Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Survey Page

Welcome to the Gorge Fly Shop Survey page. On the top of the page you will find our most current active survey and below you will find our past surveys and posted results. Thank You for contributing your time and opinions.

5.15.2017

One quick question...we're wanting to know if any are using Amazon Payment Method. If so we'll add it to our store as a payment option.

3.29.2017

Do You Tie Your Own Flies?

Maybe I am just more aware of it but it seems to me that more anglers are tying their own flies today. Whether it be for personal satisfaction, commercially unavailable patterns or self created unique patterns.

This question came to mind when I was ripping out a couple patterns for an upcoming fishing adventure. The patterns I tie are nothing amazing special but to the best of my knowledge the exact detail does not exist in a commercial tied fly. I also get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I have my own hand in tying them.

Results

Thank You for taking the time to complete our survey. I really enjoy sharing the results and hearing your comments.

Interesting Comments:

I used to tie most of my flies. Then for years I quit. Recently I started up again.
I like simple patterns like soft hackles, simple basic nymphs, etc. Patterns that only need one or two materials work just as well as the more complicated patterns.
I purchase very few flies, only ones I will purchase is if I'm on a river and there is some new local hot fly that the fish and just tearing up
I tie 90% of my own because nobody within reasonable driving distance, carries the sculptural. And $2.50 for a simple comet, spruce, or pheasant tail flashback is just to much. Unless using gold or platinum hooks :-)
For pure enjoyment, they catch fish
Nothing beats catching a fish on your own tie
You get what you want, and guaranteed it will hold up when fishing. Sometimes I'll buy a fly or two to use as a model.
In flyfishing I think the reward of fly fishing is not just catching the fish but the art of catching on fly you have tied yourself.
I tie flys more than I fish flies. Been doin' it since I was a wee lad of 12 years old. A very rewarding hobby that I return to whenever I get the creative urge.
I've convinced myself that my flies are better and will catch more fish than any others!
I buy some flies to support shops and fisheries.
Gorge Fly Shop having second thoughts about stocking tying materials (and having said materials available to online viewers/purchasers)?
I buy flies to copy
It would be fun to have some in-house tying classes. I would attend.
I have been tying flies for two years now and hope to be able to tie all my flies soon. It has been a fun learning experience and does take some time to obtain all of the materials needed for all the patterns that one would want to tie.
Unfortunately I can't see well enough to tie the small stuff anymore, but I still tie all my steelhead stuff
Certainly not to save money! But there really isn't anything as cool as catching fish on flies you've tied yourself, it really enhances the experience.
My local fly shop doesn't offer any classes.

As always, you guys hold up your end of my surveys with your comments. I am absolutely certain the best feedback is from our customers and all of you who participate prove that on every survey. Big Thank You!

My Points...

Hate to state the obvious but to those who have not ventured into tying you really are missing out on a large part of the satisfaction of fly fishing. Even if your fly is just a simple bugger variation, (which I tie many of) it will give you great satisfaction with every fish it brings to hand.
I acknowledge both your interest in local tying courses and online supplies source. I will forward that info to the proper channels.

Thanks again...I look forward to the next survey results

1.3.2017

How Many Fly Rods Do You Own?

Come on tell the truth! We won't rat you out. You will remain anonymous. I know plenty of anglers who only have one rod and it's all they need for the fishing they do. That wouldn't work for me but who am I to judge. I also know some anglers that can't tell you how many rods they have because it's easier to say "I don't know" than to face the reality of a possible affliction!

Please add your comments. We enjoy hearing them. You can see current results as soon as you take the survey or check back here in about a month and I will have a review together.

Results

Thank You for taking the time to complete our survey. I really enjoy sharing the results and hearing your comments.

OK...I knew y'all owned some fly rods but wow! I did not expect to see this big of numbers.

biggest admittted number of fly rods - 67 fly rods
Most Spey - 23 Rods

Interesting Comments

My goal is to take enough trips so that I get to use each one at least once
I actually don't know how many I own
That was last count over a year ago. Don't know how many I've bought since. I know I haven't caught as many fish this year as I have rods. I'm already divorced! God help me!!!
I have 2 of everything
There are worse addictions, I suppose ...
They accumulate over a lifetime you know.
and a switch rod thrown in for fun......Micro spey on order as well;-)
...with more coming, I'm sure...
23 Everything from one of Winstons 1st spey rods 13" 8 wt and a ediburough Scottish spey rod Orvis Scott Hardy CNC and several sage spey rods
Use a Rio single hand Spey line with either 10' or 11' foot single hand Rod. Find it sufficient.

