leaking waders

[Greg]

Thanks for the info on the gravel guards. Hopefully my Simms waders will last as well as yours. To me waders are the most frustrating thing about fly fishing. All the rest of the gear - rods, reels, vests, etc is pretty trouble free (particularly if you buy good stuff). But waders just don't seem to last. At least none that I have ever bought have lasted. Hopefully the Simms are the answer though.

Greg

[MrDucky]

I bought the Dogwood Canyon waders from Bass Pro , They r leaking from the right knee and bootie . I called BPS and they said bring them in , they will give me new ones no questions asked

[WebFreeman]

Ducky, how many trips did you get before it sprung a leak? I'm in the market, but can't decide what to do. I know breathable is the trend, but BP has neoprenes for 50. Decisions decisions.....

[MrDucky]

6 or so , these are great waders , very comfy

[Kicknbass]

If you want to roast in warm weather, buy the Neoprene waders. If you want comfort, buy a pair of breathables. I wear my breathables all year, from fishing to duck hunting, the breathable waders are all I wear.

[ozarkriverrat]

Well that sounds about right. Please buy a new pair, that are not bass pro. Coming from a former emplyee (not to metion which store) but those waders tend to have those problem. I went through 4 pairs when i worked there. You can return them and probably get store credit. Just dont take your receipt, they usually take anything back. Bite the bullet and buy new ones if you want to buy one pair and have them last i would spend the money and by simms. you dont have to buy their top of the line I would suggest their L2, but they are all good.

[WebFreeman]

Greg, whatever happened w/ your BP waders? Did you take them back?

[Bill Butts]

Waders?

ORR is absolutely on the money with his comments.

For fishing in the Ozarks Region, breathable waders are definitely the way to go. But, not all waders are created equally, nor priced equally.

There are few greater aggravations in wade fishing than leaky waders. Dependability is so important, but you can't always convince someone of this until they've experienced the frustration themselves. Sounds like you're at that point.

I have a fishing buddy that also worked at BPS for several years and bought every economy brand they had, and kept taking them back. About a year ago, he called me and said he owned 3 pair of breathable waders and not one of them could hold water. I asked him how many of them had a Simms label on them? Of course, the answer was none. Today, he owns and wears Simms and has never had any issue (not sure which model he bought). My Simms Guide Model pair is now 6 years in service, and I wouldn't trade them for any brand.

They have been unintentionally abused, and look like a polka-dot dress on the inside where I've marked and patched countless pinholes, but they don't leak a drop.

Certainly buy what you can afford, but buy Simms and their quality boots to go with them, gravel guard cuffs to keep out the gravel and sand, and a wader belt for safety always (their special back support belt is wonderful, even if you don't have back problems). Be sure to get the very best fit you can obtain, with their big variety of standard sizes.

I guarantee if you buy a great set of Simms waders/boots and the latest greatest new fly rod at the same time, you will be loving your waders long after you've decided you need the latest greatest new fly rod again.

Hope this is helpful.

Bill

[Greg]

My Simms Lightweight model waders are now 18 months old with no problems. That's 6 months longer than any of my BPS waders lasted. I'm very pleased with them.

Greg

[Robert]

BPS has a new wader for $139. I'm going to pick up a pair. Five layers in the knees and five layers in the seat. They look very much in great detail to the new Hodgman Wader for $239. A couple of zip pockets in the front, hand warmer pocket in the front, a place for tippets, and an inside pocket. These waders look like a huge upgrade. Did I mention breathable.