Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Spawn Sack on October 24, 2015, 10:01:52 AM
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So yesterday was fishing from shore on the Vedder. Went to the spot at first light I've had luck with the last few weeks in the canal, fished there for 2 hours, nothing! Though to myself, why not check out some spots I like that I have not fished yet this fall. Drove to a spot I like a bit above the Vedder crossing. Couldn't get a good drift into the deep section of the run as this dude is waded WAY out there down stream of me and my line would floss him when I reeled in. He was literally up to his waist and the water was moving fast enough. I tossed a dozen or so casts then moved on.
Went to another spot I like up river. Only 2 guys there, one up from me and a guy on the other side of the river on the steep rocks. Guy on rocks gets something big on, slips on the rock he's on, and goes in the river! Luckily there was a bit of a pool before the fast water and he managed to get back on his rock and land the fish!!
Guy beside me and guy across the river are chatting back and forth. I figure they know each other but the guy on the other side MUST have drove in from that way. But no. After a couple more hours the guy across the river packs up his stuff, and starts to wade ACROSS THE RIVER. Using the shaft of his enormous net as a wading staff. He was literally waist deep and you could tell he was having a tough time.
I say to the guy above me...is he your friend? He says yes. I say what the f**k is he doing?!!? He says oh no he's okay, he waded across to the other side in the morning, he's coming back as we parked on this side. I shake my head and decide to snap a pic of the guy so I can show it to my buddies later in case they don't believe that someone waded across the river here.
After I snapped the pic the guy made it another 20 or so yards, then he falls!! He thrashes down river for 10 feet or so and somehow manages to stand up before the tailout, and make it to shore. His buddy runs down to se if he is okay. He is, but had to strip right down and wring everything out. I bet he scared the s**t out of himself.
So, to all you new fishermen out there. Be careful! "chest waders" are not meant to wade up to your chest! If you even think "this might be a sketchy place to wade" then it IS and just don't do it. and it you think your Mustang pull-vest has enough buoyancy to float you merrily down the river when your waders are full of water I can assure you they do NOT. I have a buddy who has been with SAR for over 20 years and they have recovered more than one dead fisherman with a life jacket on who was still pulled under when his waders filled right up.
If this was not enough, before going home I decide to check out one last spot by the Tamahai bridge. Got 1 nice hatchery coho (finally) in a calm seam down river of all the snaggers. When I looked closer up river I could see people fishing of these rocks out in the fast water!! REALLY?!? How did you even get there? Unreal.
So, have a word with yourself and think twice before you risk your life for a fish. Almost saw a guy die yesterday. Not my idea of wrapping up a good day's fishing.
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(http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a485/spawnsack/idiot_zpsm4gvsqsf.jpg) (http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/spawnsack/media/idiot_zpsm4gvsqsf.jpg.html)
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last year I was walking along the path by the river near the campground heading for the path to the bar. Stopped to look around and the entire bank collapsed underneath me. Luckily I caught some stuff and was able to scramble back up. Scarey stuff out there sometimes and when it happens its usually a suprise. You gotta think far ahead.
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People really do get fish fever.
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Good reminder
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I personally have never found the need for any sort of significant wading on the vedder river...
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Me neither. In fact just the other week I was fishing with a good buddy. He wanted to cross through a fast little creek like thing we needed to go through to get to a spot on the other side. I got about 1/3 across and was like, nope, I'm turning back. Water was about knee deep but moving fast.. He was a bit pissed for a second as he was comfortable crossing and wanted to hit the run down river. But he understood and in the end it was no big deal. Like I said if your brain is telling you "this might be sketchy" then it IS and just don't do it.
I have slipped a couple times and gotten water down my waders. Luckily I got back up and all was good. Now I wade ultra conservative it's just not worth risking your life to catch a fish!
Still can't believe this guy yesterday. Unfortunately often the only fix for stupid is a good scare.
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AND DO UP YOUR WADING BELT!
It's not there to keep them on your hip, it's there to keep them from instantly filling with water and dragging you under to a horrific death.
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Good reminder
X2
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Good reminder
X3
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While it's a good reminder, you may be taking things a little far. If I recognize that spot correctly, it is only deep for 10-15 feet along the backside and then shallows and slows out considerably.
Some people are more confident in their wading skills, and have stronger legs, better balance, more weight, etc. What you may perceive as dangerous or stupid may be a cake walk to another angler. For example, you noted the knee deep side channel scaring you. That is your wading ability, while your buddy did that with ease.
The best advice I have is wade to your ability. The more you wade, the more confident you get, and soon you'll be "the idiot." I quite often wade waist deep fairly fast water, and I act as the water break and stabilizer for my friends that are with me. They would never do it on their own, because they don't have as much experience and aren't as confident. Likewise, one of my buddies does crazy wades that I would never attempt on my own, but having him help as we cross is enough to get me to the other side.
