| When I started fishing for winter Steelhead a few | | | | Here is my suggested checklist when going out |
| years ago, I had nothing. Until then, I was a | | | | for a day on the river. |
| "fair-weather" fisherman who didn't really know | | | | 1. Waders. You can find these just about |
| what cold was. Boy did I find out fast. | | | | everywhere. Just like anything else, you get what |
| I will never forget my first time out. I had just | | | | you pay for. I recommend the breathable Simms |
| hooked up with a longtime friend of mine who I | | | | brand G3's or G4's being the top of the line. They |
| had not seen since grade school. Steve was going | | | | do run a bit high, in the price range from about |
| to teach me all about Steelhead & Salmon | | | | $350 to $699. You can get the Rivertek |
| fishing. It was mid December, the 16th of 1999 I | | | | Stockingfoots for $299. Rivertek is about as low |
| think. We met at Steve's house at about 5 am. All | | | | as I would go for winter. You can also go with the |
| I was wearing was my jeans, T-shirt, baseball | | | | long time stand by in Neoprene 3.5 mm. You can |
| cap, regular shoes and a warm weather jacket in | | | | get into a pair of these in the price range of $80 |
| the car. | | | | to $200. |
| Steve just looked at me. "Are you nuts?" He said. | | | | 2. Rain coat. Another must have. Rain coats really |
| "You're going to freeze." Well, I replied this is | | | | come down to your own comfort. Personally, I |
| about all I have. "Don't worry about it, I'll make it. | | | | need to feel loose, and agile. Therefore, I use a |
| Let's go" No sooner did we get to the river I was | | | | tighter, lighter style in Columbia. The bottom line is |
| just that, freezing. But hey, I'm stoked because | | | | dry. |
| I'm going to catch me a long over-due Steelhead. | | | | 3. Your hat. I like the Henschel. A great, quality oil |
| I remember looking at him as I was just about | | | | skin hat that will keep your head dry. A dry head |
| numb to the core and noticing he was warm as | | | | is a warm head. I believe these run in the ballpark |
| could be. It didn't take long to ask "Ok, how much | | | | of $50 |
| is all that and where can I get it". I wasn't going | | | | 4. Underclothing. There are all kinds of things out |
| to go through that kind of day ever again. By | | | | there now. I use anything that is designed to |
| God's grace, I did catch my first ever Steelhead | | | | keep the moisture out and the heat in. Over that |
| that day but not without paying a heavy price. | | | | I usually wear something of wool, over that my |
| By my next trip out I managed to up my gear | | | | waders. This all depends on how warm or cold |
| with a pair of waders, along with a breathable | | | | blooded you are. Some people like me need 3-4 |
| raincoat. The only thing missing was head wear. "I | | | | layers, while others just 1 or 2. Check your local |
| knew I was forgetting something." It was another | | | | REI or Sporting goods store for these. |
| cold day. It was uncomfortable, but at least not | | | | One last tip, get yourself a dry bag. You will not |
| unbearable like my first time out. I had a stocking | | | | regret having an extra set of clothes for the |
| cap, so it ended up being ok. | | | | sake of emergency. You never know when you |
| I tell you my friends, there is nothing like the | | | | will slip on a rock, or get plain soaked due to |
| comfort of being warm. When the temperature is | | | | heavy weather. Just put your dry bag in the |
| in the 30's with rain, snow, and sleet. (Yes, I have | | | | truck or boat. Dry bags can be purchased through |
| had all 3!). You will be glad you have the gear. | | | | Sporting goods store also. Price will depend on |
| Also, being warm gives you so much more of a | | | | size, costing on average $40. |
| good time. | | | | |