Wading Safety at Runoff Time

It seems like every year you here of some tragedy associated with high water. Luckily, it isn't usually fly anglers involved. However, it is always important to remember wading safety, especially when the rivers are roaring.

Always make sure to wear the appropriate footwear - preferably studded wading boots, make sure your waders fit properly and that you wear a snug wading belt, carry and use a wading staff, and possibly the best advice I can muster is just to stay out of the water all together as much as possible. Most fish will be pushed to the banks so they don't have to fight the heavy currents anyway, so it is best to stay completely out of the water and fish in protected spots along the shore.

High water is powerful. It will often roll boulders the size of Volkswagons down stream. It is best to simply stay out of the water, but if you must, wade safe!