Although it is has been a mild autumn, the nights are starting to draw in and the temperature is starting to slowly drop and it won't be long till the temperature gauge is struggling to break single figures. For a lot of anglers, this signals the time for the fishing tackle to be packed away in the gargage/shed until the Spring. However, there is plenty of great fishing to be had throughout the winter, whether it be predator fishing, carp fishing or even fishing for bites with several small silvers still feeding.
To enjoy this excellent sport on offer during the winter period, the most important item of tackle is not your rods, reels or rigs, but actually your clothing, as it needs to be able to stand up to the task of keeping you warm during even the coldest days. So for this weeks AD Blog, we have gone through some thermal clothing essentials that are often overlooked by anglers that you will need as part of your set up this winter, to ensure you can enjoy all the great fishing on offer, whilst being warm and cosy on the bank!
Socks maybe something that we wear on a daily basis, but when the temperature drops, you standard trainer socks will not be up to the task of keeping your feet warm, so a good pair of thermal socks is an absolute must!
But what difference do thermal socks make I hear you ask? Well apart from the thick skin helping to offer superior warmth, that helps to prevent the dreaded frost bite, they are also incredibly comfortable and cushioning when walking long distances. The material is also incredibly breathable, and posseses mositre wicking properties. Not only that, they also offer a heath benefit in enhancing your blood circulation, which helps prevent the first stage of seasonal colds.
One of the most important parts of your body to keep warm during the winter months is your head, as this is the first/easiest part of your body to lose heat from. By keeping your head warm, you also find it keeps your entire body warme, as it helps regulare body temperature. Therefore, a thermal hat is a valuable addition to your thermal clothing.
Compared to a fishing cap which is the mainstay for most during the year, these beanie hats are made of a thick material and prioritise keeping the heat in rather then release heat as caps do. To ensure comfortability, you also find that these beanie thermal hats have a lining such as the Heatweaver Lining in all the Heat Holders Thermal Beanie Hats which is luxuriously soft and plush with a fur like feeling, whilst retaining hot air and holding it close to the skin.
Our hands are another part of the body, which is incredibly susceptible to getting cold during the winter month, and can make fishing difficult and incredibly uncomfortable.
Gloves are normally a struggle for anglers, as we are constantly doing fiddly tasks while fishing like baiting up, tying rigs where we need maximum use of our fingers, however there are several fingerless gloves now available on the market which combine comfort and practicality and will keep the main part of your hand warm. These fishing gloves also feature a extra long cuff that will cover the chilly gap thats exposed between your wrists and sleeves, whilst the exposed fingers allow you to complete any fiddly task without the need to keep taking off your gloves. So, there is no excuse to not have a pair of thermal gloves stashed away in your gear now for them especially chilly days.
A fairly new addition to the anglers thermal clothing armoury, a neck warmer offers the comfortability of a scarf with a much higher level of practicality. Although they are a simple yet practical tube design, they are constructed from a material which offers advanced insulation and helps to create a thermal barrier that ensure heat stays close around you neck, which is a key area when exposed that can make you feel colder. The design ensures there are no flapping ends that can come undone or get caught or dangle in your drink, which can so often happen when wearing a scarf. Especially useful on them frosty wind stricken days, they are an absolute must in any anglers winter clothing collection.