Awesome Comments...Thank You

My Comments. I to don't know how many I own...I would have to go count. Anytime my wife brings up rod count I just smile and reply "let's go count your shoes", end of conversation. One Hand Spey cast with single hand rods is growing...and it should be!

Fly or Conventional

Come on be honest! It's all anonymous anyway. Let's face the facts...it's not the equipment that hooked us into fishing. It's the experience! Outdoors, Water, Hanging with Grandpa, Priceless! And once we experience "The TUG" it was all we wanted from that moment on.

This question is not about a great debate over what is proper or pure. It's just for fun! We won't gain anything out of your answers. We are fly shop and there are no plans to change that nor would we want to.

Please add your comments. We enjoy hearing them. You can see current results as soon as you take the survey or check back here in about a month and I will have a review together.

Results

Thank You for taking the time to complete our survey. I really enjoy sharing the results and hearing your comments.

The results don't really surprise me and I feel that they are pretty accurate. I feel no shame in anglers starting with conventional gear and really if done ethically there should be no shame if we still employ some conventional tackle. For me and I'm sure for most that will read this, the passion of the fly and all it's challenges usually exceeds other methods. In my moment of total honesty here I will say I might fish more conventional tackle if I had more time to fish but with the limited time I do get to fish I wish to pursue the fly. My two cents...

Breakdown -

74.1% started with conventional gear
Other - Cane Pole (I missed that one)
Now - 62% fish fly only
1 angler noted they fish with gear only

Interesting Comments

Started with conventional at about age 5, self taught fly fisher at about age 12. Lots of encouragement from Field & Stream, Outdoor Life and the public library.
I grew up "crick fishing" in our local streams with worms and a spinning rod. At about the same time, my Dad introduced me to fly fishing. I still enjoy both methods. The only thing I am sorry to see over the years is the "yuppification" of Fly Fishing to the point it has become so expensive.
Started around age 3 with Sunnies on worms with cane pole.
I taught myself how to fly fish at the age of twelve. I saw people catching cool fish with a fly on ESPN, and I wanted to do it!
Started bait fishing with a fly rod on a freestone mountain creek. The call it high sticking now
My dad put a spin rod in my hand early on. But wasn't long after, around age 8 or 9, I was casting a scientific angler 6wt single hand with a pflueger medalist with a dry fly.
First fish caught on a fly at the age of six. Nice brownie on a dry fly
Both and Spey
Nothing quite like feeling the TUG at end of fly line.. It never ceases to conjure up an immense "Rush"...
Witnessed an older gentleman fly fishing on a quiet little river. First time I had ever seen it. It was so graceful and beautiful, and seemed so "pure". I was 14 and have been hooked on fly fishing ever since...that makes it 52 years now and still go nearly every day.
Love it all... But I have to admit that any fish taken on the fly are a little more special
I think the divide between gear and fly is ridiculous. We are all fisherfolk and it's all about having fun!
Define conventional. You guys obviously have a fly fishing bias or you wouldn't lump all other forms of fishing into one "conventional"category. Just a reminder to all you Fancy Lad Flyfishers there is Spin fishing (both open and closed face reels), bait caster fishing, cane pole fishing, plunking, trolling, hover fishing,
Currently a bad case of tennis elbow has caused me to focus on tenkara fishing. It is addictive!
Learned how to use fly gear for all the fish I used to fish for with conventional gear.
I do take my children fishing with both types of gear, but I prefer to fly fish only. I've landed enough steelhead that I'd rather miss a few than use gear. I just prefer spey rods
I toss lures, saltwater fish, pull plugs, but once I was introduced to spey fishing...that's when my life turned for the worse. It's an obsession that is drives me mad. It's all I want to do.
Started fishing age 60. Now 10 years later I am still fishing the fly. I have never tried any other method
Anglers please be attentive to an older angler who fishes with conventional gear. They might no longer have the physical ability to cast a fly rod. I would personally rather see someone pursuing the passion with gear than to be shamed from the water by their fellow fly anglers. That might be me or you one day...have some compassion!

