Wading safely.

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chunting	Wading safely.		Lead	[-]
Posts: 62 06/14/09 8:53 AM	Tags : None I'm curious how many use a wading staff. Water doesn't scare me and I've wet waded many a mile, but wearing waders, fast, cold water and slick rocks changed the playing field. My wife was intrigued by fly fishing and I was delighted as it gave me an opportunity to expand my fishing by including her. The first time I took her trout fishing, the stream we fished was low and tame, but the slick rocks provided some attention. Afterwards and before our next adventure she learned about wading staffs and chided me on why she didn't have one. Within the week one was delivered by fast freight. :) The next trip to this same stream brought us higher water and completely different conditions, such so that had we not had wading staffs, we would have been reduced to a few limited spots to fish safely. The simple addition of wading staffs allowed access to most of the water and the safety factor made for an enjoyable trip with plenty of fish. I've found any fast water above the knees with poor footing can put you down in a heart beat. My wife's commercial example. My home-made variety which allowed me to access a deep trough along the far bank, which gave up a couple dozen nice trout this final morning. I have mine rigged so it rides behind my left shoulder, out of the way, secured by a magnet when not in use.
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Zenkoanhead.clarksclassicfl...		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 968 06/14/09 9:30 AM	I agree you need an added measure of safety in fast water. My solution is hip waders. Then you are not tempted to go in over your knees. I suppose there are rivers I cannot fish because of this self-imposed limitation, but it keeps me safer. Don
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ohiotuber		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 115 06/14/09 9:53 AM	I am a big believer in wading staffs.I had a Folstaf 1/2" staff, but, while better than no staff, it seemed fragile for me. I just bought the Folstaff 3/4" staff & it is very nice. They are good for a number of things to include stability, checking depth ahead of you, even getting a tree branch within reach to get that fly back. I have taken a number of spills over the years, including one in winter that would definitely have been prevented with a staff. I remember that day well, including the long ride home & the extreme discomfort (aka hypothermia). Fine post & reminder...a good staff is a GREAT investment. Mike
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pkrotine		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 164 06/14/09 10:51 AM	I don't use one for two reasons. One, I am very bull headed and ignorant towards wading, but I also don't take chances. And two, I see no reason for them unless you are on bigger water, and I rarely fish big water. Where in the South are you Chunting? I love the streams and creeks down that way. http://streamsidelife.blogspot.com/
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jkurtz7		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2510 06/14/09 12:58 PM Forum Owner / Administrator	I don't use a staff, just because I'm not paying the price they ask for them, and it's just another piece of gear to get in the way. I'm still in my 30's and like Phil a bit bull headed. I have only fallen while wading twice. Once when I was 16, and last when I was in my mid 20's. Call it being lackadaisical at the time. J. The Ultralight Fly Fishing Forum Ultralight Fly Fisherman, and small stream specialist. NE Ohio, Mahoning River Watershed.
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Sasha		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 279 06/14/09 2:01 PM	I don't use one but then again I am usually fishing small creeks. Even when I fish larger waters I just don't see the need for me (for some of the reasons already stated by others ). I do have a friend that uses one where ever we fish, so I guess it is a personal choice thing. www.flyfishingaddicts.com
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jkurtz7		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2510 06/14/09 2:32 PM Forum Owner / Administrator	It is a personal thing Sasha. This weekend I took a trip to a creek that is large by Ohio standards. It has holes and slots that are deep and come up unannounced. I feel my way through the water with my feet. I'm extremely careful as well. I make sure my back foot is firmly planted and make a light searching step with the forward foot and feel around before I commit to taking the step. In faster flows.....well I go around those. I'm there to fish, not ride a water slide. Since I wet wade in shorts most of the time, I kind of have a rule. If the boys are getting wet, then I'm wading to deep. The deeper you are, the more likely you are to be knocked over by the current. J. The Ultralight Fly Fishing Forum Ultralight Fly Fisherman, and small stream specialist. NE Ohio, Mahoning River Watershed.
