Even if your waders fill with water you will usually be able to float if you lay back, and get your feet up. If you’re in moving water (like most rivers) you absolutely do not want to fight against the current. Go with the flow.
Table of Contents
Do I need a wading staff?
If you are fly fishing while wading, chest high waders, a waterproof jacket, and the layering that goes under them are all essential to your safety and comfort. A wading staff is also a key piece of equipment if you fish certain kinds of streams with fast water and bouldery, slick bottoms.
How do you use a fly fishing wading staff?

What length wading staff do I need?
If you like to poke around and want to be two to three steps ahead of yourself, then consider longer staffs that measure about 59 inches in length. This is also a good fit if you are or over 6 feet tall. For those who are 4 to 5 feet tall, a 41-inch wading staff would be your best bet.
Can I use a trekking pole as a wading staff?
I use an aluminum, folding “Trekking Pole” for a wading staff. These are widely available from a variety of manufacturers, and I’ve logged hundreds of miles on an inexpensive Trekology staff with no signs of failure.
How do you use Orvis wading staff?

What is a wading belt for?
Wading belts serve two purposes โ safety and comfort. By wearing a wading belt (particularly if you use waders made of PVC or Goretex) the air inside your waders becomes trapped. So, in the event that you fall into the water, this air helps to keep you afloat by providing buoyancy.
How do you attach Simms wading staff?

What wading boots to buy?
- Simms G4 PRO Wading Boots.
- Patagonia Foot Tractor Wading Boots by Danner.
- Orvis PRO Wading Boots.
- Simms Flyweight Access Wading Boots.
- Korkers Devil’s Canyon Wading Boots.
- Simms Tributary Wading Boot.
- Korkers Greenback Wading Boots.
- Cabela’s Ultralight Wading Boots with Felt Soles.
What do you do if you fall in with waders?
The truth is, as you wade, water pressure squeezes the air out of the waders and past the belt. If for some reason you fall off a boat with air-filled waders, simply bring your knees up to your chest, wrap your arms around your legs and squish the air out.
Why do fly fishers wear waders?
For fisherman, waders help them navigate through the shallow waters in order to reach the deeper bodies of water. During cold weather, waders provide insulation against cold water temperatures and allow fishermen to stay comfortable and dry while wading out to favorite fishing spots where fish have been found.
Should you wear a life jacket when wading?
Even strong swimmers have needed to be rescued or even drowned because they were overcome by the water. Wearing a life jacket can save your life! We recommend that everyone wear a life jacket at all times when near, on or in the water: when wading, swimming, fishing, boating or during any other water-related activity.
Why are felt soles illegal?
Felt Sole Wading Boots These are not the choice for winter fly fishing. Unfortunately, felt sole wading boots are banned in certain states. The felt soles have the possibility of picking up parasites, invasive species, bacteria, and organisms that can be transferred to different bodies of water.
Do you need wading boots for fly fishing?
Yes, wading boots are that important. If there’s one piece of fly fishing gear that anglers should “bite the bullet” and spend money on, it is wading boots. There’s several reasons why wading boots are so important.
Should you size up for wading boots?
Sizing for wading boots can be different than sizing for other footwear. In order to accommodate your neoprene stockingfoot waders, you should look for one size larger than your normal hiking boots (potentially a 1/2 size more if you plan on wearing wading socks or wool socks in the colder months).
Will you sink if your waders fill with water?
Mostly because of all of the horrifying stories you hear of others drowning or almost drowning, it makes you extremely cautious with each step and movement. You always hear “Once your waders fill up, you are done. You will simply just sink!”
Do you wear waders in a float tube?
Waders, while not necessary, should be an essential part of your gear when float tube fishing. They are great for protecting you from hypothermia, will keep creepy crawlers like leeches from using you for lunch and will certainly help keep your legs free from abrasions.
Why do fly fishermen stand in the water?
When trout fly fishing, anglers need to be standing at the optimum position to catch trout. This often means moving from the shallows to deeper water – no matter the body of water. Anglers have to suit up and stand in the right place to stay steady while they cast their line.
Can you wade without waders?
Wet wading is wading without waders. Instead, you wear a good wading boot and neoprene wading socks. This is a comfortable way to fly fish in warm weather when you want to cover a lot of ground.
Do you really need waders?
Do you need waders to fly fish? Yes, I would list waders as an essential item for fly fishing. If your targeted fish is trout, waders will dramatically increase your comfort even in the summer. Trout love cool water, so unless your comfortable standing in water close to 50 degrees you should seriously consider waders.
How long can you float with a life jacket?
It can keep you afloat and safe for up to 24 hours if the life vest is properly fitted. If you are wearing an inflatable life vest, you should be able to survive 2-3 hours in the water.
Why can’t you wear a life jacket at the beach?
An unapproved devices can slide off, pop, or float a child face down. Water wings can actually slide off and even trap a drowning child underwater. With any device a child can easily float away and into deep water.
Do life jackets work if you can’t swim?
Most people associate life jackets with boating, but they can also help provide support for inexperienced and non-swimmers in or around water, including open water, such as lakes, oceans, ponds, reservoirs and rivers, as well as controlled environments, such as a pool, waterpark or lifeguarded beach.
Which states have banned felt sole wading boots?
Maryland, Alaska, Missouri, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and South Dakota have all banned the use of felt wading boots in their waters. It comes to a total of six states and one national park, Yellowstone, which is in Wyoming.
Can you hike in felt sole wading boots?
If felt soles are legal where you live, just make sure that you thoroughly dry and clean your boots in between fishing trips to different lakes and river systems. For hiking, rubber soled boots offer better traction on dry ground.