Last point I'll make is always look downriver. I'm much more willing to do a "risky" wade if it's smoother sailing below. Log jams, rapids, waterfalls, etc below will significantly impact what risk I'm willing to take.
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Very salient last bit...
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AND DO UP YOUR WADING BELT!
It's not there to keep them on your hip, it's there to keep them from instantly filling with water and dragging you under to a horrific death.
Yeah very true. I've almost experienced that last part. Was on the upper Skagit several years ago wading in fast water and lost my footing on the smooth stones. This was in late July so the river was still pretty high.
In like literally 15 seconds after going down my waders were completely full of water. If the water had been any deeper I probably wouldn't be here today because I barely made it back to shore. The weight of the water probably adds like 80 lbs or something to your waders so standing up again is impossible. I was very lucky that I was in the shallower tail out of a run and not above a deep pool so I could drag myself out. Never forgot to wear my wading belt again after that.
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I fish out of my Kayak sometimes and like to jump out on the bars and wade when I get there so you need waders.
I have always been worried that one day I might tip the yak.
This year I bought a pair of waders deigned for the purpose.
They are made by kokatat (Kayak gear company) and they are waist wasders with a gasket at the top. They get a vey good seal when you clamp them down and are deisgned to let next to no water in if you fall in. So far i love them and recommend them to anyone.
I paid $159 at MEC. They are well worth the money.
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While it's a good reminder, you may be taking things a little far. If I recognize that spot correctly, it is only deep for 10-15 feet along the backside and then shallows and slows out considerably.
Some people are more confident in their wading skills, and have stronger legs, better balance, more weight, etc. What you may perceive as dangerous or stupid may be a cake walk to another angler. For example, you noted the knee deep side channel scaring you. That is your wading ability, while your buddy did that with ease.
The best advice I have is wade to your ability. The more you wade, the more confident you get, and soon you'll be "the idiot." I quite often wade waist deep fairly fast water, and I act as the water break and stabilizer for my friends that are with me. They would never do it on their own, because they don't have as much experience and aren't as confident. Likewise, one of my buddies does crazy wades that I would never attempt on my own, but having him help as we cross is enough to get me to the other side.
Last point I'll make is always look downriver. I'm much more willing to do a "risky" wade if it's smoother sailing below. Log jams, rapids, waterfalls, etc below will significantly impact what risk I'm willing to take.
I agree with Daniel here and I also act as the current break or anchor for most of my friends and family when wading. I myself have also gone completely under and downstream twice, both times it was my error in judgment that put me in the situation and neither time did I feel my life was in danger due to the fact I don't panic and know what to do. I also wear my wading belt 100% of the time and only buy the stretchy type because they will fit tighter but allow movement without digging into your body.
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Ok, I'll bite.
What do you do?
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I'm curious as to how you handle yourselves in the water too.
I wouldn't call myself the most "daring" wader, but at 6'5 280 I can get through quite a bit of water just because of my height. That said,
If its bad enough I will use a big stick and place it firmly downstream of me with every step.
I always cross at a tail out after looking at the run below me for strainers.
I always try to start as far upstream from my target landing as conditions allow.
Make sure my phone and keys are in the ziplock bag.
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Depends on what the substrate is. I once found myself wading across a tailout that was composed of gravel. It was about waist deep, and got to mid torso, while also being quick. It wasn't that I couldn't handle it, just that I found my platform was eroding away under my feet.
Good sized and firmly seated rocks, I have no problems.
I am 5'8", used to catch in baseball so I have leg power and stability. Currently I am also swimming 4-5 times a week.
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I'll never understand how some people can wade out past their hips in moving water. A friend last year ended up taking almost a half hour to move less than 30 feet to shore, he waded out and moved up the current till he was waist deep cause he kept seeing fish jumping in one area, I warned him about how it can be easy to walk upwards on current but trying to walk back down can be dangerous especially if there isn't any large structure to slow the under current so every time he tried to take a step down he almost got swept off his feet.
Heard to many sad stories of people drowning, loosing equipment cause they fell and even being totally turned off of fishing cause of the traumatizing experience of being taken down river.
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Never wade about a dangerous structure such as a log jam and always leave a buffer area so if something goes wrong you have an area to correct it. I have lost my balance before while wading and the easiest thing I found to do was run with the current as then you are able to regain your balance, moving at an angle towards the shoreline also helps. I usually also end up being a break in the current for friends as I am a very strong wader, one time while wading a buddy got swept off his feet and I was able to grab his hoodie and he was able to stand back up quickly and recover. Interlocking arms and bracing in the shoulder area helps but can also cause problems if the other wader isn't as strong.
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I'll never understand how some people can wade out past their hips in moving water.
Experience, strength, core, and balance.
