Brown Watersnakes? EEEwwww. Bacteria? No thanks. Thank the Maker I live in CA where the waters I fish are cleaner than that. When the temp gets hot, wet wading is the only way to fish...keeps me a lot cooler than "breathable" waders. I wear wading boots with neoprene booties under. I wade just as agressively, maybe moreso, as I don't have to worry about the water slopping over the wader tops. The only change I sometimes make is to leave the vest at home, wear a fishing shirt and put a box of flies in the pocket.