When it comes to fly fishing equipment, boots are like Rodney Dangerfield: they just don’t get any respect. Take care of your boots and they’ll get you in and out of the tough spots for shots at fish you dream about. Neglect them and risk a fall, bruised ego, or worse yet, serious injury.
Boots come with rubber or felt soles, but can also feature studs for enhanced traction. The most common and effective sole type is felt, but its use is threatened by the growing environmental issue of cross-contaminating waters with invasive species and didymo, also known as rock snot. Fly fishermen have been slow to accept rubber soles because of felt’s superior traction, but there are some promising technologies being introduced on the market by Patagonia, Simms, LLBean and Orvis.
Help your boots, help you, gain solid footing. Examine your boot soles for excessive wear and delamination. If there’s any hint of excessive wear or damage, have them repaired. One local cobbler charges roughly $10 to re-sole boots (you provide the materials and glue). That price sure beats buying new and you’ll be thankful when you can wade with confidence.
Thoroughly inspect the boot stitching and have it repaired if it shows signs of wear. If you use studs, inspect the soles for missing or damaged studs and replace as necessary.
Kick it up a notch by adding studs. If you’re wading creeks and rivers that require added traction consider adding studs. One local internet business sells studs that can be installed per instructions provided and at a huge discount to what the boot manufacturers charge.
Make sure to check your laces for wear and replace them. Replace them if necessary. Braided laces offer the best abrasion resistance. When you do buy a new set of laces, buy an extra pair and keep them handy in your vest.
“For Want of a Nail” is a well-known rhyme that emphasizes the need for thorough fly fishing preparation. Read it and remember it as you get ready for the upcoming season:
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
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