Fishing - waders rant

FishingBanter (http://www.fishingbanter.com/index.php)

- Fly Fishing (http://www.fishingbanter.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6)

- - waders rant (http://www.fishingbanter.com/showthread.php?t=4016)

Mu Young Lee wrote:
On Mon, 29 Mar 2004, Scott Seidman wrote:

Apples to Apples, Bill. Sure, you get what you pay for, but not everyone
can get the top of the line Simms. How do the Freestones compare to the
rest of the $150 market?

I purchased the Simms lightweights for $180 in 2003. Considering the
quality, I'd say it was actually rather inexpensive compared to my
previous waders ($130 for Orvis Clearwaters in 2000, and $160 for a pair
of Cabela's breathables back in the 1998).

A pair of waders is merely a necessary tool. I've never heard gear
whores bragging about how many pairs of waders they have. :-) I suppose
there's always a first time to look forward to. (I have two pair -- both
Simms -- one pair reconditioned at the factory, which acts as my backup
and loaner pair.)

My philosophy about buying tools is that I don't compromise on quality.
I may not buy the tool with all the fancy bells and whistles, but I
won't ever buy second best if I can help it. It's a false economy.

Nowadays, when it might cost $40 in gas, one way, to get to your fishing
destination, a pair of Simms waders seems like a bargain.

Apropos of waders, about a week ago in Jerry's Country Store in Lower
Stanley I saw a young steelhead fisherman wearing a brand new pair of
Simms waders and, over top of them, a pair of cheap rubber hip boots.
He'd forgotten to bring his wading boots. The guy was pretty cool
because he realized how ridiculous he looked. :-)

"Kevin Vang" wrote in message
...

I've done that before. Fortunately there were no witnesses.

Fishing last year, a guy started stalking me on the river. Then I waded a
little deeper and laughed as he followed me again and the water went over
the top of his knee high rubber boots.

"riverman" wrote in message
...

Agreed. I got a pair of breathables a few years back that were a bit snug
in
the belly because I needed them postehaste, they were half-price, and they
were the only thing in the shop that was close to my size. I was never
truly
comfortable wearing them, as I was always concerned about ripping them out
if I ever went down on a knee midstream. Even lacing up my boots was a bit
on the edge. The silver lining was that I got robbed in South Africa, and
with my insurance money I bought (with the assistance of Frank Reid) a
very
comfortable pair of breathables that fit a tiny bit large, but with the
wide
belt Frank chose for me, I can 'bunch up' the excess fabric and make them
right. Its like the difference between a pair of shoes that are a
half-size
too small, and a pair of sandals that are just perfect.

And then there's always the problem of boot foot waders. You buy a pair of
waders to fit your feet, and they aren't long enough in the inseam, or too
tight in the waste. Or vice versa.

But then it also happens with stocking foot waders too. Buy them for the
waste size and the inseam is too short.

Why can't they make waders that fit the majority of those who wear them?
Seems like they got a few special order sizes when they were an upstart
company, and then just stuck to those few sizes.

I recently made a six hour drive to fish and took waders and hippers.
Only needed the hippers and went to put them on. Noted I had brought,
literally, two left feet! Managed to get them on and in the water
without anyone noticing (at least I don't think so).
Sully
Kevin Vang wrote:
In article et,
says...

Apropos of waders, about a week ago in Jerry's Country Store in Lower
Stanley I saw a young steelhead fisherman wearing a brand new pair of
Simms waders and, over top of them, a pair of cheap rubber hip boots.
He'd forgotten to bring his wading boots. The guy was pretty cool
because he realized how ridiculous he looked. :-)

I've done that before. Fortunately there were no witnesses.

Kevin

"Hooked" wrote in message
...
"riverman" wrote in message
...

Agreed. I got a pair of breathables a few years back that were a bit
snug
in
the belly because I needed them postehaste, they were half-price, and
they
were the only thing in the shop that was close to my size. I was never
truly
comfortable wearing them, as I was always concerned about ripping them
out
if I ever went down on a knee midstream. Even lacing up my boots was a
bit
on the edge. The silver lining was that I got robbed in South Africa,
and
with my insurance money I bought (with the assistance of Frank Reid) a
very
comfortable pair of breathables that fit a tiny bit large, but with the
wide
belt Frank chose for me, I can 'bunch up' the excess fabric and make
them
right. Its like the difference between a pair of shoes that are a
half-size
too small, and a pair of sandals that are just perfect.

