Das Boots

I long ago made the switch to rubber soled boots. I buy the anti-invasives pitch, especially that cleaning a felt sole is a whole lot harder than cleaning a rubber sole. I still own a pair of Orvis Henry's Fork boots with a felt sole. When my go-to boots are drying (after being cleaned) I'll use the old Henry's Forks for a fishing trip so as not to risk invasive transport. Of course, I'm doubly careful about when and where I wear the Henry's Forks. Usually only to streams that are known believed to be scourge free.

The other night I wore them when I caught The Nose. Every time I put on the rubber soled boots I feel like Herman Munster. Wearing the felt soled Henry's I feel like a ballerina. I think the real joy of felt, aside from the light weight, is how the feel of the bottom is easily communicated through the sole. Rubber boots by comparison are dead.

I bought a new pair of back-up boots this evening. Big, rubber soled monstrosities. I considered some of the "lightweight" models but I killed my last pair of lightweights pretty quickly. I'm not easy on gear and I need something robust. I'm gonna miss these lightweight boots when they finally kick.

Maybe there's hope. I've gotta find my tube of Aquaseal.

Wading Safely

My buddy Gary, a big Spey guy, put me on to this video series over on Speypages.com. It's a Simms video on wading safety. I found it to be worth the watch. Some of it I knew. Some stuff was new. A bit slow to get started and the music annoys me; but overall a good refresher. The video is divided into six parts.

As far as recommended technique, you won't find me hopping across deep water anytime soon. And I'm a bit disturbed that they left the poor guy who got his foot stuck, stuck there without a resolution.

But other than that, worth a watch. Just don't get your foot stuck in water deeper than your arms are long. If so, you're screwed.