Awesome Comments...Thank You

My Comments...Where to start!

I guess my first comment is...It is safe to say that most of us got hooked fishing by any means possible and fishing the fly just came naturally. I have always believed that true anglers are also discoverers. We never stop pursuing new water, new techniques and new species. Status Quo is not part of our vocabulary.

"You guys obviously have a fly fishing bias". Actually you would be quite surprised that we really have no bias. Yes, I lumped all conventional methods together but the intent was just to simplify the survey. I was certain that if we all answered honestly the results would indicate first that most of us did not start with a fly rod and second our angling passion took us to where we are today which is mostly if not all fly fishing. All of us at Gorge Fly Shop are passionate fly anglers but we didn't get to this point being one sided and none of us place ourselves above the use of many types of conventional gear.

While in recent years innovations with fly rods, lines and flies themselves have greatly expanded our abilities to reach more species we're still quite understanding that some fisheries are just better suited for other tackle.

I think my point to this survey was to get all of us to look back and remember where we came from. Very few started with fly only. Just because we started another way doesn't mean we're dirty anglers and just because someone today is fishing conventional gear doesn't make them dirty unethical fishers. They might be, but one should not make that assumption from the rod they are yielding. They might just be getting started in angling. They might be fishing single hook barb-less on a tight-line. I call that ethical and if they're having fun and doing it legal then let their passion grow.

Is Gorge Fly Shop a passionate fly angling shop...You Bet! But we are this for the right reasons. I'll use quotes from your comments that fit exactly why we are who we are...

Nothing quite like feeling the TUG at end of fly line.. It never ceases to conjure up an immense "Rush"...
Witnessed an older gentleman fly fishing on a quiet little river. First time I had ever seen it. It was so graceful and beautiful,
Love it all... But I have to admit that any fish taken on the fly are a little more special
Learned how to use fly gear for all the fish I used to fish for with conventional gear.
Once I was introduced to spey fishing...that's when my life turned for the worse. It's an obsession that is drives me mad.

I use your quotes because I couldn't have said it better myself...Thanks for participating.

9.6.2016 -
Two Hand Spey Survey

Curious, Being a Northwest shop in the heart of Steelhead country we can get clouded into thinking that all fly anglers are involved in two hand spey. Having spent time away in other locales I've come to realize that spey is still a very small part of the overall fly fishing scene. Two Hand techniques are branching out especially on the trout scene. Our question is are you doing it or not and if you are what are you pursuing. If you're not doing spey do you have interest in it. I look forward to seeing these results and hearing your comments.

Results

Thank you everyone for all your input. This was one of the more fun and informative surveys. I really enjoy your ideas and comments.

If you tried to take this survey the first time I ran it in the newsletter I apologize for it not working. Thank you for your patience and retaking the survey. The results are very encouraging. About 160 responded.

Results are not too surprising. Spey popularity is growing and expanding. Little surprising to see trout edge out Salmon but considering there is probably more available trout spey opportunities this should not surprise us.

Great to see some guys going after bass and write ins included sea trout, carp, bull trout and even striper.

Interesting Comments:

Fanatical Spey caster. Frustrated by current trends in ever shorter heads. Please lobby Airflo and others to make a line with tips in a mid head configuration. The new Delta Spey is shorter and you cannot get it with tips. The long Delta is gone. We are massively spoiled for choice in very short heads with an increasing hole for more experienced casters who want to strip less and enjoy the beauty and learning that goes with casting longer heads.
Bought OPST heads from the Gorge and now single spey for trout the majority of the time.
I occasionally spey cast with a single handed rod.
Always 2-hand for steelhead. Single hander for trout if dry fly fishing. Rarely nymph. Started swinging with trout Spey this year on both single and double hander
When I can I swing flies (even for trout) but as a trout fisherman in Montana first and a steelheader second I still use single handed rods
I fish in the UK and Iceland where we only have Atlantics.
Would like to do more, but am mostly a salt water flats fisher. Use two hand when I am traveling.
Recently started to fish for trout using a light spey rod -- Love it!
Would like to get into trout spey but haven't yet
Tenkara rods also used for Spey casting - deadly!

