TESTAMONIALS

"I HATE THE CLICKING SOUND. "I have used a ski pole but hate the clicking sound."

THEY VIBRATE:  "Yeah, the ones that are like ski or trekking poles are known for vibrating in the current."

COMPARISON: A Discussion by anglers comparing Ron Hart's River Stalker and other wading staffs on a fly fishing forum. 

I can tell you this: both of these are head-and-shoulders above my old staff which was a Hammers Collapsible Wading Staff. 

I stretched the bejabbers out of that [foldable staff] cord the last time I really needed it and it was rendered virtually useless after that. Oh, it "worked" but I would never trust it again.

I would set up the staff before I step foot into the water and not break it down again until I am done. Maybe I am weird but the two experiences I had where I definitely needed a staff has made me a little paranoid and I want a staff ready at all times.

The Simms staff bent somewhat under my full weight, whereas the wooden staff didn't budge a fraction of an inch. 

I was impressed with the wooden staff.

All in all, I think I am going to be very happy with Ron Hart's staff. It just seems sturdier to me; therefore, I think I will "trust" it more. Again, this may all be in my head but I think it is not a good idea to have even the slightest doubt in your wading staff. Sometimes, even the slightest doubt can spell trouble. Of course, one could argue that blind faith is just as bad. 

I SAVED HIM: "Rescued a guy who was using [a folding wading staff]. Enough said."

BAD SURPRISE:  Foldable staff collapes - wife bought him Ron Harrt's River Stalker 

Last winter, I sort of got stuck in the middle of the stream and my el cheapo foldable staff got wedged between the rocks when I almost really needed it this one time and then stretched the heck out of the cord. I ended up catching my balance but that staff had to be tossed because it was not tight after that at all. . . . . [So] I was looking at the Folstaffs and I really liked them. I was also eyeing a Simms. But, as Steve has pointed out, Fred got all over me and told me you need a solid staff. Pfffftttt on the inconvenience of them. . . . Then my wife ended up surprising me with a Ron Hart Wading Staff. Now, I have to be honest, I did not try it out on the water but it certainly seems extremely sturdy on dry ground. I was also able to compare it to the Simms staff side-by-side. These comparisons were done on dry ground and I do not know if my opinion will change once I get into the water but...

Ron Hart's staff just seemed sturdier all around . . . way more than the Simms. Now, my thoughts may change once I start using it for real. I have never fished with a four-foot staff floating beside me. (Yes, Fred, I know: it floats!) It may be in the way.

One thing that concerned me was that I needed two hands to open the Simms. And even after it was all set, it just did not seem it was as sturdy as the Hart's staff but your mileage may vary.

But, as history has taught me, I will always carry the wading staff all the way open. It might be nice to have it all folded up on your side but I just feel better taking every step with a staff and having it available even when I don't think I need it--cuz that seems to be the time I always need it!

FISHING FORUM: Wood staff wading staff enthusiasts.

I'm looking to purchase/replace a wooden wading staff I just lost. I never realized how much I liked the wooden staff, that would just float downstream of me, never banging creek rocks below me, telegraphing to the trout, "Here I come!"

Like you, I am not bothered by the staff floating downstream from me and I like the solid feel of a one-piece staff. I also like to lean on it while fishing. 

I hate multi-piece metal wading staffs because they can get stuck in the rocks and pull apart at the worst moment. 

My [wooden] staff also floats out of the way when I'm casting. Wood is the only way to go. I've knocked snakes out my path along with spider webs and thorn bushes, and several times it saved my skin when I got caught in rapidly rising water on the White and Norfork Rivers. 

I had a crazy redneck guide once threaten me on the Norfork who was mad at all fly fishermen because he said we took all the best spots. The whacko threatened to come over and break my Leonard rod... I had two choices to defend myself...that [wooden] staff or a .38 special Smith and Wesson in my vest. Fortunately, the whacko went on down the river with his very embarrassed client, but I would have cold-cocked that idiot with my staff if he had tried to attack me. That stupid, crazy fool will never know how close he came to getting his head either caved in or his brains blown out that day.

My old wooden staff is over 30 years old now and still going strong. Never a threat to break in heavy use, never an ounce of maintenance. Light as a feather and strong as steel.

My rod and my staff...well, they comfort me." I feel like I've read that somewhere else! 

I'm coming late to this conversation but I'm another very satisfied user of Ron Hart's wood wading staff. I have been using mine for over 25 years and it's still going strong (maybe one of these years I'll get around to adding a protective treatment as Mike recommends above 

DISCUSSION COMMENTS on Bill Kiene's fly fishing forum 

I've had one of Ron Hart's staffs for a number of years, and

it's still going strong. Comes in 48" and 54" tall. I use it primarily on the

Pit where a staff is a must. I believe it is made of hickory. It also has

a plastic sleeve on the end to prevent splitting. 

I think the wood sound is much more natural than the "tink tink tink"

of a metal staff or ski pole. 

I like that it floats, is sturdy as hell, and has saved my butt more times than I can count. 

I would not use a folding staff for difficult wading conditions. They just won't give you the support you need in a tough jam, versus a one-piece wooden staff.

Ron thought these [wading staff issues] out after years of guiding the Sacramento. I've tried the hiking/ski poles (which had a tendency to collapse at the most unfortunate time), and the sinking staff (which hangs up on every rock and branch) and I keep coming back to Hart's model.

A wading staff is a nuisance, but a dysfunctional wading staff is worse than a nuisance.

WISER THROUGH MISFORTUNE:

Kinda mad that my new expensive Simms wading staff snapped the second time I carried it. Was going down a tiny bank into the water when I slipped... Stick caught me but snapped at the point section. I didn't like how it violently wobbled in the current anyway. I've never been a wading staff guy but as I get older I think I probably need one if I want to fish like when I was younger. Hollow folding wading staffs aren't doing it for me. I read past post how many like solid staffs. 

I bought [a wooden staff]  over 20 years ago and still use it. It is solid wood and bulletproof. Normally I just let my wooden staff float down stream of me, but have taken to placing it across both legs behind me to keep it out of the way when spey fishing. 

I am 67 years old and my wife laughs at me cause I am not that coordinated. I have been swimming too many times to take chances any more. I even wear an inflatable PFD when fishing strong bodies of water. I used to be a lifeguard and lifeguard instructor as well as a back country ranger. I could not pass the Boy Scout swim test last time I went to summer camp. I am a nonsmoker but have lost a lot of lung capacity (doctor does not know why). So am very careful around water now. Even have moved to waist-high waders to keep me from wading too deep..Good luck and stay dry.

I understand the need for a good staff. I just turned 70 and had recently both knees replaced.