Waders: Something I honestly believed for which I'd never have a use. But, in exploring my neighbour's property (with permission) I ran across this in a county drain that bounds one side of his property:




A dozen feet downstream or so...



Looks to me like somebody, probably kids, built an impromptu "bridge" across there at some point. I'm fairly certain the local deer population didn't do it.

The deer probably didn't leave this, found just up the path,



behind, either.

This was a bit upstream:



I've called the county drain commission, who is responsible for that waterway, but now I'm curious about the entire length of the thing. It looks wade-able. The brush on either bank is impassible without lots of clipping of vegetation.

So I was thinking a pair of waders. But just how much does a decent pair of waders for casual, occasional, maybe even only one-time use cost? And where to buy?

Do you have any friends that fly fish or duck hunt? They would have waders and maybe just borrow them.

Jim

As an angler I've owned and used chest waders for decades.

Although old by constantly-updated tech standards, my Simms Gore-Tex breathable Guide waders were high dollar and high tech for their day. These types of waders require the addition of wading boots worn over the waders. Although I wouldn't be opposed to loaning my waders to a friend (who would need wading boots that fit their feet) I wouldn't want my high dollar good breathable waders in the kind of muck and stagnant water pictured for a couple reasons. One, because I would be concerned about possible abrasions/ tears or breaks in that environment and two, because anglers are sometimes concerned with the transportation of undesirable aquatic life from a contaminated water source to an uncontaminated one. Specifically I'm thinking of the Zebra Mussel, although there are others as well.

You might get away with hip waders, but not knowing just how deep the water is or how soft the bottom is I'd recommend chest waders.

Years ago I had an old relatively inexpensive set of rubber chest waders with the rubber boots integral to the chest waders and I'm thinking that might be more appropriate for wading in that muck. I think the pair I had were made by Red Ball. I only used them a couple times in ocean surf conditions but, while mildly uncomfortable, worked well enough. I seem to recall paying @ $30 for them back in the early '80s. As far as stores I'd probably try a Bass Pro/ Sportmen's Warehouse/ Cabella's type retailer or possibly call some sort of work-supply retailer like a Graingers or Tractor Supply and see if they carry any inexpensive work type chest waders.

One last thought...have you probed the bottom of that muck? On a couple occasions I've waded into reservoirs or ponds and have sunk so deep into the muck that I quickly became mired and could barely move and, if I had fallen in would likely have drowned only feet away from the shore in that muck.

If you do decide to wade that muck I'd recommend a wading/ walking stick in addition to the waders.

I have a cheap ($99) pair of rubber chest waders with integral boots. I use them around my retention pond and even though they are nasty hot they serve the purpose well.

I think I bought them at Academy Sports.

Hmm what do you need to know

Murphy Law, if your chest waders are 4’ 5” tall you will step into a hole that’s deeper then that! No matter how expensive of a pair you have eventually you will have a pin hole that aggravates the hell out of you.

Don’t think that they are overalls and wear just your underwear at some point you will need to make a quick exit. Hope his helps you!

It's not the water you need to worry about in that ditch, it's the mud under the water. Make sure you can pull your foot out of the waders easily. Get the boot a size or two larger than you need.

Ken

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

Yeah, the possible muck issue is definitely on my mind. I'd already planned to bring a walking stick for probing the bottom in front of me if I decided to carry-through with it.

I'm not certain, but I think that bottom may be sandy--at least at that point. It's hard to say for sure.

One time use? Do what I do every year for my week long trout fishing trip.

Step 1: Go to Dick’s Sporting Goods

Step 2: Buy the best waders they have

Step 3: Use the waders

Step 4: Return the used muddy waders to Dick’s

^^^^^

Just carry an easily deployable knife or pair of shears when wearing waders.

Lesson learned from a friend of my dad's who drowned in a pair of chest waders.

I decided to give the idea a pass. Thanks for the feedback, guys!