I only do days at the mo in winter and only when its mild lol! 
must say i do miss winter night fishing, BUT...i hate the freezing cold as i'm getting on in my years, however read something that piqued my interest in this thread:
https://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=437262
the discussion is about nylon or aquatexx bivvys which is best?
from carpbandit84
"I did 2 nights under the Aqua Pioneer ev aquatexx with no skull cap and last night I had the door zipped up (I don't normally but my feet got cold the previous night and I've been suffering with bad circulation) anyway it got down to 0 degrees last night and amazingly I awoke to a bone dry bivvy, not a single bit of condensation to be seen! I have to say I'm very impressed with the material on it."
reading the above got me exited about maybe getting this bivvy, 2nd hand of course
...if its going to be mild at night i still go using my summer brolly with sides, but this winter i've only done a couple of nights cos of mild weather, so my question is:
if its FREEZING (0 -1) does a decent bivvy help? cos surely you will still be breathing in the freezing cold air
must say i do miss winter night fishing, BUT...i hate the freezing cold as i'm getting on in my years, however read something that piqued my interest in this thread:
https://www.carpforum.co.uk/Shared/Messages.asp?TopicID=437262
the discussion is about nylon or aquatexx bivvys which is best?
from carpbandit84
"I did 2 nights under the Aqua Pioneer ev aquatexx with no skull cap and last night I had the door zipped up (I don't normally but my feet got cold the previous night and I've been suffering with bad circulation) anyway it got down to 0 degrees last night and amazingly I awoke to a bone dry bivvy, not a single bit of condensation to be seen! I have to say I'm very impressed with the material on it."
reading the above got me exited about maybe getting this bivvy, 2nd hand of course
...if its going to be mild at night i still go using my summer brolly with sides, but this winter i've only done a couple of nights cos of mild weather, so my question is:
if its FREEZING (0 -1) does a decent bivvy help? cos surely you will still be breathing in the freezing cold air
In reply to Post #1
It helps!
My Nash double top including inner skull and wrap do very well during freezing nights. It keeps me warm with a stove or something.
It helps!
My Nash double top including inner skull and wrap do very well during freezing nights. It keeps me warm with a stove or something.
A heavy skinned bivvy might keep the damp and wind out, but the difference in temperature between inside and outside will be minimal. Your body heat will warm the internal temp to a certain extent, but you'll want to minimise the heat you are losing with decent clothing. You would need some sort of active heating in the bivvy to make a real difference, but there are obvious safety issues here and I wouldn't go down that route.
The best solution is good clothes, a good sleeping bag, a hot water bottle boiled outside the bivvy and maybe some of those hand warmers if really suffer from the cold.
You just get used to it being cold to be honest, all part of winter fishing.
The best solution is good clothes, a good sleeping bag, a hot water bottle boiled outside the bivvy and maybe some of those hand warmers if really suffer from the cold.
You just get used to it being cold to be honest, all part of winter fishing.
In reply to Post #1
I get it that some will say overkill. But it's more than just the bivvy. Try this .....
Bivvy with inner capsule & winter skin (total 3 layers)
Good bag
Blanket over bag
Sim under bag
Hot water bottle x 2 top and bottom of sleep bag
Hot food
Just wear base layers, hat, socks in bed
You'll be good with that lot
I get it that some will say overkill. But it's more than just the bivvy. Try this .....
Bivvy with inner capsule & winter skin (total 3 layers)
Good bag
Blanket over bag
Sim under bag
Hot water bottle x 2 top and bottom of sleep bag
Hot food
Just wear base layers, hat, socks in bed
You'll be good with that lot
In reply to Post #1
I've fished in winter for years, and used various bivvies; Rod Hutchinson Apotheosis, Fox EasyDome, Umbrella and overwrap, brolly system, plain brolly and stormsides.
I've woken up to lakes icing over and freezing.
I really don't help myself as I rarely shut the door, but as Beyonce says, proper clothing, sleeping bag and decent food do much for you.
A plain brolly, or single skin bivvy will get condensation, adding the overwrap or winter skin will reduce it.
Not every night produces condensation, as condensation occurs when moist warm air comes in contact with a colder surface.
I've fished in winter for years, and used various bivvies; Rod Hutchinson Apotheosis, Fox EasyDome, Umbrella and overwrap, brolly system, plain brolly and stormsides.
I've woken up to lakes icing over and freezing.
