wading saftey questions

[genzod]

hello all,im a beginer fly fisher,i was concerned with wading saftey,ive only wet waded,i know to move slowly,i wear a life vest,i use felt bottom wading shoes,but my concern is when i wear waders,i know to wear a wading belt,but i fly fish alone,i only wade to my knees ,is there anything else im missing? like mud bottoms to get trapped in, ect?am i gonna be safe?any advice,thanx sooo much!

 

[Soft-hackle]

Hi,
Use a wading staff. It helps keep you steady.

Wear polarized sunglasses. They help you see the bottom, large stones and obstructions in the water as you wade.

Felt soles or cleats should be on your boots/shoes.

Shuffle your feet, don't lift the high out of the water. Lift just a little. Keep your feet spread about shoulder width for stability.

Take one step at a time. Take your time.

Stay out of extremely fast water unless really, really shallow, water force is very strong and can knock you off you feet very quickly.

Waders will not pull you down under. If you fall in, immediately bend your knees to trap air in your waders. Stay on your back, feet downstream, if you are drifting downstream. Don't panic. Your life jacket will help too. Try to regain your footing if you are drifting slowly, or work your way to shallower water to regain your footing.

Be careful!
Mark

 

[Bamboozle]

Everything Soft-Hackle said and something that I always think about when trying to decide or where to wade:

NO fish is worth risking life or limb for!

 

[BIGBOW]

In fast water, I always want to know whats downstream from me and what the bottom is like there. When entering or exiting water like this, remember that you will always be heading downstream. Its much harder and dangerous to go against the current than it is with it.

 

[Randyflycaster]

I took two falls, both times because I wasn't thinking and I stepped ahead of my wading stick.

Randy