Why Graphite For Push Poles?

I just gotta vent.

Since writing my Mangrove push pole post, I've been reminded of the lengths people will go in hopes of finding a cheap substitute for graphite and fiberglass poles. Wooden doweling and PVC pipe are the usual recommendations and, somewhere down the list, there's the inevitable tip to pilfer a busted vaulting pole from the local high school track team.

Push pole component kit from Mangrove

Now, don't get me wrong, I like to save money just as much as the next fellow. But it's obvious that the folks offering such advice haven't a clue about the demands of serious fishing with a push pole. OK, I'll withhold judgment on the busted vaulting pole, because I've never even seen one. But PVC is absurd, and wood is downright dangerous.

Yes, it is true that you can buy PVC pipe for a pittance, and this is a fine demonstration of the adage: You get what you pay for. PVC is much too flexible to perform well, unless you go with some really heavy stuff, in which case the weight is going to kill you. I say that hypothetically, because I've never seen a PVC pole that was stiff enough, just some incredibly clumsy attempts.

You're not persuaded? No sweat, the only penalty with PVC is that you'll be wasting time and money, while settling for a seriously inferior tool. It's not like you'll be putting your life at risk, which you'll do if you opt for wood.

Let's ignore the weight issue for the moment. The problem with wooden poles is that they "shear" when they break, resulting in a spear tip on which you could easily impale yourself. Have a look at any piece of wooden dowel, and you can see the lines along which the grain will shear.

Never going to happen, you say? I say, make sure your insurance is current, because you're asking for trouble.

Graphite is the solution to all these problems. The weight is minimal, the stiffness is excellent and the pole doesn't become a dangerous instrument if it breaks. Graphite's only serious shortcoming is cost, which is why fiberglass has survived as an option ... until now. The Mangrove push pole kit has eliminated the price barrier by making graphite's cost comparable to that of fiberglass, as long as you don't mind doing a bit of assembly yourself.

So if you're looking for a push pole, contact your nearest Temple Fork Outfitters fly rod dealer or TFO spinning rod/casting rod dealer, and tell him you need a Mangrove. There simply is no reason to settle for anything less than graphite anymore.