Wading staff choice

[kbobb]

Riverstick custom made wading staffs made by Rick Humphrey in British Columbia are probably the best heavy duty wading staffs available. You can order them in whatever length you want, and they will probably last a lifetime (with easily replaceable components as might be needed).

I’ve had 2 of them in slightly different lengths. The only negative about them in my opinion is that they are a bit on the heavy side if you’re going to be hiking a long distance and don’t want to carry the extra weight. (I also have a Simms collapsible graphite wading staff which is considerably lighter weight, but is not as sturdy and not as easily put together of taken apart.)

I thought I recently read that he stopped shipping these to the USA because of the tariffs. Might want to check that.

I have an old hiking pole by black diamond that is similar to the amazon style above and it works great. Used an old ski pole prior to that without issues.

 

[mt_flyfisher]

I thought I recently read that he stopped shipping these to the USA because of the tariffs. Might want to check that.

It looks like that’s the case, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d ship one to the US if a person would pay the applicable tariff, whatever that might be. As I recall he had been charging a fixed US shipping charge.

 

[dryflyguy]

I dont like collapsable wading staffs.
Just not crazy about folding it up and down every time I need to use it - which has become pretty much all the time lately for me

I was using a fixed pole wading staff that I inherited from a friend, that I unfortunately lost in the Delaware River a few years ago.
It was nice. But made of wood, and rather heavy to carry around.

So a bought a couple of adjustable, aluminum trekking poles - $10 each on eBay.
The twist locks are chintzy
So after setting it to the length I need, I put several sheet metal screws in to hold it tight.
and it works great.
Very light to carry too

And if I lose it, another cheap backup is waiting in the wings

 

[tomgamber]

I probably have a few old ski poles in the garage.

 

[salmo]

I had a Folstaff and still do. Then I was lucky enough to have a very kind and talented gentleman make a wooden one for me. It’s so superior and supportive. I hope it lasts a very long time.

 

[RLeep2]

Maybe 10 years ago, I had a Simms collapsible aluminum staff with the little lock thingie to adjust the length. It was OK until it had a grand mal seizure while fully extended and refused to ever move again. I called Simms and they basically told me que sera sera. But I'll always be grateful to Simms because the entire event motivated me to buy a Folstaf, which has been a trouble-free pleasure to own ever since. As an added bonus, I never had to concern myself with doing business with Simms ever again.

I also have an oddly designed Orvis staff that locks into full extension when you yank on the shock cord hard enough to allow a little metal ball to seat in a notch on the staff body. It too, has been trouble free. I should probably use it more than I currently do as I'll probably only have enough strength to get the ball to seat for another couple years. It takes some dedicated pulling and gritting of the teeth.

If I find myself without either staff on the water, I'll use any driftwood or debris that is handy..

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

This recommendation has been posted before... If you use a collapsible stick held together internally by a bungie cord, it needs to be stored properly - and not in the handy carrying case on your belt.
After use and before putting it in the case, collapse it (fold it) and shake out as much water as possible. When you get back to your car (or camp or home) uncollapse it and store fully extended so the bungee isn't constantly stretched against the joints.
and... Check the knob often. I lost the knob while the stick was lanyarded to my belt and the current flowing by twisted it off.

 

[salmo]

This recommendation has been posted before... If you use a collapsible stick held together internally by a bungie cord, it needs to be stored properly - and not in the handy carrying case on your belt.
After use and before putting it in the case, collapse it (fold it) and shake out as much water as possible. When you get back to your car (or camp or home) uncollapse it and store fully extended so the bungee isn't constantly stretched against the joints.

I was under the impression that the staff should be stored fully extended?

 

[poopdeck]

The problem with floating wading staffs is fly line getting caught around the downstream end. I did it for a lot of years. I much prefer a sinking wading staff.

I’ve never had a sinking one. Sounds like a good idea and I like your version of a wading staff. Fly line occasionally ensnarled on my staff doesn’t bother me. In fact not much bothers me when I’m fishing other than cold or rain. Worse yet cold rain.

 

[tjsingle]

I use the Amazon special Aventik. $35. I use it kind of seldomly, only really on like Penns and some places up in Maine. However it's held up well.

https://a.co/d/05n21gfR

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

I was under the impression that the staff should be stored fully extended?

Yes. Uncollapsed.

 

[ROVERT]

I’ve never had a sinking one. Sounds like a good idea and I like your version of a wading staff. Fly line occasionally ensnarled on my staff doesn’t bother me. In fact not much bothers me when I’m fishing other than cold or rain. Worse yet cold rain.

