1803Mar

Doggett at Large by Joe Doggett

A Winter’s Wade

A s any coastal wader who knows a 51M MirrOlure from a Corky Fat Boy will tell you, late winter is a great time for catching mondo-giant speckled trout.

The subjective trophy scale starts around seven or eight pounds, fueled with the burning fever of landing a legitimate double-digit sow.

This specialized winter fishing is best as the big trout move over sand and mud to feed on baitfish drawn to warming shallows. The action is seldom  fast, and the determined wader needs the mindset to chunk all day for one or two big hits.

Statistics compiled over the years favor mullet-imitation plugs for these big trout.

As important as a killer bait is the uniform of the day. Remember that “warming” is a relative term during winter. An increase of a few degrees of water temperature, say from the mid 50s to upper 50s, might pull the trigger, but the tides are still awfully cold for the ill-prepared combatant.

Add cloud cover and wet wind, and a session can get miserable in a hurry. 

True, some winter days can be surprisingly mild, but the first thing for the relative newcomer to understand is that the back bay is almost always colder than the back yard. The second thing is to pack at least one more layer than you think you’ll need. 

I had a hard-core refresher in cold-water wading during a fly-fishing trip last October for steelhead in a northern British Columbia river. Most mornings were in the teens and the water readings during our six days of fishing were 36 to 38 degrees. Two days we fished amid snow and sleet, with ice on the banks and the wet rod guides repeatedly icing over.

The payoff was the occasional 10- or 15- (maybe 20) pounder, but several times I found myself braced in waist-deep flow and peering through frozen precipitation. “Only a moron would be out fishing in weather like this” I thought— probably a remarkably astute observation.

Such brutal conditions teach lessons in proper clothing. Keeping in mind that it’s far better to have too much than too little, here is a guideline for a really bitter session:

Neoprene chest waders are inherently warmer than the popular breathable models, but the neoprene material is heavier and stiffer and bulkier. This might be an issue for older pluggers, especially those of us with bad lower backs.

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Regardless of material, integrated boot-foot waders are cozier than the stocking foot models that utilize separate lace-up boots that cinch tight around the ankles. The roomy one-piece wader boots trap more body heat. Yes, the tight-fitting lace-ups provide more ankle support, but this is seldom a major issue over the firm and reliable bottom typical of our primary bays. 

The boots should be one size larger than your standard shoes to accommodate heavy wool socks. Some manufacturers take this into account when sizing boots, but the wise wader tries the gear before buying.

Lightweight liner socks worn under the heavy socks give extra warmth while wicking away any sweat. They definitely are worth using. Note “wool”  cotton is a bad idea in cold water.

We all know the benefits of layering, and a pair of “poly pro” long johns goes first. If conditions are really raw, there’s no law against donning two sets. Next is fleece wading pants and a heavy flannel shirt or synthetic pullover.

I’m partial to an old-fashioned wool sweater over the shirt, but that’s just me.

A no-nonsense wading parka is a must for the outer layer. My strong recommendation is to get a good one from a big-name company. This is no place to scrimp. The garment will last for years of normal use and does a superior job of turning spray, rain, and wind.

A proper parka has a large easy-to-grab front zipper and an integrated hood that covers the lower face when zipped tight. The wrists can be cinched snug to minimize scooping icy water when reaching for that 30-inch speckled beauty.

The standard-issue ball cap will suffice on a mild day, but it’s a poor choice when the weather forecaster points to the north and turns a cold shoulder. A heavy cap or hat with earflaps is superior. Remember that considerable body heat is lost from the head. This is especially true for those of us who reluctantly answer to names such as “Chrome Dome.”

A pullover face mask of the type favored by experienced liquor store robbers is a fine addition for blocking wind or rain, if not during the wade then for sure in the running boat. The stretchable material covers the entire head for extra insulation and can be adjusted to protect the nose and mouth—everything but the eyes and sunglasses. When you don’t need the mask, you can pull it down and it serves as a comfortable neck warmer.

So-called fingerless fishing gloves are a comfort. The thumb and fingers are cut off just above the lower joints, leaving the tips exposed for serious casting duty. Even when wet, the synthetic material does a remarkably good job of keeping the hands functional.

Even better is a pair of fingerless gloves with detachable mittens. While running, the mitten protects the entire hand. While fishing, you fold the mitten over, snapping it to the back of the glove. The rig sounds awkward, but the good ones almost never interfere with performance.

Another option for an icy wade is a pair of neoprene wetsuit gloves, the snug, trim type used by surfers.

This was my basic dress code during the B.C. trip, and I was tolerably comfortable. Not once was a session cut short due to hypothermia or frostbite. If it worked up there it should allow the determined winter wader to keep chunking down here.

 

Email Joe Doggett at ContactUs@fishgame.com

Roy Neves

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