As I get older I find
there are a lot of things I tinker with that make my day and life easier. Fly
fishing waders is one of those items I’ve played around with to make my day on
the water a little more enjoyable. The first waders I fished with were some
chest waders bought at Academy Sports years ago. They lasted me one year before
the leaking started. Since then I’ve gone through numerous pairs of chest waders
all from Cabelas.
Fishing the Caney Fork River three years ago convinced me that I needed to try
some waist waders. It was a hot humid afternoon and I was melting in my chest
waders fishing knee-deep in cool water. I never fish any deeper than knee-deep
when wading; I’ve convinced myself that if there is a trout deep enough for me
to wade into the water above waist-deep then it should be taken by someone else.
My solution to the heat
that day was to convert my chest waders to waist waders, by letting the
shoulder straps and upper portion of the waders hang below my waist belt. That
helps cool me off quickly but the shoulder straps and the rest of the upper
portion of the waders were so cumbersome that I kept loosening and tightening
my waist belt all afternoon. I knew I had found a way to make my day on the
tailrace more comfortable. The question for me that day had nothing to do with
trout but what to do with the issue of belt-tightening concerning my newly
found waist waders.
I started out with chest waders too. I got stocking foot ones that work great in the float tube and if I want, can use them in the creek with boots. Much later I got a pair of hip waders (again stocking foot because I have the boots) for the creeks since I rarely went deeper than about thigh depth. I think you're going in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started fly fishing I used chest waders because I fished bigger waters and tubed as well. I'm not even sure they made waist waders at the time. As I've "matured" I now fish smaller waters and rarely even wade anymore unless it's only ankle deep. I haven't worn any waders in years. Cutoffs and sandals for me.
ReplyDeleteI try to stay as low as possible. Went to a pair of Caddis waist highs last year as well.
ReplyDeleteBill I dumped the chest waders years ago. I now use LL Bean waist high and have used them for a couple of years with no leaks.
ReplyDeleteThis year I picked up some Chota "Hippies" they are super for small streams.
Ralph
ReplyDeleteThe waist waders will be with me the rest of my wading days. Thanks for the comment
Howard
ReplyDeleteI've tried wet wading once on the Sipsey, where the water is rarely below 58, couldn't take the cold. Thanks for the comment
Alan
ReplyDeleteI could see using the waist waders on any of the small streams you fish there. Thanks for the comment
Mark
ReplyDeleteI see more seniors using waist waders as opposed to chest waders on the Sipsey and the Caney. Thanks for the comment
Bill,
ReplyDeleteI always used to prefer waist-high "breathables" but Cabela's always wore out way too fast for me and, after finding that other brands were difficult to locate, I switched to a Simms chest-high wader. Yeah it's a little more expensive to begin with, but I find that the new waders last much longer even with the bushwhacking that I do. As soon as the weather gets real warm, however, I shuck the waders and go in wet with wading shoes.
I am a Simms girl, through and through. I have tried Cabelas and Patagonia. Went back to Simms. Breathable chest waders over waist ones for me. Even if it is warmer. I just roll them down. Getting ready to pack them up in a few days for a weekend in Montana. Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteI've struggled with this for years. I rarely wade above my waist but I like the option. I feel safer some how in chest waders as well.
ReplyDeleteWalt
ReplyDeleteI could see where ruffing it through some of the terrain you fish in would take a toll on average waders. The waters in the Caney and Sipsey are too cold for me at 55 to 58. . Thanks for the comment
Emily
ReplyDeleteI know those Sims waders will be put to good use, wish I was going with you--will be looking forward to a report. Thanks for the comment
Kevin
ReplyDeleteChest waders would be my choice if I was younger, waist is much more comfortable for me now. Thanks for the comment
Chesties for me , way to Many deep holes waiting in our Northern Streams , and the water is always cold,
ReplyDeleteAs a small stream guy, has always been waist highs for me. A good choice!
ReplyDeleteAlthough, this time of year is screaming wet wade!!!
Lester
ReplyDeleteHave to admit I feel more comfortable wading with chest waders but at my age now the waist waders is what I will end my fly fishing days with. Thanks for the comment
Michael
ReplyDeleteCan't do the wet wading thing anymore---thanks for the comment
Becks
ReplyDeleteChest waders adds a bit more security---thanks for the comment