Alaskans have taken a big step toward preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. In response to a proposal by Juneau Trout Unlimited Chapter Member, Mark Vinsel, the state Board of Fisheries recently agreed to ban the use of felt sole waders and boots in Southeast Alaska’s freshwater streams as of January 1, 2011.
It’s believed to be the first time a state regulatory body has adopted such a sweeping prohibition.
“We applaud both Mark’s initiative and the foresight of the Board in passing this proposal and starting Alaska on its way to protecting our fisheries statewide.” said Trout Unlimited Southeast Alaska Project Director, Mark Kaelke.
Anglers have traditionally used wading boots lined with quarter-inch-thick felt on the bottom. The felt soles help anglers stay upright in mud, gravel and other slippery conditions. But the felt can be a breeding ground for nasty spores and microbes that spawn invasive species that can wreak havoc on native fish.
Although Alaska’s waters are relatively free of invasive species currently, Trout Unlimited expects that without proactive measures and increased awareness of potential problems, it is simply a matter of time before state waterways become infected with invasive species that have devastated fisheries elsewhere.
“Other states and countries have spent millions to fight the spread of invasive species like Whirling disease and New Zealand mudsnails and they’ve lost millions in revenue due to resulting declines in fish production. The recent detection of didymo (or rock snot) in two streams near Juneau should be a wake-up for us all.” said Kaelke.
Trout Unlimited proposed phasing out felt sole waders in Alaska over two fishing seasons to limit the impact on anglers. The organization is pushing for a statewide ban when the Board of Fisheries convenes again next year.
Anglers Enjoy a Day of Fishing on Witch Creek near Juneau, Alaska
By Dean June 17, 2009 - 2:13 pm
Celebrating a felt sole ban in Alaska while mining interests continue to dictate all other environmental policies reminds me of the scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We’re worried about not being swim when the fall will likely kill us.
By Chris February 23, 2010 - 3:33 pm
TU, you have far more important issues than regulating my waders! Most of us responsible fisherman clean our felt pads simply because the felt sole will rot quick if you don’t clean and maintain them. I have used my felt soled waders for years as a safty percaution, rubber soles just do not work in cold water. Please stop dicating useless policy to Alaskans based on knee jerk “what “if’s” and shame on the Alaska Board of Fisheries for falling to another “scare.” For goodness sake TU, work on protecting streams form development and industial pollution and leave your responsible membership alone!
By pdobbyn March 3, 2010 - 9:01 pm
Unfortunately you are in the minority when it comes to responsible cleaning of felt soles. Studies done in Montana showed the average angler transports roughly 16 grams of sediments in their felt soled boots alone.
There are two streams with confirmed cases of Didymo (rock snot) near Juneau, 2 streams in Bristol Bay which had unusual algae blooms last year which the state is still working to identify and the DNA for the Whirling Disease parasite showed up in sampling of Elmendorf hatchery fish about 4 years ago. Add the large number of traveling anglers we have here and a generally warming climate and this is anything but a “knee jerk, what-if” reaction or scare tactic. Just to put the very real possibilities and importance of this issue in perspective for you, the state of Oregon spends $25 million each year just to control (not eradicate) Zebra Mussels at 13 hydro sites.
The newer non-felt products do work well in cold water (especially when studded) and require little or no cleaning.