MyOutdoorTV.com

Stream Fishing Safety (Video Included)

Wade's World Fishing: Stream fishing is a simple pleasure, but it comes with a few inherent dangers. Wading anglers should always exercise common sense and obey simple rules of safety to ensure their trips won’t result in unnecessary risk and/or injury.

One ever-present danger in wading is slipping on a slick rock and falling. Wading shoes with felt soles are the best option for a good grip. Sneakers with an aggressive sole pattern would be next. Also, a wading staff will provide stability for walking on slick or uneven surfaces or where current is strong.

A wading staff will help prevent another potential problem: tripping on underwater objects or stepping off a ledge into deep water. With a wading staff, you can feel ahead before taking the next step.

Venomous snakes present a special danger for stream anglers in some parts of the country. Cottonmouth water moccasins, copperheads and rattlesnakes all inhabit stream environments. Keep a lookout for snakes, and don’t reach or step where you can’t see.

Anglers who don’t wear sunscreen can incur serious sunburns. Apply sunscreen liberally to exposed skin 30 minutes before hitting the stream, then reapply as needed when initial sunscreen applications are washed away by water or perspiration.

If a thunderstorm moves in and lightning is striking, leave the stream and take cover. If a structure isn’t available, move to a low spot that has no trees or other tall objects, and stay there until the storm blows by.

Finally, never go wading without notifying somebody where you’re going and when you plan to return. By doing this, if an emergency arises and you don’t show up at the expected time, rescuers will have an idea where to start looking. Also, a cell phone carried in a watertight container will provide a source of emergency contact if needed.