I weigh 235 and my Simms did not break when it saved my old grey butt on the White in Arkansas year before last.Both will get the job done as I have owned both brands.
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I weigh 235 and my Simms did not break when it saved my old grey butt on the White in Arkansas year before last.Both will get the job done as I have owned both brands.
Are you sure you had the Simms properly assembled when you tested it? I have owned one for two years and find it much sturdier than the Folstaff, which it replaced. The only disadvantage to the Simms is that you have to make sure the ferrules are fully engaged and the locking mechanism is locked. The Folstaff will snap into place (as long as the internal shock cord lasts), and is handier in an emergency. Both models have their place, but I feel that Simms is a sturdier unit.
I just purchased the Simm's wading staff and I used it for the first time this past weekend. I thought it worked very well. I didn't notice much flexing with it. I may be wrong, but I don't think you're suppose to use them to support you're entire body weight.
Get one of the tellescoping trecking staffs at Wall-mart, target, OS Job lot, Dicks sportinggoods etc. etc for $10-$15. They hold up fine in fresh water, colaps small, and are only 11 oz or so. They also have a carbide tip and removable mud basket makign them perfect for near all conditions. If you don't need the colaps feature , get an old ski pole. I've been using one in the salt now for nearly 10 years.
A few years ago the kids gave me a Folstaff for Christmas. (I had told Liz I would not accept any brand other than Falstaff) It was a ? diameter staff. Folstaff also makes a larger diameter which is ?. I did not want to return it for the larger so gave it a try. I have had no problems with my ? staff and I weigh 190+.
I might recomend going with the larger if you weigh more than I do. I give mine a hard workout all season long. When I wade into the water it is in my hand, while fishing I drop it and let the tether keep track of it until I get ready to take a step and move. Yes, there is a learning curve getting used to any staff but after all we are all smart enough to figure things out.
There are other less expensive staffs on the market but what is your life worth?
I would never even think about trusting my life to another product.
If you wade and do not have and use a staff, GET ONE!
Denny
Thanks all for your recommendations and suggestions. I went with the Folstaff 3/4 diameter model.
I found it interesting that none of my local fly shops carried or would even special order the Folstaff. They carry only the Simms and Fishpond line. When I questioned them as to why, they said the have never heard of Folstaff. :? Seems from the reponses and other threads that Folstaff is the one all others are measured by.
Yup.
It sure is the standard. Seems to me that anyone working in a fly shop would know that. Haven't they ever picked up a FF mag in the last 20 years?
Both Arthur and Joan Stoliar (the founders) have passed away. They were both great folks and very supportive of conservation efforts and founded Project Access (for the general public and the handicapped). They've been very generous and humble about their support for these efforts. Sweet, decent, nice folks.
Their daughter is running the biz now... perhaps they have lost a little ground in the marketing dept.. to larger more aggressive corps. Also I suppose it's easier for a shop to deal with fewer vendors. I hope they can resestablish their presence, it's a great product and they've been great folks.
Congrats on your purchase.
peregrines
I bought a staff a few months ago from STP at a price I couldn't refuse. Non-collapsible but then always available to feign off that ornery blackie with cubs....like a revolver without a trigger lock.
I'm a firm believer in staffs especially since I'll be wading unfamiliar water soon.
Stay safe everyone.
I am a firm believer in using a staff to wade. However, I never bet my life with ANY staff. (I took two swims will using a staff last time out chasing steel.) Also, important is a buddy, to catch you as you float downstream, cleats to provide traction on slippery rocks, a flashlight/headlight to cross the stream in the dark, a life jacket/floatation device, a waterproff container for cell phone and keys, and a change of clothes. Gotta love steelheading!