[the_grube]

How's it working out for you. I bought the pro version back in the winter of 2016. I've had it replaced twice, and the third unit just broke on me again. Each time the steel ball and spring assembly fell apart and the bottom 3 sections fell off the handle section.

I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong; if it's a bum design or I just got unlucky three times in a row...

 

[Adam Saarinen]

Doesn't sound to good, was thinking about getting one! Might start looking at this one now from Guideline!

 

[Jim F.]

I have an old one that hasn't failed me yet.

 

[NCL]

Mine has been good for several years. With that said I bought one last Fall from a guy a spey pages and that thing is a tank.

 

[kpb]

Mine's 4 or 5 years old and has worked fine.

 

[flybill]

I used to have a folding one, not Simm's, but gave up on that and now just use a trekking pole that I got from REI. I can use it hiking or wading and have it on a nice retractable zinger on my wading belt. I probably need a new one since it's a bit rusted, but it works great. Nice thing about buying this style is you get two when you buy them. When I wade I just let it dangle behind me. Hiking in to the river, I can shorten it or just flip it over my shoulder when I don't need it or want to use it...

 

[Tom House]

I've been using the Simms staff for about 15+ years. I'm on my second one only because I lost the first one. I never had any sort of problems with it. I would never buy the pro carbon fiber version. I don't see that it offers any advantage at all and the shaft is certainly more brittle. If I were you I would trade the failing carbon fibre in for an aluminum shaft and let Simms keep the change.

TC

 

[Bob Balder]

I purchased the aluminum staff for my wife about 5 years ago, I was using a fiberglass model that I really liked. One day I tried hers....been using a Simms staff ever since, still have my old one as a spare.
Both of the Simms staffs took a while to break in, they were stiff and grouchy for a while, now..won"t wade witthout it. I have fishing partner that has had one for years, none of us have ever had an issue. Ditch the carbon fiber one...

 

[dfg]

Mine is aluminum, and about 4 years old. I won't fish without it. I had the holster mended by a shoe repair shop after the belt loop stitching broke, and the plastic coating on the cable is showing some wear, but the thing is still a life saver - literally.

 

[Old Man]

I got the fold staff. The cheap one. I've had it for over 30 years now. No problems.

 

[J3000]

I carry a black diamond "Z" trekking pole when I'm fishing alone and want to make a crossing that seems a little sketchy. I suspect I get a bit more vibration in the pole from the water flow since they are skinnier than the Simms style, but it hasn't failed me yet. Plus, for the same price as the Simms staff, you get two poles. So you can use them for real trekking poles if you want, not a bad idea for hiking on old knees, or just have a backup if you are using them as a wading staff. FWIW, Orvis sells a single BD Z trekking pole with a pouch and retractor for the same price as buying the pair from an outdoor store.

Typically cost ~$100/pr, they currently appear to be on sale at REI & backcountry.com for $65-70.

 

[81655]

Consider an old ski pole. (Yes, I'm Dutch ).

I've been dragging along an aluminum cross country ski pole for years. I keep it on a bungee, clipped to my waist belt/inflatable life jacket.

Inexpensive, sturdy, and immediately within reach. Yes it sometimes get caught on branches and stuff when bush whacking....but it's saved me more than once.

 

[PhilR]

Yep, ski pole from goodwill. 2 for 7.50. Done and done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[the_grube]

Thanks all. Interesting that folks have had good luck with the aluminum Simms staff. My failures have all been with the locking mechanisms, the stainless steel ball and spring assembly. Not sure how the pole material would affect that?

Maybe I'll try to get Simms to replace my graphite staff with an aluminum one and a $50.00 credit at their store -- not sure if they are amenable to that sort of thing. If not, I"ll eat the $50.00 and go with aluminum. I really, really like the Simms system with the sheath and retractor. The best wading staff is the one that you carry all the time...

 

[Steelheader69]

I've had my Simms wading staff about 10 years. Not a problem with it. Mind you I don't use it that often either.

 

[Ron McNeal]

Third one broke? Think I'd move on. Mine's a carbon fiber from Springbrook and, FWIW, has really held up well. Seems very well-made.... Got it @ Patrick's .

 

[dryflylarry]

I now carry an old ski pole....works fine..

 

[rocketscience]

have been using a Simms stick for over 10 years, but needed to replace it about 5-6 years ago. somehow, the cable just seemed to stretch out of place and the pieces wouldn't hold together. contacted Simms, and they sent me a new one, no charge. however, they also wanted the old broken one sent back to do a post-mortem on it. the way it failed really intrigued them. the new stick has been great up to a couple of weeks ago. noticed a cable problem (again!) while on the clackamas, doing nothing special. it's still functional, but i'm not holding out long term hope.

 

[jamma]

This is precisely why I don't like this type of staff.Have been using an old Waterworks telescoping style(they don't make them any more)for years and that thing has saved my ass more times than I like to admit.Only problem I've had is I lost the rubber tip that covers the carbide tip and have been unable to find a replacement.Any ideas?
Tried buying a similar Orvis style once,they told me it went out of production and would I like a replacement style.Phoned them and said yes,that is acceptable.Next thing I know,they sent me a refund check and no staff which pretty much ended my dealings with Orvis.

 

[kmudgn]

I have been using a Sims staff for many years. It is the type with the button on the side which locks the pole to hold the sections together. I used a Folstaff for many years, but it can jam between rocks, or get stuck in muddy areas and "pull apart". The Sims staff I have eliminates this issue. I don't know if it is still made, but I would buy another