My Comments:

Admittedly I'm not in touch with the long head crowd. A scandi feels long to me. My guess is the short head growth comes from the ever increasing use of two hand on smaller waters. I hope someday to experience some big water long head spey.
OPST has sure changed the game for short rod work
I believe single hand spey is growing rapidly
"Only have Atlantics" What a problem to have...lol
Other than overhead casting long rods from shore I can't see where salt anglers will ever benefit from spey
Trout spey is growing (Trout Spey - Why Do It)
Tenkara Spey...Awesome. I've never tried that but I have taken the Redington Game Rod and two handed it for bass...crazy fun!

Thanks Again...

8.10.2016 - New Fly Rods
I always look forward to new fly rods. I have to wonder on every new fly rod if I am looking at my new favorite! This year several rods came to the IFTD show all wanting to claim that favorite position. Question is which one(s) will actually achieve that status in the coming years. Recently I posted the blog article Greg's Rod Picks from IFTD / I-CAST 2016. In this article I highlighted the new rods soon to be on our racks. Some already are in-stock. But what do you think at first glance. What rod(s) catches your interest. Take a minute for this short survey and let us know!

Take Survey...

Unfortunately this survey did not get much response. Not sure if it was an unappealing presentation or just at that time of year when everyone is out for a BBQ and getting ready to send the kids back to school. It's still an available survey so feel free to complete it. I'll continue to monitor it and add new results.
No surprise the Sage gets some attention. The Sage One was a great rod and so far everyone that has fished the X says it is noticeably better. I just purchased my first New Sage X and can't wait to get to know it. I bout the 597-4 to not only use as a single hand stick but also line it for single handed trout spey. You'll be hearing more about that outcome over the winter.

G.Loomis gained some attention with the New Asquith. It'll be interesting to see how this Import/American high dollar rod fits in with all USA made sticks from Sage, Winston and Scott.

Redington is making moves with the Hydrogen Trout Spey. This was a definite gap in the trout spey market and with this addition we can expect to see some forward momentum in this baby spey game. This is another rod that I will be winter testing. I'm already hearing good words about it.

One Comment:

I'm interested in the Sage X 691 and 790.

Interesting note about Sage rods. I like that they recognize the demand for rods with full wells grips and fighting butts in small weights. They have produced the 691-4 ( "1 or 7" indicates fight butt) for several years already. Now, Also included in the X line up is a 591-4, 597-4 and a 5101-4. All full wells grips with fighting butt. I'm sure many of you this won't matter but a few of us like myself prefer fulls wells grips over cigar grips and I prefer rods with fight butts. This was the deciding factor of why I chose to add a 597-4 to my trout game.

The Winston Air is a really good feeling/casting stick. I think it will take a little while to catch on. It's a trout stick and Winston fans already have great Winston trout sticks so what motivation do they have to get the latest. The important aspect to look at with the New Winston Air is that it's a big leap for the Montana base company into the modern era of high tech graphite and resins. As the Air grows its reputation one can only wonder what it will spawn from it in the near future.

7.11.2016 - Favorite Outfit Survey

I admit it! I'm a gear junkie. I'm always searching for a better rod for every situation I encounter. It's a never ending quest. I live for that rock star moment when you and your rod, reel and line come together in perfect harmony. When cast are effortless! When you are so connected to your fly you feel the fish before he attacks. You know the feeling I'm talking about.

The question this month is a write-in. You all have been so great to write in your responses on past surveys that I felt like I could hit you straight up with name your favorite outfit. Feel free to include rod, reel and line, after all it is the total package that comes together to make good gear great!

Update: Thank You for all the great responses. I didn't take into consideration on how to share the findings with you. Lot's of great responses. I'll just tally the results and add some comments...

Out of 25 responses
Rods: Sage topped the chart with a total single and two hand of 14. Scott came in second in all single handers. Winston also cleaned up in single handers with 5. Loomis totaled 5 rods altogether. Two Burkheimers. Single entries included Hardy, Echo, Bruce and Walker, Orvis, Loop, Beulah, Meiser, Redington, Anderson, March Brown and I saved the best for last, Shakespeare Wonderod

Reels: Lamson topped this list with 6 followed by Tibor with 5. Hardy. Nautilus and Bauer all received 4 votes each. Loop, Redington and Hatch came in with 2 votes each. Single votes went to Orvis, Olson, 3-Tand, Galvan and again best for last Martin.

