5 Tips for Safe Wading While Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is a great way to connect with nature and can be enjoyed year-round, but there are also potential dangers. Safe wading will help ensure not only a memorable experience, but a pleasurable one as well.
Fly fishing involves more than wetting a line. Oftentimes you are negotiating uneven terrain as you walk the banks and wade within the stream itself.
Follow these safe wading tips to protect yourself and help improve your day on the stream.
1. Wear a sturdy pair of wading boots.
The first key to safe fly fishing is to get a sturdy pair of boots. This will give you a solid foundation as you wade on slick and loose rocks that often make up the stream’s bed. Choose a pair that provides you with good ankle support and a firm foot bed to help prevent injury.
Wading boots come with either felt or rubber bottom treads, to which cleats can be added for extra grip on slick surfaces. Find a pair that will provide good support and traction.
2. Use a wading staff.
A wading staff has several benefits. You can use it to feel the bottom of the stream in front of you prior to taking a step. It will also provide extra support as you wade through the stream, helping you stay balanced and giving you confidence for the next step.
3. Plan your route in the stream.
Look ahead prior to rushing upstream. Find a route that will be easier and safer to navigate rather than rushing and finding yourself in a tricky situation. Rather than trudging through a swift, deep hole with hidden footing, find a route that is in shallower, slack water where the bottom of the stream is more predictable and easier to see.
4. Wade before you cast.
While you may be tempted to get a quick cast at a rising fish just out of range, ensure you have good footing first. Attempting to cast while wading will distract your attention and can put you at a greater risk of falling. Wade to your next spot, then make your cast.
5. Practice some balance exercises before you go.
In addition to regular exercise to improve flexibility, motion and strength, perform balance training to keep you steady on your feet and help prevent falls and injury. There are several easy exercises to improve your balance, such as standing on one foot, heel-toe walking, back or side leg raises, or standing on an unstable surface such as a pillow or cushion.
While fly fishing may seem like a challenge, it is also very rewarding when the line tightens to a fish on the other end. While on the water, be sure of your footing and build your wading confidence. Wade smart. Wade safe. Wade to a successful day on the water and enjoy the adventure and scenery.