Need wader advice from you fly fisherman

[jerp]

I am headed to Breckenridge later this month and will be doing some fly fishing. I find myself in need of some new waders - all I have are some old Hodgemans that are chest high and made of neoprene. They would work I guess (if they are still watertight) but I want something more breathable and comfortable. I've been looking at Cabela's brand and they seem to be a good choice for the money. First decision is chest waders vs. the waist high "wading pants" - I'm thinking for the waters around there waist high would be enough but I'm not sure. Since I am going with the stocking foot style I will need boots. (all I have are flats boots for the coast) I know some states have banned felt soles but I don't think that is the case in Colorado. Anyone know for sure? Any advice is appreciated!

John

[quarterback]

Do you really need waders? We fish Colorado streams and rivers every summer and just wear jeans and tennis shoes. Sometimes it gets a little cold (especially higher elevations) but is pretty tolerable for the most part. I haven't dragged my waders out of the attic in quite a while now.

[jerp]

Do you really need waders? .

I guess that is the first thing to ask.....

[Muygrande]

I guess that is the first thing to ask.....

Generally I don't even take my waders until the middle or end of September. Get some river sandals and you are good to go. The only exception is if you are going to be fishing a tailwater or other area where you will be waist deep for extended periods. Small streams and most rivers wet wading is perfect in the summer. I lugged my waders and boots on an airplane two or three trips and never used them.

[justhrowit]

Most shops will rent you waders and boots, and they'll be high quality stuff as well. There are several area shops in Breck and Frisco. I'd call them and ask beforehand, unless you really want to buy your own stuff. My bet is you can likely rent a nice pair of Simms waders and boots instead of buying something you may use every once in while. Those "once in a while" purchases of less than par gear can ruin a trip in one step.

[unclefish]

We used knee high neoprene booties and wading shoes when we fished the Blue last year. Honestly we probably could have gone without them.

Don't get me wrong....it was ice cold....but we mostly just fished from the bank.

[stickman]

I sure love my breathable frog Toggs paired with Simms wading boots.

[Shane]

40 degree water is cold. I like breathable waders even in July, personally. Neoprene sucks. Cabela's brand waders are good. Colorado isn't on the list of states that have banned felt sole waders, to my knowledge. Waist high pants are plenty for most trout streams. If you plan to fish any of the big rivers, you may need chest waders. Some chest waders can be folded down to waist height. It just creates a little bit of bulk at the belt.

[helibow]

Because I am cheap, and I refuse to pay $300+ for waders like some friends I know... I buy the Remington brand from Dicks. They are not neoprene and you can generally get boots for another 35-50 bucks. I would say though, unless you are planning to use them back in Tx, I would rent from a local fly shop. The ones around Colorado Springs get about $15 bucks a day for them.

Enjoy Breck, it should be good fishing. I was about an hour and a half south of Breck this weekend and the water was gin clear.

Let me know if you ever want to use the Cabin in Teller County... surrounded by Gold Medal water and of course our 9 stocked trout ponds on property... After all, I do owe you for how well you have taken care of Mom and her investments! (yes, that is a public plug for Jerp... I trust him to manage my Mom's retirement and long term investments!)

Here is one of the rainbows out of our lakes from the weekend.

[Shane]

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~breathable-waders/?perPage=24

[Boomerang]

Orvis makes chest waders that roll up (actually down from the chest to waist) and the included belt keeps the waders secure. Cold water can get to you all day long. If it is too hot, the option of only having waist high is nice.

[Bowhuntin_Toona]

Caddis waders with Korker wading boots. Have used this combo from salmon/steelhead fishing in Washington to trout fishing here in Montana.

[jerp]

Thanks for all the input fellas. And Josh, I may have to take you up on this offer:
"Let me know if you ever want to use the Cabin in Teller County... surrounded by Gold Medal water and of course our 9 stocked trout ponds on property"
That sounds awesome!

[recar]

I fish New Mexico and Colorado almost exclusively. I have used frog toggs for the past 5 years and they are holding up beautifully.

https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Pilot-Guide-Khaki/dp/B00HXRJWL6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1467740075&sr=8-4-fkmr0&keywords=frog+togg+pilot

https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Kikker-Sticky-Rubber/dp/B00CCA6L3Q/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1467740115&sr=8-5&keywords=frog+togg+wader+boots

[txdukklr]

I'd do chest high breathables but i do that for everything from duck hunting to wade fishing.

You can always layer up to get warm but neoprene is limited to me to thick ice duck hunting. Also waist high might be too short but chest high will never be more then enough. If it was a rare event then i'd go with what covered the most.