With all the regulations changing continually, it pays to stay updated on which states have banned felt sole-wading boots. Imagine you have spent months reading, researching, and planning the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Many exciting nights and plenty of cash later, you arrive at your fly fishing home for the next week, only to be told that felt sole-wading boots are BANNED! It would crush me.
Contents
ToggleWhich States Have Banned Felt Sole Wading Boots
Maryland- Administrative ban on the use of felt in all Maryland waters, adopted in 2011.
Alaska- An administrative statewide ban on the use of felt, was adopted in 2012.
Missouri- An administrative rule banning the use of porous-soled shoes, was adopted in 2012.
Nebraska- Administrative ban on the use of felt, adopted in 2013.
Rhode Island- An administrative statewide ban on the use of felt, was adopted in 2012.
South Dakota– An administrative statewide ban on the use of felt, was adopted in 2013.
Yellowstone National While it’s not a state Yellowstone National Park has implemented a felt sole ban since 2018
Also, with a special mention in Minnesota, it is illegal to transport prohibited species, such as New Zealand mud snails and Zebra Muscles.
But you can still go trout fishing in Minnesota, just be careful with their regulations.
The other States are considering the banning of felt sole wading boots.
A few other states are considering the ban on felt-sole wading boots. So please stay informed on the topic as I would hate for you to travel hundreds of miles to be disappointed.
Why Have These States Banned Felt Sole Wading Boots
Years of research have shown that felt sole wading boots and other fibrous materials can harbor unwanted invasive bacteria and aquatic species.
Felt soles have been the focus of attention for a while now because of their ability to trap and transport invasive species. Studies have shown that sediment and invasive species can be trapped in felt and thrive in this environment.
Felt-sole wading boots take much longer to dry when compared to rubber-sole wading boots. The time taken provides the perfect environment for unwanted organisms to multiply, and when submerged in one of the next streams on your next trip, they get passed on from there.
Yes, there are plenty of other ways that fishers can transport unwanted invasive organisms.
Please keep an eye on the following; boat bilge water, boat trailers, live wells, and bait pails, and take the below preventative measures.
- Drain bilges live wells and all water; there are treatments for bilge water you can buy.
- Clean your boats, trailers, and equipment properly; this also means picking the grasses and seaweed off your gear and disposing of it in a trash can.
- Throw any unused bait away in the trash can, don’t throw it overboard.
- DRY all your gear properly; the sun’s heat will be sufficient to kill any bacteria if exposed for a prolonged period.
Infestations caused by felt-soled boots are new to North America, and scientists are unsure of the long-term ecological impacts on the larger waters or streams. However, fishing economies have begun to feel the impact on tourism, prompting the recent passage of restrictions on felt sole-wading boots.
The worst invasive species are:
- Whirling Disease (Myoxbolus cerebral) is a disease that affects trout and salmon species. It causes skeletal and neurological damage, especially in young trout. The infected often swim in a corkscrew formation hence the name.
- Rock Snot or Didymo, infestation appears slimy but is not. Usually colored brown or tan, it can blanket a river bottom and alter the basic food base for fish.
- Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) is a parasite that affects salmonid fish. This bug can cause up to 90% of deaths in infected fish populations. This is one of the main drivers for the pending Yellowstone Felt Ban.
- New Zealand Mud Snails are tiny snails measuring 4-6 millimeters. These little buggers can blanket the bottom of a river and affect the food chain. Studies have shown mud snails can live up to 50 hours on a damp surface (dry those felt boots out properly)
More extensive information is available in the below links.
Alaska’s Ban on Felt Sole Wading Footwear -FAQ
In many states, something that is catching on is the Boot Cleaning Stations; they are organized by organizations like Trout Unlimited and environmentally conscious companies that want to play their role. It’s a simple setup where you can wash your boots and other gear with fresh water and scrubbing brushes. This process reduces the risk of spreading drastically so, please try and use the stations if you have the opportunity.
What are the consequences of banning felt sole wading boots?
