Floating VS. Wading ????????

[schwerty]

This has always been a tough choice for me. Having been a guide and owning a boat I've had/have the opportunity to float fish a river any time I head out. Still, I choose to wade, (I am not a guide and on the rivers 100 days a year anymore), more than float. To me wading for trout is a different sport, using the same gear. At the same time, there is nothing quite like a good float with a buddy or two that can row.

Wading when fishing for trout is truly what the sport is about. The solitude, in most cases, and the thought is unparalleled. However, the feeling of moving through the river, navigating, and keeping/being held on fish is wild.

Every year at this time I think to myself....."I'm gonna do more wade fishing" or "I'm gonna float more". This season, I feel the walk/wade coming on.


For those that do both, (leave out the use of a boat to get to wading spots, steelie fellas), what do you prefer?

[Denny1969]

Good post, Schwerty,
When fishing rivers, I prefer to wade. If I'm going to slug it out with a fish, I want to be in the water with it.

Denny

[igBand]

Ahhh...this question has been much on my mind as of late.

I love walking. For the exact same reasons you listed above. There is something about just planting yourself above your favorite bucket and working it until it produces a fish. After hunting high and low for a boat of my own this spring and then realizing we unfortunately needed a second car more than I wanted a raft, I found comfort in the fact that I really love to wade and I was happy to do just that.

But then again, fishing from a boat has its huge advantages. Most importantly, drink holders make it much easier to drink a beer. I think really like the idea of a compromise - using the boat as a taxi to get down the river. Park it, get out and wade your favorite stretch, and then move on. Great way to cover a lot of water, but still get a chance to get wet.

[schwerty]

To me, a boat on a western river is a great tool for getting to awesome holes. However, most of MY floating ends up being a drinking/eating binge with some fishing. Nothing wrong with that, IMHO. but, the intricacies of fly fishing for trout seem to take the back seat sometimes.

That being said, anyone wanna float the Henry's this weekend?

[WyoWill]

I lusted after floating until I got a boat and discovered the simplicity of wade fishing. Now I prefer to wade unless it's a multi-day float trip or land ownership issued make the boat more appropriate.

[yonskion]

[Yeti]

In Maine, we're fortunate to have a lot of different kinds of waters (brooks, big rivers, ponds and lakes, estuaries, the ocean) as well as good public access law (thank you colonists for preserving our rights of "fishing, fowling & navigation"). Not only is there no rule against wading, but in general the public has the right to cross private land to access water bodies. Laws aside, we also have a strong tradition of public access to private wildlands for traditional recreation.

I tend to wade, partially because I enjoy it, and partially because I have a canoe instead of a drift boat. There are bass ponds where we'll fish from tubby kayaks, and for ice-out (ice-edge) trout fishing the canoe is obviously a plus, but with wading, I find myself studying the river more to answer the question "where would a fish be?" -- as opposed to studying the river to answer the question "where can I go without flipping?" In an odd way, not having a boat opens up a lot more water that you have to hike or bike to, but which doesn't have boat access. (You'd be surprised how many remote ponds do have a canoe or jonboat stashed on shore, which traditionally are available for respectful use at the pond. Some of these canoes have been stashed in the woods for at least 50 years.)

That said, I'll jump in a drift boat any chance I get. Now, it makes up less than 5% of my fishing, but for some of our rivers, it's the only convenient way to cover a lot of water in a day.

[Happy Fun Ball]

I've done both and I, by far, enjoy wading the best. I spend usually around 70-100 days from May through October on a boat so my spring time wading is a welcome change. Plus it allows me to put my hiking boots on and pack in to some very remote water. It's always a nice sign when you get to a favorite lake or stretch of river with absolutely no sign of human life. I also think I fish more thoroughly when I'm wading. I just take my time and fish every square inch of water before I move. In a boat it's just too tempting to see what's around the corner and move more often.

[72Twenty]

I like wading because you really get an understanding of the river bottom in a local area. I have been wading my local river in low water lately and making mental notes of the holes and bottom structure so that when I go back later this season in higher water I know exactly what is under there.

The only time I really lust for a boat in my local area is when I am fishing the local lakes. These are very small lakes as lakes go, but I am still limited to what I can reach from wading to chest deep and throwing a line as far as I can (which has honestly made me a better "power" caster). I am thinking of "borrowing" my dad's inflatable pontoon boat for the lakes, however dealing with wind is a pain in the ass around here. Being in a boat on our lakes without a powerful motor can put you on the other side in a HURRY.

I have thought about a new belly boat, but I think the pontoon will be more versatile for the occasional river ventures.

[peck257]

i enjoy the boat when goin out with friends--but i prefer wading when i am by myself and want to concentrate on slayin some fish

[Lumpy]

[QUOTE=schwerty;2347237] However, most of MY floating ends up being a drinking/eating binge with some fishing. Nothing wrong with that, IMHO. but, the intricacies of fly fishing for trout seem to take the back seat sometimes.[QUOTE]

Yeah that happend to me on the coast for a dozen years. Its sad when catching steelhead is blase' compared to breaking out the crab, rounds of gouda, homebrew, and flasks.

