It almost happened again today.

On a cold overcast Sunday morning, I found myself along the banks of the Snoqualmie River. The water was the color of a dusty green chalkboard - not the most promising conditions for steelhead but a morning fishing is a morning fishing.

Trying to get away from the gear crowds at the mouth of Tokul Creek, I pushed up river towards a gravel bar hoping for a wayward hatchery brat that missed the left turn into the creek. I had a small 15-yard wide side channel to cross. It wasn’t much more than knee deep but the visibility was less than six inches on the main stem. Rocks just below the surface were barely discernible.  The water wasn’t particular strong on this part so outside of not seeing the bottom wading was easy or so I thought. With two steps to go, it almost happened. I slipped. Not much but enough to give you that sensation you’re going down and it’s going to hurt.

It has been years since I fully shipped water in my chest waders and it was basically intentional. The day had been warm and long. Rather than wade back up stream to my original crossing point I pushed across a deep section with the outcome clearly in my mind. The cold water of the McKenzie lapping over the wader tops was refreshing. I didn’t mind. It wasn’t a lot and helped cool me down.

Today, I would have. The air temps hovered around 35. The water had to be in that neighborhood as well, maybe a bit south of that. Not that I would have likely filled the waders in the shallow side channel, it still it would have not been fun what with the big rocks that inhabit the Snoqualmie. I was looking at possible sprains, breaks or at least solid bruises. Thankfully, I regained my balance.

Looking back on my wading slips and near misses a majority happens in those last few feet of water – either reaching shore or a mid-stream gravel bar. The finish line is in sight so I guess I let up a bit on concentration. That’s when the law of gravity, slick rocks and old felt combine to bring me down.  

I’m thinking more and more about purchasing two things – CO2 armed inflatable suspenders and a wading staff. Both would give my family and I more peace of mind.

A wading staff is almost a third leg. Not meant for bearing the bulk of your weight, it gives you additional balance as you make your next step. The keys to safe wading is keeping your strides short, making sure each foot is solidly planted, and being mindful of the current’s power and depth.

Here are a few links to some of the more popular wading staff offerings. Check with your fly shop for availability and additional recommendations.

FishPond, Folstaf, Hodgman, Orvis, Simms, Waterworks-Lamson, and William Joseph.

Check out the forums for a poll of members to see if they use a staff, their recommendations and other information.