0 + 1 = FUN

Post by **John L** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:56 pm

Maybe 1 fish this afternoon was fun for me because I never before tried to fish with snow on the bank. I always stopped fishing when my spring-fall techniques failed in November. The inspiration for this outing was the batch of flies Wayne Graff (DUBBN) sent from the other side of the state. He knew I wasn't prepared fly wise for winter fishing.

It was 20F overnight but sunny since morning and got up to a windless toasty 40F. Water was 36F. I tied on one of Wayne's wingless wet egg patterns as an attractor and one of his PT shaped grey size 20s trailing. Maybe you can see the size 20 speck in the corner of the 14 incher's mouth.

Why only one fish? I don't know. No experience to help tell me. I'll tell you I need warmer socks and some gloves.

Anybody care to suggest particular gloves?

Post by **Mataura mayfly** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:07 pm

John, I always find gloves a pain in the butt for fishing, even dislike them Winter gunning for ducks.
But socks, you cannot go past the Merino-Possum blend socks for cold water wading. The heavy work sock not the light dress models. I tried to get a local mill to make over the knee wader socks, they laughed at me and said there was no market, but I swear by their heavy version that extends to under the knee....... depends how deep you wade.

Another trick if you have room in your wading boots is possum/merino dress socks under heavy wool socks, stocking foot wader and another pair of neoprene wading socks over the ones fitted to your waders.

It gets cold down here sometimes!

Post by **letumgo** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:48 pm

Is that some tenkara action John? Very cool!

In cold conditions, I use wool half finger gloves. The best gloves I have ever had we're lined with fleece. I wore three pairs of them out over the years. Unfortunately I can no longer find them anymore. I will see if I can find a picture of the gloves for reference. As far as socks are concerned, I use cross country ski socks, that extend above the knee. They are heavy wool and provide excellent insulation when the water gets down in the low 30's.

EDIT - Here are the wool gloves I use.

Post by **gmwhipple** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:07 pm

please, who makes the possum-merino socks? I have been using smartwool mountaineering model socks and an extra pair of neoprene socks inside my waders, but I am always on the lookout for something better

Buffalo gold gloves (made from bison underfur) are the best I have found but they are ridiculously expensive. They even keep your hands warm when they are wet.

http://store.thebuffalowoolco.com/categ ... -shop.html

garthman

Post by **Mataura mayfly** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:15 pm

gmwhipple wrote:please, who makes the possum-merino socks? I have been using smartwool mountaineering model socks and an extra pair of neoprene socks inside my waders, but I am always on the lookout for something better

Buffalo gold gloves (made from bison underfur) are the best I have found but they are ridiculously expensive. They even keep your hands warm when they are wet.

garthman

Garthman, I do not know if they are exported or available outside of NZ and they retail at around $50:00 (NZ$). I can do some investigating and see if anyone does mail order or Internet sales.

Post by **gmwhipple** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:42 pm

thank you for your help.

i see several listings when i google-searched for possum and merino socks. if you would be willing to PM me a brand recommendation, I'll run them down from that?

Post by **hankaye** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:51 pm

John L, Howdy;

Glad to hear you had a good day on the river.

Now as ya'll skinny feeted folks that can stuff several pairs od sox
and neoprene into your boots , and get your feet into
the boots as well. A pox on you all!!!!!
My houseboats are size 13 EEEE barely get mine in the boots with one
pair of cotton sox

wish I could find a pair I could get feet,
cotton, and a medium pair of wools into. Apparently there aren't enough
of us folks with a solid understanding to warrent even making A pair for...

I'll just Hobbit off to the shire now...

hank

Post by **Mataura mayfly** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:01 am

Hank, if your a Hobbit you will have hairy feet anyhow?

I hear you though, I'm a US 13 myself, but I did say if you have room in your boots. But honestly, I have seen shots of where you are parked up and heard you refer to it as a desert...... you should be wet wading in flip-flops!
There is the good thing in the possum/merino socks though, they ain't bulky! Still quite slim, but very thermally insulating. Number one reason why I like them as a wader sock.

Post by **hankaye** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:07 am

Mataura mayfly, Howdy;

If I just move around in my flip-flops or sandles
the fur does grow ... not much but enough so show
some hearitage

. Winter here gets a bit coolish
Been down into the 20's (F), the past few nights. It does
warn-up to the mid 50's or lower 60's for now. Coldest
part historicaly will Jan. ...
Maybe you could talk your wife into knitting you a
pair of the 'extended height' sox you were talking about ???
Then you'd most likely need some garters to hold'em up ...

I've always had a difficult time just buying clothes just all the odd
sizes lumped into one fustrated being ...

hank

Post by **John L** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:31 am

I am enjoying the socks and gloves replies almost as much as I enjoyed the fishing!

Thanks for such interesting input: possum, buffalo, extra neoprene booties. You all have overloaded my brain to the point of inability to decide anything.

Except I need to go fishing

John L

0 + 1 = FUN

0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN

Re: 0 + 1 = FUN