Warm, Dry, Safe; these three words can mean the difference between an enjoyable late fall steelhead outing and a cold, wet, miserable day on the river.
November and December in Southern Ontario are unpredictable months. I can remember fishing in early December in +16ยบ sunshine. I can also remember line freezing in my guides, driving sleet, and a blizzard. So what’s a fisherman to do without packing everything they own into the car?
Rule #1: Keep Warm allows you to spend extra time on the river thinking about landing that next lunker, instead of wishing you were back in the warmth of your car. Layers of clothing are the key and too much is better than not enough – you can always remove some layers as the day warms up.
Depending on how far you have to walk to the stretch of river you want to fish don’t wear everything. Insulated waders are a great asset when standing stationary in cold water but can work up a sweat in a hurry when you’re walking. If you work up a sweat on the way in I can almost guarantee you’ll be cold as soon as you stand still for a few minutes, so put your heavy jacket on when you get to the river instead of at the car.
Always wear a hat! It’s easy to take on and off to help regulate your body temperature. If you have cold feet wear a hat.
Rule #2: Keep Dry is just as important as keeping warm! There is just nothing more miserable that a cold December rain dripping down the back of your neck. In my younger years I was forced into the warmth of the car more than once because an unexpected rain descended on us. Now, if I expect rain I pull out the Gortex™ jacket, but even if there is no sign of rain I always have a plastic poncho in my bag.
Rule #3: Be Safe – A couple of simple precautions will not only enhance your fishing experience; they can save your life. Wear a PFD (personal flotation device) and be sure your waders have external felt soles. If you happen to slip or lose your balance a PFD will ensure that only your ego is damaged. If you have felt soles on your waders you will lessen the chance of making a splash because of slippery rocks in the first place.
Remember; cold water is a killer! Make your Southern Ontario fall fishing trip memorable; not a memorial.
Enjoy our great Southern Ontario Outdoors fall fishing and be sure to visit http://www.sooutdoors.ca/fishing.html for information and links to the best fishing destinations.
©2009 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions
November and December in Southern Ontario are unpredictable months. I can remember fishing in early December in +16ยบ sunshine. I can also remember line freezing in my guides, driving sleet, and a blizzard. So what’s a fisherman to do without packing everything they own into the car?
Rule #1: Keep Warm allows you to spend extra time on the river thinking about landing that next lunker, instead of wishing you were back in the warmth of your car. Layers of clothing are the key and too much is better than not enough – you can always remove some layers as the day warms up.
Depending on how far you have to walk to the stretch of river you want to fish don’t wear everything. Insulated waders are a great asset when standing stationary in cold water but can work up a sweat in a hurry when you’re walking. If you work up a sweat on the way in I can almost guarantee you’ll be cold as soon as you stand still for a few minutes, so put your heavy jacket on when you get to the river instead of at the car.
Always wear a hat! It’s easy to take on and off to help regulate your body temperature. If you have cold feet wear a hat.
Rule #2: Keep Dry is just as important as keeping warm! There is just nothing more miserable that a cold December rain dripping down the back of your neck. In my younger years I was forced into the warmth of the car more than once because an unexpected rain descended on us. Now, if I expect rain I pull out the Gortex™ jacket, but even if there is no sign of rain I always have a plastic poncho in my bag.
Rule #3: Be Safe – A couple of simple precautions will not only enhance your fishing experience; they can save your life. Wear a PFD (personal flotation device) and be sure your waders have external felt soles. If you happen to slip or lose your balance a PFD will ensure that only your ego is damaged. If you have felt soles on your waders you will lessen the chance of making a splash because of slippery rocks in the first place.
Remember; cold water is a killer! Make your Southern Ontario fall fishing trip memorable; not a memorial.
Enjoy our great Southern Ontario Outdoors fall fishing and be sure to visit http://www.sooutdoors.ca/fishing.html for information and links to the best fishing destinations.
©2009 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions
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