Try to buy the best pair you can afford. This will make your outings a lot more enjoyable.
Totally agree.
It really depends of affordability and how many (and when) times a year you will A C T U A L L Y BE U S I N G them!
*IF your "one of those guys" who considers TROUT SEASON to CLOSE on SEPT 30 and OPEN on 4th SAT of APRIL .... then I suggest not even buying a pair!
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[url="http://www.flyfishin...ing_waders.shtm"]http://www.flyfishin...ing_waders.shtm[/url]
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Before beginning our in-depth coverage of fishing waders, let's take a minute to make sure that you
even need waders. By and large, if you only fish in warm weather AND warm water,
you can probably get by without any fishing waders provided you do not mind
being wet. I've fished extensively in warmer weather and warmer waters without
waders and have never regretted it. While you end up wet, provided the weather
and water is warm, you can still stay warm and comfortable. [/font]
[font="Georgia]However, all that changes if you plan on fly fishing in colder weather or colder waters. In cold weather, fly fishing waders keep the angler both warm (by retaining body heat) as well as dry (by keeping the water off the angler). If you plan on doing any fly fishing in either cold water or cold weather, a good pair of fly fishing waders is crucial for angling enjoyment - and successful fly fishing. [/font]
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Types of Fly Fishing Waders
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[font="Georgia]There are three different types of fly fishing waders that anglers use. Additionally, these types of fishing waders have three different materials in their design. This article will examine both the different types of fly fishing waders and materials fishing waders are made out of. [/font]
[font="Georgia]The primary types of fishing waders are:[/font]
[list][*][font="Georgia]Bootfoot Waders[/font][*][font="Georgia]Stockingfoot Waders[/font][*][font="Georgia]Hip-Waders[/font][/list]
[font="Georgia][b]Bootfoot waders[/b] are fishing waders that extend from the foot of the angler up to the anglers chest. On these fishing waders, the boot is permanently attached to the fishing wader. Having the boot attached to the fly fishing wader allows the angler to avoid having to buy separate wading boots. The drawback is that bootfoot waders are heavier in overall weight (since the boot is attached), more bulky, and also somewhat more difficult to get into than other waders according to most anglers.[/font]
[font="Arial][b][font="Georgia]Stockingfoot waders[/font][/b][font="Georgia], by comparison, lack the attached boot found on bootfoot waders. Instead, these waders have a neoprene sock on the foot of the wader. Dedicated wading boots - bought separately - are then put on over this neoprene sock. Like a bootfoot wader, stockingfoot waders extend from the foot of the angler up to the chest - although some varieties now extend only to waist level. Since a boot is not attached to the wader, stockingfoot waders have the advantage of packing up smaller and are lighter - although once you add the weight/bulk of separate wading boots into the equation, the weight and bulk factors are usually more than with bootfoot waders. Stockingfoot waders are also generally easier to get into and out of than bootfoot waders - one reason these types of fishing waders are so popular.[/font][/font]
[font="Georgia][b]Hip-Waders[/b] are designed for wading shallow, slower moving waters. These fishing waders - some of which have boots attached and others that do not - extend from the foot of the angler up to the upper leg of the angler. Hip waders are popular for more sedate rivers and fly fishing shallow waters because they are more comfortable than other fishing waders and because they are quite simple to get in and out of.[/font]
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Nylon Waders
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[font="Georgia]Nylon waders were once upon a time the most popular type of wader on the market. When nylon waders were first introduced, they were a huge step of improvement over rubber waders. Nylon fishing waders were significantly lighter and less bulky than the old rubber waders once used yet still kept the angler just as dry. [/font]
[font="Georgia]Nylon waders are still popular and available on the market today, if only because they are the least expensive fishing wader. However, nylon waders are fast fading since these waders, especially on hot days, can really get hot - turning the inside of the fishing waders into a verifiable oven. Since nylon waders are not breathable, none of the anglers body heat is able to escape. Needless to say, on hot, sunny days, anglers wearing full chest-high nylon waders can get really warm really quickly.[/font]
