Fly Fishing tips for Old Guys

[@chuckcramer4149]

Thanks foe the tips. I turned 75 yesterday and we can use all the help we can get!

[@mikefredd3390]

Wading staff. Don’t know when I started needing this but it’s critical.

[@Jack-ol8bb]

I’m 26 and use a staff in many rivers here in Northern California

[@mikefredd3390]

@@Jack-ol8bb I wasn’t as wise as you…..

[@shawncrawford1777]

I just got myself a nice wading staff and started using it last week, after taking a couple of spills in the small stream I mostly fish which has a rocky bottom where the rocks are often kind of slick and the current does push against me a bit as I'm trying to move up and/or across the current. I could tell right away that's going to be a winner!

[@MikeMouradian]

@@shawncrawford1777 mostly it give me confidence.

[@glennbuscher8003]

Thank you for sharing. Great stuff. 81 years of age and still fly fishing 5 to 6 day a week.

[@MikeMouradian]

Great! Being outside is great for the soul and body.

[@merchantmariner6132]

From another old guy, thank you for posting. I use everything you mentioned-, but I use 5mm neoprene socks. Amazon has them cheap. They are waterproof should you get a leak in the waders, and most importantly, they keep your feet from sliding around inside the Frankenstein boots. The fact that they keep your feet warm is an added bonus.

[@cephasmcpher67peteroutdoorspip]

From one old guy to another those are all great tips Mike. One thing I also like to carry is a cheap plastic tarp to put on the ground behind my vehicle to stand on when I'm getting in and out of my waders that way I don't have to try balancing on one foot and hanging onto the car while changing.

[@Beardedfurflinger]

I went to the dollar store & bought a cheap small door rug,small enough to leave in the truck,but awesome when putting on or taking off waders

[@MikeMouradian]

@@Beardedfurflinger I use a door rug too

[@merchantmariner6132]

Me three!

[@paulnevins5936]

And me, an old door mat.

[@shortcast1]

I use an old sleeping mat from my scout leader days

[@ADKMuskyFoolonFly63]

Thanks Mike, 61 years young here. Your tips and all the added comment tips awesome. Appreciate it.

[@MikeMouradian]

Glad it helps.

[@bmares41]

Thanks for the tips! I’m an older guy, a young 65,😊. I ordered my wader belt tonight, great idea for needed back support. Keep up the great content. It’s good having someone thinking about our generation.

[@edcoon]

Another tip from an old guy (62) is I also put stiff carbon fiber insert into my waders first, that way I don't feel every rock like it's piercing into my foot and it also reduces my foot fatigue when out all day. Great tips!

[@MikeMouradian]

I had one of those when I had planter faciaitis . It WAS nice.

Hi Mike, GREAT video. This guy is also a great instructor at the TU school in Mich. We (my wife, son and I had a wonderful time learning from you and the other instructors last June.

[@MikeMouradian]

Thanks so much! Yes the school is great. TUFFS.org

[@kellyk.8289]

More keen old guy insights . Love my Sketchers . Low back pain sucks , thanks for that tip . OFGS ROCK .

[@MikeMouradian]

I may have to get hats made with OFGS Rocks !!

[@Beardedfurflinger]

As an official old fart (67) & those tips are awesome,always,always carry a wading staff or stick & now I carry a fixed blade knife sounds odd but if you need it trying to unfold a knife quickly isn't going to work,I grew up with 2 sock method,pair of liners & outter wool,now wear only 1 pair of heavy merino wool socks & more comfortable & feet are just as warm,bent rods & tight lines 🤙🇺🇸

[@MikeMouradian]

thanks for the comments.

[@paigeloomis]

When I’m fishing close by, I too like boot foot waders. My spots are small creeks, so I get canvas boot foot hip waders. They can be a little hard to find; I think my latest pair are Frogg Toggs. Can’t fish streams without a wading staff anymore. But I just use an old aluminum ski pole with the basket cut off. It’s tethered to my waist pack with a nylon strap and just drags in the river behind me. It generally doesn’t get in the way and I use it constantly: in the river, up and down the banks, and just walking. It’s got me feeling a lot better out there.

[@MikeMouradian]

Its really more about confidence tan anything.

[@stevemorton9585]

Great tips Mike! I’m grabbing me an IKEA bag or two! Tight lines!

