Comments on: Wading Staffs: A Northern California Fly Fishing Guide’s Review

By: Craig Nielsen

Craig Nielsen — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:06:42 +0000

Bjorn:
Thanks for sharing your experience with Hart’s staffs. They are incredible tools and I love the organic heft which provides a load of confidence on those dicey McCloud crossings in early season. Like I said this staff is the overwhelming choice of guides in the area. I do not know anyone who does not own one. I do on occasion prefer to holster my staff and the Simms staff stores exceptionally well in the neoprene holster that comes with it. It is also much easier for me to convince clients to bring one along for our day together. With a cable rather than elastic cord running through the tubing which locks the sections in place I have had no problems with the staffs breaking or coming apart. But again they are noisy and pricey.

By: Bjorn

Bjorn — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:54:55 +0000

Man… I LOVE Hart’s wading staff. Saved me more than one swim and probably more than one near death experience. I really dislike the staffs that collapse. I like the solid staffs. I know I can put my full weight on the thing without it snapping and I know it won’t come apart in the middle of the river.

I don’t mind it when I see folks not using staffs. Just means I’m going to get to some water they can’t access. Fine by me!

By: Craig Nielsen

Craig Nielsen — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:45:31 +0000

Thanks for the tip, I’ll give it a try Joe.

By: Joe Eberle

Joe Eberle — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:07:13 +0000

I use Gorilla Glue. I do have to periodically cut off the old hose and replace it with a new piece, because it does wear down. I’ve no idea how long it would last you, since you fish much more than I do.

By: Craig Nielsen

Craig Nielsen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:42:10 +0000

Joe:
I have had little luck keeping anything attached to the bottom of metail wading staffs for any length of time. I’ll get a week or two usually, never close to a season, though I have to admit I haven’t tried fuel line. Do you glue it on or just use the elasticity to keep it in place?

By: Joe Eberle

Joe Eberle — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:57:24 +0000

Thanks Craig. I’ve often thought about getting one of the Sims staffs but have always been put off by the price tag. However you make a good point: they are much less expensive than a trip to the hospital.

I still use an old ski pole and found that covering the metal tip with a small piece of fuel line hose really helps to reduce the noise. When it wears down I just replace it. Give it a try.

I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show at the end of this month.