Photo courtesy of L.L.Bean
By now you probably know that invasive species like New Zealand mudsnails, didymo and whirling disease spread from stream to stream by clinging to the felt soles on your wading boots. Because these invasive species – especially whirling disease – have devastated native trout populations in many watersheds, TU called on gear manufacturers to stop producing felt-soled waders by 2011. Several manufacturers, including Simms, Patagonia and L.L.Bean have already debuted new wading boot technologies that are more resistant to invasive species. But how are anglers going to let go of felt when it has been the safest wading option for so long?
We at Trout want to know how you feel about this issue. Please take this poll, and let us know what you think by leaving a comment on this post. We’d also love to hear from those of you who may have tried some of the new boot technologies.
Check out the comments after the poll to see what other members think about this issue, and let us know what you think by commenting below. Once we get ample participation, we plan to publish the results of the poll here and in Trout magazine.
We’ll do our best to answer your questions with the help of Dave Kumlien from the Whirling Disease Foundation. To start, read these directions on how to clean and disinfect your waders to stem the spread of whirling disease and other deadly invasive species.
In the meantime, let us and your fellow TUers know what you think. Here’s a letter from a life member we received over the holidays to get you thinking about the issue.
I wanted to comment on the issue of eliminating felt soled waders. Although I cannot know if the boots coming into the market will be an improvement, it has been my experience that rubber soled boots are both slippery and dangerous on our typical Sierra Nevada streams. Unlike the waters east of the Rocky Mountains, our streams are, for the most part, not gravel bottomed. Rather they contain granite rocks anywhere from football sized to SUV sized. Stability in gravel and penetrating algae and mosses are not the most pressing concern; not slipping on a smooth, wet granite surface substantially larger than one’s boot size is. The “powers that be” in fly-fishing, again, seem to think that what works for the east works everywhere and that western streams mean Rocky Mountain streams.In my opinion, the answer to not transporting invasives, such as the NZ Mudsnail, is not eliminating felt soles. Rather it is proper treatment of gear after fishing infested waters, or, ideally, separate gear for these waters. The latter is my personal choice.
By Bruce Kautz December 28, 2008 - 3:04 pm
I understand the problem of spreading these organisms to other waters, but from experience, waders with non-felt soles are going to slip, slide, fall and be quite disappointed with the poor grip of the rubber sole. There will be more fishermen and women injuries while wading wearing rubber soles. In the late 90′s I tried aquastealth soles and they did ok in slower water or gravel and small rocks, but in faster water and mossy rock water they were dangerous. So I tried the studded aquastealth and they were about as equivalent as felt in slower and smaller rocky water, but again still dangerous in mossy and faster water. And of course, no studs in the drift boats, so you still needed a back up pair of felts. Last March we headed to New Zealand and were told to bring aquastealth soles without studs, as the studs scratching the rocks would spook the fish. We spent 2 weeks slipping, sliding, falling and losing fish trying to wade over mossy large rocks. One entire day of wading on the North Island was like wearing street shoes on an ice rink. So after that, I’m back to felts until I’m forced to stop using them. I’ll continue to throw the boots and waders in my freezer every night after fishing to kill the mudsnails (I do fish in Colorado where the snails do come home with me) and hopefully some biologist will give us an effective treatment option in the future.
By Stan January 2, 2009 - 6:21 am
I’ve got an almost new pair of felt soled wader boots and I can’t afford to throw them away prematurely !
What is a good way to “sterilise” them ?
Right now I just rinse them off, let dry then store. My fishing trips are unfortunately weeks apart
By William Prusi January 2, 2009 - 3:12 pm
I am curious as to whether there may be a way of treating felt sole wading boots to destroy any harmful plants or invasive species. I fish mostly in Minnesota with an occasional trip to Wyoming or Montana. I would be cautious about wading western streams without felt if a equivalent substitute cannot be found.
By J. Neil Norman January 3, 2009 - 1:17 am
I have fly fished in the Creede CO. area for some 40 years. I have used the felt soled waders for the last 10-12 and especially like the secure footing that they provide. Although I would be willing to change to another type of boot in a minute to protect the trout population. I would like to know who has used another boot and found it to be a positive experience.
Can not wait sill summer to be back in Creede!
By Randy January 4, 2009 - 8:05 am
I wouldn’t mind it if I could find someone who makes the boots big enough. Simms or Cabelas don’t make them big enough. I need a 15 or 16 and only thier felt boots go that big.
By Jason January 5, 2009 - 9:40 pm
My only experience is with felt-soled wading boots. If I could get a different material that gave me the same grip as felt, I’d likely switch right away, even if it meant an initial cost hit for me. The safety concern is definitely a big one for me, however.
