Regarding wading boots.

[Catherder]

While there is no question that I enjoy my time on the river, I am more of a "multi-modal, utilitarian" angler that fishes for multiple species in multiple ways. A fair bit of my time is spent in my float tube or ashore. It was therefore with considerable annoyance that I watched my 4-5 year old wading boots disintegrate around my feet the last year or so. All I will say is if those Caddis brand wading boots look like a decent buy, think again. Below are the pics. At least it looks like I got my moneys worth out of them. (not really)

Anyways, I just gave Simms some more money today and will be testing them out on the LoPro this afternoon. Am I Mr. Evil for going back to felt soles?

[Vanilla]

Originally Posted by Catherder

Am I Mr. Evil for going back to felt soles?

I went away from felt soles simply because some areas have gone away from allowing felt, and I suspect other areas will follow over time. I didn't want to be forced to buy new boots before I was ready or for a specialty trip.

Felt is way better for wading than any of the rubbers out there, IMO. And yes, you are evil for wearing it!

[Kwalk3]

Originally Posted by Catherder

While there is no question that I enjoy my time on the river, I am more of a "multi-modal, utilitarian" angler that fishes for multiple species in multiple ways. A fair bit of my time is spent in my float tube or ashore. It was therefore with considerable annoyance that I watched my 4-5 year old wading boots disintegrate around my feet the last year or so. All I will say is if those Caddis brand wading boots look like a decent buy, think again. Below are the pics. At least it looks like I got my moneys worth out of them. (not really)

Anyways, I just gave Simms some more money today and will be testing them out on the LoPro this afternoon. Am I Mr. Evil for going back to felt soles?

I'm using the Simms Guide Felt Sole Boots. Have used them for 5 years now, and you honestly can't tell they have been used aside from a little dirt on them, and the tip of one of the laces no longer enclosed in the plastic tip. I use them A LOT January-August(I get pretty consumed with hunting season from Sept-Nov.) I went from buying a pair of waders every year and boots every other, to not even worrying about either. Simms has a customer for life with me.

Knowing felt is thought to be more likely to transmit invasive species/disease, etc, I do make an extra effort to clean my boots(And Waders) when I move to a different stretch of river or waterbody. Probably not a bad habit for all of us to be in whether we use felt or rubber though.

[PBH]

I spend too much time wading rivers, and their banks, that are muddy - so no felt for me. It must be nice to have some tail waters to fish...

[Vanilla]

Originally Posted by Kwalk3

Knowing felt is thought to be more likely to transmit invasive species/disease, etc, I do make an extra effort to clean my boots(And Waders) when I move to a different stretch of river or waterbody. Probably not a bad habit for all of us to be in whether we use felt or rubber though.

Definitely a good practice. Felt is a big factor in holding onto those parasites, but it is not the only thing on a wading boot (or waders, gear, etc) that holds on to those parasites.

[Catherder]

Welp, the LoPro was off color, fairly high and chock full of floating debris. I lasted an hour of biteless fishing and decided to head home and knock off a couple of honey-dos. I suppose it makes sense to empty Deer creek in the face of an extreme drought. But, the boots were fantastic!

I ended up buying the Simms Freestones. I think I will be happy with them. I've used Simms waders for years and even wear a Simms camo jacket, so I guess I match now.

Regarding the felt soles, in all honesty, if the local dealer wasn't out of stock of the rubber version of the Freestones, I would have likely gone that direction. However, I figured that life is unlikely to allow me to take any extended fishing trips up to Yellowstone or other glamour stops in the next couple of years, so I should be good to go putting these to use in the local streams I usually fish.

Originally Posted by Kwalk3

Knowing felt is thought to be more likely to transmit invasive species/disease, etc, I do make an extra effort to clean my boots(And Waders) when I move to a different stretch of river or waterbody. Probably not a bad habit for all of us to be in whether we use felt or rubber though.

This is a good reminder for all of us and something I will be conscious of wearing felt again.