Green River Fisherman swept away

[Bodofish]

A belt is not really that great for a river where things are going to be happening quickly. With a belt after it inflates you have to pull it over you head. If you take a bonk on the way down, it would be pretty tough to do.

[The Quadfather]

Marc, you have mentioned that you carry a walking staff. I like that idea, in that it is always a little awkward walking on slippery rocks when wading.
I don't know why it is ,, but at even 47 y/o my balance is just not what it used to be.
So my questions is... what do you do with the walking staff once you are positioned in the river and ready to start casting? Does it attach some how to your belt or waders?

[Big D]

Marc, you have mentioned that you carry a walking staff. I like that idea, in that it is always a little awkward walking on slippery rocks when wading.
I don't know why it is ,, but at even 47 y/o my balance is just not what it used to be.
So my questions is... what do you do with the walking staff once you are positioned in the river and ready to start casting? Does it attach some how to your belt or waders?

I couldn't get this youtube video to show up but here's a link to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p40nbGWI ... embedded#!

[Racer]

Bodo, the belt I'm talking about doesn't inflate. It cinches around your waist and keeps the water from rushing into your waders. It works from experience.

[Bodofish]

Bodo, the belt I'm talking about doesn't inflate. It cinches around your waist and keeps the water from rushing into your waders. It works from experience.

Just a straight belt or fanny pack is a great thing but they also can put you in a bad situation. They will hold the air in the waders and make your legs float better than your upper body. It's hard to get a footing when you're upside down.

[Marc Martyn]

So my questions is... what do you do with the walking staff once you are positioned in the river and ready to start casting? Does it attach some how to your belt or waders?

I just attach the lanyard bungee cord to my fishing vest and let it go. It will move out of your way down stream with the flow of the current. Here is a photo of me fishing the Owyhee River with it attached. Not a problem at all. When I am out of the water, I fold it up and store it in the pouch on my wading belt.

[Gringo Pescador]

So my questions is... what do you do with the walking staff once you are positioned in the river and ready to start casting? Does it attach some how to your belt or waders?

I just attach the lanyard bungee cord to my fishing vest and let it go. It will move out of your way down stream with the flow of the current. I've got a couple of pictures of me landing a fish with the staff attached......will post.

I've thought about getting one of the telescoping ones - you see them on sale quite a bit. But was thinking the same as quad - cumbersome to carry around when not in use - I like the bungee idea or even a heavy duty retractable tether..

[Marc Martyn]

The one I have isn't really a telescope type. It has a bungee cord down the inside of it. It is in about 4 sections. To break it down, you pull the sections apart and fold it up side by side. Very easy to use and store.

http://www.amazon.com/Hammers-Collapsib ... B001C328YK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[p.t.]

I've thought about getting one of the telescoping ones - you see them on sale quite a bit. But was thinking the same as quad - cumbersome to carry around when not in use - I like the bungee idea or even a heavy duty retractable tether..

I have a telescopic hiking staff, brought it out on the water a few times. I thought I could shorten it when not needed so that it won't get in the way, but turned out turning its sections to expand or contract is not as east as I thought when the hand is wet, and especially painful when in the cold water (aluminum one). What I do now is I pick up a tree branch and use it as a staff; when I'm done, I hide it by the bank so that next time I come I can still have it. :-) I have one in a few places around South Fork and Tolt River.

[jobshopper]

If you don't have a belt you can find one at Cabela's on-line. They're only $8 bucks. Until you get one a piece of rope around your chest might work. Just about anything will work to slow the water from filing your waders. I did a little checking on Google and found some interesting Youtube videos that guys have done. Apparently the water in the waders is not the real problem as long as you're in the river. The problem comes when you are trying to get out of the river with all of that water in your trousers. I checked on-line at Cabela's and they have fishing vests with built in PFD's for $50 bucks. That's a cheap investment my friends.

[returnofthefish]

I just got done fishing around the area where the guy got swept away. Didnt see many wader belts on. Mines was on today and it didnt bother me one bit.

[Bodofish]

So before this thread dies out completely.

We've heard of all the reasons why a PFD is not for you and a bunch of things to use in stead of a PFD. All of those things might help save your life if you go in.

There is only one reason to use a PDF when wading. It will save your life. That's the bottom line. Everyone got your life insurance paid up?

[EAmon ___hoffman123]

When my Dad and I are wading we always use and have a PFD on us. even if its unconfirdable my dad gives me hell on wearing it and i respect that