Alaska to Ban Felt Sole Boots

[David Leinweber]

Alaskans have taken a big step toward preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. In response to a proposal by Juneau Trout Unlimited Chapter Member, Mark Vinsel, the state Board of Fisheries recently agreed to ban the use of felt sole waders and boots in Southeast Alaska’s freshwater streams as of January 1, 2011.

Read more here: Alaska Moves to Protect Waterways from Invasive Species

[Dave Herber-Guide]

Posted by Hannah on March 18th, 2009 in Felt Soles, Trout Magazine

The responses to TU’s announcement of a felt sole boot and wader ban have prompted questions from members. Here’s TU Whirling Disease Foundation Executive Director Dave Kumlien’s response to some of your questions.
The thoughtful responses being posted indicate that TU members and anglers are giving the issue of the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) by angling equipment some serious thought. The goal of the “no felt soles by 2011” policy is to produce a paradigm shift in the behavior and practices of anglers and water recreationists regarding their role in spreading AIS, and this reaction is exactly what we had hoped for. With the growing threats of AIS to our cold water trout and salmon resources, anglers and water recreationists must do what they can to help reduce the risk of spreading AIS.

I would like to address some of the recurring questions that have come up around the felt sole policy. First, regarding the question of felt soles being a “scapegoat,” there is considerable scientific evidence that felt soles move sediments and AIS. A study conducted at Montana State University on angler movement titled Movements of Resident and Non-Resident Anglers in Montana: Implications for Transferring Whirling Disease among Drainages in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem found that the average pair of wading boots sampled carried 22.10 grams of sediment. Extrapolate this to the angling population fishing on any given day in only the greater Yellowstone area, and you will conclude that felt soles are moving lots of sediment, and these sediments could potentially contain all sorts of AIS including whirling disease spores, New Zealand mud snails, Eurasian milfoil and didymo.

TU did not formulate this policy in a vacuum. One of the deciding factors in the development of the “no felts by 2011” was the formal request by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources asking TU to address the felt sole issue to the angling public and to wader and boot manufacturers. UTDWR is eliminating the use of felt soles by its professional staff, and other state fish and wildlife agencies and New Zealand agencies are following suit.

Felts are certainly not a scapegoat, but we agree that felt soles are not the only piece of angling equipment or the only method of spreading AIS. It is true that AIS could be riding along on wader booties, boot laces or on the surfaces of wading boots, and to address this possibility, TU is recommending that anglers not only eliminate the use of felt soles but that they also follow the guidelines provided in the Clean Angling Pledge to inspect, clean and dry angling equipment and to avoid moving fish, fish parts, water and plants between drainages. The Clean Angling Pledge can be found and signed here.

Another question that has been posed regarding the “no felts by 2011” policy is the availability and suitability of acceptable alternatives to felt soles. As an avid angler and a 30 year Montana fly fishing outfitter, this was a big concern of mine. I had tried some of the alternative rubber soles, and my experience with them was not satisfactory. However, I knew from discussions with leading wader and boot manufacturers that new alternative soles were being developed and tested, and at the 2008 Fly Fishing Retailer in Denver, Colo., Simms presented a new rubber sole developed in conjunction with Vibram and announced that they would eliminate felt soles in their product line by 2010. Other manufacturers including Patagonia, Korkers, Chota, Orvis and others are also introducing alternative soles to the market. Soon, there should be lots of choices available at a number of price points.

In the meantime, if you have felt soled boots that are in good condition or you just don’t want to switch, you can still follow the recommendations of the Clean Angling Pledge to inspect, clean and dry your equipment, and by following these guidelines, you will be doing your part to reduce the risk of spreading AIS. It is very important to understand that all of these actions, guidelines, and paradigm shifts are aimed at risk reduction, not risk elimination. There is no technique or treatment that will eliminate all risk of spreading AIS, but eliminating the use of felt soles and following the recommendations of the Clean Angling Pledge will reduce the risk of spreading AIS and causing damage to our precious trout and salmon resources.

http://troutunlimitedblog.com/respon...felt-sole-ban/

[trout_champ]

I really wouldn't find switching to the Aqua Stealth or Stream Tread boots, if I could find a pair to fit me. I am a big dude and need size 16 boots. Last year I ran into Aaron Theablot (National Sales Rep for Simms) at the ISE in Denver. He told me that some boots would be coming out soon that would fit. He offerd to have my boots resoled, but it would take 6 to 8 weeks before I'd have them back. 6 to 8 weeks with no fishing - I don't think so.

Then I ran into another Simms Rep at the Shop for the Open House. He told me that sometime in early June the bigger sizes would launch. Still nothing.

I am still a young guy and would do just about whatever to keep the stream clean so I can fish them when I get my AARP card. But I can't do that unless I get some boots to fit.



Randy

[David Leinweber]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, March 19, 2010 – Trout Unlimited (TU) today applauded the Alaska Board of Fisheries for adopting a statewide phase-out of felt sole wading products, effective Jan. 1, 2012. The move is aimed at guarding against the spread of aquatic invasive species.
The board on Friday passed the proposal unanimously after hearing testimony earlier in the week from anglers, lodge owners and others who warned that unless Alaska takes action to protect its freshwater rivers, lakes and streams, they risk becoming infected as in other parts of the world.
“The board should be commended for taking this proactive step to end the use of felt sole boots and waders in Alaska which are a significant source of transmission of invasive species. Usually it takes a crisis for people to wake up and act. In this case, the board followed the lead of science, vetted the issue thoroughly, and made the right decision for the future health of Alaska fisheries,” said Mark Kaelke, TU Southeast Alaska Project Director.
Aquatic invasive species have devastated fisheries and municipal water systems in many countries and in other parts of the United States. Enormous amounts of money and time have been spent working to eradicate them from the infected waterways. The yearly economic impact of invasive species in the United States is estimated at $133.6 billion.
Although Alaska’s waterways are relatively free of invasive species, TU expects that without proactive measures and increased awareness of potential problems, it is simply a matter of time before invasion occurs.
“The Board of Fisheries’ action will command attention far beyond Alaska. By taking this important step, Alaska becomes the first state in the nation to ban the use of felt sole wading products. That sends an important signal,” said Dave Kumlien, executive director of the.
Friday’s action is the second time the Board of Fisheries has passed a ban on felt sole wading products. In response to a proposal by Juneau Trout Unlimited Chapter Member, Mark Vinsel, the board in 2009 agreed to ban the use of felt sole waders and boots in Southeast Alaska’s fresh waterways as of January 1, 2011.
The start date for the Southeast ban has now been extended until January 1, 2012, when the measure takes effect statewide.
Many retail manufacturers have supported a transition away from the production of felt soled wading products. At present, most major manufacturers offer non-absorbent soled wading boots and several have committed to producing only non felt products in the future. Between now and when the statewide prohibition on felt sole takes effect, TU urges anglers to always inspect, clean and dry their all fishing gear as a way to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.