A few years ago, I wrote a Troutbitten article about rigging and carrying a wading staff. I do things a little differently than most anglers, and I believe that a wading staff carried this way helps everyone, regardless of their wading ability. That article continues to be one of the most popular pieces on Troutbitten and is widely shared across the web. I’ve wanted to add a video component for a while, and now, here it is! (The video appears below.)
The original article, with characteristic Troutbitten detail, covers the hows and whys of a wading staff.
READ: Troutbitten | What About the Wading Staff? Thoughts On Choosing and Carrying a Wading Stick
The key to catching trout is covering water. Find the hungry ones. However, wading a river effectively is often difficult and sometimes impossible. But using a wading staff, adding a third point of contact, is a game changer.
If you rig a wading staff the wrong way, it slows you down. But if you rig it the right way, a wading staff opens new worlds and speeds you up. It gives you access to places that you couldn’t wade before.
But it has to be rigged the right way.
Here’s the video. Then find more about this wading staff system in the article below, along with product links to the staff and retractor.
(Please select 1080p for HD video quality)
This Way
Rigged this way, the wading staff is an asset and not a liability. Reaching and searching for your wading staff, dragging it through the water on a long tether, is a bad way to do things. It’s distracting and takes away from good fishing.
But rigging a wading staff the way I’ve shown in the video above and in THIS article, keeps the staff at the ready while being completely out of the the way.
Two key points here that many anglers miss:
- Keep the slack out of the system. Remove the webbed handle and replace it with a zip-tie connection to the wading staff handle, as shown in the video.
- Keep the staff on your line hand side. Your casting hand is busy doing good work. You line hand can operate a staff when needed. Sure, it might feel a little odd in your non-dominant hand for a trip or two. But so what. Do the hard things. Because it’s worth the effort.
This wading staff system makes strong waders stronger and fast waders faster. It simply allows all waders to reach more water.
** Note ** The links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, Troutbitten earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase. So, thank you for your support.
The Wading Staff
I use an aluminum, folding “Trekking Pole” for a wading staff. These are widely available from a variety of manufacturers, and I’ve logged hundreds of miles on an inexpensive Trekology staff with no signs of failure.
Buy Trekology Trek-Z Collapsible Tri-fold Trekking Pole Here
Here are a couple other options:
The High Stream Trekking Poles are nearly identical to Trekology. I had a guided client, who used this same staff. Like my Trekology staff, it had seen hundreds of hard river miles and was holding up well.
Buy High Stream Gear Trekking Poles Here
My friends Trevor and Josh choose the retractable type of trekking poles rather than a folding one. I’ve tested them myself, and they are very sturdy — and perhaps more suitable for taller and stronger people — with only slightly more weight and about six inches more on its portable length. Trevor uses these poles from Black Diamond.
Buy Black Diamond Collapsible Trekking Poles Here
The Black Diamond are, no doubt, very high quality, But they’re a little expensive. These poles from Cascade Mountain — also carbon fiber — have held up well for another friend of mine.
Buy Cascade Mountain Trekking Poles Here
The Retractor
Gear Keepers, from Hammerhead Industries cannot be beat. I’ve tried. And after experimenting with other brands, I’m back to the Gear Keepers. They are reliable, with a great warranty. And they work well, even in icy conditions.
The twelve ounce Gear Keeper works perfectly with the folding staffs linked above (which are about nine ounces); and it’s a great match for most of the retractable types too (just look for the listed weight).
Buy Twelve Ounce Gear Keeper Retractor Here
Understand the System
Please be sure to read the companion article for this one. The original wading staff article has many of the fine points for making these choices about the staff and the retractor, along with important details about attaching and carrying the staff.
READ: Troutbitten | What About the Wading Staff? Thoughts On Choosing and Carrying a Wading Stick
Lastly, the staff works best with a sturdy belt. And for that, I have another article for you.
READ: Troutbitten | Let’s Rethink the Wading Belt
Fish hard, friends.
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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com
Very useful video. Thank you.
Good article, great video.
As an older angler with a weak right knee, I keep the wading staff on my right side.
If I am wading in water that requires the use of a wading staff, I am not casting. Doing too much at once increases my chances of going down.
One final note.
Recently I became stuck in silt up to my knee and the multi piece Falstaff unit I have came apart as I used it to become unstuck.
Going forward, I plan on using a one piece aluminum staff. This was at the recommendation of a Bass Pro fly guide in NH who shared his story of getting stuck in the muck on a Maine river.
