Wading Staff
- This topic has 10 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated Nov 25, 2006 at 4:04 pm by
.
-
Posts
-
I’m going to pick up a new multi piece wading staff, and am looking seriously at both the Folstaf and Simms versions.
I’ve used a Folstaff for several years and I would recommend it. The Simms Staff looks nice but I don’t think its stout enough.
dmk37363I’ve used both the Simms and the Folstaff. I found that the Folstaff sometimes locked up and required some rough treatment to get it folded again. But this was a minor inconvenience. Eventually I gave that staff to a friend who needed it more than I did.
When I couldn’t find another Folstaff, I ended up buying the Simms. Not quite as solid as the Folstaff, but easier to handle. However, my first Simms broke after about a year. The dealer very graciously replaced it on the spot, no waiting. In the three years since, I’ve waded with the newer Simms probably 200 times. Still going strong, though the lanyard is about shot.
Either way, I’d say, you’re get a superior staff.
But there’s one other route you might consider: I now allow the staff to float downstream of me as I fish, instead of folding it up each time I’ve waded to a new spot. Thus, the ability to fold it up doesn’t matter to me anymore. Seems like it might be a hassle, but it’s not. If you’re comfortable doing this, consider getting an old ski pole and fashioning your own lanyard. Spend your savings on a new line or maybe some premium flys. Just a thought.
Poudre, have you checked out the one made by fishpond? I just saw one for the first time yesterday and it looked like a pretty nice unit!
Moosedog
I used to use a Leki telescoping hiking staff. I notice that is the brand the Fishpond staff really is.
Two things I didn’t care for was it always took two hands to open and close it and the cam-lock (or whatever the locking mechanism is called) wasn’t all that secure. It did one of three things… stick, work well or collapse when not intended. Hopefully Fishpond reworked it or beefed the Leki up before putting their name on it.
I have used a Folstaff clone for several years now with a problem. This klutz uses the heck out of it too! Should it ever break I’ll take a serious look at a real Folstaff and maybe the Simms. I really like having it at-the-ready with the flick of the hand.I’ve been using a Folstaff wading staff for years and it is great.  Easy to open with one hand, and very sturdy on the stream.  And they stand behind their product providing excellent and quick, customer service.  Grab one….and don’t fall 😉
I can add a vote for the Falstaff. I put a bit of extra heft on it,(300 lbs worth) and have not had a problem. I’ve used it on the South Fork of the Snake in June/July and for my limited experience, that water seemed awful fast to me.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.