Larger River Wet Wading

[Liam]

Hey everyone,

Newbie question here. So I just recently got me and my dad set up with fly gear. It's been awesome so far! However, with a pretty big purchase on pretty low income I haven't even been able to even fathom buying waders yet - but the water is beautiful right now so it's been fun fishing the western tribs. I wanted to plan a trip an hour out West from the Halton area. I have heard the upper sections are great small mouth fishing. I know parts in the lower sections are pretty wide and deep, but is there decent access for wet wading anywhere the upper areas? It looks okay on googlemaps but I'd hate to drive over an hour for a hassle. Is this possible? Obviously not looking for specific locations.

Thanks for the help,


Liam

 

[OCDComputing]

Hit the Grand...and have fun! Or Upper Credit..just make sure to read the regs as there are some very confusing regulations in the upper part.

 

[Shawarma]

There are quite a few access points so you shouldn't have any issues.

Like ocd said, some parts of the hand are single hook barbless regs so pay attention to the signs close to access points. I think it mostly applies to trout areas but again, know thy regs! Happy fishing!

 

[Liam]

Thanks you guys!

 

[Shmogley]

this is mostly for rivers but theres three types of waters for the most part when it comes to wet wading.

one is slippery with mostly smooth stones and slick veg growing on the rocks. definitely wear some old boots or shoes at least or youll beat your feet up everytime your foot slips and smacks into another rock or log etc.. ask me how i know

the ideal one for wetwading is mostly solid ground but will contain rough rocks. i find these a lot in faster water. the speed stops slippery plants from clinging to the rock surfaces i think. in this youll be fine wading with sandals. you just need something covering your sole because sharp stuff...

the one i hate the most is mud and silt. can be up to your knee(or worse) in some spots. definitely stay on shore in these stretches if you dont have something on your legs. unless you dont mind that feeling lol
but its not worth it, imo, as youll kick up huge clouds of poop and thats not good in most cases

obviously theres more types and combination of these but i find them to be the most common scenerios. and i wet wade quite a bit

one thing to consider is shore vegetation too. waders can really take the hastle out of worrying about things like poison ivy, giant hogweed or just simple itchy thorn bushes and other minor nuisances. even some bugs like fire ants or whatever. its not only good for water.

but dont think "can i wetwade here?" the answer is always yes. just depends how dirty or wet or sore you want to get

edit: damnit. that feeling when you realize you replied to an old post.. /facepalm

 

[Shawarma]

Lol shmogs. It was a solid write up though!

 

[Liam]

lol good advice still. yeah i've spent a lot of time wet wading the last two years and those scenarios pretty much cover it, the mud is a nasty feeling imo i always panic like I'm in quicksand or something lol. now of course you can wade anywhere like you said, i guess i should have defined my question as wading vs. swimming ha :razz: .

the thing that's the selling point on waders for me (other than cold water obviously) is the hogweed, waders would get me down a few paths that are just too iffy for me to do without some protection, and the constant interaction i seem to get between wildlife and my bare legs - fire ants, snapping turtles, muskrats - that stuff makes me jump everytime lol. i need a big pay before i get em though.

 

[Shawarma]

I'm with you about the bushwacking. I don't like doing it without the waders.

 

[Venom01]

Just got my first waders last week and I'm itching to try them out. They were cheap Rapala branded waders about $160 . I thought wet wading with just wading boots would be fine and it does work, but at the end of the day you're wet , dirty, and sometimes itchy.

 

[wschinke]

If you're on a budget check these out - http://www.froggtoggs.com/mens/waders/canyon-togg-taslan-s-f.html
Amazing deal if you've got a friend in the states and can even save on shipping.