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Simms G3 Waders - (G3 GUIDE STOCKINGFOOTS) initial impressions

The Simms G3 Waders

I recently purchased the Simms G3 waders (G3 GUIDE STOCKINGFOOTS).  As I have stated in previous posts,  I have always gone for cheep yet reliable waders like the Cabelas Roaring Fork 3.5mm neoprene waders.  Because of where and how often I fish (99% of my fishing is done from the surf in Montauk, NY), my gear gets tested to the extreme.  I have actually never owned anything from Simms but based on their reputation I know that they are at the top of the pyramid when it comes to things like waders and tops for fishing.  For months, I have been intrigued by their ads for the new G4 waders which are listed on their site for $699.  I can't imagine what a pair of $699 waders would feel like, or what they really offer that my $79.99 waders don't.  I could not bring myself to go for the G4's but I did plunk down $399 for the G3's.  My initial impression is that they are OK.  They look great (if that means anything), they dry very quickly, and the few times I have worn them they have kept me dry, I think.  I say "I think" because the first time I wore them , I was wearing an old pair of khaki pants under them and and when I took them off, I noticed small wet patches on both knees.  It did not seem like a leak, so I think it may have been due to perspiration.  The next night I wore a pair of long underwear and after I took the waders off they seemed to be perfectly dry.  As for the fit, they are definitely on the slim side compared to others I have owned.  I had a pair of breathables from Orvis once that fit me like a parachute.  Being 6' 4" I usually  have to go for an XL to get the inseam length I need but the XL's are much fuller in the upper body.  One nice thing about the Simms waders is that they have very accommodating sizes including L and LL (large long) which is what I got.

My initial impressions are positive, but can the Simms G3 waders stand up to an entire season of rock hopping in Montauk?  Ask me in December, when my fishing season is over.  I have never had a pair of waders last longer than a season and a half.  We will be testing several this season.

Fishing Fury - Pimp My Reel post

Check out this great post from the guys at Fishing Fury.  They have an in depth report on some of the coolest reels.  Check out this reel from LOOP! (its not all fly reels either)

...and check out the entire post at FishingFury.com

The Fin welcomes Stripers Forever to it's community

Stripers Forever Community on The Fin

The Fin is dedicated to fishing conservation of all types, and if you fish, you should be too.  We are working hard to team up with groups that we feel are making a difference.  To that end, we are proud to announce our support of Stripers Forever in our community. 

Stripers Forever believes that the wild striped bass should be declared a gamefish throughout its range along the Atlantic Coast. The real value of striped bass is not as a seasonal market commodity, but as a public resource that offers social, economic, and recreational benefits to millions of Americans from Maine to South Carolina.

Sign up to become a member of Stripers Forever and join our community too.

Sage xi2, G Loomis Cross Current off to warranty for service

I missed a few items over the winter that need customer service.  This morning I sent back two Sage Xi2 9 foot 10 Weights, one GSP 470-3 spinning rod and one G Loomis Cross Current GLX 9 foot 9 weight.  I wish I had remembered to send them out this winter as I need them now.  Oh well.  This will be a good test to see how quickly these companies respond. 

I have used the G Loomis Xpeditor service before, and it's a great service.  "A broken rod will never keep you off the water again. With the G.Loomis Xpeditor Service you can get a brand new rod to replace a broken one, delivered to your doorstep in as little as two days. Even if you’re on a trip away from home (anywhere in the U.S.). No questions asked, no waiting around for warranty claims, and it saves you the usual hassle and expense of packaging, insuring and shipping your broken rod. Plus, you avoid any and all fees for rod repair." I'm returning it do to a default this time so am sending it back under regular warranty.  The guides are breaking through the epoxy.  I have never seen that happen before.

I'm returning the Sage Xi2 (x2) because portions of the female end came off on the male end on 2 rods.