Wading 101: Waders, Boots, and More for the Fly Fisher

You might be wondering if you have to wade when you are fly fishing. In a nutshell, yes. Some of us don't wade in very deep water and stay on shore a lot, but to look cool at least, you should have some waders on. There is also some functionality to wading. Most streams and lakes have a lot of bushes along the shoreline and a person can't cast a fly very well unless he/she is out in the water around 10 to 30 feet from shore and you can often cross a creek or river to get to the other side. I know some expert fishers and they say the secret is to always fish the other side. I heard a stupid joke I'll change slightly. Did you hear about the fly fisher who was walking along a river and saw another fly fisher on the other side? He yelled across the river, "How do I get to the other side?" The other fly fisher yelled back, "You are on the other side."

Waders
Hip waders are not good enough. You have to at least look like an aggressive wader and wear chest waders. I am on my 7th pair of waders and I recommend getting some breathable waders. They are comfortable even in warm weather and you'll enjoy your fishing 3 times as much as being in non-breathables and 50 times as much as wearing neoprene waders. The last time I wore neoprene waders I got 10 feet from my truck and had to return to the truck and take them off since I was already sweating like I had been 20 minutes in a sauna. I wore them earlier that day when I was in my float tube and that was OK, but breatheable waders are also comfortable in a float tube.

Waders help keep you warm in cold water. If it is cold water, I do not wear cotton socks or pants inside because it rapidy absorbs perspiration and feels like wet toilet paper inside the waders. I get any wool or man-made socks and man-made athletic pants to wear inside and they stay comfortable all day, even if they get wet. I found mine on sale at TJ Max.

Boots
You can buy boots already attached to the waders (bootfoot) or get stockingfoot waders and buy the boots separately. The separate way is more expensive so most of my waders have been bootfoot. One advantage is that sand stays out of the bootfoot waders which is very nice when fishing at an ocean beach. The separate boots can fit a little snugger and be better for hiking which I think I would have liked a couple of times when I almost fell from cliffs with my sloppy fitting bootfoots. The soles are rubber, felt or studded felt nowadays. I use felt or studded felt. Rubber is extremely slippery, especially when stepping on anything that has some algae growing on it and that is almost 99% of the time. Felt are amazing the first time you use them. They get rid of 90% of the slipping. Studs can be even less slippery. Studs are not usually allowed in boats and cars so you have to take them off all the time. They cost more too, but I got some on sale for under $50 and they really are superior to just felt. I don't have to rely on the wading staff all the time when I have the studs on.

Update - I have to add that I just went back to felt soled boots last week because I fell a few times while climbing over boulders on dry land with the studs. They slip like crazy on the wrong surfaces like smooth rocks. Also, I wonder if fish don't like hearing the studs while wading. They sound somewhat like scratching a chalkboard with fingernails.

Finally, I would recommend felt soles for your first soles.

Wading Staffs
A wading staff makes wading so much more secure than going without that I always have one. A stick works great and you can find a favorite and use it successfully. I used one for months and tied some 20 pound test monofilament to it and to my wader suspenders so I could let go of it while fishing. I think I could break 20 pound test if necessary to get free if I'm being held under water by the staff. Expensive wading staffs are often sticks with offical looking hand grips and rubber tips. Metal wading staffs can make little clanking noises against rocks and that almost certainly keeps fish from biting. Carbon fiber folding staffs are real cool.

Danger
I shouldn't forget to mention danger. It would be easy to drown when fishing and the tougher wading spots are more dangerous than we would like to think. Don't mention that to your loved ones or you may not be able to go fishing with us. I think water sports require a good swimming ability so if you are lacking in this area, start swimming more at the YMCA, etc..
A wading belt which tightens around the upper part of the waders is good to keep a lot of water out if you should go for a dip.
I don't see any fishers with life jackets on, but it would be safer. I use one (SOSpenders) when I am in my float tube or kayak. I flipped a canoe with a friend and he had the manual SOSpenders and I had the automatic model. Mine opened in 2 seconds and he never thought about pulling his rip cord, but he hung onto mine as we dog paddled to shore.

Cost
I always try to get by cheap, but waders seem to be priced at the same dollars per hour of use ratio regardless of brand so maybe just get what you feel like. The more expensive waders are thicker and last longer. It might be the same to get cheaper ones more often so you can decide yourself. One of my reasons to be so cheap is that I don't want to be embarrassed when I show up back at camp and have to report that I caught one fish 3 inches long while I am wearing $1000 in fly fishing clothing. That would be over $300 an inch. If I can keep wardrobe costs to less than $500 dollars then fish costs would fall to under $250 per inch, I can walk into camp a little more cocky, at least with my group.