Cecilia "Pudge" Kleinkauf is one of the best known women anglers in the U.S. She's been fly fishing for close to 30 years, and tying flies for nearly as long. She is the owner and head guide of Women’s Flyfishing® an instruction and guide service headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. For the past twenty-four years her business has been introducing women to the sport of fly fishing and guiding small groups of women and couples to a wide variety of locations throughout Alaska for salmon, trout, char, Arctic grayling, and pike. She also leads groups in her off-season to Mexico for saltwater fly fishing and to Argentina. Pudge is the author of three books, and a contributing editor for Fish Alaska Magazine. She is on the pro staff of patagonia, Ross Reels, Scientific Angler, and others and is one of the founders of the International Women Fly Fishers.. Because we feel, as does Pudge, that it's high time there were more resources for women flyfishers, we are happy to offer this monthly column, authored by Pudge, exclusively for women (but guys might learn something, too!)
One of the things we seldom talk about in the sport of fly fishing is what we wear underneath all the waders, rain gear, and fishing vests. It’s a vitally important subject, but one that seldom gets the attention it deserves.
Almost everyone has heard the mantra, “cotton kills,” and they’ve also heard of the concept of “layering.” Layering is a system of organizing the clothes you wear for the situation and the weather conditions where you will be fishing. Generally, people know that they need more than just a t-shirt and a rain coat for most fishing situations except those in very, very hot climates, but there’s more to it than that.
As you get dressed to go fly fishing, you should develop a method of putting on various layers of clothes to help you 1) wick moisture away from your body, and 2) keep you warm. Cotton clothing doesn’t do either one. Instead, you should look to some of the well-known synthetic materials that are on the market, specifically capilene and merino wool.
Starting with your underwear, take special care with what material you use right next to your skin. Capilene is made with recycled polyester, and it is quick to wick moisture away and also quick to dry. Many people prefer it as their base layer because it also repels body odors. Companies like REI and patagonia make capilene underwear in different weights so that you can choose lighter weights for summer, and heavier weights for cold weather situations.
Merino wool is preferred by many in the outdoors because they like the softness of wool next to their skin. They also are aware of the age-old knowledge that wool will keep you warm even when it is wet. Only exceptionally fine wool can wick moisture away from the ski, however. Merino wool underwear does not generally come in as many different weights as capilene, but companies like Smart Wool, Icebreaker and patagonia do have some different models. Go to www.patagonia.com/web/us/patagonia.go?assetid=2301 for a great description of the varieties of Capilene and Merino wool products.
Most anglers find that they want a light-weight fleece or other technical shirt on top of a capilene or merino wool base layer, and, usually, an easily removable vest or a soft-shell jacket over that. Depending on weather conditions and exertion levels, the vest or soft-shell can be taken off or put on for more or less warmth. Anglers who know that they will be fishing in colder situations usually prefer a fleece, wind-proof jacket to a soft shell for added comfort.
Under the feet of the breathable waders should also be some good socks. Patagonia makes the best merino wool socks on the market, and it makes them in several thicknesses. I wear both a light-weight pair and a heavier-weight pair inside the neoprene feet of my waders, and my feet are never cold. Thanks to their wicking capability, they’re never soggy wet either.
On top of it all goes a top quality rain jacket and top quality waders made of breathable fabric that permits moisture from the body to be wicked away to keep the wearer warm. Underneath that jacket’s hood should also be a warm, merino wool or fleece hat to protect against the extreme heat loss and risk of hypothermia that results from a hatless head.
