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[DragonSpeed]

http://www.theprovince.com/technology/dynamo+from+Nanaimo+rock+snot+spreading+rapidly+worldwide/5263184/story.html

[buncranabop]

Interesting, especially after everything simms have said about invasive species, vibram soles and now the fact they are back manufacturing felt soled wading boots. I guess money really does talk.

[JAwrey]

Interesting, especially after everything simms have said about invasive species, vibram soles and now the fact they are back manufacturing felt soled wading boots. I guess money really does talk.

I think a convertible system like Korker's is the way of the future - that would likely help decrease the spread of invasive species

[skaha]

--well I had it in my aquarium and I never stepped in it with my felt soled waders on.

--lots of light and warm temps seemed to spur the beast.... that sounds a lot like summer to me...
--I think one could look at increased water temps and lack of shade on many creeks due to logging roadbuilding etc. and you would find a more significant reason for the spread than felt soled waders...

--I do not discount the spread by waders thus I take as many precautions as reasonable... ie don't go fishing in the kettle river the day after I've been fishing on Vancouver island and neo waders and felt soles are still wet.   I switch gear  breathables and different boots.
--algae is tough stuff and don't need much to cause a future problem, but I think birds could also be a none controllable issue in the infected waters...
--the stuff is in the water and given the correct conditions will show up on mass so we can see it...
--I suspect it is often  found in the same manor that Columbus found america... many others at the time didn't know it was lost. 

[kingpin]

safety while wading is everything...even if they banned felt here i would still wear it, when im wading i need that extra traction.

[adecadelost]

I switched over to the vibrams last year and love them.
Even without cleats they have served me well.  With cleats in the winter I have never had a problem (knock on wood)
I've used them on some very notoriously slick rivers from the local cap and the thompson to the N. Umpqua and they have held me up well.
I didn't make the switch because of invasive species but made it for comfort.
The vibrams pack a heck of a lot less mud and snow on them when hiking.
I used to swear by my felt soles but after a year in the Vibrams I'm a convert.

[JAwrey]

safety while wading is everything...even if they banned felt here i would still wear it, when im wading i need that extra traction.

There are other alternatives, you may just have to look for them.  I have found (like adecadelost) that the Vibram soles are nice, as are some of the offerings from Korkers.  I can appreciate your dedication to safety, lor' knows I'm not trying to dissuade you from wading safely!  But I think we need to find effective alternatives if we wish to stop the spread.

Wade Safely!!

J

[skaha]

Simms is actually coming out with felted boots again starting with a couple of their current boots like the Guide Boot. Guess they caved at the drop in demand and complaints that the alternative was not as good.

--In 2008 at the Denver flyfishing trade only show... Simms, Patagonia, William Joseph and Orvis... voluntarily agreed to phase out felt soled shoes by 2011. The voluntary action was applauded as an example of corporate concerns and accountability for the environment after several presentations on the potential devastating effects of invasive species transfer which may be linked to the product. This did also negate the need for legislation to ban the product. Felt soled boots are banned in New Zedland and in some states such as Maryland and Vermont (Ovris headquarters) and may soon be banned in Alaska.  Although evidence is inconclusive that Rock Snot has a detrimental impact on fish.. it is somewhat offensive looking and may be the trigger for change .
--Simms is taking flack over their reversal whereas in fact the others didn't really pony up... leaving Simms to stand alone with no offering of felt.

--This leads many to believe the reversal has to do with not finding suitable alternatives which may not be the case  further in my naive perspective...if the product was banned legislatively (an option I do not favour except as a last resort, as I believe cooperative compliance is more effective) there would be better alternatives found

--all of the companies are offering alternatives, it is up to us to give feed back on the new products and ensure they area continuously improved