We’ve been talking a lot about invasive species stowing away on your wading boots. TU member Craig Duncan got in touch this month to show us that didymo isn’t the only species sharing boot space with anglers.
Duncan came back to his camp in the Adirondacks last year to find that a family of birds made his felt boots the perfect nesting spot.
By Lower Talarik Kid May 6, 2009 - 8:39 pm
Felt Soles. Banning the felt soles may be ‘low hanging fruit’ from a standpoint of a public relations ploy. If felt soles are the only method of transmission of the organisms then I can understand the ban. Then the ban should be immediate. To delay the ban is to risk further spread of undesirable organisms.
Since we’ve a pretty good idea that the majority of felt boot users are fishermen (okay mostly fly fishermen instead of bait fishers) why not ban all flyfishermen (and women).
By Dan Brosier May 7, 2009 - 12:02 am
What? You didn’t know the Adirondacks had wading birds?
By Kenman June 1, 2009 - 8:00 am
If felt soles are the problem then what about all of the nooks and crannys of any lase up boot or shoe.Seems like all types of shoes should be banned.It really boils down to all of us taking time to clean all of our gear including boots after fishing any waters.
By Tom S April 25, 2010 - 6:08 pm
Has the state installed the new duck and other waterfoul checkin and rinse and dry stations yet?????
By Louie DeNolfo June 8, 2011 - 2:13 pm
Good comments above, but you are missing the actual point! A total ban of felt soles is ONLY justified if there is an actual threat, which there is NOT!
There is not one shred of scientific evidence showing a specific species, carried by felt soles, that exists in North America and has harmed a stream.
This is a witch hunt orchestrated by the boot companies who are now so heavily invested in dangerous, useless rubber sole boots that they have managed to get certain conservation organizations to come forward, with no evidence, and endorse this ridiculous ban. It should be an embarrassment to any real scientist. Dont let any ban happen in your State !! Get informed, do the research online….look up Didymo (native to N. American rivers), whirling disease, etc. Dont let big companies, that do not have your well being in mind, that are lying to you each year with each {NEW} type of rubber sole boot, sworn to be as good as felt. It’s been a solid stream of BS from the beginning!
At the time of this writing, there are only two alternatives to felt soles. One is my New Zealand method of fixing your felts with rubber cement (see my other blogs),.
The other alternative is the very latest product, tested and proven in New Zealand, the new Svelte bottoms on Korkers boots, the only commercially produced safe boot bottom out.
Tell your friends to read the posts on this blog, they are very transparant!
STOP ALL BANS ON FELT SOLES NOW!!!!