TU asks manufacturers to eliminate felt-soled wading gear by 2011

[Rusty Spinner]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Trout Unlimited Asks Manufacturers to Eliminate Production of Felt-Soled Waders and Equipment by 2011
Effort will help prevent spread of aquatic nuisance species in America’s rivers and streams.
SALT LAKE CITY –At its annual meeting today, Trout Unlimited (TU) asked fishing equipment manufacturers to stop producing felt-soled waders and wading shoes by 2011 to help stop the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) by anglers in America’s rivers and streams.
Many waders, wading boots and shoes used by anglers have felt-soled bottoms that are used to provide traction while walking in water. Felt is a material that transmits aquatic nuisance species such as New Zealand mud snails, the invasive algae called didymo and the parasite that causes whirling disease, a disease fatal to trout. Felt soles can very easily become impregnated with mud and other organic matter, and become difficult or impossible to clean and disinfect.
“While the elimination of felt soles on waders and boots will not entirely prevent the spread of ANS, this action will help reduce the risk and help protect our precious aquatic resources,” said David Kumlien, executive director of the Whirling Disease Foundation. This action will also help make the public more aware of the threat of ANS and hopefully will motivate them to change their behavior and practices related to other aquatic recreational activities that may also contribute to the spread ANS.”

 

[klg neighbor]

We can do our part. If you are in the market to purchase new wading shoes, go feltless.

 

[Karel]

Absolutely agree - see my other post on the same topic. New Zealand already has banned felt soles.

 

[Denlon]

We can do our part. If you are in the market to purchase new wading shoes, go feltless.

I'm glad that I saw this. I am probably in the market for new waders. My old ones are the standard old Hodgeman booted type with treads, no felt or spikes.

So now I'll be looking for stocking-foot waders and spiked wading shoes.
Any suggestions/advice on what brands/types are most desirable? At my age, I'm looking for something that will help to keep me from taking a dunking, or worse yet, breaking something important.

By the way, is it just me or my age, but the rocks in the South Branch seem awfully slippery this year!


Denny

 

[NJpatbee]

Denlon - Korkers make a rubber soled, spiked wading shoe and their quality has been good in the past. I had a set of "strap-on" spikes from korkers that lasted years and served me well in waters like the Delaware. Ironically, I rarely fish the larger waters anymore, so last year I went with all felt soles for my hippers and waders.

I have also noticed that over the years the rocks have become more slippery, the current stronger, the hills steeper, and the hikes to my favorite WTS longer. Amazing that I have managed to stay just the same after 45+ years of trout fishing .

 

[klg neighbor]

.....I have also noticed that over the years the rocks have become more slippery, the current stronger, the hills steeper, and the hikes to my favorite WTS longer. Amazing that I have managed to stay just the same after 45+ years of trout fishing .

I got rid of my whitewater kayak because it got heavier and shrunk on me. Probably the same process at work here.
:rofl:

 

[brough]

I am a little vague on the details, but I did see an article on how Simms will not be making any felt soled wading boots soon. They have been working with the Vibram Co. to create a sticky rubber soled boot.

If anyone from simms reads this more info would be great. I would even test out a pair for you all.