Sunday, July 17, 2011

Making the Case for a Wading Staff

As I looked out across the misty covered waters of the Sipsey Fork River Saturday morning with my son-in-law, something told me it was going to be a good outing.  I was right because my son-in-law had landed 6 rainbows in the first hour. I had landed one nice bow on the 3 wt. Why was I trailing, well my son-in-law was standing in front of a honey hole where the trout was feeding in a run on what we call tiny gnats, that was floating leisurely by. The ticket was the number 16 gnat, which I had success on the past week. So I would say the morning was eventful to say the least, notice I used the word eventful, because it was for me. I experienced what I have read about when someone slips and losses their footing while wading. That happened to me about two hours into the trip and it ended the trip for my son-in-law and me after I made it to the bank. I learned a valuable lesson in that I will never wade in water again waist deep trying to keep my balance without a wading staff. I knew better to try the wade I did but I wanted to get to those trout rising on the far bank from me, and I paid dearly for it. After peeling off the waders I discovered I had as much as a quart of water in the foot sections of my waders. When you slip once and go down, there is always a possibility you go down again, and again, and that is exactly what happened to me. So with all that said, I am making the case for a wading staff in my hand the next time I am on the Sipsey.  
First one brought to the net for my son-in-law
Yet another bow on the 4wt, really glad B.T. had a great morning on the Sipsey
The only bow landed on the Padams, this was right before I took the dunk
Still a beautiful place to fish even with the fog

8 comments:

  1. I hope I didn't jinx you with my story last week...I think I'll be getting a wading staff also, just for instances like yours.

    Glad you made it out ok, good to know it wasn't worse.

    glad you got the one rainbow to show for it :-)

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  2. Sanders
    No jinx here, just careless wading on my part. I am looking for a wading staff, and plan on having one by next week when I go back.

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  3. buy hip boots, it wont allow you to get too deep in unsafe water!

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  4. Blake
    Hip boots was what I considered when I purchased the waders. I know now after the fall that I want get in water waist deep anymore even with the wading staff.

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  5. Why don't you just get an innertube? We have got to schedule our trip to Bear Creek soon.

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  6. I never go in the water without my staff at my hip. Never.

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  7. Why didn't I think of that, I could also use it for an indicator.

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  8. Mike
    I got one ordered and it should be here by the middle of the week. I will be using it everytime I go. Thanks for the comment

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