What to wear?

Hey guys!
I'm happy to inform you that I now have the bear minimum to get on the water.
Kayak, PFD & Paddle.
I want to go to Anderson lake since its 3 min. from my house.
The water is real cold so....
What kind of cloths/ gear do you guys wear?
Brands? I bought a couple Columbia PFG shirts (Pink... )
I just want an idea of what to wear...I don't plan on falling in....then again who does. But If I do. I want to be prepared.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
GS

Cool deal, GhostSlayer - welcome!  I think you'll find that the consensus will be that you should dress for immersion - that means that you will have gear on that will preserve your life if you end up in the water for an extended period of time.  None of us plan on going in unexpectedly while paddling, but most of us plan for it.  Have fun and good luck.   

I'm pretty much a rookie on this subject but I'll weigh in because it is a concern of mine as well.

For the last month or so I've been using an NRS splash suit. Just put it on over the blue jeans/shirt and at least be protected from the cold water dampness in your yak seat and general water splash over the rail. Keeps me warm, cuts the wind penetration and is comfortable to fish in. Pretty much totally worthless if you end up over the side swimming though. That NRS suit is actually a step up from last winter when I was out in the middle of the open north portion of Berryessa trolling and sailing in January in my trusty old blue jeans, rubber yak boots, coat and old PFD. I remember dipping my hand in the water and thinking - wow - better hope nothing goes wrong because I wouldn't have lasted long out there in that frigid water. And it should be added that in no way would I be out that far from shore if I was running my boat in pure kayak mode.

I'm about to start using a drysuit (Kokatat T3 Supernova Angler) I bought last summer. Also bought a set of Mysterioso "long johns" for underneath. I still need a pair of gloves and maybe something warmer than a baseball cap for my head. The drysuit will at least give me a decent chance if I end up over the side far from shore.

5 bucks says this turns into a Waders vs. Farmer John discussion.

Read the "Day after Redbarn" thread and I'm sure you will have a good idea of what you need to wear. Dressing for extended immersion is the safest thing you can do. At least wear a 3mm FJ- at the very least.

For freshwater lakes where I am never far from shore I wear polyester or polar fleece pants and tops covered by kokatat tempest pants and paddling jacket.  That way if I do submerge I stay relatively dry and even if the pants and jackets fail, the polyester will still keep me reasonably warm.  In saltwater I'm a wetsuit advocate, but I'm not willing to get into that debate.  Also, given the time of year, I wouldn't venture out in any type of cotton bottoms or tops.  I have gotten my polar fleece soaked and it still kept me warm, can't say the same of jeans or flannel shirts.

Michael

For freshwater lakes where I am never far from shore I wear polyester or polar fleece pants and tops covered by kokatat tempest pants and paddling jacket.  That way if I do submerge I stay relatively dry and even if the pants and jackets fail, the polyester will still keep me reasonably warm.  Michael

i agree,,,,,,at least get a pair of waders and a waterproof jacket. 

Having recently spent several minutes in the Pacific I am glad that I had on my 7m farmer johns, booties, and life jacket.

"cotton kills"
-old sea kayaker saying

go for neoprene and fleece stuff, save the cotton to change into at the car when you are finished paddling.

Thanks guys!
I really appreciate the input!
Fleece? Isn't that similar to cotton?
Once again thanks to all you guys that chimed in!
Hope to see you guys on the water some day!

GS

Thanks guys!
I really appreciate the input!
Fleece? Isn't that similar to cotton?
Once again thanks to all you guys that chimed in!
Hope to see you guys on the water some day!

GS

There are some garments that refer to themselves as "fleece" and are 100% cotton.  For this discussion what everyone is refering to is polyester fleece like "polartec" brand although there are many brands of fleece out there.  I think it's generally made out of the same material as soda bottles. It has 2 huge advantages over cotton. 1, it does still keep you warm when wet, and 2 it dries many times faster than cotton.

Cool deal, GhostSlayer - welcome!  I think you'll find that the consensus will be that you should dress for immersion - that means that you will have gear on that will preserve your life if you end up in the water for an extended period of time.  None of us plan on going in unexpectedly while paddling, but most of us plan for it.  Have fun and good luck.   

Words of wisdom right there.

Be safe, have fun, take pictures and report back!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks guys!
I really appreciate the input!
Fleece? Isn't that similar to cotton?
Once again thanks to all you guys that chimed in!
Hope to see you guys on the water some day!

GS

There are some garments that refer to themselves as "fleece" and are 100% cotton.  For this discussion what everyone is refering to is polyester fleece like "polartec" brand although there are many brands of fleece out there.  I think it's generally made out of the same material as soda bottles. It has 2 huge advantages over cotton. 1, it does still keep you warm when wet, and 2 it dries many times faster than cotton.

Thanks for the clarification Dale.
Are you talking about something similar to this?
http://www.sportchalet.com/product/clothing/outdoor+clothing/outdoor+fleece/300326_3048567.do?search=endeca&keyword=polartec&sortby=priceDescend&page=1

Once again! Thanks for all the help guys!

Hey guys!
I'm happy to inform you that I now have the bear minimum to get on the water.
Kayak, PFD & Paddle.
I want to go to Anderson lake since its 3 min. from my house.
The water is real cold so....
What kind of cloths/ gear do you guys wear?
Brands? I bought a couple Columbia PFG shirts (Pink... )
I just want an idea of what to wear...I don't plan on falling in....then again who does. But If I do. I want to be prepared.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
GS

here...
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,34762.0.html

Hey gang. I have two 2011 sample dry suits from Stohlquist I need to sale. Both have been worn once but I still have all the tags and zipper lube. one is a Size M Womens B pod and the other is a size XL Mens G pod. Both retail for close to $700. Give me call if you are interested.

209-224-8367

Thanks guys!
I really appreciate the input!
Fleece? Isn't that similar to cotton?
Once again thanks to all you guys that chimed in!
Hope to see you guys on the water some day!

GS

Yeah that item is polyester fleece, go to any sporting goods retailer and look for it, there are many different choices and prices, this type of fleece usually doesn't stop the wind so it's best to wear it under something.  There are windproof fleeces but they are pricey.


There are some garments that refer to themselves as "fleece" and are 100% cotton.  For this discussion what everyone is refering to is polyester fleece like "polartec" brand although there are many brands of fleece out there.  I think it's generally made out of the same material as soda bottles. It has 2 huge advantages over cotton. 1, it does still keep you warm when wet, and 2 it dries many times faster than cotton.

Thanks for the clarification Dale.
Are you talking about something similar to this?
http://www.sportchalet.com/product/clothing/outdoor+clothing/outdoor+fleece/300326_3048567.do?search=endeca&keyword=polartec&sortby=priceDescend&page=1

Once again! Thanks for all the help guys!

I'm new to this and have only been out a couple times. What was recamended to get and I now have is a 3mm farmer john style wetsuit. It's basiclly like some overalls and very compfortable to paddle in. A couple weeks ago I flipped in Lake Tulloch and it kept me very warm for the time I was in the water. Good luck and happy fishing!