It's probably just my poor line management. Carrying more weight was an easier solution than keeping my line away from where it shouldn't be.

 

[greywolf]

Riverstick custom made wading staffs made by Rick Humphrey in British Columbia are probably the best heavy duty wading staffs available. You can order them in whatever length you want, and they will probably last a lifetime (with easily replaceable components as might be needed).

I’ve had 2 of them in slightly different lengths. The only negative about them in my opinion is that they are a bit on the heavy side if you’re going to be hiking a long distance and don’t want to carry the extra weight. (I also have a Simms collapsible graphite wading staff which is considerably lighter weight, but is not as sturdy and not as easily put together of taken apart.)

These are also great when cold water fishing. They are heavy duty enough that you can break thin ice as needed with them. Definitely the sturdiest I have owned and he gives you the component list in case you ever have to repair it.

 

[Bamboozle]

I also have an oddly designed Orvis staff that locks into full extension when you yank on the shock cord hard enough to allow a little metal ball to seat in a notch on the staff body. It too, has been trouble free. I should probably use it more than I currently do as I'll probably only have enough strength to get the ball to seat for another couple years. It takes some dedicated pulling and gritting of the teeth.

If I find myself without either staff on the water, I'll use any driftwood or debris that is handy..

The Orvis you speak of was called the "Rip Cord Wading Staff" I have one and it is a great design, just not that easy to lock in place.

FWIW - The Rip Cord was made for Orvis by REC, the reel seat/rod tube company. They also made a staff called the "Magnastaff" that used neodymium magnets to hold it together. It's OK, but tricky to fold up. They now offer a staff similar to the first generation Simms that uses a detent button.

I have a few wading staffs but use a Folstaf almost exclusively, mainly because when I bought mine they were the only game in town and I was friends with Arthur & Joan Stoliar the inventors.

A bit of advice for Folstaf owners (or any staff that uses shock cord) and apologies if you know this already; store your staff fully extended and only fold it up and put it in it's pouch if you want it that way when you hit the water.

When you are done fishing, dump out any collected water and just fold it in half and leave it this way overnight to let the shock cord dry out.

Also, don't leave it your car for long periods, especially the trunk or rear cargo area as the elastic doesn't like the heat.

Doing these two things will keep the shock cord in good shape for a LOT longer.

Finally, there is a reason I also own a first generation Simms, an Orvis Rip Cord and an REC Magnastaff despite preferring a Folstaf to all of them; NONE of the former use elastic shock cord.

That allows me to keep one in the back of my car and another in a gear bag folded up without worry just in case I forget or have an issue with my Folstaf.

 

[CRB]

I switched to a piece of 3/4 EMT last year. It's a little heavy but, if I need a wading staff, I don't mind carrying it. You get two for $12.

View attachment 1641249563

Maybe I'll feel the need for carbon fiber when I get older.

less than $15 including paracord and as a bonus you can cut it to the length you want.

 

[JMP]

Yeah, after losing a felt sole and having to switch to the rubber treads for my Korkers for a couple hours on Penn's the other year, I grabbed something like this off Amazon and Its literally been a lifesaver. Some say if you need this you shouldn't be wading there, but I was literally stranded in calf deep water because I just couldn't get enough grip to take the next step. Another reason to wear a wading belt. Clips right on.

https://www.amazon.com/Aventik-Fold-able-Adjustable-Stainless-Resistance/dp/B072NB214C/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1B1XGXNYHNTUE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.C46pLQX8G7MmnmA0VpHSse_3Z5ligSRkBTC9pnBvB1coDXbEOglcZTFal99HH6B0MZ5TIBZN-bgUpXszWkkvEzWc3q4d2xEiQ78_wev33_q0eTX5k5SF3FCCC_yQKSfyDf56X-GCC_6aE9Bm9KxeC6GIl0j15EMMAP854EPkaRStkFc4rouWsjeeI1OBB7M9gA7S7x2S5pZHIVhoOBN85JI1hqZXgQ80_3hHQG-scFY.n3Ja31t2XGnZbom0ofoooVt60pKgciVu3ueHGkk9_lM&dib_tag=se&keywords=collapsible+wading+staff&qid=1773402676&sprefix=collapible+wading+staf%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I purchased one similar to this many years ago. Over time, the joints loosened. If I place the staff in mud or if it became lodged in between rocks, it would separate. That is why I switched to a trekking pole. Superior locking mechanism, so far, it has not separated during use.

