Repair collapsible wading staff?

6xAdams(Jones)

6xAdams(Jones)

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Hello, everyone.
The last time I deployed and attempted to fold my (low-cost) wading staff, the ferrule on the lowest section pulled out and the bungees pulled it up into the next section - leaving me with a shorter, three-section stick.
Are ferrules in this type of wading staff only friction fit, and can they be removed by heating the metal? I plan on pulling the ferrule out of the next section to access the hidden ferrule and the end of the cord. I expect installation is a matter of re-knotting the cord and epoxying the ferrules back into the sections.
I don't care to spend a lot of time/money on a fix, but I can boil water to heat it up and have some two-part rod handle epoxy to glue things back on. Also, I don't want to throw something out that can be repaired.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
While I have never done this I believe they are friction fit and you have a solid plan. I have re-shafted golf cubs which are nothing more than epoxy glued together. Another thing that helps is leverage coupled with the hot water as pulling it apart by hand alone may not be possible depending on the epoxy used. I have a rubber insert for my vice made to hold golf club shafts, it was only a few bucks and comes in handy for other things. Clamping the shaft into a vice allows the use of both hands on the business end. I would wrap a rag around the “ferrule” and pour boiling water on the rag just keeping the rag damp with boiling water. You can pull on it with the rag in place so if it didn’t come apart you could easily keep the heat going on it by pouring more water on the rag. Just like brake rotors, some would fall off with little help and others clung with a vengeance.
Good luck, you got this.
 
My repair to my 4 piece folding staff losing its tension was to take a rock and turn the 4 piece foldable into a 1 piece unfoldable staff. Saved my backside on Penns a few years ago!!!
 
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Good ideas, PD. I had planned on duct taping Vise-Grip jaws for the pulling, but I'll plan on following your suggestions. I know that rod handle epoxy will soften when heated with hot water and figured if there is epoxy in a wading staff, it would be similar.
Thanks for the advice.
NRD said:
2 for $42 why fix?
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I'll check it out, since I have others in the family who need a wading stick. I still won't throw out what I have if I can repair it.
Hey! They look like they would work. Do you have any experience with them?
 
6xAdams(Jones) said:
Good ideas, PD. I had planned on duct taping Vise-Grip jaws for the pulling, but I'll plan on following your suggestions. I know that rod handle epoxy will soften when heated with hot water and figured if there is epoxy in a wading staff, it would be similar.
Thanks for the advice.

I'll check it out, since I have others in the family who need a wading stick. I still won't throw out what I have if I can repair it.
Hey! They look like they would work. Do you have any experience with them?
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I bought a pair Sept 24, per Troutbitten recommendation, and have been using one since. On the plus side, I think it vibrates less than my previous $65 four piece wading staff. On the minus side, it has already noticeably degraded. It still works, but requires a little fiddling to set up. I mostly like the rubber foot that doesn't give an audible click every time I put it down.
 
I’m with 6X on this. If it’s an easy repair, which I believe it will be, why not. Worst case scenario it’s not fixable or you screw it up some more and then you throw it away.
 
I bought a 4 piece aluminum anodized black on Ebay years ago for under $35. Why pay $100 or more?
 

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Oregon_OwlII said:
I broke two of them in one season. I know how they work.
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I never had any issues with my Ebay wading staff. I used it to pick my way through swift or deeper water. I didn't use it to climb steep banks, lay my entire weight on it, or use it as a weapon to fight off wild critters.
 
wbranch said:
I bought a 4 piece aluminum anodized black on Ebay years ago for under $35. Why pay $100 or more?
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I left my riverstick at home so just ordered one of the Aventik sticks from amazon for delivery tomorrow. The Aventik at least is 7075 aluminum which is twice as strong as the usually unnamed 5000 and 6000 alloys in most poles. I’ve been happy with Aventik rods, reels, beads and hooks so I expect the staff to be at least ok as a backup to leave in the car if (when, ugh) I forget the riverstick. I did see some folks said the handle came off so I’m going to check that and glue it if needed.
 
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tjsingle said:
Aventik all the way. I've used it on some of rough wading rivers and it's held up well.
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That is exactly like mine. Nice ergonomic soft handle. It comes with a long lanyard & case you can attach to your wading belt.
 
Oregon_OwlII said:
These are a much better option than those folding staffs. Sturdier and built better. Would not waste my time or money on the folding staffs ever again.
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Regardless of design - folding, collapsible, one piece - alloy is important in lightweight poles, because a noticeably bent or dented aluminum pole is compromised and unreliable.

Those poles don’t specify alloy, and as 7000 is roughly twice as strong as 5000/6000, it’s worth seeking 7000.

To the OP, if it’s noticeably bent or dented - then it’s *not* repairable. It’s trash.
 
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