Good waders and good cars share similarities. At some point they’ve seen all their reliable miles and while you may delay the inevitable something new and gleaming is on the horizon…
… with payments to match.
Buying large quantities of questionable fly tying materials does have one silver lining – you’ve got plenty for a wader repair.
I’ve got an 1.5” split on the contour and despite my best efforts could not get a couple ounces of Goop to hold a chunk of inner tube rubber where it was needed – on the rounded portion of the arch.
Staring at my bench in desperation yielded the 10 spools of flame pink Stretch Magic, which I will rechristen as “the next great leap forward in wading boot repair.”
Six or eight turns and an overhand knot and you’re done.
Midcurrent almost had me with their piece on waist high waders – but wading through chemicals and solvents is extraordinary and I’d rather bemoan the loss of $60 for another set of Hodgemans versus the $200-400 for stylish waders and detachable boots. “Breathable” would be nice given recent 100 plus temperatures – it might also mean reaching for oxygen once you glance at the price and add the cost of wading boots.
Tags: Stretch Magic, Midcurrent, Waist high waders, hip boots, Hodgeman, Aqua Seal, wader repair, Goop, ingenuity
looks like it’s time for a new pair.
I can’t comment on wading through solvents and chemicals but what’s the aversion to wading wet? Any time the air temp gets above 70F I prefer to go almost au natural. The Kiwis only wear waders when fishing the spawning runs on the North Island. The Western drift boat guides typically prefer shorts in the summer. You don’t need breathables with poly undies and a pair of nylon pants. A poly top will even get you through air temps in the 60’s. Waders are essential when the air temps are below 60F but I’m afraid all year wader wear is yet another fly fishing industry conspiracy. I hate to think how many expensive breathables get pulled on only once or twice per year. Too often that is only in the summer too.
After the first rash on my legs I decided that some of the chemicals lack visual cues; off colored water, greasy slick, or odor.
Not sure what I got into but it covered me from ankle to above the knee …
Too many can dumps in the nearby fields attest to a lot of chemical useage to promote tomato growth – in concentrated form they could well be hazardous. I’m merely being extra cautious.
… and the rattlesnakes, it’s nice to have a bit of protection when cutting through the brush near the stream. We’ve got plenty in Spring, but they lose their skin in July-August. Once the skin turns opaque over their eyes the rattle and strike are at the same instant – no warning.
I had a similar problem with a beloved pair of muck boots – try (gently and carefully) welding the inner tube rubber on with a plumbing torch – mine lasted another year. Note that this operation is best completed outside – the dollop of molten rubber than landed on my wife’s ceramic cooktop created a bit of a longer term problem….
… I’m confused Mark, did the waders last another year – or did the spouse remain enraged for that long …
I still have the boots years later, and She Who Must Be Obeyed stills beats me with the ruined cooktop now and then….