Winter River Fishing Tips: How Guide Stay Warm and Dry

ByGraham - Pro River Guide
The author winter fishing in a snow storm.
The author is all warm and dry while winter fishing in a snowstorm.

The first year I started guiding for steelhead out of a drift boat, my feet froze so much that I lost feeling in the tips of my toes for over three months. The doctor said I had nerve damage, and that if I kept doing this, I could lose my toes.

So I had to figure out a solution, and I did, which is why my feet are no longer free when I’m in my boat or standing waist-deep in ice-cold water. These are my tips and tricks for staying warm and comfortable when winter river fishing.

I will also include a tip that my customers love and appreciate.

1. Layering For Warmth

Alex from Fire Plug Charters with a massive winter steelhead.
Guide Alex from Fire Plug Charters in Michigan knows that some of the biggest trout and steelhead are caught in the winter. He also knows the importance of staying warm.
  • Layering is crucial for trapping body heat and keeping you dry.
  • Base Layer: Starting with a thin base layer designed to wick away moisture keeps me more comfortable and warmer.
  • Mid Layers: adding a thicker thermal layer, or a mid-layer, and then a top layer keeps me extra warm and will allow me to take layers off If I need to.
  • Exterior Layer: Finishing with an exterior layer of a wading jacket or insulated jacket is best.

I triple layer from my feet to my upper body, and then add my exterior layer.

Practical Tip: Avoid over-layering so much that you can’t move. Three thick sweaters or thick socks are not a good idea. Especially with socks, as they can compress your feet and restrict blood flow, leading to colder feet.

2. Electric Heating Devices

This is Jordan from A Perfect Drift Guide Company fly fishing in the winter.
This is Jordan from A Perfect Drift Guide Company in Southern Ontario, fly fishing in the winter. Notice he is not wearing gloves. This is possible because he uses hand warmers and gloves to warm up his hands between spots.
  • Electric Feet Warmers: I now use electric heat insoles, or electric socks to keep my feet extra warm. At time I even have to turn them down.
  • Hand Warmers: Disposable hand warmers are recommended for extra warmth for your hands. After your hands start to freeze, these are the only things that will warm them up.
  • Benefit: These devices provide consistent heat, which is especially useful for long periods of exposure to cold.

3. Choosing the Right Waders

An angler standing in water with ice behind him.
This is one of my clients standing in ice cold water. Doing without the proper waders and insulation can make your feet very cold very fast.
  • Extremely Important: Waders are essential for keeping your lower body dry and warm. It wasn’t until I started wearing insulated boot foot waders that were two times bigger than my feet that my toes stopped freezing. My feet started sweating instead.
  • My Advice: Opt for insulated boot foot waders two sizes larger than your foot for better insulation and comfort when wearing extra socks. Or buy a set of wading boots that are two or three sizes too big.
  • Compression and Blood Flow: Larger boots prevent compression of your feet and allow for much better blood circulation. Compression is why anglers still have frozen feet even though they have multiple thick socks on.

4. Jackets and Outerwear

This is my client with one of seven big steelhead. Wearing a winter coat is perfectly acceptable.
This is my client with one of seven big steelhead. Wearing a winter coat like this is perfectly acceptable.
  • Insulation: Since wading jackets aren’t insulated, wearing a thicker winter coat is advised.
  • Layering: This adds an extra layer of warmth, protecting your core temperature.

5. Tips On Gloves

This is my client holding one of 13 steelhead he caught on this day in minus 13 Celsius or 8.6 Fahrenheit.
This is my client holding one of 13 steelhead he and his buddy caught in minus 13 Celsius or 8.6 Fahrenheit. Notice he is wearing my fish handling glove so he doesn’t get his gloves wet.
  • Reason: Gloves can get wet, reducing their effectiveness, so always bring an extra pair to ensure you always have dry, warm gloves.
  • Gloves: I recommend gloves like Simms Fold-Over Mitts for their functionality and warmth. Not all gloves are good to fish with.
  • Extra Warmth: Hand warmer packs can be used inside the gloves for additional heat.

Pro Tip: this is a tip my customers love. Instead of handing my hand towel off my belt or from my fishing vest like many anglers do. I tuck it inside my wader up in my chest where it stays nice and warm. After releasing a fish and putting your hands in ice cold water, this warm towel is awesome and my customers always appreciate it.

6. Keep Moving

Guide Gareth from Alley Grabs guide Service with a nice winter steelhead.
This is guide Gareth from Alley Grabs Guide Service in Ohio, with a nice winter steelhead. Notice Gareth is not wearing gloves. Wearing gloves to hold fish and when releasing fish can make your gloves wet, which makes your hands cold for the rest of the day.
  • Movement helps in generating body heat. If you start feeling cold, especially in your feet, walking or moving to a new spot can help warm you up.
  • I will sometimes walk past my spot to the next spot just to create more heat in my feet and body.

9. Leg and Body Warmth

  • Wading Pants: I wear thermal wading pants or thermal duck hunting pants that are meant for waders.
  • Hoodies Are Best: A hoodie doesn’t just cover your head; it also traps warm air around your face and prevents the wind from blowing that warm air away. For me, a thick hoodie is a must.

10. Head Warmth

Guide Jordan properly dressed for winter river fishing.
Guide Jordan properly dressed for winter river fishing. Proper winter gear starts with a warm hat.
  • Triple System: I recommend using a combination of a hooded sweatshirt, a hooded jacket, and a wool hat since studies show that some heat is lost through the head, making it crucial to keep it covered and warm.

Additional Tips

My clients standing beside my boat, getting ready for winter fishing.
These are my clients standing beside my boat getting ready for winter fishing. Even in these conditions, I have been known to wear no short or just a t-shirt in the morning while I rush to get everything set up, and I do this to prevent sweating.
  • Ice Prevention on Rod Guides: Techniques like dipping rod tips in water and using ice-off paste help prevent ice formation.
  • Avoiding Sweat: I can not stress the importance of not sweating while layering up when you first arrive at the river or on your hike to the river. Sweating can lead to discomfort and cold later.
  • See all the recommended winter gear that I use HERE.

I hope this helps you stay warm and dry while fishing for steelhead and trout in the winter.

Graham

My name is Graham and I have been fishing around the great lakes region for over 36 years and I am considered the top river guide in Ontario.

I specialize in Fly fishing, Centerpin fishing, and Float fishing for Trout, Steelhead, and Salmon, and I am the first full-time guide to offer Centerpin fishing.
You may have seen me on TV, in books, and in magazines, or at trade shows and fishing events. I am known as an easy-going and patient guide who loves to teach.

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