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[devon42]

I'm new to fishing the vedder and i was wondering are waders needed to fish most of the river or are boots good enough?

[younggun]

its hard without them, u get way more water even with hip waders

[devon42]

yeah thats wat i was thinking

[Rodney]

Devon, for river fishing, especially steelhead fishing, waders are definitely needed. You would be able to access more spots and most spots are only reachable by crossing small channels etc. Secondly you would feel much warmer in a pair of waders. Thirdly, waders allow anglers to release their catches properly when needed by getting in the water and keeping the catch in the water prior to the release. My recommendation would be to invest in a pair of chest waders right away instead of purchasing hip waders. Good luck.

[doja]

Remember if you catch a big one and it runs down river, waders are a MUST!!! in allot of spots, unless you want to break off or get wet.

I have chased many steelhead down river and with brush and stuff it is easy to do in the water, on land not so easy.

neoprenes are ideal as they will keep you warm and more affordable ( around $100 ) then breathables.

chest waders are best in case you fall in or step too deep, but know your limit as the water can push you around if you get into the current. I have fallen in before (chasing fish) and barley got wet with the chest waders.

Avoid the hip waders at all cost if you can as the boots suck and for a little bit more you will be much more happy.

Doja

[devon42]

thanks alot for the help
hoping to go out soon to get some

[hue-nut]

I fished the vedder last year with gum boots, and besides feeling like a bit of a tool, it is really hard to access alot of the river without waders.  I would suggest breathable waders cause that's what I am used too, they are easy to get on and off and if you layer properly, they can be quite warm.

[doja]

Oh ya, if you are on a budget like me, instead of buying wading boots for $80+ you can use a used pair of boots or hikers. I got mine from a thrift store for $10 and they work great. Some people prefer felt lined bottoms and solid soles (standing on rocks can be more comfortable with a solid sole vs soft sole ) but I've found my softer (not soft ) sole hikers work good and don't slip and are very light when trekking threw the bush.

I fished the vedder last year with gum boots, and besides feeling like a bit of a tool, it is really hard to access alot of the river without waders.  I would suggest breathable waders cause that's what I am used too, they are easy to get on and off and if you layer properly, they can be quite warm.

If you have the money the breathables ( $200+ ) will  also come in handy during warmer wheather fishing for salmon and would be good all around pair of waders 

I have both, but use my neos during steelie season, don't know why, maybe cause they are cheaper and I do allot more walking/searching/climbing over snaggy trees and stuff then salmon fishing. or maybe cause I bought them as my first pair and don't like seeing them not get used.

I went with over sized neos to make getting in and out of/ climbing over things/  much more easy and with less stress on the groin seam. same with breathables but less oversized. The sales man suggested size were 2 sizes smaller then what I bought, the first size he though would be good were far from that so make sure you walk around/step on a step to get feel in groin area, remeber you may be climbing stuff like fallen trees, etc.

[devon42]

how hot does it get when wearing neo's in warmer months I'm sure that it wouldn't be to bad in the water if you weren't wearing alot of cloths  or am i wrong?

[jeff]

doja is right about the old pair of work boots, I just got a paiof wading boots for christmas but before that i just wore my old work boots.

[WEEFISH]

If you choose regular boots I suggest wearing a dress sock over your waders too protect from premature wearing areas that turn into 'LEAKS'  . If you can afford them breathable are really nice for all weather!

[chris gadsden]

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chest waders are best in case you fall in or step too deep, but know your limit as the water can push you around if you get into the current. I have fallen in before (chasing fish) and barley got wet with the chest waders.


Doja

A couple of safety tips. Make sure you are wearing a wading belt when using chest waders. Also a good idea to use a wading staff when you are crossing the river.  

[doja]

Food for thought, people use neos in warmer months in belly boats with out much issue, kicking them selfs around a lake all day ( may get a little sweaty but just remember to clean them every now and then ). BUT I would not want to do much walking in them, if at all in hot/warm wheather. For steelhead fishing neos will work just fine as the temp is lower. in the summer  I would just go with shorts and stand in the water so the breathables are not mandatory and if it is warm enough to stand in the water, well why bother with the waders. The fall/spring is in between, they are nice to have but I have done allot of sucessfull fishing with rubber boots and I didn't have much issue or great need for waders as you are usually fishing a hole for a longer period vs searching for steel in winter months.

If you choose regular boots I suggest wearing a dress sock over your waders too protect from premature wearing areas that turn into 'LEAKS'  . If you can afford them breathable are really nice for all weather!

^^^ good advice, I use a soft body hiker in new condition so not much issue for me but if using a rugged work boot I could see the benefits.



Doja

[Rodney]

Neoprene waders are definitely not recommended in the summer months. We used to wear them many years ago fishing the Vedder in July and the experience is not very pleasant at all. Wet wading in the summer in coastal streams is doable but it is still a bit colder than my preference. If you are fishing streams in Interior BC, wet wading with a pair of wading boots and neoprene socks is perfectly fine.

Something to consider with neoprene waders in the winter months. The thickness may suggest warmth, but the lack of breathability traps moisture inside them. Winter fishing for steelhead, trout and char requires fair amount of walking. Sweat would obviously accumulate overtime, which can lead to cold feet. Depending on the size that you purchase, neoprene waders can also constrict your body more than breathable waders. Constriction leads to bad blood circulation, which also results in cold. The good alternative would be to have a pair of breathable waders and wear lots of layers with fabrics that can dry quickly when encountering moisture.

Or maybe I just sweat too much...