On the Fly: Your cold feet may not be commitment issues

Death, taxes, and leaky waders are certainties in this life, according to the late John Geirach. All waders, regardless of the brand or the cost, will eventually leak. With the thistles, thorns, barbed-wire fences, and brush we encounter in a day’s fishing, it isn’t a question of if your waders will get pinholes, but when. Extending the life of your waders is easy, up to the point they are un-repairable.  

GoreTex waders cost more than most others but are a snap to repair, even on your own. The expense is justified once you realize how much more breathable and abrasion-resistant they are. To find pinhole leaks in a GoreTex wader, simply turn them inside out and lay them on a flat surface. You can pick up isopropyl alcohol at any grocery store or pharmacy and having a spare spray bottle helps, too. Lay the wader flat, spray it down with the alcohol, and watch the little black spots start to appear. The alcohol reacts with the material, showing you all of the tiny perforations. Once the leaks are identified, simply smear a small amount of Aquaseal (or your favorite hydrophobic sealant) on the spot, and repeat on both sides (front and back) of the wader.

Waders made from other materials can be a little trickier but still repairable. The easiest way to identify leaks is to grab a flash light and a marker and head to a dark room. In the dark, move the flashlight around inside the wader, and leave a marker spot where the light is showing through. You can then seal those spots, preferably on the inside as well as out. Leaks in the neoprene stocking foot require a different technique. Fill the wader foot with water, then compress and squeeze the leg down to the foot, which should start leaking water at the hole(s). Take note of the spot, and hit it on the inside and out with sealant.  

All waders will get beyond the beyonds and begin letting in as much water as they keep out. Quality waders that last a long time are not cheap, but there’s no shame in investing in something you are passionate about. Mr Geirach may have been the quintessential trout bum, but he always wore the best waders available.

Stay dry out there!

This report is provided every week by Taylor Creek Fly Shops in Aspen and Basalt. Taylor Creek can be reached at 970-927-4374 or TaylorCreek.com.