How long do you think your fishing gear should last? Like your rods, reels, waders and boots? I am getting more and more annoyed at the way the tackle industry tries to rip us off and steal (yep steal) our cash.
Lets take waders and boots as a classic example. Now, your average waders cost around 130 pounds- how long would you expect them to last with regular looking after. By that I mean, you let them dry out after every session, you fold them away carefully and store them in an appropriate bag and any time you fish near a barbed wire fence you stay the f**k away from it. So how long? I will tell you how long 3 to5 years! Thats how long I want something to last that I pay 150 pounds for (thats around 280 dollars by the way). So why are we anglers always putting up with shoddy goods from these companies- I know some people, well not know as such as all my friends agree with me but at least people I have spoken to online who say that one season is perfectly acceptable for a pair of costly breathable waders- I find this totally unacceptable. I have been lucky, well when I say lucky I mean that I have managed to seal any holes in my waders nice and quickly, this was after my first pair started to let water in at the foot.
My biggest bug bear is probably boots; I have had 3 pairs of boots in 2 seasons. My Vision dual Track boots lasted one season and then they decided to put a hole in my waders with a nail, a design flaw if I ever saw one.
My second pair of boots (a pair of Snowbee XS dual terrain) lasted less than a dozen trips before disintegrating– saying that though they were pretty good at replacing them with a pair of boots that lasted half the time. I was shelling out more money on postage then anything so have now decided to go with Orvis for a change. I wonder about all the hype that the tackle industry give out- about the guys that test the rods and equipment- I mean my two pairs of boots disintegrated so the guys who tested them must have had the same problems. What happens to shoddy boots and waders that are not up to scratch? I will tell you what happens- they get sold to you and I as they know we will just go back and buy a new pair..damned annoying.
[tags]vision waders,snowbee xs,orvis,fishing tackle [/tags]
I’m with u on this one – I’ve only been fishing a couple of years and already onto 3rd pair of waders. First year I was only fishing stillwaters so less chance of harm u would think – the wader’s i’ve now got are fine (wychwood) but the boots – am on 2nd pair cos first pair lasted 3 months then fell apart (i only fish every 2-3 weeks too).
So the more manufacturers who read this and take note the better – at this rate i’ll be wading in shorts and jesus sandals just to save money…
Good point- and long since needed to be highlighted- one particular Scottish tackle company used to produce top quality spinning rods- but realised that us angler were using the same rod for years- so they decided to produce crap rods, most of which quickly needed a replacement top section,which practicaly required legal action to obtain. Waders, like you say are another rip off– It’s about time that we anglers formed a union and negotiated with tackle companies so THEY could give back, in the form of quality reasonable tackle, to the sport that they have been ripping off for years. RANT Over….John
I agree totally !! As Alistair knows i have been through more pairs of waders than i care to think about. i’ve tried all types and am currently fairly satisfied with my Vision breathables, however , after weekend onn the North Esk, i noticed damp patches appearing at the knees. This is merely annoying and not uncomfortable, however, this was after i had liberably covered all the seams in Aquasure. I seems to me that these days tackle manufacturers are producing equipment for the “occasisonal angler” and not for those of us who fish 3,4,5, times a week during the season. In short, the equipment does not seem to be up to the rigours that the serious sportsman or woman puts it through. I am considering returning to the okld rubber “ocean” wader, i never encountered any seapage with these and although a bit chilly seeme dto be built to last. Personally, i would rather wear something that did the job but looked industrial than some fancy “miracle” material built for the occasional angler fishing the manicured chalksreams or the like.
I just posted a review on the Trout Underground for wading boots that actually *are* holding up for me. I’m basically shocked.
Waders might be the biggest ongoing problem in this industry. I agree with what I’ve read above; I see many reviews on the Internet where occasional anglers rave about their $350 waders – which simply don’t hold up to the rigors of everyday fishing and blackberry bushes.
And don’t get me started on $650 mass-produced graphite fly rods…
I read your review, found it very interesting. I had boots with those sort of soles and found myself slipping all over the place. Did you find you slip more than usual?
hey, what rod do you use anyway? My favourite rod is a budget model (a GRX 8’6 4/5#) of a well known company called Greys.
Alistair
I find that the studded rubber boots are less slippery on dry streamside rocks, OK on harder-edged rocks, and definitely slipperier on rounded rocks that are covered with slime.
If the Kelvin is a warmer, slower river with a lot of algae growing on the rocks, I’d say these were probably not the best boots for you.
What gets on my goat is we have (maybe) sent a man to the moon unyet tackle producers cannot make a fly line that is memory free and floats? Progress?
Forget the old saying you get what you pay for, and remember the new one, you pay for the hype. (see the airflow dvd). Regarding waders, my snowbee neoprene bootfoot type, with felt sole and cleated heel, give good grip on rivers kelvin and endrick, and have stood the test of time. My new orvis breathable type, and greys grx wading boots combination felt and rubber sole have been excellent in their first season, but time will tell!