By Dave Kumlien January 6, 2009 - 3:59 pm
Dear TU Folks,
As ED of TU’s Whirling Disease Foundation, I was instrumental in helping develop TU’s position on felt soles and angler equipment care. First, let me say that our goal in presenting the “no felt soles by 2011″ recommendation is to reduce the risk of the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species. Note that I say “reduce” and not eliminate. There is no single method of equipment care that will kill all AIS and eliminate risk. So, regarding equipment care, TU’s recommendation is to follow the guidelines expressed in the Clean Angling Pledge (CAP) which are to inspect, clean, and dry your equipment. The Clean Angling Pledge can be found on the TU webiste under TU Science, Aquatic Invasive Species, What Anglers Can Do. Please visit the site and take the CAP! The recommendations of the CAP are essentially the same as the “Check, Clean, and Dry” recommendations in the New Zealand program. For an number of reasons, we have stayed away from recommending chemical treatmets because 1) no single chemical treatment will kill all of the AIS species of concern; 2) some of the chemicals are extremely harsh on angling equipmen, and will, in short order, ruin waders and boots and 3) we are concerned with the possibility of anglers armed with Chlorine bleach and Sparquat cleaning their equipment in the streamside riparian zones. TU recommends that anglers follow the recommendations in the Clean Angling Pledge. Following these guidelines WILL have an impact on reducing the risk of spreading AIS. Thanks to all who have responded on the blog. I’ll keep track of the posts and try to answer the questions that come up. Happy New Year to all!
Dave
By Dave Kumlien January 6, 2009 - 4:19 pm
I thought I would write another comment addressing the question of the availability of acceptable alternative wading boot soles. I am a 30 year Montana fly fishing outfitter, and I spend as much time as ANYONE wading in challenging conditions. I would agree, wholeheartedly, that felt sole alternatives have not, up to this point, been effective, and I’ve tried them all! However, the fly fishing industry has been aware of this felt sole/Aquatic Invasive Species problem for some time, and many manufacturers have been working hard to come up with acceptable replacements. For example, at the Fly Fishing Retailer trade show last September in Denver, Simms Fishing Products announced a new rubber sole material developed with Vibram that they say provides a grip equal to felt. Patagonia is also working on a new sole material and many wother wader and shoe manufacturers are following suit. I have not had the opportunity to try the Simms sole, yet, but I will be getting a pair of these boots this spring, and I promise to test the dickens out of them! Tough job, but somebody has to do it, right?
The time necessary for manufacturers to develop an acceptable alternative sole material and the time needed for anglers to cycle through and replace current equipment is the main reason TU chose 2011 as the “deadline” year. For those that have followed this issue, you may have noted that Simms is eliminating felt by 2010. If TU didn’t believe that we can develop a good griping, AIS resistant sole and that the adoption of the use of this equipment will help reduce the risk of spreading AIS, we would not have taken this position. I would like to add that if you are going to continue to use your felt soled boots, please adopt the recommendations contained in the Clean Angling Pledge (CAP) to Inspect, Clean, and Dry your wading equipment. Also, the CAP guidelines still apply to use of the new AIS resistant equipment,too. The CAP may be found on the TU website under TU Science, Aquatic Invasive Species, What Anglers Can Do. Go there and take the CAP today. What we as anglers need to do is lead the public effort to shift the paradigm of thinking about Aquatic Invasive Species, and to be more aware of the risk of spreading these plants and critters. Better than any other organization, TU is positioned to lead this effort to conserve and protect our precious cold water trout and salmon resources from AIS. There’s a saying I often refer to that says “I can’t do everything, but I can do something, and what I can do I ought to do and what I ought to do, I will do.” Dave Kumlien, Executive Director, TU’s Whirling Disease Foundation
By Anthony Verrill January 8, 2009 - 3:00 pm
I hate to plug a product, but I have not used felt soles for many years. I have been using Korkers wading shoes with studded rubber soles. This sole incorporates 7 mm “replaceable carbide tipped” steel cleats, which have a better grip than felt and can be easily removed and cleaned.
These shoes were introduced to me by some of my friends who fly-fish for Striper from the slippery cliffs along the New England shoreline. I immediately began using these shoes for all my freshwater fishing trips, as well. I suspect they may be suitable for the type of Sierra Nevada streams one of the other responders mentioned.
By Bill Klyn January 10, 2009 - 7:59 pm
I applaud TU’s call to manufacturers and anglers to seek alternatives to felt soles by 2011. I am sure all anglers would readily replace soles if an alternative that meets felt performance is developed. But it is very important to look at the bigger picture that shoes are only one part of addressing the invasive species issues. Invasives ride along in shoe laces, mesh, between the insole and shoe, gravel cuffs, boats, and gear. Bottom Line is we need to fundamentally change anglers thinking and behavior in how they treat gear after every use. Saltwater anglers rinse all their gear and boat after exposure to saltwater. Freshwater anglers need to follow suit in the Clean, Inspect and Dry steps to help stop the spread of invasives. Making it simple is important as anglers are tired, it is dark after fishing, thus inherently want this to be a simple procees. Something as simple as having a Rubbermaid container in the back of your vehicle with a scrub brush makes it a simple step to get all the mud and debrs off waders and wading shoe. Then as you drive home, additonal rinsing occurs. Then hang waders and allow air to circulate around soles to dry. Fly Shops, and outfitters, can have stock tanks or a similar set up to educate and encourage customers to clean their gear. This goes a long way to building up customer support for a dealer who cares about the resource. Concerned manufacturers, outfitters, guides, dealers, media and anglers have to spread the word about invasives, offering the simple mantra of Clean, Inspect and Dry, offering simple action steps for solutions such as the Rubbermaid container.
