Hi all,
As I sit and recover with WAY too much time to surf the web, I am looking for opinions on:
Wading staffs - I’m ab out 5’ 10", 230, and will need something to steady myself on the water. Is more expensive better? Cabelas had one but it got some crummy reviews. So, what’s out there?
Fly boxes - I got a Plano 3590 at a flea market, the one with ripple foam on side and 10 compartments on the other. Flambeau Blue Ribbon large is the same dimensions, gotten good reviews. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Mike
I have used a very reasonably priced (~$20) Bass Pro Shop wading staff for years and have had no trouble with it so far. It supports me well and is durable. I did have one problem with it where the cork handle came loose so I took it back to Bass Pro and they immediately replced it at no charge. I have had the replacement for about 4 years now with no problems.
I got this one from a guide - use a hockey stick shaft. Wrap a handle of paracord and but a bolt in the end so it doesn’t break hitting rocks. Drill a hold in the handle and attach a lanyard with a carabiner clip so you clip it to your vest, wading belt, etc. Floats downstream when not in use and supports by ample rump quite well.
However, I made a new one a couple of summers ago - using a broom closet pole. I made it shoulder height so it goes into deeper holes and I have plenty above the waterline to leverage with.
Truly works great and cost just a couple of bucks. Use sandpaper to round over the top and bottom edge - and the paracord handle makes a great grip even when wet.
If you are going to use a wading staff all the time, even as a walking stick, you can use an old ski pole, broom stick, etc.
But if you want a wading staff that is collapsible and deploys with one hand, I recommend theFolstaff by Fly-Tyers Carry- All. I’ve had mine for over 30 years and it has been refurbished at a reasonable charge about 10 years ago. They are expensive but worth it. Get the sturdier 3/4" model.
The other quality wading staff is a Simms but they have had a recall on that one.
I bought a Folstaff this spring from MRfc http://www.mrfc.com/MadisonRiverShopping/SearchResult.aspx
It is great, stays out of the way unless you need it. Saved me from falls and I can wade from place to place much faster than without it.
Be sure to lube the joints with wax as directed - they give you some wax, ferrule wax works well too
I’ve used a wading staff ever since I got back into fly fishing about ten or twelve years ago. I wade with mine open all the time and also use it to hike, climb and stab other fishermen who crowd me. I literally don’t go trout fishing without it. Call it a “sissy stick or a ladies’ aid” if you wish, I call it a “life saver.” I can’t begin to count the falls and stumbles that it has saved me from. Mine is a Folstaff knock-off that I got from either Cabela’s or Hook and Hackle. I’ve got no complaints what so ever except that like all foldable staffs, it can disjoint in the middle if you jam it into a muddy bank and try to pull it out quickly. Just my opinion. 8T
2nd the Folstaff. On the flyboxes there are alot of knockoffs on the market of all the most popular styles. I like the foam slits best of all and some have extra leaves in them. Most of the knockoffs can be had for $8-$15, saving you more than double on namebrands that sell in the $40-50 range.
Never used a wading staff so I have no input.
Fly boxes are personal preference. As you use them, you will know what works best for you. That’s about the best way I can put it.
Absolutely Folstaf! The 3/4", 50" long staff will be perfect for your height. You’ll pay in the vicinity of $100.00 or so, but your life is well worth the investment.
Mike
Thanks all, keep any comments coming! I usually find I do better buying an item like the staff instead of trying to make one. I need all the help I can get!
Mike
My dad now has my Folstaf. Not because I don’t want it, but because he thinks it is his. His short term memory is in decline due to Alzhiemer. I don’t have the heart to tell him it’s not his. I have since replaced it a few years back with the Simms wading staff. My local fs does not carry Folstaff and I need a wading staff for an upcoming family fishing trip. Like the Folstaf the Simms is compact and quickly deploys. They are both light weight. Both giving you some sizing options with Folstaf including additional selection with tube diameter. Either staff will serve you well.
The Folstaff is pretty nice and works well most of the time. On very uneven bottoms with lots of big rocks and boulders a multi segment staff may not be the way to go. A few years back I stayed at a lodge that guided California’s Pit river among others. The lodge proprieter said that over the years that river had killed a good number of Folstaffs and similar segmented staffs. Primarily the failures came when someone took a fall and either landed on them and bent them or they bend under the weight of the use while the tip was wedged into the rocks and then could not be rassembled due to the bend.
Their recommendation was to use aluminum (not carbon fiber) ski poles. They are cheap during spring closeouts, often have thicker walls than segmented staff and if bent a bit can still be used.
I got my last two for $15 for the pair at an end of season sale. A lot of places have poles on sale now.
I like my staff handle to be at chest height or slightly higher when standing on level ground. If it is too short and the tip goes into a hole or crevice I will still have enough length to provide support unless he hole is more than a couple of feet deep.
The Folstaff and similar staffs do work well under most condition.
I have adjustable walking stick from Walmart. It looks like a ski pole. I wade a lot in mud and swamp so this works much better than the fold-able staff and it’s strong enough to be layed down between two clumps of grass and used a “pull me out of the mud-hole i’m stuck in” aid. . It also had a little spring on it allowing it to slightly compress under load…
Got the wading staff from Orvis a couple of years ago. Comes with holster. Would not be without it. I don’t think there is much difference between it and a Folstaff from what I can see. Either one would be good and a whole lot better than none at all. There is a warranty on the bungee holding it all together.
I’m cheap and tried them all including a spruce limb that I found floating down the Gallatin River. I now use it as a walking stick. My daughter bought me a Simms staff two years ago. The Simms staff is worth the money spent. Much stronger than the Folstaff, probably the most important aspect of a staff. Very easy to deploy. I can’t say enough about the quality of the Simms staff.
My wife, myself and our daughter, all use Fol-Staffs. They may be spendy, but our lives are worth it. I have been saved by my Fol-Staff more times than I can count.
had to say no to Folstaff: tried 5 in the store, and not one would come apart with ordinary effort from a lady. each one stuck hard in one section (never the same one). the salesperson said, “Well, it’ll get looser over time.” that didn’t sound good either. Simms makes one i use, trust, and depend on.
There is also this one that I and a friend have had for about 9 years without problems. http://www.dorber.com/wading.html and the price is right. Never has bent or become loose/wiggly.
Casey,
Are you SURE those were Folstafs (or maybe copies)? If so, they were either damaged or loaded with dirt. Simms also makes a fine staff, but Folstaf is the industry leader & deservedly so.
Bottom line is that Folstaf & Simms have their loyal customers. I can only speak first hand about the Folstaf, but Simms is also highly regarded. A purchase of either one of those would (IMHO) be a positive move.
Mike
