Re: Waders

[Prelsberry]

Regarding the wader theme, I have found waist high, boot-foot neoprene waders tgo be very satisfactory for the saltwater use.  When in a boat, the wasit-high protects me from the wind, and makes launching and retrieving the boat very easy and comfortable.  I gort these years ago from Gander Mountain, a mail order outfit similar to Cabella's, but don't think they are still in business.  I do know that Cabella's has a similar product. For Freshwater use, float tubing, I did have neoprenes I used for years.  One model with knee patches cemented on were showing leaks at the fused knee patches within the fisrt month of use.  In the spring I guess I was using them about 5 days a month. After replacing them with a model without knee patches, I had no further problems.   No matter what brand I used, they seemed to be leak free for only about one and one-half seasons.  Then leaks galore. I was skeptical of gore-tex waders for quite awhile due to experience with early gore-tex rain jackets.  I did spring for a pair of Simms gore-tex waders, and have been extremely satisfied. No problems going into my fourth year.  I use them for float tubes, streams but not the salt water so far.  I was dubious about the price of these things at  first, but I would gladly buy them again as they are the only ones that have worked as well, and held up keeping me dry and happy. Paul