JR wrote:

Well, it looks like the calcs I made that led me to try an early
semi-retirement were, um, somewhat overly optimistic. AND the
only decent job in my field I've been able to find is all the way
across the country, in Washington DC (aka The Belly of the
Beast).

So, leaving aside for the moment at least the whole question of
life, as in having to work for a living, sucking big time....

...it appears there are a lot of small secluded Appalachian
mountain streams in my future, the sort it wouldn't be fun
getting to wearing my Simms Freestones.

Any recommendations for lightweight Aquastealth or (preferably)
studded Aquastealth hiking-boot-style wading boots?

In particular, any experiences with either Cabela's Ultralights
(http://tinyurl.com/yve7tg) or LL Bean's River Treads
(http://tinyurl.com/2zswg2)?

I've got the Bean's studded Aquastealth, and while they are OK for
some places (mud bottoms), and are great for hiking, I wouldn't
recommend them for the Appalachian streams I've been on.

I've been wearing the Chota Citico Creek boots, and I'm sold on
them. They are cheap (~$50), lightweight, and have removeable studs
(screws, actually). I don't fish as much as many on here, but they've
held up just fine in the 3+ years I've had them.

I wore them in the GSMNP, and I was hiking anywhere from 5-10 miles/
day (not counting fishing), and my feet felt fine at the end of the
day.


Chuck Vance (and Jeff M. has the un-studded version (Abrams
Creek?), and seems to be happy with them)