Simms Headwaters Convertible Waders Review

      Last spring Simms announced their new lineup of products.  Among the bulletproof offerings was the supposedly new and improved Headwaters waders.  They were now convertible from chest high to waist high waders and sported a 3 layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell technology. I probably can't explain the Pro Shell as well as Simms, so here's the link http://www.simmsfishing.com/gore-tex-shells.  It basically says the Pro Shell is the most rugged, durable, breathable, and waterproof material they have.  I haven't ever owned Simms waders, but as a fly fisherman and guide I definitely know their reputation.  My apparel of choice, since our fly shop is an Orvis dealer, has been Orvis.  My waders and boots were nice Orvis products, but were a couple seasons old and were showing some battle scars.  I lost one such battle to a willow that punctured the seat of my waders and, consequently, my pride.  So I was hunting for the next pair of waders to abuse.  Friend and fellow guide Jace Adams had been rocking a pair of Simms G3 Guide convertible waders that were bombproof.  They were at least four years old and going strong.  This is quite a feat knowing Jace because he's harder on his gear than anyone I know.  In that same time I can think of at least 3 pairs of wading boots he annihilated, but his waders are still great.  I was also jealous of the fact he could change his waders on the fly from chest high to waist high waders.  This was the biggest selling point for me.  We walk and wade a lot of small creeks (actually, none of the rivers we guide on are big enough to float) and rarely wade higher than our waists. We work up a sweat hiking up and down creeks all day long.  The ability to change my waders to help my comfort level became a top priority.  The Simms Headwaters were available March 2014.  I bought my pair in May and called it an early Father's Day present.  My wife loved that.
 
      Well, I've ruined myself for life.  I warned my wife that I was ruined after one busy week during the summer.  I was busy most evenings fishing the (huge) green drake hatch and had done three guided trips too. And for the record, when brown trout are keying in on size 10 dry flies, you have to fish!  After crawling and scrambling over rocks, up and down river banks, and plowing through thorns and thick vegetation that whole week, I realized my waders weren't even scuffed!  Seriously, it was incredible.  The waders were very comfortable and actually a joy to be fishing in. Especially since I wore them as waist waders during the heat of the day and then chest highs once the sun started to set and the temperature dropped.  I have no problem wearing them all day long, traveling to and from the river.  That has never been the case before.  And after almost a year of fishing and guiding, the waders are still remarkably clean and completely waterproof with no pin holes or leaks.  This is why I've been ruined for life.  Once you've owned the best, it's hard to settle for anything less.  It's like the time my friend showed up at my house in a brand new luxury Jaguar XJ and let me drive it . . . I thought I had broken something when I sat down and it automatically adjusted my seat for me to the optimal driving position based on my height. And apparently the car remembers each person's custom setting for the next time . . . the car was so powerful, yet silent and smooth, that I now compare everything else to it.  This is what my new Simms waders felt like. All my other waders were fine and did the job, but not with the same comfort and quality.  The cost of the waders scared my wife upfront, but now I see that the investment is well worth it.  I expect to get at least 4 years of use out of these, like Jace and his G3's, but most likely they'll last even longer.  My Orvis waders lasted two years before letting water in along the seams like busted water main.  The two pairs of waders I owned before that only lasted a year each.  So in three out of four years I had to purchase new waders.  I can already tell that won't be the case with my Simms.
 
       The waders are backed by Simms' ironclad warranty and I have no problem endorsing these waders.  The $400 is steep up front (trust me, I understand, I'm a married college student with 2 kids) but the investment is worth it.  The conversion from chest high to waist waders is simple and easy.  They have a small zippered chest pocket for a few small items; the belt system is heavy-duty and tough, and the the waders are very durable.  Just by handling them you can tell they're sturdy and well crafted.  They look good too! I'm a Simms fan for life now and can say with pride I've been ruined in the best way.  At least I'm not buying Jaguars . . . yet.