[font="Georgia]An additional problem with nylon waders is that they do not allow the perspiration (or sweat) of the angler to escape. Since the perspiration and sweat is not allowed to escape, condensation quickly forms on the inside of the fishing wader. During warmer weather, this is not a huge problem - except that the angler will still end up feeling somewhat wet once done fly fishing. However, during colder weather, this condensation in the fishing wader can pose a real problem since it prevents the angler from staying warm. An angler wearing typical nylon waders, especially if not wearing any specialized underclothing, is likely to very quickly get cold due to both a lack of insulation material in the fishing wader as well as from condensation forming on the inside of the wader.[/font]
[font="Georgia]Finally, nylon waders have a tendency to puncture rather easily. Although they are easy enough to repair (if you have a patch kit), anglers need to always be ready to put a field patch on nylon waders.[/font]
[font="Georgia]Overall, nylon fishing waders have too many drawback for serious fly fishing use these days, especially since better quality breathable fishing waders are not really that much more expensive. That said, nylon fishing waders will work fine for someone brand new to the sport who will not be using the waders extensively and who is on a limited budget.[/font]
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Neoprene Waders
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[font="Georgia]Neoprene Waders are an extension of the older nylon waders. Neoprene waders are excellent waders for very cold water or cold weather fly fishing. Neoprene waders are also quite affordable, having fallen in price recently due to the introduction of the newer breathable waders.[/font]
[font="Georgia]Neoprene waders are primarily used today when fly fishing in colder weather and colder water. The reason neoprene waders excel in these types of circumstances is that different thickness levels of neoprene are available - with the thicker neoprene being ideal for cold weather. Generally, neoprene fishing waders run from having a 3mm thickness (for general warmer weather fly fishing) to a 5mm thickness (ideal for cold water). [/font]
[font="Georgia]The problem with neoprene waders, though, is that, like nylon waders, they are not breathable. Thus, during warmer weather, neoprene fishing waders can become quite warm for the angler wearing them. Additionally, since these types of fly fishing waders are not breathable, anglers can get left with condensation in the wader - although the insulating properties of neoprene go a very long way towards keeping the angler warm despite this.[/font]
[font="Georgia]Overall, if you plan on fly fishing very cold water or in very cold weather, neoprene fishing waders are an excellent choice.[/font]
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Breathable Waders
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[font="Georgia]Breathable waders are relatively new to the market. Breathable waders are made out of various compounds, such as Gore-Tex, that are designed to keep the water out while still allowing the anglers body heat and sweat to escape. The result is that an angler wearing breathable waders will stay warm, comfy and dry for a full day of fly fishing.[/font]
[font="Georgia]Many different types of materials are now used for breathable fishing waders. These different materials all work extremely well in keeping the water out while still allowing the fishing wader to breathe. Which material you choose in a breathable fly fishing wader really depends on what is available when you go shopping for them and how much you are willing to spend (Gore-Tex fly fishing waders tend to be more expensive than other materials used).[/font]
[font="Georgia]Overall, for any fly fisherman who will be spending lots of time in waders or will be fly fishing in a wide range of environmental conditions, a good pair of breathable fishing waders is an extremely important piece of fly fishing equipment. While wearing breathable waders, especially if they are fitted correctly, an angler is likely to not even notice they are wearing them since they are so much more comfortable than other types of fishing waders.[/font]
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Summary of Fly Fishing Waders
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[font="Georgia]In conclusion, what type of fishing wader an angler gets really does depend on where you will be fly fishing. For warmer weather and shallow creeks, a good pair of hip-waders is an excellent choice. For greatest versatility, though, a good pair of chest-waders will be the fishing wader of choice. Additionally, except for new anglers on a very limited budget or anglers who will be fishing in cold weather on very cold water, it is highly recommended that any fly fishing wader purchased be made of breathable materials.[/font]
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