Nice to see a good few of us have realised just how usefull a wading stick can be for what we do. When I first got into this I also toyed with the idea of getting a fold-up one or using proper walking poles, and thought long and hard about "how to clip it up out of the way" when fishing. Eventually I found the answer was very much in evidence amongst the old stagers at a BASS fish-in at Shell Island in North Wales and was so obvious I was kicking myself for not realising it.
All you need is a suitable length of wood - as has been said a yard brush handle is ideal,(price @£1!) - and you just drill a hole in one end, tie on a length of cord about the same length as the stick, and tie a loop in the other end. Attach the loop to your jacket or belt and once you have waded out and fishing you just let it go and it floats around behind you but teathered within close reach when you want to pick it up again.
If you end up fishing quite high above the water on rocks, the cord is often best removed from your person to prevent it jamming in rocks and generally getting in the way.
At marks like Shell Island, the stick really comes into its own - for fishing in the splash zone or balanced on the top of submerged boulders that are a foot or so under the water, where you are getting hit by waves it's usefull to have the stick close to hand and if a big wave approaches you just grab the teather and pull the stick towards you and brace yourself against it so you are not washed off the rock. When bait fishing they can be grat for just leaning on and taking the weight off your feet when waiting for a bite or that slack-liner.
As has been said, they are great for helping you along rocky ground before you even get anywhere near the water, and I personally wouldnt be without mine anywhere I fish. Anyone who fishes bouldery reefs where the boulders are smooth and slippery should really think about trying one to see how much easier it makes things, even just as a very cheap experiment. When there are waves breaking it is so easy to get your foot trapped in between a couple of rocks and break your leg if a wave hits you, and if you are alone and somewhere remote you could end up in extremely deep do-do, and all for the sake of a £!
Even for fishing estuaries they are so sensible for safeguarding against drop-offs and holes especially in fast-flowing water. Salmon anglers have been using the things for years - and for good reason. My fishing buddy has never fished for salmon but has been catching bass on lures for over 25 years and he uses quite a substantial length of 2"x1" - (not as a rod! - but as a wading stick) - he is a firm believer that the stick should be strong enough to take his weight if he loses his balance and has to rely on it. He's had his for donkeys and is still with us so he must be right.
One other thing is to keep calm when you catch a fish and remember you have your stick attached - dont go jumping around dragging the thing along the rocks as you carry your fish out or try to land it, as it may wedge in and you could end up falling over of in. I think incorporating a short length of elastic into the teather is a good idea for when you forget you have the stick attached and could save you from going over.
For the benefit of anyone who is in BASS and going to the Shell Is. event for the first time this year, over the winter I have cut and drilled a dozen good lengths of hazel so anyone who wants to try a stick out can see how much it helps.
Thats all I know about sticks really.
Some pics;
Leaning on the stick bait fishing
Fast-flowing currents where care is needed (Jersey lads know all about this!)
Mad Mike about to get very wet as he tries to wade off in lumpy water without a stick.