Pitmaster

Any recommendations for waders to fish the St. Joseph river? I'll probably use them the most at the dam in Berrien Springs. I'm not sure whether to get insulated or non-insulated. I hope to fish most seasons. Will insulated be too hot to use in summer? If so would I be better off buying non-insulated and wearing long underwear during the spring, fall, and winter. I'm also curious about whether to get them with boots or buy boots separately. Brand recommendations? I'm not a cheapskate and prefer to buy something once.

Even though I have to vote Indiana. Michigan is across the street.

I'm interested.

My big beef with T-Shirts is that to keep the price down people skimp on the shirt price. I like good quality over-sized t-shirts with a front pocket. You might also consider printing the logo on some fishing style shirts.

I'm most likely going to be fishing the St. Joseph river near the Berrien Springs Dam or the Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka, IN for steelhead and salmon. I've been hearing a lot of differing opinions from the various places I've been looking. So far I've been to BJ's Sports near St. Joseph, MI, Lunkers in Edwardsburg, and Cabela's/Bass Pro. Right now, I've tossed Cabela's and Bass Pro off the list for the first purchase. Nothing against them except I think the suggestions at the other 2 places have been more informed. I also like supporting local small businesses.

Oops, I another question. When looking for a rod what action and length should I be looking for? I've heard/read any where from 6'-9' with light action.

Since I'm new and just taking this sport up I need some recommendations for basic tackle and stuff I need to buy and stock up on. Most of my fishing will be from the shore or wading in the St. Joseph river in MI for steelhead and salmon. I know that I need a rod, reel, and possibly some waders. In some ways this is the easy part. There is lots of advice and info available. Now, I need to know what size and types of hooks, sinkers, bobbers/floats, swivels, lures, and other pieces of miscellaneous basic equipment I should begin looking for and buying. Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks for the welcome guys. I've been using forums for years to learn about various interests and find them very effective. I'm very active on a couple and lurk on some others. I will definitely be reading a lot over the next few months. For the fishing I'm planning on doing first I'm going to buy a pair of cold water waders, then hire a local guide who takes clients and teaches them local shore fishing on the St. Joe River. He furnishes equipment. With some watching others, researching, and using his equipment I'll buy the rod and reel setup next.

is that my father while a great guy was not an outdoorsman nor interested in fishing and shooting. I took up firearms a few years ago and enjoy several related sports. I recently met up with an old friend on a fishing trip and have decided to take up the sport of fishing much more seriously than in the past. I'm 55 and have gone fishing with others and enjoyed it but have not learned enough nor gained enough experience to go it alone. I plan to change that over the next year. Since I live on the state line between MI/IN in South Bend, IN and the St. Joe River is less than a 1/4 mile away (not accessible though) I might as well take advantage of it. Looking forward to gleaning some information, resources, and local places to do business. I think I'm going to start with some shore fishing next month so I'm looking for some insulated waders for a non-svelte guy with a pot belly. I plan to use a guide for this first trip and I'll figure out more about rod, reel, and tackle after that trip. A boat is not in the picture for a few years.