Wader Question

[Don]

I agree with Dano,

Felt is all you need at Taney. However, I suspect you will eventually expand your horizons of places you wade and fish.

Many wader boots have screws bolted up into the bottom of the felt soles. These are for extra "grippage" in extremely slippery situations.

I was told by some old pros that this technique was also especially handy acessing a river down a slippery muddy or icy bank and those guys drilled screws into their soles over ten years ago, long before manufactured spiked soles.

Caveat Emptor - If your soles are not predrilled and you spike them, you void the warranty, as I did my 55 dollar Chotas. I've had no problems though.

For example, it took me everything to walk on those slipperies on the upper San Juan, even with spiked soles. There is also alot od rock snot in some Arkansas rivers.

My main pair is spiked and my backup is felt only.

Don

[Danoinark]

Very good Don. Thanks, I did forget to add. I have drilled 3/4 inch sheet metal screws into the bottom of my felt boots to add some extra grip. Not good on the deck of a boat though

Dano

[LostMyWife]

Our boots both have all felt soles, no cleats or screws. We use wading staffs, which have kept me from taking the plunge more that a few times. My ortho surgeon said that it would not be a good thing to pop out my fake hip in a river, so the staffs make hime happy, (me too).

I brought this up as a result of a conversation at the NYD gathering. One of the guys there commented about his dislike of felt soles. He talked aout the spikes and gripper soles. Not sure what that was, but I have found that my felt does slide a bit.

If I send them back to Orvis, can they add soemthing for grip tht will not void the warranty on the boots? Rob has felt as well. She wears Simms boots.

[Danoinark]

Jim I am unsure about what Orvis might provide you. Do a google search for Korkers. These are spike like frames that attach to wader boots. I have never used them but it might just be the ticket.

Dano

http://www.korkers.com/

Jim, et al:

Read this too

http://www.stripersonline.com/Pages/Articl...ification.shtml

[LostMyWife]

I found the korker site. Heading to the oher right now.

The other site was not a good endorsement, but very educational.

I may be investing in a second pair of boots though.

[Don]

LMW,

You talk about a second pair of boots.

Rule number 1. (By the way I have many rule number ones). Always carry a spare of what you have. The back of my van looks like a mess because I have additional pairs of reels, rods, cheap waders, boots, gloves, headmasks, socks, pants, shirts, undergarments...etc.

Something will happen sooner or later. I carry backup of everything and feel I can't lose out on a trip because of gear failure.

Don