Almost funny…but not!

[Michael Phillippe]

This is somewhat funny – in hindsight. This is my first year of fishing with a Simms waist/chest pack after four decades of wearing a vest. I gave in to old age and the logic that I didn’t really need all that stuff when I was fifty yards from the truck.

Last week I was fishing the West Branch of the Delaware with a friend – wearing my new butt pack, of course. I was in waist deep, nearly still water, casting to risers out in the current. I landed a nice brown and after releasing it, dropped my new MFC forceps in the river. They were at my feet. So, I pushed up my sleeve and went for them. As I grabbed the forceps, my feet came off the bottom and I was floating – suspended by my waist pack. No matter what I did, I couldn’t stand up or roll on to my back and swim! The combination of air in my waders below the belt, combined with the waist pack were enough to keep me suspended – on my face! There were a few anxious moments as I dog paddled toward shore and my friend rushed to help me. Even with his help I couldn’t stand up – the pack was that bouyant!

Had I had the presence of mind – and experience with waist packs – I could have simply unbuckled the waist belt on the pack and stood up. So, the moral of the story is that if you are going to wade above your knees, I recommend that you drop the pack on shore!

[Zach Matthews]

Michael –

Scary scene, but I have to admit the visual is kind of hilarious.

[Aaron Christensen]

Sounds silly, but it is a good idea to practice swimming and treading water while wearing waders.  We were required to do it in lifeguard school back in my carefree days.  (Those were 30 years ago).  Still, to this day, that practice sticks with me.  Everyone should recognize that panic is a big killer in water and the unexpected sensation of wearing waders while in water can lead to panic.  

Glad everything turned out ok for you.  Did you hold onto your forceps?

[anonymous]

Thats what you get for using a belt!

[Tim Pommer]

Did you ever get the forceps back?

[Colin M.]

When i ever fish up there i ALWAYS wade deep.

[George F.]

…many on the board may not know how cold the West Branch is.

[Jon Conner]

Air stuck in the waders below the belt was probably more of a problem than the bouyancy of the pack. The whole scenario is not what one would imagine could be dangerous, good lesson for all of us, although quite humorous in retrospect.
Had you been in deeper water all the air would have been driven out of the waders, but then you wouldn’t have tried for the forceps, and in shallower water your feet wouldn’t have lost purchase, so you were in the perfect depth water to capsize, and float, what are the odds on that?
JC

[Peter E.]

That would be a horrible situation. I hope you don’t repeat it anytime soon

[Michael Phillippe]

I think it must have been a funny sight. My buddy was laughing his head off – for about 30 seconds. Then he started after me. Like Aaron, I leaned to swim in boot foot waders years ago, and since then have taken my share of falls in deeper, faster water. But like Jon said, it was the perfect storm.

Yes, I DID get my new MFC brown trout forceps and Dr. Slick nippers back! Once I was wet, I wasn’t going to quit. The funnest sight – and one that I can appreciate – is afterward. We left home in a run and I didn’t have a change of clothes. So, the only dry ones were a set of my buddy’s hospital scrubs. Not bad except for the fact that he is 5’9 and weighs 150 lbs. and I’m 6’2 and weigh 200! Shoulda gotta picture!

BTW, my wife has now implemented GWP – Geriatric Wading Procedures – wading staff, no pack or vest and SOSpenders if I fish alone.

[Peter E.]

i think the best thing to do is come south and do some fishing down here. No waders needed

[Michael Phillippe]

Peter, I learned to fly fish in North Georgia. I miss it but I’m guessing it isn’t as pristine and uncrowded as it was went I was in Ranger training and fishing there in the early 70’s!

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