OR Felt Ban: Sink or Swim?

OREGON—Full disclosure: We have not worn felt on the soles of our fishing boots for the past several seasons. Do we miss it? Meh, not so much mostly thanks to studs. Across the country, Alaska and Vermont have outlawed felt soles in the name of curbing the spread of invasive species such as Didymo (rock snot). Colorado, Maryland and Montana are considering similar legislation. In Oregon—a state with more than half a million licensed anglers—a proposed ban on felt has taken the form of House Bill 2338, where a second hearing in the legislature has been deemed unlikely.

“Curt Melcher, the deputy director of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department said the agency wouldn’t take a stance on the bill. He agreed that felt was a particularly effective carrier for invasive species. But he also said that his staff preferred felt soles to the rubber alternatives in terms of traction.

“After the meeting, Co-Chair Brian Clem (who, it should be noted, owns a pair of felt-soled waders) said he’d be “surprised” if the bill received a second hearing.”

Source Link