Gathering of the Clan

The fish were one the bite at Meadow Lane. The weather was fine, the water wet enough for wet wading, and everyone but me caught fish. A lot of fish. As for me, I fell in almost immediately with my only pair of blue jeans, fell twice due, I think to a medical condition. From then on, I fished from the bank. With bad luck. I was at the swimming hole with Nielsen, throwing the same rig (swiggly worm, a killer) with a strike indicator, identical to what Nielsen was casting. He took three 16" trout in about 35 minutes, I got one bump.

The water was clear and not high, and there was not a leaf drop in significant amounts to hinder even dry fly fishing. Nielsen got a couple of hits on an October caddis, I got a refusal. Nielsen's pal, Groening and his pal Niel fished hard and caught lots of fish. Niel was a novice but a quick learner. He caught his first trout at the Swimming Hole, a nice one. About 1 pm on Monday. I was there and no one was dressed out.

I have a balance problem and maybe my wading days or over. I fell in about 2 feet of water, backwards both times wearing bluejeans as everyone but me was wearing shorts and running shoes. We all fell, but my falls were stupid and due to disorientation. Quite embarrassing.

Our group caught a lot of fish, all rather healthy and pretty nice. About 16-18 inches. A few less, but mostly in that range. October, this warm year, was ideal. We began fishing at 1 pm on Monday, everybody but me fished about 7 hours a day. There were others at the Grainary, and a family at the River House but I never saw them on the river.

Yes, fishing was excellent and Gene certainly does have some type of balance issue. I’m encouraging him to see a doctor to see what can be done — might be something simple. If that doesn’t work I’ll be encouraging him to get a boat so we can lake/pond fish. Absolutely nothing wrong with bass on the fly rod! YPJ

Gene,

A very good wading staff ( i.e. Simms) is a must. Next is a good pair of wading shoes. Most of the time the felt soles work well, but there are those times when studs are needed, especially with a slimy bottom. My shoes came with a variety of soles from heavy studs to studded felt and plain felt.
I'm well past my heroic wading days and tend to be careful so as not to risk a major dunking or damaging fall.
Another good practice is to wear a belt outside the waders...and cinch it tight. That will prevent water from filling the waders if you go in over the top.
The best rule is to be very careful, and to get yourself solidly balanced with both feet firmly anchored before you start casting...then move by shuffling your feet rather than walking. I'll wade in up to my belt but only if the footing is solid - getting both feet "anchored" is the trick!
Gene, our days of leaping from rock to rock in Keds sneakers and jeans are long gone. Be careful out there and don't cause Jim to worry...now go wade and out-fish him like you are accustomed to.
It's a good idea to stay in sight of each other if the wading becomes an obvious problem.
Bux

P.S. I took two solid falls earlier this year....the one on dry ground hurt - frigging root across the gravel trail.

Gene, thank you for the report.

I went fishing last week in Apalachicola Bay. I have nothing to report (caught 4 fish not worthy of discussion)

You're right Bux. I've got a great wading staff and Corkers with max grip aluminum bars, felt, and cleats soles. Unfortunately, it's a balance thing. I think the water moving past me gives me balance problems, although I'm not that steady on dry land.

I have had a problem with my inner ear for some time now. Years back I caught a bad virus that traveled to my inner ear and it was hell for a few years. I still have have problems and can no longer enter the water without a wading staff. Pay the money and get the Simms you won’t be sorry. My problem is when I enter the water I can not look at the current if I do I get bad vertigo and will take a spill. The wading staff has helped a lot. It also gets worse at the change of the seasons. Inner ear specialist told me it’s something I’m going to have to live with. Your inner ear is in the middle of your head and the size of a dime. Not much can be done with that.

Don’t know what your problem is Gene but get a staff it will help you a great deal. Be safe not stupid.

If your not that steady on dry land Gene get a cane. No one will think any less of you. Be safe!

Gene, And to think we'd accepted the challenges to get "our ashes hauled" standing up in a canoe....
tempis fugit. Bux

I've got a great staff, solid fiberglass old ski pole. I can't imagine a Simms being better. Looking at water moving past me encourages dizziness. I don't need a cane for walking.

Having a retractable staff like a Simms will be more practical than a ski pole. If you tried one you would probably agree. No....on second thought You probably wouldn’t. Well.... good luck!

Why is a retractable staff better than a stiff staff like mine? Mine is very strong and stiff and doesn't float and has a great handle. My problem isn't related to the staff, it's related to balance.