By Terry Connolly January 13, 2009 - 2:59 am
If you fish in a location of concern then you have a moral duty to not use those shoes anywhere else. I’ve used felts from the mid 1970′s. Now retired I refuse to compromise my safety. Clean,inspect and Dry always. Prevention of further spread is paramount.
By Richard S. Cain January 17, 2009 - 2:37 am
If indeed, felt soles are out and the new “vibram/rubber” soles are a workable solution. In other words, they work so fellow anglers don’t fall on their collective hinnys or worse. My question is have any of the major manufacturers thought about are turn in policy for the felt boots or a method to remove the felt and replace it with the new material? I fish 50 days a year and my boots last me several years. The quality manufacturers, such as, Simms, Patagonia, and others make products that last. If this is a serious problem, we want to get the felts soles off the water as soon as possible. A good set of boots cost a pretty penny for some and they would not be able or willing to toss them until they used them up. With the incentive idea (maybe a discount on the new boots by turning in your old ones) would protect our waters sooner by removing the felt that is out their now as well as the new ones in the market place.
By Stan January 18, 2009 - 4:51 am
Bill Klyn
Agree 100%. Banning felt might be overkill. If we all take responsibility for cleaning our gear that’ll just about fix it. I pretty much do what you describe anyway once I get home or back to temporary base, just to protect my “investment” in waders, shoes and so on, before putting them away.
As a matter of interest what would be the best product for sterilising boots, soles etc ? Some bath/shower cleaner like Tilex ? Weak bleach solution (how weak?) ? What temp would cook/kill any stowaways ?
By Buzz Buffington January 24, 2009 - 4:23 pm
I’m retired and I fly fish about 150 days per year. I’m very supportive of efforts to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species that can impact our trout streams and waterways. I have read the responses to “how do you feel about giving up your felt soled waders” on the TU blog. It appears that many fishermen are concerned about safety and the increased risk of falling with non-felt soles. I’d like to share some information with you.
For the past several years I have tested waders and wading boots (unpaid volunteer) for Chota Outdoor Gear, Knoxville , TN. Chota has a new wading boot on the market called the Rock Lock. It has a rubber sloe with hard steel cleats. I am currently testing this new boot. However, I have already tested the Rock Lock’s sole for more than 300 hours on mountain streams and tailwaters. This sole is very easy to clean and provides good grip on all the surfaces that I have tested. It can be used with or wihtout the cleats depending on the wading surface. Additionally, the Rock Lock’s aggressive rubber tread provides very good traction on soil and muddy river banks.
I recognize that there are some conditions where felt soles might be superior, but the addition of hard steel cleats to a well-designed rubber sole is pretty hard to beat.
Respectly, Buzz Buffington
TU member
By Dave Kumlien January 29, 2009 - 2:15 pm
Regarding the “best” method to clean wading gear, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Research has proven that there is no single treatment that will kill all aquatic invasive species, and the treatments that come the closest are often very damaging to wading gear. It should be noted that virtually all the chemical treatments require full immersion for a minimum of 15-30 minutes. Spraying a treatment on gear won’t do the job. TU recommends following the recommendations found in the Clean Angling Pledge (CAP)which can be viewed and signed at the TU website under the TU Science/Aquatic Invasives section. The guidelines set forth in the CAP are simple, achieveable, and will most definitely help reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species. The key to this is understanding that there is no treament, short of eliminating activity, that will ELIMINATE risk. Our goal should be to continue our recreational acitivity and REDUCE the risk of spreading AIS.
By Charlie Hopper February 13, 2009 - 1:54 pm
Ideally I agree we need to do what we have to do. We battle the invasive plant species in NC as much as disease, and it is even easier to move with the felt. Most of the exotics aren’t encountered in the stream though but on the way to it. What I have been doing with our River Keepers is not allowing them to put on the felt until they enter the stream, making sure we don’t work in more that one stream per day, and in those areas of the stream where we have to leave the water we have established clear trails where we have exotic control programs already in place. I know this isn’t ideal in “wild waters”, but they are usually small enough that we don’t have the exotics and don’t need the felt. Most responsible bass fishermen have gotten really good about stuff like this with their boats, and I think we can do the same with our equipment much easier. I know they aren’t cheap, but as a professional river keeper I have found I will carry two pairs of boots if I know I am going to be in two different streams.
By Mike Mason February 20, 2009 - 10:39 pm
I spent my first 19 years fishing (mostly) the Au Sable system in Michigan where I used rubber soles all the time. When I moved to Colorado in ’74 I spent the first few wading trips wet wading in chest highs! In short, the river bottoms here and in much of the west, are unbelievably slick.
I am all about safety and keeping unwanted invasives out of our waterways and have tried steel lugs on the upper Colorado and the Fraser Rivers with little effect. So far felt is the only way to keep me on my feet. I always wash and rinse my boots after use to keep them clean and try to give them a long life. Since the word came down about the spread of whirling disease on felt soles, I am glad this has been my practice. I am sure soap and water is not the solution and intend to check the TU website and follow the CAP guidelines.
