Orvis Pro Guide 3

[SlickFlyFisher]

Hi guys, this is my first post ever so please flame gently if at all,

I've been sponging through everyone's posts and I THOUGHT I knew decent amount about fly fishing... Wow, I'm definitely humbled around you all... Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to ask the pros for their opinion on an item that I've had my eye on for a while. I like the Orvis Pro Guide 3 stocking-foot waders a lot and I'm days away from getting myself a pair. Additionally, I'm interested in getting the Korkers Streamborn wading boots with the additional AquaStealth sole. I plan on doing some serious late summer, fall and even winter fishing on Big Flatbrook. Please let me know what you all think of these items. I'd love to hear whatever you guys have to say. Pros and cons, personal experiences and/or horror stories.

Thanks in advance,
Slick

 

[flyrod]

Hi guys, this is my first post ever so please flame gently if at all,

I've been sponging through everyone's posts and I THOUGHT I knew decent amount about fly fishing... Wow, I'm definitely humbled around you all... Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to ask the pros for their opinion on an item that I've had my eye on for a while. I like the Orvis Pro Guide 3 stocking-foot waders a lot and I'm days away from getting myself a pair. Additionally, I'm interested in getting the Korkers Streamborn wading boots with the additional AquaStealth sole. I plan on doing some serious late summer, fall and even winter fishing on Big Flatbrook. Please let me know what you all think of these items. I'd love to hear whatever you guys have to say. Pros and cons, personal experiences and/or horror stori korkers,,ok it sounds like you picked a good pair of waders,have fun fishing,i like red ball

Thanks in advance,
Slick

korkers,okit sounds like you pickeda good pair of waders,have fun fishing,ilike red ball

 

[SlickFlyFisher]

Hey again fellas,
What sole-type do you think would suit wading in Flatbrook best? I've never used the AquaStealth soles, but I've heard great reviews. Also, what do you guys think of the durability of the Orvis Pro Guide 3 stockingfoot waders. I usually like to hike into my favorite spots, but I'm worried about tearing or puncturing the wader material. Is it strong enough to trek through high weeds and sharp bushes (I'm usually pretty careful while hiking, but you never know when you're going to take a fall). ALSO (I promise, this is the last one), are the waders light enough to use in warmer weather/water? I mean, I'm not afraid to wet-wade at all, but I would love to be as comfortable as possible.
Talk to you soon tight-liners,
Slick

 

[Corndog]

Slick,

No matter which waders you buy you're going to get some pin holes if you walk the Flatbrook. Lots of briars and wild roses bushes with those big long thorns. I have a couple different brands of breathables and have had to repair them all because of the Flatbrook. Now I just wear rubber hip boots there and when winter comes I wear neoprenes. No real reason to wade past your knees anyway. I like korker wading boots. Mine are rubber soled with steel spikes for winter fishing. Just bought a pair of studded Chotas for my son and I like them alot too. They fit like a hiking boot.

Keep asking, that's what we're here for. Soon or later, you'll be feeding us info.

Cdog

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

I'm pretty new to this, but when I was buying waders I looked for something lightweight and packable. That way I don't need to wear them during the hike. I can pack them in a small backpack and put them on when I get to the stream. I ended up getting the Patagonia Watermaster Light waders, so far I am really happy with them. $350 is a lot to spend on a pair of waders in my opinion. Everyone I've spoken to says that no matter how good the waders are and no matter how much you spend they still end up leaking. That said, the Pro Guide 3's look really nice and if I could afford them I would consider it.