I really don't help myself as I rarely shut the door, but as Beyonce says, proper clothing, sleeping bag and decent food do much for you.
A plain brolly, or single skin bivvy will get condensation, adding the overwrap or winter skin will reduce it.
Not every night produces condensation, as condensation occurs when moist warm air comes in contact with a colder surface.
In reply to Post #1
Don't be tempted to put a stove on in the bivvy people have died someone recently woke to find his mate had died in his bivvy
Do days till it gets milder never understood the attraction of doing nights in very cold weather sitting there in long hours of darkness I suppose you can be warm in the right bag but getting out to a run at 3 in the morning is the biggest problem
Asking for health problems imo
Don't be tempted to put a stove on in the bivvy people have died someone recently woke to find his mate had died in his bivvy
Do days till it gets milder never understood the attraction of doing nights in very cold weather sitting there in long hours of darkness I suppose you can be warm in the right bag but getting out to a run at 3 in the morning is the biggest problem
Asking for health problems imo
In reply to Post #6
If its really cold i zip the door down but leave an inch each side for ventilation. Then light 10 tea light candles in an old pan. Makes a big difference. Always blow them out before getting in the bag.
Hot water bottle inside the front of my coat is another winner
If its really cold i zip the door down but leave an inch each side for ventilation. Then light 10 tea light candles in an old pan. Makes a big difference. Always blow them out before getting in the bag.
Hot water bottle inside the front of my coat is another winner
In reply to Post #1
Canvas overwraps were a bit warmer. But the main thing is groundsheet so much damp and cold comes from there. Any modern bivvy will be fine as will a brolly if low enough and not in wind. Buy a good sleep system or bag and get a trakker bedchair cover. Sorted.
Canvas overwraps were a bit warmer. But the main thing is groundsheet so much damp and cold comes from there. Any modern bivvy will be fine as will a brolly if low enough and not in wind. Buy a good sleep system or bag and get a trakker bedchair cover. Sorted.
January. Not really much point in loads of skins when you like
Fishing open fronted.
In reply to Post #9
THESE DAYS
I cant ever understand wimps that zip the door up cos the poor little things are cold ? its not camping ?
jesus with all the superb range of super lightweight warm clothing and 5 seasons bags with super thermal covers
its not like we even get much of a winter these days how often in recent years have You woken up to see the lake frozen or you cant make a brew because your water bottle froze in the night
ok fair enough if you have bought your rods in then can see no point in having the door down
but people who zip up with rods out run the real risk of unzipping in the morning to see their rods stolen in the night or maybe one towed into the lake even
but guess we are all different
THESE DAYS
I cant ever understand wimps that zip the door up cos the poor little things are cold ? its not camping ?
jesus with all the superb range of super lightweight warm clothing and 5 seasons bags with super thermal covers
its not like we even get much of a winter these days how often in recent years have You woken up to see the lake frozen or you cant make a brew because your water bottle froze in the night
ok fair enough if you have bought your rods in then can see no point in having the door down
but people who zip up with rods out run the real risk of unzipping in the morning to see their rods stolen in the night or maybe one towed into the lake even
but guess we are all different
In reply to Post #11
This winter has actually been pretty cold compared to recent years, a few nights the water container has been frozen solid. Another cold one tonight.
I agree that I don't get the complete zip up, inner dome, outer skin malarky. Just the weight of it alone. Then people moan about condensation.
I still use an open brolly without a groundsheet. No condensation. It's the same temp inside as out so I wear the right clothes and have a good bag. If I get a run in the night (few and far between this year) I'm wearing the right kit already.
Each to their own but I'd rather hear and see the water from bed than cocoon myself in.
Sorry to hear about your bad health in another thread OG. If your immune system is as strident as your opinions on here then you'll send it packing no problem .. All the best.
This winter has actually been pretty cold compared to recent years, a few nights the water container has been frozen solid. Another cold one tonight.
I agree that I don't get the complete zip up, inner dome, outer skin malarky. Just the weight of it alone. Then people moan about condensation.
I still use an open brolly without a groundsheet. No condensation. It's the same temp inside as out so I wear the right clothes and have a good bag. If I get a run in the night (few and far between this year) I'm wearing the right kit already.
Each to their own but I'd rather hear and see the water from bed than cocoon myself in.
Sorry to hear about your bad health in another thread OG. If your immune system is as strident as your opinions on here then you'll send it packing no problem .. All the best.
