What is Wet Wading?

Wet wading is getting your body wet while fishing in a body of water. There is also the opposite, dry wading, but it is not a term you will normally see used. Dry wading is using gear like boots, waders, or a dry suit so you can submerge parts of your body in the water without getting wet. Wet wading on the other hand refers to just about anything else.

The two major concerns when it comes to wet wading are air temperature and water temperature. Water temperatures can be deceptively low even on a hot day when air temperatures are high. You might not want to wet wade for other reasons like questionable water quality in an urban stream or stinky turbid water in a swamp.

Gear for wet wading can be as simple as a bathing suit at the beach to a full wetsuit and waterproof gear so you can swim out to a rock. A popular option for when you need to hike over rough and rocky terrain is to use stocking foot wader boots with a simple neoprene sock. While there is purpose-designed footwear and apparel for wet wading now available, you can also just use normal clothing you don't mind getting wet.

Fishing Fundamentals