Standing Waves STAY WARM IN YOUR ‘YAK, EVEN WHEN IT’S SUBZERO
FRIGID FASHION
From yo-yoing for yellowtail to jigging for smallmouth or bottom bouncing for cod, kayak anglers brave ice, snow and frigid water to chase trophy fish. To make this possible, outfitters have developed clothing systems that keep in the
heat and keep out the weather. But kayak anglers have to think about safety, too. Dress- ing improperly isn’t just uncomfortable, it might be deadly. For the ultimate in cold water protection, use a full dry suit with sealed wrist and
neck gaskets and sealed socks such as Kokotat’s Gore-Tex Meridian GMER (www.
kokatat.com). Unlike other materials that use a spray-on waterproofing, Gore-Tex is perforated with tiny holes to allow sweat to escape while keeping water and wind out. Many anglers use waders and a dry top coupled with a wading belt. For the coldest
conditions, look for a pair of stocking-foot, neoprene waders and a light pair of sandals. Compared to a caster boot wader, a stocking-foot bootie fits better in the footwell of your kayak and is easier to swing into the kayak during a reentry. The best models, such as Caddis’ (
www.caddiswaders.com) neoprene wader, have a taped and stitched sock to prevent leaks. Cinch the waist of the waders down with a web-belt and then pull on a dry top and cinch it down with another wading belt. Since the base layers will provide insulation, the best dry top is wind and waterproof
as well as light and breathable. Check out Aquaskinz Raptor drytop (
www.aquaskinz. com), which has neoprene cuffs and collar along with an extended skirt and Velcro closure to keep water out. Since kayak angling involves two separate activities, your dress code needs to be
versatile. Paddling for miles produces heat and sweat but sitting for hours can turn that sweat into ice. Off-season kayak angling requires a base layer that is both breath- able and thermal. Modern fabrics wick sweat away from the skin to the surface of the clothes where it can dry. Start with a thin base layer and then add a lofty second layer that work together to transfer moisture while trapping in heat. Cold feet are the Achilles heel of any cold-weather outdoorsman. Compression socks
made of four-way stretch fabric keep blood flowing and calf muscles from cramping in the cold. Despite advances in man-made fabrics, nothing beats natural wool for mois- ture control and warmth. Socks like Smartwool’s Ultra Light (
www.smartwool.com) use 50 percent Merino wool that is also odor free. With the right combination of clothing, even the coldest kayak angler should only require a few layers to stay safe and warm through the winter. —Ben Duchesney
THE SHOULDER SEASON. PHOTO: JEFF LITTLE
DRESS FOR SUCCESS IN
DIGITAL EXTRA: Watch this for a demonstration of cold weather outerwear in action. 24 PADDLING THIS MONTH || March 2013
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