I suppose I could Google this, but I'm way too lazy. Did I hear right? Did Idaho outlaw felt-soles on waders and boots? I've had a lot of trouble standing up, even with felt. Now I've got to refine my South Fork Two Step even more??? [mad] Are we allowed to have laces in the boots?? [:/] Can we turn in our new felt sole boots for a rebate, or are we SOL? [crazy]
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From the document it looks like they are stating their concern but not necessarily outlawing felt souls.
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+1 scorsi. That's how I read it also.
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I hear your concern. I love my felt boots too. has anybody tried any of the new rubber soled boots and liked them? How do they compare to felt? I know you can get studs and be just fine, but my buddies don't like studs in there boats (and rightly so)....
It kind of seems like it's inevitable to make the switch eventually, and I'm certainly all for reducing the spread of invasive species, but at the same time I'm all for not falling down in a cold river [shocked] I wouldn't care if there were other soles that worked as good as felt. So are there?
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I've used rubbersoles 98% of the time for the last 2 years. Alaska and New Zealand already require them. I haven't fallen once in them. I do have the studs for my newest pair but haven't put them in yet. Probable will put them in soon as an extra precaution.
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Page 13 of April Outdoor Life Mag. (Quote) "As of the first of the year, Alaska has joined a growing list of states, including Idaho, Vermont, and Maryland to have banned the use of felt-bottom wading shoes in an effort to control the spread of invasive species in its waters".(Unquote) Are they telling us more than they know, or do they know something we don't? I don't want to be the spreader of invasive species any more than the next guy. Since I don't fish out-of-state any more, the opportunity to pick up an invasive species is (or should be) zero. If I pick up rock snot or quaga or some other alien garbage, it's because it's already there. Does anyone know of contaminated waters within the state? Perhaps they could require boots, as well as boats coming into the state be decontaminated, instead of punishing the vast majority of fishermen in the state who don't venture out. I'm already unstable enough in the felts I've got, without going to something verging on hazardous. I realize it's a narrow view, but it's the one I'm looking from.
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I have used the Aquastealth sole Simms for over 10 years, never fallen (at least due to boot slipping)
I bought Alan the Simms Vibram sole boots 4 years ago. I also bought the carbide studs. He has never used the studs.
Felt is nice (except walking on snow at times) but the new Vibram soles are just as good.
Lew, I have felt on my Hippers. I am willing and able to cut that off which I will do.
But, seriously, I have walked through mud with these felt soles and the sole is disgusting. Even washing them heavily, they are discolored and they can stink. Never going to happen with rubber. I do agree shoe laces could be a problem, but I see the felt as a more predominant problem. And who knows, maybe shoe laces later on. At least my felt is on rubber boots with no laces[
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The fact that we CAN see the felt as being a potential problem should make this transition understandable.
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cool thanks. Maybe I'll give rubber soles a try on my next boots.
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It looks like felts days are numbered. There's a good review on rubber soles in the above mentioned April Outdoor Life magazine, if you want to see how they stack up with each other. Now I need to find a way to squeeze a couple hundred bucks out of the budget.
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Looks like a good replacement for felt. I don't see as much of a problem happening with a thin felt like substitute that will dry quicker and can be cleaned or changed easily.
I am all for full drying or cleaning of equipment before reusing it in another drainage. If I am where I will be visiting more than one drainage, I use a completely separate set of wading gear in each area.
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[quote Biglew]Does anyone know of contaminated waters within the state?[/quote]
There is Whirling Disease in lots of different waters. It could be very nasty to spread it to more areas. Especially some of the small native trout streams.
The only other one I know of is that the Black Canyon area of the Bear River has New Zealand Mud Snails. There are probably others.
That doesn't mean that there might not be contaminated places that haven't been identified. How long will it be that things spread from there before it is noticed??
It may only be a matter of time for something to happen to introduce them. I was just reading about the inspector that noticed a boat in a boat shop that had mussels on it. I wonder where it would have launched if it hadn't been noticed?
http://www.localnews8.com/news/30788350/detail.html
We all have to just do our best. If you use felt, then clean, dry, and disinfect them. Do the same with your other equipment. Anything wet may spread problems, not just the felt.
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I have been using the Korkers for the past several years, I have put many miles on em, they are very comfortable and come with multiple
soles, the soles switch out easy enough I have never had a problem with them at all, very well made.
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As I said, I have concidered Korkers for my next boot, but a great question was brought up. Look at all the places for the invaisive species to hide on that boot and the slot for the different soles. That might be a problem as well.
Perfect answer is rubber boot with no laces and openings . No stitches. But tough to get a nice tight fit.
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[quote Biglew]Page 13 of April Outdoor Life Mag. (Quote) "As of the first of the year, Alaska has joined a growing list of states, including Idaho, Vermont, and Maryland to have banned the use of felt-bottom wading shoes in an effort to control the spread of invasive species in its waters".(Unquote) Are they telling us more than they know, or do they know something we don't? I don't want to be the spreader of invasive species any more than the next guy. Since I don't fish out-of-state any more, the opportunity to pick up an invasive species is (or should be) zero. If I pick up rock snot or quaga or some other alien garbage, it's because it's already there. Does anyone know of contaminated waters within the state? Perhaps they could require boots, as well as boats coming into the state be decontaminated, instead of punishing the vast majority of fishermen in the state who don't venture out. I'm already unstable enough in the felts I've got, without going to something verging on hazardous. I realize it's a narrow view, but it's the one I'm looking from.[/quote]
Lew, I saw the same piece and called my friend that is the DCO for the Magic valley region. He told me nothing was "outlawed" but it has been brought up. For a couple of years I have seen it as a possibility of a problem. I will be getting a new pair of boots as soon as I can. Other things have came first, an oversight on my behalf.
To everyone.
When buying boots how many sizes bigger do you get? I have a size 10 to 12 shoe depending on the street shoe. The Orvis boots I have now are a size 12 but are snug with wool socks and 5mm wadders. Should I get a 13? It is tough to get the right size I think. Sometimes I use wool socks, sometimes I use 5mm other times I use 3 mm. I sometimes use only 2mm socks and boots and no wadders. Boots run a little different too so the fit is going to be an issue ordering new boots. Ron
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my old pair of size 12 boots are worn out and i normally wear a size 10.5 or 11 shoe. I just bought me a pair of simms vibrims size 13 they feel alot more comfortable than the last pair. no felt or studs on either pair never fell or slipped in them. wife has korkers.
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Orvis markes their boots with the same size code as street shoes but bigger for normal neoprene sock. Basically, if you have good fitting waders, buy your shoe size. As you mentioned however, at times you want heavier socks. I wear wader socks year round so that never changes. The mm of the neoprene also plays in on this. I have waist highs that have a thinner neoprene sock than my Orvis.
Boils down to, when buying wading shoes...TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. that is all there is to it.
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I got another set of Orvis these were the River Guard. I was at Snake River sports and they had a wader cut off for you to test with. They also had some thick wool socks so I had the chance to try several different options. I ended up getting another set of 12's and I think they are going to work. I tried out my new boat today. The shoes have rubber bottoms with studs but they were still slick on the boat ramp. The boots were comfortable and they worked good. Ron
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