Being outside means getting dirt on your hands, roughing it, and being happy no matter what weather comes your way, right? This does not have to be true, although you can head out for a long trip without even preparing. However, how easy is it to focus on catching fish when freezing water is dribbling down your neck? Being prepared for fluctuating weather means dressing for comfort and success.
Those who live in the Northeast know the saying if you don’t like the weather wait a minute and it will change. While this might be a catchy phrase, if it does change dramatically (and even the most seasoned outdoor lover will admit 30 degrees is dramatic) you want to be prepared. Whether you are venturing out on what appears to be a relatively comfortable spring or summer morning or a relatively warm fall or winter morning, change happens fast. The best thing you can do to stay comfortable regardless of the weather is to dress in layers. Layers allow you to add or remove clothing depending on the time of day and other factors.
Summer mornings can be cool, even when the early morning news is predicting temperatures reaching ninety. Many fishermen dress in a comfortable flannel shirt layered over a flimsy t-shirt when they leave at 5AM, anticipating these warmer temperatures. However, when they are on the water cruising along, they will quickly chill. Stash a windbreaker or light jacket to the mix and you will be comfortably warm. Those who fish at night face the opposite problem. It’s nice and warm when they leave the dock, but temperatures quickly drop and that t-shirt becomes less comfortable by the minute.
Light jackets and windbreakers are smart because they are lightweight and easy to stow. They do not take up much room, and can easily be stuffed in to a corner, backpack, tackle box, or even cooler. As the sun goes down, the temperatures follow suit, and you will soon be glad for that light jacket to seal out the cold and seal in your body heat. Rain jackets often are dual-purpose, with the ability to protect you from water (spray and drizzle) and break the cool wind, too. If you utilize a light jacket, make sure that buttons or snaps protect the zipper, since zippers tend to leak when they get wet.
It is critical to stay warm in the cooler months. However, as you row or get worked up fishing, you start to get hot while bundled up snugly. Anyone who has had to shovel a path in 30-degree weather knows this dilemma well. You bundle up against the elements, get worked up shoveling, and find yourself hot and sweaty quickly. The wind hits the sweat, and you are suddenly freezing again. Winter sweating can be miserable, so keep the sweating minimal by expending as little energy as possible and dressing in layers. Remove a layer or two to cut down on the perspiration, but still stay warm enough. Once you start feeling cold again, add layers back on one at a time and sit back and enjoy the comfort.
If you want to stay comfy, you have to use layers. Design a layer system that suits the fishing conditions that you often see. If you are more comfortable, you will want to spend the time necessary to catch more fish. You will focus better and make much better fishing decisions. Any advantage is helpful when you are fishing, and if you don’t have to be cold and wet, why would you?
Clothing is not the only important thing to consider, you should also consider your fishing supplies. Some of the most popular fishing equipment is Penn Fishing Reels including Penn International 965, Penn 360 Slammer, and Penn International 975 LD.
