No angler enjoys being wet when fishing. Leaky boots can make the day miserable. Standing in cold water puts a damper on the day. If the weather is also cold, hypothermia can be a step away.
Modern waders are far different than the old canvas and neoprene waders from last century. These newer fabrics are lightweight but require more care. Seam repairs tend to be more frequent. The fabrics develop pinholes in a hurry. Barbed wire will play havoc on any pair of waders.
Today’s waders are also pricey. More expensive waders use better materials and seam tape. Whether waist or chest high, waders will eventually get a hole. If you do not care for your waders, A River Will Run Through Them!
Montana Grant and his grandson attended a local Boot Repair Clinic, in Bozeman. The Map Brewery, found at the Bridger Mountain foothills, sponsored the event. Montana Troutfitters had a table for tying trout flies. Sipping a cold brew, while waiting in line, made the time fly. Making new friends and enjoying the warm weather made for a fun day.
The Yellow Dog Fly shop from Four Corners also had a table loaded with free stickers, koozies, and goodies. Casey, the owner of the shop was also advertising their Community and Conservation Foundation that supports enhancements and improvements in angling communities around the globe.
The boot repair was supported by the Patagonia outdoor company. Anglers brought their waders for a quick inspection. Some waders had seen better days and needed to be retired. Others needed further testing. After the waders were turned inside out, a large round plug was installed at the waders opening and belted tight. An air pump inflated the waders while water was sprayed onto them. If there was even a pinhole, the air bubbled out, finding the leak. An orange waterproof pen then marked the leak.
Once the damage was found, the waders were then dried. The next step was to heat the area of repair with a 320-degree press. Once heated, a round patch was ironed on to make a professional seal. In some cases, the seam tape was repairable. If you wanted to make your own repairs, a How to Repair Your Waders brochure and a tube of Aqua seal was provided.
Most boot damage was about pinholes and seam failure. Less expensive boots tend to use a cheaper seam tape that fails. These boots would need a major overall or be retired.
A well-used pair of waders may only last several years. Proper care and drying will help them last longer. There are sprays for waterproofing products that can renew the wader fabric. The neoprene or other fabric booties need to be cleaned and kept out of sunlight. I am not sure if there is a product that will renew the bootie fabrics.
Most pinholes showed up on the butt area of the boots. Sitting on some cactus or sharp rocks and sticks will take their toll. Knees have a double layer of fabric and hold up well. Other holes showed up in the crotch and thigh areas.
Boot Repair events are a great way to invite anglers to support a business, club, venue, or activity. Fly guys are definitely cheap and want to get every bit of use out of their gear. If the boot companies offered a coupon to anglers with leaky waders, they could direct sales of new boots.
My 20 year old Dan Bailey waders had only a few pinholes that were easily repaired. It’s good to know that my waders will be dry and ready for action once the water begins to flow.
Shake Yer Bootie!
Montana Grant
