Felt Soled Wading Boots

We all want to stay compliant with the State Conservation Department fisheries regulations. States that allow you to wear felt soles, from my experience are the best to keep you safe from slipping and sliding on rocks. I have fished and floated the rivers in Arkansas you mentioned. I have Korkers wading boots and switched to felt soles when allowed in that specific state. I had no problem with slipping where guys with studded rubber soles were slipping.

As you said, we hear conflicting theories/research on wearing felt soles wading boots. I read articles about thoroughly cleaning your felt soles with a bleach type solution and thoroughly rinse & dry after each fishing trip, it will prevent any negative impact on our rivers. But, that’s an extra cleaning step a lot of fishermen don’t want to do. I find it interesting how each  state’s scientific research is different about the effects of wearing felt soles wading boots on our rivers. Who is right and who is wrong!?! I will comply with each state’s fishing regulations. But, I will be wearing felt soles wading boots in states that are legal and be safer. Just my 2 cents worth.

Happy Thanksgiving!

MO

MOfishMO,

First, where have you been? Let’s get back in the game and join us on a few trips this winter. We miss you (you can’t work everyday)!

Haakeg,

Six states and several countries have banned felt bottom wading boots (Missouri being one) to include Yellowstone National park. Think about it. How many fly fishers go to Yellowstone National Park (YNP) to fly fish? – hundreds of thousands! The year they changed the rule in YNP the local fly shops sold a record number of rubber bottom wading boots. I know because we had a trip to YNP that year.

Now, a few years back some scientist did a study and concluded that the Didymo algae, also known as Rock Snot, could be carried in the felt of wading boots. So, many states and countries decided to ban felt bottom boots. Unfortunately, several years later this scientist recanted his study and said maybe his data was not complete. But the bans were in place and many wading boot companies started mass producing the Vibram bottom rubber soles. Now, will the few states and countries (New Zealand being one) change their rules – I don’t think they will take the chance. So we will have, at least in Missouri, rubber bottom boots for the foreseeable future.

Me personally, I have not had problems with rubber bottom boots (with cleats) but it has been so long since I have worn felt bottom boots. I don’t remember if they would be any better. MOfishMO is correct in saying that if you buy Korkers boots you can buy several different types of “soles” to interchange and attach to their bottoms. I find that I can’t wear Korkers because I have a wide foot and I do better in Simms boots (which I would have to buy two different boots if I wanted felt bottoms).

But you have a choice! I recommend buying a good staff when walking too.

Tight Lines,

K

We went back to Arkansas a few weeks later and I used felt soles on the second trip. They were significantly better on the steam bed we were on.
However, I slipped several times on shore, walking on inclines as I walked on  leaves. The felt has NO grabbing power on land. Very slick on leaves!
Just be aware of this when wearing felt soles.