The Episode of The Leaky Wader

A couple of weeks ago I made my first trip in a while to our local tailrace to check out the progress of the access points and of course to cast for the rain bow. While there I experienced what all wading fly fishermen experience from time to time and that is a leaky wader. In this case it was a small slit at the top of my right foot stocking. One doesn’t have to guess when you have a leak especially if you are in 62 degree water. Not to be outdo I forgot about the leak because this was one of best days on the Sipsey Tailrace and I wasn’t about to leave trout that was clamming for my Zebra Midge. I didn’t realize how bad the leak was until I started back to the truck and kept hearing this gushing sound with every step I made. Upon getting back to the truck I set up my little folding stool, which by the way is a must for all us older guys when pulling of your waders. Why because it is easier for me to remove my waders sitting down as oppose to standing up. So while seated I pulled the leaky right foot wader off and emptied as much as a pint of water out. If anything it held water still inside even if it didn’t hold water from the outside. Now to end this long explanation of the leaky wader episode; I did manage to repair the wader with some exceptional sealant; Aquaseal which actually sealed the seam better than the original. In fact I tried out the leaky wader on Friday right after my bonus day on Thursday and the wader held up to perfection but sorry to report the Sipsey Tailrace brought me back down to reality---only two trout brought to hand, one on the Gnat and the other on the Prince Nymph. Both patterns were size 18. Just goes to show when you think you have a plan and a pattern in place for another day on the water it can all go south; but if every time was a stellar day then we all might get bored with this great sport. 

I thought I would share some shots I took showing the progress of the access points along the Sipsey. These metal steps will last a lifetime. You are only 25 to 30 ft. from the waters edge at seven different locations along a 3 mile stretch. All the metal steps will be equipped with hand rails. One access point will be handicapped accessible.

These concrete pilings 30" in diameter will hold the big metal steps in place. These are being used on all the access points. Our club is working with our local Senator and Representative to introduce legislation in the upcoming session in January to put browns and brooks trout in the tailrace. There is opposition to the move because the powers that be claim the browns will eat the endangered Black Eel in the Sipsey. Our club found out through the Game and Fish that this Eel is no longer in this stretch of the river. So as you can see we are dealing with a bunch of old sore heads in Montgomery. None of these guys fish and certainly don't trout fish.

This access is right at the waters edge