FLYFISHINGPAsteelheadingazstayingwarmdry

This is the second installment in a series of articles called Steelheading A-Z.

I heard once from someone that you have to be �a little crazy and a whole lot nuts� to be an avid steelhead fisherman. After years of fishing for these Silver Bullets in all weather conditions, I would tend to agree.

Steelhead fishing in Pennsylvania usually starts somewhere around mid September. That is about this same time that the weather in Northwest Pennsylvania begins to show subtle changes, meaning cooler days and cold nights. This combination, along with consistent rainfall is the complete recipe for a successful season.

Unfortunately, to ensure a good day on the water, you will probably be fishing in either cold or wet conditions and most likely both. This can lead to a very miserable day of fishing if your not prepared. I have put together a complete head to toe list of the necessary clothing to help you stay warm and dry throughout the entire steelhead season.

Waders

Waders are your first line of defense against the cold. Having the correct type and style of wader can help you tremendously on even the worst day.

First and foremost, I suggest you purchase neoprene. Even though the new breathable waders that hit the market in the last few years are great, they are designed more to keep you cool than they are to keep you warm. The good thing about the breathable rage is that the price of quality neoprenes has gone down significantly. A quality neoprene wader should cost you less than $100.00, very cheap compared to just a few years ago.

I also suggest you purchase a chest wader as opposed to hip waders or waist high waders. You will appreciate the extra warmth that the chest style offers, plus most waders on the market have the ability to convert to waist high waders anyway.

I strongly recommend you purchase a neoprene wader that is at least 3mm thick. 5mm neoprene is definitely warmer, but can be a little bit more expensive, a little bulkier and less comfortable than the 3mm versions. Then again if you plan to fish all winter, the 5mm might be the way to go. I have both and find I use the 3mm for all my steelheading without any problems.

I also suggest you purchase a boot-foot model. Stocking foot waders may be more stylish, but they are nowhere near as warm as a boot foot wader is. The reason behind this is there is less constriction of circulation to your feet, allowing the blood to flow easier, therefore keeping you warmer. I have noticed a considerable difference in the warmth of my feet since I switched.

Layering

I am a big believer in layering to stay warm, but in order for layering to be effective, it must be done properly. You will find that if you do layer properly, you will be more comfortable on the stream.

Bottom Layer

The bottom layer is very important, maybe the most important layer. Here is why:

When you�re participating in an active sport such as steelheading, you are going to sweat. In cold weather your bottom layer will absorb this sweat. Eventually this bottom layer, because it is damp, will become cooler than your body temperature causing you to chill. This is why you get cold.

The trick to effective layering is to select a bottom layer made from a substance that wicks the moisture away from your skin. If you can get this moisture away from your skin, you will not chill and you will stay warmer longer. The farther away the moisture is from your skin, the better.

There is a substance called Polypropylene that allows this wicking to occur. Polypro is a great bottom layer as it is very light and comfortable. I suggest having two weights of polypro, a lightweight to be worn right against the skin and a heavier weight to be worn as the next layer. The second layer not only wicks moisture farther away from your skin, but it also has a good insulation effect.

Middle Layers

The middle layers are your insulation layers, and also the layers that will collect the sweat that is wicked away from your bottom layers. What you�re after is a material that is not only a good insulator, but will insulate even when it is wet. The two substances that will achieve this are wool and fleece. I tend to choose fleece over wool, because it is not only more comfortable (wool is heavy when wet plus it can be very itchy) but is less expensive. A bonus with fleece is that it also has the ability to wick moisture away from the body.

My middle layers consist of either one or two layers of fleece depending on how cold the conditions are.

Outer Layer

The outer layer is the last line of defense against the cold weather and the one that comes directly in contact with the harsh conditions. This layer will probably be your most expensive purchase.

There are many types of outer shells available out there. The one that fits your needs is a matter of preference and should be purchased with that in mind. Some like a large amount of pockets and gadgets, while others like a more plain shell.

The only thing that should be consistent when shopping for a good outer shell is breathablilty. A breathable outer shell is imperative for staying warm. The breathable outer shell allows for all that wicked moisture to escape, thus keeping all your layers dry. When your layers are dry, you are dry, and when you are dry, you are also warm.

I personally suggest a quality Gore-Tex jacket. I have used Gore-Tex for years, not only for fishing but also in the military and I can attest that it does work.

Hats, Gloves and Socks

I can�t think of anything more overlooked by the hardcore steelheader than selecting the proper socks to stay warm in cold weather. Most fishermen just pull a pair of socks out of their drawer at home and wear them. This has to be the biggest mistake for the cold weather fisherman. Remember that cotton soaks in moisture and has no wicking abilities what so ever. It won�t be long until your feet are ice cold and your day of fishing will be cut short.

Use the same principles with your socks as you would with the rest of your layering. Use a polypro sock liner followed by a pair of fleece socks, and your feet will stay warm much longer. Combine this with a boot foot wader and you�re set.

Gloves and hats are a matter of personal preference. Choose either wool or fleece and you can�t go wrong. I prefer a fingerless glove and a fleece ball cap. Simms has a great line of fleece gloves that are a little more expensive, but well worth it.

That about sums up the clothing required to stay warm and dry during a sometimes wet and always cold steelhead season here in Northwest Pennsylvania.

Next, because it seems to be a major issue every year, we will look into stream etiquette and what you can do to improve fisherman-landowner relations.