Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Wading Gear and Accessories

Waders and boots are primary fly fishing equipment. Many items go along with this equipment to make up wading accessories. So many items that we made a special category for them simply known as Wading Accessories.

You will find...

A Wading Belt comes standard with a new pair of waders. Depending on wader model some are pretty nice and some are nothing more than a thin ballistic nylon belt. A belt should be worn while wading not only for fit but a belt can also keep out the water if an unintended dunk occurs.

Many options for belts today

Simms Neoprene wading belt is solid and has just enough stretch to maintain all day comfort. Simms BackSaver Belt provides additional lower back support for those long days on the water. Simms Back Magic Belt provides ultimate back support.
Fishpond Westbank Wading belt features a net slot on the back side. Fishpond also provides the Switchback wading belt pack system that combines a pack and shoulder harness to a wading belt creating a complete fishing system.

Wading Staffs

Once you get use to a wading staff it's hard to be without one! Besides the extra help they provide navigating a slippery river staffs also let you feel your way through unknown underwater terrain. They also help keep your balance for the long hike home. Currently Simms owns the market with the Standard and a Pro model. Standard is an aluminum model while the Pro is a lighter carbon fiber model.

Traction

Boot Studs and other traction devices certainly falls into the wading accessory category. Simms has many options both specific for their boots while some like the Hard Bite Studs can have some universal use.

Socks

Wading socks come in all forms from standard crews to wet wading guard socks. Simms wading socks are merino wool and come in different weights for different seasons. Simms also has a Bugstopper model and a wet wading model designed specifically for the appropriate times.

Neoprene socks and neoprene guard socks are specific for wet wading applications. I am a huge fan of the Neoprene Guard Socks for summertime wet wading activities. With Guard socks you get to use your regular wading boots for support and traction while the Guard Socks keeps your feet cool and comfortable.

Korkers also provides Neoprene Wading and Neoprene Guard Socks of which we have tested and approve.

Wading Bags

To travel or store all this gear a designated wading bag is indispensable. Two bags that take you to river and back home again in a simple, multi-purpose design are the Simms Taco Bag and Fishpond Burrito Bag. Both of these bags are intended to be a wader changing mat perfect for parking lot gear up and when the day is done they simply wrap around your wet waders and boots for the ride home.

Bags designed for the long haul currently include the Korkers Mack's Canyon and the Fishpond Cimarron Duffel. Both of these bags are built to be airline tough and provide separate wet dry compartments because we all know that we will fish up to the last minute before departure and our boots will not have a minute to dry before take off.

Miscellaneous

Then there are some many more items that might help or save a day of wading such as Replacement Boot Laces, Waterproof Wader Pouches, or stream-side Repair Kits.

Drop us your comments and tell us what's in your wader bag that you won't go fishing without.

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