And then there's always the problem of boot foot waders. You buy a pair of
waders to fit your feet, and they aren't long enough in the inseam, or too
tight in the waste. Or vice versa.

But then it also happens with stocking foot waders too. Buy them for the
waste size and the inseam is too short.

Why can't they make waders that fit the majority of those who wear them?
Seems like they got a few special order sizes when they were an upstart
company, and then just stuck to those few sizes.

I just think the Koreans, do not realise how tall we are. I wear size 14
shoes and the Red Ball boot foot waders were the only ones that were long
enough in the inseam when I used boot foots for duck hunting. The Korean
waders were always about 6" short in the crotch. I think my latest
neoprenes are Hodgeman and they are fine.
Bill

nice guy till he couldn't make a buck off you....
your learning fast....but not fast enough..
allen
"Sr." wrote in message
...
Wow, what a tear jerking tale......Sounds like ya have like 2 options: 1.
go
back and give the fella the $270.00, B. go elsewhere and buy a pair of
waders, or A.-wade without waders... Cabela's has an excellent wader for
under $100.00... A small peace of advice here from an x-fatguy, loose
some
weight!!!
Sr.

"Steve Sullivan" wrote in message
...
I am so unbelievably depressed and angry at the same time. I feel so
incredibly screwed. I have to get this off my chest.

I do most of my shopping at a local fly shop that will remain
annonymous. The owner is the NICEST guy, who has treated me *INCREDIBLY*
well (just want to make that clear).

He traded some quality waders for work I did for him (again, I praise
him for this). The waders were medium king sized (I am a big guy). The
associate was concerned that they were tight, and said he was worried
they might bust a seem in the stomach. The owner (this is very
important) said special sized waders would be $100 more and RECOMMENDED
that I get the medium kings, which is what I did. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP
RECOMMENDED THAT I GET THE WADERS. These were waders that he had in the
shop for some time that a customer ordered but never came in to buy.

About 3 months later I started to get leaks in them, and the material in
the bottom of the feet started wearing out. All the leaks were knee
level or bellow.

I called the manufacturer and they agreed that I could return the waders
to the store, and that instead of medium kings I needed specially made
waders. They told me to email them all the pertinent info, they would
make the waders and charge me $40.

They called the fly shop owner, who told them I insisted on getting the
waders even tho they told me not to. This was untrue. The associate most
definitely did say that the waders could tear at the stomach, but the
owner said that I should get them.

Thus, the manufacturer VOIDED my warranty, and if I want the specially
made waders I have to pay $270. The fly shop said they will try to
repair the leaks, but I am still without a WARRANTY plus without the
brand new specially sized waders for $40.

The owner IS a really nice guy, but I got screwed so incredibly hard.

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
ink.net...

I just think the Koreans, do not realise how tall we are. I wear size 14
shoes and the Red Ball boot foot waders were the only ones that were long
enough in the inseam when I used boot foots for duck hunting. The Korean
waders were always about 6" short in the crotch. I think my latest
neoprenes are Hodgeman and they are fine.

I have 2 pair of Hodgeman. One is a bootfoot neoprene pair, that the boots
are loose fitting, everything else is tight, but the length is right. The
other pair are stockingfoot breathables. The feet are a bit big, the waste
and inseam are fine, but they're a bit big around the chest.

Ever thumb trough a catalog and check out the sizes they give? Who really
fits those sizes? Certainly not me, and I bet a million other guys.

I guess I could spend more for a better fitting pair (spelled tailored) but
I for one can't afford that.

Hooked wrote:

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
ink.net...

I just think the Koreans, do not realise how tall we are. I wear size 14
shoes and the Red Ball boot foot waders were the only ones that were long
enough in the inseam when I used boot foots for duck hunting. The Korean
waders were always about 6" short in the crotch. I think my latest
neoprenes are Hodgeman and they are fine.

I have 2 pair of Hodgeman. One is a bootfoot neoprene pair, that the boots
are loose fitting, everything else is tight, but the length is right. The
other pair are stockingfoot breathables. The feet are a bit big, the waste
and inseam are fine, but they're a bit big around the chest.

So you're a skinny, concave-chested guy with little feet. Deal with it. :-)

Ever thumb trough a catalog and check out the sizes they give? Who really
fits those sizes? Certainly not me, and I bet a million other guys.

Off-the-shelf waders and pants fit me just fine.

BTW, it's "waist," not "waste."

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.