Yea... I've picked up a good strong stick that some beaver so kindly prepared for me and it worked just fine. However, it tends to get in my way sometimes. That's why I really like the folding wading staff's. The Hodgman staff folds up and you stick it in the scabbard on your wading belt. That's the one I use most of the time. Most of the river's I fish are very slick in some places... but not all. So, I like for my staff to be out of my way until I actually need it. I may only use it one hour out of an 8 hour day of fishing. When I need it, I just grab the handle and pull it out of its holder and it immediately unfolds and jumps into its ready to use position. When I no longer need it, it just takes a few seconds to fold it up put it back into its holder.