Tips on the Care and Repair of Fly Fishing Waders

Make sure those fishing waders you just purchased keeping working for you like new. Here are some tips to ensure your waders have a long life.

Breathable wader care and cleaning -- Hang, do not bundle, damp fishing waders after fishing or cleaning to prevent any damaging mildew. Remove suspenders and repair kit from inside front pouch prior to washing the waders. Store fishing waders in a cool, dry place. (1) Do not dry clean, (2) do not use chlorine bleach, (3) hand or machine wash warm. Bootfoots, hand wash only. Use a powdered detergent with no additives, such as Ivory. (4) Air-dry (turn inside out).

Condensation -- Even though these waders are breathable and moisture is allowed to escape, condensation may appear, particularly in the neoprene foot models. Although much of this moisture will escape, there will be some moisture buildup in the foot, particularly when you are active. This is not due to leaks in the wader. If you do have a leak in the wader, chances are you will see significantly more water in the foot than condensation will produce.

Fly Fishing Wader Repair

To find a leak:

The flashlight method -- This method works for minor tears, blackberry punctures, and other small leaks. For this method you'll need a waterproof marker and a flashlight. In a completely darkened room, place the flashlight flush with the inside of the fishing wader in the area you suspect the leak. Identify the leak by looking for the bright spot that shows through from the outside. Pinch this spot from the outside. While holding the pinched material, turn the wader inside out and mark the nylon tricot liner as close as possible around the pinch.

The inflation method -- This method works especially well with neoprenes and other fabric waders where it is not always easy to pinpoint holes using the flashlight method. You'll need a canister-style vacuum cleaner or any type where you can reverse the hose and get the unit to blow air. You'll also need a waterproof marker and a solution of 1/4 dishwashing liquid and 3/4 warm water in a small bucket.

Constrict the upper of the fishing wader around the vacuum cleaner hose and turn the vacuum on. (It helps to have two people for this procedure.) Once the waders are inflated, let enough air in to keep it inflated without overextending the wader and putting too much pressure on the seams.

Carefully brush the soapy water over the area you suspect may be leaking; any leaks will show up as active bubbles as you brush the mixture on the waders. A leak will be easiest to spot if you avoid creating bubbles when brushing the mixture on the waders. Circle leaks with the waterproof marker.

The alcohol method -- Fill a small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. Saturate the outside of the fishing wader around the area where you suspect the leak. Immediately turn the wader inside out. Examine the inside, nylon tricot material. A leak usually will reveal itself as a darker spot on the nylon tricot liner.

Fishing wader repair instructions

- Wader repair kit, including tape and fabric swatches, are in the zipper pocket in the pouch in the fishing wader front.
- Turn iron to low steam polyester/rayon and turn fishing waders inside out.
- For small tears, cut a piece of the fabric tape to size and place over the hole, white side down.
- Press with iron for 10 seconds. Rub with a cool piece of fabric to set.
- For larger tears, cut a piece of the wader fabric patch to size and place over tear, gray side up.
- Cover edges of patch with heat tape, white side down. Press with iron for 10 seconds and rub with cool fabric to set.