 

[SlickFlyFisher]

You know, I've been thinking... have any of you guys ever seen how "crop-circles" are made? No no no, I'm not talking about U.F.O.'s, lol I'm talking about the man-made ones where they take a long straight stick (maybe 4 feet long and fairly thick too, maybe 2 inches around or so) and they tie a length of rope (about 1 and 1/2 times the length of the stick) to each end of the stick. Then they lay the stick down on the ground and place one of their feet on the center of the stick and grab the rope by it's center and pull it taught. You then take small steps through the tall grass. The stick forces the grass to bend over at it's base. As you move forward, you'll notice that the grass behind you doesn't stand back up. I've seen it done in cornfields on fully matured cornstalks, so I'm guessing that it could be transferable to tall grass. And being the nature lover that I am, I think this might be a better solution than just carrying a machete. As a last addition, I think the stick used should only be slightly wider than the shoulders of the person making the path. This might be a good idea for fisherman that visit the same spots many times a year and don't want patch their waders on a regular basis. Anyways, tell me what you guys think, just a little brainstorm I had. Let me know if you guys thought it was helpful.
Tight Lines,
Slick

 

[Fly Guy]

If I'm hiking through a field to get to a good spot I don't want to lay all the grass down so everyone can follow me. I want to go in as quiet as possible and not have a crowd follow me because they can see a new path and think "this must be good because some made us a new trail".

As far as waders go I use waist high waders since I am always hot and I never find a reason to go in real deep. As corndog says I use my neoprenes in the winter and early spring. It's a great way to stay warm. I just throw on a pair of sweatpants and the waders and I good.

One piece of advise I can give is if you have a pick up, keep the waders in the cab when it's cold. It's no fun putting on a pair of waders that have been in the bed when it's 25* out. Don't ask.It takes a long time if ever to warm them up when you get into cold water with cold waders.

Jeremy

 

[Corndog]

You know, I've been thinking... have any of you guys ever seen how "crop-circles" are made? No no no, I'm not talking about U.F.O.'s, lol I'm talking about the man-made ones where they take a long straight stick (maybe 4 feet long and fairly thick too, maybe 2 inches around or so) and they tie a length of rope (about 1 and 1/2 times the length of the stick) to each end of the stick. Then they lay the stick down on the ground and place one of their feet on the center of the stick and grab the rope by it's center and pull it taught. You then take small steps through the tall grass. The stick forces the grass to bend over at it's base. As you move forward, you'll notice that the grass behind you doesn't stand back up. I've seen it done in cornfields on fully matured cornstalks, so I'm guessing that it could be transferable to tall grass. And being the nature lover that I am, I think this might be a better solution than just carrying a machete. As a last addition, I think the stick used should only be slightly wider than the shoulders of the person making the path. This might be a good idea for fisherman that visit the same spots many times a year and don't want patch their waders on a regular basis. Anyways, tell me what you guys think, just a little brainstorm I had. Let me know if you guys thought it was helpful.
Tight Lines,
Slick

Slick,

Don't try this on the Flatbrook. The Feds will fine you for each broken blade of grass. Pick a raspberry from one of their bushes and eat it and you'll see what I mean.

Just get a $20 pair of hip boots. The thick rubber will resist holes from the thorns, you'll stay cooler, you don't need to go out in the river where the fish are anyway, and if you gotta take a leak it's alot easier. Just get out of the water first.

Cdog

 

[eddavidson9]

...are the waders light enough to use in warmer weather/water? I mean, I'm not afraid to wet-wade at all, but I would love to be as comfortable as possible.

there's nothing more comfortable than wet wading. well, so long as the weather and water are right. i dont think i've used my waders more than twice since early may. and that's averaging 3-4 trips/week. at this rate, they should last me about 15 years.

 

[Corndog]

there's nothing more comfortable than wet wading. well, so long as the weather and water are right. i dont think i've used my waders more than twice since early may. and that's averaging 3-4 trips/week. at this rate, they should last me about 15 years.

ed,

How do you get the Ditymo out from under you toenails?

Cdog

 

[jcstikfish]

Hi guys, this is my first post ever so please flame gently if at all,

I've been sponging through everyone's posts and I THOUGHT I knew decent amount about fly fishing... Wow, I'm definitely humbled around you all... Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to ask the pros for their opinion on an item that I've had my eye on for a while. I like the Orvis Pro Guide 3 stocking-foot waders a lot and I'm days away from getting myself a pair. Additionally, I'm interested in getting the Korkers Streamborn wading boots with the additional AquaStealth sole. I plan on doing some serious late summer, fall and even winter fishing on Big Flatbrook. Please let me know what you all think of these items. I'd love to hear whatever you guys have to say. Pros and cons, personal experiences and/or horror stories.

