Felt Soles Are History -

[RSBreth]

As of March 1, 2012.

http://www.news-lead...rock-snot-algae

How to treat felt soles:

http://mdc.mo.gov/me...lt-soled-waders

[moguy1973]

Yep, that's what they were saying yesterday too...

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30523&pid=208430&st=0&#entry208430

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30517

And about a month ago too

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30070&hl=felt&st=0

[Justin Spencer]

Looks like the contact cement is a loop hole that will make enforcement a little tough. Either go all or nothing, I am against the ban, but if you are going to have a regulation make it clear. Judges already have a tough enough time making wildlife codes stick and this is just another "muddy" area that can easily be exploited.

[moguy1973]

Looks like the contact cement is a loop hole that will make enforcement a little tough. Either go all or nothing, I am against the ban, but if you are going to have a regulation make it clear. Judges already have a tough enough time making wildlife codes stick and this is just another "muddy" area that can easily be exploited.

+1

On the other hand, the first time someone that has cemented their boots steps on a slippery rock and busts their butt it might teach them a lesson for trying to get around the law...heh...

[Justin Spencer]

I see people either cementing a little section or none at all and saying they did. Not sure what rivers this will cover, but outside the trout parks it will be tough to get the word spread (if they are going to do it, it should be a statewide ban).

As a side note, yesterday the owner of Pettit's canoe rental caught someone putting a gigging boat in on his ramp right at dark. He went down and confronted them about it and they had no idea they were getting ready to gig in the middle of a blue ribbon trout area where it is not legal. Had he not seen them they probably would have gotten away with it and had they been caught I would say they would have gotten away with it, due to lack of signage. There needs to be a better way to make sure all of the different regulation areas and laws can be followed by fishermen, there are too many laws and special regulations to keep track of. It is ultimately up to the fishermen to know the laws, but people from states with mainly lake fishing don't even consider that there are different regulations for different sections of water, at some accesses you really have to search for a sign stating the special regulations, and some have no signage at all.

[RSBreth]

They may have known full well the regulations and just planned on getting in a little "trout giggin'' time.

Even Larry Dablemont's latest post talks a little about people gigging game fish when they know it's wrong.

http://larrydablemontoutdoors.blogspot.com/2011/09/if-i-dont-do-something-else-heres-what.html

[3wt]

+1

On the other hand, the first time someone that has cemented their boots steps on a slippery rock and busts their butt it might teach them a lesson for trying to get around the law...heh...

Not really at all getting around the RULE (not law), but following it to the rulemaker's own instructions.

I'm not sure why, but evidently that needed clarification.

I think even non-perfect cement jobs will drastically decrease the amount of porosity felt will have and put the soles right up there with every other part of a wader or boot that gets in the water. I might give this a try before I find somebody to vibram my boots.

BTW, I sent an email to William Joseph to inquire about direct replacement non-felt soles for W2O boots, but got now response.

[mpl_420]

+1

On the other hand, the first time someone that has cemented their boots steps on a slippery rock and busts their butt it might teach them a lesson for trying to get around the law...heh...

its not about getting around the law. Its about not having to run out and spend another 200-300 dollars on a pair of boots come march 1st, 2012

[Wayne SW/MO]

They may have known full well the regulations and just planned on getting in a little "trout giggin'' time.

Even Larry Dablemont's latest post talks a little about people gigging game fish when they know it's wrong.

http://larrydablemon...heres-what.html

Good read. He's always been a straight shooter.

[Bill Anderson]

I said to heck with my old felts and all this silly controversy and bought a brand new pair of Simms boots with the Vibram rubber soles already on them and then installed carbide studs. I'm not going to worry about "treating felt" with glue or other such nonsense, I'm moving on and getting on with more important matters, like going fishing. The studded Vibrams grip better than any felt sole I have had in the past 40 years, so I'm happy.