09-22-2006, 04:18 PM
[cool][#0000bf]It is a cycle every year. While the water temps stay close to 70 or higher, I tube without waders. Once the water drops near about 65, I put on the lightweight waders, with one or two layers, depending on need. The layers may be one layer of thermal undies and one layer of sweat pants...or two layers of sweats. Keep them comfortable, with soft warmth-retaining material.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]As the water temp goes lower than sixty, I will make one of the layers a pair of warm fleece pants. If I have to go to three layers then I bring out the 3mm neoprene waders. Usually two layers...thermals and fleece...will keep me comfy in most cold water tubing conditions. Right before freezup and right after iceout, when the water temps are below 40, you need at least 3 layers under your 3mm neoprenes or 2 under your 5mm.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]The feet are the biggest consideration. If your feet get cold, your fishing is not fun anymore. Most lightweight waders today have neoprene foot pockets, which helps a lot. One or two pairs of good wool socks will usually keep you in the game.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]The major problem with cold feet comes from constriction rather than insufficient warm layering. Tubers sometimes buy waders, boots or fins that are too small to hold all the bulk they put on in cold weather. Then, no matter how good the wool socks you have on, your feet will be constricted and you will get cold feet because of poor blood circulation. [/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]That's why I always advise that when a newbie tuber is putting together their system that they buy the waders first...and wear all the layers that they might be wearing when they try them on. ALWAYS TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. [/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]Second, buy the booties, surf shoes, wading shoes or whatever you will be wearing over the soft neoprene foot pockets of the waders to protect them while walking on pavement, rocks, gravel or whatever. Make sure that your "footwear" will fit over a well-stuffed wader foot.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]Third, buy fins that will take your stuffed waders and your foot covering (booties, etc.). If you have to jam your feet into any part of the system to make them fit, you will get cold feet and/or foot cramps. If your feet are too big to fit into standard diving fins, then you need to look at the lace on or clamp on type, that fit over any size boot.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]Does that do it for you?[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]As the water temp goes lower than sixty, I will make one of the layers a pair of warm fleece pants. If I have to go to three layers then I bring out the 3mm neoprene waders. Usually two layers...thermals and fleece...will keep me comfy in most cold water tubing conditions. Right before freezup and right after iceout, when the water temps are below 40, you need at least 3 layers under your 3mm neoprenes or 2 under your 5mm.[/#0000bf]
[#0000bf][/#0000bf]
[#0000bf]The feet are the biggest consideration. If your feet get cold, your fishing is not fun anymore. Most lightweight waders today have neoprene foot pockets, which helps a lot. One or two pairs of good wool socks will usually keep you in the game.[/#0000bf]
[#0000bf][/#0000bf]
[#0000bf]The major problem with cold feet comes from constriction rather than insufficient warm layering. Tubers sometimes buy waders, boots or fins that are too small to hold all the bulk they put on in cold weather. Then, no matter how good the wool socks you have on, your feet will be constricted and you will get cold feet because of poor blood circulation. [/#0000bf]
[#0000bf][/#0000bf]
[#0000bf]That's why I always advise that when a newbie tuber is putting together their system that they buy the waders first...and wear all the layers that they might be wearing when they try them on. ALWAYS TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. [/#0000bf]
[#0000bf][/#0000bf]
[#0000bf]Second, buy the booties, surf shoes, wading shoes or whatever you will be wearing over the soft neoprene foot pockets of the waders to protect them while walking on pavement, rocks, gravel or whatever. Make sure that your "footwear" will fit over a well-stuffed wader foot.[/#0000bf]
[#0000bf][/#0000bf]
[#0000bf]Third, buy fins that will take your stuffed waders and your foot covering (booties, etc.). If you have to jam your feet into any part of the system to make them fit, you will get cold feet and/or foot cramps. If your feet are too big to fit into standard diving fins, then you need to look at the lace on or clamp on type, that fit over any size boot.[/#0000bf]
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[#0000bf]Does that do it for you?[/#0000bf]
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