05-15-2006, 03:20 PM
05-15-2006, 10:23 PM
[center][cool][font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]What is your budget?[/size][/green][/font][/center] [center][font "Poor Richard"][#008000][size 3]I like spending other people's money.[
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05-15-2006, 11:14 PM
I am going to recommend Simms. I have the ultra light with the Aqua Stealth sole and sheet metal screw cleets. I like the Stealth sole cause the snow won't stick to them like felt and the cleets are easily removed for drift boats. Another reason for the Simms is I had mine for 2 years and the whole sole started separating from the boot. For $30. I sent them back and got a Brand new pair and the new style.
Orvis has real nice boots also, but the Ultra Lights are for thin feet.
I suggest good ankle support and comfort on what ever boot you get and the sheet metal screws will work on any sole.
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Orvis has real nice boots also, but the Ultra Lights are for thin feet.
I suggest good ankle support and comfort on what ever boot you get and the sheet metal screws will work on any sole.
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05-17-2006, 03:11 PM
[font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Hey there maddawg - I found the Hodgman Bantam to my liking. They are reasonably priced at around $50+ but more important is their light weight which makes them quite comfortable to wear. There are dozens of companies offering numerous styles to choose from. Hard to make up one's mind. If I was in the business like FGD I would probably be choosing a Simm's product.[/size][/green][/font]
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05-17-2006, 04:18 PM
I've been thinking about the winnbrener's as well or korkers
Trent
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Trent
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05-18-2006, 01:14 AM
I thought about Korkers, but I still hear complaints about the soles falling off, specially if you bend your foot a lot. Haven't heard about Winnbrener's.
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05-25-2006, 09:01 AM
[black][size 3]Here's another vote for Simms. If you can afford them, they are well worth it. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I have a pair of Hodgman soft rubber(not aqua stealth) soles that are nice, but, they are a replacement pair. The first one's I bought had the rubber bottom separate within two months of use(about 6 fishing trips). I brought them back to the place I purchased them and they replaced them. This pair has worked well for a few years now. These are the boots that I wear on long dry hikes over rugged terrain to get to the water.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]Another pair that I have are Orvis felt soled boots that are really light weight and I only use when I fish really slimy and slippery bottomed waters. [/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I also have two pairs of Simms both with the aqua stealth rubber soles - one pair of the light weights(that I use for float tubing and pontooning) and one pair of the Leather Guide boots with metal studs. About all I can say is that the Simms are just about bullet proof and I've had absolutely great performance from them.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I personally would recommend the Aqua stealth rubber soles for just about every condition(except long dry hikes over rugged terrain where they wear out faster). Aqua Stealth(sometimes called river rubber) is a very soft rubber material that provides excellent traction in all conditions.[/size][/black]
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[size 3][black]Felt soles provide great traction on slippery moss covered rocky surfaces, but they tend to soak up a lot water, snow and mud and get heavy. [/black][/size]
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[black][size 3]I have a pair of Hodgman soft rubber(not aqua stealth) soles that are nice, but, they are a replacement pair. The first one's I bought had the rubber bottom separate within two months of use(about 6 fishing trips). I brought them back to the place I purchased them and they replaced them. This pair has worked well for a few years now. These are the boots that I wear on long dry hikes over rugged terrain to get to the water.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]Another pair that I have are Orvis felt soled boots that are really light weight and I only use when I fish really slimy and slippery bottomed waters. [/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[black][size 3]I also have two pairs of Simms both with the aqua stealth rubber soles - one pair of the light weights(that I use for float tubing and pontooning) and one pair of the Leather Guide boots with metal studs. About all I can say is that the Simms are just about bullet proof and I've had absolutely great performance from them.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I personally would recommend the Aqua stealth rubber soles for just about every condition(except long dry hikes over rugged terrain where they wear out faster). Aqua Stealth(sometimes called river rubber) is a very soft rubber material that provides excellent traction in all conditions.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3][/size][/black]
[size 3][black]Felt soles provide great traction on slippery moss covered rocky surfaces, but they tend to soak up a lot water, snow and mud and get heavy. [/black][/size]
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05-25-2006, 03:29 PM
[font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Hey there Fishhound - was wondering about your statement of using one of your light weight boots for tubing. Don't you like to use flippers? Seems like it would be hard to navigate around in a pair of boots. Just curious.[/size][/green][/font]
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05-25-2006, 03:52 PM
[black][size 3]Hey Dryrod,[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I wear my fins(extra large) over the boots. That way I can get out and wade around too. The boots also give me more ankle support for the flippers.[/size][/black]
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[black][size 3]I wear my fins(extra large) over the boots. That way I can get out and wade around too. The boots also give me more ankle support for the flippers.[/size][/black]
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05-25-2006, 04:03 PM
[center][font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Okay Fishhound - now that makes sense.[/size][/green][/font][/center] [center][font "Poor Richard"][#008000][size 3]I happen to wear booties over my wader's stocking feet. [/size][/#008000][/font][/center]
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05-25-2006, 08:23 PM
You, Zonker, Tube Dude and Tube babe (I am sure that there are more out there) Use those scubba fins, and I get that and the booties. Out here in the Rocky's we fish a lot of rivers, streams along with stillwater, so not speaking for everyone, but the ones I know all use regular fishing boots and the flippers that go over them like force finns.
