While browsing threads I couldn't help noticing that the 'Help I'm Overthinking Wading Staffs' thread was brought back to life. I considered just replying on the existing thread but then realized I had written a fairly full post and decided to share my thoughts with the General Discussion viewership.
Here we go,
I have no stake in the company but as always I disagree with the assessment of some members regarding the Simms wading staff. In the most recent entry onto the aforementioned thread the term 'balance' surfaced and I had some thoughts on that point.
I believe that balance is essential when wading a dangerous area. Just this week I traversed many times through deep and swift conditions while using the staff as my aid. As always the staff did exactly what I expected from it by providing added balance to me while I carefully searched the rocky bottom for my next solid foot hold. I would submit to anyone reading this that 'balance' is crucial when wading streams and rivers.
Another phrase that stood out to me in the post about the Simms staff was 'safety equipment'. I have included the boot stud topic into this opinion because it too is an oft visited topic among the membership here. I do not consider studs on my boots or a wading staff to be safety equipment, at this point in my life of fishing rivers and creeks I believe that my safety equipment is between my ears and I try to utilize it throughout each days fishing. When the time comes that I realize that I can no longer cross the swift rocky stuff due to physical limitations I will abstain from trying to do so staff or no staff. Currently my boot cleats and staff are balance and traction aids and not the end all and be all of my personal safety or well being whilst I wade in difficult conditions.
When I am out there somewhere in South Central Alaska fishing, walking, wading these rivers these ongoing discussions about boot studs and staffs do not escape my mind. Just this Tuesday as I crossed a river I was acutely conscious of the grip my boots had with the bottom rubble. As I trod forward I felt each footfall and reflected on discussions where people seem want or expect iron clad traction while engaged with some of the most unstable strata that a person can endeavor to walk upon without slipping to some extent. At the same time that I am doing this careful walk I reflect on my 42 year long streak of having not fallen down while wading across a river and must wonder what has led to such a long record of safe crossings.
There were falls of course, I remember falling down while seeking egress from the Salmon River NY back in fall of 1994. It occurred after actually exiting the water onto a large flat slab of rock tilted at perhaps a 30 degree angle back toward the water and yes I was almost at the top when I slipped. I belly flopped onto the stone slab and slid backward into the water. The result was that I continued to slide into water on my stomach until I was on level strata and could gain my knees and then stand. I dipped water into the front of my waders and had to walk back to the truck for dry clothes...….. Cleats? Check. Staff? Yes but on my belt, a Folstaff. Safety equipment functioning between ears? No, it was still in the programming stage I'd guess.
Next good fall occurred but without water being involved although within sight. 1996 and rock hopping through Rip Rap along the bend of a creek where the limestone boulders had been placed to stop the erosion which bordered a secondary roadway. I took a long step between two giant boulders, long even for a guy 6'5' who was still involved in sports to an extent. Once both feet landed I began to slide. The carbide studs on my Orvis Hennery's Fork boots protruded enough that the Vibram soles didn't have a grip and it was like being on ice. I tumbled into the crevasse between two large limestone boulder size rocks and it hurt a lot. Not enough to stop my fishing but enough to go into the brains safety files under the Do Not Do Again category.
Last fall in Alaska happened about 6 years ago while getting out of my boat. I had parked in about 20 inches of water and anchored. Wearing sandals, water shorts and no shirt I stepped out into the river. When I attempted to swing the inboard leg over the gunwale I caught the top and subsequently had a full submersion event. I was fortunate that it was in the upper 70's and sunny so aside from cussing my poor agility I shrugged it off.
But wading, that's another story. Wading while wearing waders and jackets suggests to me conditions wherein it would be inconvenient at the very least and possibly dangerous to fall in and go for a ride with the current. My suggestion to anyone who has bared through all this rambling I've typed out is this. Do not rely on studs or staffs as your safety equipment. Use common sense, know your limitations and rely on traction aids and balance aids as exactly that, tools or items that will help you to have safe and enjoyable outings wherever they may lead you.
It's been working for me for a very long time.
And since I have this...………..
Tuesday while making my way back upriver toward my little campsite (truck) I stopped to rest my aging and abused knees. I unclipped my staff from the retractor tether I got with it and propped it and that sweat old bamboo rod against a branch. I was on a large gravel bar island formed due to the low water and thus in-between branches of the river at this place. The photo was taken just because I had a camera handy. That's one of those carbon fiber staffs and I do not travel without it.
