Last summer I got a brief taste of some small stream hike-in fishing while in Colorado. I really enjoyed getting away from the crowds and I plan on doing more of it this year. Right now I only plan to do day hikes (in & out) and won’t be camping overnight. For those of you that do this type of fishing are you hiking in boots and bringing along an extra pair of shoes like sandals to fish in? Are you hiking in your wading boots? Hiking and fishing in the same pair of shoes? I am considering a pair of something like the Keen H2 sandals for hiking in and fishing in. I would appreciate others sharing what system they use.
Korkers! Trail sole for the hike. Swap to whichever water sole I want for wading.
My favorite kind of fishing! Most of my small stream fishing is done within 2 miles of my vehicle, though, so my “system” is based on short hikes.
If the weather/water is still pretty cool I hike in with hip boots and my wading boots. In warm weather, I wear nylon pants for wet wading and either hike in with my wading boots or an old pair of tennis shoes. If you go the wet wading route, wear synthetic or wool socks that don’t get heavy with water and consider packing in a dry pair for the hike out.
So many scenarios and ways to go. For me in the Sierras and Motherlode it’s largely dependant on distance, weather, season and the waters I’m going to fish. I wear everything from a hiking shoe to wearing a pair of wading boots. Sometimes I’m wearing in a fanny pack, others I’m carrying a medium to small sized back pack with the wading boots ( in a trash bag - to hold the wet boots, etc. on the way out. ), fanny pack, dry socks, towel, underwear & top, bear line, etc…
If it’s a shorter distance then I may opt to wear my waders in, for longer hikes I’ll go with a pair of fast drying zip off leg fishing pants ( Aruba III’s are my current favorites ) over a pair of under wader shorts ( they look like bike shorts - fast drying ) that I wet wade in. Again, the conditions are the key.
Generally speaking, if it’s less than two miles in, I’ll most often wear my wading boots and waders. Beyond that distance if I can, I’ll opt for zip off leg fishing pants with a pair of capilene socks under neoprene socks. ( To take up the extra room left in the boot, when not wearing waders with neoprene feet ), or just go with a hiking shoe and change when I get there. Then put the pack up on the bear line.
Then there are those Mountain Bike in days …usually looking at areas five to twenty miles each way.
Best, Dave
That’s a great question and I’m looking forward to the replies.
I may hike as much as 2-3 miles in one given direction during a fishing excursion in the Sierras. I only use hiking boots at this point in time and have wondered the same thing about what to wear. I used to have some wading boots that did me fine up and down the trail. They plumb wore out. Now I avoid getting my boots wet and if I do, then it’s a long hike back with squeaking boots. Too many bushes, rocks, logs, etc. keep me from changing from my sturdy hiking boots. My fishing spots involve a great deal of hiking and I don’t want to carry gear. It is a puzzle.
This is also my favorite type of fishing. I normally hike several miles in and usually end up doing several miles of stream fishing. I generally fish small creeks and therefore do not do much wading; only stream crossings, and minor wet wading, so as to maintain stealth. I just wear my Goretex waterproofed hiking boots and bring extra wool sox in my pack to change into for the hike back up the trail. Zip-off hiking pants are great too in Summer. I have one of those anglers backpacks (Cabela’s) which is perfect for me. I carry all necessities, light fishing gear, packable rain gear, lunch, snacks, maps, etc. in it. My 5-piece pack fly rod fits in a tube which straps right to the pack. I carry a folding wading staff which I use as a hiking staff.
I have often wondered how light (and small) packable waders and/or hip boots are. Guess I should look at them next time at a flyshop…
The best part is that even if the fishing isn’t very good, at least you have been hiking.
I do this in RMNP. Some of our hikes are 5 miles one way to fish. Therefore it’s hiking boots and that’s what I fish in. Just carry rod, reel, flies, nippers, tippet, spare leader, floatant, powder fly drier and that’s it for fishing stuff. The rest is water, clothing layers/rain coat for weather and food. It all goes in a Camelbak backback. I don’t wade and catch plenty of fish.
I try to keep it simple.
I like my feet, so good hiking boots for the trip are required.
I like to wade, so I carry waders (where I go the waters too cold even in the summer for me to ‘wet wade’) and my wading boots in a simple backpack. Fly vest and food, hydration, extra clothing, all fit in the pack.
When I get where I want to fish, I put on the fishing gear and fish. The hiking boots and shorts go into the pack, taking the space the waders/wading boots/vest used on the hike in.
When I’m ready to hike out, I change back. I don’t like to hike in wet feet or clothing, so I always put on dry socks and change whatever got wet, for the hike out.
Only takes a couple of minutes.
Buddy
When I hike in I carry my waterproof gps. Mark the trailhead and the spot where I get to the river. I take my waders and wading boots out of the pack and stash it and the rod tube out of sight of canoers. Then I just carry the gps in a vest pocket. Before I had a gps I would inflate a balloon and tie it to a branch hanging over the water a ways away from my gear. I still carry a compass and try to hike in on a fairly straight line if I’m off trail. Coming out due East or whatever from the pack should put me in sight of the car if the electronics fail.
