I have used a Folstaff wading stick for that past 20+ years.  Wouldn't think of wading the Ausable or the SR without it.  Having the vision problems that I do a wading stick is a valuable accessory. 

    I used to use one- now I just flat out dont venture out in deep or very fast water any more. Too many close calls and my old butt is NOT gonna  gamble on staying on my 2 feet all the time anymore in the SR.
 Coupla VERY close drowning incidents diving in the Carib. in the past few years have changed my ' nothing can touch ME' attitude for good. When ya got some stranger draggin yer old butt back to safety a coupla times it can be a life changing thing.  
    Last time they were  callin in medics and bringing out the 02 mask  --attitude changer for sure..
  Dont laugh at those 'old bull vs young bull ' jokes anymore either.

I actually just found  a broken meat rod last weekend ,  I cut it down a bit more and made a wading stick out of it.

Since some of those rods have the heft of pool ques, it should do just fine.  Add a wrist loop, and some method of tying it to you, some kind of reinforcement to the bottom, you're good to go.
Oh, Yeah, and a handle, corks and or pipe wrap.... 
L13

Already reinforced the bottom with a large bolt and epoxy.   Handle is already nice foam.   Going to add some sort of  eye hook to the handle after I reinforce the handle.  I am thinking expanding foam then the last inch with JB weld to hold the eye hook