I, like many others I'm sure, am on a budget. This budget is strongly suggesting that this year I'll be able to afford either a pair of waders or a float tube. I'm just starting out in fly fishing, having only discovered my love for the sport last June, so currently I have neither.

I believe that I will have more opportunities to fish water where a float tube would be more useful than a pair of waders (I have more lakes and ponds around me than rivers or streams I can safely wade), but I also hear tell that you really don't want to use a float tube without waders. Hopefully everyone can see my dilemma.

I'm looking for some guidance on this. Should I save my pennies to get a nice pair of waders first and pick up the float tube next year, or should I save my pennies for a float tube and get the waders next spring?