John Aston
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2007
- Messages
- 930
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Waders - Like most game fishermen , I fell for breathable chest waders . Or at least I did until I realised that for the fishing I do , they were absolutely bloody useless . I got through 4 or 5 pairs in as many years , ranging from cheap ones to expensive Hardy and Orvis jobs . Every single one started to leak within weeks or months , and progressively got worse . At £ 250 to £400 a pair , I was paying more for wet legs than I was on rods .
I give waders a hard time - my typical day's trout and grayling fishing will involve 1-2 miles walk , often through overgrown fields, sliding down banks and inadvertently slipping and sliding on rocks . But that is fly fishing and trotting small wild rivers for you. Manufacturers say 'oh , you mustn't wear jeans. you must avoid thistles and try to walk with your legs apart .' And I say -'I pay 500 quid for unfit for purpose , leaky crap and you tell me to walk like John Wayne ? '
Despite Sportfish's catalogue loftily dismissing old school PVC waders as only suitable for garden ponds and beginners I switched back to them about 4 years ago . I still got the odd rip but it was repairable easily and they were 100 quid a pair . And despite the naysayers , they weren't too heavy , or too hot and all I missed was the ankle support of a good wading boot. I had chosen Vass waders as nearly every trout farm guy and fishery and sewerage worker etc seems to choose them . But last year I made a huge rip in mine and ordered a new pair. They normally arrive by return but mine took - wait for it - 9 months , thanks to Brexit , supply chain problems etc . I needed some urgently and noticed Vass were doing heavy duty breathables - I didn't want to go there but any port in a storm and if anyone can make breathables it is Vass .
And they are terrific - after 9 months use I am still dry as a bone . Mine are stocking foot jobs, (which I wear with some old Orvis studded wading boots ) and cost about £200 (25% of what you can spend ). Very highly recommended .
Hats - I wear sundry baseball caps for warm weather fishing but they ae useless in the cold and wet . After trying various allegedly waterproof hats , none were quite right . Too small a brim (important if you wear glasses) , not warm enough , or just plain leaky. I splashed out a lot of money on a Simms Goretex ExStream hat in 2009. It is still as good as new and is totally wind and waterproof, warm and comfy. For when it gets really wild, you can exercise your inner Roy Cropper by using the ear flaps which you secure under your chin with a Velcro strip. I cannot recommend this hat too highly - it is 100% fit for purpose and seems impossible to wear out .They are now an eye watering £75 , but worth every penny . It isn't too late to ask if Santa might oblige ....
I give waders a hard time - my typical day's trout and grayling fishing will involve 1-2 miles walk , often through overgrown fields, sliding down banks and inadvertently slipping and sliding on rocks . But that is fly fishing and trotting small wild rivers for you. Manufacturers say 'oh , you mustn't wear jeans. you must avoid thistles and try to walk with your legs apart .' And I say -'I pay 500 quid for unfit for purpose , leaky crap and you tell me to walk like John Wayne ? '
Despite Sportfish's catalogue loftily dismissing old school PVC waders as only suitable for garden ponds and beginners I switched back to them about 4 years ago . I still got the odd rip but it was repairable easily and they were 100 quid a pair . And despite the naysayers , they weren't too heavy , or too hot and all I missed was the ankle support of a good wading boot. I had chosen Vass waders as nearly every trout farm guy and fishery and sewerage worker etc seems to choose them . But last year I made a huge rip in mine and ordered a new pair. They normally arrive by return but mine took - wait for it - 9 months , thanks to Brexit , supply chain problems etc . I needed some urgently and noticed Vass were doing heavy duty breathables - I didn't want to go there but any port in a storm and if anyone can make breathables it is Vass .
And they are terrific - after 9 months use I am still dry as a bone . Mine are stocking foot jobs, (which I wear with some old Orvis studded wading boots ) and cost about £200 (25% of what you can spend ). Very highly recommended .
Hats - I wear sundry baseball caps for warm weather fishing but they ae useless in the cold and wet . After trying various allegedly waterproof hats , none were quite right . Too small a brim (important if you wear glasses) , not warm enough , or just plain leaky. I splashed out a lot of money on a Simms Goretex ExStream hat in 2009. It is still as good as new and is totally wind and waterproof, warm and comfy. For when it gets really wild, you can exercise your inner Roy Cropper by using the ear flaps which you secure under your chin with a Velcro strip. I cannot recommend this hat too highly - it is 100% fit for purpose and seems impossible to wear out .They are now an eye watering £75 , but worth every penny . It isn't too late to ask if Santa might oblige ....
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