River Wading: Fishing Moving Waters

Hundreds of bass fishermen are rediscovering
the joys of stream and river wading. Unfortunately,
many of them get hurt in the process, not realizing
that walking in water is not like a stroll down Main Street.

We were bass fishing a local stream known for its smallmouth when we came across a cliff face descending into the water.

“Throw it against that rock wall,” I told Mark. “There’s sure to be a smallie holding there.”

On his first cast Mark put the shad-finished mini-crankbait about a foot off the rocks. He thought that was close.

“No, no,” I stressed. “Put it against the rocks. Actually hit the wall.”

Following my instructions, Mark cast against the cliff. And, for once, everything worked the way it’s supposed to. The crankbait dropped into the water. Mark barely completed one turn of the reel handle. And a 13-inch smallmouth hit with a vengeance.

When he felt the hook, that smallie took off, tailwalking up and across the stream---actually clearing the water from time to time. New to river wading fishing (which I didn’t know, at the time), Mark was grinning from ear to ear, happy as a kid in a toy shop.

Trying to change position, however, Mark backed up without thinking about it. Next thing he knew, he was reel-over-elbows in the thigh-deep water.

Fortunately, only his pride was hurt. But it could have been worse. A lot worse! It also would not have happened had I known it was his first-ever attempt at river wading fishing. I would have taught him some basic safe river wading techniques.

Like Mark, thousands of bass anglers are discovering they don’t need mega-bucks boats and fancy electronics to catch black bass. Many streams and small lakes are best fished by getting into them, right where the fish live. Fly fishermen have known this for years.

Too many new-to-stream anglers, however, think river wading is just like walking, only in the water. That’s why so many of them end up wet (like Mark), or hurt, or even dead. Stream and lake bottoms are not sidewalks. They are full of rocks, holes, drop-offs, and snags---none of which you can see. Add a current, and a lot can go wrong.

Safe river wading consists of letting your feet be your eyes. Start with both feet side-by-side, toes pointing in the direction of travel. Keep one foot solidly planted, with all your weight on it. Then slide your other foot forward. Try not to lift it up, like taking a step. And do not move it too far forward. Find a solid rest for the moving foot---one that will take all of your weight. Then slide the first foot forward to it.

All in all, you’ll look like an old man shuffling down the road. But it’s the only safe way to proceed with lake, stream or river wading.

In rivers and streams you should keep your body sideways to the current, presenting as little surface area as possible. When river wading, facing straight into or away from a stiff current, particularly while moving, is a sure-fire way to go down.

To cross a heavy current, pick a spot upstream of where you want to go. Slide diagonally across towards it. You will lose ground to the current---which is why you shouldn’t go straight across.

This technique may sound rather complicated, but soon becomes second nature. The best place to practice is the sandy shallows of a lake or pond before you begin river wading in earnest.

Two kinds of river wading fishermen exist---those who use wading staffs, and macho-types who don’t. The second group is called “wet!” You may not need one in a slow-moving creek with ankle deep water. But in heavier water and stronger currents you’ll be glad you have one.

A staff turns you from an unsteady biped into a stable tripod. It also can be used to feel around for drop-offs and obstructions. A staff gives you that extra reach to recover a bait hung up in the willows over a pool too deep to wade. And it serves to divert snakes or other critters trying to share the water with you.

“Yeah, but it just gets in the way,” the macho-types say. “Only if you let it,” I respond. Tie the staff to your wading vest with a length of quarter-inch nylon cord. When not in use it floats behind you, out of the way. You can also purchase a folding staff which rides in its own holster until needed. I’ve been using one for years, and prefer it.

You won’t need special tackle for stream smallies. The same spinning, casting, or fly outfit you currently own will do. Most of us who specialize in fishing moving water, when not using a flyrod, prefer ultralight to light spinning gear, because they’re more sporting (stream smallmouth tend to run smaller, and scrappier, than their lake-dwelling cousins). We also use smaller baits for the same reason.

Some additional equipment does make sense, though if you’re interested in river wading. So you might want to invest in the following:

• Waders or hip boots. Smallmouth streams are cold. River wading wet is okay in high summer and for short periods, but it isn’t good for your legs long term. The new breathable waders are comfortable to wear, protect you from the water, and let you wade some of the deeper holes. Hippers should be reserved for those shallow creeks.



• Fishing vest. You can’t carry a tackle box, as such, when river wading. Instead, steal a page from the flyfisherman’s notebook and use a fishing vest. It carries all your gear, with the weight distributed evenly over your body, while leaving your hands free.
  
  Number of pockets isn’t as important as their size. You want pockets large enough to hold the bulkier boxes used for storing hard baits.
  
  Lot’s of accessories can be worn hanging on the vest, as well as carried in it. Clippers, hook hones, stream thermometers, and hemostats, for instance, can be carried on retractable spring clips sold for that purpose. You might feel like a Christmas tree, festooned with all that gadgetry, but everything you need will be conveniently at hand.



• Net. Without a net in moving water it can be hard to land a smallmouth, and hard to release it without hurting the fish. When not in use, the net hangs down your back on a heavy-duty spring clip.