What to Wear for Winter Fishing

Frosty mornings, frozen guides, snow on the boots. The dedicated set of anglers who know fishing doesn’t stop in the winter are all too familiar with cold conditions. During the colder months, I’ll admit I often shack up with a hot toddy, a bowl of soup, and my trusty fly-tying vise. But no amount of flies tied can substitute for getting out on the water—and sometimes the urge is too much to ignore. Dressing for winter fishing is a system that, once you get it down, is foolproof.

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An Anecdote on What Not to Do

One fateful Sunday morning in January found me loading up the truck at daybreak, coffee in hand, staring at a frozen windshield. The 45-minute drive out to my favorite spot on the Metolius felt extra long as I watched the dash stubbornly hold at 4°F. It was cold as balls out.

I got to the river, threw on my Simms waders, and laced up my bargain-bin felt boots. That day made me decide never to skimp on boots or waders again. My buddies rolled up and we hiked through the snow to our winter hole. The hand warmers we brought were useless, and with every step my felt soles collected more snow—by the time we got to the river there was a solid 4-inch layer of compacted ice on the bottom of my boots.

I kicked off the snow, took a swig of whiskey, and made my way down to the water. As luck would have it, I tripped and landed in a thorn bush. With my first step into the 40-degree water, my waders instantly filled up. Oddly enough, that water felt warmer than the air—for a moment, I was almost comfortable. That didn’t last. My fly line froze to the guides with every single cast, forcing me to dunk my reel to break the ice, only for it to refreeze seconds later. Once I stepped out of the water, I was miserably cold. It didn’t take long before I trudged back to the truck in defeat. Never again.

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The Layering System

Besides investing in good waders and boots, layering is the right way to dress for winter fishing. Several light layers will keep you warmer than one heavy jacket and give you the flexibility to adjust as conditions change. Sweat and moisture are the real enemies. Here’s the formula:

• Base Layer (next to skin)
  
  • Wicks moisture away.
    
  • Best materials: merino wool, synthetics.
    
  • Avoid cotton at all costs.
    
• Mid Layer (insulation)
  
  • Traps body heat.
    
  • Options: fleece, down, synthetic puffies.
    
  • Match thickness to conditions.
    
• Outer Layer (protection)
  
  • Shields you from wind and water.
    
  • Best bet: waterproof, windproof, breathable shells.
    
  • A good rain jacket or wading jacket is essential.
    

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Covering the Extremities

Most anglers stick to thick socks and hand warmers, but that’s rarely enough.

• Hands: Fingerless wool gloves are my go-to. Wool stays warm when wet, and the open fingers let me tie knots without taking them off.
  
• Feet: Either one solid pair of merino socks, or thin synthetic liners under loose wool socks. Avoid anything tight—it cuts circulation and makes you colder.
  
• Head/Neck: A wool beanie or balaclava paired with a hooded jacket locks in warmth. Don’t overlook a neck gaiter or buff.
  

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Special Considerations for Anglers

• Waders: A high-quality pair (I use Grundens Vectors) keeps you warm without restricting movement. Check out my review on the Vectors.
  
• Boots: Korkers Darkhorse with interchangeable soles let me adapt year-round. In winter, studded Vibram soles beat felt, which ices up quickly. If you only own one sole, make it studded Vibram.
  
• BOA vs. Laces: BOA systems outperform laces in winter—wet laces freeze, making adjustment nearly impossible.
  
• Shell Jacket: Always wear it over your waders to block splash and heavy rain from sneaking in.
  

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My Personal System

After a lot of trial and error (and frozen gear), here’s my go-to setup for winter fishing:

• Base Layer
  
  • Smartwool Intraknit Active Base Tight (under fleece bottoms)
    
  • Smartwool Active Fleece Tight
    
  • Random Costco thermal shirt (surprisingly solid)
    
• Mid Layer
  
  • Button-up flannel
    
  • Columbia puffy jacket
    
• Shell Layer
  
  • Outdoor Research rain jacket
    
  • Grundens Vector waders
    
• Hands & Feet
  
  • Fingerless wool gloves my fiancée crocheted (sentimental + functional)
    
  • Darn Tough socks (thickness/length depending on temps)
    

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Wrapping Up

Winter fishing can be magical if you dress for the conditions. The quickest way to ruin a beautiful snowy day is with the wrong clothing—or one bulky jacket that leaves you sweating and freezing. Thin, versatile layers are key, and maybe a hip flask of rye whiskey for morale. With the right system, you’ll stay comfortable and enjoy some of the least-pressured fishing of the year.

What are your go-to cold weather hacks? Share them in the comments—I’m always looking to steal a good idea.

—T