I am looking for a good, light wading staff and was thinking the telescoping variety would be the easiest to use while on the river. Any recommendations?
Anyone have experience with either the Fishpond Slippery Rock Pro Wading Staff or the William Joseph Wading Staff? Ric
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Any recommendations on wading staffs?
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 paxlev |
Any recommendations on wading staffs? |
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Posts: 853 10/12/2009 11:00 |
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Silver Doctor |
staffs | #1 | ||
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Posts: 100 10/12/2009 19:29 |
I have a Sharpes Of Aberdeen Seaforth Wading Staff for about 3 years now. Best single thing I've ever bought for
fishing. Won't wade on any body of water without it. I've had a few bad experiences with folding staffs that fold at the wrong time or aren't
solid enough for my tastes. The Aberdeen is also bottom weighted, which really makes a difference when crossing and fording as it doesn't float and you
don't have to struggle to plant it.
Often I have been exhausted on trout streams, uncomfortable, wet, cold, briar scarred, sunburned,
mosquito bitten, but never, with a fly rod in my hand have I been in a place that was less than beautiful.
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Spey Salar |
Wading Staff | #2 | ||
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Posts: 38 10/12/2009 19:38 |
I can heartily endorse Folstaff, particularly the larger size. I've carried it on my wading belt for years, and it has never failed me. It can be annoying from time to time when the sections stick a bit, but usually a rap on a hard surface will free them up. I wouldn't even have that issue if I wasn't so lazy as to forget to wax the joints occasionally. I find the Folstaff sturdier than the Simms or like staffs, and have never had an issue with it separating during use. I think Folstaff is all anyone would need for trout water; however like the previous poster I am interested in the Sharpes one piece staff for bigger water--i.e. some Atlantic salmon rivers. Their Spey staff is supposedly the sturdiest and weighted for heavy duty use. |
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Silver Doctor |
staff | #3 | ||
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Posts: 101 10/12/2009 20:51 |
I bought my Aberdeen for the Sleena and other Steelhead big rivers. I discovered
that it is handy on all sized rivers, even spring creeks as a walking staff. It's also been great for fending off farm dogs and a curious bull and one
particular jerk with a chip on his shoulder. The strap is nice as most times I just lest it hang behind me when walk wading and even walking between runs,
always in reach.
Often I have been exhausted on trout streams, uncomfortable, wet, cold, briar scarred, sunburned,
mosquito bitten, but never, with a fly rod in my hand have I been in a place that was less than beautiful.
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oldtrout |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 122 10/12/2009 22:53 |
I recommend the Hart's River Stalker wading staff.
It's availble at fly shops nationwide or here: http://www.americanflyfishing.com/Fly+Fishing/Waders+and+Boots/Ron+Hart%27s+Wading+Staff.html |
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16 pmd |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 764 10/12/2009 23:21 |
I like the Simms folding staff best. Quick and easy to put together and take apart & stow, so you don't have it bumping along behind you when you
don't need it or tangling your line or legs. Has a positive lock when put together, so won't come apart if it gets stuck in rocks or mud. Only downside
is it's a bit expensive. Walking sticks for serious hiker/walkers also come in a huge variety of choices. Cheapest and pretty good are old ski poles, with
basket removed.
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 Eric Peper |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 365 10/13/2009 11:59 |
'Nother positive on the Folstaf. I have two. One is about 30 years old that my wife has used for 10 years. It was rehabbed by the mfr about two years
ago for the outrageous fee of $5. for totally new components. The other is about two years old. Visually, you'd have a tough time telling one from the
other. If you go this direction be sure to get the heavier duty (larger diameter) model, and, as Spey said, be sure to keep the joints waxed to expedite take
down. In my experience these staffs are bullet proof, and believe me, my 280+ pounds occasionally put them to the test.
EP |
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Rolf Jacobsen |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 2189 10/13/2009 12:27 The COOLER |
Spey Salar pretty much summed it up. I've had mine for a number of years now and always have it with me. I would send it back to Folstaf for a refurbish, (handle0, but I don't want to wade without it. Let's just say its "experienced".
Rolf
Brook Trout are God's way of reminding us everything is going to be all right. |
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philpsych |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 371 10/13/2009 13:18 Moderator |
The Simm's wading staff's been on my wader belt two summers now. Great product, well made.
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gmflyfish |
Folstaf | #9 | ||
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Posts: 1229 10/13/2009 15:46 |
Have been using one for over 30 years in Montana. It has kept me from swimming more than once. I started using one when I was a young 29 year old fearless
wader and have never looked back. Not always on the belt - but when I am on certain river it is and it is always in the tackle bag in the back of the truck
Gregg |
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bobbeegee |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 3124 10/13/2009 15:53 |
"Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys which distract our attention from serious things. They are but an improved means to an unimproved
end."
