How to Use a Wading Pole While Fishing

If you're planning to go fly fishing, you'll need more than just a good-quality pair of waders and the right fishing tackle. Although you may find it cumbersome, you'll also need a wading pole to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters and muddy, slippery terrain. You can spend as little or as much as you like for a good wading pole. You can craft one from a handy tree limb or you can buy one online or at your local hunting and fishing supply store. Either way, it should extend from the ground to the middle of your chest when fully extended. The commercial products are lighter, and they typically are collapsible for ease of travel. Whatever type of pole you carry, it's best to think about how you'll use it before you're actually out in the stream.

Things You'll Need

  • Wading pole
  • Wading belt
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach the wading pole to your belt with either a bit of rope or a retractable clip. Keep it within easy reach so you'll have it when you need it.

    • 2

      Walk in a generally upstream direction, leaning on the wading pole as needed. Lean into the flow of the water, using the pole for support.

    • 3

      Probe for depth if you cannot see the bottom, especially if you are walking toward the middle of a stream or into deeper water. Steep drop-offs can be deadly if you don't keep an eye out for them.

    • 4

      Slide your feet along, maintaining contact with the floor of the stream in deep water. Don't pick up your feet. With both feet and your wading pole in firm contact with the ground, you'll maintain a stable posture with three points of contact.

    • 5

      Focus your attention more on where you're going than on where you are. Especially in fast water, look ahead and probe with your wading pole, scoping out your next two or three steps.