Almost talked myself out of posting this but thought I'd share. It was close to 70 here today. I slipped out this morning to the nearby (10 minutes)
smallmouth river. I did not take my wading staff or vest fly box in pocket tippet, nippers, hemostats....had waders fast trip no biggie. Water is high and
fast and COLD still. I caught two smallies and one hugeous bluegill on a crawfish bugger... 6 feet to the rock water off color and too fast but I can make it
and its a better spot to cast from.... never did hit bottom rod up and tried to get on my feet but no dice.. Good thing I had on the tight wading belt (I use
one of the back support ones) I finally made it to the bank about 50 yards downstream....and in that water by time I made it to jeep was shivering
uncontrollably...even in the warmish weather....all alone nobody knew where I was nobody else playing hooky...honestly scared the heck out of me.. Probably a
good thing will remind me to be careful for a while at least and to bring the bag with towels etc........I am pretty sure I was the only one being tapped on
the shoulder and told to "BE CAREFUL DUMMY!!!" but though I'd share....
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Safety Reminder
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 Marty |
Safety Reminder |
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Posts: 40 03/05/2009 18:52 |
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 pvansch1 |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 4432 03/05/2009 20:21 Moderator |
Thanks for sharing!
Glad to see you are stlll here to share your post and warning! Pete |
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bobbeegee |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 2457 03/05/2009 20:34 |
I've been itching to fish a stretch of delectable looking smallmouth water, and I know it's a little dangerous at this time of year!
Go Heels!!! |
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bobk |
Burp your Waders ! | #3 | ||
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Posts: 46 03/05/2009 21:21 |
We kayak here in NJ all year long and wear dry suits during the cold water (not cold weather) months. One of the first things you do after putting on your dry
suit is to "burp" it. That is, to expel all of the air so that if you do wind up in the water you are not like the Michelin Tire Guy and float around
on the surface all bloated. I realized that that is also a good thing to do when wearing waders because if you just put them on and put a belt around you are
trapping a considerable amount of air inside which may cause your feet to float up if do fall in, and you may not be able to get them down and
"under" you for some footing on the bottom. This may cause you to float on your back or your stomach. So now when I put my waders on I squat down
which expels most of the air and the put on and tighten my belt while in that position.
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57Clemson |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 14 03/05/2009 22:28 |
Close to an experience a had a few years back but had no wading belt. Damn near drowned . Whew. God is good. Don't fish by myself anymore.
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DrLogik |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 1618 03/05/2009 22:37 |
This getting older gig ain't all it's cracked up to be. Been there myself and it is no fun. I now fish with a wading staff and a CO2 inflatable
belt...even when fishing with a partner.
...you just never know.... |
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joaniebo |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 1796 03/05/2009 23:00 |
As the "elderly gentleman" (?) often reminds me "Gettin' old ain't for sissies !"
A couple years ago, on Cheese Counry opening day, I stepped into a hole with my left foot at the same time that my right foot slid on a rock, tumbling me into the March water. Luckily I was cinched up tight but when I took off my jacket the water ran down my waders. I really didn't feel very cold since I was wearing polyprop long johns, a wool shirt, wool pants and wool socks. The guy fishing with me ran up to me and asked how my rod was (I WAS FISHING with a cane rod, Mr. Gofish !). At the following TU Chapter meeting, I mentioned this event, including the comment as to "How my rod was ", to which one of the older female Chapter members stated "That was a very personal question !". Cheers and Safe Fishing Bob |
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freestoner.fiberglassflyro... |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 137 03/05/2009 23:51 |
I just bought a wading vest, with pockets. Parts of the American River tailwater are no joke, even with low flows. The current at the tails of the pools picks
up quite a bit of speed before it feeds into the rapids below, and the river bottom all seems to be cobblestones the size of bocce balls. It's a lot easier
to find a place that doesn't shift underfoot than one that does.
Last Edited By: freestoner 03/06/2009 07:35.
Edited 1 time.
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Ken M 44 |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 2785 03/06/2009 06:46 Immoderatus Britannicus |
I would add to the 'be careful' thing - having had one dunking in icy water a couple of years ago from exactly the kind of big ball bearing bottom
mentioned above and being washed downstream 20 yards it is not something I ever want to repeat.
