On Sat, 24 May 2008 05:56:35 -0700 (PDT), jwh
wrote:

I've got a problem with my legs that makes wading a little unstable a
times. I use a wading stick for stability but sometimes I am concerned
about falling. I have read about the small Mustang (or similar) vests
that inflate if you get submereged. I was thinking about one for that
just in case moment. They look like they would not interfere with
casting.
The water that I wade is not too deep ore fast but has some holes etc
like most rivers in Michigan. Anyone used one of these vests for
wading or any other thoughts?

About 20 years ago my wife saw me wading in some fast water in Maine.
Within a few days of arriving home, an Orvis vest with an inflatable
bladder inside arrived at my front door. I've used it once.

Do what I did: go swimming in your waders. Do it safely, of course,
perhaps with an innertube and someone to help you if you get in
trouble. I jumped off a dock into 10 feet of water holding a rope
with a friend on the other end. I dropped the rope and managed to
swim about 20 feet to shore. I had on a good waist belt and that
stopped most of the water from getting into the waders.

I fell off a rock into some very fast water while wearing neoprene
waders many years ago. I had no trouble swimming ashore, *with* my
fly rod in hand.

The main thing to remember (or try to, anyway) is not to panic.

Feel unsure? Wear a vest or inflatable suspenders.

Dave