September 2024 - 43

KEEPING WADERS CLEAN
Preventing the transfer of aquatic invasive species like didymo (an algae),
Eurasian milfoil (a plant), whirling disease (a parasite) and various exotic snails
from one water body to another by wading anglers or hunters is more complex
than opting out of felt soles. Many other areas on wading gear, such as the
laces and padding on wading shoes and the neoprene material that forms the
stocking foot on most waders, may provide refuge for invasives. Whether you
wade on soles of felt or rubber, any part of your wading gear that contacts the
water should be cleaned, a practice encouraged by numerous conservation
groups and state agencies. Here's how to do it.
First, clean all visible mud, vegetation and foreign matter from your wading
apparel. Then follow one of the following protocols before re-entering the
water in another location.
Submerge waders and gear in a large tub filled
with a mixture of 6 ounces per gallon quaternary
ammonia-based institutional cleaner (such as Super
HDQ Neutral) and water for at least 10 minutes.*
Spray or soak waders and gear with 140 degree
Fahrenheit water for at least 10 minutes.
Dry your waders and equipment completely for a
minimum of 10 days in between each use. Some
invasives like New Zealand mudsnails can survive
several weeks in damp conditions.
Place waders and boots in a freezer overnight
between use.
*Follow all precautionary label instructions and avoid rinsing treated gear in surface
water. Dispose of the chemical bath properly, away from open water.
Much remains unknown about the role recreationists play in spreading invasive
species, but most scientists feel it is significant. Choosing wading gear that
reduces the number of areas that can harbor aquatic nuisances and thoroughly
cleaning them before fishing in a new body of water seem the most reasonable
ways for wading recreationists to reduce their impact.
- By Jack Ballard
Wyoming Wildlife | 43

September 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2024

September 2024 - 1
September 2024 - 2
September 2024 - 3
September 2024 - 4
September 2024 - 5
September 2024 - 6
September 2024 - 7
September 2024 - 8
September 2024 - 9
September 2024 - 10
September 2024 - 11
September 2024 - 12
September 2024 - 13
September 2024 - 14
September 2024 - 15
September 2024 - 16
September 2024 - 17
September 2024 - 18
September 2024 - 19
September 2024 - 20
September 2024 - 21
September 2024 - 22
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September 2024 - 25
September 2024 - 26
September 2024 - 27
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September 2024 - 29
September 2024 - 30
September 2024 - 31
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September 2024 - 33
September 2024 - 34
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September 2024 - 37
September 2024 - 38
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September 2024 - 40
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September 2024 - 42
September 2024 - 43
September 2024 - 44
September 2024 - 45
September 2024 - 46
September 2024 - 47
September 2024 - 48
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/wyoming-wildlife-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2024-e-edition
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-iak-special-issue
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/dec-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/January2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/December2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/September2020
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