What type of thermals under waders for winter months???

prettyfly · Veteran Member

What type of thermals under waders for winter months???

AbelBoy · Senior Member

Patagonia Capilene base layering is the best selling base layering in the outdoor retail industry. When I worked in the ski industry, I could not keep these in stock. You will keep dry and comfortable in these. Also they can take a beating from repeated laundry cycles.

For most Putah Creek, Lower Yuba, Lower American River fishing, Cap 2 or Cap 3 will be adequate. If you need additional insulation, a lighweight fleece pant could be worn over the bottoms.

My girlfriend is a recent convert to Capilene. She used to get the cheap Sportsmart base layering that worked ok until they were washed a few times. She felt comfortable wading in 53 degree Lower Yuba water last weekend. She was using Cap 2 tops and bottoms.

AB

AfricanAngler · Senior Member

I have various good pairs of thermals some better than others..... I'll leave it to others to make recommendations. Most important is layers. Lots of layers means you can "fine tune" so you don't get too hot or cold. Another thing is all the underwear in the world won't help if you aren't dry so also look into a good wading jacket...i know Cabela's has a really nice one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Cheers

Alastair

DrBombay · Senior Member

Stay away from the cotton thermals. Stick with wool or synthetics. Best under layer I have found is a pair of extra thick spandex pants made for bicycling, REI usually has them. Pair those up with synthetic sock liners and simms wading socks, You be nice and warm, Especially at a place like putah. The really good ones are made by a company called pearl izumi. I just spent a few days in the eastern sierras with brutally cold temps. and they worked great as always.

Ty · Senior Member

I use Under Armour cold gear leggings and mock turtle neck. They great for this time of year for all sorts of cold weather activities. After a few minutes you forget your even wearing them.

BigOkieWhiteBoy916 · Veteran Member

I use jeans. I like Levi's the best in a relaxed fit. lol

-- Edited by BigOkieWhiteBoy916 on Monday 30th of November 2009 01:39:48 PM

RippenLips · Senior Member

Also cant go wrong with K-Mart Sweat pants! I stay just as warm in them as the next guy with $80 tight fitting thermals!!! smile

-- Edited by RippenLips on Monday 30th of November 2009 04:00:45 PM

brian clemens · Senior Member

i have 2 sets of thermals, one from high sierra they work very very well, more for colder weather, this i think are at mervins, the other set is for warmer days, made by polar max, bought these at big 5, all synthetic and very cozzy. one thing i suggest dont go cheap on socks. i did and my feet were always cold, i picked up simms wisking socks and their extreme cold weather wool socks and my feet stay pretty warm. ill bring a second pair of lighter cold weather socks with my just in case, but 95% of the time those socks are all i need.

Iasc Beag · Veteran Member

Howdy folks,

First post but I've been browsing the site for a bit. Coming from Ireland, low water temperatures are a constant feature in the long winter months. There is no trout/salmon fishing from roughly October to March due to spawning so you have to make do with other species like pike in frigid still water lakes. If wading is necessary neoprene waders are a must if you want the fishing trip to last more than two hours. However, when I go wading through ice, even 3-4mm's of neoprene is not sufficient. I have taken to wearing snow boarding pants under the waders. Snow boarding pants will provide the required number of layers as they normally consist of a few layers of thermals with an extremal water proof layer. If you are going to buy a pair make sure you get them at the end of the season in the sales. The only other draw back is that all the extra layers make you look like you ate one to many pies!

By the way, can anyone suggest a good store that I can pick up a new set of waders, I had to leave the majority of my fishing gear at home due to luggage costs charged by the air line. I'm living in the Richmond area.

Regards,

Denis

-- Edited by Iasc Beag on Tuesday 1st of December 2009 12:39:04 PM

AC22 · Senior Member

Prettyfly......good shot of whiskey always keeps me warm

-- Edited by AC22 on Tuesday 1st of December 2009 04:35:04 PM

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

Iasc Beag, how do you fit snowboarding pants in your waders? I can barely fit jeans.

brian clemens · Senior Member

man eric u just put yourself right out there on that one, but i wont be the one that dogs ya this time.

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

The snowboarding pants I have are freaking thick.

Iasc Beag · Veteran Member

LilWhippersnapper wrote:

How do you fit snowboarding pants in your waders?

I have never had a problem. I'm pretty skinny for 6'3" so there has always been ample room in any of the waders I have bought, as I usually have to get an extra large for my height. The most important thing is to tuck the leg of the snowboarding pant into your sock before you pull on the waders, thus avoiding upward pant creep.

Otter · Senior Member

Iasc,

To answer your question on where to go for fly fishing equipment and waders near Richmond, hit up Fish First. It is across the freeway in Albany. Talk to Leo. I think Cody from this board also works there. Good info on all the local waters as well. You will not find a better local shop. I think the web site is Fishfirst.com. They have a fish report on their website.

-- Edited by Otter on Tuesday 1st of December 2009 11:13:07 PM

AfricanAngler · Senior Member

Iasc Beag wrote:

.......only other draw back is that all the extra layers make you look like you ate one to many pies!

Finally someone who can appreciate a good meat pie !!!!......don't know if you have noticed but around here they don't eat pies........my hangovers take much longer to get over now!!!

Codym · Senior Member

Otter wrote:

Iasc,

To answer your question on where to go for fly fishing equipment and waders near Richmond, hit up Fish First. It is across the freeway in Albany. Talk to Leo. I think Cody from this board also works there. Good info on all the local waters as well. You will not find a better local shop. I think the web site is Fishfirst.com. They have a fish report on their website.

-- Edited by Otter on Tuesday 1st of December 2009 11:13:07 PM

I would reccomend coming into Fish First, seein how i work there! biggrin

Come on in and we'll get ya set up with everything you need.

Definitely check out our fishing repot, its pretty reliable most of the time.

AC22 · Senior Member

Iasc Beag wrote:

LilWhippersnapper wrote:

How do you fit snowboarding pants in your waders?

The most important thing is to tuck the leg of the snowboarding pant into your sock before you pull on the waders, thus avoiding upward pant creep.

I thought this was just a weird European thing.....Im glad that I now understand why you tuck your pants into your socks. :D