There are ultimately just two kinds of anglers in the Pacific Northwest. There are those who fish year-round, weather be damned. And there are those who hang up their waders when the cold, rainy months arrive and wait for fairer days.
Both approaches have their merits. For some of us, the idea of taking any extended time off the water is simply untenable. For others, the idea of slogging through nasty conditions to partake in a hobby that's supposed to be "fun" is equally nonsensical.
Whether you fall into the first group or the second, we all share one thing in common — our waders probably need some TLC. Either you've been sloshing around in mud, rain, and brackish coastal waters for the last five months, or your waders have been sitting in a garage collecting dust and cobwebs. You might also have a brand new leak from a battle with a blackberry bramble last Saturday, or an old one from last season you've simply forgotten about.
Spring is a time to tidy up and rejuvenate — to reestablish your foundation for the productive months ahead. We do it in our homes while nature performs the same task all around us. If you're a fly angler, it's good practice to add wader care to your personal to-do list.
How to Clean Your Fly Fishing Waders
The great news about waders is that they're purpose-built to get wet and dry quickly — which makes cleaning them pretty painless. Start by spraying down any obvious dirt on the outside with a garden hose. Be sure to lift the flaps of your gravel guards to reach any nooks and crannies where dirt or pebbles might be hiding.
Next, fill a large bucket or tub with warm, moderately soapy water. An environmentally friendly dish soap works well — laundry detergent tends to be a bit too concentrated. Make sure all your pockets are empty and open, then submerge your waders in the bucket. Use a dowel to plunge and rotate them, ensuring water reaches the interior. If you look like an insane wizard brewing a large potion, you're probably doing it right.
Once you've completed the manual spin cycle, replace the soapy water with fresh water and repeat the process. Remove your waders from the bucket and hang them inside out. Use a hose to spray off any remaining soap, then turn them right side out and repeat. Once sufficiently clean, leave them hanging until they air dry completely.
How to Find & Fix Wader Leaks at Home
Wader repair is a bit of a different animal. Our good friend and longtime owner of NWFFO used to joke that October was his most popular month for selling wader repair kits, and November was his most popular month for selling new waders. In other words, you really don't want leaky waders headed into the winter months. But with summer right around the corner and wet wading season on the horizon, you might just want to get your current pair back to a reasonable functioning state.
Some leaks simply can't be properly fixed at home. If your waders have a structural leak — like a ruptured seam, which is especially common for those of us who are hard on our boot feet — you'll probably want to send them in for a professional repair with the manufacturer. If your waders are outside of their warranty, it might simply be time to invest in a new pair.
But if your waders have a few small pin-sized leaks from normal use — scrambling over a downed log or bushwhacking through bramble — that's something you can address yourself with relative ease and at low cost.
Step-by-Step DIY Wader Repair
- Get a repair kit. Pick up a UV wader repair kit — we carry them in the shop. They include patches and a waterproof UV resin sealant. If you've already cleaned your waders, step two is done. Never patch dirty waders; dust, dirt, and salt can prevent the sealant from bonding properly, leaving you with a leak that's actually harder to fix.
- Find the leaks. Lay your waders inside out on a flat surface. Fill a spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol and generously spray down the length of each leg. Most of the material will appear wet and glossy — leaks will show up as dark spots where the alcohol has penetrated the waterproof shell and interacted with the porous fabric below. Flip the waders over and repeat on the back of the legs.
- Seal small leaks. For pin-sized holes, apply a generous amount of Aquaseal or UV resin directly over the hole. Use a UV curing light to dry it quickly, or leave it overnight until the sealant is dry to the touch.
- Patch larger holes. For bigger damage, cut an appropriately sized piece from the patches included in your repair kit. Cover the hole completely, then seal the edges with UV resin to lock it in place.
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When It’s Time to Invest in New Waders
Sometimes the honest answer is that no amount of patching is going to save a pair of waders. Blown-out seams, delaminating fabric, or a wader that’s been repaired so many times it’s starting to resemble a patchwork quilt — these are signs it’s time to move on. The good news? A fresh pair of waders is one of the best investments you can make as an angler, and we carry options at every price point from three of the best brands in the business: Simms, Orvis, and the exciting new Sitka lineup.
Entry-Level: Great Performance Without Breaking the Bank
If you’re newer to fly fishing or simply want a reliable pair that won’t hurt the wallet, the Orvis Men’s Clearwater Waders ($249) and Women’s Clearwater Waders ($298) offer a modern fit and full features at an accessible price. The Simms Men’s Tributary ($279) and Women’s Freestone Z ($259) bring Simms’ legendary build quality to a more approachable price point. Getting a young angler started? The Redington Crosswater Youth Waders ($129) are purpose-built for kids and built to take a beating.
Mid-Range: The Sweet Spot for Serious Anglers
For anglers who spend significant time on the water and want durability and comfort without going full premium, the Simms Men’s Freestone Z ($549) is a perennial favorite — loaded with smart features and built for years of hard use.
Premium: Built for the Most Demanding Conditions
If you fish hard, fish often, and want the absolute best, this is where it gets exciting. The new Sitka Crosscurrent GTX Stockingfoot ($800) and Crosscurrent Zip GTX ($1,000) represent Sitka’s entry into the wader market — and they’ve brought the same obsessive attention to fit, mobility, and materials that made them a leader in hunting apparel. On the Simms side, the Women’s G3 Guide ($749) and the flagship Men’s G4Z ($1,099) — USA-made and built to last a decade of hard seasons — remain the gold standard for serious anglers.
Stop by the shop or reach out and we’ll help you find the right pair for how and where you fish.
Ready for a fresh start this season?