Cool Waters,
Mike
By Bill Havrilla February 26, 2009 - 9:53 pm
While all this attention to felt-bottomed wading boots is nice, since the boots are in-fact water transmissible, will T.U. next be calling for the banning of neoprene booties on the bottom of waders? These are a perfect hiding place for stream-borne parasites. Admittedly, following the CAP guidelines will help reduce the possibility of transferring invasive species from habitat to habitat, but unless the boot is sealed to the bottom of the wader permanently and made from non-porous materials, the problem of cleaning will always exist.
By Jay K. March 5, 2009 - 12:48 am
No worries, mate! As soon as someone offers me a trade-in so new boots will only cost me less than $50 I’ll give up the felts, not before. I’m a senior who lives on $12k/yr, and haven’t bought anything for my flyfishing addiction since 1999 (tie flies, make rods, tie leaders and splice fly-lines, etc., etc.)
By Evan March 5, 2009 - 12:56 am
I just returned from trip to New Zealand where Didymo is a major threat to streams. The banned felt soled shoes a few years back. I was skeptical of the quality of the rubber sole replacements but my guide swore by his newest pair and said that he feels great about the latest generation in rubber soled shoes. If we’ve learned much about environmental regulation of any kind, setting deadlines for phasing out one technology creates an immediate burst of innovation in a new direction. I’m confident that if we set a firm deadline, we’ll have some excellent, probably better, alternatives to what we’re wading around in today.
By Lance Climie March 5, 2009 - 2:10 am
Having lived in upstate New York and fished extensively in freestone streams, I do not see any substitution for felt on the market. I am a native of and reside in West Michigan and I do not use felt here at all. I have tried the new “felt replacement” boots in a freestone environment and did not feel any sense of security or safety. I understand the problem of invasive species as they are killing the Great Lakes. My hope is that there will be a breakthrough with a reasonable cost material to replace the felt. Until then, I will continue to use the felt and takes whatever steps are necessary to sterilize them between uses.
By Hance Young March 5, 2009 - 3:41 am
I am new to fly fishing and have spent time reading different articles and reports on the effects of felt on the boots. From the reports I decided not to buy felt bottom boots but with Vibram rubber soles with tungsten studs. These have preformed flawlessly. Over rocks, mud, gravel, sand, even when I need to climb up out of a river, no problems. Now, I know I have no basis for argument as I have never used the felt. With the performance of the boots I have, I, myself see no reason to buy a felt soled boots. I guess is what is all comes down to is do we want to protect the environment so future generation can enjoy the trill of fishing. That is what TU is all about. Therefore, I support TU’s effort to help curb invasive species transfer from one river to another.
By Evan J. Williams March 5, 2009 - 4:19 am
Could the new boot soles cause the wearer to be less vigilant?
By Doug Perrett March 5, 2009 - 12:34 pm
I’ve checked out the new Simms soles and George Anderson did a pretty nice article comparing felt soles with that sole. George’s results are favorable (published on his website – yellowstoneangler.com)
I purchased an new pair of Korkers last spring so I emailed them about soles. Their Aquastealth soles haven’t been as good as felt. In April, they are introducing a new sole similar to the Simms sole. It’s cool that I can change out the sole rather than needing to buy new boots.
We don’t know how the new sole will perform yet, but I emailed Kelly Galloup (slideinn.com), since he and his guides are so high on Korkers, and asked him and his guides to publish a report after they use them for a while.
By Kurt Nelson March 6, 2009 - 2:09 pm
My concern about this whole problem is the fact that birds travel from stream to stream, pond to stream etc…. over many miles. Another Fact is that their are more birds transporting invasive species than any others.
I think felt soles are being blamed for something they may have had little to do with.
Once we see rock snot in an eastern river it is already too late, just go to Balls Eddy on the West Branch of the Delaware River.
If you want to ban something it must be done before it is too late not after you see proof.
As with global warming when we see actual proof of it, and that something is wrong it will be too late. Rock snot is just a wake up call for many other problems that must be dealt with sooner than later.
I will go feltless if I have to.
By Jeff Kirchman March 6, 2009 - 4:52 pm
I spoke with a gentleman that was skeptical about the vibram soles, he did a mossy bowling ball test, with felt on one foot and rubber on the other. He agreed that the rubber was actually better.
If man.’s would offer rubber resole options then I think its done. Sipping of the rubber is another way that might improve the traction, but I think its great. No more dirty soles in pack! No more spreading!!!!!!!!!!!! No more special shoes for invaded waters!
Will TU speak with them about resoling options?