Only trouble I have seen with the one piece units is that they are usually too heavy to retract on a 12 oz retractor.
Thanks, Alex.
Dom,
Great article and video. Started using your method a few years ago. I do use it on my rod side though (right) due to a hip replacement and fractured ankle on that side. Helps to give me a little more confidence. Use the gear keeper retractor with my favorite staff. No slack, always right there!
Thanks again & tight lines
Anthony
Whatever you gotta do!
Great video. I got all the components. But I’m trying to figure out how to attach the folded staff to the wading belt so I have easy access like in video. I’ve tried various velcro ideas with little success. Any suggestions.
A simple zip tie is what I use.
Re the zip tie connection, after nearly 2 years mine split while on the water. When I reached for the staff and it wasn’t at my side, I looked around and saw the pole lodged underwater in a sweeper downstream from me, so I was able to salvage it. Quite lucky. Consider using a double zip tie or a light wire (screw-type) key ring for the additional security.
Yeah zip ties eventually break. I usually keep a visual check on its condition and change it out if there are cracks. Other methods of attaching that I’ve tried limit mobility or add slack. I’ll stick with the zip ties. I’ve never lost a staff. Even if I did, they’re less than 20 bucks each.
Is the retractor salt water proof?
Good question, but I don’t know. Sorry.
Great article and video. Very useful information.
I use a wading staff made by a well known retailer. It has a very similar setup except that there is a cord used to lock the staff. Once extended there’s about 18 inches of slack cord between the retractor and staff. There have been many times when I either couldn’t find the staff when needed since it was underwater, or worse still, it posed a tripping hazard. So, after reading your article, I went to see if I could re-rig the cord. It turns out the cord can be adjusted so I’ve taken all the slack out of it. Thanks!
I have to say, I almost didn’t read your article because of the title. That’s because I tend to skip articles or videos that say something is “the only way” to do something. But I’m glad I read it. You may want to consider changing the title to. “The Best Way on the Planet to Carry a Wading Staff “
Thanks again.
George
Ha. Good point. And you’ll see that I rarely say anything like the “only way” when it comes to fishing. But this one, I can’t see it being done any better. It all just makes sense.
Cheers.
Dom
Started using the Highstream last year. Lost first one when lanyard broke. Second one is attached using your retractor. BTW, when the latch pin fails, put a small gear-type hose clamp in its place. Works like a charm.
Sounds like a neat idea, but I’m not sure I get it. Will you email me, please?
Dom
Dom – Another great video. I’ve been carrying my Folstaf wading staff for probably 25 or more years. It definitely has saved me from a good fall at least a few times a year. As for size, I’m 6’4” and my staff is 59”. At first it felt too long but I like being able to put my weight on it while standing upright. I personally think if the staff is too short then once you start to go off balance it’s less stable. But each person needs to determine what is good for them.
You make a great point about no slack in the line for the retractor. That is definitely something people and manufacturers overlook.
The best advice is no matter your age a wading staff should be a part of your wading belt. They do make wading faster, easier and safer.
Good stuff.
I have been using a staff since the trip we fished together on Spring Creek. Definitely a great investment that has improved my wading immensely.
Nice
I’ve been struggling with how to set up my wading staff and your method really makes sense. Simple, easy, and solves the problems I’ve been having on the river. The video is very well done.
Thanks for another great tip, Dom.
Cheers
As a side note, I am an old fart. As an old fart I noticed over the years my balance and strength has declined dramatically. Further, my fellow old fart friends who have incurred wading injuries had them happen while they were literally in ankle or shallower water. The rocks in these locations are very slippery. When you fall, there is no thick water cushion to help break your fall. You hit a hard uneven surface. A wading staff really helps to keep balance when walking through such areas.
I finally took the time to set up my gear keeper/staff on my belt this way. I had purchased the staff you recommended a while ago, but had only used it sparingly. Yesterday, with this set up, I worked a larger stream and it was great to reach down and find the staff when needed. I “felt” faster and certainly more confident in sections that were a little “sketchy” in the past. Love the video tips. Keep them coming.
First, Thanks!
Lying here in U of U ICU with a blocked Carotid artery waiting for surgery. A great time to catch up on your pod casts.
Maybe I’m too blind to find it, but a list of links to your sponsers with a TroutBitten discount would be helpful. I’d do my best to oder tying supplies, etc from them.I would hope that would help to show the benefits of their TB sponsorship and save me a buck.
