Egg collection has begun

Sounds like a fun fishing time but a gear of trouble. BTDT.
Seems it will work out.
As for boots. Never owned a convertible sole boot, if that's what yours are. They always scared me.
Cabelas , chotas or Simms guide boots are the only I recall wearing in a
Stocking wader.
Chotas were my least favorite in durability followed by cabelas for comfort and Simms being best but they price pointed me out.
I currently use cabelas and get 4 years

Somebody say BTDT??? 😉


As for boots, stay away from them cheapy's.. fo sho!!!

Bought a pair of them a few years back and while they was stored in the basement, the darn things shrunk. Couldn't get into em the following season, no way, no how.😯 Stupid boots!! 😈

Keep those good stories comin.


Good times and tight lines. 🍻

I prefer not wearing the Korkers as they make the trip that much ''heavier'' . That's why I liked the boots with the integrated studs. Don't really care about changing the bottoms as I only wear the studs. The BOA system as there are no laces to tie and untie. They also use nice replaceable studs rather then sheet metal screws which wear faster

Lucky13
I have the ancient style korkers, they weigh a ton, but that's how I get my exercise.  The studs have to be hammered out and new ones hammered in with a "Special" tool, that is designed to render its user manually challenged for months.  The studs are tungsten and they come out pretty well.  Getting the new ones in is a major feet of endurance, I can usually do a about three a session! As a stringed instrument hacker, I'm thinking of spending the bux and buying the Patagonia's with the bars.  I have replaced the laces on the old korkers with rope, a tip from Fred when he was the Riverkeeper at the DSR when the common man could still afford to fish there!  (Say hello to him when you visit the hatchery, remember to leave your boots in the car!) I'm also watching for a pair of size 13 sneakers at the thrift store where I volunteer, if I find some, I'll try the snowmobile studs that some folks use, the price will beat everything going, I'll just have to screw and glue them into the soles of the sneaks.  Never going to have that chic and trendy Simms look, but …..

Bad idea on the sneakers. BTDT. Terrible ankle support. I sported a pair high top converse in Dsr with lace on korker cleats. Norman was impressed at my style.
Fred also conveyed the paracord lacing.
Fishing with those guys and another named chrome bring a back good memories. Today they are memories of things that were.
There's a reason folks like them and Connie moved on. In some ways the mentality of fishing the tribs changed but in 35 odd years it seems a zoo will always be a zoo and you move on.
Memory lane over..

Boots :
L-13, you lost me a few times.
Are we talking studded or felt wading boots , boots with convertible soles or seprate attachable cleats to a boot ?
Original korker attachable to a boot cleats were the azz back in the day. Now with the advancement of an actual boot, they blow unless you have a crappy pair of cheap felt sole wading boots to attach them to.
Price point: why pay $50.00 for cheap boots that may last 2-3 years ,then another $89.00 for attachment korkers cleats ?
Me personally, I'll pay up front for something decent in the hundred range for a 3-5 year life span that comfortable.
If I get spendy, I'd kick down the extra fity for the Simms vibram sole and the cabelas felts in the Dacks . Honestly up there , a wading staff is more important

It is funny that you mentioned them failing apart either 100 yards L13 because this pair one boot broke where the sole connects and I Jerry rigged it with goop and screws to get me by. Next trip the other biit literally falls apart. 5 or 6 years aunt bad I guess. I will shop around a little, but will probably drop the coin on the Iron side BOA boots. On a side note don't do concrete work with your wedding band on . I got some caught under the ring and could not get it off. A trip to the ER and a badly bruised finger followed. I cannot believe he got it off. The morter mix was sand paper under tbere. It tore me up good

Clint S
It is funny that you mentioned them failing apart either 100 yards L13 because this pair one boot broke where the sole connects and I Jerry rigged it with goop and screws to get me by. Next trip the other biit literally falls apart. 5 or 6 years aunt bad I guess. I will shop around a little, but will probably drop the coin on the Iron side BOA boots. On a side note don't do concrete work with your wedding band on . I got some caught under the ring and could not get it off. A trip to the ER and a badly bruised finger followed. I cannot believe he got it off. The morter mix was sand paper under tbere. It tore me up good

Been married 34 years, I learned my ring lesson on year 1 working in a sawmill.
Haven't worn it since. Now a days, my job doesn't allow them on site

💑

I've found that aluminum screws wear quick, but still bite even when rounded. Better than steel on dry rock, too.  I have several pairs of wading boots kicking around. Korkers almost killed me. I waded far out on a spring  minus tide (drops more than normal) and shed a sole . It was hell getting back in over slippery, weed covered rocks and I almost didn't beat the return of the tide.  I know of people that had a party and chucked them into a bonfire. New models are better, but still sketchy. If you don't cross rivers or go too far, I guess they're OK.  I'm on my fourth year of Patagonia Riverwalkers. They have aluminum bars that grip really well on the SR. I replaced the bars once. Not this year, but I usually put a lot of miles on, sometimes 7-8 in a day.  I've gone through lots of boots, the cheap ones never even made 1 year.  I'll stick with the Patagucci for now, with a set of old Simms for wet wading.  I check Sierra Trading Post for sales when I think I may be needing a pair soon. I used Korker sandals many years ago on the jetties in Rhode Island, but prefer to be a little careful and less Frankenstein-like.

Lucky, I got them for 120 from STP, I doubt I'll ever be that ...well, your name, again.

Cheapest I found the Patagonia was $279 not even at STP. A trip to Pineville sport today I think as their price is in line with the net

I have used STP before and yup gotta visit often in their clearance.
I have found the Azon to be pretty helpful as well.
As always, I find fishusa a great online resource of fishing products and great service too

I've had a pair of Chota Steelhead Bootfoots for 10 years that have only required miminal re-sealing along the inseam. And I have beat the **** out of them. I just wont buy stocking foots anymore.