By Ray Foster March 15, 2009 - 11:21 pm
If I have to give up felt I will, but do you really think that is a solution? Right now I use rubber sole waders in an WD infected river and felt soles in others. The rubber soles are a pia! I spend a lot of time swimming with the fish from those darn soles. I am a firm believer in the wading belt. I use it! Studs? How many boat owners will let you in their boat knowing you have studs? Not too many I think as I drift boat some rivers hopping out at nice locations. Now, how does WD or NZMS get from one river to another. Granted people and their toys are one source, gosh, what about waterfoul and animals moving from one area to another? Oh my, what about waterfoul hunters? I agree we all need to reduce the likelyhood of spreading the problems around which means chemical, drying, cleaning, and freezing all have to be effectively employed. Now just where does one think I can put my equipment overnight to freeze or dry when I am hundreds of miles from home? Since I have been swimming with the fish in my rubber sole waders, the insides of my waders now need some sort of treatment. Chemicals? There is a definite need for them too. I know WD can be killed by a bleach solution, but not the NZMS. To keep the streams and rivers productive, we need a mixture of affordable and acceptable methods. The manufacturers of the sporting goods (boats, guns, fishing, diving, etc.) we buy have a huge vested interest in not loosing waters for recreation. They should be one of the leaders assisting us, not just bringing out new expensive equipment that those on fixed incomes cannot afford. Banning felt soles is not the way to go as that does not stop the transport. It just eliminates them on the soles, not elsewhere and that is not a solution to the problem. Killing off the disease or critters from your equipment easily is a must. The States and Federal government along with the manufacturers working together to arrive at a solution is the only way we are going to protect our precious waters.
By Steve Cobb March 16, 2009 - 8:05 pm
I’m east of the Mississippi and the rivers, creeks and streams I fish aren’t gravel bottom by any stretch of the imagination. Rubbersoled boots (even 75% as good as felt) is not an acceptable alternative.
The issue here lies with the user. It’s not the boot makers, Trout Unlimiteds or anybody elses responsibility to say what kinda sole should be manufactured. If the shoe fits wear it…but wear it responsibly.
By Hannah March 19, 2009 - 3:19 pm
Here’s a response from Dave Kumlein, our Whirling Disease Foundation Executive Director here at TU. The response is also up as a separate post dated March 18, 2009.
“The thoughtful responses being posted indicate that TU members and anglers are giving the issue of the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) by angling equipment some serious thought. The goal of the “no felt soles by 2011” policy is to produce a paradigm shift in the behavior and practices of anglers and water recreationists regarding their role in spreading AIS, and this reaction is exactly what we had hoped for. With the growing threats of AIS to our cold water trout and salmon resources, anglers and water recreationists must do what they can to help reduce the risk of spreading AIS.
I would like to address some of the recurring questions that have come up around the felt sole policy. First, regarding the question of felt soles being a “scapegoat,” there is considerable scientific evidence that felt soles move sediments and AIS. A study conducted at Montana State University on angler movement titled Movements of Resident and Non-Resident Anglers in Montana: Implications for Transferring Whirling Disease among Drainages in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem found that the average pair of wading boots sampled carried 22.10 grams of sediment. Extrapolate this to the angling population fishing on any given day in only the greater Yellowstone area, and you will conclude that felt soles are moving lots of sediment, and these sediments could potentially contain all sorts of AIS including whirling disease spores, New Zealand mud snails, Eurasian milfoil and didymo.
TU did not formulate this policy in a vacuum. One of the deciding factors in the development of the “no felts by 2011” was the formal request by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources asking TU to address the felt sole issue to the angling public and to wader and boot manufacturers. UTDWR is eliminating the use of felt soles by its professional staff, and other state fish and wildlife agencies and New Zealand agencies are following suit.
Felts are certainly not a scapegoat, but we agree that felt soles are not the only piece of angling equipment or the only method of spreading AIS. It is true that AIS could be riding along on wader booties, boot laces or on the surfaces of wading boots, and to address this possibility, TU is recommending that anglers not only eliminate the use of felt soles but that they also follow the guidelines provided in the Clean Angling Pledge to inspect, clean and dry angling equipment and to avoid moving fish, fish parts, water and plants between drainages. The Clean Angling Pledge can be found and signed on tu.org.
Another question that has been posed regarding the “no felts by 2011” policy is the availability and suitability of acceptable alternatives to felt soles. As an avid angler and a 30 year Montana fly fishing outfitter, this was a big concern of mine. I had tried some of the alternative rubber soles, and my experience with them was not satisfactory. However, I knew from discussions with leading wader and boot manufacturers that new alternative soles were being developed and tested, and at the 2008 Fly Fishing Retailer in Denver, Colo., Simms presented a new rubber sole developed in conjunction with Vibram and announced that they would eliminate felt soles in their product line by 2010. Other manufacturers including Patagonia, Korkers, Chota, Orvis and others are also introducing alternative soles to the market. Soon, there should be lots of choices available at a number of price points. In the meantime, if you have felt soled boots that are in good condition or you just don’t want to switch, you can still follow the recommendations of the Clean Angling Pledge to inspect, clean and dry your equipment, and by following these guidelines, you will be doing your part to reduce the risk of spreading AIS. It is very important to understand that all of these actions, guidelines, and paradigm shifts are aimed at risk reduction, not risk elimination. There is no technique or treatment that will eliminate all risk of spreading AIS, but eliminating the use of felt soles and following the recommendations of the Clean Angling Pledge will reduce the risk of spreading AIS and causing damage to our precious trout and salmon resources.”