 

[Letort]

Riverstick custom made wading staffs made by Rick Humphrey in British Columbia are probably the best heavy duty wading staffs available. You can order them in whatever length you want, and they will probably last a lifetime (with easily replaceable components as might be needed).

I’ve had 2 of them in slightly different lengths. The only negative about them in my opinion is that they are a bit on the heavy side if you’re going to be hiking a long distance and don’t want to carry the extra weight. (I also have a Simms collapsible graphite wading staff which is considerably lighter weight, but is not as sturdy and not as easily put together of taken apart.)

I will second Riversticks. I have had Simms and others and nothing compares to the build quality and stability of RIversticks.

As mt noted, they are a bit on the heavier side, but given the stability in them, I am willing to accept that

 

[McSneek]

My wading staffs are a couple of broom handles with a rubber crutch tip on the end. I bought a couple of cheap trekking poles replacement grips on Amazon. Narrowed the diameter of the broomstick just enough to jam the grip on. They work great if you don’t mind it hanging downstream from you while you’re in place fishing. I’ll tolerate that for the added safety I get from the staff on streams like Penns Creek. If I lose one, easily replaced. Also have a piece of cherry drying in the garage that is straight enough to use as a staff too. It will get the same treatment when I get around to it.

 

[Penngift60]

I'm a Folstaff guy and have been for 40 years. I think they're out of business so I hope my staff lasts. It's heavy but I've rarely had issues. It's also pretty much stuck in the engaged position. 🙂 I don't leave home without it, it's save my azz more times than I can count.

They must hold their value, the used Folstaff seem to be in the $100-150 range online.

 

[Penngift60]

A couple things to think about if ski poles, trekking poles, EMT or sticks aren't your thing...

Which MAY make you consider ski poles, trekking poles, EMT or sticks.​

When Simms first came out with a carbon staff I bought one. When I read all of the warnings on the instruction booklet about against getting it scratched, I called Simms and asked...

How?

So I returned it and have always wondered if that's the reason the NEW Simms "Pro Wading Staff" is different from the one I purchased? I also wonder if the new Simms & Orvis carbon staffs (same staff) have an aluminum bottom section to negate the effect of scratches on the carbon where they would most likely occur.

Anyone have one or any long term experience with a deeply scratched carbon fiber staff??​

Like Rovert said, there is a sweet spot for length depending on your height. You can figure out what is comfortable for you with a broomstick and go from there...

Or use the broomstick. 😉

I don't like staffs that are adjustable length as I just don't trust the locking gizmo that makes them adjustable. FWIW - I've stupidly got myself into some wading situations that would have ended up catastrophically if a length adjuster failed. For that reason all my staffs are a fixed length...

If you want a folding staff like I prefer and don't always need or want to have it extended and ready to go, consider how many hands are required to deploy. I've tried a few over the years that can be a challenge with TWO hands...

Some folding staffs are too long collapsed for my liking compared to the 10" of my Folstaf making me feel like I have a cutlass at my side. That's because they are made up of less sections. On others that are adjustable length, the handle section is longer to accommodate adjustments.

Which brings up another problem, Neoprene wading staff scabbards suck... I have yet to use one that doesn't require two hands to get the staff back inside, exacerbated by the longer length staffs that usually come in Neoprene scabbards.

With a folding staff I have to trust the joints/the way the staff STAYS at the length I want and confident that nothing will fail or break if I have to put ALL of my weight on it in a tricky situation. Without that trust you don't really have a wading staff, you have a walking stick...

After decades of having a floating wading staff dangling behind me on 30" of paracord, I went with a Gear Keeper RT4 Wading Staff retractor, but I prefer the version the made for Orvis with a Spectra cord. It works great, keeps your staff by your side and easy to grab, you can easily detach the staff without removing the retractor and there are other mounting options available from Gear Keeper.

You want the end of your aluminum wading staff to sink? Add a couple of 3/8" shaft collars to the bottom section.

I look at everything as a lifetime investment, especially if I REALLY like the product. However, with the exception of one, every other wading staff I've seen come down the road has been modified/redesigned a zillion times and ultimately discontinued for something new and not always better.

Which means no service on what YOU got if you like it so you WILL be shopping for something new if it craps out...

Or using ski poles, trekking poles, EMT or sticks...

Safe wading!!

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I am looking to find something that will last.