Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Review By Guest Contributor, Bill Schultz

The author wearing Frogg Toggs Anura Waders and Hellbender Wading Boots

A few weeks ago I met a friend to fish one of my smallie rivers in Southwest Wisconsin. As I got out of my car and we greeted each other, he said, “I didn’t know Frogg Toggs made waders”.   I told him not only are they in the business of making great waders, they also make super wading shoes.

Over the past 15 years I’ve spent hundreds of days wading rivers in Wisconsin in pursuit of my beloved smallmouth bass. Much of the time it’s during a part of the year that I could probably wet-wade, but how many times have I seen a Wisconsin Holstein get up off the bank on a hot day and do it’s “thing” while cooling off in a stream. With all the nicks and scrapes we get while fishing, I wear waders and wading boots. I long ago graduated to wearing breathable waders all the time. When the water’s a little cool, I can wear pants underneath or even long underwear.

Frogg Togg Anura Waders

I’m very picky about my fishing equipment and I’m picky about my waders and wading boots. Having been a fan of the Frogg Toggs raingear since they were first introduced I was curious about there new line of waders and shoes. I’ve been wearing the Anura Breathable Waders since May and just like the rainwear, am very impressed. They fit great, have comfortable Flex-fit 3.5 mm neoprene double-taped booties with a great gravel guard. These gravel guards are top quality and have the best lace hooks I’ve seen. The hook locks onto the laces better than any I’ve seen. This is the first pair I’ve worn where the lace hook has never come lose. I also appreciate the reinforced 6-ply breathable knees. I’m always doing some scrambling out of streams and hate tearing my waders. A few more nice features that you will appreciate are the exclusive “DriPore C3” waterproof/breathable technology, comfort fit wading belt with belt loops, custom chest pocket with expandable fly box pocket and zippered tippet. There’s also a zippered security pocket with top draw cord. The Anura waders have adjustable “X Back” web suspenders, with very durable buckles. I love these waders and think you will too, and they are reasonably price at $159.95.

All wading boots are not created equal. For a guy who has logged almost 6,000 hours on a racquetball court and waded hundreds of hours in rocky streams, my feet and ankles need comfort and support. Over the years I’ve worn cheap wading shoes and quite expensive ones. At $79.95 the Frogg Toggs Hellbender Wading Shoes are the best I’ve ever worn, and my feet thank whoever designed them. First, they are very light-weight, which is amazing given how tough they are and the tremendous foot and ankle support. A feature that jumped out at me immediately, and is very noticeable related to stability, is the “wide” wading last. The soles are wider than most and “do” make for more stable wading, especially in the rocky rivers I fish. Another great idea that anyone who wears felt-bottom wading shoes will appreciate, are the toe and heel grips on the felt soles, which are replaceable. What a great idea for those of us who do some walking to get to our “hotspots”. Another feature that became immediately noticeable and appreciated are the speed laces and locking lace clips. This makes lacing very easy and secure. These shoes come with sturdy rubberized toe and heel caps, thick and light-weight PU midsole for maximum comfort that I’ll attest to, padded collar for comfort and support, with a mesh and no-shrink PVC shell upper. For a guy who has had operations on both big toes, I and my feet thank Frogg Toggs for these wonderful shoes.

As noted earlier, I am picky. You won’t be disappointed if you give the Anura Breathable Waders and Hellbender Wading Shoes a try.