When it comes to trout fishing most people think about fly rod's, flies, leaders etc. Although all of these items are an important part of fly fishing, there are some things that make a huge difference when out hiking around. One such thing for me is footwear. I have tried quite a few types of footwear out and they all seem to have their pro's and con's. The classic chest waders were great for getting deep into the water and never having to worry about being soaking wet at the end of the journey. The chest waders seemed to be a little overkill for me and the places I choose to fish. I found the only time I actually got into the water was to sit down in a shallow run to watch the water flow by. Plus they were sometimes way to warm for the summer months.
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| Picture courtesy of Cabella's |
I have also had the hip waders and although they were easy to get on and covered most of my wading needs, they seemed to always spring a leak and sometimes made my feet ache by the end of the day.
Then there are the water shoes that some companies are coming out with. These seem like a great idea, right until the point where a piece of grass shoots through one of the holes on the side and punctures your foot. I also found that the holes on the side of the shoes allowed sand to
come into the shoe underneath my foot. Talk about horrible to walk in with the sand wearing on your feet.
So then I saw a pair of "wet socks" at Wal-Mart one day and decided to spend the $7.oo on them. They were super comfortable and easy to put on. They kept the sand out
for the most part and even kept your feet warm while walking in the
stream. The only problem I had with them is that they basically fell
apart by the end of my fishing trip.
There I was, at point A once again. Hot days and the only thing left to try were the good ole fashion sneakers or sport hikers.
I found that the lighter the shoe the quicker they dry. Now I am stuck with a bunch of dried out shoes as my main source of footwear for the streams. Plus now I have no decent shoes left to wear to the grocery store :)
When Christmas came this year and I was asked what sort of things I would want for gifts, there was only one thing that came to mind. The SPERRY TOP-SIDER. I saw these one day while surfing the web and knew that I had to have them. They are made of neoprene and reinforced with some sort of durable rubber. They are by far the lightest shoe I have tried yet. One of my favorite things about them is that they are high tops with a strap to keep out sand and debris. Another great feature is the flexibility of this shoe. It feels like your feet are extra padded and that you are wearing nothing at all. I usually go bare foot with sneakers on and end up with grass catching me between my shoe and pant leg. These have a thick rubber guard that should keep my legs from getting scratched up and itchy. I am super excited to take these out to the stream and really put them to the test. I am hoping that it was the best $50.oo ever spent :) What do you prefer to wear while out fishing small streams ? Has anyone else ever owned a pair of these, and if so what do you think of them ?
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| SPERRY TOP-SIDER $50.00 |
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No, I sure haven't. But, thanks to this post, I just put them on my must have list! Thanks, TM!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mel, I will let you know how well they work. I promise I will make sure and put them to the test. Tight Lines.
DeleteI generally wet wade using a pair of wading boots with wool socks. I tried the wading sandal...why in the world would they put holes in the sides so gravel gets in? I'll wait for your report to see if these things work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I liked how light the sandal things were but the sand under the feet was too much to bare. I would go crazy with wet wool socks on :) I will be sure to post the results from the first trip. Tight Lines.
Deletehip boots have been my go to method for the last year, leaky waders that take alot of time to put on just wont due, plus i never really seem to get them dry. we all knows what happens when you leave stagnant water in the foot of your waders...
ReplyDeletein the summer i wet wade with old shoes also! let us know how the spiders go?
Thanks, I do know what happens when the waders don't dry out properly. Let's just say nobody wins ;) I usually go to the sneakers, but I hope that these will be a good replacement. I will be sure to let you know how they hold up. Tight Lines.
DeleteWhen I'm fishing in the salt or some spring creeks I use a very similar shoe from teeva. The only thing is that they are not high tops but that usually doesn't matter where I go. For mountain streams and any water with a rocky bottom (for extra support) I use inexpensive wading boots with neoprene socks inside. Generally I wet wade so footwear is my only concern (with the exception of anything before May and after mid Oct....then I put on a pair of chest waders). Thanks for the post...I'm always looking for better ideas for footware when fishing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I hope the high top part helps with the tall grass and thorn bushes on the front ankle. I am sure Teeva makes a great shoe too. I will let you know if these hold up to my punishment ;) Tight Lines.
