I have fished the French Broad wearing chest waders when I was extremely intimidated by the water conditions. But it’s difficult to focus on fishing when—in the back of your mind—you keep repeating ...

At the Catskill Flies shop in Roscoe, the village at the confluence of the Beaverkill and Willowemoc rivers that calls itself “Trout Town USA,” all wading shoes with felt soles are on clearance sale.