Waiters?..Wadders?...Waders! and boots!

May 17, 2020 while knowing all I really need to fly fish is a rod, a few flies and pliers I wanted to get in that water; so I began researching waiters...wadders...waders! As an avid skier I know that while you can get down the mountain on a borrowed pair of skis, crumby fitting boots and clothing that can get you by; your own skis, great fitting boots and gear made for the elements is going to make your day longer and your experience all the better! As I began researching what waders to get I realized I knew so little that I didn't even know how to spell waders...quite a learning curve!

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Here's what I learned based on reading top blogs and seeing what top Instagram women were wearing and saying about gear.

1. 1. Simms G3 Guide $550

2. 2. Orvis Ultralight Convertible $298

3. 3. Patagonia Spring River $399

4. 4. Redington Sonic-Pro $349

5. 
   

6. The Simms were off the board immediately because this a casual hobby for me and $550 is not reasonable for my use. The Orvis and Patagonia both had great reviews on fit (while Redington did not have the best reviews on fit), with Patagonia just edging out Orvis enough for me to want to go with the Patagonia.

Women's outdoor gear has come a long way; it wasn't long ago that finding a ski jacket with extra room in the chest so you could move your poles while not suffocating in your own cleavage was a dream!

Patagonia has you measure yourself in chest, waist, hip (amen!!!), inseam, shoe size and height. These waders come in petite, regular and full. Once I got my size I began shopping local, and then small fly shops to A. support them and B. hope for a last size sale; which I found from Athena & Artemis https://womensflyshop.com/ for a price I didn't have Mom guilt over buying. They fit perfectly with little to no drag in the river, their breathable but warm and I can tighten them around my chest if needed. The adjustable straps are very easy to use and the waterproof pocket up front is great. I also like the color, which to me, does matter.

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For boots I really just went with something affordable, with good reviews on fit and performance and I'll be brutally honest...I just thought these were cute! Redington Siren Boots $150 with rubber bottom. There is a felt sole option but from what I learned rubber has come a long way and there's some controversy over felt bottoms; and frankly I dont know enough to make an educated statement either way so I went with the seemingly safe option of rubber soles. They are comfortable, light in the water, they're wide enough to not get wedged in rocks and I haven't slipped with them yet.

Then I said "Holy shit! I just spent a lot of money on gear, I better put it to good use!"