I'll just hit on a few notes.
Not surprising but many spey anglers are reaching for Sage One's and Sage TCX's. One comment I want to point out was..."The Method is light weight, Ultra Fast action with narrower grips than most rods ( All Sage Rods)". Something I've been saying for a few years is that my Sage rods tend to fit my hand better than most and I think this is a big reason I also tend to favor Sage Rods. Burkheimer and G.Loomis also hit the two hand list.
In the single hand catagory Winston, Sage and Scott are the favs.
The most fun entry was: "My second favorite outfit is a Shakespeare Wonderod, 8', Martin 65, Scientific Anglers Bass line."

6.16.2016 - Spey Reel Survey

Are you old school click and pawl or modern large arbor disc drag? There is no wrong answer here! One of the great assets of the fly fishing sport is we appreciate tradition and embrace innovative technologies. Modern fly reels offer some of the finest built drag systems ever, yet for many anglers and fishing situations the simplistic click pawl system is a respected time honored trustworthy tradition that doesn't need fixed. Two question survey: Do you prefer old school click pawl or modern disc drag reels and What are you considering for your next reel purchase?

Spey Reel Survey Results

Summary
Thank you for taking the time to take our surveys. The purpose of our surveys is first entertainment but ultimately we hope to become a better fly shop by listening to you, our people. The cool point about this particular survey is it really shows how diverse we can be in our sport. I've always felt that the beauty of this sport is how we get to express ourselves in so many ways from what we fish for, to how we fish, to what gear choices we make.

Interesting Comments:

I would like to have the option to turn the click/pawl on and off
Should be more new old style spey reels built today
Click/pawl just for the noise
I like quiet!
Try fighting a good Chinook on a Hardy Perfect or Bougle and get back to me with sore fingers and tales of woe
The first few seconds are the most critical for just enough tension to prevent spool over run. This is where a click pawl reel excels. A disc drag reel must be set low and be easy to adjust if it is needed during the fight

My Comments: I couldn't agree more with the last two comments. The click pawl is there for the most critical moments on start up but after that it doesn't do much to subdue the fish. Set a disc drag low and be willing to adjust during the fight. If a fish comes unpinned once your deep into battle it has nothing to do with making drag adjustments during the fight. It was going to unpin anyway. Now breaking tippets or straightening hooks could certainly be to much brakes. While most the time I prefer quiet I do have to admit there has been a few times I would have loved my buddy to hear my reel screaming. I would argue the idea that a click pawl is fail free. I experienced a spool lockup on a click pawl that cost a wild steelhead and that memory lives deep in my sole today. It would be hard for me to trust a bushing system over a bearing system ever again. As for comment #2... Yes, Should be more old school modern reels built today.

June 2016 - Fly Box Survey

Take Survey

Many different choices of fly boxes out there. If you're like me you've tried many of them. Are any of them perfect? We don't seem to sell many fly boxes anymore so I am curious...are we just carrying the wrong ones or have many of you resorted to using easily obtained Planos or zip lock baggies for those hard to contain tube and stinger flies. I found it difficult to come up with a good way to create questions for this survey so please feel free to write in your thoughts. I will be paying close attention to all write in material. Thank you for your input.

Fly Box Survey Results

Summary

We're a little shocked that C&F Design boxes came out on top. We use to carry these but our sales went flat on them so we opted out for other options. Tacky is a brand that we have considered bringing aboard. The New Plan D fly box wins the most popular write-in.

It's clear to see the important features are slit foam, clear viewing and waterproof...no surprise here.

Interesting Comments:

the new Plan D boxes are the best I have seen for the shank flies
I really like the Tacky clear top slim fly boxes for my Buzzer,small Hares Ear & Cruncher type flies
Tacky just feels nice in hand and high quality
Cliff & Plano for saltwater & large salmon/steelhead flies.
Strength of the box is important if I'm paying top dollar for an item that holds flies. Otherwise cheap plano's or baggies work

My Comments:

I feel like we're on the same page here. I've taken note of the New Plan D fly boxes. They have an interesting development story and solve the old problem of intruder style flies. I think they are a little big for hike/wade fishing but I've heard they are working on additional models to the lineup and possibly even a tube fly solution.

