Felt Sole Ban

[Brian Wise]

So we're all going to be sporting new boots this season and the season opener could look like a Keystone Cops movie. Rubber soles by themselves aren't an option, it seems like cleats are going to be required, but which ones? Simms has two types of star cleats and a set of studs, so which is right for Ozark rivers, or doesn't it make a difference? Any one have experience with what works?

Charlie

I'm not sure how long they are going to last but the Simms Aluminum Cleats are nice. Being "soft" aluminum they grab instead of slide like the hard alloy-type cleats. If you have ever floated in an aluminum canoe on low water you know exactly what I mean.

[eric1978]

I'm not sure how long they are going to last but the Simms Aluminum Cleats are nice. Being "soft" aluminum they grab instead of slide like the hard alloy-type cleats. If you have ever floated in an aluminum canoe on low water you know exactly what I mean.

Do you mean you don't know how long they'll be available, or how quickly they'll get worn down? Have you used some? Seems like they'd grind down to a nub in no time, especially for someone like you who's in the river so much.

[Snow Fly]

Brian:

I still have a pair that I have kept around...and I can no longer wear them either. I think the material used on the upper part of the boot would shrink over time from the being wet then drying over time.....But I did have complete confidence in them....guess they no longer make a boot with the original Stealth sole........

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Snow - thanks for your reply.

You can talk with LLBean about them and they will take care of you. Better than Orvis. in my opinion.

just a thought.

[Liv2flyfish]

I will be interviewing MDC Stream Coordination Biologist, Mark Van Patten on Monday Jan. 23 about the felt sole ban and the spread of Didymo in Missouri Waters. This interview will be the Feb. 2012 show of Liv2flyfish Radio. I got the idea for this interview from this forum and alot of the questions I will be asking Mr. Van Pattern comes from questions from this forum as well. I hope you will listen and spread the word. Hopefully it will be very informative. It should be ready to drop on Itunes by Jan. 25. or at

[Liv2flyfish]

I will be interviewing MDC Stream Coordination Biologist, Mark Van Patten on Monday Jan. 23 about the felt sole ban and the spread of Didymo in Missouri Waters. This interview will be the Feb. 2012 show of Liv2flyfish Radio. I got the idea for this interview from this forum and alot of the questions I will be asking Mr. Van Pattern comes from questions from this forum as well. I hope you will listen and spread the word. Hopefully it will be very informative. It should be ready to drop on Itunes by Jan. 25. or at www.liv2flyfish.com .

[exiledguide]

I will be interviewing MDC Stream Coordination Biologist, Mark Van Patten on Monday Jan. 23 about the felt sole ban and the spread of Didymo in Missouri Waters. This interview will be the Feb. 2012 show of Liv2flyfish Radio. I got the idea for this interview from this forum and alot of the questions I will be asking Mr. Van Pattern comes from questions from this forum as well. I hope you will listen and spread the word. Hopefully it will be very informative. It should be ready to drop on Itunes by Jan. 25. or at www.liv2flyfish.com .

Could you ask him the location of all the spots in MO that have been infested with Didmo that was spread by felt soles? Every time I read anything about the problem, I see a lot of might be or could be or probably is etc. but no real evidence, although some folks on this forum have claimed that could be or might be etc is fact.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Could you ask him the location of all the spots in MO that have been infested with Didmo that was spread by felt soles? Every time I read anything about the problem, I see a lot of might be or could be or probably is etc. but no real evidence, although some folks on this forum have claimed that could be or might be etc is fact.

I don't believe there are any infestations in MO. And I believe that is the reason for the ban. It might be you could survive jumping out of an airplane at 3000 feet without a parachute. But why chance it.

[Liv2flyfish]

I took this pic in Arkansas at the Beaver tailwaters on April 26, 2010. Didymo is in the White River watershed.

[Al Agnew]

Guys, I've waded a lot of western streams with bowling ball rocks that are slicker than most places in MO. YOU NEED A WADING STAFF!!! Sure, it's a little bit of a pain to carry around, but it will save a lot of wear and tear on your body. With the switch away from felt, it only becomes more important. Studs are a real pain because you don't want to ever wear them indoors or in a boat or canoe...they'll do a number on floors and finishes. I just tether the wading staff to my belt and let it dangle while I'm fishing.

A lot of times you won't see me using a wading staff on Ozark streams, because the gravel and small rocks that cover much of the bottom isn't slick. I grew up wading in cheap tennis shoes and I still have pretty good balance. But on the upper Current I'll usually have a wading staff even if wearing felt, because the problem there isn't so much slick rocks as very rough and uneven bottoms. In western streams which have uneven bottoms AND super slick rocks, the staff is an absolute must.