RE: knee hi rubber boots
I use Cabela's Stalkers (?), a lightweight sneaker type boot, then wear/carry Tingley's, a pull-over type rubber boot, which I wear in the early dew times and rain. If it dries out, I pull my Tingleys off and stow them in my backpack, and I have light, dry boots for the day. The Tingleys are cheap, and have meant I've not had to replace my good boots as often, as they afford an extra layer of wear protection. I also have a pair of pull over lightweight hip waders I carry if I'm in an area with lots of wide streams.