Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Just wondering

20 degrees right now in Fort Worth; 15 degrees at my place 70 miles North. Wind 15 to 25 mph. Balmy day for some of you guys.

Looked at the pictures of Omaha ice fishing and enjoying it. Never been ice fishing but trying to figure out why anyone would want to live somewhere that lets you do it.

James Wood says he loves living in Santa Claus land. ???

I have the same cold winter gear that you do and just fixing to order another set of Damarts. I've never seen a snow shovel or snow blower.

You guys can get even for this remark during July and August.

Some men just ain't tough enough to hack it in the cold.. Takes balls, and a little insanity..

As long as you're layered up so that you don't get chills, the cold won't bother you. Something about being outside in bitter cold and wind that gets your blood flowing, albeit a little slower because it's sludge.

Just checked and Extreme Warmth Damart in fat boy sizes are sold out. What brands do you Northern lunatics recommend?

All I ever wear is long johns, sweatshirt, jeans, carhart coveralls, carhart coat, and strategically places hand warmers. I recently discovered putting hand warmers in the back pockets of your jeans makes you feel like you're sitting in a BMW out there.

I just wear a good pair of waterproof snowmobile bibs, haven't used insulated underwear in years, I have sensitive skin.

Dave Duofold is the brand I use to wear, very good.
http://www.duofold.com/Collections/Originals/400Series/detail.aspx?id=1&style=400A

I usually just have a pair of jeans on, then a set of insulated Carhart or imitation bibs. T-shirt, flannel shirt then winter jacket with hood, and knit hat. 400 gram Thinsulate Gore-Tex boots and gloves and I'm good for 4-6 hrs in 0°F temps. Handwarmers in the pockets really help keep the fingers warm - they were frostbit once and they get cold easily.

If you can stop the wind from going thru the clothes you'll be a lot warmer. I'm a lot colder if I don't have a hood to block the wind from hitting the back of my neck.

I have somewhat sensitive skin but really, really thin blood. The only time I wear insulated underwear is hunting. Then, I sit real still for hours at a time.

Most of my really cold weather is a holdover from the days when I used to chase elk around the Rockies. That's when I learned to appreciate the right base layers.

Last year I bought a new Carhartt insulated vest and like to wear it because my lower back gets cold. However, that meant a new set of coveralls because my old ones wouldn't zip up with the vest on. I've gained a "couple" of pounds. Couldn't find the coveralls that I wanted so went with a jacket and bibs. I had no idea just how worn out my old coveralls were.

My old Damart bottoms elastic has given up and is just about useless. The set is about 20+ years old and needs to be retired.

Ap, I'll look around here for the Duofolds. Thanks.

It's also about time to retire my old insulated snow boots. The felt pacs just ain't what it used to be.

Seems like I have to post this picture about the same time every year ...

Dave I stopped wearing pac boots long ago, I find the lightweight snowmobile boots much better as long as you get the water proof ones.

http://www.amazon.com/HJC-Snowmobile-Boots-Size-9/dp/B0026P74OC

speaking of boots....
I owed it to Dski to provide the best protection from cold that I could find as we planned winter work on the gar/apt. We started at her weak point; her feet.
I did the research and wound up snagging her a pair of Sorel Glacier boots for women . I think we wound up paying about $130 deld. They are kinda clunky and a bit heavy, but she is absolutely thrilled with the warmth and comfort. 2 big thumbs up on these for warmth.

Have any of the Northern members used any of these products? http://gerbing.com/ I am interested in the hand warmers..du

Dave:

I use these air activated hand warmers: http://www.amazon.com/Hands-2-Pack-Activated-Disposable-Warmers/dp/B0048I50NM

I get 'em even cheaper at Wally World. The only thing that gets cold on me are my fingers, unless it's really cold out, then my feet get cool. I purchased a pair of hodgman insulated pac boots that are rated at -100°F, and bought them a size larger. I rarely need to use them.

I'll use a PolarTec Icebreaker muff for my hands, and toss one of those air activated heaters in it. It's good for all day and I can wear paper thin gloves so I can feel the trigger easily. It's a bit harder when upland bird hunting, walking in the cold weather all day and having to hold a gun. I'll toss the O/U over my shoulder, carrying it broke open, but with shells in the chamber. I can get it off my shoulder, closed and on a bird before it gets out of range, but I'm using Improved Modified and Lite Full chokes in it. Lower barrel is good for out to 45 Yds, top barrel 60 Yds+. (#7 and #6 lead shot) I'll alternate hands/shoulders and have one of those heatpacks in each front pocket. I wear uninsulated kangaroo leather shooting gloves.

You're buying cold weather clothes for temps like those? I just go with a t-shirt and zip up hooded sweatshirt. If it's really cold, I'll throw on a long-sleeve T and might even toss a ballcap on my bald noggin!

A "butt muscle warmer?"

I use those almost exclusively, too, Scott. They do a great job, hold their heat for a long time, and are easy to pack all throughout your clothes on really cold days.

When it gets real cold I carry several of the air activated hand/feet warmers (Waly-World type). They come in different sizes etc and work well. I carry them for emergency purposes in the zip part of the insulated covealls. If someone gets wet (falls in the cold water or out of the boat or through the ice) several of those inside a thermal blanket may save a life or at least fingers or toes.

Great to put in your pocket for hands when out for long periods in real cold temps

Because it's always important to make sure those appendages look good on the body as it rests in the casket!

(Sorry - I couldn't help myself!)

I wear cheap cotton gloves and have one of those hand muffs for sitting and hunting. They are great. The butt warmers also seem to work but I don't know how.

Several years ago I found about the warming and therapeutic effect of De Kuypers Apricot Brandy in really cold weather. At times you can get warm enough to fall out of a boat or a tree.

A popular brand of long underwear up here in Canada is "Helly Hanson"
But we wouldn't be rushing to the store with temps around 20

It's certainly nothing to write home about, eh?!

Ummm! Maybe flatus, flatulence, methane . . .

O-fer geez! I yousta respect southerners -- anybody south of the Soo. But, youse making fun of upnort peoples has gotten out of hand ever since they dey filmed Fargo!

See if I borrow you any lures next time you come to fish!

Uffda!

I know you're trying to communicate with me, but I just don't understand a word you're saying!

(Name the movie for bonus points, and, no, it ain't Fargo!)