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Sasha		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 279 06/14/09 3:32 PM	I wish I could wet wade more up here; I used to do it all the time back in CA. I do wet wade sometimes up here but it is usually in the later portion of summer. www.flyfishingaddicts.com
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jdub		#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2055 06/14/09 4:58 PM Administrator	I think they're a good idea depending on where you fish. Almost all the streams and rivers I fish in Texas are pretty placid most of the time. I've gone under more times than I can count but I usually wade wet and just happen to slip and fall in a hole or something like that. I did get caught in the middle of a channel after a storm once and got swept into a very deep hole (wearing chest waders). I was very fortunate and washed up into some shallows and was able to climb out. And since this was in Texas both sides of the river were strictly enforced private property. I was so shook up that I figured I'd rather get a ticket than drown so I "trespassed" all the way back to my truck. If I fished in faster or deeper water very often I'd carry a staff, even if I did spend half my time untangling flyline from it :-)
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gzacckey		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 25 06/15/09 3:54 AM	I just started carrying one a few years ago. Even then it was only on bigger, faster water. Now I carry it all the time. I use it as much on land as in the water. It works well for locating snakes. It helps when climbing out of ravines especially when the ground is snow or ice covered. I've use it to help recover flies from trees and under rocks. If I wasn't as stubborn as some you I would have started using it years ago. Mine only cost about $40, fits nicely in a holster and it's ready at a moments notice. They can get in the way. It's important to send it down stream, fold it up or hang it from a magnet before you start fishing. Otherwise, you may find it between your legs at the wrong time.
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texascrappiefisherman		#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 98 06/16/09 11:30 AM	I've recently decided to use one (I don't know why, I just did). I also refuse to pay the huge price so I made one. I went to my local Goodwill store and bought a ski pole for $1, I took the round piece around the shaft near the bottom (no idea what it's called) off the pole, and slid a 3 inch piece of pool noodle onto it up to the base of the handle (it now floats). It has a lanyard (or hand strap) on it and is very lightweight. I also use it as a backup stakeout pole for my kayak. It works great. Jerry Hamon Keep up with my misadventures here: http://fishinforhim.blogspot.com
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jdub		#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2055 06/16/09 11:52 AM Administrator	Good idea Jerry! You should post it under the Frugal thread. BTW, pool noodles rock! I bandsaw short plugs of pool noodles and have them in the bottom of many of my rod tubes to take the slack out and give the rods a little more cushion.
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oowt		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 232 06/18/09 11:36 PM	Always a good idea to keep the wife safe! I have yet to start using them but I have thought about it for a while now. I as well have a buddy who swears by them. Justin
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robgcp		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 712 06/18/09 11:57 PM Forum Supporter and Chat Room Host	I have always used a stick or something while wading...I just bought my first commercial one this year tho...I need one, I could trip over the crack of dawn and now with bad knees I have to be especially careful...Rob
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pszy22.fiberglassflyro...		#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 149 07/11/09 6:17 AM	I don't use one primarily for a few reasons - 1) I jus never have, been wading for a long time and I have a good idea of what my limits are 2) I do fish big fast water, but it's not dangerous water. Worst that happens is I get a wet butt 3) Speaking of butts, I was blessed with a large one, so I seem to have a good low center of gravity The big question I have, what do you do with the staff while wading? Don't they get in the way of fishing? "People tend to get the politicians and the fishing tackle they deserve" - John Gierach, Fishing Bamboo Fountainhead Fly Fishing Furled Leaders Just in Case Fly Rod Bags
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Chuckinra.flyfishingarkan...		#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 64 09/03/09 5:53 PM	I will use one, depending on the water and river bed. I have seen them at Wally World for a more reasonable price then most other places. BPS has them for $29.99. Chuck A secret fly is never more valuable than when you leave it with a stranger.
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chunting		#16	[url]	[-]
Posts: 62 09/04/09 9:30 PM	My wife's is an extension model that is clipped to her wader belt. It has a spring loaded lanyard holding it to her belt. She just pushs all the sections together and lets go...it returns to her belt. In the third photo, if you look closely you will note the top of the wooden staff sticking up behind my left shoulder and the bottom just above my left boot heel. One of those elastic deals with magnets that Orvis sells is attached to the staff and one to my vest. When I'm though using it I simply place the staff around to my back on the left and the magnets search each other out and secure the staff out of the way behind my left shoulder. When I need it I just reach behind with my left or right hand and pop the magnets apart. Mine is pretty handy and simple and cheap, only the cost of the magnet and some electrical ties. I will take photos tomorrow showing the parts and how they are put together.
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