Another nice Steelhead caught on the Salmon River Pulaski NY w/ Drift Boat Guide.

OK, Ill be the bad guy that talk's about something no one likes to talk about.

If this tip-post saves one person's life, causes you to think twice before blindly wading out into the river, stops you from crossing, then it well be well worth my time and energy in writing it.

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Sometimes you can NOT cross the river and need to be EXTRA careful while wading. Keep an eye on the waterline water level forecast as they could change. Also keep in mind that what they are forecasting could be different then actual flows..

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Safety while crossing:

We all know how to basically wade, cross the river, what to wear to be safe in the water, gear, etc...But, one thing I have not read anywhere on any internet site is concerning safety while crossing a river is this.

Safety is my number one rule while by myself or with others. I cross the river almost daily with guest's in the dark (Providing I know the level, where to safely cross, which I do). I get paid to know my stuff and our lives depend on it. When I cross the river with other's there is one way that I have found to be critical or crucial to being as safe as possible. There is no other safer way that I am aware of.

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It begins with me standing upriver of my guest's. They line up below me, so I can break some of the current for them. We do NOT use wading staff's using this method. Spikes and a wader belt are critical. Once we are lined up I explain that you should NOT pick up your back foot until you are 100% sure your front foot is rock solid. If not, just say hold up and we all stop until your comfortable. Before we cross we all get a very good grip on the person's shoulder. NOT the back of his shirt, not locking arms.

I personally find this too restrictive and if the person goes down I'd rather have a hold of his shoulder. Also, by locking arms I tend to step on the persons foot next to me,(ouch) and not grabbing onto the back side of his shoulder. (This will throw that person off balance should you need to really use it for balance and support.)

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By holding onto the persons shoulder while crossing you have what I call 4 wheel or if 3 people, 6 wheel drive. It is 100% safer than crossing by yourself, even with the use of a wading staff. I am constantly amazed when I see a group of people crossing the river in a dangerous spot all by themselves? Personally, I would rather have 4-6 legs to help me cross and feel comfortable than just 2.

We also wade VERY slowly. This is critical to your safety and being able to re-adjust your position, balance. If you need a lil help you have the other persons shoulder you are holding to help balance. By going across in a line the top person breaks the current for everyone else. This crossing technique is one in which I rarely, if ever see other's use, so with the past 9/30/2005 drowning, I figured now would be a good time to suggest it. This technique does NOT mean that you can cross the river any ol place and or cross it when the water is too high for the specific spot you are crossing. I set limits on spots and water levels, to cross or not.

I will not risk my life for a fish and neither should you. So next time your crossing, grab onto your friends shoulder or cross with someone else. Put the wading staff away. I personally want ALL of my attention on my feet while being able to use the other persons shoulder if need be for balance or support and not shared with a wading staff. (Staff's can also be a tripping or stepping onto them hazard)

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I never have claimed to know it all so Im sure there are other good ways to cross also. If you feel safe and secure doing it your way then I'd stick with it.

If you are by yourself than a wading staff, spikes and wading belt are an invaluable crossing aid combined with knowledge of all aspect's of the river, water level, etc....

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If this tip saves one person's life, causes you to think twice before blindly wading out into the river, stops you from crossing, then it well be well worth my time and energy in writing it.

Thank you for your valuable time, Randy Jones

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Randy,

Just a quick, but truly appreciative and sincere thank you, for giving us (your faithful readers!) pointers on how to cross the river safely. My friends and I fished the Little Black Hole last November for Steelhead. One disturbing thing that caught my eye was a marker on an island where some poor, unfortunate fisherman drowned. Don't think that wasn't a reality slap on what could happen to any one of us! I couldn't get that tragic image out of my mind. Your advice may very well save even one life, and it will have been well worth sharing with us. Sincerely, Jim

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*** If you do fall in, Valuable Tip ***

Randy, Not sure if you'll have the time to speak to this but, one area I have not seen covered is what to do should you fall into a dangerous area. Most of what I have learned involved a couple simple things. 1 get your feet heading down stream, below you, and get on your back and float. That way you can see downstream and kick off any obstacles or possibly grab on as you go by. If you are heading downstream you could hit your head on a rock etc. You do not want to try and swim until you float into a safe area or can be grabbed by someone nearby. Just a thought and thank you for the web site. Keep safe and thanks again, Andy

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Thank you very much for helping out Andy! Myself and many more folks that visit here will certainly gain from your advise. I know I will. Best Fish's, Randy

Done