02-14-2012, 06:41 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Surviving/enjoying float tube fishing this time of year is a combination of factors. Proper layering of warmth retaining materials is foremost. Avoiding constriction and reduced circulation...especially in the feet...is another. The third is body metabolism. Someone who does not naturally generate much body heat is going to be frozen out before someone who has a hot body.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is a biological fact that larger bodies produce and retain more heat than smaller bodies. As you have observed, I have considerable body mass...and I also put out a lot of heat. My wife is jealous because I can steam dry after being soaked in a rain shower.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My personal layering setup for cold water is:[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2 pairs of wool socks[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Cabelas Poly unders...heavyweight[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2 layers of fleece pants[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Top...2 to 3 layers of poly and fleece plus a wind breaker if needed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I wear neoprene divers booties over the stocking foot part of my 3 mm neoprene waders. And the booties are extra large size to avoid constriction. My fins are also extra large to hold all that bulk without cramping my feet. That is the biggie. If your feet get constricted you will be done soon. Also, the extra insulation of the neoprene waders will make a big difference...the equivalent of at least one or two layers underneath.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I usually take two hats...one insulated and one thinner for later in the day. I also take two pair of gloves...one neoprene with fingers...for the coldest condtions...and one fingerless neoprene for calm and cool conditions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I fished both in December and in early January on Deer Creek with water temps not far above freezing. I could feel the chill but I was never so cold that I could not continue to fish comfortably.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bottom line: it is an individual thing. A combination of proper dressing with the angler's tolerance levels. Fishing in frigid water is not for everybody.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, whenever I start to think COLD, I harken back to the years I fished down in Arizona. On the water before daybreak...in 90 degree air and water temps. Then off the water by 9 or 10 AM with air temps over 100 degrees and sweat running down my bare arms.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As I tell folks when they ask how I handle the cold, as compared to the "nice warm" Arizona...I can add layers and play in the cold, but you can't take off enough layers to get cool in the heat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is a biological fact that larger bodies produce and retain more heat than smaller bodies. As you have observed, I have considerable body mass...and I also put out a lot of heat. My wife is jealous because I can steam dry after being soaked in a rain shower.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My personal layering setup for cold water is:[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2 pairs of wool socks[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Cabelas Poly unders...heavyweight[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2 layers of fleece pants[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Top...2 to 3 layers of poly and fleece plus a wind breaker if needed.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I wear neoprene divers booties over the stocking foot part of my 3 mm neoprene waders. And the booties are extra large size to avoid constriction. My fins are also extra large to hold all that bulk without cramping my feet. That is the biggie. If your feet get constricted you will be done soon. Also, the extra insulation of the neoprene waders will make a big difference...the equivalent of at least one or two layers underneath.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I usually take two hats...one insulated and one thinner for later in the day. I also take two pair of gloves...one neoprene with fingers...for the coldest condtions...and one fingerless neoprene for calm and cool conditions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I fished both in December and in early January on Deer Creek with water temps not far above freezing. I could feel the chill but I was never so cold that I could not continue to fish comfortably.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Bottom line: it is an individual thing. A combination of proper dressing with the angler's tolerance levels. Fishing in frigid water is not for everybody.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, whenever I start to think COLD, I harken back to the years I fished down in Arizona. On the water before daybreak...in 90 degree air and water temps. Then off the water by 9 or 10 AM with air temps over 100 degrees and sweat running down my bare arms.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As I tell folks when they ask how I handle the cold, as compared to the "nice warm" Arizona...I can add layers and play in the cold, but you can't take off enough layers to get cool in the heat.[/#0000ff]
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