Boy Scout (and river safety) motto - be prepared

Safety begins with preparation.

When you wade fish in streams, be they big rivers or small creeks, you stalk your fish. That usually means getting into the water, staying at angles where you are concealed, and positioning yourself away from swift currents and slippery rocks as you prepare to make your first cast.

Preparation begins with respecting the swift currents and staying out of them. That's not where the trout are anyway. They're along the edges of those currents.

At any time of year, especially during high water, I sneak ever-so-softly along the edges, often staying on the bank and seldom getting wet above my calves. At that, slippery rocks along the edges can make a nasty fall that can leave a crippling bruise on your hip. Or shoulder. Or elbow. It can leave you feeling painfully stupid as you pick up your broken rod.

That's why good wading gear is the first essential for stream safety. Slick-bottomed athletic shoes won't do. I speak from experience gained when I was young and stupid. Got the bruises, broke the tackle.

Algae can make a rock slicker than ice and with the current to accelerate your fall, the results can be comical for those watching, tragic for the one taking the tumble.

Safety afoot in a stream begins with purpose-built wading boots. They're built like underwater hiking boots - that's what they are. And like good hiking boots, good wading boots will cost some money. Bite the bullet, spend it.

Waders? When I wear them, I use chest-high breathable stocking foot waders. Get a pair with an attached wader belt that snugs up around your midriff to keep water out in event of a tumble and use it. Every time.

If you're budgeting, the waders can wait. The wading boots will get you by. Just pull on an extra pair of bulky socks to take up the extra space in the wading boots ordinarily occupied by the waders. The socks will insulate your feet once the initial surprise wears off. On a warm summer day the sensation of stepping into a cold trout stream is, well, let's call it invigorating.

Add a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses that are polarized and UV protected, sunscreen and insect repellant, plenty of water and sensible snacks, a small first aid kit, a serviceable knife, lightweight rain gear and layering tops for warmth. Then you're set for a day's fishing.

Don't leave the cell phone behind. Reception may be spotty but it's worth a go if you're in trouble, or might be if you're late for dinner and don't call ahead. Buy one of the purpose-designed waterproof cellphone containers. Most fly shops sell them. It's cheap insurance against a drowned $700 Samsung.

I always advise beginners to take care of the comfort and safety checklist before they spend a bundle on fancy tackle. And for any wading angler, carry some high-protein, high-calorie food you don't plan to eat, and twice the amount of water you expect to drink.

You don't want to stay late on the stream for an unexpected caddis hatch and wreck your fishing by being horribly dehydrated (no lie - dehydration can cause you to miss strikes) or turn the hike back to your vehicle into a death march because you're fighting through a sugar low.

Take a break, pull out the phone for some photos. Drink the water, and gnaw your way through a creative pile of good food wrapped in a cold tortilla. I like to put thin-cut meat directly on the tortilla, condiments go on next and I stuff the middle with veggies. Wrap the pseudo-burrito in Saran Wrap. Unlike a sandwich, it travels well.

My favorites are chicken, salsa, lime juice and avocado. (The middle squishes into a surprisingly good river guac after being carried around in your fishing vest for a day - delicious!) Or roast beef, horseradish sauce and sauerkraut or potato salad; ham, deli mustard and that kind of good, crisp coleslaw that doesn't have too much mayo. Simpler yet, the leftovers from last night's barbecue take on new life at streamside. Use your imagination.

Once on the stream, wade safely. Look downstream - don't step in above fast water, deep water, or downed wood. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and shuffle - find solid footing on one foot before stepping with the other.

Best wading advice: Be chicken. Chickens don't drown.