There’s something masochistic about fly fishing in Britain between October and March. The trout might have switched off, but the grayling are feeding and the rivers look absolutely perfect when there’s a bit of colour in them. The only problem is your hands end up feeling like they belong to someone else after about twenty minutes.
Gear Used in This Article
I’ve tried everything over the years. Those fingerless wool jobs that your gran might knit. Neoprene mitts that make you feel like you’re wearing oven gloves. Even went through a phase of just toughing it out with bare hands and a flask of tea nearby. None of it really worked. You either can’t feel what you’re doing or you’re in actual pain from the cold.
The thing about fly fishing is that you need proper dexterity. You’re not just lobbing a float out there and waiting. You’re tying on tiny flies, mending line, adjusting indicators if you’re nymphing. Try doing any of that with fingers you can’t feel or gloves thick enough to keep you warm. It’s like trying to thread a needle while wearing boxing gloves.
I’ve been testing various waterproof fishing gloves this season, and I reckon I’ve finally cracked it. The secret isn’t finding the warmest glove or the most waterproof one. It’s finding something that actually lets you fish properly while keeping the worst of the cold and wet at bay.
Most of the cheap waterproof gloves you’ll find are basically designed for sea fishing or general outdoor use. They’re way too bulky. The seams are in all the wrong places and dig into your palms when you’re holding the rod. The fingers are too long or too short. And the waterproof membrane either doesn’t breathe at all, leaving you with hands like prunes, or it’s not actually waterproof enough for a full day on the river.
The sweet spot seems to be gloves designed specifically for fishing but not specifically for fly fishing. Something like the Chums Waterproof Fishing Gloves (https://amzn.to/4dbkzUH) gets pretty close to what you actually need. They’re not perfect for tying on size 18 CDC duns, but then nothing is. What they do well is keep your hands functional in properly grim conditions without making you feel like you’re wearing mittens.
What I’ve learned is that you need different gloves for different jobs. When I’m actually casting and fishing, I want something thin enough that I can feel the line. When I’m walking between pools or having a break, I’ll switch to something warmer. Sounds like a faff, but it’s worth it. Keep a pair of each in different pockets and you’re sorted.
The other trick is getting gloves that dry quickly. Neoprene holds water and takes forever to dry out. If you’re fishing all day and your gloves are soaked through, they’re actually making things worse. Modern synthetic materials with a DWR coating are much better. They’ll shed water and dry fast even if they do get wet inside from condensation.
Size matters more than you’d think too. Most blokes buy gloves that are too big. You want them snug without being tight. If there’s loads of extra material bunching up in your palm, you’ve lost all the feel you’re trying to maintain. Try them on if you can, and actually mime casting and tying a knot. If it feels awkward in the shop, it’ll be worse on the river.
The absolute game changer for me has been accepting that my hands are going to get a bit cold regardless. Once you stop expecting miracles and just aim for bearable, you find gloves that actually work. You’re not looking for the warmth of being indoors. You’re looking for something that means you can fish for four hours instead of forty minutes.
Here’s something practical for your next session. Before you put your gloves on, do twenty proper hand stretches and get some blood flowing into your fingers. Cold hands are partly about circulation, not just temperature. Once they’re on, if your hands do get cold, windmill your arms for thirty seconds. Looks daft but it genuinely works better than blowing on your fingers.
