At the day on the PCT day on the Yuba trip I nearly took a dive headfirst into a deep pool because the front bit of felt split apart from my boot, forming a dangerous rock-catching flap. Otter saw me (or maybe just heard me) land in 4 feet of water from a rock on shore after nearly taking a swim. I think I still owe him, as this must have scared some of his fish.
Anyways, today I went to Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters in San Francisco to get a new pair. I was surprised to find how much pressure they put on me to buy rubber-soled boots. The first question was, "how much fishing in California do you do?" and after responding "a lot", they only began offering only rubber-soled boots. I was 90% sold on rubber soled boots for environmental reasons anyways, but I'm still surprised at the pressure this fly shop gave me. Every angler buying a pair of boots this season is that much more likely to buy rubber soled boots, which makes them that less likely to bring didymo, whirling disease, and the NZ mud snail to new waters.
Is it too much for fly shops to pressure consumers to buy rubber soled boots?
Hey Vince & everyone- Richard read this to me and I just had to post-- I am VERY SUPPORTIVE of rubber soles for environmental reasons; we saw a special on animal Planet a couple months ago called, "The Vanishing Frog" and, in short, it really made the point what a serious business it is walking in rivers and lakes with the same boots and transferring small or microscopic parasites and destroyers of habitats.......so I think it's good that the fly shop is pushing rubber soles-- after all, as fly fisher-people, we are typically concerned about our effect on the fish and their habitat!!
That said, I was in a rush to fish when I bought my waders and boots 1 month back and I bought rubber soled HIKING boots-- haha...and they are as slippery as @#$%!! So I ended up getting a $20 set of those metal studs and Richard put them in my boots and it had an amazingly positive effect!
Anyways, just my 2 cents as Richard's other half.Â
Is it too much for fly shops to pressure consumers to buy rubber soled boots?
I won't get into the invasive bug rant since it was mentioned already.
I would probably say it isn't just the shops pressuring people to buy rubber soled boots. It's the industry as a whole doing so. Simms has its reps wearing the boots. The reps have shop guys and guides wearing the boots. They know that the technology works, so they'll sell that product. By 2010, all Simms boots will be sold with Vibram Streamtread soles. By 2011, Patagonia and other major players in the industry will have made a 100% switch to some sort of sticky rubber. Quality felt soled boots won't be available.
One of my friends is a partner and buyer of a small fly shop. For his 2009 inventory, he stopped ordering felt soled Simms boots. He knows that Streamtread soles work, and most of his clients are looking for rubber soled boots anyways. He carries Patagonia and Korkers just in case someone wants felt.
I'm not sure what made you feel pressured, Vince. Was it the salesman's tact? Or was it that he didn't give you options other than rubber soled boots? If it was either, he could have presented his case without making you feel pressured.
Hey Vince no harm no foul. I actually landed a small trout or two on dries at that spot. If I worked at a fly shop I would be pushing the rubber soled boots as well. Reason number one is that they do not soak up water. If you are driving from spot to spot on the local waters they don't make as big of a mess. Number two well really number one is that they are less likely to transport mudsnails and other invasive species. Number three felt shoes are overrated. They are just as slippery as snot. I have broken numerous rods by using some old Cabelas guide boots. Buy Rubber soled boots with studs and you will have many days of fun fishing. I recommend simms. I completely destroyed a pair of their boots and sent them back. They sent me a brand new pair.
Otter: I got a pair of Simms. I was going to drop the money for the guide model since I've been fishing a lot, but the cheap headwaters are just so light, I couldn't resist. I didn't buy studs ($20 for the Simms screws - eek!) but I regret it now. At least with the Simms studs, I wouldn't have to worry about punching through.
I should mention that I wasn't disappointed with the apparent pressure, but just surprised. Fishing Putah with the invasive mudsnails, and sampling with Ken has given me an excellent perspective on invasive species. AbelBoy: The pressure was that felt soles weren't delivered as a sales option at all, even though they were on display.
I tend to think about everything in terms of economics, and this surprised me, because this leaves Leland with a whole mess load of felt soled boots unsold, and growing more difficult to sell. So rather than trying to pawn off the last stock of felt soles, this fly shop actually put the environment first and pushed their newer (and equally priced) rubber-soled boots. This is true dedication to the environment.
Also, I think it should be mentioned that rubber-soled boots are not a cure-all, especially for mud snails which often lodge between the tongue under laces. Hopefully this new pressure doesn't give a false sense of comfort to rubber-soled clad anglers.
Vince, Most shops are pushing the Streamtread for the invasive reasons. It's very admirable that he pushed the boots. I don't think Leland's is worried about its felt stock. There is always someone looking for felt. Plus if excess inventory lingers, Leland will put the remaining inventroy on its Redtruck website or bring it to the shows.
AB
-- Edited by AbelBoy on Monday 15th of June 2009 11:29:54 AM
Do they work ???? YES, I tore the felt off a pair of simms boots awhile back and since it would take about 2 weeks to be replaced the graciouse owner of the flyshop I frequent allowed me to borrow a pair of his own new simms rubber soles, Vibram I think they are called. I didn't think they would grip well but I was highly impressed, Griped every bit as well as felt. I felt a bit bad because i did put some wear and tear on the guys boots. I would also recomend simms because they replaced my old boots with a much better pair at absolutly no cost ! Good boots are a must, Only takes that one slip and fall to end your fishin days for good.
I had a long first day on the river (well Putah Creek) with my new boots without studs. Indeed, they are truly just as effective as felt-soled boots. Maybe even more so because the bottom is so rigid; felt compresses a lot more which would set me off balance.
I too have a pair of Vibram soled Simms boots. They are great I haven't put the studs in yet but I have bought them. The Simms studs are expensive as someone mentiond but the beading on the bottom is tungsten and will last longer than the boots I suspect.
Also as a side note I returned from NZ about a month ago and there it is now illeagal to wear felt soled boots!! I think it is the way to go ..... and hopefully guides with drift boats will understand!? :)
-- Edited by AfricanAngler on Thursday 25th of June 2009 12:19:04 PM
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"Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn." - Anon.
My next pair will undoubtedly be studded/vibram soles. I guess I'm concerned about how difficult or time consuming it'll be to add or remove the studs, like to get in a drift boat for the day. And....after adding and removing the studs for a couple of years I'm concerned about the threads getting gunked up or damaged, making things difficult. Any input on this would be appreciated...
My thinking right now is to keep an old pair of felt boots for boats, but maybe that won't even be an option some day???
