Fly Fishing BS thread

any recommendations on brand?

 

I honestly couldn't even tell you the brand of mine off the top of my head. They're just the generic heavy duty rubber ones.

 

I would be there too! That's a crazy tide

 

One pair for hunting in the swamp. Chest waders for fishing

 

Rubber hip boots or chest waders?

 

What’s your budget? What’s the major use? You could go low with a perfectly suitable pair, or through the roof with Simms and the like.

Two years ago, on a trip, my mid range pair (lightweight breathable) blew a gasket beyond the point of repair. Stopped by the local shop for an emergency pair that would work without spending major money. I ended up with a set of frog togs, lightweight breathable, for $110. I’ve beat the crap out of them since then, and am completely happy with them. I will most likely get another when, or if, these wear out.

Point is, there are budget brands available that will be perfectly fine. Unless you need to wear the best, latest, and greatest. I wear mine on average of 60-70 days a year.

I’ve had Orvis, Simms, Cabelas, and some other known brand names. These frog togs have performed as good as the other brands.

 

Who else loves fly fishing from a raft?

I put together an NRS Outlaw 130 last fall. Only got 1 trip on the Upper Colorado between State Bridge and Two Bridges. Planning on hitting more of the Colorado and the Rio Grande below Creede this year.

 

I an upgrading from a pontoon boat to a raft. Picking up a stealthcraft hooligan in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to it.

I hired a guide last winter that uses a raft, it was interesting fishing out of it instead of a drift bait.

 

I looked at stealthcraft and flycraft when I was shopping for my raft. They are very tempting! It is especially appealing to be able to throw the boat on top of a truck/suv and not need a trailer.

In the end I decided I wanted the extra size of a standard raft so I could take my wife and kids when they get a little older. I think the extra width will provide a little more stability should I find myself in bigger water than I intended too.

 

A question for the group for stream fishing. I was always told to fish walking upstream since the fish are facing upstream to feed -you can be more stealth since they are looking upstream. I’m seeing videos showing both. Watching one- 3 people, 2 guys & a woman are walking downstream 5 ft apart stirring up the bottom & casting downstream, and catching fish. It’s probably 18” deep where they are, stream 25-30 ft wide. So, what’s the rule here? What do you do? Is water size the factor?

 

I normally fish dries moving upstream.

I fish nymphs and streamers in either direction at times, but more so moving downstream.

Its more about presentation and drift, than spooking fish.

 

i fish both. water access and presenation usually dictate how i fish the section of water

 

I'll fish from any direction - depends on where I can access, park, geology, etc. - all kinds of factors. Haven't really found that it effects the fishing one way or another. Now casting is another story - like @WBF610 - I'll cast dries primarily upstream or across at an angle. Streamers & wet flies across and down for the swing. Nymphs are pretty self explanatory.

 

Good question.

Every time I wade fish I think about how we are suggested to wade up steam.

I never have enough time to fish more than a 100yrd section. I don't worry about it anymore. I go up or I go down as I feel fit.

 

The rivers I float don't have any narly water, so I just wanted something small that could bring a friend. I do plan on sneaking it into some new rivers that I don't think have anybody float fishing. So the stealthcraft made sense for me. Plus I bet over half the time I will be alone so again... Smaller is better for me.

And even though it's small... I decided to get a trailer for it (stealthcraft is building me a trailer that can double as a utility trailer.... So I can use joint family funds for it... Ha). I sort of have a multi year plan to get a rtt.

I did research a little about building a larger raft. And then just got lazy. I am getting a good deal on my boat because it'll be the display model at a show and I'll pick it up the last day.

 

I fish some tumbling freestone streams that are probably 8 to 10 feet across, but always upstream. It is probably is possible to fish these downstream, but with all the scrambling I do I don't have the patience to be stealthy enough not to spook the pools.

Those folks stirring up the bottom while moving downstream... The ol San Juan shuffle. Wouldn't surprise me if the fish were a little lessons spooky because of the increase in stirred up food coming their way. This is usually frowned upon.

 

^^ This ^^

We could dedicate an entire thread to waders. Most will serve most anglers well. I think the heavy hitters (guides, people who put in over 100 days, etc.) lean towards the high end waders (Simms, Patagonia, etc).

Having said that my Patagonia Rio Gallegos are near bullet proof. I wouldn't have bought them if not for the 40% friends & family code I was given by one of the sales associates (she was quite attractive I might add) at my local Patagonia outlet.

Reminds me - I should go back to see if she still works there as she had expressed an interest in learning to fly-fish.

 

I love fishing from my Super Puma. Problem is most the trout streams here are too small so it’s a smallmouth machine
When I lived in MIssoula it was another story lol

 

That creek u posted calls for upstream and across cuz skinny water = spooky trout

In bigger water a downstream and across presentation is the ticket for streamers and soft hackle (swimming) wet flies
Nymphs can be presented across and or upstream but it’s super hard to get a deep dead drift if u cast downstream. Same for dries...the exception being if they’re chasing skated dries (very rare except during caddis hatches) or if situation calls for a very accurate short drag free float (this technique requires advanced casting/mending skillz)

In short stick with upstream and across for now

 

This.