Yeah, that damned Medicare really messes with a guy's wading skilz!I walk past places I used wade without a staff or PFD, and cross in safer places now that I am medicare age.
Yeah, that damned Medicare really messes with a guy's wading skilz!I walk past places I used wade without a staff or PFD, and cross in safer places now that I am medicare age.
OMJ quoting his own post. I'll add, if I was fishing different/bigger rivers, or where I though a rather quick self-extraction wouldn't be possible, I might just have the PDF on. Passed on several spots yesterday, didn't seem to affect my fish count.I'm not wearing one wading in the river.
Yeah, that damned Medicare really messes with a guy's wading skilz!
Since I usually use a backpack or sling pack when wading, I don't think an inflatable PFD would do much good. So I use wading boots with aluminum bars or studs, a wading staff (a stout Riverstick or *hiking pole), a cinched wading belt, loosening pack shoulder straps and unbuckling waist belts for crossings, and abundant caution that includes watching CFS levels and *knowing my limits.The thing that scares me most is falling and hitting my head on a rock. I will wet wade very deep but am much more cautious when wearing waders and I always use a staff. I've thought about getting a Mustang inflatable pfd.
Got wet yesterday. Lost 2 in two casts (end of day and I was tired and forcing them in quicker than I should have). Hooked up on the next cast and waded deeper to eventually net it. Caught my heel backing out and sat down backwards neck deep, with fish and rod. Not scarry, I was in a safe spot. No swimming. BUT, be sure you got a bag with a towel and dry clothes. After a 25 min. walk out I was shivering pretty good.
Waist waders sound good. Are there any disadvantages?To lessen the temptation, I now only use waist waders. If needing to reach out further, the long rod goes to work.
Yes; you cannot wade as deep without getting wet as you can with chest waders.Waist waders sound good. Are there any disadvantages?
IMO none. For me no butt leaks when wearing wading jackets. More comfort and cooler in summer. Easier to get down to basics when nature calls. Less likely to get in trouble wading. Been using Simms pant waders for several yrs,Waist waders sound good. Are there any disadvantages?
I might argue with you on this as I don't wade very deep anymore, but. Yes, But. On the last day of my Alaska trip, we (guided group) forded a creek at its mouth, the tide was out. By the time we got back to this creek, the tide was coming in (very quickly). I was glad I had my chest waders on. My friend Keith was a few minutes behind me, he was wearing Patagonia waist highs. I hollered at him to pull his waist highs up as far as he could. He's 6'4 with long legs and made it across without overtopping but man, he was dancin' on his toes the last few feet.Yes; you cannot wade as deep without getting wet as you can with chest waders.
Best to pay attention to tide tables I learned the wet way on a rock outcropping on POW island.I might argue with you on this as I don't wade very deep anymore, but. Yes, But. On the last day of my Alaska trip, we (guided group) forded a creek at its mouth, the tide was out. By the time we got back to this creek, the tide was coming in (very quickly). I was glad I had my chest waders on. My friend Keith was a few minutes behind me, he was wearing Patagonia waist highs. I hollered at him to pull his waist highs up as far as he could. He's 6'4 with long legs and made it across without overtopping but man, he was dancin' on his toes the last few feet.
The last guy to cross was nicknamed Napoleon. The two guides literally carried him across despite Mr. Boneparte wearing chest waders. All things are relative, right?
I used to be very overconfident wading Puget Sound until I suddenly realized I was standing in a rip tide on a Whidbey Island beach. I am a lot more confident than in rivers but I am more aware of the water I step into in the salt nowadaysBest to pay attention to tide tables I learned the wet way on a rock outcropping on POW island.