What to Wear Fishing in Alaska
What to wear fishing in Alaska is a question asked by anglers of all levels. Did you recently move to Alaska or are you visiting next summer and and you have some exciting fishing planned? It could also be that you have an advanced knowledge of fishing in Alaska but are looking to update pieces of your outdoor wardrobe to the latest and greatest fabrics and technology. Whatever your needs, here is everything you need to know about what to wear fishing in Alaska, in both saltwater and freshwater scenarios.
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Ocean
What to Wear Ocean Fishing in Alaska?
It is all about staying warm and dry when saltwater fishing in Alaska. Your charter boat probably has a nice heated cabin where you can take a break from the elements. For the most part, though, you’ll want to man your rod on the fishing deck in the fresh salt air. Layering is key, as is the case for maximizing all outdoor apparel performance. Some days are just gorgeous and some people run warm, so having a t-shirt in your bag doesn’t hurt in that event. T-shirt weather is less likely than the need to layer up on better than half of our summer days, but it could happen. With that in mind, here is the basic head- to-toe apparel set up we recommend for an average saltwater fishing day.
- Warm hat
Some people like to wear a wool or fleece beanie over a baseball cap to keep the sun out of their eyes. Either way, make sure you have something that covers your ears and traps heat on your head. - Buff or neck gaiter
A soft fleece neck gaiter keeps wind off the neck and covers your nose and mouth in extreme cold. You may not need it on a beautiful summer day, but adding one to your carry-on dry bag could be a game changer on any given day. - Base layer top
Merino wool is the ticket for really cold days but there are a bunch of synthetic fibers to try if wool isn’t your thing. Some people do not like wool next to their skin so a light silk or synthetic followed by wool layer is a great option for comfort and warmth. Wool is the fiber of choice for its warmth and quick dry nature. - Mid layer top
Any natural or quick-drying synthetic fiber midweight zip up or pullover is great on those extra cold days on the water. There are many great brands to choose from. Check out some of our favorites below in the tips section. - Base layer bottom
Again, any natural fibers like wool work best or a synthetic quick-drying fabric with a wool over that. - Mid layer bottom
Some heavier fleece pants or thick windproof pants over your base layer are a great addition for overall on cold days warmth. - Outerwear
Outerwear selection, both top and bottom, may be the most critical part of the apparel set up when ocean fishing. You really want something that is completely waterproof and will also clean up from the fish residue bound to find its way to your rain gear if you are doing much fishing. The industry standard is a heavy-duty PVC bibs and coat. If you are on a saltwater boat every day, knee deep in fish slime, blood and scales, this is for sure your best choice. But for those of us who will be on board for 10 days or less in a season, there are some more flexible choices. The most important feature is that it is 100% waterproof and secondarily that they clean up easily. - Socks
Warm feet are a must. Quality wool socks like Darn Tough or Minus 33 are a necessity. A single thicker pair is better than layering two thick pairs. You can consider a sock liner but make sure everything feels roomy. If it is too constricted it will have the opposite effect you are trying to achieve. - Boots
Rubber boots offer waterproof protection for your feet. Look for ones with a rugged tread to give you more traction on the boat deck. You can go with a knee high boot like the traditional Legacy from Xtratuf or opt for something shorter like the Deck boot. Try some on with your wool socks and see what feels best. They have come very far with their options and styles over the years. You want an easy-to-clean outer layer material like rubber.
River
What to Wear River fishing in Alaska?
River fishing apparel is about waterproofness and warmth too. On the river you are most likely sitting in an open skiff or walking in, then wading in cold water, so you really have to think about your gear. It’s important to know how you are going to be fishing. If wading is the style then you have to go with waders and wading boots in Alaska. If you are simply boat bound all day and you can enter and leave the boat from a dock or bank without stepping in water then quality raingear and rain boots can be worn in lieu of waders. Figure out what you are doing first. Whatever style of river fishing you are doing, layering is the crucial element once again. Here is what our experts wear when river fishing on an average Alaska summer day.
- Warm hat
Some people like to wear a beanie style hat over a baseball cap for sun protection when fishing in Alaska. Make sure you have one that covers your ears and traps heat on your head. You can find waterproof baseball caps and water repellent versions with built in ear flaps for warmth. - Neck gaiter
A soft fleece neck gaiter protects your neck from a cold draft. Wear it up over your nose and mouth in extreme cold or when the boat is on step. Add this sometimes overlooked gear to your day pack. - Base layer top
Merino wool or a quick-drying fabric blend are good options. If you find wool itchy next to your skin you can use a soft synthetic base layer and consider adding wool as a layer over the top of that. - Mid layer top
A midweight zip up or pullover is a must have. There are many great brands to choose from. Check out some of our favorite layering tops in our Editor’s Choice Awards. - Base layer bottom
Again, think natural fibers like wool or at least a synthetic quick-drying fabric with wool over that. - Mid layer bottom
Heavy weight fleece pants or thick windproof pants over your base layer are needed for warmth, especially if sitting in a boat or standing in cold water up to your knees or higher wading. - Outerwear
If you don’t have to step in the water to get in or out of the boat and you are strictly boat fishing, then you can opt for a quality rain jacket and pants. As long as it is 100% waterproof it should work. You may get dirty if you are handling fish so get something for your outerwear that you can wash fairly easily. If you have to step in the water to get in and out of the boat or you are wading while you are fishing at all then you must have waders and wading boots to remain dry and warm. Choosing fishing waders is most often based on fit and price point. Use Fish Alaska’s Guide to Choosing Fishing Waders for some tips when making your next wader purchase. - Socks
Quality wool socks are an absolute must. Wear one thick pair instead of layering two pairs. Some like a sock liner, just make sure your feet are not too constricted to allow air to flow. - Wading Boots
Rubber boots will work fine if you are strictly boat bound. Consider an insulated pair if you aren’t going to be moving around a whole bunch. A quality tread will give you more stability on the boat. If you will be wading at all, then add a good pair of wading boots to your arsenal like those made by Korkers Footwear.
Packing for Alaska: Tips and Take Aways
- Layer up. Easily add or remove layers as needed but make sure you at least have them packed.
- Cotton kills! Cotton is a no-no because it doesn’t dry quickly and ultimately makes you colder when moisture is retained. Consider natural fibers like Merino Wool or alpaca.
- Outdoor brands to consider include Minus 33 as one of our favorite Merino wool brands. Check out their layering apparel and socks. Lady anglers often love the look and design of the varied Fishewear patterns. They make some great mid weight fleece pullovers as well as base layer leggings and lots of other performance gear and accessories. Forloh is an apparel brand designed for hunters, but many of their items are useful for fishing too. Their fit, style, and comfort paired with their quality level make them a winning choice.
- Get some Xtratufs or other quality rubber boots to keep your feet dry and protected.
People Also Ask:
Where to shop for outdoor apparel in Alaska?
This is an area where there are some great local Alaskan owned outdoor apparel stores areound the state with all the best brands for your adventure.
Where to buy Xtratufs in Alaska?
Want to get it all in advance? Try these online retailers.
Specific Product recommendations
Take some of the work out of your shopping and check out our Editors Choice Awards. Each year we test a bunch of gear to share the best of the best with our readers in our Annual Gear Guide. Those awards go online for the year and are easily accessible here or through the categories below.
Dress like an Alaskan
One thing is for sure, nearly every single Alaskan has a pair of Xtratufs, or several pair more likely. Nicknamed the Alaska Sneaker, Xtratuf is a brand that serves the Alaska fishing community and beyond. Most saltwater anglers have “Tufs”.
Another Alaska staple is