Tacky is the other one that we've been paying attention to. Very good quality with slit silicone, clear viewing and mag closure.

I love my Cliff Boat boxes and the Umpqua Box boxes are equally as good with the added benefit of outside slit foam for quick fly change and drying. I too have resorted to zip lock baggies at times. Just tired of trying to organize articulated flies.

May 2016 - Do you own Watercraft(s) for your fly fishing adventures?

Watercraft have given me great freedom as an angler. Of course along with that freedom comes greater complexities to a day of fishing such as hauling them, shuttles, outfitting and in the case of motorized now you have gas and/or batteries. Sometimes you have to ask yourself is it worth it? The cool thing about watercraft is getting a good match up to the water you enjoy fishing the most. No one type of watercraft will ever be a "Do all" but when your craft enhances your experience it can take you to a whole new level of enjoyment.

Watercraft Survey Results

Summary

Thanks for taking the time to complete out survey. I'm not really surprised pontoons came out on top. The really are so versatile in that you can float a river or fish a lake and they easily fit in back of a truck fully inflated.
Write-ins included:

Raft (5)
Watermaster

Interesting comments:

would feel naked without one...
Will never own a boat again!!!
To this point there seems to be too many float pontoons to chose from
While I love being around people, having a frameless pontoon watercraft enhances the solo meditative aspects of fly fishing for me. I can be as far away or as close to others as my mood dictates.

My Comments on these comments:

Owning any type of boat can be a luv/hate endeavor. The first two comments expresses this perfectly. Personally I will never be without a boat but I fully understand all the many reasons to not want a watercraft. As far as being too many pontoons to choose from I actually feel we have a pretty good fix on that. First decide if you need a framed or a frameless pontoon? (Pontoon buyers guide) Than decide how much you wish to budget. I think the last comment defines why own a personal watercraft. It's fun by yourself and fun with a group.

I own a powerboat and 2 Pontoons. The lakes I fish are very large and being confined to a human power craft would greatly limit the ability to effectively fish them. For small water and streams the frame-less pontoons are so much fun and take you where others don't go. I have two so I can share the experience with my wife, friends and family. It's part of the adventure!

Outcast Stealth Pro Frame-less Pontoon Boat Review

May 2016 - What do you consider best describes yourself

This survey is intended to be more on the fun side but after creating it I really became curious what the results will be. Choose as many answers that apply. Feel free to write in your own crafty names for different types of fishing and as always your comments are welcome.

Results

Summary

Thanks for taking your time and answering this survey. I can't help to wonder if Fly Swinger results are to be expected or a little inflated considering we are a Northwest centered business and swinging flies for steelhead have become the norm. I swing flies for trout too but I don't see many guys on the river doing this.

Interesting write-ins include:

Nymphomaniac
Trout Snob
Rooster Fanatic
And my favorite "I just like fly fishing"

Interesting Comments:

For river fishing for Steelhead/Salmon your 'options' are limited. Use a 'float' or 'indicator?' BANNED FOR LIFE!
Spey for any fish
I enjoy trying to catch anything on fly, but chasing carp has it all, sight fishing, an endless supply of big fish, endless waterways full of them
It's the hunt and tug that makes the juice worth squeeze

My comments on these comments:

Bob (float or indicator) is becoming increasingly less popular. Poor bob...lol..not really, I'm not against indicator fisherman but I ask how often are anglers using them when they really don't need to? "Spey for any fish" Agreed! Although spey is not going to replace overhead precision casting, more and more I employ trout spey tactics even with single hand rods and have found that techniques I use to consider difficult have now become easy through the use of spey. Carp on the fly is certainly worthy of pursuit and I would encourage anyone to seek out the opportunity. Along with my favorite write-in "I just like fly fishing", comment #4 also best describes myself. No matter what species you pursue it all comes down to the hunt and the tug.

May 2016 - Wading Boot Traction

The purpose of this survey is to get your input on wading boot sole options. Are you a die-hard felt user or have you made the switch to rubber soled boots and/or with traction devices.

