Foul weather wear shouldn’t mean “Michelin Man” layering look. Dressing for whatever Mother Nature can dish out is more important than finding a tie matching a brown suit.

Postal carrier “wind, rain and even snow” mantra is shared by anglers. Water resistant materials keep fishermen dry, warm and comfy. Frogg Toggs have been stopping leaks since 1996. Brighter colors and camo patterns stay better looking, longer. New and improved Elite Storm Suits…affordably loaded with features for even more weather protection and comfort. Velcro secured flaps guarding waterproof zippers keep wind and rain out even at bass boat speeds. Great for motorcyclists and golfers! Top off with a Frogg Toggs hat and you’re dry head to ankle. froggtoggs.com

Patented SealSkinz socks and gloves allow perspiration to escape preventing water from penetrating. “Gripper dots” help anglers keep their grip on the wheel, golfers on clubs or a handle on any other outdoor activity. SealSkinz socks allow sandal lovers to stay on their feet. Loosen straps and warm blood circulates into feet. SealSkinz Chill Blocker fleece lined socks and gloves are warmest. Wet feet are no fun and cold hands don’t really mean you have a warm heart! danalco.com

Sandals, the most comfortable footwear on two feet! Specially designed Teva “sport sandals” can take to the trail or deck for fast paced off-road and on the water endeavors. I wear them year-round!...with help from above mentioned SealSkinz socks! Continuous strapping system offers better support, more stability…even more than other sport shoes! Designed to get wet, the Karnali Wraptor sport sandal has drainage vents, allowing water to escape. Buckle systems or Velcro, take your pick, the most comfortable angler footwear! teva.com

North Pole pro Santa delivers famous Wrangler Rugged Wear jeans, fleece-lined, creating the warmest, softest, 100-percent cotton denim jeans for outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen. The Wrangler Rugged Wear Fleece Jean combines a durable denim outer shell with a warm, soft, pine-green fleece liner. Deep front pockets, also fleece-lined, make great hand-warmers. Large leg openings fit over boots. Need warmer? Quilted Thinsulate™ insulation Wrangler ProGear Thermal Jeans. Both machine washable, oversized for comfort and fit! Get warmer in a matching flannel lined denim jacket. Find the nearest retailer at www.wrangler.com

For classic comfort, Woolrich, made in the USA quality and style carry warm feelings on and off the water. The Men’s Polartec/Nylon Jacket sports a durable polyester Polartec Shell and ThermalPro®Hi-Loft Back Fleece liner to create air pockets retaining heat and insulation. Tough where needed, they have an abrasion resistant trim on neck, shoulders, and lower arms. Gripper Elastic Cuffs allow a firm grip putting on or taking off! Two-Way Zipper vents warmth! Classic creative colors! www.woolrich.com

Outdoor outfitter Cabela’s takes a scientific approach to layering according to activity level. Cabela’s under layers are designed with hollow-core fibers trapping insulating air…breathable to prevent overheating during periods of exertion. ThermaStat wicks moisture away from skin and dries quickly, enabling you to endure cold temperatures longer. Layering is an essential part of cold-weather protection, so the outer fabric is smooth-faced, allowing other layers to slip on easily. Varying weights offer versatility to cover activities in a variety of temperatures. Made in USA. Cabelas.com

Fun and function, Buck Wear increases their creative line of adult, youth and toddler fishing and hunting apparel. Perfect gift or cute-kid Grandma grabber! Casual Buck Wear introduces hooded sweatshirts, layered long sleeves, thermal tops and new one-liners…“In a perfect world bass would come up for air.” “Catchin’ bass and burnin’ gas is how I roll!” Imagine your buddy holding you over the side of the boat with a flashlight to see what’s really underwater and you have the “Redneck Fishfinder” T-shirt. G-Rated comical artwork and mind-catching captions…“I gave up fishing once… It was the worst DAY of my life!” “Everyone has to believe in something…I believe I’ll go fishing.” My favorite…”I got a new rod for my wife…best trade I ever made!” For 13 years, Baltimore-based Buck Wear has provided a bit of outdoorsly entertaining attitude. Buckwear.com

Don’t be left out in the cold! Carry Grabber Warmers in your car, desk, coat closet, emergency kit and in the pocket of your outdoor gear! These air-activated warmers keep body parts toasty for over 7 hours! Grabber Warmers are environmentally disposable. www.warmers.com Over 40? Famous polarized sunglass maker, Maui Jim’s…Maui Jim READERS! Polycarbonate bifocals enable boomers to keep on tying! When anglers’ arms aren’t quite long enough. mauijim.com

Whatever you decide for your angler this holiday season, the biggest gift is introducing someone to the wonderful outdoor world of fishing. Encourage them to take someone fishing…why not you?

Potomac River Bassing in December

It’s starting to look a lot like winter! Some days are still great for us. Fishing is still very good! Fish are still pretty active.

Moving baits like Mann’s Baby 1-Minus shallow diving crankbaits and Mann’s Classic spinnerbaits around wood and grass work.

Hard targets: docks, bridges and logs are perfect for soft plastics and jigs. A few grass targets remain! At higher tides, fish are on the inside of grass edges, nearer banks. As tides fall the outside edge is the strike zone. Cast Punisher Hair jigs or Mizmo 4-inch tubes to grass edges and hard cover. Especially work on drops near deep water.

Hard jerkbaits like Lucky Craft Pointers work when water is clear and cool! Shad patterns are best! Longer pauses encourage fish to leave cover!

Don’t forget to “Drop shot” the same areas! It’s easy to fish deeper drops with Mann’s HardNose Freefall worms soaked in garlic Jack’s Juice with a 3/16-ounce Water Gremlin BULLSHOT weight and 3/0 Mustad Ultra Point Mega Lite hooks. Throw the same bait weedless and weightless.

Crankbaits like the new Mann’s C-4 Elite Series and Depth Plus Series work around drops and rocky points. Try a good medium action graphite rod for sensitivity and flexibility.

Mount Vernon resident Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide launching at Belle Haven Marina and BoatUS “Ask the Expert” (www.my.boatus.com/askexperts/) To book a trip or purchase a gift certificate: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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