| I am going to inject one other thought into the interesting thread of boot foot versus stocking foot waders. Some years ago I was fishing on a private ranch on the Yakima River near Cle Elum. My
ife had an appointment with a party near Cle Elum and would be tied up for most of the evening, so I decided to go with her and fish while she partied. I just grabbed an older pair of canvas boot foot waders on the way out of the house instead of my normal stocking foot waders and wading boots. While there, I walked down about 1/2 mile to the river and fished until nearly dark. Coming back I decided that rather than retrace my now "L" shaped path I would cut across this field, thus saving time. I knew there was a small stream cutting across the field, which I would need to cross. Following a well used elk trail, I came upon the crossing to the creek. Both upstream and downstream appeared to be much too deep to wade with straight drop offs of the banks, and much too wide to jump. So I made the decision to cross where the elk did. This was about 30 feet wide and no steep banks. When I got two-thirds of the way across this much wider, but shallower spot on the creek I started sinking in what I can only fathom was quicksand of some sort. I could not stop sinking, and my struggles to move my feet just put me in deeper. I absolutely could not pull my feet out of the mud/quicksand/whatever and before I knew it I was almost up to my chin in this gunk, and over the top of the waders. Being of a practical mind and realizing the relative importance of things I had just before tossed my fishing vest and rod up onto the bank about 10 feet away. Just before the time when my life would have flashed before my eyes, I made the decision to basically slip/jump/climb out of the waders and swim for the shoreline. This I was able to do. Had I been wearing stocking foot waders, I honestly doubt I would be writing this, it was that close. I made it to shore, and using a long branch with a hook was able to retrieve the waders after a long struggle. I don't think I have ever had a closer call fishing that that. Even thinking about it some 20 years later causes me to sweat. So this brings up another aspect of boot versus stocking foot...that of safety. Boot feet waders do not usually provide near the ankle and foot support wading shoes do. I no longer own any boot foot waders except for a pair of hip boots, but I often think back on that incident. Any thoughts along these lines? I would venture that I am not the first to have to get out of a tight jam by getting out of the waders while trapped. Roger |