Dave Kumlien
Executive Director of TU’s Whirling Disease Foundation
By JIm O March 25, 2009 - 3:14 pm
I only found out about this a few months ago and I hate to see this happen. However, it’s all about saving the water ways, fish and resources. I had assumed that fly fishermen, for the most part, were cleaning their equipment. I have enjoyed years of the felt sole and they have helped greatly keeping my rear out of the waters. I am sure that someone will build another good product. There are some now, like the spikes, but I think they will get better. I am an older man and rubber soles are damagerous for me. Let’s all work together to keep our waters clean. When the ban goes into effect will we have to stop using our felts or will they just stop selling them? I have always cleaned mine each time in come out of the rivers. Now I’ll be glad to change.
By Felt Sole Poll Results | Trout Unlimited Blog April 6, 2009 - 6:12 pm
[...] about the issues and [...]
By Rick April 7, 2009 - 12:09 am
I’m a novice a fly fisherman. I’d always wanted to give it a try but with four kids I could never justify the expense. Well,two years ago I put aside the $ for waders/boots/rod/reel/vest, etc. Like most guys, I bought felt sole boots (not cheap!). Never heard a word from anybody about the spore quandary. Seems like it’s always something. Last fall I fished in northern Michigan for trout but most of my fishing has been in Illinois for bass, bluegill and crappie. Since AIS affects trout and salmon streams, I should be able to get full use of my felt sole boots in Illinois.
By Kevin Biegler April 7, 2009 - 3:53 pm
In response to Dave Kumlien;
Dave I appreciate your work and thoughtful comments and do not take my comments as to mean that ‘nothing’ should be done however this barely equates to a bandaid in my opinion.
As a past president of one the larger TU chapters in the US, an alumni of Montana State Univ (BS, Microbiology, 1982) I have been active in a number of conservation issues. This call to ban felt and seeing TU complicit in the action is in my humble opin9ion a complete folly.
Felt is not the number culprit in spreading invasives … Anglers Are! Period.
This move smacks of nothing more than the manufacturers looking at a novel way to bump a flat market growth. Let’s take for example, Didymo. The first part of the folly is the fact that Didymo is indigenous to North America. Next it’s microscopic in nature, next ANY material an angler wears that absorbs water can transport these invasives. Think about it didymo survived 18 hours in the baggage compartment of an airliner across the Pacific to invade the waters of New Zealand. Again, any material which absorbs water will be a potential vector of contamination of invasives not just didymo. Sure the argument is, “well this is a ’step’ in the right direction and will slow things down”. The data from New Zealand showed that neoprene actually harbored more didymo organisms by volume than felt did … is Simms going to ban neoprene booties in their $700 waders?
In the 1800’s people with infected wounds usually had amputation used as the treatment of choice and in many cases the patient still died. If TU is serious about ‘habitat’ and being an organization that is all about habitat (as we heard repeatedly during the public access debate) then … then, to be serious about stopping the spread of invasives, Trout Unlimited would/should be calling for the quarantine of affected waters. Will anglers be up in arms over such a move? sure! Will manufacturers support such a move? What, and lose that market growth bump by a mandatory move requiring all anglers to purchase new boots? Hardly.
Felt is not the number problem in the spread of invasives … anglers are … in which case simply banning felt is a complete folly that will benefit the suppliers and not the streams. Not to mention that in likelihood the anglers willing to buy new boots to combat the spread of invasives likely aren’t aren’t part of the problem. TU needs to come up with another solution this one is too transparent.
Kevin Biegler
Twin Cities Trout Unlimited
By Tom Sadler April 8, 2009 - 10:16 pm
Many thoughtful, excellent points made here. Here is my contribution to the discussion, a column i wrote recently: “What you can do to stop spreading aquatic nuisance species” http://middleriverdispatch.com/mrgblog/conservation/aquatic-nuisance-species-problem/
Everyone who spends time on or in the water needs to do what they can stop the spread of AIS. There is no silver bullet, one-size-fits-all, solution. But we as vigilant, responsible anglers need to do our part.
There are some great suggestions in these comments.
Tom Sadler
TU NLC-VA
By Tav April 23, 2009 - 8:03 pm
My Issues:
The people I have talked to (100% of them) that praise/like the rubber soles are people who sell the boots which are rediculously priced. 100% of the fisherman, and a few salesmen have said they are not as good as felt, and impossible in some rivers. Rubber may be fine on gravel, sand, and boats but throw in some cobble, rock, or moss and you’re better off staying on the bank in a pair of hiking boots. (I have used rubber). My safety is important to me, felt is cheaper, and I take care of my gear. And I believe that some form of cleansing agent or method can be developed faster than boot-sole technology can advance.
My solution:
I agree that areas where AIS are evident – those waters need to be flagged and special conditions placed on them. What it all boils down to is education. The rest is up to the sportsman. Leave the felt alone, call for effective cleaning supplies by 2010, and educate by forcing everyone who buys a fishing license to PASS a test, every year, about proper cleaning, ethical responsibility, and river etiquette. And don’t pass them just because they spell their name correctly.
