Staying warm on the river is essential to enjoying time on the water during this time of year. The cold has kept few people off the water, as store traffic and the parking lots have shown the past few weeks. It’s nice to see so many people fishing on bitter cold days, and also to see people spreading out along seventeen miles of trout water.

The first extremity to feel the chill are fingers, which can make knot tying tough. For anglers used to changing flies frequently, and want dexterity in a fingertip-less glove, the Chota Windproof Stow-A-Way Flip Mitt is perfect. A full coverage windproof fleece mitten for the walk in and out, in an instant becomes a fingertip-less (including thumb) fleece glove.  Some customers have expressed that they prefer to take gloves off to tie knots, and desire a glove that doesn’t get wet. Chota’s Thin Skin 3mm Neoprene Glove, which is sealed and fits like a driving glove, is easy to take off for knot tying. The dexterity afforded by this glove allows streamer, nymph or dry fly fishing, without hands being exposed to the cold and accumulation of water, or ice on the line. The shop also has layers to cover anglers from head to toe, including Patagonia’s Knit Beanie, R-1 and Cap-3 Fleece tops and Cap-3 Fleece bottoms, Heavyweight, Midweight and Liner socks. Cloudveil’s Flat Creek Jacket is a Wind Stopper Fleece, has five pockets and looks good for both fishing and wearing around town.