What To Wear Under Fishing Waders (Summer & Winter)
Simms Fishing Shirts Quick Picks
Best All-Around: Simms Guide Shirt - Built for anglers who want a durable, fast-drying button-up that works on the river or skiff. Zippered, drainable pockets and roll-up sleeves make it a true daily driver.
Best for Hot Weather: Simms Stone Cold Short Sleeve Shirt - Great when it’s humid, you’re moving a lot, and you want maximum airflow without going full sun-hoody. It’s a technical woven that stays light, breathable, and fishing-featured.
Best Bug Protection: Simms No-See-Um Bugstopper Long Sleeve Shirt - Ideal for marshes, buggy rivers, and summer evenings when the hatch includes mosquitoes. Built-in insect protection plus UPF coverage helps you stay focused on fishing.
Best Off-Water / Travel: Simms Tailout Short Sleeve Shirt - Natural - A clean, breathable button-up for camp, town, and travel days when you still want an outdoors-ready shirt. Lightweight fabric and an easy-wearing fit keep it comfortable in warm weather.
How to Choose Simms Fishing Shirts
Sun shirts vs. button-ups (pick the right "tool")
Action: Start by deciding whether you want a knit sun shirt (crew/hoody style) or a woven button-up.
Knit sun shirts: Best for high-UV days, wet wading, and boat fishing where you want consistent coverage and quick dry performance.
Woven button-ups: Best when you want ventilation, pockets, and a classic collar that plays well with buffs, hoods, and jackets.
Hot-weather comfort: airflow and dry time
Best for: Summer trout, flats trips, and any day you’ll be sweating or getting splashed. Look for lightweight fabrics, vented panels, and designs that dry quickly after a wade or a rain squall.
Avoid if: You run cold or you’re fishing shoulder seasons, consider a heavier shirt or a layer-friendly piece instead.
Bug pressure: when insect protection matters
Action: If your home water includes ticks, mosquitoes, or no-see-ums, a bug-treated long sleeve can be worth it. It’s also a smart move for travel where you’re not sure what you’ll run into at dusk.
Fit and mobility: cast all day without fighting your shirt
Action: For active fishing, prioritize shoulder mobility and sleeves that don’t ride up while casting. If you’re between sizes and plan to layer (over a tee or under a shell), sizing up can make life easier.
Why Trident Carries Simms
Simms shirts are consistently built around real fishing problems: sun, heat, bugs, and long hours in motion. The lineup also spans true on-water technical pieces and cleaner off-water options, so it’s easy to dial in one shirt that matches how you actually fish.
Materials & Durability
Rinse after saltwater: A quick freshwater rinse helps fabrics and trims last longer, especially if you’ve had sunscreen or salt spray on the shirt.
Skip fabric softener: It can reduce wicking performance and leave a film that holds odor.
Air dry when possible: Low heat is fine for many technical shirts, but air drying is easier on stretch fibers and finishes.
Watch abrasion points: Shoulder straps (packs/sling bags) and stripping baskets can pill lighter knits over time, rotate shirts on multi-day trips.
Complete Your Setup
Related Gear
Fly Fishing Hats - Adds brim coverage and reduces glare, especially when you’re pairing a shirt with a buff or hood.
Layering - Build an all-season system for cold mornings, windy boat rides, and shoulder-season fishing.
Simms Jackets - A natural match for technical shirts when weather turns wet or cold.
Simms Clothing - Browse the broader Simms lineup if you’re building a full kit.
Related Guides
Simms Fishing Shirts FAQs
Q: What are Simms fishing shirts designed for?
A: Simms fishing shirts are built for long days outside, focusing on sun protection, moisture management, and on-water mobility. Many styles also add fishing-specific storage, ventilation, and fast-drying fabrics.
Q: Are Simms fishing shirts good for saltwater flats trips?
A: Yes, most anglers choose long-sleeve sun shirts or lightweight, breathable button-ups for flats fishing. Prioritize UPF coverage, quick dry performance, and sleeves that protect hands and wrists.
Q: Should I choose a sun hoody/crew or a button-up?
A: Choose a sun hoody/crew when you want simple, consistent coverage and minimal fuss. Choose a button-up when you want maximum ventilation and pocket storage, or you prefer a collared shirt under buffs and shells.
Q: What’s the best Simms shirt for hot, humid weather?
A: Look for lightweight fabrics and strong ventilation features, especially in short-sleeve or airy long-sleeve button-ups. If you burn easily, go long-sleeve and pair with a hat and buff.
Q: Do bug-repellent fishing shirts actually help?
A: They can make a noticeable difference when you’re fishing swampy rivers, salt marshes, or buggy evenings. They work best as part of a system with coverage (long sleeves, buffs, and gaiters) in peak insect conditions.
Q: How should a fishing shirt fit for fly casting?
A: You want free shoulder movement and sleeves that don’t bind when you reach, row, or strip line. If you’ll layer underneath or wear a pack all day, a little extra room often feels better than a tight athletic cut.
Q: How do Simms fishing shirts compare to a regular hiking shirt?
A: Fishing shirts often add angler-focused details like pocket layouts, drainage, cuffs that protect hands, and fabrics chosen for repeated wet/dry cycles. A standard hiking shirt can work, but may not be as purpose-built for casting, stripping, and sun-on-water exposure.
Simms Warranty & Resources
Simms provides warranty support for defects in workmanship and materials, and also offers repair options for damage from wear or accidents. Start the process through Simms’ warranty and repair pages, and keep your proof of purchase handy.