However, living around SLC now, floating only happens on out of state, lower Green, or stillwater. I love floating and get my fill of wading.

[neckdeep]

I resolved this for myself by aquiring two Watermasters, made by Big Sky Inflatables. Floating hands free while using fins added a whole new dimension to my fishing. On a shallow river, it is very much a mix of floating and wading at the same time. Plus, I don't have to spend my river time on the oars anymore and I don't need boat ramps.

[schwerty]

Watermasters are pretty slick. Should be a good rig for the Teton, Fall, Bitch Creek etc...

[neckdeep]

Teton and Fall, yes....Bitch Creek is for steep creek kayaks only. You would die in a Watermaster, for certain. The boat has no equal when it comes to stalking trout on quiet water like the Teton's meadow sections but it is a bit underguned for technical whitewater. Pin-locked oars are downright scary in swift shallow sections; I portage the big stuff in the Teton canyon. I've nearly wrecked twice in Bear Gulch doing the run below Mesa Falls-two busted oars and heart stopping moments. Fortunately, you can paddle it like a canoe with the remaining oar.

[72Twenty]

I have floated the Teton on an air mattress before. From the bridge just west of Driggs down to the old railroad bridge. It was a very relaxing summer day.

[neckdeep]

I have floated the Teton on an air mattress before. From the bridge just west of Driggs down to the old railroad bridge. It was a very relaxing summer day.

Yup and full o' trout too. Then the river drops six hundred feet in a hurry, not too relaxing but still loaded with fish. I don't hike for turns much in the winter, but I'll climb in and out of that canyon for five months cuz it has the best stonefly/hopper action around these parts.

[schwerty]

The canyon is definitely one of the best fisheries around us. Committing float for sure. Hell of a walk however you go. Good hatches and plenty of streamer water too. I can't wait for Teton canyon time!

Running Cardiac in a Watermaster??? That's pushing it. Great way to fish it though...if you can hang on to your gear.

[neckdeep]

The Gulch(lower Cardiac) has two class II-III and Suprise Falls(solid class III) but, on the whole, it is an easier float than doing Bitch creek slide>Spring Hollow. Suprise Falls and one of the class IIs can be skipped by putting in at the old ski area(Bear Gulch) cutting the float from 5.25 to 3.5 miles. Once you are past lower Bear Gulch rapid, it is 3.5 miles of easy class I down to Stone bridge and the best fishing of the float, for the big browns, at least. Lower Bear Gulch rapid is where I've broken the oars, the crux is so damn shallow.

[schwerty]

Cardiac is my favorite stretch of the HF. I don't fish it enough. Should be a good season over there!?! Hopefully this moisture keeps coming!

I'll drop in next time I'm in Driggs.

[72Twenty]

Yup and full o' trout too. Then the river drops six hundred feet in a hurry, not too relaxing but still loaded with fish. I don't hike for turns much in the winter, but I'll climb in and out of that canyon for five months cuz it has the best stonefly/hopper action around these parts.

I LOVE that river. That river is essentially where I learned to fly fish as a kid.

[neckdeep]

Then you will be happy to hear that the meadow sections are back from the drought collapse. Lots more bows and brookies in the mix, but the numbers are rising fast. The good june flows in the tribs have helped with cutt recruitment so maybe we'll start to see a decline in all those pesky little brookies. Last year, seemingly hundreds of nice rainbows migrated up from the upper canyon into the lower valley and there was enough cold water that they stayed up there all summer. Hadn't really seen that since before the drought years. I've often wondered whether the valley trout died off or just moved down into the canyon where the water was cooler; fishing in the canyon never faltered even in the driest years.

[powellperry19]

I like to use both. I have a wade-aid and i love it iv had it since i was 17 but i use both because i have had to many tackle boxes come out the pockets on the wade-aid and im limited on how much tackle i can carry so i started to use both and i have never had any problems after that and you can customize your wadeing donet any way you want to fit you your needs like i did i have 4 boxes on mine 2 big 2 small and a rod holder.

[PROVO]

The watermaster is the best of both worlds. You can float a river and fish, and if you see some choice water, no problem! Just stand up! The boat wraps around you as you wade through the river.

[skifishbum]

I prefer to float.
Wife on the oars
dog in his spot in the back
standing on a fully loaded cooler of party favors with multiple rods rigged
at your side.
Access to the whole river, the ablity to fish fast pocket water, the ability to push or anchor up to find less crowded water, does it for me. I'll get out and wade fish to risers, but streamer fishing is so much better out of a boat.
Now if the provo/weber was just twice as wide/deep

[Lumpy]

The watermaster is the best of both worlds. You can float a river and fish, and if you see some choice water, no problem! Just stand up! The boat wraps around you as you wade through the river.

Been using my Watermaster for the last 10-plus years. Not as sexy looking as some of the toons, but much nicer for portability. It easily packs a 225 pound person, and 4 half racks of Mirror Pond. After 2 half racks of Mirror Pond are gone its nice to have the feature mentioned above (although this statement is in no way condoning drinking and floating )