Photograph: Alex Stulce
I really like fly fishing within the lifeless of winter. The quiet and solitude are onerous to beat, however the greatest stumbling block I hear about from of us who haven’t fly fished with snow on the bottom is staying heat.
My reply is at all times the identical: ditch the cotton and go for wool. Heck, I’d even counsel of us keep away from the artificial base layers (largely polyester-based) as effectively, as a result of they’re simply not so good as wool.
Wool insulates even when it’s moist, so in case your waders spring a leak, you’re not in fast hazard of hypothermia. Simply final week I used to be on the water when my waders began leaking in a single leg. The leak was sluggish sufficient that it didn’t get me too moist. Extra importantly, although, I didn’t get chilly, as a result of I had two wool layers on.
I’ll share my wool layering system right here in a second, however I actually need to drive residence simply how nice wool is. It’s versatile sufficient to be used on chilly, to downright frigid, days. It’s often extra breathable than artificial base layers, and it’s about 1,000,000 occasions higher than cotton in each approach. Cotton has its place, positive, however not within the winter.
My love for wool has superior to the purpose that I simply purchased my first real Shetland wool sweater. Shetland wool is thought to be the best-insulating wool on the planet, however it’s not as smooth as merino. The scratchiness doesn’t trouble me an excessive amount of, however my spouse can’t stand it.
Shetland wool is so heat, although, that it’s the one outer layer I wore final week whereas on the water, when the temps peaked at 24F. No cumbersome jackets or vests, only a wool sweater over a easy T-shirt was sufficient to maintain the chilliness at bay.
Oh, and wool is of course odor-resistant, so you find yourself washing these items loads much less. Much less laundry is at all times a win in my ebook.
I may go on, however I hope I’ve made my level. Now, let’s check out the wool merchandise I firmly consider in.
These are my go-to socks. They’re thick sufficient to insulate and preserve you heat, they usually’re tall sufficient to stay out the highest of most wading boots. They don’t add an excessive amount of bulk to your waders, both, so that you shouldn’t have an issue becoming into your wading boots.
Darn Robust ensures their socks for all times, and I’ve but to wear down a pair (though one is getting shut). It’s odd to think about socks as one thing with a lifetime assure, however Darn Robust makes good on that promise.
I’ve used these base layer pants for nearly two winters now, they usually’ve been nice. Base layers aren’t essentially the most sturdy, however the Vertx pants have held up higher than most. They’re mild, snug, and add one other layer of protection towards the chilly. I hardly ever put on a base layer on my chest, however at all times have them on my legs. Standing in chilly water, within the winter, can shortly chill you if you happen to’re not ready.
I do know I’ve sung the praises of those pants earlier than, however I simply can’t overstate how nice they’re. These are heavyweight merino wool, in order that they’re much more sturdy than light-weight base layers. I’ve but to destroy them, they usually get worn two to 3 occasions every week within the winter. Paired with my base layer, I’ve but to get chilly when sporting these pants.
These are the wool items I at all times depend upon. For an higher layer, any wool piece will do. My favourite—the Filson Shetland 5-Gauge Wool Sweater—isn’t in manufacturing anymore, however you’ll be hard-pressed to go unsuitable with any wool jacket or sweater.
