Wading!!! A recent trip to the Ausable River and its abundant pocket water reminded me of how important wading can be to the sport of fly fishing. A short 35 feet of incredibly fast water with many basketball size boulders separated me from the spot I needed to be in order to get good drifts through the pool I was fishing. Let's face it, sometimes sections of a stream can be difficult to cross, if not just down right dangerous. First let me say no one should ever chance crossing a stream they feel is dangerous or beyond their capacity. It's just not worth the risk. But many streams are crossable if you take your time and use caution. First look at the section and plan where you want to go and how you will get there before you ever place a foot in the water. This will help prevent you from getting half way across only to realize you need to go back. Second a good wading staff is a must. The guys I fish with know I count on my wading staff and keep it with me at all times. I not only use it for wading, I also use it as a walking stick on those long hikes to and from the stream. Finally, I want to refer you to an article I read in the April 2009 issue of Fly Rod & Reel written by John Larison. The article is titled, "Safe Crossings," and outlines many techniques which are beneficial when wading fast water. The one I have acquired from his words of wisdom is called "The Monkey Walk." It envolves bowing your legs out the way a rodeo cowboy walks so as to provide a good foundation, lowering your center of gravity by bending forward slightly and finally raising your arms out from your side to help control your balance. John Larison says the position looks like a monkey, but monkeys do have good balance. His article also goes into great detail about wading speeds, foot placement angled to the current and even methods for two and three people to join arms into solid positions to cross together as a unit where crossing individually might not be possible. The Article is well written and contains so much information that I read it several times and have saved it for future readings. In closing I do have to say, John's methods helped me cross that section of fast water on the Ausable River, I did make it to the other side and back, and yes I did catch a few fish. So the next time you find yourself facing a section of pocket water, wishing you were on the far side, walk like a monkey and go fishing.

Good Fishing and God Bless,

Steve Dolce