Wader Recommendations

[Yumi]

All,
I plan to fly fish mostly in California (Eastern Sierra) and wanted to get your opinions on what brand and model of breathable waders you would recommend. Please let me know your experiences good and bad with waders and store location for best prices. Thanks in advance!

[nalani]

simms waders. try madison river fishing company. or do a search for simms closeout waders. go to bob marriotts to try them on and to save some money order online or just purchase there. the regular price is pretty much the same anywhere unless you find some model that is going to be discontinued. simms are not cheap, but with waders you get what you pay for.

[BiggestT]

I agree with Aaron, Simms are top of the line stuff. With the Simms, your looking at waders that will last many years and Simms will repair them for you free. I have a buddy in Idaho who fishes 150 days a year. He's had a pair of Simms G3 since 2001 and finally had a leak and sent them in for repair, which they did for free. Based on his experience, I got my wife a pair of G4s for Xmas.

If you're a 2XL, Sierra Trading Post has some clearance deals on Simms G3s as well as some others:

Search: Waders at Sierra Trading Post

Here's a bunch of on-line coupons to use at Sierra Trading Post which should save you 15%:

http://www.couponmountain.com/Sierra...ons-deals.html

Most shops carry the G3 waders for $400. With the coupon you're at $246, that's if you fit a 2XL. You can make do with lesser models and brands. The fishing in the Sierras is mostly from the bank as opposed to actual wading. If you do wade, it's not very deep.

[Marcus]

Simms are good. You can also look into Patagonia and Dan Bailey waders. All have lifetime warranties.

Get stocking foot and buy some good wading boots.

[TWreports]

I have purchased many different types of waders over the years and your right when saying you get what you pay for. Simms are by far the best. I have a pair of G3 guide waders and love them to death. Very comfortable and almost industruckable. I have fished mine on the trinity river last season with no holes or tears charging through all the black barry bushes. In previous years I had to fish with waders full of water.

Jason
http://www.troutwaterreports.com

[ThunderMudder]

I`ve heard Simms G3`s are sweet (but pricey) and my guide buddy can a test that they are durable too (3+ seasons!). Prior to that he had Wardell`s (Springbrook) which held up very very well. i think he went with Simms because the rep gave him a sweet deal.

I have a pair of Wardell Hybrids (neoprene legs, breathable mid and body) which i use for cold cold water conditions such as steelheading and they rock, but more often i use Simms` Freestones (their cheap breathables) which seem to work very well. I also have a pair of Simms Lightweights, but the Freestone actually fits better and i can`t notice a difference in performance. Both have trekked thru the bushes and brush with no problem. I wear a large in the freestone but a med in the lightweight--can`t figure that one out.

Unless you got excess $ or need to be wearing the latest fly fishing bling, just pick any breathable Simms that you`re willing to pay and you`ll be fine.

Note: no wader is bulletproof--you can`t go stomping thru the brush with total abondon and eventually all will leak and wear out. Regardless of price paid you still got to use some common sense.

[bentrod]

Take a look at San Diego Fly Shop they had waders on sale. I think they have a web site.