Northwest Fishing Reports

Looking to purchase new waders. Figure fly fishing forum would be most active for this topic. Would like to use them for stream/river fishing for fall and possibly winter for Trout and Salmon fishing. I know very little on the subject, but have read about breathable and non breathable. What are advantages and disadvantages for both and what do I need to look for when purchasing them. Also needs some boots, any tips on those would also be great. Read about the belt that goes on the waders by your chest to keep water out in case someone slips and falls, not sure what that's called and then there the the staff to walk with. Brands name, links and any info would be appreciated.

Go with breathable ones during the summer becuase you dont want to be sweating in them all day long. Neoprene ones are better for the winter. I wore the neoprene ones in Puget Sound and I was confortable with jeans and a pair of regular socks. Always wear your wader belts, the Green River trajedy was a scary reminder to wear them. They are repairable if your seams get loose or if a cigarette burns a hole through them. I just used old shoes instead of buying wading boogs. Just make sure they havd good traction.

If you're looking to get just one pair of waders for both summer and winter use, I also recommend breathable. I bought a pair of Cabela's breathable stocking feet waders and wear long underwear, heavy socks, and a pair of thick sweats underneath and I stay plenty warm in the winter months. There is still room to add a layer if I need to.
If you're looking for recommendations on brands, there is some good info if you type "breathable waders" into the search field. I like my Cabela's (GII series), but think I'd get the next model up if I could do it again. The only thing I don't like on mine are the buckles (cheap).

If you think you will ever go float tubing, be sure and get the chest waders. Waist high and hip waders may work great for a pontoon boat, but you will absolutely need chest waders for a float tube. I had a pair of Cabela's Dry Plus chest waders that lasted for 10 years. Then I sold them to my neighbor with a float tube and they're still going strong. In the summer when you're wading and it's hot out, you can roll them down to your belt line and secure them with your wading belt. Wading staff? YES! The rocks in the freestone rivers around here are slicker than snot. There are 2 kinds of wading fishermen. Those who have fallen in, and those who will. A wading staff increases your odds of dry pants when you get home. Boots? The rage seems to be going with the stealth rubber soles because many states have outlawed felt. Felt seems to gather didymo and other obnoxious stuff and can spread it to other bodies of water. No more than ducks, geese and coots, but the gov't wants people under their thumb. Felt gets much better traction on those slippery rocks and to my knowledge, it hasn't been outlawed in Washington or Idaho yet.

I have a pair of neoprene chest waders.....somewhere. I bought a pair of Cabela's breathable chest waders several years ago like Joe and Bent Rod have. I'll be dog gone if I can remember where I put those neoprene waders. I no I didn't throw them away. Oh well, they will show up sometime. Maybe the kids will find them when my wife and I are gone and they clean out the house. They'll probably go in an estate sale.

Seriously, breathable is the way to go. You can dress for the cold by layering your clothes. Breathable long underwear (Cabela's) works great for the cold weather. Even in the cold weather your body give off perspiration and it is trapped in the neoprene waders. I have come off the lake on a cold day, peeled off my neoprene and felt my clothes were damp. You won't experience that with breathable long johns and breathable waders.

What price range are you looking at? I wear neoprenes summer and winter, but only because I can pick them up at Walmart for 30 bucks when they're on sale. I've worn a lot of other folks waders that they paid a pretty penny for and they were awesome.

I just ordered a pair of these Frog Toggs 'hellbenders'



http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear ... t104107680

They haven't arrived yet but I'll be sure to come update with a review once I get a chance to go get skunked in them ;)

Thanks to the advice above I didn't get a pair of 'wading boots', I have plenty of old pairs sitting around just waiting to get drowned!

I just stick to Breathable waders easy to add clothes and take some off if too hot. I never been a fan of neoprene waders. too tight for my liking. I have the Wholesale sport waders witht he fleece pockets for hand warmers work great in the summer and work great in the winter with just shorts and good thermals on. good wool socks are a mustif your feet get cold easy!

Or electric socks, they work great!

Thanks for all the tips, looking at some now, will let you know what I end up getting.