I’m with Buddy Sanders. I spent the better part of the last decade doing this kind of fishing and the small backpack is the way to go. Hiking boots for comfort on the hike in. Then switch to wading boots when you’re ready to fish. And there are few greater pleasures than slipping cold, wet cauliflower feet into a fresh pair of warm dry socks and lacing them up tight in a sturdy pair of hiking boots at the end of the day.
Since I generally do this alone, I must carry some additional emergency stuff (first aid kit, phone, knife, extra snacks, water bladder, etc.) in my pack. I have found that hiking pants and guide-type shirts with lots of pockets are very helpful for me. You can carry small fly boxes, leaders & other fishing stuff in the pockets, and even have room for a small camera. Don’t forget the trail/topo maps. I also keep a whistle handy attached to the front of my pack, with which you can make lots of noise when you encounter bears (I have encountered black bears on some trips), and this allows otherwise oblivious bears to know you are there (assuming you see them first).
I really should invest in a GPS (I am not particularly known for my electronics technology prowess).
I really should take this opportunity to say something…
On the subject of the pack, some contingency supplies, day-hikes, and such, I also have done a lot of this type of stuff over the years…especially in the Rockies. I usually go alone. Some of the most cherished times of my life have been spent this way. And I rarely do overnights. If I am in a wilderness area and hiking more than 1 mile from the vehicle, or anywhere else more than 2 miles from the vehicle, I carry the whole “what if” load. We’ve all read this advice: the whole “be prepared, it could happen to you” mantra. And I have had and taught more outdoor safety and survival training courses than I can even recall. So I’ve always been a “believer.” I’ve been doing wilderness trips since I was about 14 years old, and solo outdoor adventure trips since I was 18 or 19. But I didn’t take to hunting and fishing alone until I left the military in 1993. When you suffer from PTSD, it can be just what the doctor ordered and it’s not always easy to find someone to go with you when you need to go. But I had never needed more than a bandaid or a piece of string or rope from the “what if” kit until last summer at the age of 43…some 29 years later.
Yup, that’s my point: I had been practicing safety and preparedness to the extent that I’ve been made fun of for it…even sometimes made fun of myself for it…for 29 years without an incident. And I have had all the training in how to avoid problems and get out of trouble that one can get. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t be typing this now if I had not had almost every single piece of my “what if” gear and a good chunk of my training last summer in the Gila Wilderness on a 2.5 mile hike-in fly fishing day trip that turned into 2.5 days alone in the largest roadless wilderness in the lower 48 states in a canyon that has taken the lives of famous mountain men, soldiers, Apache warriors who grew up there, and nearly the outfitter who sent me in there the week before I went (but that info was withheld until I got back!). Still, after all of that training and preparedness mindset, my biggest mistake was a choice to only carry enough water for the day hike IN and a filter to refill coming back out because I wanted to lighten my load. After all, it was only 2.5 miles, right?
I was dehydrated and out of water 1.7 miles in. It was that rough! I was told it was an easy hike! I still think that woman was trying to kill me. And a lot of folks get lost up there on day hikes. She runs the only store. Hmmmm…
I had to choose between going back 1.7 miles with no water already dehydrated, or going forward less than a mile TO water with a filter in my pack. ALWAYS GO TO WATER. The survival training, remember?
Anyway, the point is “don’t leave home (or the car) without it” and “be prepared” and sooner or later it WILL happen to YOU. Oh yeah, and “you don’t need it 'til you need it, and then you’ll be damned glad you have it.”
This type of fishing involves compromise. You’re crazy if you carry waders or try to hike any significant distance in them. Wading boots aren’t that bad when they’re dry, but carrying them back wet is a chore. Keens are great if you need to wade or ford. Teva sandals are lighter and make better camp shoes but at the expense of not have your toes protected while wading.
And always remember, safety is number one. Always make sure to have some food and plenty of water. Tuck some purification tables away in your pack if you’re taking a filter. I lost vacuum in a filter one time on a trip to Montana and it took about ten minutes of vigorous pumping to filter one liter. NOT COOL! And don’t forget a map and compass and the other basic essentials you shouldn’t go into the backcountry without.
Always a conundrum for me, Remote fishing opportunities are so varied!
MOST of the time, here in Colorado I hike in lightweight hippers and wading boots. The trick is that the wading boots must be excellent and perfectly fitted…I went to no-felt last year when I had to replace my worn out felt bottom boots, and now use the Simms boots with studded soles. That made all the difference…frozen or muddy felt is impossible to hike in. The only other shoes I bring are Teva sandals.
For cold weather or deeper water, I’ve been known to hike in full waders with heavy full backpack (multi-night trips, and just can’t resist fishing that river on the way in!)-- but the problem is the damned pack tends to slip down over the slick wader exterior.
I wish Simms made hippers instead of just pants and full waders…tho a pair of those pants is in my future.
