If you possess even a passing interest in fishing, few regions on the planet can match the opportunities here in East Idaho. Thanks to an abundance of waters from traversable creeks to raging rivers, there’s a fishing spot just about everywhere you look. Some streams demand boats to get to the best fishing. For those of you just testing the waters, so to speak, wadeable streams are a better place to start.
There are two big caveats to consider before you grab your rod and reel, however.
1. Most creeks and rivers are shockingly cold to bare skin. Free-stone creeks come from snowmelt, while tailwater rivers are fed from the chilly depths of reservoirs.
2. Chest waders make a lot of sense for wading out into testy currents, but for the majority of small waters, you’ll rarely wade in past your lower calves.
Combined, these factors demand a good wading boot — one that is easy to slip into, but also insulated and comfy. After testing a number of boots over the past few years, we settled on the Elements Collection from Kamik.
Our introduction to this brand came to us just before our semi-annual jaunt to the Salmon River below Shoup — a stretch of big, cold, swift steelhead water 40 miles northwest of the City of Salmon. Chest waders make little sense here because the river quickly drops into deep runs that can’t be waded at all. Wading boots, on the other hand, have proven to be godsends. They allow us free range in the shallows to net fish, rock-hop and open up new positions for unfettered casting.
In our most recent early-spring outing, our boots of choice came from the Kamik Elements’ “Coldcreek” line. They proved to insulate without fail, and were easy to slip on and off.
The drawstring at the top was especially useful when someone hooked into a big fish. There’s an indescribable fever that spikes in an angler when a big steelie takes the line. The last thing you’re thinking about is whether water is splashing into your boots. With a tight string to repel the stray H2O, it provides one extra measure of confidence that helps you concentrate on what matters: landing that monster.
Built in the U.S., these boots feature waterproof 9mm neoprene — more than enough insulation for the coldest waters we fish. Other nice touches include a waterproof adjustable weather collar, moisture wicking air mesh, fleece lining, back heel kick and a lightweight synthetic rubber shell. The boots measure 17.25 inches tall and weigh in at just over 4 pounds per pair. Men’s sizes range from 8-14 in black, olive and (our favorite) camouflage. Pricing starts at just under $180.
For more information, visit www.kamik.com. A variety of Kamik boots are also available at Cabela’s, now open in Idaho Falls.
Catherine Kennedy/Erica Paton
Litzky Public Relations
(201) 222-9118
ckennedy@litzkypr.com
MEN’S HUNTING 2015 COLLECTION
ELEMENTS COLLECTION
COLDCREEK
(KAMIK/Approx. Retail Price $179.99-189.99/Available: Fall 2014)
100% Waterproof