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I do quite a lot of "risky" wades but Most of the time i take my time and plant my feet well. I have years of experience wading in rivers so its no issue with me. When im fishing my favourite run and i get as huge 20+lb spring doe to take my bait and it starts taking off down the rapids i have no choice but to go after it. The water i cross is relativity fast and over waist deep probably around the bottom of my rib cage. But hey what we do to get some fresh roe ::). Most of the time i will land the fish except for the last time i went out. By the time i crossed i had 100+yards of line out and it had gotten wrapped around a rock and there went all my line :'(
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It all comes down to ones comfort level; but this should change all the time, river to river, day to day, and after one gains experiences. Both good and bad. That being said, am I the only one who wears a fishing PFD? I love my NSR Chinook (yes I know it is not CCG approved, but it is USCG approved and I doubt the vest knows where I am from). I have left to much stuff on a river bank to use a tackle box so I took to wearing a vest for all my fishing. It just made sense to get a vest that had built in flotation. It holds everything I need for a day of fishing, is incredibly comfortable, and could save my life.
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Experience, strength, core, and balance.
That I know well about, but what I meant was more like "Why wade out that far when more or less the fish are quite literally where you are now standing?" :P
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tip - clear water is always deep than it looks
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Fair enough Everyday and Hook, some people like yourselves are strong waders, know their limits, and can safely wade in water that would be dangerous for others. And I do agree with the "wade to your ability."
I was targeting more "novice waders" esp those with spiffy new waders eager to get their wade on! And just throwing out a general reminder to err on the side of caution when wading out to fish and/or get to a fishing spot.
I would consider myself a reasonably strong wader, but I've gone in a couple times and had a few scares so now I don't even come close to pushing my limits.
I don't wear a PFD in the Vedder as I don't wade into spots that would necessitate it. In the boat I always wear my PFD.
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I have lost my footing a couple of times on the C-V which is why I try not to wade too much. It's not that I feel I can't wade across these spots, it's the fact that I don't like "risking it" so to speak. I think EveryDay is right, wade within your own limits. Don't wade a somewhat risky looking area just because others are doing it. Ask yourself if you feel that its safe or not. If you don't feel its safe, move on and find another spot. The grass aint always greener on the other side to begin with. You're there to fish, not to see how strong you are and how far you can push yourself.
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When I looked closer up river I could see people fishing of these rocks out in the fast water!! REALLY?!? How did you even get there? Unreal.
You mean something like this?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/milivoj/Stamp%20River/Comfyspot.jpg)
The above picture is 9 years old. I wouldn't even dream of doing it today. Not even with a wading staff.
My 2 pieces of advice:
1. If it feels sketchy, it probably is. Cross elsewhere.
2. Never, under any circumstances attempt to wade above a log jam or sweeper even if it is an easy wade. Most accidents happen when you feel it's "safe".
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That I know well about, but what I meant was more like "Why wade out that far when more or less the fish are quite literally where you are now standing?" :P
Are you talking wading out that far to fish or wading out that far to cross? Two different scenarios both with different answers.
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Some solid advice here, and thanks for the reminder. Unless the water is flat calm with little or no flow, the knees are the limit for me. Saying that I have crossed fast deep water up to my waste in water, buddying up (arms locked across shoulders) with an experience angler who knew the flow very well . We almost seemed to run across the water at 45 degrees to the flow, almost dancing across the stones, because we were so deep and buoyant. With plenty of run out it did not feel dangerous at all, but that was because I was with someone who had been doing this for 20+ years at the same location.
One follow up question I have often wondered about is the belief that, if the waders fill with water, they will drag you under immediately and drown you.
But why?
I understand that if you fill your waders and stand up, i.e.out of the water, all the water makes them incredibly heavy and difficult to walk around in. Therefore, you feel the weight would drag you down and certainly it makes standing up more difficult and presumably dragging yourself up a bank would also be difficult. However, the water inside your waders has the same buoyancy as water outside your waders and therefore with your head and shoulders above the water, apart from the weight of the wader material and possibly some added friction, I do not see how there would be any difference to your buoyancy or movement compared to being fully clothed? If you fall in with lots of clothes on, does all the water trapped between your cloths drag you down. I don't think so. Sure it is harder to swim, but that is just the weight and drag of the clothes, not the water inside them.
I wonder if this perceived risk, which may be non-existent (I am yet undecided) actually causes people to panic, which increases the risk of drowning.
Thoughts?
I know some of the following are only for neoprene waders but I presume the same principles would apply to breathable waders.
http://www.sexyloops.com/articles/killerwader.shtml
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJR1hZbzXk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m0_naq0-qc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3b9mUiFc0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKwObngww3g
http://www.flyrodreel.com/magazine/2006/november/can-your-waders-kill-you
While the belt would stop the wader from filling rapidly, it would have the added benefit of trapping some air and increasing your buoyancy.
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Buoyancy isn't a benefit when it's your lower half.
Though it will be beneficial for insurance purposes.
You will not be dragged under with full waders, however you will fatigue quicker due to the extra weight you'll be fighting g with.
ALWAYS!!!!!! Have an out planned before you enter water that's more than ankle deep and moving!