vaal shuffle in wet socks?

[rols]

Hi Rols

The more serious version of the answer is:

Walking on dry cement surfaces for long periods of time will wear the felt quickly. You are going to be forced to walk on dry surfaces, but minimize that. Be carefull when stepping on wet grass, that stuff don't grip on wet grass. Best care you can give any wading boots is to make sure they are put in a place that ensure that they will dry properly after use, not in direct sunlight, not a great idea either.

Otherwise just walk in them as you normally would.

Regards

Thanks Pieter

[MaXiMuM]

There is something else that we really need to start doing… in New Zealand there is a policy that you clean you boots between watersheds… I firmly believe that we need to start this practice as well. I would hate to see some of our mountain streams to become infested with hyacinth or “rock snot”.

This can easily be avoided by giving your boots a good scrub in “hot soapy” water, letting them air dry and then giving them another scrub when they are dry, trying to get all the plant matter off them. This is generally regarded as good practice to combat the movement of foreign organisms. I once read a document circulated by the New Zealand fly fishing authorities, I wonder if any of our illustrious members could find it again.

Here are a few tips on preserving wading boots.
1. Never dry them in the sun. Let them dry in the garage.
2. Never store them wet and expect them to dry.
3. Never leave the laces tight, when they are drying.
4. Never walk extended distances over gravel, without the sole being wet or moist. Rather wear hiking shoes if the hike is longer than a kilometer or so.
5. Never lend them to a friend… don’t ask.
6. Never let your wife see the receipt.

And finally
7. Never-ever wear wading boots to a wedding, especially if it is yours. No, keep them in the car, only put them on when you start fishing.

Cheers

Mike

[Andre]

There is something else that we really need to start doing… in New Zealand there is a policy that you clean you boots between watersheds… I firmly believe that we need to start this practice as well. I would hate to see some of our mountain streams to become infested with hyacinth or “rock snot”.

This can easily be avoided by giving your boots a good scrub in “hot soapy” water, letting them air dry and then giving them another scrub when they are dry, trying to get all the plant matter off them. This is generally regarded as good practice to combat the movement of foreign organisms. I once read a document circulated by the New Zealand fly fishing authorities, I wonder if any of our illustrious members could find it again.

Here are a few tips on preserving wading boots.
1. Never dry them in the sun. Let them dry in the garage.
2. Never store them wet and expect them to dry.
3. Never leave the laces tight, when they are drying.
4. Never walk extended distances over gravel, without the sole being wet or moist. Rather wear hiking shoes if the hike is longer than a kilometer or so.
5. Never lend them to a friend… don’t ask.
6. Never let your wife see the receipt.

And finally
7. Never-ever wear wading boots to a wedding, especially if it is yours. No, keep them in the car, only put them on when you start fishing.

Cheers

Mike

Another good tip is to only ever buy Simms Freestone boots and dont waste your time with all the other rubbish. They may cost more, but will surely last more than twice as long.

[Michael]

Ok so I've tried old tekkies, strops, booties and rockys - they all worked fine except the booties as the rocks in the Vaal destroyed the tips of my toes. Anyways, I recently acquired a pair of propper wading boots with fur on the dash (sole) the works. Now, do you wear special socks with your Chota's or do you just gooi on your tennis socks and take them off everytime you come out of the water?

Go to any diving shop, and get neoprene socks. They go up past the end of the boot on your ankles. Also, while there, get a bottle of wetsuit shampoo. (REEF make good socks and shampoo) Each time you return from wading, let the socks lie in a solution of water and a little shampoo for about 30 minutes, squish them a bit, then hang them to drip-dry (do not wring them out). The chemicals in the shampoo cleans the socks, disinfects them and removes any odours (or toe-jam )

[MaXiMuM]

Another good tip is to only ever buy Simms Freestone boots and dont waste your time with all the other rubbish. They may cost more, but will surely last more than twice as long.

Agreed...

But I am waiting for a pair of G3's, I have read a report that they are more comfortable than normal shoes and that the guides who tested them say they have out lasted their previous Freestone’s... I plan on testing their theory...

Sorry PK... but I know your sectret, regarding the Freestones...

Indestructible Freestone


New Age G3

[Andre]

Wow....bootporn, gotta get those. if they are being touted as better than the freestones, then they must be totally incredible.

[Michael]

Those G3's look awesome. I also got a pair of Troggs from Dean at Frontier which has really surprised me. Excellent boot, with a little rubber left in the front and on the heel to assist when walking on wet grass or up steep muddy or dirt embankments.

Andre gave a very good tip...cycling shorts (or gym cycling shorts is better, no padding in the crotch area). I wear them when fishing, and when playing golf on hot days. No chaffing.
I must try the Prep...but I always have a tin of good ol' S.A.'s own ZAMBUK with me. That stuff will cure leprocy I am sure! Sometimes (okay many times) in the past when badly chaffed, I apply that and the next morning the chaffing is gone.

I have two pairs of Reef neoprene socks...as sometimes on longer trips to the Vaal i wear one pair the one day, and the dry pair the next day. (Nothing as bad as sticking your fresh morning feet into wet socks). Just dip the used pair in the wetsuit shampoo mixture, and let them drip dry. The following day they are dry for use again.

Yes, they do not have gravel gaurds, but I got a pair of Simms gravel gaurds, that wrap around your boot and ankle (and long pants if you wish), and they velcro on and off. This also puts a barrier of neoprene a little higher up on your ankle and calf...this is good for places like Sterkfontein dam...lots of snakes.

My wet wading pants are Nike...the parachute material type. On sale it was like R80, and dry very quickly. Mr. Price also sometimes have these pants. Very lightweight and dries quick. Also a good idea, as I bought a few pairs..for the same reason. Extended trips, you don't have to wear the same pants for 3 or 4 days.

Long pants are not just for sunburn...they protect against the scratching of long grass, reeds and other bushes when walking along the Vaal (or any river).

[Michael]

Anyone use these Simms boots? They look okay...but I've never heard any reports on them.

SIMMS L2 boots.

[Andre]

Anyone use these Simms boots? They look okay...but I've never heard any reports on them.

SIMMS L2 boots.

They look good, and because they are Simms, they will be good. A bit too much exposed external thread seams for my liking. This is bound to scuff on rocks and perish, which will limit the life of the boots. i like the freestones as they have zero exposed thread. This has been the problem with the Chota's all along, they fall apart as soon as the thread gets scuffed, and toe support goes down the toilet. Your feet end up sliding towards the toe caps and a serious case of blue toenails can develope

[Michael]

And Snowbee's...I wade hard, and I've had a pair pull loose after about two sessions on the Vaal. They are crap quality.