And this is what the bottom of my boots look like, somehow I don't fall into rivers.
Here we go,
I have no stake in the company but as always I disagree with the assessment of some members regarding the Simms wading staff. In the most recent entry onto the aforementioned thread the term 'balance' surfaced and I had some thoughts on that point.
I believe that balance is essential when wading a dangerous area. Just this week I traversed many times through deep and swift conditions while using the staff as my aid. As always the staff did exactly what I expected from it by providing added balance to me while I carefully searched the rocky bottom for my next solid foot hold. I would submit to anyone reading this that 'balance' is crucial when wading streams and rivers.
Another phrase that stood out to me in the post about the Simms staff was 'safety equipment'. I have included the boot stud topic into this opinion because it too is an oft visited topic among the membership here. I do not consider studs on my boots or a wading staff to be safety equipment, at this point in my life of fishing rivers and creeks I believe that my safety equipment is between my ears and I try to utilize it throughout each days fishing. When the time comes that I realize that I can no longer cross the swift rocky stuff due to physical limitations I will abstain from trying to do so staff or no staff. Currently my boot cleats and staff are balance and traction aids and not the end all and be all of my personal safety or well being whilst I wade in difficult conditions.
When I am out there somewhere in South Central Alaska fishing, walking, wading these rivers these ongoing discussions about boot studs and staffs do not escape my mind. Just this Tuesday as I crossed a river I was acutely conscious of the grip my boots had with the bottom rubble. As I trod forward I felt each footfall and reflected on discussions where people seem want or expect iron clad traction while engaged with some of the most unstable strata that a person can endeavor to walk upon without slipping to some extent. At the same time that I am doing this careful walk I reflect on my 42 year long streak of having not fallen down while wading across a river and must wonder what has led to such a long record of safe crossings.
There were falls of course, I remember falling down while seeking egress from the Salmon River NY back in fall of 1994. It occurred after actually exiting the water onto a large flat slab of rock tilted at perhaps a 30 degree angle back toward the water and yes I was almost at the top when I slipped. I belly flopped onto the stone slab and slid backward into the water. The result was that I continued to slide into water on my stomach until I was on level strata and could gain my knees and then stand. I dipped water into the front of my waders and had to walk back to the truck for dry clothes...….. Cleats? Check. Staff? Yes but on my belt, a Folstaff. Safety equipment functioning between ears? No, it was still in the programming stage I'd guess.
Next good fall occurred but without water being involved although within sight. 1996 and rock hopping through Rip Rap along the bend of a creek where the limestone boulders had been placed to stop the erosion which bordered a secondary roadway. I took a long step between two giant boulders, long even for a guy 6'5' who was still involved in sports to an extent. Once both feet landed I began to slide. The carbide studs on my Orvis Hennery's Fork boots protruded enough that the Vibram soles didn't have a grip and it was like being on ice. I tumbled into the crevasse between two large limestone boulder size rocks and it hurt a lot. Not enough to stop my fishing but enough to go into the brains safety files under the Do Not Do Again category.
Last fall in Alaska happened about 6 years ago while getting out of my boat. I had parked in about 20 inches of water and anchored. Wearing sandals, water shorts and no shirt I stepped out into the river. When I attempted to swing the inboard leg over the gunwale I caught the top and subsequently had a full submersion event. I was fortunate that it was in the upper 70's and sunny so aside from cussing my poor agility I shrugged it off.
But wading, that's another story. Wading while wearing waders and jackets suggests to me conditions wherein it would be inconvenient at the very least and possibly dangerous to fall in and go for a ride with the current. My suggestion to anyone who has bared through all this rambling I've typed out is this. Do not rely on studs or staffs as your safety equipment. Use common sense, know your limitations and rely on traction aids and balance aids as exactly that, tools or items that will help you to have safe and enjoyable outings wherever they may lead you.
It's been working for me for a very long time.
And since I have this...………..
Tuesday while making my way back upriver toward my little campsite (truck) I stopped to rest my aging and abused knees. I unclipped my staff from the retractor tether I got with it and propped it and that sweat old bamboo rod against a branch. I was on a large gravel bar island formed due to the low water and thus in-between branches of the river at this place. The photo was taken just because I had a camera handy. That's one of those carbon fiber staffs and I do not travel without it.
And this is what the bottom of my boots look like, somehow I don't fall into rivers.
