Always use a wading staff, even if the water is shallow and not moving very fast. Walking over round slick rocks is a lot easier and safer with a staff. Use your staff to lean on while one foot is on the bottom and the other is looking for a place to step down. Standing on one foot in your living room is hard enough, without rocks shifting under your feet and a current trying to push you down.

The last time I fell, I fell on my staff and broke it. Obviously, it wasn't being used, but was traing behind on a tether. Did I mention that a staff is of little use if you don't use it?

------------------
Live long and die with your (wading) boots on.