DeleteI used to use neoprene chests but they were a hassle on a bike so I went with cheap hips. As for wet wading I just use my steel toe & shank work shoes...too much line, broken glass, rusty cans, and worst of all...zebra mussel shells in my local waters.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I hear you with the Neoprene, warm but kind of a pain. Yikes with all that stuff in the water I would probably hesitate on wearing the Sperry shoes. Dang Zebra mussells !! Tight Lines.
DeleteHodgeman chest waders (roll them down so they ware like pants if it's hot) with cheap-ass "winter" rubber boots from Farm & Fleet is all I use. Unless it's real hot, then I wet wade with and old pair of skate shoes that eventually reach "river shoe" status. Koston's work great.
ReplyDeletePatsy
Hey Patsy, How goes it mandoo ? I like the idea of Pant waders. My bro had some really nice cargo ones from Cabelas. Pretty expensive though and the mice ended up getting them. Ouch. Can't beat a comfy pair of skate shoes though. I really liked wearing a pair of Circa but now they are pretty trashed. Get a little slippery in spots. I love me a pair of Koston's too :) I hope these shoes hold up to the rugged conditions around here. Tight Lines bro.
DeleteThe only shoes that work for me are LL Bean trail hikers. They hold up well on the stream banks as well as in the stream.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I have yet to try LL Bean hikers. If they work for you I am sure they would be good choice for around here. I really like shoes with good traction. Tight Lines.
DeleteTrout
ReplyDeleteI agree about the sand issue. I know I collected loads of sand this summer on a wading trip in out hole wading shoes. Good Point.
Thanks, I hate the feeling of sand stuck between your foot and shoe. Youch. I will let you know how they perform. Tight Lines.
DeleteLook forward to seeing how these things perform in the field.
ReplyDelete...I felt the grass poking me in the foot through the holes in my sandal. Thanks for the reminder...ha!
Thanks, I never knew grass could be so dangerous, until I wore those sandal things. I will put them to the test as soon as the streams open back up. Tight Lines.
DeleteI haven't had the Sperry's but I would love to hear how they perform for you...if I not wearing full on boots, i go almost the complete opposite direction and wear a pair of Keen sandals...comfortable, nice grip, fast dry...
ReplyDeleteThanks, I look forward to seeing how they work. They seem pretty well made so I hope they last me a while. I have tried the sandals but the small streams I target seem to be to sandy or muddy for them. Plus being poked by the grass really stung :) Tight Lines.
DeleteHope you post a follow-up report about these and let us know how these work-out. I might be interested in a pair for some of the fishing I do.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I will be sure and do a follow up post once the streams reopen around here. Only a little over a month to go. I wish I would have owned a pair of these this past summer. It was hot and I went through a lot of shoes :) Tight Lines.
DeleteA few years back I bought a pair of Korkers. The one where you can change out the sole. For a boot they are pretty light. I had an old leaky pair of waders and I cut the booties off. When I wet wade I use the booties for a better fit. You have to punch a few large holes in the bottom of each bootie so water drains out easily if you get in to deep. Those top siders would be great for floating.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good way to use old waders. I hope I get to use these soon. Only 31 days left until the streams reopen up here in Wisconsin. I will let you know how they hold up. Tight LInes.
DeleteHey MaGee - thought I'd share this link with you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hatchmag.com/photo-contest-maui-jim-guy-harvey-sunglasses-collection
Thanks a lot John for the link. I just was over there and entered my three photos. I could use a new pair of shades for sure. Good luck to you. Tight Lines.
DeleteLook like brothel creepers to me? What's wrong with rubber, sexy rubber?
ReplyDeleteThanks. Brothel creepers?? Definitely made of some nice rubber. Tight Lines.
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