Apparel Questions

Hey everyone,

I wanted to get an opinion on what you recommend to fish in. Some people say to wear a dry suit, others say to wear waders, some prefer wetsuits. Anyone have an opinion? I like the idea of being able to take off layers when the temperature rises, yet, I like to be safe in cold water and like a dry suit for that feature. The only problem with the dry suit is comfort. Which do you guys prefer?


Luc

I'm using a breathable waders/drytop combo, primarily because I already had the waders and a top wasn't too expensive. I've been out with guys with wetsuit/paddletops, and they were shivering when I was still relatively warm. I don't think I would use wetsuit unless it was warm (summer?) weather.

Full-on drysuits are the most expensive, but offer the best protection. If I was doing a lot of fishing in the winter, in exposed areas, I would go for it.

I understand that most people fishing in the Northwest probably already own a pair of waders, myself included.  And it is nice that waders crossover from kayak fishing to stream fishing so well...especially financially.  But, the thought of a possible swim in waders concerns me.  What precautions do you take?  Any?

Secure a belt at the waist and it slows the water entry, no problem.
 By the way, I fish the Ocean with a full on wetsuit and swim quite often after dumping the boat in surf. Never been cold (4mm). On a summer day on ocean I pull top down to waist (not the smartest thing to do).
 If on the river I wear a good suit of clothes and a Stearns dry top and pants, not a dry suit.
 No matter what, if you venture out on the "stoney O" you better have on some kind of protection. Water around low 50's most of the year.   

I'm the guy that was shivering when Pisco was warm still.  That's when we were fishing Lake Chelan in March.  Air temp was just above freezing and water temp was around 40 degrees.  I made the mistake of getting my feet wet.  Since that time I've started using the waders.

But depending on the air and water conditions, I'll reach for different apparel.

I have a 2 mm river shorty, a 3 mm long john, paddle jackets, paddle pants, waders, 3 mm booties, and 7 mm booties ... pretty much everything but full on dry wear.  I'll probably pick up a dry top this year though.  I've worn all of it, or combos of all of it at various times this year, although I must say I'm reaching for the waders more often.  Wear a belt with them.

-Allen

There's been lots of talk over the years, kind of old wive's tales, about waders "dragging" people under. It's baloney, especially with a drytop. I saw even some flyfishing magazines have looked into the issue; there were some articles this year. I'll see if I can find one to cite. I've wallowed around, for several minutes, in a local lake, and had almost no leakage (with a top). When I'm wearing my drytop, I don't wear a belt- I don't want it interfering with the seal of the top and waders.

I'd like to have more options, myself. I may try some experiments this year.  Where I live we have some extreme temperature swings. Easily tops 100F, and I'll sometimes fish in air temps in to the 20s and water temps in the 30s.

I think "the waders filling with water and dragging you to the bottom" is a great case for "Mythbusters". Now walking home with waders full of water might be a different story. 
  I’ve used polepoles clothing combinations almost exactly (plus something warm on my head) and been quite comfortable in February in the Clackamas when the air was in the 30’s and the water felt like it was just this side of being solid (At least for the four seconds it took me to skitter across the water and climb back into my boat!)
  That said, I’ve opted to plunk down the chunk for an NRS breathable drysuit. I’d be glad to post a report as soon as I get back from Denver (Christmas with the in-laws).That’s assuming that I get there in the first place.

So it sounds like the wader option is pretty safe and cost effective. I use a dry suit for most of my paddling in the winter but I have not taken it out fishing, I would think that it would be restrictive and uncomfortable to fish in. I do like the idea of the semi dry tops for fishing, they keep me almost dry and have a neoprene neck, not a gasket so they are more comfortable for all day fishing. I agree with Pisco on the wetsuit, I like it for the summer but, in my experience (and Allen's) I have been cold when the water temp is low. They work out just fine to get you to your boat and potentially back to shore but they just don't offer enough protection.

Luc

Hey Pisco,

When you were in the water with your waders and top I assume you were fully submerged. Do you use the belt of the waders in conjunction with the tunnel of the top? I am aware of how the system works but I did not know if everyone still uses the belt for a little extra seal.

Luc

One thing to keep in mind is if your protecting for the elements above the water while you're on your yak, or if you think you will be IN the water and need to protect against those.  When we were fishing Chelan last winter, the water/wind was so calm that the chances of me entering the water were really low.  In that situation, staying dry should have been the primary concern.  A wetsuit didn't cut it.  Waders would have.  It was my feet/legs that had problems.

On the ocean I think there is greater chance of ended up in the water.  I have been wearing my waders with a shorty wetsuit under and a paddling jacket over.  The shorty wetsuit was in case I did enter the water.  I'm comfortable that in 50+ degree water I'll be fine for as long as I need to be for the conditions I've done this in.  I've considered wearing a full farmer john under the waders, but haven't yet, although it may not be a bad idea for certain conditions.  If I had a dry or semi-dry top, I'd probably skip the wetsuit under.

I do wear breathable waders, however, I wish someone made waders with a little more protection in the lap area.  I can see hooks poking holes.  I've caught the tip of hooks a couple times, but haven't yet caused a puncture that way.  I have been thinking about wearing paddle pants on top of the waders just to add a layer of hook protection ... but come on, how many layers do I really want to deal with?  I  may have to reach out to hodgman or other traditional wader manufacturers and see if they have any plans for us kayak fishermen.  They already add extra protection on the knees, why not all the way up through the front lap.

Oh ... regarding waders filling, if you were in moving water (river) I can see filling waders being a problem.

-Allen

Pole,
 You may want to look at "Seattle Fabric", they sell material for these things, wetsuits, waders, sails, etc.... They also have the glue for the attachment to your waders.
 If you do not want to do it yourself and want a pro job, contact Cricket at "Otter Bay Wetsuits" and she will fix it up right! She did a very fine job on the relief zipper on my wetsuit.
 I was wondering about the issue with the cold legs and feet, did you enter the water or was it just cold with having only the wetsuit covering? I want to know cuz I'm a sissy for the cold and anything to keep me warm is my mission! I wear a 3/4 mm  full suit with 7 mm booties and have had no prob yet, and I don't want to . When i'm cold I wanna go home!!!!

I was wondering about the issue with the cold legs and feet, did you enter the water or was it just cold with having only the wetsuit covering? I want to know cuz I'm a sissy for the cold and anything to keep me warm is my mission! I wear a 3/4 mm  full suit with 7 mm booties and have had no prob yet, and I don't want to . When i'm cold I wanna go home!!!!

I got my feet wet when launching.

-Allen

Hey Pisco,

When you were in the water with your waders and top I assume you were fully submerged. Do you use the belt of the waders in conjunction with the tunnel of the top? I am aware of how the system works but I did not know if everyone still uses the belt for a little extra seal.

I've never worn the belt with my top, though it's in my pocket for river wading.

You guys who wear wetsuits: What do you wear on your feet to stay dry during launch?

Well, I've always worn neoprene booties when I use a wetsuit.

-Allen