I must post this in tribute to what I once had that is now gone.

When I began the journey of flyfishing, I primely fished rivers. That was in my 20s. I'm now in my late 50s.

As flyfishing is my life I had no idea my body would turn on me.

From my 20s through my 40s I was known as an aggressive wader.
There were a few times I ended up swimming downstream when I attempted to wade water more powerful than me, but for the most part, I could normally fight the flow and slippery rocks and win.

So, in honor of those river legs I once had, I must say ados.

I haven't fished rivers in many moons but last weekend I let a fishing buddy convince me to fish a coastal river for steelhead. I was hesitant because I've gained weight and kind'a figured my river legs are no longer what they once were.

I was correct. While I can still manage the flow I can't manage the slippery rocks. I spent most of my time attempting to stay upright. This never happened when I was younger. My boots are the same with studded felt but I still had a hell of a time with my footing.

My extra weight and weak legs were my demise.

I ultimately ended up falling in the river and messed up both an ankle and a thumb on the slippery rocks. I didn't go to work today because I can't stand on one ankle.

This sucks. I kind'a figured I'd always be able to wade rivers but now I know that is no longer the case. Never did I figure I'd lose my river legs but I have.

The river current and slippery rocks have finally done me in.
I'm destined to become a primary stillwater flyfisher.

I fought the river and the river finally won.

Cherish your ability to wade rivers well. Someday, it may come to an end. This piece of crap body of mine has let me down. Hopefully, your's will not do the same.

So this is my tribute to the wading I once had. It was certainly fun while it lasted.

May my wading days rest in peace.

Easy there sparky...you seem like a sweet little old man with alot of heart, we appreciate your words, as they were delivered well.
I know my days will come as all of ours will, so for now all I can say is.........get off up your butt, lets go float tubing when your ankle gets better Gene.
I mean it.

R.I.P.

I have been wondering (fearing) about this for the last couple years, as I am a bit over my weight, and do not look forward to it.

May your still water days be full of the greatest, biggest, fattest and hardest fighting trout!!

I was feeling it Saturday after a Friday afternoon of wading the very wader-friendly Yakima at Big Pines camp water...

Saturday I did the same...For me I just don't wade as deep as I used to...no waist deep stuff for me anymore especially if there is a good flow...I'm purely a low flow wader now...

Here's a toast to my "toasted homies legs!"

Screw it, get a boat!!

Gene,

I agree the getting older thing is a bummer. I was lucky enough to take my 71 year old dad to Deschutes - posted it a while ago - we both caught steelies - and his was his first ever.

I did not mention that he fell in twice, and I did try to take him to the "easier" spots. My dad also told me his heart felt like it was going to explode on a climb back up to the road and car, he even said was going to tell his doctor about the experience.

Bummer the age thing happens to us all. I am 44 now and would like to fish the Deschutes well into my 70's.

I have been a competitive swimmer most of my life, and do know the legs are the first to go. In my swim workouts I focus on leg work a lot more now than ever before.

Swimming and general water exercise is a GREAT way to get in shape with minimal body impact. Swimming/water exercise promotes stretching and flexibility, strength, balance and endurance.

Go get in the water - sign up for a simple water exercise class at your local pool - only do what you feel your body can handle. I'll bet you may surprise yourself when next years spring fishing comes around!

I have the same experience- that I have limited my wading to more friendly water. Even then - I use a good walking stick as a third leg. Even then I float down the Metolius one day wading crossing it in higher water. That kind of set reality or me.

I suspect that is why I have enjoyed lake fishing more

But I still got to the coast and Deschuetes

Gene, you said that you started wading in your 20's, I can only imagine how many stories you have. I bet even though you are getting older and have been forced to fish the still water, you wouldn't give any of it back for anything.

May God bless you (even on the lake)

There are still places you can wade. FOlks here will show you where. Yes.

Have you thought about getting a wading staff or maybe building up leg strength by doing things such as walking your dog (if you don't already do so). There are guys in their 70s still wading strong with the help of a staff.

Coastal stream and Deschutes wading this time of year is way different than summer wading...The Yak was an easy wade this past weekend...me I just haven't done much this year...a few early outings next year and I know I'll be good to go...daily dogs walks really help at shaking out the kinks... Like so many things, it's a use it or lose it and to be smart about your "current" capabilities.

I know what you mean, gene…. I hate the fact that I come home feeling like I just had my arse kicked. Plus my eyes are frustrating the doggy doo out of me now too. I found rising fish this morning - but didn’t even wader up cuz I didn’t think I could get back out of the hell hole they were in.

LiGE.
Moon

Thanks for the kind words but the days of river legs are gone. At this point, I am very happy with my pontoon boat in stillwaters and hopefully, someday I'll graduate to a boat.

Yes, Thomas, I had many tales to tell when I first started flyfishing. Many showed up as articles... but that was long, long ago.

Do not weep for the loss of my river legs... I don't. I did the river thing for decades and it was a blast. But this piece of crap body is no longer willing to go along with my brain. Piece of crap body.

So be it. There are plenty of stillwaters I have yet to fish.

I'll still fish rivers but those not as hostile and slippery as the Siletz. ...or not. I really do love stillwater fishing.

If I never catch another steelhead in a river, no biggie to me. I've caught my share and will always have the memories and the photos.

The moral of this tale: don't get old with a piece of crap body

Nothing a LADDER wouldn't take care of.

Gene :

Stop scaring me, get moving, get a dog that insists you go bird hunting or fishing. I still wade , bird hunt, and boat, I fall in more often than I used to, get tired much faster ,and sometimes don't even pack a shotgun, but my dogs don't seem to notice.

curlew 71 but feel like 90 some days