I actually take the opposit approach. I prefer not to get into my waders, jackets and gloves till I ma ready to get in the water. For one I get hot easily and therefore if I am in a heated car with my gear on I will be soaked with sweat by the time I get to the water or woods. I prefer to be comfortably warm maybe even a bit cold prior to putting all my gear on knowing that as time passes I will only get colder.I usually layer up pretty good too and make sure I have a good wind break over everything.

Just the basics,

Wear cotton under wool

Dress in layers

I carry two pairs of gloves. A warm pair I stuff down my pants and the pair I have on. I exchange them throughout the day

Your feet should fit loosely in your boot to let the blood circulate.

The activated handwarmers are Gods gift to the outdoorsman. Couple them with a hand muff and your in business all day long.

You head and neck should always always always be covered.

My favorite pair of winter fishing gloves are the Patagonia Bunting gloves.

Avoid sweating at all cost.

Carry extra clothes in case you do get wet

Carry a towel. After you land a fish you do not want to put a wet hand back into your glove.

If you own a jetboil and have enjoyed a hot cup of coffee streamside when it's 20 degrees outside you'll think they are worth the money.

Leave air space in your boots. having 5 pairs of socks won't help unless you have a place for air to be trapped and warmed.

5mm neoprene is the greatest wader material in the winter, unless you have the money for 3 pairs of wool or underarmor pants.

Neoprene gloves are better than wool, they can get wet and dry fast.

Pam cooking spray keeps the eyelets of your rod clear (Deeter told me this.)

Move slow, the fish will be too, and if something feels even a little off, set the hook, sometimes its a fish.

Spare under clothes in a dry bag (The big gallon plastic bags work for a lot cheaper) is a must. You take a spill in 20 degree water 4 miles from a car and can't get warm or start a fire, your in a lot of trouble.

AP Joe, if you fish steelhead, you need to come and fish with Buckhunter and I. We are Steelhead junkies.

I put antiperspirant on the bottoms of my feet to slow sweating a bit, wear thin wicking socks under my thicker socks, wear loose fiiting foot wear so not to constrict blood flow, put baking soda in my boots or waders to help absorb sweat and scent, never use any clothing in winter that hs cotton in the list of materials, bring a change of socks and gloves to change through out the day, wear a hand warmer around my waist with air activated hand warmers inside and lastly I try to keep my head and neck well insulated as most of my body heat is lost from these two areas.

I just bought a $27 hunting hat about a month and a half ago and it is the warmest thing I've ever worn on my head. It's made by cabela's and has earflaps and a bill. It was worth the money and my favorite part, it's camo! I'll occasionally wear my waders even when I'm not wading because they're so warm.

Agreed JC. I'm gonna try it. (when no one is looking)

i forgot about this but chap stick keeps the water/ice off your guides and is pretty nice in the cold and wind for your lips

Wear insulating insoles such as Pedag Solar and Pedag Solar Plus. These insoles allow air to circulate and do not block Gore-Tex or other high tech membranes. They have 3 layers of insulation: wool surface, foam with heat trapping air bubbles in the middle and a NASA type aluminum heat reflector layer on the bottom. These insoles are enough to fit into almost any boot. The Solar Plus has an orthotic arch support great for relieving the strain of standing in your blind for long hours. The idea is to insulate your feet from the cold ground so your feet don’t get chilled in the first place. These insoles also breathe and so your feet will not sweat due to trapped excess moisture. Trapped moisture from sweat is another reason your feet get cold.
www.pedagusa.com/outdoor.htm MSRP: $8.19 and $21.81