Custom Wading Staff

[salmo]

I’m in the market for a wood wading staff. I have no woodworking skills, tools nor inclination to start. Does anyone know someone who might be willing to make one for me at a reasonable price?

I looked on YouTube and noticed that most of the DIY staffs had rubber caps on the business end of the staff. Any opinions as to which is better, rubber or spiked metal tip?

 

[falcon]

The Evening Hatch Fly Shop in Blackslee PA had wood wading staffs the last time I stopped. Probably not custom but nice.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

The rubber cap is cut down on noise. tap...tap...tap... is not a dinner bell, I guess.

That said, I always loose the rubber caps in muck or crevices.

 

[Duriensbane]

Though they are not custom, i used a waxwood bo staff. They are fairly cheap (sub 50$) and they do have a bit of flex in them but good luck trying to break it. Drill a hole at the top, add some 550 cord, wrap plumbers self fusing silicone tape for a grip, and super glue on the bottom to keep it from mushrooming. If youd like to add a butt cap im sure you could find something that works, you can even stain them as they are just a straight piece of wood.

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[laszlo]

I've been making them for the past few months, I'd be happy to make you one and just charge shipping. PM me if you're interested and we can discuss the details.

 

[spm]

I’m in the market for a wood wading staff. I have no woodworking skills, tools nor inclination to start. Does anyone know someone who might be willing to make one for me at a reasonable price?

I looked on YouTube and noticed that most of the DIY staffs had rubber caps on the business end of the staff. Any opinions as to which is better, rubber or spiked metal tip?

I prefer the metal spike as well. I think it grips the rocky streambeds better than a rubber cap and, as stated, it doesn't come off. As far as the noise, I suspect the fish know you're in the water long before that metal spike hits the rocks.

I use a ski pole that i bought at a flea market for $10.00, and it even comes with a spare. The basket at the bottom keeps it from sinking into any soft mud I might come across.

steve

 

[KeviR]

For years, I have been using a found stick as a wading staff. I also keep a small stash of replacements that I pick up when I'm fishing or walking and spot a suitable one. I cut off both ends clean and round the handle end a little with sandpaper or whatever, clean up any branch stubs and sand them smooth. I am not sure what type of wood they are, but I suspect it is a softwood, because I check the weight and don't keep the heavy ones. The business end mushrooms a little, but does not appreciably shorten the stick, even after a couple seasons of use.
I bought a relatively nice folding staff (aluminum) with a spike end. It works OK and has a bit less water resistance, but I hate the spike end compared to my old stick. It pokes into crevices quite often and gets somewhat stuck, such that I have to stop, back up a bit and pull it free. That almost never happens with my old wood stick.
For the wood stick, I lash a length of paracord or other heavy rope and tie a snap on the end to clip onto a D-ring on my chest pack to tether it.

 

[poopdeck]

^ That’s what I do. I use long thick sticks from my back yard. They may have slight twists and turns to them but that’s what gives them character. No mop handles for me. I scrape the bark off with a pocket knife, whittle off any pointy things, cover it in poly, 550 wrap the handle, pour boiling water on wraps and call it done after it dries. No woodworking experience needed.

 

[spm]

^ That’s what I do. I use long thick sticks from my back yard. They may have slight twists and turns to them but that’s what gives them character. No mop handles for me. I scrape the bark off with a pocket knife, whittle off any pointy things, cover it in poly, 550 wrap the handle, pour boiling water on wraps and call it done after it dries. No woodworking experience needed.

Why the boiling water on the wraps?

steve