Re: wading staff
alra 195 has a good point: those Folstaff things are certainly strong. if at all possible, hold one before you buy it. if, like me, you are not big and strong, Folstaff can be a handful. tried three in a fly shop and couldn't get any of them undone completely after they had been snapped together. was told that would be easier with use, but just didn't see the point of buying something stronger than i am.
so i went another route, buying a lighter, more manageable collapsible staff that i use only as an aid to balance, not a third leg. i always use it in unknown water to tell me the depth and bottom conditions, and its light weight keeps me out of water that might be flowing too strong to cross. it has saved me a lot of trouble.
fly fishing and baseball share a totally deceptive simplicity; that's why they can both be lifelong pursuits.