Wading Staff

[phearless]

I am a firm believer in the wading staff.
Acting as a third balance point it greatly increases safety while wading.
As a guide in the Skeena region when I was younger, all of my more experienced, not neccasarily older guests, used staffs.

Since then I have taken the first stage of a swiftwater rescue course and the benifits are huge.

Properly rigged they stay out of the way,yet are ready without a glance.
They have saved my bacon a few times.
On waters like the Thompson, I just feel lost without one. They can, and have, made the difference between an enjoyable day, and a cursing under my breath, effin river kind of day.

I have two.
The first is a Bob Taylor, god rest his soul, custom built weighted single piece staff. This is my staff of choice for the " T " and rivers with similar " gravel " size or bedrock type rivers like the Upper Babine.

The second is a five piece that stays on my hip everywhere else. I feel naked and almost uncomfortable now without one.

Now anyone who has fished rivers with me will tell you I am not intimidated by wading. Actually many have trouble keeping up with me. I have the height and mass ( read girth ) to anchor myself well. I also read water well and can tell where to get in and how far down and across I will need to go to get across.

I guess it is just that now that I am a little older and have grandkids and such, that I want to see them at the end of the day.
Doing the " chum wiggle " is also not the way I want to go.

Anybody else use a staff or have any thoughts or experiences?

[Finn]

For the longest time I waded without a staff. Shortly after actually getting stuck in a river (had a large rock roll onto my ankle) I realized the benefits of using a wading staff. I have been using a home modified ski pole, but will actually be picking up a foldable staff early next week.

[speyghillie]

I have been using a Spey staff from Sharpe's of Aberdeen for years now, one piece, weighted foot with rubber stopper and sling and clip, has saved me from going ass over a few times.
I have a couple of new ones at my buddies house in Vernon if anybody is needing one let me know, i took them over from the UK.
Regardless , its always got to be safety first.
Gordon.

[geoffvl]

I'm just a young guy, 23. So I don't need one right?

[SalaR]

I'm just a young guy, 23. So I don't need one right?

Like Fred...I too am a very agressive wader...240 lbs of piss and viniger,sore feet and limbs that don't respond too quickly(any More)...wading staffs save many days on the River. One good point though...what ever staff you get,and if you are a Steelheader...don't get a staff with a bare metal end! The noise resonates for miles under water...make sure your staff has a rubber end, attached to your being somehow, ideally partly floats and easy to retreive. The folding Ones are my favorite...always therre
C

[knotnot]

Something else I learned, thanks guys.
I had no idea about these .
Guess my Daisy lever action bb gun wont do.

Thanks for more info.

[geoffvl]

I should really get one. It would make me and my wife more comfortable. She hates it when I go past my ankles.

[phearless]

I just want to have a lot more days fishing and hunting.
very selfish that way.
The wading staff also makes a great walking stick for the hike in to your favourite spot.

[WAYVIK]

They also come in handy for beating off "low Holers". Talk about a "poke in the eye with a sharp stick".

[phearless]

Thanks for the reminder about the tip Salar.
It is very important to have rubber tip.
I have watched fish scatter as someone with a metal tipped staff comes clamouring up the river.