Felt Sole Boots.

[bodyman50]

Gentlemen, I'm just curious to your take on felt soled wading boots. I purchased some breatheable waders last year with the sock foot & had to buy boots to go with them. I had heard that if I was buying new boots to get the soles that help the grip on slick rocks. Now that I have a nice pair of boots with the felt soles I see reports that some places are trying to discontinue the use of them, because of the spread of some unwanted algae. Needless to say I'm not a wealthy man & don't have money to go buy new boots regularly, but on the other hand I love & cherish the sport of wade fly fishing & all the species of trout that I get to fish for & would never want to create a problem that would be detrimental to there survival. So I'm just curious to what some of you think. Thanks, Ben (bodyman50)

[Danoinark]

  On 7/30/2010 at 6:10 PM, bodyman50 said:

I see reports that some places are trying to discontinue the use of them, because of the spread of some unwanted algae.

The "algae" you mentioned is called Didymo. Sometimes known as Rock Snot, looks like wet toilet paper on the streams. Its an evasive algae, not harmful to people but can be destructive to stream habitat. To answer you question using your felt soles boots is just fine. After you leave the stream and before wading the next you can treat the soles with a solution of bleach water which should take care of any organisms that might hitch a ride. I don't think Missouri and Arkansas streams have been mentioned as to banning felt soles.

Dano

[exiledguide]

I ve worn felt soles since I slipped about 25 years ago on a big slippery rock on Marble Creek and broke a finger when I put my hand down to stop my fall and spent the rest of the day at the emergency room. Since then no slips no injuries. I also advise everyone to carry a collapsable wading staff with them on any stream they wade.

[Indiana Trout]

My wife and I both use felts at Tanney.

[Terry Beeson]

Felt sole boots are OK for now, but many companies are considering doing away with them as Simms has already done. Dano is spot on with the advise. One thing I am really liking about my Korkers boots is the fact that the soles are interchangeable and I can go from felt to studded felt to Klingon rubber to studded Klingon to... well, you get the picture.

The felt sole on your boots will not last forever, so depending on how often you fish in them, you will have to replace the soles or boots at some point in the future. If there is a ban that comes into effect, it will be a couple of years before it goes into effect anyway. I don't see it happening in AR or MO soon, but could happen.

[DoveTail]

The synthetic soles still have great traction. Slippery rocks can be just that with ANY boot. Although I am aware of the streams and still clean all my wading gear, I personally like the synthetic soles because they seem to dry faster. When you are transporting felt soles, they seem to retain more water and stay wet longer.

[pinecone]

Is it possible to change out the felt soles to synthetic soles on boots or bootfoot waders?

[DoveTail]

  On 8/10/2010 at 12:56 PM, pinecone said:

Is it possible to change out the felt soles to synthetic soles on boots or bootfoot waders?

I have seen replacement felt soles but nothing for synthetic...that may cost more than just another pair of waders?

[Terry Beeson]

Again, another nod to Korkers boots.... You can replace felt with studded felt, Klingon, studded Klingon, boat soles, etc. etc....