Tennis Shoes Illegal ?

[2sheds]

Here is a direct link to the wording of the regulation:

http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/regulations/sport-fish-regulations/trout-regulations-and-permits/felt-soled-wader-ban

It states that "The use of shoes, boots or waders with porous soles incorporating or having felt, matted or woven fibrous materials is prohibited" and applies to trout parks (Maramec Spring Park, Bennett Spring State Park, Montauk State Park, and Roaring River State Park) plus all MDC-regulated trout waters (A. Barren Fork Creek in Shannon County, B. Blue Springs Creek in Crawford County, C. Capps Creek in Barry and Newton counties, D. Crane Creek in Stone and Lawrence counties, E. Current River in Dent, Texas, and Shannon counties, F. Dry Fork Creek in Crawford and Phelps counties, G. Eleven Point River in Oregon County, H. Hickory Creek in Newton County, I. Lake Taneycomo in Taney County, J. Little Piney Creek in Phelps County, K. Meramec River in Crawford and Phelps counties, L. Mill Creek in Phelps County, M. North Fork of White River in Ozark County, N. Niangua River in Dallas and Laclede counties, O. Roaring River in Barry County, P. Roubidoux Creek in Pulaski County, Q. Spring Creek in Phelps County, R. Stone Mill Spring Branch in Pulaski County).

The discussion on this website and this forum concerning disinfecting related items is "good conservation practice" and should be strongly encouraged.

I read specifications and contracts for a living, yet remain confused concerning how this new regulation applies to items other than felt-soled waders, i.e., tennis shoes with drain holes in the soles, cotton socks worn under tennis shoes, aqua socks, etc. Many of us want to do the right thing, but also want to know that it is considered acceptable to continue to use and disinfect these items. The regulation wording "... shoes ... with porous soles ... incorporating ... fiberous materials ..." becomes inprecise. Rubber soled tennis shoes with drain holes are not prohibited, but aqua socks might be intended for prohibition - regardless of disinfecting.

Can anyone from MDC help sort out the requirement vs the guidance ?

Two reasons for this interest:

1) Make sure I do the right thing

2) Do our best to exhibit appropriate behaviors and educate others

[Midwest troutbum]

Regulation is only an attempt to prevent the spread.... it's not a end all solution to the problem. Education, prevention plan, eradicaton plan, common sense, further unbiased research, and just plan old cooperation to help prevent ecological disasters can go a long way.... Better get to work on spreading the word to floaters and partiers as this is the crowd that will be the most difficult to reach and have cooperate.

Hope didymo has a natural virus or disease that wipes it out similar to that of what attacks our other plants and algaes without further affecting our waterways.

[Al Agnew]

It seems pretty straightforward to me...it says "porous soles incorporating or having felt, matted or woven fibrous materials". The uppers on your tennies are not "soles". The inside of your tennies aren't "soles" either. "Matted or woven fibrous material", however, would most definitely include carpeting glued to the bottom of your tennies.

The soles are in constant contact with the bottom where the didymo is, or where you'll leave spores as you walk in uncontaminated streams. While I'd guess it's POSSIBLE to pick up enough didymo spores in the uppers made of any porous material, it would seem to be a lot less likely, and most uppers are made of materials that dry a lot faster than felt soles, and the stuff won't be ground into them like it would be in felt or other thick, porous soles.

[Midwest troutbum]

It seems pretty straightforward to me...it says "porous soles incorporating or having felt, matted or woven fibrous materials". The uppers on your tennies are not "soles". The inside of your tennies aren't "soles" either. "Matted or woven fibrous material", however, would most definitely include carpeting glued to the bottom of your tennies.

The soles are in constant contact with the bottom where the didymo is, or where you'll leave spores as you walk in uncontaminated streams. While I'd guess it's POSSIBLE to pick up enough didymo spores in the uppers made of any porous material, it would seem to be a lot less likely, and most uppers are made of materials that dry a lot faster than felt soles, and the stuff won't be ground into them like it would be in felt or other thick, porous soles.

I would agree the law is pretty straight forward, but the logic that it can only be transferred by felt bottomed soles is a little ridiculous... It is probably a legal compromise, as they don't want to begin telling people you have to be barefoot or wearing solid rubber boots in our streams....People wear all kinds of porus stuff to the river that could potentially contain and transfer spores... Spores are likely stirred up the minute someone steps onto the streambed. The new regulation is only a part of the equation to the solution....

[Wayne SW/MO]

I believe sanitation stations at points of entry that visitors frequent would go farther.

[LarrySTL]

At one of the MSA meetings earlier this year, an MDC guy was asked this and his answer was what Al is saying, that its about the soles ( rather than the uppers) of the footwear, that therefore normal tennis/gym/etc shoes would be legal, and that all this applies only in the designated areas.

I find it hard to imagine an MDC guy telling somebody to come out of a stream and show him the bottom of their tennies, but I would agree that carpet/etc glued to the bottoms would be a violation.

[Midwest troutbum]

its any trout water not parks as far as my understanding goes

I believe the felt sole ban is statewide... I personally read signage in MO trout parks, MO trout stateparks, as well as fishing access points (which may coincidentally be managed for trout) that all clearly state the threat of invasive rock snot, and either state clearly the new law, or make reference to it. Please see Al Agnew's post, as it's nearly word for word as how its clearly written in the MO law or legislation. There will likely come a time when the law will include all waters in the state of MO. The law may seem like an invasion of privacy on the surface, but if it does anything at all to protect our streams for many generations to come, then my personal opinion is i'm all for it. It seems pretty simple really, especially if all it requires is to remove the felt from the soles of my shoe. (I never owned a pair of felt soled waders anyhow, as they were all the cheaper models with 100% rubber soles, and or rubber soles with optional metal cleats). Good excuse to get a new pair of waders..

[zander]

No it is only trout waters. The MDC made a video that explained how to treat felt soled boots so they would be legal. In the video the MDC employee advocates buying rubber soled waders for trout waters and keeping the felt sole for warmwater wade fishing