Wading Staff ?

OTTER · #1 11-20-2007, 06:51 PM

I have finally come to the conclusion that I need a wading staff..... this after wading streams for trout for the past 70 years mostly without boots or waders. In recent decades I have weakened and accumulated three pairs of hip boots and three pairs of waders. (One of each I leave in Florida at my brother in laws house.) Time takes it's toll and it is time for a staff, I guess.

A friend advised me to get a Spring Brook Collapsible Wading Staff which I shall do unless someone tells me that this is not a good idea.

StrBender · #2 11-20-2007, 07:04 PM

Otter

I'll be 50 in the spring and I want to buy myself one for the big 5 0

After hearing how much the leaves have made waiding tricky on the Lamprey I wish I could get one sooner. I'll have to settle for studds for now

lowwall · #3 11-20-2007, 07:39 PM

On the salmon river everyone uses a wading staff.

I don't know the brand But I got mine at Mountain Road. It is heavy Fiberglass. I have had the aluminum poles that have flared ends and they were no good other than to see how deep the water is.

This one is crap
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...554&hasJS=true

The best ones have a dowel type arangement.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...554&hasJS=true

Some people use ski poles with the basket thing tacken off

Allot of guides will tell you the best stick is a one piece you see allot of guys on the SR with one piece homemade ones.

michaeledward · #4 11-20-2007, 08:31 PM

I guess I am a youngster at 43. But, in my very strong opinion, a wading staff is quite probably the most important piece of saftey equipment a fly fisherman can have.

I spent my younger years wet-wading in inexpensive tennis shoes and denim. When I finally discovered the ability to wade while remaining dry, with waders, I wondered why my pride prevented me from acquiring waders sooner. (Although, I think to a certain extent, my pocketbook may have played a role in the delay).

Sure, there are times and locations where one is familiar enough with the terrain that the staff can be left in the vehicle (for me, the Trophy Stretch at 100 CFS, for instance). But, conditions can change. And a collapsable staff is unobtrusive.

I wouldn't kayak without a PFD. I wouldn't drive without a seatbelt. I wouldn't scale a cliff without a rope. And, I can't think of a good reason to go fly fishing without a wading staff.

And, more than once, my staff has saved a fly from the monster tree branches.

Wade Safely - Get a Stick.

EDIT - Post Script - Lowwall is correct, that 40 dollar cabela's staff sucks. - Probably the Folstaf is still the one to get. - END EDIT

TGIF · #5 11-20-2007, 08:53 PM

Two pieces of advice....

1. don't get graphite, because it tends to splinter, remember it's build for strength (to holdyou up in a pinch), not to finesse a dry fly.

2. same rule for wading staffs as for kitchen pans... the value of the pan (or staff) is directly proportional to the damage done to a person if you were to hit them with it squarley..... Flimsy aluminum bends and cracks, go for a heavier composite.

Try some out, and I think you'll know what I mean. Also, I like the pointed tip personally, but they also have rubber caps that go over the points for safety. Good luck, they can be a bit pricey, but every time I've forgotten mine, I usually end up in the drink which could have been prevented.

TGIF

Hoosier · #6 11-20-2007, 08:59 PM

Wouldn't be caught without one!

Best way to go is the Folstaf. Get the 3/4" diameter with 2 cords in it.
I've seen them at LL Beans for $99. Well worth it.

OTTER · #7 11-20-2007, 09:27 PM

Michaeledward and others: Thanks for the input. I shall try some out. But it sounds like I should get the Folstaf.

As you probably know, I was brought up in an era when safety was not a subject of interest. Wearing a helmet for motorcycles, bicycles, pond hockey, etc was unheard of. Using a life jacket likewise. There were no seat belts or directional signals. ear plugs for shooting or using a chainsaw, etc. I have slowly been getting used to acquiring or using these items (occasionally forgetting). If I get a wading staff, I guess I will have fully made it into the 21st century mindset and can still consider myself a man ( with slightly impaired hearing).

FLY FIS · #8 11-20-2007, 09:48 PM

A really good friend gave me an Orvis collapsible wading staff years ago, that I use all the time in rivers with current and rocks. When he gave it to me he said: "THY ROD AND THY STAFF SHALL COMFORT THEE" and he was oh so right!!

Cadoda · #9 11-21-2007, 12:28 AM

When I started fly fishing, about five years ago, I found that I needed something in the waters of the Pemi. I would grab sticks out of the woods at first to help me out. To steady my wade.
My first waders were from "Building 19" which evetually leaked.

I, then started using my hiking poles, the ones you see at EMS, for fishing.
I can't use them for hiking anymore, because I lost one on the Pemi.

Post script ... If anyone found that ...

StrBender · #10 11-21-2007, 08:36 AM

By using a waiding staff does it allow you to waid safely w/o studded boots? I don't have studds (but I play one) and was thinking of putting the simms screws on my boots for now. Maybe I will just get a waiding staff instead. I plan on fishing the Lamprey area this winter if that helps with the input. Thanks