Company Spotlight - Circle Valley Anglers

Fly fishing is an ever evolving sport where the gear continues to improve and impress.  Fly fishing products have countless hours of research and technology poured into them; from rods and reels to flies and tippet.  As modern day fly fishermen and guides, we have the unique opportunity to test a variety of cutting edge equipment and to work with growing companies.  Therefore, we at CurrentSeamsFlyFishing.com want to give you an in depth look into some of the people, companies, and products making a splash in today’s fly fishing world.

In our first ever company spotlight we will take you with us to meet the man behind Circle Valley Anglers located in scenic southern Utah, just miles from 3 fantastic national parks. Since we guide for the company we may have some bias, however, Circle Valley Anglers, founded and operated by Emmett Doane, has been an amazing company and resource for anglers throughout the Southern Utah region long before we joined the team.

Emmett has been fly fishing for 44 years and though not a Utah native spent some of those years seeking solitude in the fisheries of southern Utah. Emmett had long thrown around the idea of opening a fly shop after his retirement. Being able to associate with clients and give back to the sport that he had long loved seemed like the perfect way to enjoy retirement. That thought and dream became reality a little earlier than expected when he made the trip to fish southern Utah and forgot his leader and tippet material back in southern California, where he happened to be working at the time. After searching small shops and gas stations in the area he finally made do with a spool of 12lb test he found in the Antimony general store. Heading home that weekend he noticed a building for sale in Circleville, Utah and thought the building would be a great location for a fly shop; and he definitely could have used a local flyshop that weekend! By the time he reached Southern California he was convinced he needed to purchase the building and make it happen. A week later he bought the building and started remodeling. The doors opened in the spring of 2007 as southern Utah's premier flyshop.  The rest is history.

Circle Valley Anglers guide in the Dixie and Fish Lakes National Forests where there is plenty of water and opportunity to chase trout year round, and without crowds of people.  Circle Valley Anglers is an authorized Orvis, Redington, Cortland, Loon Outdoors, and Spirit River dealer. The shop is perfectly situated in Circleville Utah, central to some of Southern Utah’s finest fisheries. Along with a small fly shop filled with fly fishing essentials, the shop also has lodging available for those who want to stay close to the action.  The lodging has a living room, two full bedrooms, bathroom, full kitchen, dining room, and laundry room, all for the same price as the local motels, so this option is a steal for anglers.

Whether you are an experienced angler who is familiar with the area or looking for a new experience in the beautiful outdoors of Southern Utah, stop by Circle Valley Anglers, pick up a few flies and talk shop with Emmett. There are few people kinder and more excited to talk about fishing conditions. Emmett has managed to make a name for himself largely because of his pure passion for the sport, combined with his warm and casual personality.

Not only does Circle Valley Anglers have all the equipment and knowledge you need to catch fish, but they also provide guided fishing trips for those who would like to get to know some of the inside information. They can provide as much or as little assistance as desired to ensure you have a fantastic trip on the water.

Circle Valley Anglers fish waters filled with aggressive Browns, chunky Rainbows, wild Brookies, native Bonneville Cutthroat, and some intriguing hybrids like Tigers and Splake. There are also some Mountain White Fish and Arctic Grayling that can be found as well. There are plenty of quality public waters to fish but Circle Valley Anglers has access to some fantastic private areas as well. If you book a trip with Circle Valley Anglers be sure to bring your game face and a camera.

Any fly fisherman will claim their waters close to home are the best, and that is no different for me. Growing up here in Southern Utah I was blessed with so many great fisheries right out my backdoor and my favorite part is the lack of large crowds. Don’t get me wrong, I've had great times fly fishing more popular waters in Montana, Idaho, Nevada and here in Utah, but I always find myself dreaming of the open spaces and the crowd-free waters of Southern Utah. 

Check out Circle Valley Anglers!

circlevalleyanglers.com

Leave a comment below to show your support for local fly shops and we'll pick someone at random to send a brand new fluorocarbon tapered leader and some flies!

The lodge and fly shop

Emmett Doane with some local resident brown trout

Emmett with a client