Using Isopropyl Alcohol to Find Leaks in Waders
A bottle of rubbing alcohol can reveal the pinholes sabotaging your waders before the next trip does it for you.
This trick only works for any product that uses Gore-Tex as the waterproofing membrane. Have a mysterious sometimes occurring leak in your waders? Try this.
Reverse your clean and dry waders. They must be completely dry.
At this point, you can do one of two things. Treat the holes immediately (still wet with alcohol) with Aquaseal by dabbing it on in a circular motion with your fingers, pushing the Aquaseal into the hole to fill it. When using Aquaseal you need to let it cure for at least 12 hours before reversing your waders or using them.
Or, you can circle the spots with a sharpie and let them dry completely and treat with UV glue for an immediate fix. Done this way, the waders can be used right after the curing light hardens the glue. You can repair significant holes this way, but anything more serious like a tear needs proper addressing.
I find the alcohol does a good job of freshening up the waders and I hear far fewer complaints when road tripping with friends if I check for pinholes a few times a year.
Keep reading
More on Skills & How-To
From Beginner to Demonstration Tyer: Lessons from My Journey at the Vise
A chance visit to Tyers Row at the Denver Fly Fishing Show sparked a love for fly tying and opened the door to a new community. This article follows one woman’s path from curious beginner to demonstration tyer, celebrating mentorship, persistence, and the growing presence of women behind the vise.
The Outdoor Layering System: What to Wear When the Weather Changes
Layering is the simplest way to stay comfortable outside when temperatures swing. This guide breaks down the three-layer system—base, mid, and shell—so you know what to wear, what to pack, and how to adjust before you get sweaty, cold, or caught in the wind.
A Guide to Photographing Your Fly Fishing
Good gear only gets you so far. Here's how to actually capture the stillness, the cast, and the catch worth remembering.
5 Tips for Fly Tying
Five bench habits from Christian Bacasa: the half-hitch tool, mixing your own dubbing, the wedge slice, and what to do when your thread breaks.
The Overlooked Skillset
A grinning angler shows off a hand-sized bluegill, proof that the right first fish can hook someone for life.
Tips to Improve Your Warm Water Lake Fishing
A big largemouth, a fly rod, and a lake day that proves warm water fishing deserves just as much attention as rivers.
Want more LEARN stories?
Join thousands of readers getting our best outdoor content. Free, no spam.
Join thousands of outdoor enthusiasts
