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| Forget the Forecast as Simms has said and advertised and I agree, especially when you have a layering system that allows you to "forget about it!" |
COLD WEATHER LAYERING - HOW IMPORTANT CAN IT BE?
by John Garrett
It's that time of year again where colder nights and days are going to be the norm and if you are an active fisherman during the late Fall and Winter months then it pays to dress accordingly. I recently was getting ready to go on a fishing trip and was laying out all my clothes for the following morning and I was reminded how old and outdated my layering clothing had become. Honestly it had been at least 12 to 14 years ago since I had bought new layering. A lot has happened in the 14 years since my layering clothing purchases, better technology in product development and I had lost about 65 pounds! So, as I was looking at my old over-sized layering I decided it was time to upgrade!
So, I was on a mission to replace my old well used and worn out layering and upgrade with all new stuff. I made a list, checked it twice and put together a complete layering system of wonderful products made by Simms that were created and designed to be used separately or as a system. Each piece can be worn individually of course but when it is cold outside and you plan to fish hard all day long, this list of layering pieces is best worn as a "system". Each piece was designed with a purpose in mind and to capitalize on maximum breath-ability, while being comfortable and very important, warm at the same time. Below are items that I restocked my layer clothing with, starting from the feet up...
CORE LAYER ITEMS: The foundation, next to skin warmth while controlling odor and wicking away moisture.
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| SIMMS - Guide Mid-Weight OTC Socks - Great for the milder days of Fall and Winter fishing or in extreme weather wear them in combination with the Guide Thermal OTC Socks for extra warmth and cushion comfort. |
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SIMMS - Mid-Weight Core Bottom - these are perfect for warmth and wicking sweat from your body. On the milder days I wear just these under my waders. I have also been know to wear them just laying around the house watching football...they are that comfortable!
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SIMMS - Ultra Wool Core Top - Soft, not itchy and very very comfortable. I wear mine around the house a ton with Mid Weight Core Bottoms.
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SIMMS - Mid-Weight Core Top Quarter Zip - Soft, comfortable and helps hold in your body heat to keep you warm. Also can be worn out on the town or just lounging around at home. Super Comfortable.
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MID LAYER ITEMS: Worn between core and outer layer to trap heat close to the body.
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SIMMS - Fleece Mid-Layer Top - The Fleece Mid-layer Top adds warmth on its own or can be layered under your favorite jacket. The grid-fleece interior traps heat next to your body without adding bulk or limiting your range of motion, and a smooth exterior makes for easy layering.
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SIMMS - Fleece Mid-layer Bottom - The Fleece Mid Layer Bottom has a button and zip fly with integrated belt for easy wear with or without waders it also sports warming pockets, supposedly anti-odor but the jury is still out on that one because I haven't owned them long enough to tell yet and they are insulated and also wicking, making it the perfect material to keep you feeling warm and dry.
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INSULATION LAYER ITEMS: Worn between core and outer layer to trap heat close to the body.
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| Rivershed Sweater Quarter Zip Saddle Brown - To help hold the warmth inside! The Rivershed® QZ brings warmth-to-weight heroics when and where it matters. Non-pilling, two-way stretch sweater fleece adds stackable comfort to a loaded layering system. This sweater is comfortable enough to wear as a standalone item on the water or out of town. Additional details include a convenient, temperature regulating quarter-length, center-front zip, plus a zippered chest pocket for stashing essential extras. |
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| SIMMS - Midstream Insulated Vest - Layering helps keep us warm, but it's easy to end up feeling a little overstuffed in our effort to layer up, especially in the wrist area. This is one of the major hassles that I do not like and The Midstream Insulated Vest and Jacket (below) feature PrimaLoft® Gold for the highest warmth-to-weight ratio available with synthetic insulation. The resulting thin profile and lightweight feel of this vest keep you moving and casting freely. |
OUTER LAYER: Waterproof, outermost layer which protects from rain, snow and wind.
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| SIMMS - G4Z Stockingfoot wader - The Most Technologically Advanced Wader In Our Collection Offering Next Level Durability And Functionality With The Convenience Of A Waterproof Center Front Zipper. Insert chilled, wind-slapped hands inside zippered, micro-fleece lined hand-warmer pockets for instant relief. Obviously the waders will help keep you dry but they also trap in the warmth from your body heat if you have layered properly. |
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| SIMMS - Guide Tactical Jacket -A Versatile High-Performance 3-Layer GORE-TEX® Wading Jacket. This jacket is durable, lightweight three-layer GORE-TEX® with water-tight cuffs provide a waterproof seal that keeps you dry even while tailing or releasing your catch of the day. |
HEADWEAR LAYER: Keeping your feet, hands and head warm is paramount to staying outside longer. Beanies and insulated caps are a great way to help accomplish this.
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| SIMMS - Guide Windbloc Beanie - This beanie is awesome with it's Polartec® Windbloc® tech, with 4-way stretch, is a fortress against the elements, acting like a shell to help maintain core comfort. When conditions howl, the Cohesive cord-lock system battens down the hatches with simple, one-handed adjustments. Finally, an interior grid-fleece crown with high-loft fleece over ears rounds out this built for an Arctic-blast beanie. |
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| SIMMS - Exstream Windbloc Beanie - The middle of the river or lake is no place to compromise on your warmth. Our ExStream Windbloc® Beanie is all business when it comes to keeping your head warm. The snug-fitting hat features a windproof and water-resistant outer to block biting winds, and a high-loft fleece lining for plush warmth. |
HAND WEAR/GLOVES -
Although I don't really like wearing gloves while I am fishing, they are an essential element to keeping warm. Taking a break before you are too cold and warming your hands up with a great pair of gloves with hand warmers in them can prolong your time out on the water without suffering too much. I have had many days over the years that I was able to fish all day long and be comfortable. My go to gloves when taking a break are the Simms Warming Hut Glove shown below. They are not obviously practical to actually fish with, but they do hold the heat in from hand warmers and they warm my hands up quickly enabling me to get back on the water much quicker. Also because they are more like a mitt they are super easy to put on and take off.
Final thought is that this layering system with the articles listed above will change your wading game no doubt. Each piece was designed with the next piece in mind and developed to maximize keeping you dry and warmer out on the water in less than ideal conditions. I am not saying that you have to use every piece that I've listed, but if you are a fall/winter fisher person and want the ultimate layering system Simms has to offer, do yourself a favor and invest in the "system" it won't let you down. As Simms says..."Forget the forecast!" get out there, stay warm and enjoy all that the outdoors has to offer, all year long! You can find these items at the Gorge Fly Shop by ordering on-line at: www.gorgeflyshop.com or you can give us a call at 541-386-6977 and we would love to help process your order or answer any questions that you may have.
Gorge Fly Shop
John G.
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