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  Minnesota Fly Fishing General  General  Waders...
 Waders
 
 8/1/2006 11:33:30 AM
moony_09
1 posts


Waders
 (United States)
I'm in the market for new waders and I would appreciate any suggstions or comments. Thanks
 8/2/2006 6:24:20 AM
TheFlyMaster
524 posts
www.mnflyfishing.com
1st




Re: Waders
 (United States)
Hi moony and welcome.

Waders have been debated for years and I still don't think there is a definite answer on this issue.  You can talk to 10 different people and get 10 different answers.  Alot of the different answers come down to what people have used.  But it also depends on how fly fisherman use their waders and take care of them.  I've had a pair of $100 breathable waders from Gander Mountain that lasted me at 3 years with any problems, but have started a few small leaks that I can't seem to patch up.  Then I've know some guys who have bought $300+ plus waders and only lasted a year.  But the same anglers who might have used the $100 pair like I had might only have lasted them 1 month, who knows.  So it depends alot on how you intend to use them and how often.

I'm know expert on waders, but this is my take on them.  If you want to stay cool and dry, stick with breathables.  If you want to stay warm and dry, go with neoprenes.  Neoprenes are hot in the summer, breathables are nice in warm weather. 

Do you do alot of small stream fishing? you might be able to get away with hip boots instead of full chest waders.  I use chest waders, but roll them down to my waist when fishing smaller streams to stay cool.  I just like having that added comfort if I have to go a little deeper or step into a deeper hole.  But if I'm in that deep on a small stream, I'm most likely where the fish are :)

Do you do alot of bushwacking?  Going thru woods and brush, crawling on your knees, etc.  Then you'll definately looking at getting the toughest pair you can afford, like 5ply and 7ply waders.  Most of the higher priced waders have added layering in the knees and ankles and bottom areas and still are breathable.

Do you do mostly fishing from a pontoon boat or belly boat?  In belly boats your body is submerged quite a bit and would think a nice pair of neoprenes would be good, but pontoon boats pretty much your feet mainly get wet.  But do you really need a $600 pair of waders to keep you dry and not doing a lot of walking or wading in debris like rocks or wood?

It would be great to have a pair of waders for all the different conditions, but I would assume most of us probably would not or could not afford to go that route.  After you determining which type of fishing your most likely going to be doing and how much you want to spend, then you can better determine which "brand" you want to go with.  This is where it gets ugly.  If you had enough time and money, or access to all the different brands AND were able to test out each one for a few fly fishing outings, you could really tell which one is right for you.  But I would say this scenario is out of reach of most people.  So you would come to a site like this and ask other peoples opinions, which is a good move.  Hopefully others will chime in and post their experiences with different brands. 

I've used Cabelas $100 breathable waders and Gander Mountains Guide Series breathable of the same quality and price.  To me they were exactly alike.  I've tried a pair of Simms waders that I had to borrow, it wasn't their best ones, but to I didn't feel any noticeable different in quality versus the cheaper Cabelas and Ganders series.  The Simms waders worked at that time and place and wondered why would any one pay $200 more for Simms.

All brands will tote why their waders are better then their competitors waders, we use this material, making it in a such and such way, etc.  But most of us will depend on experiences from other anglers to influence our decisions the most.  So my advise is get as much feedback from different anglers on what waders they use and get to some shops that carry waders and make sure you try them on!   Don't forget to flex in them, bend to pick something up on the ground, squat in them and sit in them.  It might sounds stupid, but it doesn't sound stupid when the waders are binding on you on the river when you trying to pick up that big brown you caught.

I will tell you that the more expensive waders are more comfortable and stronger that cheaper waders.  Not in all cases, but it's just like any other product that you buy.  But in general, the higher end models are made to last and provide all day comfort.  But remember what I said earlier.....If a guy is crawling on his hands and knees all day long versus someone who is just fishes grassy banks standing up...well you get the picture.

Sorry if this went on too long, but once I start typing, I tend to type to much :)  And maybe you got a little out of what I was saying, maybe nothing at all.

PS  I would take a look at Cloudveils new 8x waders, those have been getting some good reviews and they have a really good warranty for the original owners.  Their website is www.cloudveil.com.

Tight lines and be careful out there.
  Captain Ouitdee Carson - Arrowhead Fly Angler
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 8/2/2006 7:01:59 PM
jacksdada
46 posts




Re: Waders
 (United States)
 fly master is right on. it really depends on what your gonna do. i have a pair of hodgmean breathable waist-high waders that  are great in the spring. but i mainly fish  the kinnie and rush, and when i'm lucky Trout Run(se mn). come mid june i never use them. a nice pair of convertable guide pants that will protect you in the brush but you can zip into shorts in the water, and a nice lightweight pair of wading shoes. i got a pair of those Keen wading sandals, called river guides or something, and they are awesome. fishin' a stream in sandals and shorts, nice. the thing people say is waders are too hot in the summer, but if you're fishing coldwater in july and it's too hot for waders, well it's too hot to for the fish too.
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