On The Fly Gear

January 2024

By Jimmy Jacobs

When you are targeting trout in the South, wade fishing is a bit different. In the summer’s sweltering heat, we often fish wet, dispensing with waders. On the other hand, once the fall and winter delayed-harvest seasons begin or we are angling in tailwaters, that gear becomes a necessity.

Personally, I sometimes feel that getting into and out of my waders takes up way too much of my fishing time. If you are a fit, 20- to 30-something angler that’s not a problem – yet. Give it a few years.

Against that backdrop of a need to be in waders, but longing for an easier way into them, the Simms Freestone Z Stockingfoot Waders can be your ticket. They deliver all the quality of the regular Freestone line, but the added advantage of a zippered front. That feature also accommodates those call-of-nature visits to the shoreline bushes.

The Freestone Z is made with of durable – and breathable – Toray Quadralam upper and lower sections. Teamed with patented front and back leg seams, the result is an articulate fit, increased mobility and improved durability.

The upper chest pocket layout has a top-access, stretch woven storage pouch, micro fleece-lined hand-warmer pockets and an integrated loop fly patch. They also feature stretch elastic suspenders with Simms custom opposing male and female buckles. Those latches make it easy to switch between chest-high or waist options.

Other features are double rear belt loops, a 38 millimeter, stretch wading belt and built-in Tippet Tinder Pocket. Additionally, you get a 60-day no-questions-asked, no-leak replacement warranty.

The Freestone Z waders come in short, regular and long lengths, as well as eight sizes. The MSRP is $479.95.

To check out the Simms line of waders in your area of Georgia drop in at The Fish Hawk in Atlanta, Alpharetta Outfitters in that city, of Cohutta Fishing Company in Blue Ridge. In the Brevard, North Carolina, visit Davidson River Outfitters.