the fishing. That’s the enjoyable part, after all. No one has fun fishing in the rain while cold and hungry, knowing your rain suit and lunch are back at the house.
This chapter gives you an overview of the basic things you might need before you hit the water. Don’t worry — you won’t need everything for every trip; the less you have to carry, the better. But I offer advice here for what to wear and what to carry that prepares you for most of your fishing excursions, most of the time. (If you still want to go fishing on every single trip looking like a total rookie, absolutely clueless to what’s happening in the world around you, go ahead: My brothers have been doing it for decades, seemingly with no ill effects.)
Dressing for Fishing Success
If you want to take up fishing because you like the idea of impressing other anglers with your latest outfit, you, my friend, are going into the wrong hobby. Or you’re going into the right hobby for all the wrong reasons! What you wear while fishing isn’t about impressing other anglers. But it should be about comfort and success.
You desire clothes that are comfortable, and you also want them to work for you in all weathers. Hemingway writes in The Old Man and the Sea: “Anyone can be a fisherman in May.” And May fishing can be quite pleasant. It can also be cold, rainy, stormy, and downright nasty. And you’re not only going to fish in May, are you? You want the right clothes for all seasons and all conditions.
As strange as it sounds, you also need clothes that help you catch fish. You want to wear clothes that don’t scare fish by giving away your position, and you need gear that lets you get as close to the fish as you can while being as quiet as possible. But have no fear: I'm not talking about getting ready for the prom here. The clothes you wear while fishing can be inexpensive, old, and ratty. They probably should be. But you should think a little bit about what you’re wearing, beyond that lucky feeling you get from your Bon Jovi t-shirt.
Wear layers and always be happy
You don’t need to dress better, you need to dress smarter. Wearing layers is the key to adapting to changing weather conditions while fishing. Even on a calm, sunny day, you face big temperature swings on a typical fishing trip. When you start out, possibly before dawn, the day begins dark, chilly, and damp. Four hours later, you find yourself under a blazing sun cooking you with 95 degrees of oven-blast heat.
Of course, the weather can change beyond the normal progression of the sun, as well. Storms blow in, rain starts and stops. Winds pick up and die down. One outfit won’t match all of these ever-changing conditions. Even with the latest clothing technology, which really is quite amazing, you need to dress in layers to be comfortable all day or night when fishing.
The basic setup in the following list will serve you in most places, most of the time. Modify it when it’s ultra-hot, like in the tropics with no chance of anything remotely cool happening or, at the opposite end of the weather spectrum, when it’s cold and going to stay that way, such as Lake Michigan in November. Outside of those extremes, follow this list and you’ll be prepared for weather from about 40 degrees F to 90 degrees F, which is the range at which most of us fish:
Against your skin: Start with a regular old cotton t-shirt and shorts or pants in all but the coolest or hottest weather. If it’s going to be really hot, go with a lighter, more breathable nylon/polyester-blend shirt. If it’s going to be really cold, put on your baselayer first.
Baselayer: In cold weather, a baselayer made from merino wool, nylon, polyester, spandex, or fleece will amaze you with its comfort, thinness, and warmth. Baselayers should be worn right against the skin.
Shorts (with pockets): Even if you choose not to wear them while fishing, throw a pair in your car for the ride home.
Pants, jeans, khakis: If you don’t like cotton, wear something made of a synthetic material like nylon, spandex, polyester or fleece. These materials often have a sun-blocking rating of 50 UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) or so, and can also be stain-resistant. Make sure your fishing pants have plenty of accessible pockets.
Long-sleeve shirt: Even when it’s hot, it’s a good idea to always wear a long-sleeve shirt to keep the sun off. Most of you know that prolonged exposure to the sun is dangerous for unprotected skin. And fishing is a pastime that gives you about as much sun as any human activity. Modern shirts have sun-blocking capabilities built right into the fabric, and advertise the UPF on the label.
Fleece pullover: There are a lot of brand names for that soft, fleecy synthetic material. All are warm, lightweight, and comfortable.
Rain gear: Get the best rain gear (a set with pants and a jacket) that you can afford and bring it along if there’s even a slight chance of rain. (Keep it in your foul-weather bag, which I will cover next.) I always have rain gear along when I'm on a boat, not just for rain, but also to break the wind when moving from one fishing spot to another. Get a rain jacket that fits over your life jacket or fishing vest. Waist-high is the best length for wading anglers. You can often get pants or a bib in your rain gear set, and bibs are often the better choice for boating anglers, because they stay in place better while frequently sitting and standing. If you forget your rain jacket, you can make a poncho out of a lawn-size garbage bag, so it’s a good idea to keep a couple in your gym bag or trunk as well. Cut holes for the head and arms and, in a pinch, you’re in business. Now, you’ll look a little funny, but you’ll be dry.
Pack your foul-weather bag
I once wrote an article for an In-Fisherman magazine publication, and in it I sang the praises of my foul-weather bag. The cartoonist who provided the accompanying illustrations drew a large man hugging his foul-weather bag to his chest, a heart floating over his head. Okay, I can admit it: He got it exactly right. I would gladly wear a t-shirt proclaiming, I Heart My FWB. And you will too once you make your own. Here’s how to make a foul-weather bag that will win you over:
Buy a waterproof packsack, available at most tackle shops and from big companies like Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops. The ones I like feature a roll-down top that buckles shut. It doesn’t need to be large — about the size of a loaf of bread would do, but mine is about the size of a small office wastebasket. It should be waterproof and submersible.
Stuff it with clothes and gear you might need, should the weather change or an emergency erupt.
In my FWB: rain gear, knit hat, gloves, fleece pullover, matches, socks. The rain gear (jacket and bibs) stays near the top because that’s what I use most often. The fleece and the hat have kept me warm on many fall and spring nights.
It can be kind of a hassle to drag along the FWB at times, especially if you’re traveling on foot and walking a good distance. If you know you’re going to be out for only a short time, and the weather has little chance of changing, leave it behind. But when it doubt, bring it along. You’ll be glad you had the extra clothing when you get cold or wet, and you’ll find that the waterproof bag protects your gear if you don’t need it. Once the bag is packed, I never need to dry out the clothes or repack it. I just put it aside, and it’s ready for the next trip. If I have worn something from the FWB, I simply put it back dry and folded tightly.
