From Field and Stream... What To Do When You Fill Your Waders
by Kirk Deeter
"I'm an "aggressive wader." I drive like a little old man, but when it comes to stomping around in the river, sometimes I get in (literally) over my head. I'm starting to mellow out with age, but I go swimming pretty often. Fortunately, I've learned a new trick from my guide friend Katy Melo in Argentina, who took a digger on Rio Quillen the other day. When you fill your waders, instead of sloshing around all day, or going to the trouble of taking off your boots, emptying everything out, and and starting over...Simply find a big boulder in the middle of the river, and do a headstand for a minute or so, until all the water drains out (or at least most of it). You won't get all the water out, but you won't waste a lot of valuable casting time."
RD: This made me think of a time, ok...a few times, that an unfortunate step this way or that caused me to go down. And then once, you get up...what to do!! I have never thought of tipping myself upside down on a boulder...how about you? hmmmm... Share your thoughts and stories...Don't be shy, we've all been there!
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| No Problemo! |
"I'm an "aggressive wader." I drive like a little old man, but when it comes to stomping around in the river, sometimes I get in (literally) over my head. I'm starting to mellow out with age, but I go swimming pretty often. Fortunately, I've learned a new trick from my guide friend Katy Melo in Argentina, who took a digger on Rio Quillen the other day. When you fill your waders, instead of sloshing around all day, or going to the trouble of taking off your boots, emptying everything out, and and starting over...Simply find a big boulder in the middle of the river, and do a headstand for a minute or so, until all the water drains out (or at least most of it). You won't get all the water out, but you won't waste a lot of valuable casting time."
RD: This made me think of a time, ok...a few times, that an unfortunate step this way or that caused me to go down. And then once, you get up...what to do!! I have never thought of tipping myself upside down on a boulder...how about you? hmmmm... Share your thoughts and stories...Don't be shy, we've all been there!
I can honestly say I've done things similar to the picture above but probably not with that much style, and not necessarily on purpose. I've certainly dumped water out of my boots that way.
ReplyDeleteBeing an old guy, I tend not to get myself into a situation where I have the chance to fill my waders. I don't think I could pull a maneuver like that.
ReplyDeleteMark
I once stepped into a deep hole and literally went straight down and over my head. It shocked me so badly that I came straight back up like a rocket...didn't have 2 ounces of water in my waders but my head was soaked.
ReplyDeleteMy wife on the other hand has only taken one spill in freezing cold water and continued to fish for another 1/2 hour until I suggested we take a break for lunch.
luckly "knocks on wood" never had water in my waders
ReplyDeleteMark and Shoreman ~ If we could be as lucky as Dustin! My "nicest" wader submersion was in the Firehole River...very, very warm water. Posting on that one next week...
ReplyDeleteCofisher ~ Mrs. Cofisher needs to be commended for her bravery in diverse conditions...you on the other hand, torpedo out of the water when given the opportunity...hmmm
ReplyDeleteCofisher (Cont.)...I'm still lovin' ya though, you know that! Maybe diving lessons this summer would help... ;) Kind of like shock therapy under water.
ReplyDeleteRD - I've been pretty lucky as I've never had a major incident in waders, probably because I start wet wading as soon as I can tolerate the conditions. I have face planted a few times though and done a few back flips.
ReplyDeleteHaven't taken a dip yet, but I think my handstand to empty the waders would bring more humor that the actually flooding of the waders :)
ReplyDelete-stephanie
I've had this happen on the Middle Provo and not that this wasnt bad enough but my Blackberry took a swim all the way to Deer Creek Res. HA!
ReplyDeleteMark ~ I might pay to see the back flips...ha
ReplyDeleteSteph ~ Neither you or me want to try the handstand as in the picture above...I'm sure! Keep staying on level ground...you are doing fine!
Pat ~ If I was that Blackberry, I would have stopped in Midway and had lunch at Tarahumara...yum.
I learned a hard lesson on this topic once, trying to take a shortcut over a barbed wire fence that was just a bit too tall. Unbeknownst to me, a barb slashed through the canvass and my right boot filled up pretty quick. Made for a cold day on the water.
ReplyDeleteHey! That was true stuff. I didn't say I walk on water.
ReplyDeleteI hate wet socks on a long walk so I stay away from area's that are too deep for my waders. Usually works though I've had some close calls no thanks to knee deep mud on the river's edge.
ReplyDeleteJEG ~ Ouch! That would do it!
ReplyDeleteCofisher ~ P.S. Let's skip the walking on water...
You're good. ;)
Luke ~ Ewww...mud reminds me of something...oh yeah, ALASKA! Sounds like you are on the right path...