Felt soled wader ban in N.Zealand and Alaska

[Peter Robinson]

Apparently felt soled waders are to be banned in southeastern Alaska in 2011,and have been for about a year in New Zealand.They are viewed as being "vectors of microscopic pest organisms".The felt doesn't dry out properly unlike landing/keepnets,and so can transport possible disease from water to water.This subject cropped up at my local tackle shop after mentioning a "red eye" problem noticed on a couple of recently caught barbel on The Wandle.Just wondered if anyone had any knowledgeable thoughts on the subject.

Pete

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Formerly:Thameswarrior

 

[Paul Boote]

Felts have been banned on account of Didymo (aka "River Snot"), Peter -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didymosphenia_geminata

Spreading all over the States. Google up some river-clogging images of the stuff - nasty.