Then, for my next dumb question - how do you keep your butt, legs, and feet from getting wet? Seems like the layers would soak up water and chill you down (or me anyways!)
"7. Rain suit top and bottom"
You can't "soak" up water unless you are getting in the water and getting wet. If you fall in then you must get out of the water and quickly get back to shore to get dried off if it is very cold out. I always bring extra layers in case.
I use Academy rain suit and NEVER get wet. With my knee high boots I can get out of yak in shallow water and not get water in them and my rain suit keeps me dry.