STREAM FISHERMAN

STREAM FISHERMAN

How many of you wade into streams or go deeper into the water fishing? How many of you have used waders for years and have in recent years gone from the neoprene fabric made waders to lighter nylon that are made from a three layer laminate containing a ptfe film commonly known as Gore-Tex or any of their competingmaterials.

I do not know how many companies produce this product, but I do know they totally misrepresent their products made with these films. They in total state that they have and I will quote here from an article about the Kokatat Companies newest Angler Paddling Suit; “The Gore-Tex Supernova Angler is based on the same design of the popular Hydrus Supernova Angler suit, but made with GORE-TEX fabrics for a suit that is lighter weight, more durable and has superior breathability. (Emphasis mine). If you compare the breathability of this garment to the breathability of a dead fish you have equals.

I do not know how long companies have been making neoprene waders but I do know that neoprene fabric is as waterproof a material as you can get and if the seams are sealed properly these suits last for years. What that means is the perspiration that comes out of your body while wearing one of these waders stays inside the garment. The only time I ever used a neoprene garment was when I was a live aboard on my boat and it was when I was diving. It was a wet suit vest, as that was all that was necessary to wear in the Bahamas during the winter. I have had many ask for some form of insulation to wear while in the waders but all I have made to help is the Sunwalkers to keep feet warm.

What I see is an industry that is populated by people who just don’t think about what they are making. They only think about what they can benefit from a massive advertising deal that comes from a company that has promoted erroneous information about the material they sell. Not a one of the materials as I have stated unequivocally many times for the past 40 years functions as the providers of these materials claim. These materials are not waterproof and vapor permeable or as they say breathable on land in air. Then how can the vapor coming out of the pores of your body pass through the three layer laminate into water that is pressing against the fabric of the garment you are wearing? It can’t and therefore it doesn’t!!!!!!!

Don’t the manufacturers of these products know that? In my opinion they do, and again in my opinion they just don’t care. They I believe knowingly propagate what I consider a scam. If you are presented with information about a product that simply put does not work as the information states you have been scammed in my opinion.

Millions of people all over the world have spent money on a variety of products that have been advertised to perform in this manner only to be disappointed. Why they haven’t chosen to return these garments to the stores that they bought them from truly amazes me. When I have spoken with people who have purchased these garments and they tell me they get wet inside the garment and do not experience the “breathability” factor they just accept it and don’t bother returning the item.

The only benefit that I can see wearing a nylon wader is its weight being much lighter than the neoprene waders. I make waders for crossing streams not to wade in water fishing and they are thigh high and weight about 8 ounces versus 8 to 10 pounds of waders for the same purpose and you wear them over you boots versus taking your boots off putting on the waders crossing the stream and then reversing the process.

Since the retailers are not dealing with returns of products that do not work they will keep selling them.

In conclusion there is a very strong lack of honesty that permeates the outdoor industry. Keep in mind that those who work in the industry today are 30 to 50 years old for the most part. Most were either not born or were children when this bogus material was introduced into the market so they do not think it can’t work. I say think but I do not believe the greater majority actually do think.

The end result is not in the best interest of the consumers who make it possible for them to have jobs. The consumers who buy these products get stories about how the product should work versus products that do work.