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05-25-2006, 09:15 PM
[font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Different places different needs. Most of the reservoirs[/size][/green][/font]
[font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]and lakes in this area have muddy bottoms. Consequently no wading boots are needed. I am not quite sure if tubeN2 finds similar conditions in his area. What say you tubeN2?I would definately have to alter my thinking if I was tubing in the Rockies or any place north for that matter.[/size][/green][/font]
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[font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]and lakes in this area have muddy bottoms. Consequently no wading boots are needed. I am not quite sure if tubeN2 finds similar conditions in his area. What say you tubeN2?I would definately have to alter my thinking if I was tubing in the Rockies or any place north for that matter.[/size][/green][/font]
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05-26-2006, 12:59 AM
I just pick up a pair of Force Fins. Spendy but I love em well worth that cost
trent
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05-26-2006, 05:20 AM
[cool][font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]That is also the brand that I own. Make sure that you get a pair safety lines. Hate to lose a fin that cost over $100 a pair.[/size][/green][/font]
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05-29-2006, 01:47 AM
I do have the safty strap, but the FF we have are the ones with the neoprene upper and heel and those guies believe it or not are pretty bouyant. I use the straps cause if it is windy, I don't want to be chasing it down[shocked]
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06-08-2006, 04:57 AM
korkers - there are some that say the inter changeble soles fall off. I have not heard any of these people say that they had contacted Korkers about the problem. I have not heard anyone say that Korkers does not support their products.
I have not had that problem. I have had mine about a year and would class myself as a light to moderate user. I heard, after I had bought mine, that the early ones had some problems with the soles coming off but the problem has been fixed. The interchangeable soles can be quite nice.
Last winter I bought the the hard rubber soles with the large carbide cleats. I just love them. They are outstanding. I feel like a mountain goat in the water and climbing car size boulders and rocks on the river bank. Snow does not stick to them. They have great grip on wet grass, narrow gravel canyon trails, moss covered rocks and 'rock snot' covered rocks. The grip in the river is so good that some times you keep expecting you foot to slip down the side of a rock because you have years of experience with felt soles do it. But you find you have to actually lift your foot to get it to move. At times I have wished the boots had more ankle support because the aggressive cleats do grip the cobble in the river so well that you ankles do more rotating than they would with felt soles. If you are not as young and spry wading as you used to be I think you will be pleasantly please with the added security the carbide studded soles give you.
A number of environmental & state agencies are starting to recommend not getting felt soles. Small invasive critters like whirling disease, Rock Snot and New Zealand Mudsnails can get into the felt and be hard to properly cleanse. Also, the felt adsorbs cleaning solutions well and is then hard to thoroughly rinse out. Aquastealth and hard rubber studded soles do not have that problem.
Many many people think that Simms makes built proof boots.
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I have not had that problem. I have had mine about a year and would class myself as a light to moderate user. I heard, after I had bought mine, that the early ones had some problems with the soles coming off but the problem has been fixed. The interchangeable soles can be quite nice.
Last winter I bought the the hard rubber soles with the large carbide cleats. I just love them. They are outstanding. I feel like a mountain goat in the water and climbing car size boulders and rocks on the river bank. Snow does not stick to them. They have great grip on wet grass, narrow gravel canyon trails, moss covered rocks and 'rock snot' covered rocks. The grip in the river is so good that some times you keep expecting you foot to slip down the side of a rock because you have years of experience with felt soles do it. But you find you have to actually lift your foot to get it to move. At times I have wished the boots had more ankle support because the aggressive cleats do grip the cobble in the river so well that you ankles do more rotating than they would with felt soles. If you are not as young and spry wading as you used to be I think you will be pleasantly please with the added security the carbide studded soles give you.
A number of environmental & state agencies are starting to recommend not getting felt soles. Small invasive critters like whirling disease, Rock Snot and New Zealand Mudsnails can get into the felt and be hard to properly cleanse. Also, the felt adsorbs cleaning solutions well and is then hard to thoroughly rinse out. Aquastealth and hard rubber studded soles do not have that problem.
Many many people think that Simms makes built proof boots.
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06-08-2006, 03:36 PM
[font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Thanks Scuffy_Fly for your detailed report. Best thing to sanitize your felt pads with is either 409, Fantastic or bleach & vinegar 9 to 1 ratio.[/size][/green][/font]
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06-08-2006, 05:37 PM
I have made 4 attempts at replying to Flyrods post. I am going to try doing it again.