Thanks in advance,
Slick

Hey there Slick,

The Orvis pro guide are good waders, as I am currently in a pair . As others mentioned, pin holes over time are a fact of life, but with a little patience and know-how, can be patched no problem. One piece of advice I would give you is to make sure you buy your waders BIG enough, so that when you are climbing and sliding around on bank and rocks, the breathable material dosen't get overly stressed at points where it needs to bend. Waders that are a good fit when you are just standing up may end up being tight in the knees, shins and seat when you really USE them. Having a little extra material can add some life.

Orvis has a warranty and return policy as well.

Best,


James

 

[eddavidson9]

ed,

How do you get the Ditymo out from under you toenails?

Cdog

I've actually been running an experiment this season...I wade only infested waters, and do so often, and try to get it growing on me. So far, that's the one place it wont grow. Now, if I could just manufacture my toe-slime on demand, we might be able to cure the world of rock-snot. Rivers sure would be smelly though.

 

[onemorecast]

I've actually been running an experiment this season...I wade only infested waters, and do so often, and try to get it growing on me. So far, that's the one place it wont grow. Now, if I could just manufacture my toe-slime on demand, we might be able to cure the world of rock-snot. Rivers sure would be smelly though.

 

[afishinado]

Great advice by jcstikfish about making sure your waders don’t fit too tight. I had two pair of Pro Guide 2’s (the 1st was replaced by Orvis). I blew out the seam at the crotch twice and sent them back for repair. They fit okay in light-weight clothing, but were a little tight when wearing heavier clothing underneath. I hike quite a bit when fishing, and I think the fit was the main problem. One thing about Orvis, they will stand behind their products, but hopefully you won’t have to try out their good service. Good luck with your waders.

 

[Corndog]

I've actually been running an experiment this season...I wade only infested waters, and do so often, and try to get it growing on me. So far, that's the one place it wont grow. Now, if I could just manufacture my toe-slime on demand, we might be able to cure the world of rock-snot. Rivers sure would be smelly though.

For tailwaters we can just strap your socks across the water outlet and watch the Ditymo disappear.

Have to start tying up some sock lint flys.

Cdog

 

[AKSkim]

Hey there Slick,

The Orvis pro guide are good waders, as I am currently in a pair . As others mentioned, pin holes over time are a fact of life, but with a little patience and know-how, can be patched no problem. One piece of advice I would give you is to make sure you buy your waders BIG enough, so that the LL Bean waders you also have to purchase will fit comfortably under them.
Best,

James

Follow that advise, you'll never feel water through your Orvis Pro Guide 3 waders.. EVER!

 

[SlickFlyFisher]

Hey boys,

Just wanted to thank you fellas for your feedback on my posts, its nice to see such an active forum. Unfortunately work has been crazy lately, so I'm unable to fish ANYWHERE near as often as I'd like, but I'll survive. On the other hand, I'm a real estate agent so I work weekends and am usually off a day or two during the week hopefully leaving the water kinda vacant. I'll need to hit Ramsey Outdoors on my way up north. It kinda stinks that the Feds are so strict about conservation of Flatbrook. I guess they need to have some rules or else a bunch of city-idiots might destroy the place as time goes by. Sucks that some people have to ruin it for everyone. Anyways, getting back to the waders... I love all the advice and I'll take every bit of it into consideration while shopping. Wow, I was all over the place with this post. Thanks again, guys.

Tight Lines,
Slick

 

[Andy]

The new Orvis Pro Guide waders look good to me and I think they'll be my next pair. I have a 9 1/2 shoe size and someone has finally made a stocking-foot wader in my size (their 9-10)! I'm sick of wearing "L" size waders with one-size-fits-all booties! Presently, I'm wearing three pairs of weavy wool sox over a pair of moccasin sox to fill out the bootie in an attempt to make it comfortable, and a pair of size 12 wading shoes!