CXI Gear

[Rudi]

Still a few months away for me but what would the go to flies be for CXI and how many of each?

I’m also in need of new salt wading boots and a wading bag/ pack and will appreciate some recommendations.

PS If any of you compulsive fly tiers want to sell some of your CXI stock give me a yell.

[mat uchino]

Patagonia Australia is having a sale at the moment with free shipping.

I like the look of the vest front sling- it's like $75.

[Rudi]

Cheers Matt, but it looks like I was a bit late for that one.

[Andre Rossouw]

Lets have a chat at the next club meeting.

I will bring a few examples along.

[Dave Bailey]

Hi Rudi,

Any boots you would be happy walking the beaches with at Exmouth will be fine. Sturdy neoprene dive boots work well, as do the Simms flats sneakers and boots. I'd avoid rockhoppers though if possible, just because the spikes are not very friendly to the wooden boats. Of course you should also wear good wading socks which ever way you go.

Interestingly the guides prefer the neoprene dive boots, as they get more life out of them.

Cheers, Dave.

[Rudi]

Cheers Chaps

Dave do you use special wading socks like the Simms Wet Wading Socks or normal wool socks?

[Dave Bailey]

Last trip I used some of the Simms wading socks and they were very good - kept almost all sand out. Good woollen socks will work too.

[Rudi]

Tanks Dave, I might give those Simms socks a try, got new boots from Belly yesterday.

[Dan Ivanoff]

Hey Rudi,
So jealous mate, would love to be heading back this year but it will have to wait. The Simms wet wading socks are the real deal and I highly recommend them. I ended up with a couple of extra pairs from my trip last year so you are welcome to borrow if you like. I also have a Simms sling pack in a large that your welcome to. I would go a sling any day over a bum bag or back pack. Comfortable and practical... One thing to keep in mind though is that you may want something fully waterproof if your walking with expensive camera gear.. Deep wading (although infrequent) and rain squalls are your main traps, particularly if you day walk into Y-site (in my opinion a christmas island must). As for the boots, think hard about this one and don't compromise. The Mirage tungsten studded booties is your cheapest way out (although I remember u saying that u were not impressed with them). Next up the simms flats sneaker for sure. I read several negative reviews about these, however those whom used them from our group had no issues over a 2 week trip.

I'll let you have a raid of whats left of my flies and if you want to fix me up a few bucks then great.. One suggestion I have though is don't go too over the top.. The range of colours and weights can be really confronting and on a whole we found that colour didn't matter that much, although on that I would say that a pink body with a pink crystal flash tail and underwing, completed by a Tan over-wing was the colour most preferred by our guides (The Villages). Definitely keep a few in handy in bright orange as these also work great for trigger fish.

Will stop there before I turn this into an essay, lets have a rave sometime soon over a beer

All the best,
Dan

[Rudi]

Thanks Dan, much appreciated. Will catch up with you soon.