I Need To Purchase A Nice Set Of Waders And Have No Clue

[E Green]

I have been wade fishing a couple different stretches of a fantastic little creek near my home in Butler County, this summer. This type of fishing is new to me so it has been a work in progress all year. With that said, it has quickly turned into a major obsession and a much needed respite from the daily grind of my normal life. Cabin fever sets in about midweek and I find myself daydreaming about which stretch of creek I will wade fish on the upcoming weekend. Anyways the advice I am seeking with this post is in regards to what type of gear should I be using/wearing. I ask this vague question because up until this point I have only gone in the creek with a pair of swimming trunks and water shoes. The last 5 times I have gone (5 weeks in a row, all different times and in various weather conditions) I have come across several water moc's. Each time they have left me alone just as I did them. Beautiful creatures no doubt but i am worried that I might come across one and cause it to feel cornered or threatened. On top of that, i am quite positive that I have passed many more without even knowing it. There are many portions along this creek where I must walk through vegetation or along the bank and I would feel much better if i had some type of waders on which covered up my exposed legs and feet. I have a two year old son and a 4 month old baby girl so chances are something that I shouldn't be taking. Do they make waders that are thicker through the legs to protect against snake bites? I have never even looked at waders before...namebrand you recomend? do you wear reg shoes underneath the waders? any info or opinions would be appreciated. thanks

[E Green]

i tried attatching some pics of the snakes...i have a bunch but can't get them attatched fro some reason....user error i'm sure...haha

[flyrodman]

Are you only going to be wading in the summer months? What is your price range?

[E Green]

I would like to fish as long as the smallmouth bite....never fished past oct before but I would love to. I have no expectations on price range but want a quality product that will last which is why i thought it would help me to ask this question on here.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I use these - waders and boots together. They have a lifetime satisfaction guarantee.

LLBean - http://www.llbean.co...oductId=1201789

video - http://www.americana...boot-foot-wader

$339 for boots and waders together.... and the best warranty in the business.

[jdmidwest]

Most any of the better Goretex waders offer double layer protection in the knee and shin regions but would not deflect a fang from a cottonmouth. But I really doubt that will be an issue if you watch what you are doing. Goretex waders offer lightweight comfort and breathability in the summer and you can layer under them as the weather gets cooler. Waders also keep itchy weeds and other stuff off of your legs when you go busting thru brush.

Buy Stockingfoot waders and a separate pair of boots. My experience with waders has been that I wear out a 2 pairs of boots before the waders start leaking. I have always used Orvis waders, they have a 5 year prorated warranty on the wader.

Those little creeks are good floaters too. I have several spots in Butler Cty that I used to float during the summer. You can access deeper water than you can wading.

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, not that it couldn't happen, but the chances of getting bitten by a cottonmouth are pretty slim, especially if you watch what you're doing. I've waded a lot of creeks that have extensive water willow beds where you have to walk for a long way through places you can't see your feet, and the funny thing is that I've never encountered a snake in those areas. So although I think about it now and then, I don't worry about it when walking through those places.

And the problem is, as jd said, Goretex or other breathable waders are by far the most comfortable and versatile you can get, but they won't protect you from cottonmouths. You probably need a pretty thick neoprene type of waders, or a thick rubber boot, to even give a modicum of protection. And those types of boots are so uncomfortable under most conditions that you'll probably end up not wearing them at any time when the cottonmouths will be out.

You can't protect yourself from everything bad that could possibly happen. I just accept a certain small risk as part of the experience. You almost certainly wouldn't die if you were bitten by a cottonmouth, though it's a VERY unpleasant experience.

[flyrodman]

I like my Redington Sonic Pros. They have extra protection at the knees and seat. They breathe relatively well and have held up to some pretty rough conditions. I use Korkers Redside boots too. They are handy for changing from felt soles to rubber soles in under a minute. Good luck!

[hoglaw]

Don't get the neoprene or what I call duck-waders. Bad deal. You sound like you walk a long way from A to B to fish. Stocking foot waders with separate boots are an absolute must, though the others are right that they offer little to no snake protection. But there's a good deal of placebo effect with them on....you feel safer. I have hiked a LONG way in one piece duck-waders, both to hunt and fish. They are absolutely miserable I promise you - just like Al said - unless you're standing still between cypress knees in January wating for a duck to hit you in the face.

Get the stocking foot waders. Maybe you can get some separate snake chaps to wear with them...or shin guards or something if you're that concerned about snakes. But stocking foot is a must. You can get really nice wading boots to pair with them, or you can do what I did last trip and go to salvation army and pick up a $4 pair of size 13 lebrons and be the coolest looking guy on the river. But I can't say enough that these guys know what they're talking about. Stocking foot waders are where it's at.

[rfd515]

The one positive that boot foot waders offer is they will keep your feet MUCH warmer if you plan on winter fishing.

There's a reason Simms Bootfoots were sold out in every store on earth over the winter.