I was doing the math on the current set of hip boots and rather than pooch out the lower lip claiming I’d been used cruelly, I realized that my seasons are a bit different than most…

The left boot was taking on water from both heels and soles, I’d managed to wear through both, and the right boot was slurping water through both the uppers and heels, and all of this accomplished in two seasons.

Figure 100 days fishing per season – and the average trip walking distance of four miles, I’d managed to put nearly 1000 miles of streambed on these boots in an abnormally short time.

Federal statistics claim the average angler does about 9 trips per year – so that elevates me to the Truly Awesome Timewaster percentile.

These were the Hodgman Wadewell II hip boots which boasted an uncharacteristically good fit on my size 12 feet. All those miles were done in “street” socks – and nary a blister.

I liked them so much I bought two more pair; one identical to the original, and a second lighter set – the Hodgman Bantam weight Nylon, featuring an identical instep and sole as the Wadewell variant.

Two sets allow me to use one pair in the waters with confirmed invasives, and the second pair for water where they haven’t been confirmed (but are likely present). As mentioned in my “Where’s the Beef” post, most of the biologists are keeping watchful eyes on the blue ribbon watersheds, I won’t know what’s latched onto me for some time.

If you’re fishing more than 25 times a year you’re in the “high risk” angler category. You fish so often your gear may not dry thoroughly. Additional pairs lowers the risk somewhat – and as the Hodgman Bantam’s were only $35 (regularly $53), it’s cheap insurance considering the miles I’ll pack on those soles.

… and welded boot foot construction; no tongues, laces, and tomfoolery that can trap critters in those uppers. It’s no proof against invasives, but it lowers my “host” coefficient a bit compared to detachable wading shoes. I’m not lulled into thinking Vibram soles and conventional laces are an improvement.

The water I fish may be forlorn, odiferous, and forgotten – but I take mighty good care of it just the same.

Tags: Hodgeman Wadewell II, Hodgman Bantam weight Nylon, hip boots, waders, rubber soled wading boots, invasive species, brownlining, Vibram soles, fishing statistics