By Thomas Stout June 26, 2009 - 5:51 pm
After reading all the comments and seeing the video’s, is there any science to back it up. Show me the Science. Then lets move on. I agree this is a problem, but are we going about it the right way? This ban on felt soles may help but do we know if it really will?
By Craig Worley July 6, 2009 - 2:56 am
Having recently purchased new wading boots, I find it interesting that many of the major manufacturers and retailers make no mention of this issue when selling felt soled waders. After reading the previous posts I would comment that living in New England and wading in rivers with bottoms of mostly moss and algea covered rocks, felt soled waders are the only thing that prevents slipping and the attendant dangers of injury or even drowning. I will not willingly give up the felt soles unless an equivalent replacement can be found. Almost as good is not good enough. We can take care of the problem by proper care of our gear.
By Bill Havrilla August 4, 2009 - 7:16 pm
Roger Phillips 7/18 article in the Idaho Statesman about whether or not to give up his felt-soled boots goes to the very heart of the invasive species problem when he says “My wading boots sometimes go weeks without completely drying, and I am not always meticulous about cleaning them.” He goes on to say that he probably will covert but his initial statement is the root of the entire problem! Clean your boots properly and this change of technology probably wouldn’t be necessary. We’re all guilty of cutting corners sometimes, buy if we were all scrupulous about it, the problem would be minimized.
By Bill Havrilla August 4, 2009 - 7:27 pm
In response to Kevin Biegler’s post on 4/7/09, I whole-heartedly agree with his positon. WE are a huge part of the problem. Anglers unwilling to be responsible for the proper cleaning of their equipment are providing some of the impetus in the felt-sole replacement programs currently under way. That and the manufacturers want of increasing sales in a sales volume restricted market (how many of us own more than one pair of wading boots? Rods yes, boots, no.) are the driving forces behind this movement. Man up guys! Clean your equipment properly EVERY DAY you use them and we’ll all cut down on the problem.
By dale white February 15, 2010 - 11:00 pm
I don’t mind giving up felt, but how do we stop it being spread by other animals? Birds fly form stream to stream, so I assume that they can carry it on their feet. Other animals such as otters, can transport it to other free areas of the river. I would like more time and money spent on finding some safe way to kill it. I two freeze my boots and waders to help stop the spread. I just feel that the first time a fisherman slips on a rock that her didn’t while wearing their trusty felt, that he/she will be at the fly shop the next day to buy a new pair of felt boots….
By Response to Felt Sole Ban | Trout Unlimited Blog April 6, 2010 - 8:43 am
[...] can read member comments by reading the original blog post about this topic. Posted Under: Felt Soles, Trout Magazine, Trout [...]
By Louie DeNolfo May 2, 2010 - 2:35 pm
I am a former NZ trout guide and Secretary of Hawaii’s TU chapter(see http://www.tuhi.org) I am opposed to a ban of felt soles for many reasons, mostly based on angler safety. There is no alterative which will give alngers the footing they need to safely wade dangerous rivers, and there are many alternatives to a ban. Having just returned from New Zealand, I discovered a method, sanctioned by the New Zealand Fish & Game dept, of transforming felt soles, by immersing them in various dilute solutions of contact or rubber cement, in stages, which will transform the spongy felt sole into hard rubber soles, that will still hold the bottom as well as they ever did. You can do this at home. This eliminates the need to ban felt soles altogether, as they will no longer act as a sponge sucking up invasives.
I invite any and all to email me and I will forward all the information. There are already US boot companies looking into this method.
Keep in mind that the whole Ban idea was initiated by the NZ Fish and Game, and they are now back tracking and have OK’ed this new method. Lets hope the un-needed paranoia doest spread to the USA in 2011!
Stay on your feet!
Louie the Fish!
By Pat Rondas August 29, 2010 - 11:30 pm
I have tried the rubber with cleats and they are a death trap to wear they are a accident looking for a place to happen. My concern is with guides and here equipment they are out almost every day and move from river to river on a daily where there are several rivers to fish were the fisherman might get in two to five trips a year and there is 2 to 4 weeks between and they probably clean there equipment after each trip or they have alot of cash to replace it when it rots out or stinks so bad they have to throw out there boots and waders. how about the fish and game doing something about all of the guides and there equipment does there equipment ever get dried out. of course this would take away from there income if they had to take care of the little things wear the same boots and waders everyday and just transport all of these invasives. need to come up with a better solution
By Gene Brown October 19, 2010 - 12:35 am
I have started dipping my felt boots in a bleach solution (2oz/gal) for one minute then placing in a bucket of clean water overnight. I have done microscopic inspection of the felt contents before and after and this does indeed kill the microorganisms on the felt. At least what I find here in Western Oregon coastal rivers.
By Richard E Harris December 29, 2010 - 7:00 pm
I believe a 5 to 6 stud pattern on the bottom of a rubber boot will not work. Just based on engineering principal, it is easy to see that the studded boots may work for heavier folks, but not work at all for lighter folks like myself. In the first place there just wouldn’t be the same psi on each stud needed to always penetrate to the mossy rocks for persons of different weights. This would be greatly exacerbated by water buoyancy in deeper or faster water. The other thing is the studded portion would only be a very small fraction of the entire sole as compared to a much larger area on a felt boot. So, each step with a studded boot would have to be a calculated one in order for the cleats to engage the rocks first. Not my idea of a fun outing. I’ve tried the studs, they are dangerous.
