Layering for Cold Weather Catfishing - part 2

Layering for Cold Weather Catfishing (part 2)

In part 1 of this article, I discussed the issues a catfisherman, or waterfowler, faces when venturing outside for a day on the water during the winter. In this article, part 2, I will address the specific components of an effective cold weather layering plan that will be sure to take the bite out of the cold on a cold day in your catfishing boat. Read on...

This is probably a good time to make a disclaimer. This is the layering system that works for ME. Every person’s requirements are different. So think long and hard before venturing out into cold weather in any kind of clothing.

Here’s my system:

--POLYESTER LONG UNDERWEAR – Polypropylene is an adequate alternative, if you’re NOT A BIG GAME HUNTER. What’s the difference? Polyester can take HOT wash cycles and HOT dryer cycles better. The hot wash and dry cycles help to kill the bacteria that causes odors. You’ll get polyester cleaner with less odor than polypropylene. If you’re a big game hunter that doesn’t care about smell, then don’t sweat it, choose either of the “polys”. The purpose of this layer is to provide initial insulation with minimum bulk and, more importantly, to get moisture away from your skin. Get a pair of moderate weight and a pair in expedition weight and combine them depending on the temperature.

--SILK LONG UNDERWEAR – Wear these right over the top of the poly. I really didn’t think this layer was important until I spent one of those 15 degree mornings in a pair of waders that leaked in the seams around the crotch. I knew they leaked because I have been hunting all year with the same waders and always felt the moisture through my polys at some point during the hunt. Yes, get polyester wet enough and its wicking ability will be diminished. Anyway, after the hunt when I undressed, the silks came off soaking wet and much to my surprise, the polyester long johns were bone dry. My silk long johns had completely contained the moisture. I'll never go out in the cold again without this poly/silk combination of long underwear. Silk also dries quickly so it will get rid of residual moisture faster than any other fabric that I am aware of. I don’t think you should wear silk against your skin though! It retains moisture; you will get cold.

--HIGH QUALITY WOOL OR FLEECE SWEATER, OR VEST – With this layer, you begin to add “loft” with a fabric that is an effective insulator WITHOUT ADDING A LOT OF BULK. I’ll address bulk when I address goose down.

--HIGH QUALITY WOOL LAYER – For me there is only one option. I wear a “Trapper Pullover” Virgin Wool shirt made by King of the Mountain. They call their fabric Omnitherm® which is “shrink stabilized” (machine washable) and is extremely water resistant. Enough so that an outer protective layer would be required only in the heaviest downpour. I spent several hours in a steady rain and stayed bone dry without the need for a waterproof shell. If you want to know more about their products, hit their site. I am not qualified, nor authorized to explain the pros and cons of their fabric beyond the fact that I am an extremely satisfied customer. Any high quality wool is a perfectly adequate alternative. It just might not be as water resistant as the "King"

--HIGH QUALITY WOOL OUTER LAYER (Extreme Cold) – This is the layer that doesn't get used very often. This is another product made by King of the Mountain, a coat manufactured from the same Omnitherm® and the addition of a Diamond Knit Windhibitor™ lining. When purchasing these two products, the shirt and coat, I was told that it would have to get “damn cold” before they would both be required. I believe it! Nuff said.

That’s it. Doesn’t seem like much but it works. If you noticed that I didn’t address clothing below the beltline, its because I wear waders 9 out of 10 times that I’m in the field. All I wear are the Poly/Silk combination of long underwear. For socks, a poly liner and good quality insulating sock. If it’s extremely cold, a chemical toe warmer ON TOP OF THE TOES between the liner sock and insulating sock.

So why don’t I like waterfowl parkas or down products? They create huge amounts of bulk. With a lot of bulk in your layering system it’s a nightmare to shoulder and fire a shotgun, so I purposely avoided these types of clothing.

These same layering techniques are applicable in winter fishing. When you're catfishing out of a boat, waders obviously aren't required. I wear a good pair of Browning Bibs. A wool bib is on my wish list but my wallet does not agree that it is a good time to make the purchase - one day. It's also VERY IMPORTANT, in my opinion, to reduce bulk so that you can get your PFD on - AND MAKE SURE YOU GET ONE THAT FITS. I wear an inflatable so all I have to do is adjust the strap when I start wearing heavier clothing. If you use the traditional ones, you may need two. One for warm weather fishing and one for cold weather fishing. The ability to machine wash my wool garments is very important to me - which is why I chose the products that I did. There are many good products on the market.

Try it! You will not be sorry.