SFR Snorkeling Rivers

Sorta fishing-related
Long_Rod_Silvers

Long_Rod_Silvers

Elder Millennial
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It's been a while since I spent any time snorkeling. Feeling more and more like I want to get back into it this summer. Curious if anyone who's snorkeled summer times has experience doing so in a wet suit? All my snorkeling w/ WDFW we did in full dry suits, so while I imagine it could get a bit cold, feels like a 5mm wet suit would be OK. Would prefer to not have to spend the money on a dry suit if a wet suit works.
 
Long_Rod_Silvers said:
It's been a while since I spent any time snorkeling. Feeling more and more like I want to get back into it this summer. Curious if anyone who's snorkeled summer times has experience doing so in a wet suit? All my snorkeling w/ WDFW we did in full dry suits, so while I imagine it could get a bit cold, feels like a 5mm wet suit would be OK. Would prefer to not have to spend the money on a dry suit if a wet suit works.
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In summer, I actually prefer a wetsuit. 5mm has been plenty warm, it provides a bit of additional cushioning, and in summer surveys (as opposed to just doing it for fun) there is a lot of “seal sliding” over rocks with the low water, and wetsuits are way tougher for that, generally. At least, if a wetsuit gets a tear, not such a big deal. If a drysuit gets a tear, your day is over.
 
Long_Rod_Silvers said:
It's been a while since I spent any time snorkeling. Feeling more and more like I want to get back into it this summer. Curious if anyone who's snorkeled summer times has experience doing so in a wet suit? All my snorkeling w/ WDFW we did in full dry suits, so while I imagine it could get a bit cold, feels like a 5mm wet suit would be OK. Would prefer to not have to spend the money on a dry suit if a wet suit works.
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I use a thrashed old 7mm farmer john that no longer sees SCUBA use. It's a bit hot, so I'm sure 5mm would be plenty.
 
Matt B said:
In summer, I actually prefer a wetsuit. 5mm has been plenty warm, it provides a bit of additional cushioning, and in summer surveys (as opposed to just doing it for fun) there is a lot of “seal sliding” over rocks with the low water, and wetsuits are way tougher for that, generally. At least, if a wetsuit gets a tear, not such a big deal. If a drysuit gets a tear, your day is over.
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Sweet! Appreciate the input. Good point on the tears....never ran into a tear in the dry suit, but had a neck gasket fail and the dude wearing the dry suit had jeans and a cotton shirt on. He got really cold and had to strip down and warm up on the rocks - damn near 90 degrees out and he was almost hypothermic.
 
Long_Rod_Silvers said:
It's been a while since I spent any time snorkeling. Feeling more and more like I want to get back into it this summer. Curious if anyone who's snorkeled summer times has experience doing so in a wet suit? All my snorkeling w/ WDFW we did in full dry suits, so while I imagine it could get a bit cold, feels like a 5mm wet suit would be OK. Would prefer to not have to spend the money on a dry suit if a wet suit works.
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Think you should be okay with a hood and decent gloves…
 
It also depends on the length of your float. If you are just checking out a hole or two that is one thing compared to a 3 mile long gentle downstream float. I've mostly used a drysuit for work and just picked up a ~4mm wetsuit for the summer snorkels I rarely do. No real reports yet though.
 
Long_Rod_Silvers said:
Sweet! Appreciate the input. Good point on the tears....never ran into a tear in the dry suit, but had a neck gasket fail and the dude wearing the dry suit had jeans and a cotton shirt on. He got really cold and had to strip down and warm up on the rocks - damn near 90 degrees out and he was almost hypothermic.
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I have had a few failures. Largely because I paid for it myself so I got the Econo model dry suit from OS Systems. I kept getting small holes in the belly area….hmm…yeah. I got a cheap thin neoprene vest that I wear over the dry suit now. It’s my dry suit rash guard.

Then there was the time I plunged in to start the survey without zipping the zipper in the back. For a few seconds I could not figure out how my suit had developed so many holes overnight (I had just used it the day before). D’oh! I have not made that mistake since. Me smart monkey, learn from mistake.
 
Matt B said:
Then there was the time I plunged in to start the survey without zipping the zipper in the back. For a few seconds I could not figure out how my suit had developed so many holes overnight (I had just used it the day before). D’oh! I have not made that mistake since. Me smart monkey, learn from mistake.
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As a fellow smart monkey I say that is a rite of passage.
 
I've seen cool videos of folks snorkeling the East Fork Lewis in the middle of summer. They had videos of summer steelies kegged up under ledges, etc.
 
A hood is needed IMHO for any sustained immersion in the cool water; I forgot mine once and tried without and it was too cold.

I have to plug my ears now too. Something about the cold water getting inside my skull was making me queasy/giving me vertigo. Earplugs fix that.
 
I went a few times this past summer - 7mm wetsuit felt more than sufficient, and I got by just fine with thinner (1-3mm) gloves and boots. Hood is definitely key! Honestly the biggest challenge was the super low water in the summer; after thrashing over a 2-inch deep riffle I now consider myself anadromous.
 
You guys are animals. I just look around with my swim goggles in shorts in the summer.
It's worth while to do. I really think part of the reason I get so many doubles is having observed fish, then applying that view to situations and presenting both flies where I'd expect fish to be. So often they seem to hit at the same time, right where I expect them to be. It helps me read water, and it's surprising how many more fish there are than are caught, and where they may be.
 
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I've spent some time in dive suits. Putting aside the dry suit discussion...I might be able to add to the discussion. My first advice is to seriously consider an attached hood, this is paramount. Also for thicker suits they have what is called "Skin in" which has no nylon on the inside. Soap or hair conditioner is needed to slide the suits on but they are warmer and standard for serious wetsuit divers. Also I'd like to say that custom fit is the only way to go. A 3/8 "skin in" Farmer John with a 3/8 "skin in" beavertail, hood attached jacket is a good, solid suit.. You can get various gloves and booties (stay away from zippers).
 
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I highly recommend contacting "Deep Thought custom wetsuits" in Oxnard CA. No doubt they will know exactly what suit you will be happy with and they can make it fit you perfectly. This company is well respected in the diving community. If nothing else they can give you advice on what kind of suit might be best for you.
 
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