[@Stardusted]

Thank you! Will use these for sure!

[@billmarino4360]

Good advice, I like the ikea bag and waiter belt. Thanks

[@MikeMouradian]

i love by bag!

[@wranglerjeep8257]

Good info. Thanx. Polarized glasses when wading helps greatly see rocks I normally would not see. Yes I carry two sets of glasses.

[@MikeMouradian]

Thanks for sharing

[@bretsnipes8375]

I am 66 and wade during the summer quite a bit. I too bought a wide belt. I purchased a “tactical” belt for about $40 and hang my walking staff, net, hunting knife and large water bottle from. Other than a wading staff it has been the best addition to my on water gear

[@MikeMouradian]

those big belts are a life and back saver.

[@bossbob50]

Great tips. I just ordered the Fishpond wading belt, I will get some Ikea bags, and I'm going to get some Dr. Scholl's foot cushion thingies. I already have a weight lifter's belt I've worn for decades when fishing, I always use a Folstaf, and I always take Magnesium supplements to avoid cramps, and I always wear spiked wading boots to avoid slipping.. Great tips, Sir Mike.

[@MikeMouradian]

Wow, Sounds like you are the Old Guy expert!

[@DougRuesink]

Good tips. I'll remember them for when I get old.

[@MikeMouradian]

@@DougRuesink haha. You will never get old

[@r8tr273]

I’m a ‘stout’ old guy also. I like my Fishpond belt, just like yours but I can’t keep it tight enough to not slip down. Good video.

[@MikeMouradian]

I have that same problem! I've started wearing it higher up, It looks a little dorky but the fish don't mind.

[@davidshoemaker4437]

Great tips, In my younger days I would trek out into the woods walking miles to find that right stretch of river or stream, so boot-foot waders were murder to wear. As I got older and fatter, I realized that I now fish closer to my SUV or the cabin I am staying in, so they have become the better choice as they are easier to put on and off, (and yes insoles make a difference). As for me trying to bend over in waders to tie the boots is an embarrassing sight to see. The belt with lumbar support is also a must.

[@MikeMouradian]

Tying shoes in waders made me laugh. How are my feet getting farther away!

[@davidshoemaker4437]

@@MikeMouradian Well it is hard to tie them because I can't see or reach them over my belly.

[@thomashead656]

Why.... why.... WHY have I never thought to put inserts in the waders?..... genius, sir!

[@MikeMouradian]

Glad it helped.

[@Marcusm71]

good tips for this pld man

[@galedutton184]

I'm an old fat girl (59) who loves fly fishing. I had the same problem with buying waders. I had to get a size 11 boot wader in order for the waders to get past my fat calfs. I will look for that belt though. Thanks for the tips. 👍👍

[@MikeMouradian]

I'm experimenting with shortening the legs. I'll post when I figure it out.

[@self-taught_angler]

Well, for the old the most important thing is the readers. I recommend checking ThinOptics keychain readers. It hangs from my chest and whenever I need to tie size >16 fly they are right there. If you cannot put your fly on, you are not fishing. Second thing is the wading staff. Especially for checking on dry land where you are about to step is firm or not. I would not recommend Crocs at all. I do not know whether you realized but Crocks are extremely slippery when the ground is wet. They can be okay on a paved road or a sidewalk but anything like dirt, or grass on a slope is risky when wet. Ikea bag is a nice idea.

[@MikeMouradian]

great comments

[@rodlawson160]

“Rock a pair of crocs man”that’s some top level boomer speech I love it !😂

[@splitsandpens]

This guy is my fishing twin.

[@MikeMouradian]

Sorry 🥴

[@davidbuell2004]

Great advice. Any tips for an old guy that sucks at fishing. Skunked my last two days out.

[@MikeMouradian]

Worms! No really, Depends on where you are. Fall is tough for trout and Bass. Its kind of an in between time. Keep changing flies.

[@jameskwiatkowski1563]

For those short local trips, I switched from waders to hip boots. also, now I bring a folding chair and small welcome mat to stand on.

[@MikeMouradian]

I have used a chair too. Just don't have the balance I used to.

[@jessecahn8214]

What is the significance of the welcome Mat... I'm 75 and just getting started so I don't have much experience putting waiters on and off

[@MikeMouradian]

@@jessecahn8214 I also use a rubber mat when in a gravel of sandy area to stand on. It keep the sand/gravel off your socks or the inside of your waders.

