Before the runoff

I just returned from a trip to Big Timber, MT. The goals were to get some product testing (both Patagonia and competitor gear) in before the runoff and to work on some new design projects with a designer in Bozeman (more on that later). I couldn't have asked for better conditions. It was nice one minute and a full on snow accumulating blizzard the next (the two inset photos were taken 20 minutes apart). I should clarify that by "nice" I mean that the sun was partially out and the wind wasn't gusting too bad. The temps never really climbed above the mid 40's and it was high 30's on average. Mornings were below freezing and guides did ice up on occasion. Wool grid neoprene (wader booties and gloves), new wader designs, new jackets, new outsole ideas and a host of current gear all were put through the paces.....and the fishing was good too. My companions for the trip were new friends John Frankot and Alistair Stewart. We holed up at the Grand Hotel in Big Timber. We contracted the help of guide Lee Kinsey for a couple of days. He's a wealth of information having grown up in the area. I highly recommend a pre-runoff trip if any of you in the Way Upstream community have the desire. It's good for the soul. Don't forget your warm gear and a range of flies. Size 20 dry bugs and small emergers were just as important as stonefly nymphs and big stuff for exploring the carved out depths.
Photos by El Pescador
"Car Pool" photo by Alistair Stewart

The hole story

All of us who wear waders have heard of an old saying which goes something like this “Every pair of waders either leaks or is waiting to leak.” Why is this a commonly held belief? It may be because of the fact that we ask waders to allow us to trudge unscathed through brush and thicket containing Mother Nature’s myriad of thorny and pointed creations. Maybe it has something to do with the fact we kneel down on rocky banks and in stream beds with them or sit on whatever we feel like sitting on while wearing them. It may also have something to do with what I call Vampire flies which like to feed on blood. These flies seek to embed themselves into flesh but sometimes (if you’re lucky) they only find your hat, wader or jacket. Barbed wire is a cousin of the Vampire fly and has been known to draw blood but prefers to just tear into stuff. Lastly, this leaky belief could also be connected to how we treat our waders which often means “riding them hard and putting them away wet.” Whatever the reason, leaks do happen even to the best of waders. The good news is that they are often easily repaired (all Patagonia waders come with a repair kit). Patagonia’s Creative and Quality teams have put together a little instruction guide for wader repair that just may prove useful to you someday. Brian Bennett (Fly Fishing Sales Manager) has taken this guide and turned it into a modern day “e-zine” making it accessible and easy to research because rarely do anglers keep all the little pieces of paper and tags that come with new waders. Check it out and may your waders always keep you dry.

Thorn photo by Brian Bennett
Vampire fly photo courtesy of Justin Crump

Insulator Pant

Wading can be a little chilly after breakup but there's no need to go numb below the waist just because you fish in cold water. The Insulator Pant serves as a warm buffer between you and your waders. They're made of eco-friendly polyester (51% recycled) double-faced fleece (brushed on both sides for loft and warmth) with a moisture-wicking finish. Details: elasticized waistband with drawcord and a brushed tricot lining, two tricot-lined front pockets, one zippered hip pocket and tapered cuffs for a smooth, low friction underwader fit. They are recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program. I know many of you have expressed appreciation for the old El Cap pants. The Insulator Pant was cloned from the rootstock of that classic style.

Photos by Rene Braun

Advertising

I've heard a lot of dialogue about advertising over the last few months. As is with most things, opinions vary. I don't have a marketing background but I'm starting to develop preferences. I began to wonder what the Way Upstream community thought about this topic. Here's a look at the latest Watermaster II ad soon to run (full page). Sorry about the low res image. The wader copy reads "Our proprietary fabric and barrier technology is the toughest, most puncture resistant on the market. The waders feature our innovative internal suspender system that allows for relief without removing jacket or vest and provides a measure of safety for unplanned swims." The ad image is a shot from the AEG Mongolian trip. There is a small block of copy (bottom left) that highlights this. It says "The AEG Fish Bums decompress after 16 hours of chasing taimen in Mongolia."

The product shot approach to ads is a bit of a new direction for Patagonia Team Fish. Let me know what you think. I'd be curious to hear any and all thoughts on effective advertising. Are there any memorable ads that stand out for you (any brand)? If there are any marketers out there, feel free to share thoughts on modern day marketing strategies/directions.

Photos by Tim Pask

Keep the grit out

A while ago I posted a request for wader feedback that was widely commented on. Since then I've been working on the new wader development and have a specific area for the Way Upstream community to focus and comment on. This area is the gravel guard. I'm testing various fabrics, high filtration mesh and neoprene for this integrated feature. I'm testing various shapes and sizes. All seem to have strengths and potential weaknesses. What do you like, hate, wish for in gravel guards? Do you have a favorite? Do you like them integrated? Let me know your thoughts, comments or stories.

Photo by Mikey Wier

Watermaster II Wader demo

I read a lot of comments on the wader posts about zippers. I also heard from some readers that they were a little unclear on the roll down feature of the Watermaster II wader. Here's a one minute video that demonstrates how the feature works (turn volume up). The demo does not show that you can relieve yourself without removing layers or a jacket but I think you can see that it is possible for men...for women it's tricky but I've heard tell that it's possible. Keep the wader conversation going. I'm still listening. Phone camera work by Rene Braun.
Way Upstream Productions, Copyright 2007

Come on in the water's fine

I’m beginning some new product development and want to include you in the process. I’m looking for your thoughts, ideas and comments about waders. This is a conversation that I’d like you to consider open and ongoing. If you know someone who has an opinion on this topic please encourage him or her to join the discussion too. Comments can be broad or specific (zone focused). Tell me what you like, hate and wish for. Tell me a story if that helps convey needs more clearly. Come on in the water’s fine. Photo by Jeff Leopold