Larry L wrote:

It's about time for a new pair of wading boots.

Having taken a bad fall rock climbing in my misspent youth, I have special
needs in ankle support. I always wear ankle braces, beneath my waders, but
nonetheless uneveness of terrain and resulting flexing of my bad ankle often
takes most of the fun out of fishing. This is the major reason I fish
mainly meadow waters and avoid places like the Madison below Quake, where
even the trails TO the water can cripple me, let alone any actual wading.

Any suggestions for boots that provide exceptional ankle support while not
weighing a ton ? ... I'll want studs, for the same reasons of wading
weakness

Thanks, in advance.

Larry,

I've not worn these, but have looked at them in the shop. They seem to
have good stiffness in the ankle area.

http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/g3_boot_studded.html

.....and yes, they ARE expensive.

A friend has these, and they too seem stiffer in the ankle area, than
many other boots.

http://store.theflyshop.com/catalog/...oducts_id=7357

I own Simms Guides, LL Beans(2 models), Korkers and Hodgemans. The
cheap, plastic Hodgeman's have the best ankle support, but fit the worst.

Just a thought.... If you need extra stiffness(sounds like you
definitely do)in a wading boot, you might try talking to a cobbler. They
might be able to fit studded felt soles, to hiking boots. Some of the
backpacking/trekking boots come with a lot of ankle support. I've had
cobblers replace soles on my wading boots. The cost is reasonable, and
they do a nicer job than I do.

brians