Secondly I find it a little strange that Biosecurity New Zealand only recommends a 2% solution of bleach to “disinfect” the felt soles, when their report clearly indicates that the most effective biocide is a solution of chelated copper (copper sulfate). We here in the midwest have a long history of safe use of this compound combatting many, many forms of algae blooms on our lakes and ponds. It’s safe for the fish, fish eggs, minnows, frogs and other aquatic species, also safe for other broad leaf water weeds, easy to apply and does the job within a matter of a few days with full use of the water afterward. I plan on using this solution to disinfect all my waders and boots. Try an ultrasonic bath for dislodging other trapped sediment or for a really penatrating disinfectant bath. It works.
By Ralph Skelley August 7, 2011 - 2:43 am
Some years ago, before I began using felt soled waders, I slipped, fell and suffered a torn rotator cuff. My recovery was long and painful and I still feel the effects of that injury. Since then I have only used felt soles and always carry a wading staff. I’m perfectly willing to follow some disinfecting procedure with my felt soles. At seventy two years of age, I cannot continue to stream fish without felt soles.
When I consider what strip mining is doing to the trout streams of West Virginia, I have to wonder why an old man in Maryland will be fined a thousand dollars for wearing disinfected felt. I believe in government when it is equitable to everyone. But this is just taking a shot at an easy target.
By Ron Martin August 17, 2011 - 3:22 pm
I have tried the new rubber and steel studded boots and other rubber wading boots in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana rivers. I have also used them in the rivers in Maine and Vermont. They work well in Maine and Vermont rivers but are really slippery in the Western State rivers. I fell several times using them and have gone back to my old Felt Soled Waders. I do feel that we need to contain and stop the transfer of the infectious organisms that kill our trout. However I do not feel we should submit ourselves to unsafe waders. My life is more important to me and my family than the trout. I believe the scientist who develop the new boots need to come up with a better solution that is safe for fishermen and the fish before felt is banned. At the same time I think the chemical scientists should work to develop a disinfectant that works 100% on felt waders.
By Ron Martin August 17, 2011 - 4:50 pm
I just made a comment an hour ago but after thinking about this issue I had an idea that would help or solve the problem if the right people tried it. The manufacturers of waders could make a detachable felt sole for their boots. This sole could be removed from the boot and then be placed in boiling water with some sort of disinfectant like bleach and boiled for ten minutes. This would certainly kill all of the AIS on the soles and the soles could then be re-attached to the boot and the fisherman could safely fish in any river, stream or lake.
By Louie the Fish! December 24, 2011 - 3:43 pm
Hi ya’ll! I cant find any of my old, very informative, but obviously un-popular, blogs here, but to make a long story short, there is NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE that links felt soles to the transport of invasives. And Didymo is native to North America, and recent blooms are more likly the result of climate and environmental changes. Rubber sole boots were created by a certain boot company when felt became expensive and hard to get. Long after all the boot companies got themselves heavily invested in dangerous rubber sole boots, they all jumped on the Eco bandwagon as an attempt to market the useless rubber sole boots. State Bans of felt soles put anglers at dire risk of life and limb, for no concrete Scientific reason. Smart States such as Oregon have ignored all this histeria, much to their credit. and you can now see a move back to much safer felt bottoms, by even the same boot companies that started all this nonsense.. Those of you still worried can take heed of all the cleaning methods, and also look at the New Zealand Fish & Game sanctioned method of treating felt bottoms with a soaking of rubber cement and solvent (mineral spirits), 2 parts solvent per 1 part glue for first soak, dry, then a 50/50 mix, dry ,then two coats glue only. This turns the former spongy felt into a hard rubber bottom ,with no loss in traction. Wear these with confidence, even in States such as Alaska who have foolishly banned felt, just call them rubber soles!
All the above is the truth, but not popular with certain folks trying to find grant money to prove something that isnt true. Get safe, use felt!
By Ralph Petter March 5, 2012 - 10:49 am
I find the ban on felt soled wading boots unnecessary and unsupported by data. Experiments show that felt may retain invasives, but also shows that other parts of a fly anglers equipment have the same potential in carrying the same invasives. THE DEGREE OF RETENTION OF REPRODUCTIVE MATTER IN THE BOOT’S FELT SOLE IS INCONSEQUENTIAL AS LONG AS TRANSMISSION CAN OCCUR THROUGH OTHER PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. In addition, most anglers don’t cross from watershed to watershed due to limitations on free time imposed by their employment. Those that do can sterilize their boots. I don’t support the “every little bit helps” theory of control because it controls nothing. Contamination continues and invasives will dominate, just at a modified rate. Ban by government is a result of uniformed politicians hoping to impress their constituents with their environmental policies and pushes fiscal responsibility onto the individual which should be shouldered by government. As long as environmental issues are misrepresented and over simplified, real solutions will never be presented.