I have also slipped into a rock gutter only to severely damage my coccyx and that took a year to mend - I will leave the obvious 'How is your ....' question but yes I did get asked .... We just have to remember that it can be dangerous out there, whatever age we are, and can be especially so if you are out on your own. |
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freestoner.fiberglassflyro... |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 142 03/06/2009 07:34 |
correction- got that last sentence wrong- what I meant was that when one finds oneself in the middle of the river with the current gathering speed,
"It's a lot more frequent occurence to find a place that does shift underfoot, than one that doesn't." (And it is not
"easier.") Unfortunately. And the last time I was out there, there were a few moments when I felt that fly fishing had taken on the character of a
seriously type-R activity. I should not have tried wading across the lip of that pool as a shortcut to get back to my car, parked over beyond the opposite
bank. There was a bridge handy.
But, you get halfway out there, and then you figure it out...
Last Edited By: freestoner 03/06/2009 07:38.
Edited 1 time.
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ttrotter |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 926 03/06/2009 08:32 Moderator |
Sage advice from all here! With the "season" almost upon us (thank God), it reminds me that after a long winter it does take some time to get your
"stream legs" back. Couple that with the adrenaline rush of finally being able to get back on the water--well, its a receipe for disaster
(particularly for us old farts)
Be safe out there, Tom |
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Chartist1 |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 241 03/06/2009 08:58 |
Fished the Rocky river in Cleveland three weeks ago for steelhead. Didn't have my wading staff and didn't know the river. A bad combination for sure. I
stepped in a hole. I have no idea how deep cuz my feet never touched bottom. I fell on to my back and started back stroking to the bank. I had an oil cloth
coat over the waders that may have helped keep them from filling with water . I think the air in the waders helped my bouyancy. Broke a graphite rod tip
section....
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philpsych |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 198 03/06/2009 15:37 Moderator |
At least 15 years ago, my step-dad and I hiked into the Crowsnest River in Alberta, Canada, for some winter fishing, in February. There is a 1/2 mile stretch
that stays open, natural springs warm the water. The water was very low and clear, over half the river was ice-covered, and the stretch we hiked/fished was in
a small canyon.
After two hours of hiking in neoprene waders, we arrived at the handful of pools that were fishable, and caught some whitefish and one 16" rainbow, on nymphs. You walked out on 15' or so of ice, standing over shallow water, and fished the runs. Then, we figured it was time to hike out, and walked about halfway up the side of the canyon, and hiked upstream. Within a few minutes, the water started to rise quickly, and turned muddy. The water then very quickly rose at least 2 or 3', which is a lot for a smallish river in a canyon in the winter, and entire trees, chunks of ice the size of cars, etc, roared down the canyon. It was impressive, and scary as hell - the river went from classic low-winter flows to total blow-out in 4 or 5 minutes. Needless to say, our timing was impeccable, and completely accidental - if the fishing had been better, we would have had to scramble off the river-ice, and my step-dad was in his 50's. Mark |
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wb4tjh |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 490 03/06/2009 17:08 |
At 62, I know I'm not as durable, as strong, or resiliant as I once was. So when I wade a stream that I know has some deep holes, for the past few years, I
have been wearing a small inflatable around my waist. It doesn't get in the way, takes the place of a wader belt, and it's a big comfort knowing that
if I get into trouble, at least I won't sink. I'm a firm believer in the old Boy Scout Motto: BE PREPARED. Being wet and cold can be a temporary thing:
being dead is a bit more permanent.
Bill Anderson, Sarsota, Fl. "Bamboo is the Benchmark in flyrods". |
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Marty |
Priceless | #14 | ||
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Posts: 42 03/06/2009 21:46 |
Ok I just got home from dinner at mom and dads took my vest and the box of flies I have been tying over to fill his boxes after dinner. He doesn't tie and
its kind of fun after all the years he spent taking me to fill his fly boxes and then hit the water with the old man on a Saturday morning early. I had told
him about my swim I am laying my gear out and in the back pouch of my strap vest is a lump. At some point he put a pair of spongebob water wings in there
with a note that said " By acclamation you are now required you to wear a flotation device when you are withing 25 yards of any body of water. Thank You
-Mgmnt" I am going to show up in the morning with the required black coffee and wearing them!!! Oh yes and the real safety gear as well... guess its
not 100% my fault I'm a nut job
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freestoner.fiberglassflyro... |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 159 03/07/2009 20:08 |
It doesn't take long in cold water to bleed off so much body temperature that you go down for the count.
I've been known to take it pretty close to the limit just by wet wading in the early and late part of the year, back before I broke down and bought hip boots. I remember at least one time quitting around sunset, and feeling distinctly woozy on the way back to the car. After I got there, started it up to get the heater going, and sat there a few minutes, I warmed up a little bit, and started thinking "I am cold." |
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