In-River Fishing...

[oregonmike]

New to fly fishing or even bank fishing. Which is better and where might I find a good selection.... Will mostly be used only a few times a year more than likely and in or near the N. & S. Santiam area.

Hip Boots are full Waders?


Thanks,
Mike

[Wild Chrome]

Breathable chest waders by a mile! Any medium to large tackle or fly shop should have them.

[kilchisfisher]

Stocking foot waders -- that way you can change the boots to match the conditions.

There were some threads on here (in the archives probably) on making your own wading boots. Wading boots can be found in a variety of price ranges. Felt sole is a must for walking in the water on slippery and slimy rocks, etc... Felt sole with studs possibly. Never tried studs, others really seem to like them.

Rubber sole for duck hunting, hiking, etc...

[ling killer]

i couldnt imagine using studs would help at all? unless walking on wood, logged long enough to know that if u get into a creek u best be carefull becouse those sharp corks wear out fast and are very slick on river rock!!!

[sms]

Originally Posted by oregonmike

New to fly fishing or even bank fishing. Which is better and where might I find a good selection.... Will mostly be used only a few times a year more than likely and in or near the N. & S. Santiam area.

Hip Boots are full Waders?


Thanks,
Mike

Breathable chest waders. They are the most versatile. Wear them up in the Winter, wear them down in the Summer. Probably going to have to drive up to the old Sportsmens Warehouse in Salem. Wholesale Sports or something like that now. But if I were you, I would drive up to Fishermans Marine in Oregon City or Delta Park.

[Jaydub]

Yup, breathable stocking foot chest waders are the way to go. Felt soled or one of special rubber soles like Aquastealth or the new Vibram soles from Simms. Snow builds up really bad on felt. Studs help most of the time. I wouldn't recommend wading in cork soled logging boots either but I find short studs that barely stick out of the felt are helpful.

[NCL]

Another vote for breathable stocking foot chest wader. I was a little skeptical about studded felt soles until I tried them. It may just be a confidence thing but it feels like the studs provide better grip on the bottom.

I was told, I do not have any first hand experience, that the new Vibram soled boots are very slick and you almost have to use studs. I am very curious to hear what others say regarding the Vibram sole?

[TrophyTaker]

i agree, stocking foot breathable chest waders are the best option.

[SafariSam]

Originally Posted by ling killer

i couldnt imagine using studs would help at all? unless walking on wood, logged long enough to know that if u get into a creek u best be carefull becouse those sharp corks wear out fast and are very slick on river rock!!!

Orvis has some studded wadding shoes that are supposed to work great on wet and slippery rock.

[ling killer]

i usually take an old pair of boots and put some kind of felt or carpet on the bottoms works awesome! and cheap too

[SafariSam]

Wow, great idea. I have learned the way of the ninja or monk or something and i usually catch myself when i'm about to fall. That's years of creek walking for yah.

[bbaley]

Originally Posted by SafariSam

Wow, great idea. I have learned the way of the ninja or monk or something and i usually catch myself when i'm about to fall. That's years of creek walking for yah.

I've never really noticed studs helping grip... but they sure do make a lot of noise... I hate to think how many fish are hiding under rocks until we pass from that sound.

[Newbs]

I saw chest waders at Costco for $79.00. They looked to be pretty good quality. If I was in the market I'd check them out.

[Wild Chrome]

I wouldn't worry about studs if you're only fishing a few times a year, but........there are certain stretches of certain rivers at certain water levels that I won't wade without them.