Wear a Wading Belt!

[zonker]

I read an interesting article by a guy up in BC about waders in the water. Thought some of you might be interested.

http://forum.fishbc.com/index.php?showtopic=16247

zonker

[CoastalFisher]

Wow its very important to be safe on the water last year I just about drowned on the queets, fell in no belt water went in the waiters it was scary, drifted down to a couple of guys in a drifter.WEAR A BELT

[bighoof]

Interesting, I don't wear a belt, maybe it's about time, never have fell in with chest waders, but went in to my neck with hip waders once. That was scary for about 10 seconds before I regained my footing.

[Fllyfishy]

I always were a belt.  You just never know what that next step might bring. 

[bugnuts]

I too have always worn a belt...safety first but there's a bonus too:  you can store all kinds of stuff inside your waders with a belt on that would slide down to your ankles without it, i.e. a camera that stays dry etc.

[Dragfreedrift]

thanks for the link....an excellent post.....life is short enough, lets not do stupid things to make it happen prematurely.


DFD

[Brian]

I switched from chest waders to guide pants a few years ago. In my opinion chest waders may give you the feeling that you can try to cross water that is above your waist, and although it may be possible I would not recommend wading anything much deeper than you thighs(especially in the winter). The guide pants allow me plenty of wading opportunity without tempting me to try to cross deeper water. They also allow easy access to relieve myself when needed. I did take a fall in them once, but with the belt on snug I took on very little water. As the others sad wear a belt, we have lost too many fellow anglers this last year already.

[Mike_USCG]

What type or brands of wading belts do you guys have or recomend.  Which ones have waterproof pouches or did you buy those seperate.  I should definatly get one, I just never thought about it.

[zonker]

Mike,

Probably any brand will do. Hodgeman makes a good one with a padded lumbar section in it. Its the best one I've used.

Brian has a good idea with the guide pants. Still would need a belt, though, I think.

zonker

[Fllyfishy]

There are many different brands out there.  I use a Simms neopreme, I have an extra nylon belt in my boat and in my truck just in case.  The bottom line is they should be worn, and worn tight, so when you miss that step and go under, you waders don't fill up with water and pull you under. 

[zonker]

Since posting the link to the wader belt article I've been thinking more about this issue. I've nearly always worn a wading belt but recently I've worn a fanny pack which, as you know, contains a belt. My thought was that the pack was doing the same thing as the belt, which it is, except that upon more careful thought, if I slipped into the water, wouldn't I want to release the pack since it is a source of weighing me down? Hmm. Wonder if I should wear a belt anyway. Any thoughts?

zonker

[Fllyfishy]

Dave, I wear both.  When I am in my boat, I don't always wear my fanny pack, but I have my belt on.  I think of it as cheap insurance.  If I am on a wade trip, I will wear both.  I sh a little extra when you have to relieve yourself, but what is one more clip once or twice in a day.  Those beer drinkers out there would be more often.