Wading Tips for the Modern Fly Fisher
by Stanley Stanton
A
certain amount of
physical conditioning is
needed to do any kind of
serious wading. You will
need do those 45-minute
morning walks three or
four times a week to get
in shape. Wading in
rivers is not the same
as walking down to the
corner store for the
morning paper. For your
own safety and enjoyment
it pays to be fit.
For
most fly-fishing
situations, stocking-foot-type waders are the
best because they are
lightweight, easy to get
on and off, and give
better flexibility and
comfort. The breathable-type wader is the best
for most wading
situations. They are
cool in the warmer
months of the year and
warm in colder water
conditions when used
with the proper wading
underwear.
However, I
prefer neoprene type
waders during the winter
and late fall months
given the cold weather
and water conditions
here in Oregon. Neoprene
also gives the user the
added benefit of
floatation should you
happen to fall in that
icy cold water. It is
also a very good idea to
wear a float coat or
some type life jacket
just to be on the safe
side during the colder
months of the year.
Why
are waders better than
hip boots? Simply put,
waders keep your back
side dry when it rains,
and there are those
special times when fly
fishing that the waders
will allow you to get
out farther from shore
line. Many times waders
will allow you to move
to a better position so
you can cast to that
special place that holds
fish.
Good quality
wading shoes with felt
soles are a very good
investment. Better yet,
felt soles wading shoes
with studs or cleats are
even better and a must
when wading bedrock
rivers, or rivers with
large round rocks. Felts
with studs or cleats
will also help you avoid
lower back pain caused
by slipping and sliding
around those smooth
slimy rocks during a
long day of fishing.
Take my word for it; you
do not want to spoil a
destination fishing trip
by being stove-up with
lower back pain. So
spend the extra bucks
and invest in a good
pair of wading shoes
with felt soles and
studs. If you now have
wading shoes with only
felt soles, you can
purchase studded sandals
or have a shoe shop
replace your present
felts with studded
felts.
Did you know that
most people fall down
wading when they first
enter the water? I
learned this when I was
a kid and my uncle did
just that every time he
took me fishing. He only
had hip boots, and he
always fell in just as
soon as he entered the
water. I couldn't
understand why he even
wore boots; they were
always half full of
water.
Here are a few
wading tips my uncle
could have used:
When
starting out, take your
time and get the feel
for the conditions of
the river bottom, the
flow of the current and
water clarity.
After
several minutes in the
water you may need to
adjust your wading boot
strings or sandal
bindings. You don't want
your feet slipping back
and forth inside your
wading boots; you need a
solid firm footing while
wading.
When you first
enter the water, your
steps should be about
half the distance they
would be if you were
walking on dry solid
ground. Keeping your
feet apart about the
width of your shoulders
will also help you to
maintain balance while
in the water.
When you
need to move down
stream, side-step and
keep your body parallel
to the flow of the
current.
Do not try to
back out of the river,
you must turn around and
walk out just like you
walked into the river.
For example, if you are
in the river and the
current is flowing from
your left to right, make
your turn on your right
foot, using it as a
pivot point and let the
current help make the
turn with the left foot.
Just do the opposite if
the current is flowing
from your right to left.
Never try to turn into
the current flow to make
a turn.
Always take your
time and be careful. If
you are uncertain about
your wading abilities be
sure to wear a
floatation device. If
you feel uneasy about
wading for any reason,
consider using a wading
staff. They are
inexpensive and will
give you that needed
third leg when you need
it. You might even try
making one out of that
old golf club or ski
pole you have gathering
dust in the corner of
the garage. Remember to
wrap the wading staff
tip with duct tape to
prevent that clanging
noise on the river
bottom.
Please remember
to be careful while you
are on the river, do not
harm our wonderful land,
don't litter, and please
practice catch and
release for the next
generation
About the Author
Stanley Stanton is an
Oregon Fly Fishing Guide
and McKenzie River
fishing guide, visit
http://www.oregon-fly-fishing-with-stan.com
For information about
Fly-fishing for Rainbow
Trout, Steelhead Fly
fishing and salmon
fishing in Oregon.
Email:
stan@oregon-fly-fishing-with-stan.com
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