Breaking Strength of Gear Tethers (ie: net, wading staff, etc)

[Herkileez]

I've been thinking a lot about this lately, so thought I'd open up a discussion, as it may prevent some grief for someone in the future. Here goes:
I've seen quite a few posts re different configurations for wading staff tethers. They vary from very light strength, to some, I'm sure, that would handle 100 lbs pull or more. Having gone for a few swims (especially in my younger "indestructible" years), I'm wondering about the wisdom of an unbreakable tether in the event of a big swim, where the user needs to let go of the staff. A tethered staff dangling uncontrolled down the river is bound to hang up on something, possibly anchoring the user in a bad, dangerous position, with no way to disconnect....or IS there?...a weak link in the system??...I don't have an obvious answer, so would be interested to hear if anyone has a way around this...It could be a lifesaver.

 

[Yard Sale]

Seems like a small ring ding somewhere in the lanyard system would be wise.

 

[RCF]

Magnetic solution? Like what I use for my net - may need to have a stronger magnet...

 

[Sam Roffe]

I sure can see the wisdom in a breakaway tether. I did a quick google search looked up this doodad. Probably not the solution, but, an idea to run with.

Breakaway Horse Tie

 

[SurfnFish]

I have my wading staff zinger mounted to a separate neoprene belt with a quick release buckle that is under little pressure, just enough to keep the belt from slipping below my hips. If I did go for a ride at my age, unlikely due to my ever decreasing wading depths, I would immediately say goodbye to whatever flyrod I was holding and dump the wader belt.

 

[Jim F.]

Add a cable tie to the zinger line. Lowest breaking strength is 18#.

 

[Herkileez]

Add a cable tie to the zinger line. Lowest breaking strength is 18#.

Very good idea.
IMO, a breakaway link not so important in smaller flows, but, in big flows, should be emphasized as a safety must..