Most important river wading gear...

SilverFly said:
... quality wading boots. I put off getting a good pair for many years. Mostly because I haven't done a ton of river fishing in the last 2 decades, but also was over-confident in my balance and agility (now 63, how the eff did that happen?!). Well that and I'm a cheap SOB.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago when playing with dark chinook in some nasty pocket water, I slipped and banged my elbow pretty good on a large boulder I was stepping onto. Nothing broken, just sore for a few days. So I broke down and hit the local Sportsman's hoping for a not too expensive pair, but all they had in sasquatch, was a pair of Simms Freestone. I can think of a thousand things I'd rather drop 200 bones on, but damn glad I did. Felt (pun intended) much safer and confident. A good thing with the higher flows and unlikely happy ending to taking a dip in class 4 whitewater.
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If they last as long as my first pair of Freestones that's only about $10 per year! Now put studs or cleats on them!
However, I know you fish on those big boulders so studs or cleats might not be the best, but for regular freestone rivers they will give you one more level of very noticeable security. And felt isn't great on mud or snow. Studs or cleats mostly solve that issue.

I have the Hodgman Vion wading boots (long story) that are essentially Korkers wannabes. They have removable soles- 1 with felt (that I added studs) and 1 with grippy rubber. Very nice to be able to adjust based on what I'll be fishing.

Hope the elbow feels better. Glad it wasn't your head!
 
Driftless Dan said:
I fully agree. I bought a pair of Patagonia foot tractors about five years ago. These were not the Korkers versions, these were an earlier model. They are heavy. Each boot has 4 metal cleats going across the sole. These gave me great security in slippery areas, especially in the muddy Driftless Area. Both boots' outsoles came delaminated at the same time. I had them repaired at a cobbler, and they lasted a full year before again coming delaminated. I just Shoe Goo'ed the bejeezus out of them in the hopes they'll last another year. But I still had to buy another pair, at the local fly shop. I picked up some Orvis boots, with rubber tread on the outside and felt on the inside. I just don't feel as secure with them, although they didn't let me down this year. But they are about half the wait of those Patagonias!
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I have those older Pat foot tractors, also; and yep - awesome traction but incredibly heavy.
I picked up a set of aluminum bar soles for some lightweight Korkers I have, though, and those seem to be the best of both worlds!

@Evan B Are you sure you mean the Klingon soles and not their Vibram ones?
I attempted to fish a beach with the standard Klingons and it was honestly like I was wearing roller skates - I literally could not make it 50 ft down the beach to the water - they were almost comically slick on beach rocks
 
Northern said:
I have those older Pat foot tractors, also; and yep - awesome traction but incredibly heavy.
I picked up a set of aluminum bar soles for some lightweight Korkers I have, though, and those seem to be the best of both worlds!

@Evan B Are you sure you mean the Klingon soles and not their Vibram ones?
I attempted to fish a beach with the standard Klingons and it was honestly like I was wearing roller skates - I literally could not make it 50 ft down the beach to the water - they were almost comically slick on beach rocks
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I'd have to check. You may be right. Whatever ones I have work quite well though.
 
Lawn chair, cooler and a plunking stick. Oh, and a bell on the rod tip, to wake me when the game’s on.

Kidding of course. Many good suggestions. I’ll add common sense. Don’t push too hard if it’s dicey.
I’ve advised folks to buy the very best waders, boots and rain gear they can find. To a man they all brag about the great deal they got on this or that. Then they freeze their ass off in the winter. Wet and miserable is no fun.
 
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Clean Willy said:
None of us would think twice about .... or set out for the other side of the Yakima in July.
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the only big f-up drenched while wading I've had was the Yak in July. Had to hang the waders inside out for a while and squeeze water out of the wool and fleece. Cool thing was about 30 minutes later was back in the game. Damn glad I didn't go cotton that day!

It was a dumb side channel issue, hugging the bank but thought a one long step onto the edge of a submerged log would save me from going from belly button to nipple level water.... nope

Some guys doing a stream survey later floated by, checked if I was OK, needed help etc. This was a stretch that rarely sees anyone, so that was a surprise and just plain courteous and a good ask

Anyway, point being, beware the Yak anytime, wear clothing that still stays warm when wet...
 
Pink Nighty said:
"Listen to the voice in your head and the feeling in your gut. You won't always be punished for ignoring them, but one day you will."
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Peyton00: "Self awareness, know your limits."

The single most important aid to wading safety is our own good judgement.
Backing off from a sketchy wade isn't a sign of weakness. It sometimes takes courage to recognize our limits.
 
Herkileez said:
Peyton00: "Self awareness, know your limits."

The single most important aid to wading safety is our own good judgement.
Backing off from a sketchy wade isn't a sign of weakness. It sometimes takes courage to recognize our limits.
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Being shorter and of small stature, I bail earlier on sketchy wades than many other people. There are several spots on the Deschutes where others have told me to wade, but I won’t even attempt them.
 
Without straying too far off topic, what's the opinion on rubber tips for wading staffs? I don't have one and wonder if I'm announcing my arrival with all the noise my metal tip makes on rocks. If you use one, does it affect the effectiveness of your, uhhh, staff?
 
Eastside said:
Being shorter and of small stature, I bail earlier on sketchy wades than many other people. There are several spots on the Deschutes where others have told me to wade, but I won’t even attempt them.
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I agree, Mark. DK and I were up on the Thompson River late one October. We'd hiked into a run (I can't remember the name of it) that beyond the tailout, the river went wild. If you went in there and got into the current, sayonara. I was probably what one would call "timid" when wading that run so I never really got into the prime spot for swinging.
 
Evan B said:
While I was pretty anti-Korkers at one time due to their early products being so sketchy... I'm a big believer now, and some of their non-felt soles are pretty amazing. I get a LOT of mileage out of mine, especially on my annual Alaska trip. One river I wade up there in particular is like greased bowling balls, and the traction soles I have are game changers.
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I've been a Korkers user since 2010. Their Studded Kling-On sole is lightweight and worked OK, but I like the Vibram Studded XS TREK much more. When things get real sketchy I change to the Triple Threat Aluminum Bar Sole
Evan B said:
I have both. I actually find their non-studded Klingon treads to be quite good. I wear those unless absolutely necessary to need studs.
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😮 Are you sure you mean the non-studded Kling-On????
Korkers doesn't even recommend them... " Ideal for use on land, in boats, and in less demanding wading conditions.
I concur and think they are outright dangerous for wading. I only use them for longer distance hike-ins for their light weight before switching to the Studded XS TREK or Triple Threat soles
 
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