As I was sitting here looking out into my backyard, watching the rain it brought back a memory of freezing my butt off. I could have left at any time but the fishing was awesome and well I just couldn’t leave, so I just froze instead. I go a little more prepared these days.

Doesn’t being outdoors imply that you have to rough it, get dirt on your hands, and be satisfied and content with whatever weather you get? Not necessarily, though it is possible to have a fairly successful trip even without adequate preparation. Who likes to fish with cold water oozing down their back, though? Dress comfortably for success and you will be prepared to face whatever weather Mother Nature throws your way.

Unlike much of the rest of the U.S., the northeast often experiences rapid weather changes in a short period of time. While summers are hot and dry, winter can be freezing and wet. For the best approach, it is best to use a layering system to stay comfortable. With temperatures fluctuating as much as 30 degrees in an eight-hour stretch, you should take advantage of layers to be able to handle it all. Staying comfortably dry is easy when you can add or subtract layers as needed.

You can often head out on a summer morning and see cool, crisp weather, even when forecasters predict 90 degrees. At 5 in the morning, many fishermen expect closer to 65 degrees, and wear a t-shirt with a flannel buttoned over it. Sound familiar? What happens when you hit the water and the boat speeds up? Instead, add a light jacket or windbreaker. Nighttime fishing is about the same. When you leave the dock, the temperature is nice and warm, and you dress accordingly. However, as the temperature goes down, you get cold.

One of the most significant benefits to a light weight jacket or windbreaker is the small amount of space they take up and of course they weigh so little making them easy to carry.  Many fishermen find they fold up conveniently and stow right in a tackle box and they can be easily reached if needed. Windbreakers offer dual benefit – especially if you purchase the right kind. Some have only snap or only zipper closure. You’re really better of purchasing one that has a dual closure – as the snaps over a zipper can help keep water out especially if you’ve got wind and rain.  The other benefit of course is this material helps seal your body temperature in while it keeps the wind and rain out.  A hood is also helpful and most windbreakers and light jackets have ‘stow-way’ hoods that hide inside the collar.

It is critical to stay warm in the cooler months. However, as you row or get worked up fishing, you start to get hot while bundled up snugly. Anyone who has had to shovel a path in 30-degree weather knows this dilemma well. You bundle up against the elements, get worked up shoveling, and find yourself hot and sweaty quickly. The wind hits the sweat, and you are suddenly freezing again. Winter sweating can be miserable, so keep the sweating minimal by expending as little energy as possible and dressing in layers. Remove a layer or two to cut down on the perspiration, but still stay warm enough. Once you start feeling cold again, add layers back on one at a time and sit back and enjoy the comfort.

If you love fishing, chances are that you’re going to encounter all manner of weather.  Dress accordingly in layers that are designed to keep you comfortable no matter what the temperature is and how you as an individual react to it.  Remember, you are fishing for fun, but you also want an advantage when you can find one – staying comfortable and dry will help you get an edge when fishing – as it doesn’t focus your attention to how you feel.

Clothing is not the only important thing to consider, you should also consider your fishing supplies. Some of the most popular fishing equipment is Penn Fishing Reels including Penn 975 and Penn 209.