DANBOB
Oh, regarding the original question…
I didn’t explain in detail: I wear Korkers Guide Boots with a lug sole and 2 pairs of boot socks for hiking. The inner sock is Merino wool. The outer sock is a wool/synthetic blend that is heavily cushioned. I wet wade on hike-in fishing excursions. Quick-drying zip-offs pants. I carry a pair of neoprene wet wading booties with me and change into them when I get to where I want to start fishing…removing the socks. I change the soles on the Korkers to whatever water sole I want. For the hike out I change back into the socks and lug sole on the Korkers. Of course, this is my June-September routine.
Simms makes a wetwading neoprene guard sock and also a quick dry long sock and I use both as a combo. Sock first then neoprene in the boot. This is what I use for those summer days and hike in trips but also have the Keen closed toe sandles for the hike out, but mainly not just let the feet dry on the way home (swampfoot). For the most part a convertable wader or wearing them as waisters works well, but when it’s hot get some quickdry shorts/zip-offs and bring some water. Plus, you don’t need a really big pack depending on how much time out or share the load of food and water with a buddy.
… which the above posts already reflect.
Probably the first question is how well you tolerate cold, both as in weather and in water. One poster above indicated he has a very low tolerance. I have a very high tolerance. What works for him would be a burden to me, and what works for me would be totally unacceptable to him. So you have to figure out where you fit on the scale before you make any decisions.
Other variables include how good is the trail in, or are you going to be on a route and having to do a lot of bushwacking ?? Wading boots and waders are fine for nice trails and short hikes. Sandals don’t do so well on routes and while bushwacking.
Also, what kind of wading will be involved ?? On a nice sandy stream bottom or on the proverbial bowling balls ?? Will there be lots of jagged subsurface rocks that you need to protect against ??
I think you have to let the conditions dictate the equipment, like most everything else in fly fishing. And what works for me with a high tolerance for cold may not be at all suitable for you.
If I were going to peg one realistic approach to most situations, I often wear hiking shoes with socks that wick away moisture, both for hiking in and out and wading. Before you start out, give the shoes a little time to lose the water they want to carry, and wring the socks out best you can. If they are good quality socks and wick the moisture away readily, it won’t be long before you feel like your feet are dry and warm even if the shoes are still wet.
One word of caution about sandals that are “closed”, like the Simms and Keen sandals. When you get stuff in them whether hiking or wading, it can be very difficult to get that stuff out. Not pleasant. Open sandals like Tevas can be worn loosely and when something gets in, a simple shake of the foot will let it get out. And wearing socks with sandals of any kind can cause more problems than you want. They help contain the irritating little pebbles and grit that you want to get out of there.
The only issue I see with Tevas is security while in the water, especially when there is any serious muck in the system. Velcro closures just make me a bit uncomfortable. I haven’t lost a Teva yet while hiking or wading, but I have been in situations where I thought I might, and it could have been a serious problem. The point being, it’s good to take along lightweight backup footwear just in case. If the sandals are sized properly, the odds of injuring your foot while hiking or wading are very slim.
John
sorry, I have not read all the responses. I guess I would suggest trying to figure out if you are going to wade or not. I would think a minimum would be bring a pair of sandals. The one thing to realize is that some of the water out here is colder than heck even during the summer. I know guys who claim to only wet wade during the summer, but it depends on your tolerance, and where you go. I know of places that are in the 40’s during the summer. Which is damn cold, especially if it clouds up and storms (good chance that will happen).
Some places the rocks are really slippery with tennis shoes, or regular sandals, some not. At least if you pack a pair of sandals, and mabe some extra socks to protect your feet, you can at least try and get in the water. There are places where that is a huge advantage, some lakes you can’t cover much territory unless you do.
I tried to hike in with my hiking boots, then wade in them. But it destroyed the boots (not surprisingly).
Most of my hike in spots are 1 to 2 miles. One such location is off trail though, so I’m not a fan of hiking in with my waders there, thick coverage, etc. Most of the time for those distances, I just wear my waders and wading boots.
There are a few new spots I want to try this year that may involve me hiking in with my waders in a back pack.
I generally hike in to fish and have tried just about every shoe known to man-kind. I really wanted to like the sandals as well as the Orvis Wading Shoes, but have found that all compromise footwear are just that - compromises. Have settled on hiking in hiking shoes and packing in Dan Bailey hippers in the backpack - even when staying out for several nights. I actually can’t imagine trying to hike in wading boots - heavier than hiking shoes/boots and with a tread optimized for the stream.
A lot of the streams I fish are at pretty high elevations (RMNP and the surrounding area) and are fed with melting snow even into the late summer so are pretty chilly for wet wading. Have had friends that didn’t want to pack waders so they fished from the banks, but it always seems like there is a spot you’d love to fish from, but it requires wading.
There’s also something pretty nice about keeping your pants dry - even the quick-drying types are pretty miserable to hike in when the wind is blowing. Really, how much does a pair of lightweight waders weigh?
Paul