Four Layers from Free Fly Apparel to Keep You Fishing When the Temperature Drops

The author sports his Fleece Anorak on a late fall day. (On-the-water photos by Rick Mikesell)

Late fall, early winter, and early spring often end up being some of the most rewarding days on the water. Crowds disappear, fish settle into predictable rhythms, and the whole river feels quieter. The only real challenge is staying warm enough to enjoy it. These four Free Fly Apparel layers help strike the right balance of comfort, warmth, and breathability, and they also work well as underlayers once true winter sets in. Most of them pack small enough to travel easily, whether that means a quick escape to warmer weather or a midseason trip that lets you trade snow for sun.

Gridback Fleece Anorak ($178)

This has turned out to be the piece I’ve liked and worn the most. It fills that gap between “not warm enough” and “too warm,” which has always been tricky for me. The fleece is very warm, but it still breathes when I am moving fast or climbing a steep bank. I do not end up sweaty and cold thirty minutes later. The inside is extremely soft and comfortable, and it has kept me warm on late-night sessions where I usually need a full insulated puffy.

It does a surprisingly good job cutting wind, layers smoothly under a shell, and still feels easy to move in. For a lot of shoulder-season days, this has replaced heavier insulation altogether. A nice touch is the stretchy internal pouch inside the main kangaroo pocket. It holds your phone securely, so it does not flop around, and you still get full use of the fleece-lined pocket to keep your hands warm.

Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie ($68)

Even though it is billed as a hot-weather sun layer, it has been perfect for warm fall afternoons when the lighter sun hoodies feel a little too thin. The fabric is soft—Free Fly has feel dialed in—and it drapes well without clinging. The thumbholes are placed exactly right and give great hand coverage for those moments when the air is warm but the water is icy. I do wish the hood were a bit bigger, but it still works well and stays comfortable all day. The Congaree Camo colorway is one of the sharpest camos I have seen, and I have become a bit of a camo aficionado. The bamboo blend also keeps the environmental impact lower than most synthetics, which fits the brand’s overall approach.

Bamboo Lightweight Fleece Hoodie ($104)

The transition to cooler weather usually calls for a layer that adds warmth without bulk, something you can wear through cold mornings and warmer afternoons. The Bamboo Lightweight Fleece Hoodie is a remarkably comfortable way to fill that need. The interior fleece adds warmth, but the overall weight stays light enough that it moves with you and never feels clunky. It is light enough to work as a midlayer under a shell when winter settles in, yet warm enough to stand alone on late-fall afternoons. This hoodie is very soft and has become a reliable piece for work, fishing, and lazy weekend mornings at home. After numerous washes, it shows minimal shrinkage and no pilling. It is simply a very comfortable piece that works on and off the water.

I know I keep saying “soft” and “comfortable,” but that really is where Free Fly stands out. Most technical layers feel a bit rigid or overly synthetic, but Free Fly has figured out how to make performance clothing that is genuinely comfy and enjoyable to wear.

South Fork Guide Pant ($138)

These pants have a bit more substance to them, which has made them ideal through late fall. They block wind better than thinner fishing pants and hold up to bushwhacking, but they still breathe well under waders. The pockets are well-thought-out. The thigh zippered pocket is the perfect shape for a phone, especially when I am sitting low on my paddleboard. It keeps the phone secure with no chance of falling overboard. I wore them paddling today on an unseasonably warm day, though the lake itself was pretty chilly. Between splash and wind, they took on plenty of water, and the treatment shed it immediately. The fabric never soaked up cold water, which made a huge difference on the long paddle back. These pants use recycled nylon and a PFAS-free water repellent finish, and for pants that spend this much time in and around water, that matters.

Comfort Done Right

These four pieces from Free Fly are comfortable, practical, and easy to fish in. Their use of natural materials like bamboo, recycled fibers, and PFAS-free water resistance shows they are putting real effort into reducing their environmental impact. The cuts and fits tend to work well for a wide range of body types, and every piece I have worn is remarkably soft while still maintaining high technical performance. When the temperatures dip and the water gets quiet, these layers make staying out there a lot more enjoyable.

Check Out Free Fly’s Line of Ultra Soft Performance Apparel Here