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