Basic river rules

[_WW_]

Wear a PFD. Stay away from the wood.

 

[Matt B]

When in doubt, scout it out.
If still in doubt, walk it or line it down.

 

[kmudgn]

Always use a wading stick.

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

Bring a throw bag and a spare oar.

 

[mcswny]

Always bring more snacks than you think you'll need.

 

[Dave G]

Be kind to others.

Take care of the fish and the river.

 

[RCF]

Bring a change of clothes just in case you get wet...

 

[downriver79]

If you pack it in, for goodness sake PACK IT OUT!

 

[SKYKO]

When wading deep or fording always look downstream first and consider what you will be swept into and what the runout is like. Know your exit and capabilities.

 

[RCF]

Felt and Carbide tips are only an aid in wading ---> not the end all of be all. I have been in 8" of water with felt and carbide tips and the water was powerful enough to move me sideways.

 

[Little Fork]

Felt and Carbide tips are only an aid in wading ---> not the end all of be all. I have been in 8" of water with felt and carbide tips and the water was powerful enough to move me sideways.

Important to remember that shallow doesn’t always mean safe wading. Current can be swift enough in shallow stretches to move small rocks beneath a boot.

 

[Tom Butler]

Important to remember that shallow doesn’t always mean safe wading. Current can be swift enough in shallow stretches to move small rocks beneath a boot.

Yep, basically that's what got me a couple winters ago.

 

[Creatch’r]

If you find a fly you have to fish it, and if you find an unopened beer you have to drink it. It’s the rules.

 

[RCF]

If you find a fly you have to fish it, and if you find an unopened beer you have to drink it. It’s the rules.

Unless it is a 3.2% near beer

 

[Paige]

Unless it is a 3.2% near beer

Or ten yrs old

 

[J Watrous]

It’s wading, not walking.

 

[Zak]

When you start floating off the bottom like you're walking on the moon, you might be too deep.

Or does that only happen to thick around the middle guys like me?

 

[Peyton00]

When you start floating off the bottom like you're walking on the moon, you might be too deep.

Or does that only happen to thick around the middle guys like me?

I was fishing above the White bridge on the wynoochee about 20 years ago. I found a place to cross, and I floated like I was walking on the moon. I spent the rest of the day thinking how the hell am I going to get back.

 

[skyriver]

In the spirit of my buddy not liking me using my old William Joseph chest pack as a wader belt....wear your wader belt!

 

[Herkileez]

No way of proving it, but I suspect most "serious incidents" on a river are preceeded by the thought that "I really shouldn't try this".
If you hear warning bells telling you not to try it...listen to them.