With 2009 SIMMS switched from 3 pc to 4pc for both the 52" and 56" staff. You can find 3 pc models on ebay for around $99.95 including free shipping.
I have a cheap Folstaff clone that someone gave me. I may upgrade to a SIMMS next year.
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For years my wading staff was the best stick I could find streamside.
The system had its faults. There was no way to hold on to it and fish at the same time. I've watched many a fine staff float away around the bend. I was agile and graceful at the time and thought I could never fall in anyway. Then I went to the Lowell fish in. The greased bowling balls and sharp drop offs in those rivers caused me to get soaked several times.
Everyone I fished with there used the Folstaf, so I bought one. Sticker shock set in first. At nearly $100 it ain't cheap.
Now I carry it no matter where I fish. I've actually felt myself start to fall, take it out of its holster and have it deploy in time to stop my fall.
Its a good, well made product. I've never seen a Simms but I would recommend the Folstaf.
I think a lot of guys have the wrong idea about a wading staff. Its like brakes on your car...you dont want till they go out and you plow someone that stopped in front of you...you have them "ready".
Especially if you KNOW the stream is rocky and slippery...you have it out already. Shock cord it or ( ??) to your belt and its there to grab when its needed...ya dont want to pull it out and set it up.
I used to scoff about wading staves. I hate to admit that now, but it's true.
But when I realized my neuro-health had deteriorated to a dangerous level a few years ago now, I had to choose between my sense of machismo and my life. I've had enough safety training to know not to take stupid risks. And a balance-impaired guy running around on mountain trails and wading fast water without a staff is a stupid risk regardless of how strong a swimmer, training in swift water rescue, how much mountaineering experience, etc.
About that same time, I got involved with the disabled fly fishing stuff in a big way. And a wading staff quickly became one of the most fundamentally important pieces of "adaptive" fly fishing equipment in the arsenal.
I'm not waxing melodramatic when I say that I am pretty sure that my Simms staff has saved my life at least twice since I bought it. That's $100 well spent!
Today, I am quick to say that anyone who feels the least bit uneasy about a wading situation should be using a staff...period. 3 points of connection to the ground at all times! It's 100% safer than 2 points. But the wading staff will also make you safer and more comfortable getting to and from the stream! Used properly, it will allow you to conserve energy while hiking in to fishing spots, thus extending your range and/or enjoyment while fishing.
In short, I was a fool for a lot of years before I started carrying one.
As to which staff to choose, I've said my piece about which of the two mentioned in this thread. But I'll add this in general:
A staff is a fundamental piece of safety gear. Don't skimp. Don't choose lightly. If your staff fails when you need it most, you could die. If it falls off your belt without you noticing and you lose it, you could die. If it slips away from you and floats down a fast river, you could die. This is more important than which fly rod or which waders we choose.
They also come in handy when your in a small stream....in a small pool and some dude ( or dud..??) comes splashing in and spooking your fish....you can just reach over and WHAP!! him with it and you wont break a good rod then.....:lol:
I carry the cheapie imitation folstaff. For years & carried a ski pole on a bungee cord & just had a big button sewed onto the shoulder of my vest. I would hang the staff over my shoulder & the button would keep it from sliding off. 90% of the time I'm fishing I keep the cheapie staff in the holster but when I need it I take it out & use it. I picked this one up on E bay a few years ago & it's pretty heavy duty. almost as heavy as the folstaff but not quite but still heavier than the $29.00 cheapies. It has saved my butt a few times but I tend to avoid situations where it;s a necessity. Years ago a friend made up a few beautiful wading staffs out of Ash wood on his lathe. He gave me one but I thought it was too pretty to use so it's still hanging in fishing room or more like the fishing corner of the basement. My point is look around. There are other staffs out there that don't have that big pricetag.