A few conclusive studies were released in 2000 stating that felt sole wading boots were one of the main contributors to invasive species in the native waters; felt sole boots were doomed!
Conservation organizations like Trout Unlimited communicated this information and called on states and manufacturers to ban felt altogether.
With many other states starting their studies and finding similar results, felt sole wading boots were set to disappear, and with a ‘competitive alternative to felt’ rubber, it wasn’t seen as too much of an issue.
In 2008 Simms made it public that they were to completely outphase felt wading boots from all their boot ranges. Everyone thought they had made unmatched progression in rubber sole technologies, and by 2009, Simms was boasting 6 different rubber sole wading boots.
You can say what you want but felt sticks way better than any rubber, and by 2014, Simms was back making some of their wading shoes with felt again. I think it was a combination of loss of sales and the acknowledgment that felt is better on slippery rocks.
So Which Type of Wading Boot Should You Choose?
Felt
Pros:
- Great grip on slippery rocks
- Very comfortable to walk in
Cons:
- Slip when walking on dry land
- Harbors unwanted bacteria
- They take longer to dry
Felt-sole wading boots are great for certain waters. When large rocks are super slippery, felt is my first choice.
Felt sole wading boots aren’t great for when you have to hike into your river because they have zero traction on the normally dry ground; in fact, they are the opposite and slip everywhere.
What I have started doing is hiking in with a normal pair of boots carrying my felt boots on my backpack, and changing up at the start of my beat.
I’m a felt sole wading boot enthusiast; I think they grip better in the waters that I fish. I have never found a pair of rubber sole wading boots that grip as well as felt sole wading boots, and I don’t plan on falling and breaking something anytime soon.
Some felt sole wading boots have come out with additional screws that you can screw into the felt to get better traction whilst wading or hiking, but I haven’t used them before.
Knowing what negativity felt boots have, I am fully aware of the environmental risks of wearing felt-sole-wading boots. I follow all necessary procedures to clean and prevent the spread of any unwanted organisms.
Rubber
Pros:
- Great grip and support on small freestone river beds
- Excellent traction when hiking on dry land
- Hikers can use these boots as well
- Quick-drying
Cons:
- Not as much traction on the larger slippery rocks
- The rubber soles tend to crack quicker
Rubber sole wading boots are the more modern style of wading boots. They work great for the freestone river systems where there aren’t too many large slippery rocks. I tend to find they lack traction on the slippery stuff, but I favor their ankle support and structure over a felt sole wading boot.
The rubber sole wading boots are also great for your long hikes into your fishing areas as they function the same as a normal hiking boot.
FAQs
Why are felt-soled waders banned?
Felt-soled waders are banned because they can transfer aquatic invasive species from one body of water to another, which can have a devastating impact on the local environment. Felt absorbs water and organisms, and can be difficult to clean. When waders with felt soles are used in multiple bodies of water, they can spread invasive species to areas where they don’t belong.
Are felt boots allowed in Colorado?
No, felt boots are not allowed in Colorado. The Colorado Wildlife Commission has banned the use of felt-soled waders and boots, as well as all other types of waders and boots with felt soles.
Where are felt waders banned?
Felt waders are banned in many states and countries, including Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
Why do fly fishing boots have felt soles?
Fly fishing boots with felt soles are traditionally used because they can provide superior traction on slippery surfaces. The felt material is also less abrasive than rubber or neoprene, which makes them more comfortable to wear. However, the downsides of using felt soles include the potential for spreading aquatic invasive species, making them illegal in many places.
Final Thoughts
If you live and fish in the states that have banned felt sole wading boots, then your choice of the wading boot is pretty straightforward.
If you still have the option to choose between the two boots and you choose felt sole wading boots, then please use them consciously and make the recommended effort to clean and dry them properly.
If you can switch to rubber sole wading boots and still fish your local waters comfortably and safely, please consider the changeover.
As fly fishers, we need to take responsibility for our actions and be conscious of our decisions as they will affect the future of our fisheries.
I hope the above has helped and provided you with enough information for your next pair of wading boots.
Happy fishing and tight lines.