[@jessecahn8214]

@@MikeMouradian thanks! Makes sense...

[@jameskwiatkowski1563]

@@jessecahn8214 toss on the ground to stand on when you're in your stocking feet.

[@charlesjohanesen1651]

I take along an old lawn chair, the tailgate is too tall for me, I have hip boots for quick trips, stocking foot waders and pants for longer trips, wading staff is my best friend.

[@MikeMouradian]

love the lawn chair.

[@splitsandpens]

I have sock foot neoprene waders. Of course, oversize. I got a cheap K-Mart-yes- K-Mart, all weather shoe fitted to my foot plus the excess sock.

[@MikeMouradian]

I miss Kmart!

[@flugisfiske]

I use a long shoehorn when I put my wading shoes on, allways in the back of the car 🙃

[@MikeMouradian]

good idea! We'll add that.

[@jackspeer2127]

cool vid. like you said if you fit the wader to your pot belly, the boots will be too big. SO, do you buy supporting insoles to fit the boot or to fit your foot?

[@MikeMouradian]

@@jackspeer2127 the boot. But they fill the shoe a bit

[@davidsullivan27]

Mike, you have just described me to a "T". Thanks for your tips.

[@MikeMouradian]

I think there are a lot of us out there.

[@jerryg957]

Old guy here, got all that. What brand boot waders do you have there. I got those heavy neoprene ones, looking to upgrade or maybe its a downgrade..lol. Nice video thanks for posting.

[@MikeMouradian]

Those are White River- Bass pro shops. I only wear breathable ones.

[@jerryg957]

@@MikeMouradian Thanks

[@MikeMouradian]

@@jerryg957 I also heard Bassdash.com has good waders too.

[@MikeMouradian]

stay tuned! I just bought a new pair for short fat guys and am making a video soon on them. I think I finally found the holy grail!

[@tedrzepski3789]

Amen

[@lindaandreasen9735]

Better yet, keep an old small rug or bathroom mat rolled up in your trunk to stand on to put on and take off your waders. That way there won’T be a puddle of water from your waders to stand in as the rug or mat will absorb it. Yea, I’m really old!

[@MikeMouradian]

I use my old floor mats from the car.

[@billschlafer]

Another old guy tip here. Always carry a red handkerchief or bandana while fishing. If you should fall (like we all have from time to time) and end up seriously injuring yourself (broken leg, back, etc..) you will likely be somewhere on the ground where you can't easily be seen. Tie the red handkerchief onto the end of your fly rod and you can signal to others by waving it back and forth. $4 item might just save your life.

[@MikeMouradian]

Great idea! Actually, tomorrow is the beginning of Deer season here so Hunter Orange would be a good color.

[@donnoack7033]

My booted waders kill my feet, i just put thermal insoles in them. it was night and day difference.

[@MikeMouradian]

I know! Makes the day.

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

Do you really need chest waders. If not then use hip waders.

[@MikeMouradian]

When You are 5'6" it gets deep quick.

[@michaelbereny6783]

Being 72 I figured out one day I don't have my 40 year old body. Your video really struck home. I especially like the wading belt. I'm going out and getting one today

[@MikeMouradian]

I'm 72 also but in my head I'm still 20. It gets me into all kinds of trouble.

[@Trout_Man_Dan]

Sounds like you should come in for some PT for your back- I’m happy to help torture you!

[@MikeMouradian]

HaHa!

[@paulmerritt7540]

Hey! What’s wrong with wearing crocs to the store? I think it makes me a non-target species in public. lol😂

[@MikeMouradian]

Only a True Man can wear Crocs to the store!

[@DonohoeDSc]

Anyone over 55, should have a wading staff that comes out from your belt as soon as your feet are wet AND an Apple Ultra Watch. Every time I have fallen, mine detects the fall and if I fail to respond to the watch’s alert, it will immediately contact 911 and family members, initiate GPS coordinated emergency service…never go without the Watch or wading staff.

[@MikeMouradian]

totally agree!

[@Glaciershark]

Bruh the croc 🐊 is not dorky they are cool! I have closed no hole crocs

[@Mark-nd8eb]

At your age rock the Crocs w your head held high. Leave the fashion worries to kids.

[@MikeMouradian]

yay baby!