One thing that is certain when fishing small streams is the fact you will encounter obstacles. Most times they are large boulders, thick foliage, slippery turf, a bear from time to time, and maybe a group of angry hornets. One other constant out there is the fact that that you will walk, and sometimes it to is not on friendly terms. One of the not so good aspects of walking are waders and the footwear that go's with them. Waders today are so called breathable, a term that I like to disagree with, but that's for another time. The cost of these waders are on the top side of expensive as well as uncomfortable when hiking in. The wading boot is another piece of equipment that could use a hand in describing just how "uncomfortable" they are when walking. I have used many styles and brands of both of these articles and have really never been satisfied....until now.
Meet the Chota "hippies"..they are a small stream anglers dream come through. They are light weight almost like your LL Bean chinos. I have had mine now for about 6 months and have no issues with them. Now 6 months may not seem like a lot of time until you figure in 4 or 5 outings a week encompassing about 4 plus hours a trip. The terrain is not so friendly with the thorns and dead falls. I have had to place some aqua-seal on a hole or two but that's it. Also the gravel guards do just that.
Boots, these are just what the company describes in their advertising. I love them. Walking would be painful by the end of a day, now I feel great when I get home. These boots are light, rugged and drain water beautifully. They also dry overnight. They're called Chota STL Light...awesome combo for a frugal minded small stream angler. Friends I'm telling you this as a service to you. I have not received any favors or such from Chota.
Here's is something else I recommend. It's so simple and has proven a catcher in the times I've called on it. I think the name of it is "Rock Worm"...a hook with a bead, some chartreuse holo tinsel and a turn or two of peacock. It works....
Green is always one of the good "trout" colors. Works out here as well.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark the original dressing called for chartreuse dubbing, but the tinsel works a good.
Those oh so simple flies do work. nothing complicated in the tying just a simple silhouette. I sometimes won Der if black and grey/white are the only colours you need, the silhouette being the most important part. Now if a university paid me to fish with only one colour for their research for a season, plus expenses of course, that would be excellent. I've woken up again. Regards, John
ReplyDeleteThe Two Terriers
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John you make a good point when you mention silhouette, size is important also. Nice dream my friend.
Nice write up Alan, I generally find the simplest of nymphs work, too many people try & over complicate things. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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No matter how we try to fancy them up the fish is the ultimate judge, and most times they like simplicity.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI have to walk about a quarter mile to get to access 6 less than that to get to access 5, but after walking this distance for the past couple of years I've worn all the felt off the bottoms of the boots. Just wondering does these boots come with a felt option? I have to use the felt soles because of the slippery moss cover rocks on the Sipsey. In fact I fell fishing on Tuesdays trip because of the worn felt soles. I will be getting my new soles on Thursday so I should be good for another couple of years. I could see where you would need light weight waders and boots as much walking as you do on your trips. As we get older we try to life simpler. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill the STL boot comes with a felt sole. I must have them or I'll slid and slide all day and that's not nice.
The "hippies" wader is perfect. They also adjust to two other sizes...knee and calf high.
Alan
DeleteAs soon as I have to purchase a pair of hew waders and boots I will be getting the STL and the Hippies---Thanks for sharing
I'm fortunate in that most of my favourite fishing places dont need much of a hike to access them. I get by with old tech PVC waders although if I did have to do a lot of walking I'd seriously consider lighter options like yours. I've just bought a new pair of hip waders to start the new trout season. The old ones had so many patches and glue but still leaked. Very happy with them except for the fact that, being new, the PVC smells like a dog fox! That should wear off eventually! I hope! They live in the garage not inside.
ReplyDeleteA very simple fly, Alan. Simple is good. North Country Spiders can be very simple but they are very effective trout takers. I've even read of a "bare hook fly" being fished effectively as a fly. I guess that it can be the movement that attracts a trout's attention.
Nice sunny day here--might try to wet a line. Almost over "Man Flu"
Kindest Regards,
Steve..
Steve Hynes
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Steve I've know a few guys who still swear by the "old school waders" and like you have the patches to show just how much they like them.
The North Country Spiders are a testament to just how effective a simple fly can be.
Feel good and fish on.
Alan, thankyou for the recommendation on the waders and boots, it has been my biggest gripe for awhile that I cannot find wading boots that are comfortable. I will definitely be looking into both wader and boots. My feet are feeling better already. Lol. The fly you showed,, I also use . I do them in black, chartreuse, and red in winter. Cannot get much simpler that fly. My kind of fly. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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Brad so many companies advertise "comfort and quality" but... Good idea to try different color combos on the rock worm.
Now if I could find a sock that feels good.
Wish I could go back to felt soles with carbide spikes; I could stand on the side of a rock with those. Unfortunately, the lawmakers in my home state outlawed felt soles several years ago under the impression that would stop the spread of Didymo. As if ...
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill many states banned the use of felt but have reconsidered and now allow..."have proof" they're not as bad.
Some streams and rivers require spikes for your safety, the Salmon in NY comes to mind.
Alan, I've been tooling around streamside with my Chota Tundra Hippies all summer and have to say they are just what I needed. I needed something I could wear under work pants so the pants take the abuse and protect the waders. I've been brush cutting and field mowing for near twenty years now and have to use steel cleats for traction, not just for the stream, but also hiking up and down hills. Steel cleats have forced me to be more stealthy and slower stalking in the stream, stepping heel-to-toe as quietly as possible. I've only been using the Chota waders since early June, but the majority of my days fishing in them have been 6 to 10 hours, without a single repair.
ReplyDeleteMatt Harding
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Matt that's putting a pair of waders to the test. Steel cleats are something I have never had the need to use, felt soles are adequate in the streams I fish. Snow presents an issue from time to time and I've gone down on my backside for a slide more than once....
Alan,
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on in finding a boot and/or wader combination that does double duty in both keeping us high and dry and is comfy in the long hikes back to the car. I am glad you found a good combination. They look great and seem solid in their construction!
The Rock Worm fly you presented looks killer and I know would be fantastic on my speckled beauties. I can see other colors performing well....like orange! This opens up endless possibilities!
Best to all,
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug the boots are just as advertised which is rare these days. Lots of more miles to rack up on them.
Your Ohio sunnies will take to the rock worm like a kid takes to candy.
Very nice Chota recommendation. I'm thrilled you've found something that works for you. Those Orvis boots I picked up recently got put through the paces this past weekend and worked out great. No waders though, it was hot, so wet wading was on the menu.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of menu, that worm fly looks great. Deceptively simple and killer effective.
Michael Agneta
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Mike I love them. I read your post and it shows just how great a few days on a small stream can bring us back to life. Don't you just love wild trout.
I totally agree on your experience with the Chota boots. I am on my second pair of STL boots and love them. Most comfortable boot I've ever used. Here in the north Georgia mountains, I too have to hike a good ways to get to Brookie waters. Talked to the Chota guys at our fly show this Winter and they were top-notch as well. I have not tried the Hippies but they are next on my want list!
ReplyDeleteJedidiah Green
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Jedidiah great to have you post here. I would love to hear of some of your adventures in those Georgia mountains.
I went to Chotas website and found the STL boot. They suggested to contact Little River Outfitters to make the purchase. I spoke to a fellow named Paul and he was extremely helpful. I put the order in and had my boots in a few days, no shipping charge either. I love the hippies.
The guys at Chota steered you right. I bought my boots and a pair of their Abrams Creek boots for my daughter all from Little River Outfitters. One of the best shops in the Eastern US! If you are ever down visiting the Smokies, you owe it to yourself to stop in.
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