Simms vs Folstaff, help

Took a dip last week in some heavy current and decided that I need a new wading staff. Did a little searching here but still looking for more info. It's down to a Simms or a Folstaff. I think both companies make grand product. If I am spending $100+ on a stick which one and why. Looks like Folstaff has ease of deployment when needed but my dealer said that Simms was nicer and he can use either one. What do you think?

Only considering the Folstaff 3/4" product vs the Simms so I am not looking at the 1/2" Folstaff product.

i vote folstaf

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Originally Posted by Normand

i vote folstaf

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OK Normand, need to pick your brain as to the "why". Have you used a Simms product or seen them to compare the two, or is it that you have used your Folstaff product and am happy with it and have no need to make a change?

I vote Folstaff. Mine is going on 25+ years and I had it rebuilt a couple of years ago. Folstaff will rebuild the staff with new parts and return by Friday if they get it on Monday.

Both the Folstaff & Simms have their fans. I had the 1/2" Folstaff, now have the 3/4" & am MUCH more secure with it. It is easily deployed with just a flick of the wrist, very sturdy, folds up smaller, which makes it easier to carry & has a great warranty & rebuild program. If I somehow lost mine, I would buy another.
I am not familiar with the Simms.
Mike

Clay, RW here

Your dealer gave you a good solid reason for getting the Folstaff. He just said Simms was nicer. What does nicer mean? I've always used Folstaff. It's never let me down. Get the 3/4-inch.

rw

I know that the Folstaff product is a proven design and has been around a long time and therefore I expect people that wanted a serious wading staff to have one of those if they bought it more than 7 or 8 years ago. So I am convinced that it is a good reliable product.

Would love to hear from people that have used both products recently. I did read about a guy who did wear through the metal cable in the Simms, Simms did replace it at no cost to the original owner.

I'm not too crazy about the idea of having to use both hands to lock the Simms staff in position. If I find myself in a spot where I really need it, I want it out in a hurry. Once together, though it seems to be fine, but I think I'd also have to give the nod to the folstaf. I'm a little bigger guy and would echo Mike's feelings about the 3/4" over the 1/2" as well.

Hi Clay,

I had a Folstaff for a few years before letting my aging father use it. His short term memory is shot and I don't have the heart to take it back from him. While on a fishing trip I needed another and the shop I went to had only Simms. The Simms is nice and deploys quick enough by pulling up on the upper handle. It comes with a neoprene case that attaches to the staff by cable zip cord. I like the Simms over the Folstaff. The Simms to me has a sturdier feel when deployed.

Rick-
They both are very good. I have and use both when needed. Just depends which one I want to use that trip. The Folstaf, as indicated, deploys a might easier. It is shock corded and deploys with a flick of the wrist. The Simms deploys pretty easy too, but you do have to slide a section up to lock the staff in position. The key to the Simms one is that it locks and will not pull apart if it sticks between two rocks, etc. The Folstaf does not fail and pull apart often, but it can. The choice is really personal preference, but those are the 2 differences that I see between your two choices. I suppose one other difference is length when holstered- The FolStaf is shorter because it breaks into more sections. I've never had the Simms get in my way though. Good luck with your choice.

I do get into some muddy areas often and while the shockcorded Folstaff does go together quickly if it comes apart because it is stuck in the mud that would be a concern for me.

On quick deployment I think it would be the same as handgun use. If you think that you need it, get it out of the holster before hand not in the middle of the crissis. Sorry for the thread twist, but just another hobby of mine: http://www.uspsa.org/

Thanks for all of the good thoughts and comments.

Clay, the Simm's will not come apart in mud or anything else for that matter. To break it down you must push a button that must clear the outer section, there is no way it can happen by accident, it won't break down until you want it to. Both are great you can't go wrong with either. But the Simm's is a little nicer.

I have had both.I use the Simms and sold my Folstaf on our for sale board here. I deploy and lock my Simms when I step into the water and let it hang by the cord while not moving around.

I had a Folstaff clone and tried a Simms when looking for a replacement. I just couldn't warm up to the Simms for a few reasons.
It's longer and bulkier than the Folstaff when stashed and seemed to get in my way, it took two hands to stash it in the neoprene holster when done and it seems to take more time to unfold and use just when I needed it most.
I ended up with a real Folstaff and won't look back. It has saved my clumsy neck more times than I can count.