In reply to Post #11
"THESE DAYS
I cant ever understand wimps that zip the door up cos the poor little things are cold ? its not camping ?
jesus with all the superb range of super lightweight warm clothing and 5 seasons bags with super thermal covers
its not like we even get much of a winter these days how often in recent years have You woken up to see the lake frozen or you cant make a brew because your water bottle froze in the night
ok fair enough if you have bought your rods in then can see no point in having the door down
but people who zip up with rods out run the real risk of unzipping in the morning to see their rods stolen in the night or maybe one towed into the lake even
but guess we are all different"
.
.... and i dont underdstand why it would bother you so much if someone wishes to effectively camp in more comfort (and fish) if they prefer to. People go fishing for different reasons and how they keep warm has zero affect on anyone else
"THESE DAYS
I cant ever understand wimps that zip the door up cos the poor little things are cold ? its not camping ?
jesus with all the superb range of super lightweight warm clothing and 5 seasons bags with super thermal covers
its not like we even get much of a winter these days how often in recent years have You woken up to see the lake frozen or you cant make a brew because your water bottle froze in the night
ok fair enough if you have bought your rods in then can see no point in having the door down
but people who zip up with rods out run the real risk of unzipping in the morning to see their rods stolen in the night or maybe one towed into the lake even
but guess we are all different"
.
.... and i dont underdstand why it would bother you so much if someone wishes to effectively camp in more comfort (and fish) if they prefer to. People go fishing for different reasons and how they keep warm has zero affect on anyone else
In reply to Post #13
and i dont underdstand why it would bother you what my opinions are either
and i dont underdstand why it would bother you what my opinions are either
In reply to Post #13
Yes it's not camping but we are not in the army either being warm and comfortable when fishing is very important nothing wrong with that there not wimps there just sensible they don't want to end up in hospital with pneumonia
It's like the idiot I see at weekend in shorts a tee shirt walking down the road no socks either
Giving off the feeling look at me it was the coldest night for 13 years last night it's been cold enough this winter a lot of minus at night
Yes it's not camping but we are not in the army either being warm and comfortable when fishing is very important nothing wrong with that there not wimps there just sensible they don't want to end up in hospital with pneumonia
It's like the idiot I see at weekend in shorts a tee shirt walking down the road no socks either
Giving off the feeling look at me it was the coldest night for 13 years last night it's been cold enough this winter a lot of minus at night
In reply to Post #2
PLEASE whatever you DO NOT follow this advice about using a stove to warm a bivvy up !
PLEASE whatever you DO NOT follow this advice about using a stove to warm a bivvy up !
More than a couple of nights this time of year it's a 2 man Aqua M2 with skin, but happy to do nights under a solar undercover brolly - the game changer was a Trakker 365 sleeping bag.
Always use a groundsheet tho, cant understand why you wouldn't. Bit like putting up the door if you want to as well 😂
Always use a groundsheet tho, cant understand why you wouldn't. Bit like putting up the door if you want to as well 😂
Frontier x+ (with inner capsule) and wrap super for winter time, Tempest wrap front: lol none
Or Armo v4 with inner capsule and overrwrap is also super.
Or Armo v4 with inner capsule and overrwrap is also super.
In reply to Post #17
I've done a couple of nights on just the sleeping bag and bedchair, no brolly or bivvy while fishing the river this winter. The umbrella has stayed in the car unless its raining.
I've also had the lake almost freeze over when I've been fishing.
I've done a couple of nights on just the sleeping bag and bedchair, no brolly or bivvy while fishing the river this winter. The umbrella has stayed in the car unless its raining.
I've also had the lake almost freeze over when I've been fishing.
Nash titan 2 for me with a skin around its near enough? Failing that I'll put a freezer suit on , not a fan of any sort of heating in a bivvy for the obvious? And knowing my luck I'd even blank at that 🤣
In reply to Post #19
Why
Why
In reply to Post #21
Why
Because I like fishing!
I drive from Suffolk to The Wensum in Norfolk, do a rove with the rod along a couple of stretches of river, then fish the car park swim overnight which the chub have often avoided during the day.
First thing in the morning, coffee, breakfast, then do the meadow stretch rove before driving home.
I say chub fishing, but I did see a couple of barbel along there, somewhere totally different from known areas, so they are a hope.
If I can avoid using a brolly to avoid attracting attention, then so much the better.
Why
Because I like fishing!
