The Secret To Staying Warm When The Temperature Drops- A 20 Year Review.

I remember my early fishing ventures, back when winters really were cold. A bicycle was my only mode of transport and cycling some five miles to a fishing mark in the early hours of the morning wearing probably seven layers of clothing. Thick jumpers, oversized coats, scarves and everything else you could think of were applied in an effort to beat the freeze. Temperatures of -5 didn’t care much for my poor choice of clothing and I’d often arrive at the seashore in a sweaty mess, only to slowly start to shiver once more as the cold got in and the perspiration aided the whole chilly process.

If I knew then what I know now, things would have been a whole lot more comfortable. Comfort when we fish is paramount if you want a successful trip and a warm dry angler will fish far more effectively than a cold and wet one. Exposure to the elements for hours on end can take its toll so dressing accordingly really is a no-brainer.

Around twenty years ago, I was introduced to a surf shop in Braunton, Devon, by a good friend who was singing the praises of their base layer garments rather loudly. Reed Chillcheater have been manufacturing surf wear of all kinds for many years, but it was their base layer garments that had caught the eye of my friend and a few others who regularly fish the savage north Devon coastline through the winter months.

Now, I’d never really looked in to the whole base layer thing up until that point, but based on the recommendation from this particular friend, he arranged to collect one from their outlet and present it to me that weekend. It was one chilly night in November when this rather understated garment was handed to me as we prepared to embark on a fishing session that would see us stood out on the rocks for a good number of hours. We didn’t have a long walk to deal with and so I had packed a standard issue floatation jacket, fleece and a hoodie, pretty much my regular approach to clothing back then when a serious stomp wasn’t required. I went to slip it on over my teeshirt but was advised to take the teeshirt off and wear it next to the skin. That was fun, stripping to the waist in a freezing wind, but no sooner had I pulled this thing on, it was as if someone had cast some magic spell. Instantly, I felt warmer. My core felt warmer, and as I added a hoodie and a fleece, I really did feel snug. But more importantly, I didn’t feel like I was wearing a Sumo suit. I could move about freely without restriction and I just knew that casting in particular would be a whole load more comfortable. Indeed it was!

Back to the present day and that original Reed Chillcheater Base Layer fleece has been dragged through hell and back many times over, but still does exactly what it did on that first night I pulled it over my head.

It’s a little bobbly, admittedly, but it’s still warm as toast. I’ve added further Reed garments to my fishing wardrobe and every year from November onwards, there’s always one in the back of the van. VMO carries the Reed range of base layer garments which also includes long John’s which can be worn underneath your regular combats/joggers and will ensure that your bottom half stays warm too.     

Any product, especially clothing that can last for two decades and still do what it originally did gets my vote. If you want to stay warm this winter, get yourself a base layer. And make it a Reed Chillcheater!