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3. Wading Staff suggestions?

I have never used a wading staff but am getting up in my years (just turned 60 this past fall) and I think that one might not be a bad idea. I've never used one and am not sure what to purchase. I've looked online and there are way too many options and they all seem to have positive reviews. Prices range from low to high but I was wondering if anyone could suggest what has been a good purchase for them...

Big name wading staffs from Orvis, Sims, etc are very pricey and won't do a better job of assisting your ingress to the river and your negotiating a boulder strewn river. I think I spent no more than $25 for mine on Ebay. It is of four section construction connected with about 1.5" ferrule engagement and all held together with an internal bungee cord.

They are so cheap you could buy two and still save $75. The handle is that foam material you often see on low end spinning rods. They is a scabbard and stretch leash that clips to the scabbard. This is the staff I have. It costs $27.00.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wading-Staff-with-Lanyard-54-Collapsible-Walking-Stick-Wading-Staff-ship-fast/323962897740?hash=item4b6db1854c:g:ucAAAOSwabhUYd1y

This is the same staff but free shipping.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/54-Folding-Aluminum-Fly-Fishing-Wading-Staff-w-Lanyard-and-Case/232460845678?_trkparms=aid%3D555021%26algo%3DPL.SIMRVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190711100440%26meid%3Da473968e9b5446a98dd79a40acb7cec6%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D11%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D323962897740%26itm%3D232460845678%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplRVIAMLv5WebWithPLRVIOnTopCombiner&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m198

If I could do it over I wouldn't get a collapsible one.
I find that mine works fine w a rocky/gravelly bottom but if I get it stuck in muck it comes apart as it is stretched while trying to pull it out - then it's even harder to work free.

Yes, I agree if you are wading a soft bottom the staff will plunge deep into the muck and it is difficult to get out. However I would never want to give up the option of the multiple sections in favor of a solid shaft. How do you get it on a plane?

LOL - good point :-)

My problem is being only 5’-3” tall a 54" Wading Staff would come up to about my shoulder. I need to find one that is adjustable and collapsible, that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

I'm also "vertically challenged!"......:-)

I've been using this Orvis wading staff (linked below) for quite a few years now.

It is adjustable for length from 47" - 55".

No coming apart in mud since the segments lock into place when deployed.

It folds up into a provided neoprene sheath and stays out of the way while hanging from your wading belt.

It is attached to a heavy-weight zinger which keeps it by your side in the water when using it.

It's made by Black Diamond for Orvis which manufactures quality ski poles and walking sticks for the outdoor use.

I give this item an A+ rating after using it for years.

Hope this helps (us short people have to stick together :-)

https://www.orvis.com/p/black-diamond-z-pole-wading-staff/4P4R?item_code=4P4R0000&adv=127748&cm_mmc=plas-_-FlyFishing-_-4P4R-_-127748&gclid=Cj0KCQjwx7zzBRCcARIsABPRscOWzDA1yMhbv02r0jWeax2VtfkQFUnKT-Uh3Ko3YYB-l8rwN_cA_tgaAnrdEALw_wcB

Thank you I just ordered a Black Diamond from REI as they were on sale.

Oh that's MUCH nicer than the one I have :-)

I use a netstaff. It is very sturdy with a large net and good extension with a fold out hook for lowering branches when that fly line just gets away from you and those nymphs become wedged under the rocks. I have saved numerous flies and waded very swift water with success with this staff. Hope this is helpful.

The Netstaff is very nice but quite expensive at $150.00. My wading staff is collapsible, has a lanyard, and a neoprene sheath and cost $24.00. My net for steelhead is a Frabill and cost $25.00.

I use a Foldstaff, so far so good.

on a budget, I have one of these works well believe it or not, wish was a hair longer, mine is about 9 years old, helps getting fly's unhooked under water and in trees also, they use to sell on Ebay but now on this site.

http://captainbobsfishingtackle.com/product/rugged-tackle-wading-staff/