Results

Summary

Majority of anglers still prefer studded felt and for good reason, it's tough to beat. Although I can say through experience aluminum bar boots are probably the best traction I have ever put on my feet. Properly studded tread can be pretty good and a great advantage if you hike and car hop a lot. Unlike felt, rubber tread soles do not hold water and leave it all over the floor boards of your truck.

Interesting comments include:

Haven't found a rubber tread (non stud) that worked well enough to wade with.
Curious to know how the bars functions as compared to studs.
How about a comparison of types of wading boot soles. The various brands of kling-on type rubber soles do not have adequate grips for all-round traction. Manufacturers seem to put more emphasis on other features.
Felt is great in the water but I worry about it on muddy banks or in the snow.
I love the Simms but not sold on the screw in studs

My comments on these comments:

Your absolutely correct rubber soles are not enough alone to wade most waters, maybe ok in shale rock rivers of the great lakes but in all but a few places rubber soled boots without studs are pretty worthless.

Aluminum bars are pretty awesome. At first almost too awesome as they can be a bit grabby but once they wear they lose some of there traction ability. From research that a fellow fly fisher has done it has been determined that the sharp edge of aluminum is what cuts the slime to get traction. Once that sharp edge wears down traction diminishes.

A comparison of wading boot soles is an excellent idea. I'll discuss this idea with everyone and see what we can come up with.

As great as felt is it does have some very negative conditions as this comment expressed. on ice and mud felt not so good. Another strike against felt is the amount of water and dirt they will bring to your truck or boat floor.

We have heard and witnessed problems with screw in studs. Sometimes they get ripped out of the boot sole and in most cases reusing that same hole is destined to fail again. It seems like the first entry is the best most secure hold but once ripped out it's done. Find a new spot to put in a new stud.

But for the most part Simms Screw in studs have been very successful. I wouldn't recommend rubber soled boots to go without them.

Thanks for all your responses. I read every one of them and will share this info with other industry people.

May 2016 - Wader Survey

Three quick questions about what wader brands you use and how satisfied are you with them?
As you can see from the results Simms is certainly the most popular with 62% users and most everyone is happy with them. Anglers are interested in Patagonia's and Redington users are generally happy too. I think it's safe to say that most of today's leading name brand waders are pretty good and it's possible anyone can have a bad experience.

Interesting comments include:

Simms - American Made, Too Expensive, Excellent, Durable
Patagonia - Support on environmental issues, Good Quality, Enviable Reputation
Redington - Outlasted others, Decent for the money

Simms gets beat up pretty good over the price. Some comments indicate that some anglers are just no longer going to pay it period. We at Gorge Fly Shop find it interesting that Simms has cheaper imported options such as the Freestone but no one seems to be interested in them. Seems as if you aren't willing to buy G3's or higher than just might as well by a different import brand.

Other mentions are good success from LL Bean and Hardy/Greys seem to be very popular among our European anglers.

Thanks for taking the time to do our surveys. We really value and appreciate your answers and comments. We hope that these surveys will help us make good decisions for the future of the fly fishing industry for everyone.

April 2016 - Fly Rod Survey

One question - What type of Fly, Switch or Spey rod are you considering in your future? Choose as many options that apply. Trout came in first followed by Saltwater. In the "Other" choice we saw 2 write in's for Tenkara. Also written in was Streamer and Single Hand Spey.

We had several interesting comments. Top three are...

1) Need to become more proficient in using the fly rods I have.
So True! I've always believed it takes time to really learn a rod and too often I see anglers give up on a great rod when all it needed was a different line choice or change in casting habit.

2) I want to learn more about Bass as well as fishing for them on the Columbia
The Columbia is a great bass fishery, not easy but great! A couple articles on our Blog might help...

3) What is the difference between a "Trout Spey" and a "Microspey"?

I wondered if anyone would catch that added term of Trout Spey in the survey. Winston decided to call there trout two handers "Microspey" to imply that these really are micro spey rods designed for the purpose and Sage chose the term "Trout Spey" to define their new two hand trout offerings. I think the goal is to get away from the term Switch Rod and also relay the idea that these new trout offerings have been engineered with trout actions, not just a new down-sized switch rod.