Them yeller poles make great gifts :p

Clothes are perhaps the most important piece of gear to start with. It's tough to catch fish if you are wet/frozen to the boat.

I am old school. Heavy wool pants, wool turtle neck sweater, Rain coat. With a good cotton layer underneath, I am good in just about any weather (except maybe 34 and raining, that has got to be the worst)

Fishing through the freezing level is truly a miserable experience. I highly recommend it.