You guys know anybody that drowned or almost drowned while wading?

[JP]

Early 90's hunting an oxbow in mid-twenties temperatures. Waded out in the outside edge of the decoys and got my leg into the Y of a treetop in waist deep water. Went totally under 3X while freeing myself. Had a dry bag in the boat with a complete change of clothes and a vinyl stocking foot chest wader. After changing into all of that, put the soaking wet neoprene chest waders back on and hunted two more hours until the guys limited out. That change of clothing made the four mile run back to the ramp a snap.

 

[Riverfisher]

Nope. We did find a man’s body in the river once. I’m not worried about waders. Wear a wader belt. Make sure it’s tight.

 

[Wareagle1011]

Yop ... I know of a boy the got into river silt in waders....alone photographing ducks after season. ... stuck tight then topped his waders....died of hypothermia....this was just a few years ago close to Cape Girardeau.

just a boy? That sucks.

 

[Wareagle1011]

Early 90's hunting an oxbow in mid-twenties temperatures. Waded out in the outside edge of the decoys and got my leg into the Y of a treetop in waist deep water. Went totally under 3X while freeing myself. Had a dry bag in the boat with a complete change of clothes and a vinyl stocking foot chest wader. After changing into all of that, put the soaking wet neoprene chest waders back on and hunted two more hours until the guys limited out. That change of clothing made the four mile run back to the ramp a snap.

New change of clothes could definitely be a life saving measure. And easy one to carry with you at that. Of course I dont but will probably start

 

[Wareagle1011]

The Reelfoot killer died while trying to wade to the bank.

I still find the reelfoot murder situation to be absolutely insane

 

[Wareagle1011]

Years ago, I went all the way under in the river. Three of us hunting together. For some reason, during a lull, I decided to wade across to the other side. I don't remember why. The river's only about 50 yards across and only up to just below my chest so you can wade it in chest waders. This was so long ago that I was still wearing canvas waders. It was about 5 degrees out. I waded across and, wading back, almost all the way to shore, I tripped on something and went all the way under. The Scioto River south (downstream) of Columbus back then had a reputation of being filthy. Going under, as my face hit that cold water, the cold made me involuntarily open my mouth and suck in a bunch of water. As I went under, I actually kept my composure and remember thinking, "Well this water doesn't taste bad". LOL I was able to catch myself and raise up out of the water but as soon as my gloved hands were out of the water, my gloves froze, my shotgun slipped out of my hand and went to the bottom. My friends helped me out and then one (probably foolishly), felt for my shotgun with his feet and pulled it out when he found it. My waders were filled, but I decided I could stick it out to hunt. That lasted until the adrenalin surge shut down and then I was freezing. They told me to walk to the truck while they pulled the decoys. When they got to the truck, they asked why I was still standing outside. "Because my waders are frozen and I can't get them off" was my reply. I finally got them off. I'm not sure if I was close to drowning, but possibly if I hadn't had friends who could help me out. I switched to neoprenes right after I got home.

This past week, I switched to these: https://www.drakewaterfowl.com/coll...elite-4-layer-wader-w-tear-away-liner-regular

Oh my good lord you turned into a statue dam near

 

[Wareagle1011]

I saw a similar scene in a TK and Mike video.

Yup the rising creek

 

[Squaller]

As a kid (7 years old) wearing knee-high rubber boots, holding the boat at the dock fishing in February while my father went to retrieve the truck/tailor, a boat came zipping by the dock, creating a wake pulling the boat as I tried to hold on, and I remember thinking "Hey, I am water-skiing."

That ended suddenly... My knee-high boots filled with water, and I sunk like a stone. In a panic, I kicked out of my boots, broke the surface, and swam to shore.

Meanwhile, My father's friend was in a different boat, and his kid was on the other side of the dock (so the wake pushed that boat into the dock). He saw me go under, and ran up the boat ramp screaming that I had drowned... Guessin' my father was fairly relieved to see me soaking wet & freezing cold but alive walking up the ramp. He got me out of my clothes, wrapped me in something, cranked up the heater, and went down to retrieve his boat... Sitting on the front seat with the heater blasting on the way home, I remember him saying "your mother is not going to be happy with me..."

As an adult... Fly fishing a river in cold water during the summer, I took a spill, and my waders filled (no wading belt). Strong current, and my waders filled. The current was pulling me down, and I could not get my feet under me. As soon as I realized that I had lost control of the situation, I pitched my fly-rod to the bank, and tried to regain my footing. It was like trying to swim with a parachute...

Unfortunately, I ended up in deeper/faster water, smartly smacking multiple large rocks, and frantically trying to get my feet back under me... Finally, made it to the bank with a steep bank, and of coarse there was a rattle snake sunning himself on the bank that did not care for my presence...

It was this situation that gave me a much deeper understanding of the need for a wading belt...

I have had the misfortune of having my waders fill on several occasions... Especially during the cold months, there is an instant of shock and panic... And they might not sink while full, but they certainly impair movement. During the summer months, put on a pair of waders with no belt, jump in the pool, and try to do a lap... Then take the waders off, and do a lap...

 

[Wareagle1011]

Was fishing in the Sandusky river decades ago. Back then the thin
cheap Lacrosse waders were all you could buy. Waded out from the end of an island over my waist. (now know when the water is that deep you should be fishing there not wading). On the way back in, walked into a large round bolder that caused me to fall forward and fill my waders. Thought I was dead. Managed to stand up and head back in to shore ASAP. As I got into shallower water I realized that waders full of water weigh a lot out of the water. Ended up crawling out on the shoreline as the boots drained.

Good ol sandusky river will get you

 

[bill cooksey]

I still find the reelfoot murder situation to be absolutely insane

It was incredibly sad. The old man’s dementia addled brain snapped in a bizarre series of events. Three men died, and three families were crushed.