sweetandsalt
Well-known member
This review is reproduced from the Wading Staff thread up under General Discussions to reach the more dedicated audience that habituate this Tackle sub-section.
I have used my replacement, current model, Simms Wading Staff daily for three weeks now. There is no question that even on relatively easy to wade rivers, I benefit from the additional support provided by a staff. Flows were a little on the high side upon our arrival in Montana which, in concert with the reality of my deteriorated knees would have had me going for a swim without one. But is the Simms the "right" one? Previously I've used a Folstaff, good and reliable except for the probability that if jammed between subsurface structure, the sections can and do pull apart. The locking mechanism and strong interior cord of the Simms (aluminum) model prevent that. That locking system, a spring loaded, rounded pin that is supposed to pop into a matching hole in the upper section of the staff is somewhat balky and can take a few pulls with a little rotation to align correctly and set up. My wife's carbon version seems to lock on the first try but my aluminum one takes a bit of effort. Therefore, I set it up on the bank rather than out in the middle of the river. Another good reason for pre-set-up is when holstered in its neoprene sheath, the adjustable handle section protrudes awkwardly. I mount the sheath on my wader belt and the staff attaches to the sheath via a sturdy Simms branded Gear Keeper, oddly an extra cost option which should be included. The protruding handle can easily become entangled in my vest straps or dangling lanyards...like I said, awkward.
Once assembled the rubberized handle is easy to grip and comfortable and the smaller diameter of the staff's tubing is less water resistant than the thicker Folstaff but, for the same reason, in heavier currents, vibrates more. This did not bother me except that it implied the staff might not be as strong as the type with thicker, heavier walled construction.
Unfortunately, a circumstance occurred where this strength was put to the test. Dillon and I where exploring an estuarian section of a smaller river where it flowed into a lake. There is no real path to the mouth of this steram and the low gradient delta it formed was very silty. The hike in was mucky but OK, no, we found no fishing opportunity at the mouth but did enjoy observing a family of otter.
On the way out though I erred badly and mired myself in deep, sticky silt which, the more I struggled to eradicate myself from, the deeper I sank. Where I alone on this adventure, I may well not be writing this today instead be becoming a fossil for future archeologists to study the vest contents of and fly rod type used back then. However, between my staff and more so, Dillon's valiant, mud encrusted efforts, my life was saved. Well, really more Dillon than the staff.
Where the Nylon webbing attaches with a fitting into the rubberized handle, it broke free and subsequently, striving to leverage myself using the staff to assist Dillon's efforts, the staff bent but did not break in half. Latter, back in camp finally, we tried to re-bend it straight but not quite.
Extracting chards of ice from the cooler, far easier and better than extracting me from the mud, and pouring us a brace of stiff whiskies garnered far higher praise than I'm inclined to lavish on this limited functionality wading staff, appropriate for light weight, casual duty only.
I have used my replacement, current model, Simms Wading Staff daily for three weeks now. There is no question that even on relatively easy to wade rivers, I benefit from the additional support provided by a staff. Flows were a little on the high side upon our arrival in Montana which, in concert with the reality of my deteriorated knees would have had me going for a swim without one. But is the Simms the "right" one? Previously I've used a Folstaff, good and reliable except for the probability that if jammed between subsurface structure, the sections can and do pull apart. The locking mechanism and strong interior cord of the Simms (aluminum) model prevent that. That locking system, a spring loaded, rounded pin that is supposed to pop into a matching hole in the upper section of the staff is somewhat balky and can take a few pulls with a little rotation to align correctly and set up. My wife's carbon version seems to lock on the first try but my aluminum one takes a bit of effort. Therefore, I set it up on the bank rather than out in the middle of the river. Another good reason for pre-set-up is when holstered in its neoprene sheath, the adjustable handle section protrudes awkwardly. I mount the sheath on my wader belt and the staff attaches to the sheath via a sturdy Simms branded Gear Keeper, oddly an extra cost option which should be included. The protruding handle can easily become entangled in my vest straps or dangling lanyards...like I said, awkward.
Once assembled the rubberized handle is easy to grip and comfortable and the smaller diameter of the staff's tubing is less water resistant than the thicker Folstaff but, for the same reason, in heavier currents, vibrates more. This did not bother me except that it implied the staff might not be as strong as the type with thicker, heavier walled construction.
Unfortunately, a circumstance occurred where this strength was put to the test. Dillon and I where exploring an estuarian section of a smaller river where it flowed into a lake. There is no real path to the mouth of this steram and the low gradient delta it formed was very silty. The hike in was mucky but OK, no, we found no fishing opportunity at the mouth but did enjoy observing a family of otter.
On the way out though I erred badly and mired myself in deep, sticky silt which, the more I struggled to eradicate myself from, the deeper I sank. Where I alone on this adventure, I may well not be writing this today instead be becoming a fossil for future archeologists to study the vest contents of and fly rod type used back then. However, between my staff and more so, Dillon's valiant, mud encrusted efforts, my life was saved. Well, really more Dillon than the staff.
Where the Nylon webbing attaches with a fitting into the rubberized handle, it broke free and subsequently, striving to leverage myself using the staff to assist Dillon's efforts, the staff bent but did not break in half. Latter, back in camp finally, we tried to re-bend it straight but not quite.
Extracting chards of ice from the cooler, far easier and better than extracting me from the mud, and pouring us a brace of stiff whiskies garnered far higher praise than I'm inclined to lavish on this limited functionality wading staff, appropriate for light weight, casual duty only.