I rep for Dave Scadden Inflatables. Maybe we can get something worked out for us all on your site.
Best, Jerry
Thank you for that advice. It is good. I have plans to add this to the website in my off season this summer.
Yes, for sure, email me about that stuff if you like.
Cheers.
Dom
Great video and a must have for fishing! I do not enter the water without my wading staff! I used to use the type in your video, but now have switched to a longer, heavier aluminum staff. I find the longer staff gives you better support in all water levels, especially when you move from the shallow water and step into a deeper pocket! I have broken a number of those lighter ones! I have mine ready to go at all times, by attaching it to my wading belt with paracord and a carabiner. It lays by my side with the handle angled up, for me to reach it easily. It rarely gets in the way after you get used to it! I am so use to using my staff, that I find myself grabbing for it when I am not fishing! I can’t believe the few people that use them!
Love your articles! Keep the info coming!
Bill
Thanks Bill!
For me, I keep the staff light so that it can be paired with a retractor. I can’t handle the paracord or any other tether like that. It Must be tight to my hip and in exactly the same place all the time. Any other way is a deal breaker. Also, I’ve made this point before, but I don’t use a staff to put all my weight on it. These foldable staffs are not for that. They’re just another balance point.
That said, I’m glad that you have a good system that works for you. That is certainly what matters most!
Cheers.
Dom
Great article, Dom. I’d like to get your opinion on something here. I think it was in the very recent “Airing of the Grievances” episode where you were talking about the over-expenditure on some gear, and you made a vague reference to an unnamed wading staff that is overpriced and unnecessary, when there are plenty of affordable hiking staffs out there (like the ones you listed) that work just fine. I am wondering if you had the Folstaf in mind when you expressed this grievance? (If you are not willing to confirm this out of respect for the company, I understand.) It is indeed pricey, and I have not purchased it. But I am considering it, because what I like about it is that it can be pulled from your belt and opened into the fully assembled and locked staff with one hand. I love that feature. I sometimes find myself moving through water without the need for a pole, then suddenly encountering water that requires a pole, at which time you need two hands (one of which is carrying the rod) to telescope and lock the pole. That one-handed feature of the Folstaff seems worth the money. Or am I overthinking it? Change my mind …
Hi Mark. I’ll be candid and say that the Folstaff is a good idea with some problems.
First, it is too heavy to be retracted with a 12 oz retractor. So you must tether it with a rope of some sort. Now, all of the sudden, you are searching for your staff each time, and it gets in your way at other times. That’s a deal breaker.
It’s also a pain in the ass to unfold. Sorry but it’s true. And it sometimes doesn’t want to come apart. It’s also too long and not adjustable for length.
It might pack away in a nifty looking belt holster, but the whole process of using it and putting it away takes us away from fishing. It’s one of those all too common fly fishing things that seems great until you actually use it.
Those are my honest thoughts.
Cheers.
Dom
Great feedback and makes sense. Thanks for saving me some cash, lol.
Right on.
If you Tenkara fished you could fish with your strong side and manage the wading staff with the other hand.
Yeah, but that’s a terrible trade off. Tenkara is too much of a handicap.
https://troutbitten.com/2018/05/30/the-trouble-with-tenkara-and-why-you-dont-need-it-2/
Also, why does everyone act like not needing a line hand is a Tenkara thing? You can put the same or similar leader on a fly rod and then have some self discipline to just use a fixed line approach.
Really good article. Was out yesterday and could have used my wading stick. Left it behind because I hadn’t figured a good way to carry it with a hip pack. This should work. You said the Gear Keeper you use is the 12 lb retractor. The Gear Keeper website doesn’t mention the amount of retraction. It shows a regular force and high force. I’m assuming the 12 lb is the regular force. Can you confirm before I commit? Thanks.
Thanks. Yeah, I put this in the show notes: I mistakenly said POUNDS when I meant to say OUNCES. Sorry for the cunfusion. The Gear Keeper website does list the ounce rating for retraction.
Cheers.
Dom
I didn’t scroll far enough down on the Gear Keeper webpage. Also, Orvis sells a net retractor that is the Gear Keeper with the Orvis label on it. Says Hammer Industries on the back. Verified this with a guy at Gear Keeper. So, I got that and picked up some inexpensive trekking poles that seem to be as good as the ones I bought my wife a few years ago that cost way more. I rigged it up and it works beautifully. Weather has cleared in Western New York, after days of rain and raging rivers, and I’ll have it with me when I’m chasing Steelhead in the morning.
Thanks.