I have the Simms. It works. At the end of the day, it's a stick to keep me from taking an unexpected cold water bath. Yes, it takes two hands but if I'm going to be in water where it's needed, I usually have enough advanced warning the two hand thing is not a big issue.

Jeff

After doing some research I recently bought my first wading staff - Simms. Some of the posts I've read about the Folstaf stated they had experiences with the staff pulling apart while wading if the staff gets stuck between rocks, mud, etc. I also read that some people have had problems getting the staff apart at the end of the day. I'm not knocking the Folstaf version - I live in NY and would've liked to support a local company but I just felt the Simms a better investment for my $$$.

One comment about the Simms - when I was researching websites I noticed there were 2 versions offered. One version broke down into 3 sections and the other broke down into 4. I think the 3-section staff was an older model perhaps? Anyways it was about $20 cheaper than the 4-section model. Keep this in mind especially if you want a staff that breaks down into smaller sections for ease of wearing on your belt.

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Originally Posted by skondolf

One comment about the Simms - when I was researching websites I noticed there were 2 versions offered. One version broke down into 3 sections and the other broke down into 4. I think the 3-section staff was an older model perhaps? Anyways it was about $20 cheaper than the 4-section model. Keep this in mind especially if you want a staff that breaks down into smaller sections for ease of wearing on your belt.

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I think that the 52" is the 3 piece and the 56" is the 4 piece and now they are the same price. If I am wrong someone please correct me. Simms web site has absolutely no info.

I've been using my Leki Hiking pole(s) for years but I just obtained a Folstaf 3/4in and I have to say I love it. It's compact and totally out of the way when I don't need it. It's small enough that I don't mind keeping it on my wading belt 100% of the time. That was key for me.

The Leki is a telescopic pole that is about the same size as the three piece Simms when it's closed up. It got in the way and my fly line would get tangled in it. It also got in the way when I walked trails etc. It really worked well when I needed it (and I like the mud basket) ...but it was a real pain in the butt when I didn't need it. So I would be temped at times to leave it behind. Not always the best idea. :(

I won't be able to give you a full evaluation of the staff until I get to put in a full season to it, but for the time being...I'm very happy with it and it's on my belt except when I'm in the float tube.

these 2 guys are gonna need more than a wading staff!!

http://s3.amazonaws.com/drifty/drift...0-DSC08478.JPG

and

http://s3.amazonaws.com/drifty/drift...0-DSC08450.JPG

I favor the Simms by a pretty good margin because it is a lot lighter load to carry, more versatile in modes of carry, just as durable, and the handle is more durable.

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Originally Posted by skondolf

After doing some research I recently bought my first wading staff - Simms. Some of the posts I've read about the Folstaf stated they had experiences with the staff pulling apart while wading if the staff gets stuck between rocks, mud, etc. I also read that some people have had problems getting the staff apart at the end of the day. I'm not knocking the Folstaf version - I live in NY and would've liked to support a local company but I just felt the Simms a better investment for my $$$.

One comment about the Simms - when I was researching websites I noticed there were 2 versions offered. One version broke down into 3 sections and the other broke down into 4. I think the 3-section staff was an older model perhaps? Anyways it was about $20 cheaper than the 4-section model. Keep this in mind especially if you want a staff that breaks down into smaller sections for ease of wearing on your belt.

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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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Originally Posted by skondolf

Some of the posts I've read about the Folstaf stated they had experiences with the staff pulling apart while wading if the staff gets stuck between rocks, mud, etc. I also read that some people have had problems getting the staff apart at the end of the day.

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I've had those problems but there are solutions. If the staff comes apart in the mud, it needs a rebuild with new shock cords. If it doesn't come apart, it needs candle wax on the male end of the joint.

Since my rebuild, my Folstaff doesn't come apart.

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.

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Originally Posted by Sully

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.

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I agree. If I'm somewhere where it's needed, I already have it out.
Jeff

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:

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Originally Posted by Sully

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:

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Out here in the West, that's what we carry the other thing on our belts for: the pistol. Tends to prevent that sort of nonsense.

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.