I drive from Suffolk to The Wensum in Norfolk, do a rove with the rod along a couple of stretches of river, then fish the car park swim overnight which the chub have often avoided during the day.
First thing in the morning, coffee, breakfast, then do the meadow stretch rove before driving home.
I say chub fishing, but I did see a couple of barbel along there, somewhere totally different from known areas, so they are a hope.
If I can avoid using a brolly to avoid attracting attention, then so much the better.
In reply to Post #22
You enjoy it so it's your choice but I can't think of anything worse tbh no shelter just a bed out in dark middle of winter I would use a bivvy with ground sheet at least
You enjoy it so it's your choice but I can't think of anything worse tbh no shelter just a bed out in dark middle of winter I would use a bivvy with ground sheet at least
In reply to Post #23
We have had only had a few really cold nights this winter, and my sleeping bag and cover is good to below freezing, so it's only if it rains I need a Brolly.
I have done a couple of nights on the lake this year, one when most of the lake froze over, and that was done in the extended bivvy and overwrap.
Warm clothing, decent bag.
We have had only had a few really cold nights this winter, and my sleeping bag and cover is good to below freezing, so it's only if it rains I need a Brolly.
I have done a couple of nights on the lake this year, one when most of the lake froze over, and that was done in the extended bivvy and overwrap.
Warm clothing, decent bag.
There is no warm bivvy in winter........if it's cold outside the bivvy, it will be cold inside the bivvy......
Get some quality clothing and you can sit under your brolly if you wish.......
Get some quality clothing and you can sit under your brolly if you wish.......
Buy a better sleeping bag
I was overnighting last month when it went down to 5 degrees so not really that cold.
3 season fortis bag, Edel Maya bed cover. Mat under bedchair, snugpak jacket as pillow / draft excluder. No shelter. Not cold at all quite comfortable.
3 season fortis bag, Edel Maya bed cover. Mat under bedchair, snugpak jacket as pillow / draft excluder. No shelter. Not cold at all quite comfortable.
In reply to Post #19
thx for reply's guys!
the bottom line is if you really enjoy the fishing in FREEZING conditions then just go, i did so early 80's through to 90's AND we did not have the warm kit you have today, HOWEVER i still enjoyed it!
i always remember the old bailiff coming around to my swim on an winters morning, and SHOCKED to discover i'd been there all night! as NOBODY (early80's) did it at that time!
also as someone mentioned its the health thing today, when your getting on...
re*"I've done a couple of nights on just the sleeping bag and bedchair, no brolly or bivvy while fishing the river this winter. The umbrella has stayed in the car unless its raining.
I've also had the lake almost freeze over when I've been fishing."*
Nick fair play, *BUT* don't know how old you are - if your late 50's + you may recollect this story...
a chap told me about this, i think it was published in the weekly angling press, in the 80's the famous angler John Sidley was fishing in the depths of winter similar to you in the above, and in the morning another angler found him in bad shape - he had to go to a phone box & get an ambulance out!
thx for reply's guys!
the bottom line is if you really enjoy the fishing in FREEZING conditions then just go, i did so early 80's through to 90's AND we did not have the warm kit you have today, HOWEVER i still enjoyed it!
i always remember the old bailiff coming around to my swim on an winters morning, and SHOCKED to discover i'd been there all night! as NOBODY (early80's) did it at that time!
also as someone mentioned its the health thing today, when your getting on...
re*"I've done a couple of nights on just the sleeping bag and bedchair, no brolly or bivvy while fishing the river this winter. The umbrella has stayed in the car unless its raining.
I've also had the lake almost freeze over when I've been fishing."*
Nick fair play, *BUT* don't know how old you are - if your late 50's + you may recollect this story...
a chap told me about this, i think it was published in the weekly angling press, in the 80's the famous angler John Sidley was fishing in the depths of winter similar to you in the above, and in the morning another angler found him in bad shape - he had to go to a phone box & get an ambulance out!
In reply to Post #28
Ya I did it early 80s too a thin tambor supplies bivvy thrown over nylon brolly Argos click click lounger in an x army bag ok when I was young no way now takes 5 mins to put a shelter up
Trying to be this bear grylls survival man there's really no point to it only risking health problems
Ya I did it early 80s too a thin tambor supplies bivvy thrown over nylon brolly Argos click click lounger in an x army bag ok when I was young no way now takes 5 mins to put a shelter up
Trying to be this bear grylls survival man there's really no point to it only risking health problems
In reply to Post #1
I have owned loads of different bivvies and brollies with different material types from different manufacturers and I can tell you they do vary greatly in regards to how good they are against condensation formation and their ability to stay dry inside. I don't buy the sentiment that they are all the same and a single skin will always give you the same result etc. Just look at footwear fabric, would you then tell me that all footwear is equal and will keep your feet dry in the same way, and will breath the same?
