty toes

 

[fatbillybob]

Anyone try this? They have remote control heated foot beds too...

 

[stosiak]

Fishing in the Great Lakes region all my life I've learned that being warm is not an option. I start acclimating in the fall when temps start dropping. When I'm out side I don't wear a coat and learn to deal with the fact that I'm cold. When I dress for fishing, it is minimal and I'm a little cold but It doesn't bother me as much. I can stay fishing all day and stay focused on fishing the fly not worrying how cold I am. I've tried every gimmick for hands and feet and found hand warmers the best. As for feet nothing works so I fish with frozen feet. My 2 cents worth

 

[Singlehandjay]

Wool socks, Eddie Bauer fleece lined snow pants. These are not bulky at all and the texture of the outer doesn't grip my set of stirrup fleece pants that I put over these. I never feel the cold of the water. I'll wear thermal long sleeve shirt with T-shirt and a hoodie over the top. In the hoodie pocket I have a Thaw rechargeable hand warmer set to the lowest setting. If my hands get cold I'll put the hand warmer in the flip ot pocket of my waders and switch hands while swinging to warm the cold hand on the warmer. I found if I can make the part that is completely submerged warm that my fingers never get cold. If you have to walk any distance in this get up you better hope it's colder than ****.

 

[Equinox]

lotsa good ideas here...for upper bulk /freedom of movement I wear over the layers suggested above, an oversized good quality down vest...doesnt bind as fleece does...no arms for freedom of movement...oversize traps more air (insulation) between underlayer...oversided boots allow for beefed up socks...I dont feel liner socks provide insulation so I never wear them.

Steve

 

[ramcatt]

you guys west of the rockies are cute... come to the GL and see real cold

Patagonia waders with the fleece grid lined booties
capiline full suit
cold weather tights - Simms extreme pants for the really cold
R1 hoody
thin puff jacket
wading jacket shell
Fleece fold back mittens

 

[Jcflyfish]

Having never fished in the Great Lakes area, let alone during winter, I’d love to know the average fishing conditions there in winter. Average air temperature? Average water temperature? Is there a point where you don’t fish?

Jake

 

[G-Mo]

Regarding liner socks, I've worn very thin liner socks under a thin wool blend ski sock and have eliminated my cold feet issue. Feet will sweat and unless it is drawn away from the feet will dampen your socks and keep your feet cold. Also keep my wading boots medium tight as to keep the blood circulation flowing down there. Has worked for me for years. One example...

Wigwam Gobi Liner Socks

 

[eriefisher]

In my area the season closes December 31. Until then you can see anything from well below freezing to a high of 70deg. One minute the snow could be blowing hard and 10 minutes later your stripping of layers. You just never know. When it gets cold though it's really cold. This is a shot from a few years ago on the last day of the season. Snow squalls blowing through one after the other. There were times I couldn't see the tip of the rod. No fish that day but it's all worth it.

 

[PositiveCreep]

you guys west of the rockies are cute... come to the GL and see real cold

Hmm. Nah, I think I'll stick with the sea runs. 😜

 

[notwkng]

What works best for me is to replace anadromous fish with saltwater flats fish. No waders here. Sunscreen is more important. Besides, unlike steelhead, you can actually catch bonefish because they are present. You even see them before you cast. None of this lunacy of getting hypothermia in the hopes of the last unicorn swimming your direction.

 

[CrookedCoast]

you guys west of the rockies are cute... come to the GL and see real cold

Yes February at the river in northern BC is practically tropical.

 

[novocon]

Down here in Georgia, it can get brutally cold believe it or not…sometimes it even dips into the low 40’s. When this happens, I carry an extra loaf of bread to stuff into my jacket pockets for warmth. The bread helps keeps my finger tips from freezing and gives me the ability to make a nice warm sandwich for lunch. A warm meal on the river is a godsend when it feels like you just can’t take another minute in that brutally cold water.

 

[mrett]

Anyone try this? They have remote control heated foot beds too...
View attachment 432652

Recently purchased a down battery powered heated vest with a hood. Three levels of heat on a rainy, low thirties launch with a light breeze. Had it under my goretex rainjacket for minimal bulk and good casting ability. Very pleased with the performance. Had to cycle it to minimum setting and off to prevent overheating during the day. Your results may vary. Great info in the thread !!

 

[SSPey]

you guys west of the rockies are cute... come to the GL and see real cold

Just 5 years in upstate NY for me ... besides the bagels, I don’t miss it one bit!

honestly surprised that anyone there would recommend stockingfoots over bootfoots, even the gridded ones (which are great … do they even make them anymore?)

 

[carmino.falco]

Bootfoot waders!

 

[Mike Pesut]

Great post and advice here.

FEET:
I don’t love bootfoot waders or bulky socks so I use “ewool” heated socks.
Expensive and worth every penny.
With any sock of choice and oversize wading boots tied loosely for a nice warm air pocket.

HANDS:
“Grabber Toe Warmers”.
With the adhesive stuck to the palm of each hand. The toe ones are thinner than the hand version.
After 5 minutes I’m barely aware of them.
Cheap fleece gloves from the dollar store with the tips trimmed.
Extra hotshot or a zippo in the pocket for extra hand relief during the swing/dangle.

😬

 

[marketic]

I just returned from 8 days at a lodge in Northern British Columbia… the temperature was pretty much 10 - 15 degrees all day long for 8 straight days… plug ice in the guides every second to third cast
Meanwhile, I was completely comfortable and fished dawn till dark …. Wow, How could you stand the temps asked the lodge owner…. We’ve never seen anybody as brave and hearty as that … what’s your secret????

Errr…. Ahhh… ummm… Neoprene boot foot waders?