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warrick |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 177 10/13/2009 22:53 |
Got to say that the newer Simms take down model is a brilliant design. Super easy, strong, portable, and very high quality. Lends a great sense of confidence
too.
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tedgolden |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 3027 10/14/2009 13:11 Moderator |
I use a Folstaff and have for about ten years. I like the portability, reliability and it's useful in avoiding snakes and fending off ill tempered dogs.
Keep the ferrules waxed and it's a great tool.
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Randyflycaster |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 117 10/14/2009 13:54 |
I have a Fishpond staff. It's so light it floats.
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Short Tip |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 1301 10/15/2009 12:36 Moderator |
Don't forget yard sale/thrift shop ski poles. If they are astronaut silver with big logos on 'em you can spray paint any color you like. You get them
two at a time, keep the second one under the back seat just in case. If you look around, you may see some bamboo ones. I mounted a cork grip from a broken
plastic rod on one - it's pretty spiffy and was nearly free........
"When all the rods and a lot of reels, lines, leader boxes, et cetera, had been sold, the gang paid at the cashier's
window for what they'd bought and then made a bee line for the rug room to test their rods. I put mine together, tested it for a moment or so, and then
started to show it to men I knew. Not a man was interested in my rod. They all, without a single exception, tried to get me to look at theirs. Extraordinary,
how self centered most men are. Have you noticed it? "
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dry side |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 58 10/15/2009 12:58 |
Here is another vote for the Simms staff. It does everything I need it to do without problems.
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corlay.fiberglassflyro... |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 65 10/15/2009 13:01 |
I met an older Gentlemen
(a Canadian, by way of New Zealand...) on the stream this year, who was using an old wooden Sherwood hockey stick shaft (with the business-end of the stick sawn-off, of course...) for his wading. he also showed me how he had a large threaded hook embedded in one end, that he uses to pull an overhanging branch down within reach to free a snagged fly, when that happens. I was impressed with the utility and creativity of the thing, I must say...
"From my observations I think that most of us spend too much time worrying about our tackle and too little time
learning the intimate characteristics of the fish and streams we fish most."
- Ray Bergman
Trout, New York: Knopf 1938 |
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Southbranch |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 483 10/15/2009 18:29 |
I've used the same old bamboo cross-country ski pole for many years. It has a carbide tip and a nice grip. I removed the plastic "basket", cut
off the short leather wrist strap, and tied a 3' or 4' length of light rope around the shaft just below the handle. The other end of the rope gets tied
to a loop on the bottom edge of my vest. It is very light and floats behind me when not in use. Zero dollars invested and still a life-saver. It also comes in
handy to hold up small branches and open a path through tall weeds when bushwacking.
I first realized the value of a wading staff when trying to free a snagged fly from a rock in the middle of the Brule River, by Lake Superior. The river was fast, rocky and deep, but I got out there and freed the fly. The problem was getting back to shore. Somehow, it seemed much harder to keep my balance and footing. If I'd had a staff, it would have been a breeze. I rigged one up when I got home and I've never fished without it since. |
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bamboo1963 |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 161 10/15/2009 19:28 |
I use a birch wading staff from Downeast Walking Sticks:
http://www.downeastwalkingsticks.com/wading.htm Malden Anglers' |
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DrLogik |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 1687 10/15/2009 19:48 |
There is only one, true, safe wading staff that actually WILL NOT BEND (or break) under pressure....FOLSTAF. Been wading with one for 10 years now. Never go
on a deep stream without it.
Yes other manufacturers make wading staffs but they all try to better a Folstaf and all of them seem to come up short. and believe me, I've seen all of the others in the store. A quick "lean test" is all you have to do to convince yourself. ...and I mean LEAN on it in the store. A Folstaf will support all the weight you put on it. The others? The salesman will start to wince........
Last Edited By: DrLogik 10/15/2009 19:50.
Edited 1 time.
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Dewardian |
Wading staff | #20 | ||
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Posts: 100 10/16/2009 09:47 |
My vote goes to the Folstaff......... get the larger version.
Don't leave home without it. I have had mine about 15 years or so. It really comes into it's own in places like the Madison/$3 bridge rock pile (If you decide you have to wade), and the St Marys Rapids. When I am using it and casting/fishing, bring the scabbard to the front and hang the staff over your shoulder, just like a landing net. It is now out of the way and not dragging behind you and is readily available. It is the best investment in self preservation that you can make. |
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