Gear Review
THE BOOT OUT
After thirty plus years of wading on felt soled shoes it takes some revolutionary new designs to make me change my wading practices. So, when Bill Klyn from Patagonia contacted me several years ago and asked me if I would sample what was to be there new Riverwalkers sticky bottom boot, I agreed. I was asked to wear the boot for the entire guide season and report to him in the fall my likes and dislikes. My report to Bill that fall was very positive after 100+ days in the Riverwalkers sticky bottoms, used in many different Montana Rivers and various wading conditions from spring thru fall.
I found the Riverwalkers sticky bottoms to have surprisingly good grip on the slippery snot covered rocks in our Madison, Gallatin and Yellowstone Rivers. I guessed the traction to be about 95-96% of the felt that I was used to, and with some wading adjustments learned to wade with confidence with the new bottoms. After several months of use the many additional advantages became apparent. These new boots gave me much safer footing on grass, muddy banks, dry rocky banks and in and out of boats, especially rafts, with their slick tubes and frames. Another huge benefit was when walking on snow and not having it stick and build up on the bottoms as with felt.
This year John Yousko of Simm's Fishing Products asked me and the other guides at The Bozeman Angler to sample their boots featuring Simm's new Streamtread. I could see from my first few steps as I dropped my boat in the Madison River that Simm's had hit a home run. The new Vibram Streamtread has a very aggressive style cleat sole that cuts threw the moss and river snot to grip the rocks giving you very stable footing. I have now used Simm's new Streamtread for two months of winter fishing three days a week since February 1st. The added traction both in and out of the water make this boot one to consider when looking to replace your old felt bottom boots.
Simm's offers six different styles of wading boots priced from $219.95 down to $129.95 so you are sure to find a boot that will fit your wading needs and budget.
Patagonia offers the Riverwalkers Sticky bottoms at $160.00.
So, with all the additional advantages of wading with these new rubber bottom boots both Patagonia's Riverwalker and the Simm's Streamtread boots offer longer life than the felt bottoms, especially for the fisherman that walks a lot in search of trout or just tranquility. I have almost forgotten to mention that they are easier to clean. This will help to prevent spreading aquatic nuisance species from river to river.
Stop by The Bozeman Angler and compare the two different style bottoms for yourself. John Yousko dropped off a pair of the Simms Streamtread boots in size 9, 10 and 11 for the public to demo for the month of April on the local waters, so come in and check out a pair at NO CHARGE!
Good fishing!
Rod King
