My daughter wants to learns to fly fish. She is a large woman, not terribly tall, 5'9" but she has large calves and thighs. She tried boots at Cabellas and ****s but couldn't get them over her calves. I can't tell if there would be anything at LL Bean or Orvis. Can anyone give me an idea where I might look. She is a single mom with a 10 year old who has gone fishing with me quite a few times and caught several on flies. Since I'm getting a bit long in the tooth, I think she wants to be able to take him fishing when I'm no longer able.
So, ideas anyone?
If your calves are not big, you have no idea how hard it can be to put on a pair of waders...
I have large muscular calves from years as a weightlifter and finding hippers or waders that fit easily over my lower leg is a real challenge especially in the last 10 -15 years. Even neoprene guard socks have gotten smaller, I guess because manufacturers found out they can increase their profits by scrimping on a 1/2" of fabric...
The other problem is as you go up in wader size, the bootee goes up in size as well so you get a lousy fit over the foot. Because I am in the same boat I can offer a couple of suggestions:
First off, don't buy anything without trying it on first.
Second, don't even LOOK at Hippies from Chota. They are ridiculously tight in the calf area.
I have no idea about the current fit but the OLD Hogeman Wadelite stocking foot hip boots fit me wonderfully. Maybe the new version has the same fit?
I have an old pair of Cabela's branded waders that fit me fine. Did she try Cabela's waders at Cabela's or another brand? I seem to recall they were a sized larger but with a normal length leg, whatever that fit is called.
It's a guess but I have a feeling cheaper waders aren't as "fashionable" and possibly less restrictive.
As all pant legs can be flattened to take a width measurement. I suggest she takes a pair of comfortably fitting pants, take calf & thigh width measurements and start emailing or calling manufacturers or fly shops and asking them for comparative measurements.
I did that once BEFORE purchasing a new a pair of hippers and found out I would have wasted my time & money if I bought them. Bottom line it will save you a lot of time.
Boot foot options versus stocking foot options may be roomier.
If all ease fails, there are custom options but they aren't cheap.
Good luck!!
