On the subject of snakes, I was hit by a rattler at Anderson Lake 3 years ago come May. I was hauling my Kickboat back to my car and stepped on the little guy. It was about 28" long and as big around as a golf ball. I was wearing my neoprene waders and it didn't penetrate all the way threw. The spot where my waders were hit did ooze a tiny amount of venom. Basically the waders saved my bacon. I don't know the length of the snakes fangs but I'm wondering if waders might make you safer there too.
Tight lines,
Wade