I’m extremely new to fly fishing and looking to gear up with everything I’ll need for fly fishing from trout streams to redfish flats. I’m set on hardware just need some suggestions on vests, waders(stockingfoot vs bootfoot), wading boots/shoes, travel bags etc. Based on my budget I’m going to have to spread out the purchases over time and hopefully catch some stuff on sale. Any suggestions?
I’m looking forward to the responses, b/c I dont know squat about waders and feel kinda stupid asking. I think I want/need some(?)
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
When you talk about trout streams are you referring to freshwater trout streams? Optiker, are you looking for information on waders to use in the salt marsh, or in the mountains? What you will use them for will really dictate the answers that you get.
John
JohnH0802
John I’ll PM you, I don’t want to hijack lcg’s thread.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
Yes freshwater trout streams.
You can’t go wrong with orvis gear. They have good stuff and great customer service. The endura waders are a good entry level wader, and i have used them for a few years now. You can spend as much as you want on waders but these are good medium use waders.
If you are gearing up for the first time as a fly fisher go with a decent 5 wt, like a tfo, for trout. Get a nice 8 wt for the salt, as nice as you can afford after researching and test casting. Tfo just came out with a new series of rods that are high end with a smaller price tag.
Go to a fly shop and see if you like a vest more than a chest pack. The chest pack can do double duty for salt and fresh.
You should not have to worry about felt bottom boot restriction if you are in the south east so look into felt bottom boots.
Good luck with the addiction!
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Lowcountry,
For fishing for mountain trout, my take is stocking foot waders with a good pair of felt wading shoes is the best option. I know that when I fish for mountain trout I cover some ground in my waders and shoes and having a good quality pair of wading shoes is key. If you are fishing next to the road where you parked, not really an issue.
Orvis enty level waders as well as bass pro entry level waders will both work. I have a pair of Bass Pro waders that I have had for over six years. Unfortunately this last year they have started to leak around the neoprene booty. You can get higher quality waders that will be really good, but you are going to pay for them. If I wasn’t on such a limitted budget I would get some of the Simms guide type waders.
As far as vests/chest packs, the best thing for you to do is go to the store and try the different items to see what you like best. I currently use a vest for troutfishing and a small chest pack for salt water. If I had to replace the vest I have now for trout fishing, I would probably go with some type of chest pack. The vest is great because I can carry everything that I possible want in it, the vest is horrible because I carry everything possible in it and end up with sore shoulders at the end of the day 
Orvis and Simms have some pretty good wading shoes, but you really should try some on before you make a purchase, particularly if you will be covering alot of ground in them. I have some really nice orvis wading boots that I got on sale about three years ago that have been great.
Hope this helps.
John
JohnH0802
When you buy wading boots but a pair of rubber soled boots not Felt sole .
Two reasons Felt can spread fish diseases and tiny invasive species in fresh water trout streams. http://troutunderground.com/2010/02/26/bans-on-felt-soled-wading-boots-gathering-steam-how-long-until-youre-wearing-rubber-and-practicing-safe-wading/
Also if you buy a pair of rubber soled boots you can wear them on salt water flats as well as the trout stream.
PM scotty d at the Low Country Fly shop and he will be able to hook you up with everything you need for trout AND REDS once they get the shop opened soon.
Pathfinder 1806
90 Yamaha
I love my Simms waders, have fished in them for over 150 days without a problem except for the hole I tore in them on a barbed wire fence. I bought a pair of Redington waders on sale and they just don’t seem to fit like the Simms do. I recommend going felt on trout wading boots. Yes, you can spread whirling disease and other stuff with felt, which obviously is not good. But for supreme rock gripping ability and safety you cannot beat felt. One of our senior guides in Colorado tested a new pair of the Simms fancy rubber grip soles for three weeks. He gave them away because he was slipping so much and had his old pair of boots re-felted. Traction isn’t totally about the boot though. The rocks in the river make a big difference. Round and smooth is more slick, jagged and broken up is less slick. Rock snot makes a big difference too. River bottoms can vary a surprising amount even if the rivers are just miles from each other. Given the choice, I’d take felt any day of the week.
Just because you buy felt doesn’t mean you can’t protect against spreading diseases either. Wash the bottoms and laces thoroughly with bleach and you will be good to go.
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Tarpon 140
Knot the Reel World Fly Fishing LLC
Albright Fishing has just started a winter sale with everything in stock on sale, some as much as 70%. Good stuff, nice prices.
http://www.albrightflyfishing.com
I have stocking foot waders and I wear old Chuck Taylors for the shoes… work perfectly for the salt marsh. The sole is good enough to give you traction but not aggressive enough to pile up with mud, they dry quick, are cheap and lace up over my ankle so they stay on my feet…
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SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
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Tarpon 160os
How much do you plan on fishing freshwater? If it’s infrequently, then I suggest going to Sports Authority and looking at the Frogg Toggs brand of breathable waders. Less than $80 and they come with built in gravel guards.
You can wade in old tennis shoes in the marsh, but once you wear a pair of purpose built wading boots for the flats you’ll be ruined.
Pillage and plunder with a 9wt and a fist full of clousers.