Elk Without Waders?

[thelearner]

Hello all,

I'm very much a newbie here so please forgive me if/when I ask dumb questions.

I'm just getting into fly fishing and have practiced alot in the Harpeth and want to catch some real fish in a real river so I'm thinking of hitting the Elk this weekend and the Caney next weekend. 

The thing is, I don't have any waders.  I have heard both rivers are pretty cold so I was wondering if they are too cold to wade without waders?

Also, any other Elk (or Caney) advice for a newbie you want to throw at me, I'm all ears.  I'm here to learn.

Thanks in advance!

[Steve H]

From late Spring on I wet wade in any river around here. The water may be chilly, but you will appreciate not sweating to death with the temps we are experiencing right now.

It will take your breath away a little when you get near the family jewels.  

P.S. Welcome to the board!

[grubbah]

I've been at the elk each weekend for the past month or so and I go with waders but only wear light shorts underneath them.  In the early morning hours before the sun comes up it can be a bit on the cold side.  Even wearing thick socks my feet can sometimes get a bit uncomfortable.

Once the sun comes up though its quite pleasant.  The cold water helps offset the blistering temps from waist up.

I imagine you will be fine wet wading if you dont mind the cold, worst case scenario you could just wade over to shore and get out for a few minutes if you feel yourself getting too chilled.  Its not like the elk is super deep, from the dam on down you will rarely get up to your waist except for in a few deeper pools.  There will be pleanty of opportunities in knee'ish deep water.  If you want to hike through the brush to some of the harder to reach spots you might enjoy not having waders on, it can get pretty hot.

[countryflyfisher]

Wet wade as hot as it is you ll be fine.  plus you ll appreciate wet wading when your stuck wearing waders all winter.

[thelearner]

Thanks y'all.  I'm so excited!

[Travis C.]

If your new to the fishing in current part it may help to start out wet wading since it's summer and you can get used to the footing. Because with a tight wading belt or definitely without one you don't get many chances slipping in deep or moving water with them on.

Those places can be tricky and if your not used to it you can get your head into fishing then before you know it be standing over waist deep in current.

[David L. Darnell]

fess up Steve,

wet wading, is that standing in an inch of water in the bottom of the Supreme ?

[troutaddict]

Elk is nice wading without waders when it's hot.  I have a real nice picture of my wife's slip in the litte red in arkansas when it was cold,  taken by my son.  She will not let me post it.     I'm glad I was beside her, it was waist deep to her and fairly fast moving: her wading belt was the key that day.   It can happen in a split second.  Be careful having fun.

[thelearner]

I've done a little wading in current but you are right, it's probably safer for me as I'm learning to go sans waders even if my toes get a little frosty.  I'll give you a report when I get back!

[thelearner]

OK, made it today without hypothermia but... it was FREEZING!  I will be getting waders very soon!

[grubbah]

OK, made it today without hypothermia but... it was FREEZING!  I will be getting waders very soon!

I noticed it was a bit cooler than previous weeks.  I think the air temp had something to do with that, it was in the low to mid 60's until the sun came up.  I found myself a bit cool as well when normally I'm not.

[David L. Darnell]

it's warmer this time of the year than it use to be, TVA is mixing warm water off the spill gate with  cold water discharge from the power house.

It will be colder water temps as the year goes on.

[countryflyfisher]

   freezing wow I guess after a few unintentional swims in the San Juan river in NM   the Elk feels like a warm water river

[thelearner]

it was freezing for the first 15 minutes... then felt good... then after 6 or so hours in it, I started getting really cold.  Maybe I'm a wimp  but I'm getting waders soon as I can afford em.  I don't like my being cold making me stop fishing!

[David L. Darnell]

I fished the San Juan back in April 97, coldest tailwater I ever stepped in, had to get out from time to time, take off 5mm neoprene waders and rub feet. Seems it was 42 degrees if I remember correctly.