Wading staff... re-visit

One nice thing about a plain old side-of-the-stream stick, I find at
least, is that it can be a bit easier to plant on the bottom of the
riverbed. The expensive folding metal wading staff I have has a
tendency to "float" on me a little bit - I have to use a bit of extra
force to get it to planted firmly when I'm wading. I also feel that
it's lack of heft makes it a bit harder to get a really good grasp on
it. Whereas a nice water-logged or otherwise dense branch I find
easier to keep it properly wedged down, and offers a good solid
something to grip. (In fact I kept one particular stick for almost
all of last season. I was traumatized when it finally got swept away
one evening. Wish I'd thought of Riverman's nylon string trick.)

I also second the various complaints about the bungee cord folding
staff. It has a tendency to come apart at the split second you need
it most - if it's wedged between a couple of rocks and you suddenly
slip, say, the entire thing can come apart. Has happened about a
half-dozen times to me this season alone. (I often wade where I
shouldn't, wading staff or no.)

Tim

One nice thing about a plain old side-of-the-stream stick, I find at
least, is that it can be a bit easier to plant on the bottom of the
riverbed. The expensive folding metal wading staff I have has a
tendency to "float" on me a little bit - I have to use a bit of extra
force to get it to planted firmly when I'm wading. I also feel that
it's lack of heft makes it a bit harder to get a really good grasp on
it. Whereas a nice water-logged or otherwise dense branch I find
easier to keep it properly wedged down, and offers a good solid
something to grip. (In fact I kept one particular stick for almost
all of last season. I was traumatized when it finally got swept away
one evening. Wish I'd thought of Riverman's nylon string trick.)

I also second the various complaints about the bungee cord folding
staff. It has a tendency to come apart at the split second you need
it most - if it's wedged between a couple of rocks and you suddenly
slip, say, the entire thing can come apart. Has happened about a
half-dozen times to me this season alone. (I often wade where I
shouldn't, wading staff or no.)

Tim

"rw" wrote in message
m...
Jeff Taylor wrote:
Late September I found myself in a predicament standing in the N.F. of
the Clearwater, with that uneasy feeling of a Full Reid if I took a step
in any direction. I made it out without a dunking, however told myself it
was time to look for a wading staff.

I looked through the archives, although the information is a bit dated.
Are there any on the market that you would suggest and or stay away from?

I took a look out on e-bay and found the following:
http://tinyurl.com/47v53

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions appreciated...

I recently bought my first collapsible wading staff -- made by Simms. Go
ahead laugh, if you like. It cost $99, if I recall correctly. Ha, Ha. It
saved by ass from a dunking on "Milly Creek" a few days ago, as Willi
photographically documented. Compared to other collapsible staffs I've
seen, it's well made and rugged, with a double-pin positive locking
mechanism. In the past I've relied on an old ski pole, which is a royal
PITA. I don't mind paying top dollar for a product that delivers, and that
is backed by a reputable company. After all, this is FISHING. It's
IMPORTANT, and a wading staff can get you to more places, relatively
safely and relatively dry.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Totally agree with rw on this one. I had a LL Bean ash staff that was
*always* in the way. I finally broke down and spent the coin on the Simms
staff. My ass is worth *way* more than $99 to me; and taking a "full Reid"
in fall water in the 40's isn't appealing. The Folstaff is OK...the Simms is
better, IMO. (And, interestingly, you'll get a LOT of opinions on ROFF G.

Dave M

"rw" wrote in message
m...
Jeff Taylor wrote:
Late September I found myself in a predicament standing in the N.F. of
the Clearwater, with that uneasy feeling of a Full Reid if I took a step
in any direction. I made it out without a dunking, however told myself it
was time to look for a wading staff.

I looked through the archives, although the information is a bit dated.
Are there any on the market that you would suggest and or stay away from?

I took a look out on e-bay and found the following:
http://tinyurl.com/47v53

Thoughts, ideas, suggestions appreciated...

I recently bought my first collapsible wading staff -- made by Simms. Go
ahead laugh, if you like. It cost $99, if I recall correctly. Ha, Ha. It
saved by ass from a dunking on "Milly Creek" a few days ago, as Willi
photographically documented. Compared to other collapsible staffs I've
seen, it's well made and rugged, with a double-pin positive locking
mechanism. In the past I've relied on an old ski pole, which is a royal
PITA. I don't mind paying top dollar for a product that delivers, and that
is backed by a reputable company. After all, this is FISHING. It's
IMPORTANT, and a wading staff can get you to more places, relatively
safely and relatively dry.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Totally agree with rw on this one. I had a LL Bean ash staff that was
*always* in the way. I finally broke down and spent the coin on the Simms
staff. My ass is worth *way* more than $99 to me; and taking a "full Reid"
in fall water in the 40's isn't appealing. The Folstaff is OK...the Simms is
better, IMO. (And, interestingly, you'll get a LOT of opinions on ROFF G.

Dave M

"Jeff Taylor" wrote


Thoughts, ideas, suggestions appreciated...



I have two .... one bungi cord pop together one similar to the one on e-bay

another one piece walking stick I found abandoned in the mud along the HFork
and put a new handle on


Folding the Folstaff (sp) is NOT nearly as simple as it looks ... the
sections jam together .. in effect it becomes a one piece that can only be
folded with difficulty and tools, back at the trailer

A one piece staff is a pain, just about as often as it is useful ... but I
simply MUST have it when I need it, my knee is that bad .. so I put up with
it the rest of the time

As much as I hate to admit it ... and I really really hate it ... I'm
thinking of getting the SIMMS staff ... it's too damn long, but looks like
it can actually be folded up and gotten out of the way, except when needed,
then looks plenty strong to be up to the task

"Larry L" wrote in
:


"Jeff Taylor" wrote


Thoughts, ideas, suggestions appreciated...



I have two .... one bungi cord pop together one similar to the one on
e-bay

another one piece walking stick I found abandoned in the mud along the
HFork and put a new handle on


Folding the Folstaff (sp) is NOT nearly as simple as it looks ... the
sections jam together .. in effect it becomes a one piece that can
only be folded with difficulty and tools, back at the trailer


Unless, of course, you know the trick of rolling the frozen joint across
your knee firmly to loosen it.

Scott

"Scott Seidman" wrote


Unless, of course, you know the trick of rolling the frozen joint across
your knee firmly to loosen it.



I'll try it, but MY knee screams enough as it is without finding a new way
to challenge it g

"Scott Seidman" wrote


Unless, of course, you know the trick of rolling the frozen joint across
your knee firmly to loosen it.



I'll try it, but MY knee screams enough as it is without finding a new way
to challenge it g

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

A one piece staff is a pain, just about as often as it is useful ... but I
simply MUST have it when I need it, my knee is that bad .. so I put up
with
it the rest of the time

As much as I hate to admit it ... and I really really hate it ... I'm
thinking of getting the SIMMS staff ... it's too damn long, but looks like
it can actually be folded up and gotten out of the way, except when
needed,
then looks plenty strong to be up to the task


I don't know why you hate to admit it, I switched from the folstaff to the
Simms model years ago, it's a little bit of a pain getting it back into the
holster but it's easier to use and i've never had it give on me plus it's
much easier to fold back when done.

"Wayne Knight" wrote


I don't know why you hate to admit it,


I suffer from SIMMSaphobia ... a condition that started with customer
service that left a bad taste in my mouth .... I'd already own the SIMMS
staff if it didn't say SIMMS on it