SPLASH VS SEMI DRY

HELLO ALL,

I am looking to get new tops to go over our waders.  I was thinking of going with some splash gear vs dry gear thinking that it will be more comfortable and not as warm for spring and summer wear.  my thought is with the chest wader on, the jacket and life vest on.  very little water should be able to get in.  I know it is not a true dry top and some water will come in but what do you think is it doable?  something with a neoprene neck and hook and loop straps?

thanks
carl

Hey Carl,
That's exactly what I do these days.  I'm saving up for a drysuit or at least a dry top, but until then I have no complaints about my wader/paddle jacket combo.   The paddle jacket is pretty good at keeping the water out for about a minute or so, but beyond that small leaks start to become bigger wet spots around your neck especially.  My core and legs however remains pretty dry.

I'd go for it, buy the jacket and test it out with your waders.  If you don't like how well it works take it back if you can.

Brian

Hey Carl,

Did you see this post?
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,889.0/topicseen.html

Jim is wearing waders and a paddle (i.e. splash) jacket.

Brian

A great statement about the stability of modern fishing Kayaks when Jim said "now i just gotta figure out how to fall out of this thing" or something like that. That was great.

I only get wet when i use that funny looking bar with the flippers on the end thats clipped to my Kayak for some reason....  


What chest waders do you guys have? how do you like them ?

 I've just been wearing some thermals under my splash suit, a little cold, but i also sweat a little too, just in that.

It's kinda hard to find the right balance of warmth,comfort and safety. The PFD drives me crazy, but i wouldn't go on any body of water without it on, ever.

Hey Roy,

These days I'm sporting some Cabela's neoprene waders (I think they're the 5mm)
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=pod&id=0005506

with an NRS Splash Jacket which I got on sale a couple years ago.  It's kind of like the following but in red and only a partial front zipper (Anorak style).
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2578&deptid=2018

Over the paddle jacket is my PFD; snug, zipped, and buckled.

For footwear, I have some old Tevas that I use pretty much only to walk the boat to and from the water. I find my feet more comfortable in my boat without them on.

Underneath all that, I wear warm layers of synthetics and wool depending on the conditions.  Avoiding cotton as much as possible.

Oh, and a nice warm stocking cap if it's cold or a wide brimmed hat it is sunny.

Brian

I mostly use a semi-dry jacket (latex wrists & neoprene neck). For most of the paddling I'm doing, I don't think the trade-off of comfort for dryness is worth a latex neck gasket most of the time. Of course, I'll do a lot to avoid ending up in the water....the top I'm using now is Kokatat's Anorak. I've used it the last two winters and love it. Dry latex wrists, with an adjustable neck collar. It's been dryer after two seasons than some of my dry tops. I usually just pair it with a set of splash pants, but a set of bibs would be nice some days. Anway, you can check it out here:

http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/Product.asp?DID=92&PDID=9&SKU=PPJ_KTANO

I also have an NRS Sea Tour Jacket I use as my around-town rain coat. It doesn't have the latex wrist gaskets, and the longer cut to it doesn't work as well with decked boats, but it's good for sit on tops:

http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/Product.asp?DID=92&PDID=9&SKU=PPJ_NSSTJ

Those are very good priced waders. Gonna have to look into getting me a pair.

and these under them:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_942867&id=0029558942517a


I wore a Balaclava i had laying around one day under my fishin hat and it was nice. .Here's one for cheap:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,56067_Kenyon-Balaclava-Expedition-Weight-For-Men-and-Women.html

I highly reccomend one, i forgot it the next time and boy did i feel it..

Also what about gloves?  that was one thing I realy wished I had in late october early november!!!

I have been using the NRS Ultra John Wetsuit 3mm for the past year and I have been very comfortable,warm and dry.

Also what about gloves?  that was one thing I realy wished I had in late october early november!!!

I got some cheap neoprene gloves at Bi-Mart for 8 bucks, there decent, just gotta take em off when i need to tie my line.

My splash gear is from the RIO line at NRS.I bought them at my local Kayak and dive shop for 60 bucks a piece and I couldn't find em on www.nrsweb.com now.

i did find this, awesome deal:

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2571&deptid=2018

Don't forget Outdoor Play. They have a great selection and we get a 15% discount and free shipping from them as our sponsor. Plus they're local, so let's support them. I got my drytop from them and the service was awesome! Thanks Alkasazi.

As far as what I use is the Cabelas Guide Tech wader and an Extrasport drytop for winter and the same waders and a NRS splashtop for summer. All has worked really great to date.




Gloves? The Shimano fishing gloves are best suited IMO and cheap @ $15. They don't have the best grip for your paddle but for fishing are awesome w/ the holes for index finger and thumb.
http://shimano.fishing-store.us/shimano-fishing-gloves.html


Z

I haven't needed gloves while kayak fishing yet.  I'd hate to have to take neoprenes on and off to tie knots/catch fish.  I've used fingerless wool gloves fishing before and they do a decent job of keeping hands warm while still allowing dexterity.   More often, I'll must pull my fleece coat down over my hands to keep them warm.

Growing up in Upstate New York, I did a lot of ice fishing.  The best thing to keep your hands warm while sitting around are oversized sheepskin mittens... super warm and very easy to take off if you need to tie a knot or catch a fish.  I've never tried paddling in them though.   My guess though is that "Nanook of the North" would probably approve.

Brian

nice mitts. a similar thing for paddling would be pogies. They fit over your paddle shaft, and are very easy to slip in and out of:



these are all I've ever paddled with, never could get used to gloves.

Don't forget Outdoor Play. They have a great selection and we get a 15% discount and free shipping from them as our sponsor.

I want to be clear on this statement.  Outdoorplay is donating membership ($25 value) in their "Outdoorplay Club" program (http://www.outdoorplay.com/club/default.html) for those of you that sign up for the AOTY tournament.

Hey, that's not a bad deal in offsetting the AOTY signup fee, plus getting added discounts on top of that.

-Allen

Hey polepole and/or Alkasazi,

That really is a great deal, thanks. I'm glad I already signed up for AOTY, now what do I need to do to activate that membership?

Brian