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]DryRod,[/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Thank you for your reply. [/font][/size]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]New Zealand Mud Snails, Whirling Disease and Didymo are three of the primary threats to our fresh water fisheries here in Colorado and California. Well maybe not Didymo for California, yet. Whirling Disease spores by their nature of being spores are very resistant to many chemicals. New Zealand Mudsnails have a “trap door” they can close that makes them very resistant to many chemicals. Our wading equipment can be damaged by many chemicals.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Let me clarify things I have found from talking with the California Department of Fish and Game and the Colorado Department of Wildlife and reading published reports.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Fantastic has not been proven to be effective against any of these threats.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The Clorox’s MSDS website lists over 20 Formula 409 products. Only two of those products have been tested to be effective to kill New Zealand Mudsnails. These two products have a degreaser and a disinfectant or antibacterial (Quatenary Ammonium Compound –QAC ). Both required to be effective.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The Whirling Disease Initiative’s website states that Quatenary Ammonium Compounds will kill both life stages of Whirling Disease. Few products available to the general public contain QACs.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Bleach has been proven by the California Department Fish and Game to be ineffective at killing New Zealand Mudsnails. They also have shown that bleach can be detrimental to some wading equipment. [/size][/font]
More to follow
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]DryRod,[/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Thank you for your reply. [/font][/size]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]New Zealand Mud Snails, Whirling Disease and Didymo are three of the primary threats to our fresh water fisheries here in Colorado and California. Well maybe not Didymo for California, yet. Whirling Disease spores by their nature of being spores are very resistant to many chemicals. New Zealand Mudsnails have a “trap door” they can close that makes them very resistant to many chemicals. Our wading equipment can be damaged by many chemicals.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Let me clarify things I have found from talking with the California Department of Fish and Game and the Colorado Department of Wildlife and reading published reports.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Fantastic has not been proven to be effective against any of these threats.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The Clorox’s MSDS website lists over 20 Formula 409 products. Only two of those products have been tested to be effective to kill New Zealand Mudsnails. These two products have a degreaser and a disinfectant or antibacterial (Quatenary Ammonium Compound –QAC ). Both required to be effective.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The Whirling Disease Initiative’s website states that Quatenary Ammonium Compounds will kill both life stages of Whirling Disease. Few products available to the general public contain QACs.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Bleach has been proven by the California Department Fish and Game to be ineffective at killing New Zealand Mudsnails. They also have shown that bleach can be detrimental to some wading equipment. [/size][/font]
More to follow
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06-08-2006, 05:39 PM
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The “Protect Your Waters” website lists pure vinegar and a table salt solution as general purpose cleaning solutions. However, according to the California DFG and the Colorado DOW vinegar has never been tested for effectiveness against NZMS or Whirling Disease. By gut feel they believe it probably would not be satisfactory. They are not aware of any testing of vinegar anywhere.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The Ca DFG did test salt and water solutions to very high concentrations and found it to be 100% ineffective for killing New Zealand Mudsnails. We did not discuss Whirling Disease.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]This web page defines chemicals and none chemical methods that have been proven effective for Killing New Zealand Mudsnails by either the Colorado Department of Wildlife or the California Department of Fish and Game.[/size][/font]
[url "http://www.westdenvertu.org/snails.htm"][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]www.westdenvertu.org/snails.htm[/size][/font][/url]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Pay attention to the QACs as they have been proven effective for killing Whirling Disease also.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Even more to follow[/size][/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The Ca DFG did test salt and water solutions to very high concentrations and found it to be 100% ineffective for killing New Zealand Mudsnails. We did not discuss Whirling Disease.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]This web page defines chemicals and none chemical methods that have been proven effective for Killing New Zealand Mudsnails by either the Colorado Department of Wildlife or the California Department of Fish and Game.[/size][/font]
[url "http://www.westdenvertu.org/snails.htm"][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]www.westdenvertu.org/snails.htm[/size][/font][/url]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Pay attention to the QACs as they have been proven effective for killing Whirling Disease also.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Even more to follow[/size][/font]
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06-08-2006, 05:41 PM
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The above page has links to source information about New Zealand Mudsnails. (see previous post by me)[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]For information about Didymo and Whirling disease see this page[/size][/font]
[url "http://www.westdenvertu.org/Conservation.htm#invasion"][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]http://www.westdenvertu.org/Conservation.htm#invasion[/size][/font][/url]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]Dry Rod, Note that NZMS have now been found in Southern California.
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]For information about Didymo and Whirling disease see this page[/size][/font]
[url "http://www.westdenvertu.org/Conservation.htm#invasion"][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]http://www.westdenvertu.org/Conservation.htm#invasion[/size][/font][/url]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]Dry Rod, Note that NZMS have now been found in Southern California.
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