Ice Fishing Apparel Makes a Difference In Your Day
Spending a day on the ice can be a lot of fun, but if you are not dressed properly, your can get cold and wet and be miserable all day long.
The first thing you want to think about are your feet. You will not only be walking through snow all day, but you will encounter slush and a lot of water on top of the ice and snow as well. For that reason, a good pair of insulated boots are a must. They also need to be waterproof. Most anglers prefer boots with removable liners. That way, at the end of the day, the liners can be taken out and dried quickly enough that they are ready for the next day’s adventures. Good quality socks are also important. A good pair of quality wool socks is a great way to stay warm, but a pair of wicking socks that will wick perspiration away from your feet throughout the day will help you stay much more comfortable when worn with the wool socks.
Layers are important, not only for your feet, but for the rest of your body, too. But avoid cotton as a bottom layer. Cotton will not wick away perspiration and will leave you uncomfortable. Wool and fleece are much better choices for a base layer. Again, having a material that will wick moisture away from the skin is imperative for comfort. If you can have one layer that is one piece, that will help keep heat in on very cold days because there will not be a place for heat to escape. You should also have something wind-proof as an outside layer. A good jacket made from a new fabric such as Gore-Tex will keep wind, snow, sleet and rain away from your body. This will keep you warm and dry, no matter the weather. Try to find a jacket with a removable liner. This will be just one more layer that you can put on or take off, depending on the weather. Some ice fishing jackets even come with ice picks fashioned into them. These are essential tools for every ice angler. Should the unthinkable happen and you fall through the ice, having those picks around your neck to help you get traction to get out could save your life. Many jackets come with a pair of bib overalls. These type of pants are best because, with the jacket, they allow less cold to get in or heat to get out than normal insulated pants. There are also several brands of floating angler’s suits on the market today, which can also be a life-saver.
The last area to think about are your head and hands. Most of your heat escapes through your head, so having a thick, heavy hat is a good idea. A face mask will also keep your face from getting wind burned or frost bitten. Whether you wear gloves or mittens, be sure to have a back-up pair. Your hands will get wet while you are ice fishing. Many anglers swear by neoprene gloves. They will keep your hands dry, but they do not have much insulation. The best bet is a pair of gloves or mittens to keep your hands warm, and then switch to the neoprene when you know you are going to get wet, such as when you are getting ready to pull in a fish on a tip up.
You may also want to invest in a pair of sunglasses. The sun reflecting off the snow and ice all day can lead to problems seeing and can strain your eyes. A good pair of sunglasses will combat that issue. By preparing properly before heading out ice fishing, you can have a great day on the ice, no matter how well the fish are biting. There is nothing worse than getting to your favorite fishing hole and having to leave when the fish are biting because you are cold and wet.
