[willisjj]

Is there a reason for waders other than staying dry? Just trying to figure out if they are something I need to add immediately to my fly fishing gear or if they can be pushed down the priority list a few notches as far as my beginner fly gear goes? Thanks!

[fshfanatic]

Waders and boots are up at the top IMO. If you dont have a boat you would be limited to shore fishing.

Word of advice, spend as much as you can afford. Good waders and boots will last you quite a few yrs. Cheap waders and boots wont last.

[dougm]

Concur with Mike ...

[Fish Bones]

It really depends upon several factors such as the temperature of the outdoors, the water, how deep you'll be wading, your tolerance to cold, etc...

I rarely ever use waders. I wet wade whenever I can… and that is most of the time. I fish a lot of small mountain streams June-August in Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, etc... The outdoor temp, during the day, is usually not too low. So, I will wade in shorts and boots. The cool stream water feels great to me... and we're talking about some cold water coming off of the mountains. Its a little cold at first but your legs acclimate to it in just a few brief minutes. The only real reason you need waders is if the outdoor temp is low, so that when you get out of the water you don't freeze your buns off. So, in the winter, I will certainly use a high quality breathable wader.

Now... the water depth has a little to do with it also. I can wet wade in cold water calf deep all day long... but the same temp in thigh deep water may be too much to bare over the long haul.

Overall, waders are just a big bulky hassle that I'd rather live without. The ultimate decision is yours. I would recommend going wet at first. If you don't like it... invest in a pair of breathable waders. Be sure to go breathable. Neoprene waders are too heavy, too hot, and will make you sweat even in the dead of winter.

Now... I do recommend a good wading shoe for wet wading. For this type of application, I use a lightweight hiking/wading shoe with felt soles. Mine are the Chota Brookie II Hiking/Wading Boot. These are very lightweight and offer good ankle support. They have a hiking rubber sole with two patches of felt on each. These are the ideal wet wading shoes. Take a look at http://www.thefullcreel.com/files/index.php?id=168

[Salmo Nella]

In more than 30 years of fly fishing I have never owned a pair of chest waders.
I have a pair of hip wapers, with felt soles, and pair of wading boots that I use when I wade wet.
Having said that, it depends on where you fish and how warm you like to be.
I have fished many times from the bank on small streams and rivers where I could get no closer than 7 or 8 feet to the water without spooking the fish. I certainly could not go wading about through the middle of the stream.
On the other hand, I have bypassed many a good fishing spot because I could not fish with wading above my waste.

As Steve suggested, try it without them for awhile, then if you need them, invest wisely.

[willisjj]

Thanks. I will consider them but may wait until I get out and hit some of these trout waters first and get an idea what I am up against. You are here in AZ Mike and you say they are high priority, so I will keep that in mind. I don't mind going wet either, but I may change my tune fast if its very cold and any deeper than my knees, lol. Anyway, appreciate your opinions and advice!

[fshfanatic]

I spend most of my time in a pontoon boat or thigh deep in rivers. It really depends on where you are fishing. I spent 8 yrs in Utah and was able to hit the water 3-4 times a month. Even in the summer the water rates very high in the pucker factor.

Here in AZ you can get away with shorts and a good pair of boots, untill you get into the white mountains.

[BigCliff]

For this time of year, you can definitely do a lot of fishing without waders and be just fine. I would expect that by sept or oct where you are you'll want waders though.

I agree with the recommendations against neoprene, they're just hot and uncomfortable. Check out www.fullcreel.com for breathables. Steve did a good job of picking out a good variety of affordable breathables.

[tightlines57]

Neopranes are great when it is cold and snowing. When there is snow on the ground and ice on the edges of the lakes I can stay in my tube about 3 - 4 hours before I get too cold.

That being said, in the summer months breathable are better. Neopranes are too hot in the summer months even in the Whites. If I could buy only one pair, I would get breathables. You can always add a layer of clothes if it gets too cold.

[fshfanatic]

Originally Posted by tightlines57

Neopranes are great when it is cold and snowing. When there is snow on the ground and ice on the edges of the lakes I can stay in my tube about 3 - 4 hours before I get too cold.

That being said, in the summer months breathable are better. Neopranes are too hot in the summer months even in the Whites. If I could buy only one pair, I would get breathables. You can always add a layer of clothes if it gets too cold.

Have you ever worn Breathables with a couple layers of smartwool under them? You will throw your neo's away in an instant. Besides being easily removed, layers are the way to stay warm.

Having fished Winters in Utah I can tell you that layering is the better way to go without looking like that kid from "A Christmas Story".

I layer like so:

1. Smart wool longjohns & Smartwool socks
2. Sweatpants
3. waders

There have been many a day in the snowpacked Provo River or Pre/ice off reservoirs in utah when I was sweating out in 34' water.