"rw" wrote in message
...

Bunch of good advice snipped

I've started using a wading staff in tough
currents and it's working well, albeit a PITA when I'm fishing and not
wading.

Good luck with the knee, JR.

I second the wading staff! I have found myself wading a lot more
confidently, and safely, since I began using one regularly. The other thing
I have discovered is that they can be a big help when rock hopping too.
Using it to triangulate support as I hop from one dry rock to another
midstream or on the shore really cuts down on missteps due to wobbly rocks
(or legs). Funny thing though, the 3/4" dia Folstaf I have is nearly
impossible to take apart, but the cheap Chinese knockoff (Outback) I bought
my wife works perfectly. (And no, I didn't get her the cheapie cause I'm a
skinflint, I got her the Folstaf, but she couldn't get it apart. We later
bumped into a fellow selling the Chinese knockoff at a flyfishing show, and
he persuaded us to buy based on the fact that it was easy to breakdown.) The
major difference between the two is that the Folstaf has a better quality
shock-cord, and the Outback's female sockets are slightly flared at the top,
which seems to prevent the relatively sharp corner of the aluminum tube from
biting into the male tube.

And hope that knee is back in working order soon.

Jim Ray