Author Topic: Make your own wading stick (Read 12124 times)

icstuff · « **on:** February 28, 2011, 08:52:45 AM »

Made this after being inspired by Rory's wading stick!

You will need the following items:

Broomstick
Bicycle grip
Length of rope
Carabiner
Drill
Butane lighter
Permanent marker
Ice cold beer or two

1. Start by placing the grip over the broomstick. Any Bicycle grip will do and it will come down to your choice. If the grip does not fit tightly, use glue to secure to the wood.
2. Drill a hole under the grip.
3. Open beer and take a sip. Note that you should not consume alcohol while using power tools.
4. Cut rope to desired length.*
5. Thread rope through hole, then weave rope into itself to create loop. Nylon rope has hot a hollow core so I threaded the tag into the centre and then used the butane lighter to secure.
6. Fix the carabiner to the other end of the rope using the same technique you used on the other end.
7. With a permanent marker, mark sections of your wading stick. This will help you to gauge the depth of the river.
8. If needed open a second beer and congratulate yourself on a job well done.

* Notes:
The length of rope is a serious topic of discussion! You don’t want you wading stick to drift into your line while fighting a fish, or have it to close to you when you fall. But you do want it at a handy length when you need it.

As to the make of rope it is up to you, just remember elastic ropes has got a nasty habit of catching unto trees and slapping you in the back.

You can oil varnish the wood, but remember any oils solvents will get into the water and may chase the fish away.

icstuff · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2011, 08:53:54 AM »

icstuff · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2011, 08:54:56 AM »

Feel free to add any thing that I have missed.

Rory · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2011, 08:59:23 AM »

Good post Pieter!!

That wading stick is far better than my old broomstick!! Cred for you!

BigG · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2011, 09:03:50 AM »

That looks great, i will make mine a little later in the week

Have some cred

Kumz · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2011, 09:05:13 AM »

Very Nice ...

WalkersKiller · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2011, 09:11:57 AM »

Nicely done Pieter :sml:

MIKE PIKE · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2011, 10:11:39 AM »

Nice idea..... but thats more like a walking stick for me..

icstuff · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2011, 10:50:33 AM »

Quote from: MIKE PIKE on February 28, 2011, 10:11:39 AM

Nice idea..... but thats more like a walking stick for me..

And that is exactly what it is, it helps you walk in the water

Mussel Cracker · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2011, 11:52:15 AM »

@ Icstuff...instead of rope you can replace it with a strong elastic that you can buy at material shops ..it just give you more movement with your stick and you dont have to much rope lying around..

icstuff · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2011, 11:54:29 AM »

No write rules but I heard about plenty of people that got whacked by their elastic/Stick
You can even use those key-chain coil thingies.

Ziggy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2011, 12:47:21 PM »

I would think that a brromstick is a little heavy - is there no other "stick" that could be used that still lighter, has the rigidity required - and also does not float as much?

MIKE PIKE · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2011, 12:49:56 PM »

Aluminum.. :sml:

Homie · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2011, 12:51:07 PM »

Quote from: icstuff on February 28, 2011, 10:50:33 AM

And that is exactly what it is, it helps you walk in the water

You and the water........ Now you want to walk in it ?

icstuff · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2011, 01:04:45 PM »

Homie are you doing the vaal shuffle with us this weekend? if so we can fall in the water as well

Homie · « **Reply #15 on:** February 28, 2011, 01:23:53 PM »

Quote from: icstuff on February 28, 2011, 01:04:45 PM

Homie are you doing the vaal shuffle with us this weekend? if so we can fall in the water as well

Sorry man, its been way too hectic, have to pull out. We leave next weekend for a weeks cruise, and still got tons to do.

Gerhard · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2011, 01:32:40 PM »

Quote from: MIKE PIKE on February 28, 2011, 12:49:56 PM

Aluminum.. :sml:

Makes to much noise ....

Broom stick is perfect .

Hooch · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:12:23 PM »

What I made last week, before the accident, I took two legs of a old gazibo. The two legs that actualy slots into each other.
Trimmed both of them so they are about chest high. Were the two legs slots into each other I drilled a hole and used a small wing nut and bolt to secure it.
Had the two legs electroplated so they don't rust. At the end I used a rubber doorstopper to cover the end, to prevent it from making noise in the water.
The handle I used a rod foam grip you can buy loose from tackle shops. I just used normal ski roap for attaching it to my waist belt.
Cost were about R100 for the project.
Sadly I won't use it this weekend.Also it breaks up neatly and can be stored in my flyfishing bag.

Kumz · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:16:35 PM »

what about a bamboo stick ?

Ziggy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:32:22 PM »

Kumz - I think it will be too "floaty" - but, it may operate as a float so that you can save yourself and avaid the Benoni guy!