with no $$$ for breathables and boots, it was designated to be a wet wade season.
after 4 faithful years, i retired my surplus CF combat boots from regular dress (4yrs/oct-mar/daily). the bottoms are so worn down that walking on wet grass was hazardous, lol. on the plus side though, the leather and stitching is bomber. so with some shoe goo (2nd favourite to gorilla glue), contact cement, and double thick craft felt; i now have a pair of wading boots. the only alternation that i made to the boots was cutting out the lining.
the only downside is, i learned that clay covered rocks is the slickest combination in the world. (no rod or reel was injured)