Snow, sleet, rain, wind, and cold temperatures—the weather conditions that anglers venturing out during steelhead season will face are unforgiving and extremely uncomfortable.  Proper dress and gear is required to achieve success steelhead outings. Dressing correctly will ensure that an angler can stay out in the elements for the duration of an outing, and be comfortable for the entire trip.

This article will go though each portion of the angler’s body from head to toe with suggestions and recommendations on clothing that will guarantee comfort even in the most uncomfortable conditions.

Feet:  Steelhead anglers’ feet are often the hardest part of the body to keep warm.  The most common mistake anglers make when dressing their feet is wearing cotton socks.  Cotton is undoubtedly the worst material that steelhead anglers can wear, especially in an areat where sweat and moisture are essentially unavoidable.  The most effective way to avoid this situation is to wear two pairs of socks, the first and closest to the skin being of the wicking nature, and the second being an insulator, such as wool.  It is important that these socks fit well, and do not constrict the angler’s feet within their waders.  Proper blood flow is an essential aspect to keeping warm.  The angler that overdresses or wears waders that are too small or tight opens up the door to constricting his or her feet, becoming uncomfortable, and bringing a quick end to a steelhead outing.

Legs:  Anglers have many options available when looking to dress their legs properly.  Essentially the concepts presented in the feet section will stay true for the rest of the body.  Cotton will usually result in being uncomfortable, and a combination of wicking and insulating layers should be used to stay dry and warm.  I almost always wear two leg layers during steelhead fishing.  My first layer, closest to my skin, always remains the same.  I wear either a Patagonia “Capilene” 1 or 2  or a Simms “Waderwick” bottom.  Many companies offer similar clothing alternatives to the ones I’ve mentioned and most of these are completely functional and viable for the steelhead fisherman.  The features that the steelheader should look for in a base layer are a high degree of breathability, ability to dry quickly, and resistance to odor and fungus.  These products should also be designed to perform in a wide range of temperatures which will allow the angler to remain comfortable when hiking and also wading in frigid winter water.

            The second layer that I wear above the wicking layer is equally as important, and serves more of an insulating rather than drying purpose.  There are many different options available to the steelheader, and like wicking layers, many of these products are more than sufficient to do the job required.  The most versatile option is fleece pants—they remain comfortable in both hot and cold conditions and are also very affordable.  Fleece also dries very quickly making it a great material to wear while fishing. 

            When steelheading I prefer all of my underwader wear on my legs to have foot stirrups—this will prevent your clothing from climbing up your legs when putting on waders or walking to different locations.

Upper Body:  I prefer to clothe my upper body in a similar manner as my legs.  The only difference is I typically will use more layers, especially during colder weather conditions.  My base layer will always consist of a very lightweight wicking shirt.  I prefer very thin and very light shirts—often they are rated for exercise or warm weather.  Patagonia “Capilene” 1 is a great example, and often is my choice for this layer.  In my experience the thinner and lighter base wicks away moisture more effectively, leaving the angler drier and more comfortable even in the most miserable of conditions.

            On top of the base layer anglers should add more layers more focused on warmth, but also still contain wicking and breathing qualities so moisture does not accumulate.  Many different materials and products exist that contain these qualities.  Patagonia “Capilene”, which has been mentioned multiple times in this article, is a great option and is again my personal choice.  Hot Chillys or other types of thermal underwear are also great options for layering that will satisfy the needs stated above.

            I usually end my layering with a jacket of some sorts—however, it is important that this jacket, like the rest of the layers, be breathable in order to ensure that the angler stay dry.  There are an enormous amount of different options in this department—the Patagonia “R” line of jackets is a great choice, L.L. Bean has many viable options, and the Simms "SL" and "DL" jackets are also great products that should be considered as well.  Essentially every outdoors company has their own version of the product described—anglers should look for a company with a reputation of durability and reliability.  My personal choice in this category is the Marmot “Stretch Driclime” jacket; I’ve owned it for years and only recently started wearing it as a layer but have been more than pleased with its performance.  The jacket regulates temperatures enormously well and can double as an outerwear element depending on conditions.  This product is without a doubt the most versatile piece of performance outerwear I own and has been used for backpacking, hiking, fishing, hunting, and even nights out on the town.

Head:  Having an article of clothing to keep your head warm is absolutely essential for winter steelheading.  Since most body heat is lost through your head, keeping your head covered will keep you warmer even during the coldest winter conditions.  Anglers should consider stopping in their local ski or snowboarding shop as well as fly shop for some great options for staying warm in the winter.  Materials such as wool and fleece are great to consider, but staying away from cotton is a wise choice as it retains moisture and doesn’t hold heat well when wet.  Standard ball caps are also a great article to wear on your head when fishing.  The bill of these caps can often shade the sun and reduce glare, allowing the angler a better and more comfortable view.  Look for caps that are dark under the bill as these will lessen glare and reflection of light on to the eyes and face of an angler.

            Polarized glasses are also an invaluable tool for the Great Lakes steelhead fisherman.  Not only will sunglasses protect the angler from a stray cast or other eye hazards, but they will also allow a great glimpse in to the river often revealing promising fish lies that would otherwise gone unnoticed.  When looking to purchase a pair of polarized glasses one should look for a properly fitting frame, a lens color that will fit the type of conditions that will be present (amber, copper, and brown are good choices for the Great Lakes region), and also a lens that is photochromatic.  Glasses that are photochromatic will adjust to different light conditions and allow the fisherman to see more clearly under varying light levels and weather conditions.

Outerwear:  Outerwear is perhaps the most critical piece of clothing when fishing under the harsh and variable conditions that are found in the Great Lakes region during steelhead season.  A quality wading jacket is an indispensable piece of steelheading gear and is a product that every fisherman should invest in.  A satisfactory wading jacket will be waterproof and windproof which will keep the fisherman dry and warm through typical steelhead weather common in our region.   Wading jackets also serve a safety purpose for the wading fisherman—when worn the jacket will prevent water from spilling in to waders or soaking the upper body of the fisherman in case of an accident while in the water.  It should be made very clear that under no circumstance is a wading jacket a substitute for a wading belt—they are not interchangeable in their uses.  When looking for a good wading jacket, anglers should look for one that features waterproof cuffs, a comfortable and adjustable hood, hand warming pockets, and ample storage space for fishing gear.

Three Clothing Themes To Remember:

1. Go breathable—staying dry makes it easier to stay warm.
2. Go versatile—look for clothing that will function under a wide range of temperatures and conditions.
3. Don’t go with cotton—cotton clothing will get wet, stay wet, and cause anglers to be uncomfortable while fishing.

Any questions on this subject can be directed to local steelhead and smallmouth bass fly-fishing guide Brett McCrae via email at brett@flyandfloatfishing.com or posted on F&F’s forum.

Good luck and tight lines.

-Brett McCrae

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