Other bivvies I had in the past that were great against condensation with a single skin were Trakker Armo Mk2
JRC TX2G (original) 25khh material version
This example in my post was the first time I can ever recall ever zipping the door right up since I've been night fishing for past 25yrs, reason being was that I was fishing during the really cold weather we had before Xmas when it got down to minus 7 and the lake did actually freeze solid over night (I did have the door and windows open) I was using my cyprinus typhoon. Due to all the pin holes in the fabric which i was in dispute with cyprinus over, the ice had melted during the day and dripped through and onto my bag which got damp which basically combined with the circulation issues and freezing temps I actually woke up to frost bite on 3 of my toes and was very lucky that the issue didn't progress further than loss of feeling for several months. I am just about getting back to normal feeling in them now but it has taken about 3 months. Anyway that did shake me up a little because the out come could have been a lot worse. This was an exceptional circumstance though cause you wouldn't Normally be fishing on a frozen lake.
so when I felt my toes getting cold again when it got to 0 I thought nah I'm not risking it and put the door up in the Pioneer. The change in temp was massive and I was toasty, no cold feet and no condensation. Probably unnecessary putting door up but like I say the incident had made me appreciate having both my feet let's say.
But yes secret to staying warm in winter is layers and staying dry. I always take 4 or 5 pares of smartwool socks with me on a 48hr session and change them regularly.
I have owned loads of different bivvies and brollies with different material types from different manufacturers and I can tell you they do vary greatly in regards to how good they are against condensation formation and their ability to stay dry inside. I don't buy the sentiment that they are all the same and a single skin will always give you the same result etc. Just look at footwear fabric, would you then tell me that all footwear is equal and will keep your feet dry in the same way, and will breath the same?
Other bivvies I had in the past that were great against condensation with a single skin were Trakker Armo Mk2
JRC TX2G (original) 25khh material version
This example in my post was the first time I can ever recall ever zipping the door right up since I've been night fishing for past 25yrs, reason being was that I was fishing during the really cold weather we had before Xmas when it got down to minus 7 and the lake did actually freeze solid over night (I did have the door and windows open) I was using my cyprinus typhoon. Due to all the pin holes in the fabric which i was in dispute with cyprinus over, the ice had melted during the day and dripped through and onto my bag which got damp which basically combined with the circulation issues and freezing temps I actually woke up to frost bite on 3 of my toes and was very lucky that the issue didn't progress further than loss of feeling for several months. I am just about getting back to normal feeling in them now but it has taken about 3 months. Anyway that did shake me up a little because the out come could have been a lot worse. This was an exceptional circumstance though cause you wouldn't Normally be fishing on a frozen lake.
so when I felt my toes getting cold again when it got to 0 I thought nah I'm not risking it and put the door up in the Pioneer. The change in temp was massive and I was toasty, no cold feet and no condensation. Probably unnecessary putting door up but like I say the incident had made me appreciate having both my feet let's say.
But yes secret to staying warm in winter is layers and staying dry. I always take 4 or 5 pares of smartwool socks with me on a 48hr session and change them regularly.
In reply to Post #28
Nick fair play, *BUT* don't know how old you are - if your late 50's + you may recollect this story...
a chap told me about this, i think it was published in the weekly angling press, in the 80's the famous angler John Sidley was fishing in the depths of winter similar to you in the above, and in the morning another angler found him in bad shape - he had to go to a phone box & get an ambulance out!
I remember that.
Early 50's me
I am right next to my car in the car park on the meadow, so if I do get cold I do have a safety net.
Nick fair play, *BUT* don't know how old you are - if your late 50's + you may recollect this story...
a chap told me about this, i think it was published in the weekly angling press, in the 80's the famous angler John Sidley was fishing in the depths of winter similar to you in the above, and in the morning another angler found him in bad shape - he had to go to a phone box & get an ambulance out!
I remember that.
Early 50's me
I am right next to my car in the car park on the meadow, so if I do get cold I do have a safety net.
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