Skwala Fishing Gear Winter Essentials

The arrival of fall/winter has me reorganizing my fishing gear and moving the summer essentials to the back of the man cave. Insulation and outerwear layers become staples in the winter kit for anglers fishing the Montana rivers near Bozeman from November through March. Staying warm and dry becomes paramount for anglers fly fishing in Montana this time of year when the days are short and the nights cold.

Here are some everyday essentials from Skwala Fly Fishing that I have come to trust and rely on when fly fishing in Montana during the long winter months. This Bozeman-based fly fishing business is leading the charge today with innovative designs and technology in their gear and apparel. Every piece that Skwala builds is purpose-built, designed in-house, and features unique technology, resulting in highly functional, quality gear for fly fishing anglers.

Skwala Thermo 350 Pant

The comfort and insulation merits of Merino wool are well-known within the outdoor and fly fishing industry. I started wearing Merino base layers during my New Zealand trips in the early 2000’s and was amazed at the all-day comfort these garments delivered.

The Skwala Thermo 350 Pant is incredibly comfortable as an under wader baselayer and as weekend lounge wear around town. Its dense, heavyweight construction was chosen specifically for the hardcore winter angler who wades for hours upon end in cold water, chasing trout and steelhead. I wear these under my RS Waders throughout the winter and spring, whether I am guiding anglers on the Missouri River during the early spring or wading the Madison with my kids during the wintertime.

Skwala Fusion 3/2 Puffy

Outerwear comfort that mirrors the anglers’ movements while casting, wading, and rowing on those cold weather days of fall, spring, and winter in the Rocky Mountains. The Fusion 3/2 Puffy has a stretchy, water-resistant outer shell packed with Toray® 3DEFX+™ insulation on the inside. Designers added more insulation in the core areas and less in the sleeves – thus the 3/2 moniker – to ensure that anglers stay toasty without sacrificing mobility for casting.

This is an amazing piece of technical gear that is at home in the boat or while cruising around downtown Bozeman on a winter weekend.

Thermo 150 Hoody

Sunhoodies are “where its at” in the everyday fly fishing apparel for technical-minded anglers these days. Gone are the days when angelrs favored button-up, cotton blend collared shirts and buffs. Hoodies offer protection from the sun from the back of the hands all the way to the forehead. If you haven’t made the switch…you need to give it a try as they bring a whole new layer of comfort to fly-fishing.

The Thermo 150 Hoody is the lightweight Merino fishing hoody that I prefer when fishing anywhere when temperatures drop below 70 degrees. The scuba hood moves with your head and helps insulate on cool Montana mornings throughout the year. I wear this as my winter fishing baselayer under the Fusion Hybrid Jacket on sunny days.

Skwala Fishing Gear

Launched in 2022, Skwala is relatively new to the fly fishing world in terms of their brand, but the players behind the brand have been in the industry for decades. Based in Bozeman, they are “all in” when it comes to being the best wader and technical apparel company for the fly fishing community. Unlike other brands, everything they bring to the market is purpose-built to bring performance and comfort to fly anglers.

I’ve been wearing their gear for a few years now and honestly own and wear almost everything they make. From their waders to their SOL Tropic Hoody, it's all great stuff that has lasted through many a day on the water by an angler (me) who gives little regard for taking care of his gear.