The replacement felt on my Simms clodhoppers was just about done. What a disappointment, as I'd mailed the boots off to the Denver-based re-felter Simms recommended just six months earlier. There was  no time for another felt job and steelhead season was nearing.  I was vulnerable to new boot marketing.

Tim Tollett's Frontier Anglers fly shop, in Dillon, is a surefire stop for the latest in Beaverhead and Big Hole Valley happenings. We were dropping off Ennis Fly Fishing Festival posters (which Tim kindly displayed) and checking out his latest in nymph creations when I noticed a display of Korkers on sale.  They were discontinued Outfitters the model sole prior to the gripper pad sole attachment on the arch. What a good chance to try out Korkers for $100! The sole attachment works great. With little practice, the wearer can quickly change soles without removing the boots or even sitting down.

If you fish Yellowstone Park, you've experienced snowfall, even in August, along with the memorable felt-on-snow effect.  To the uninitiated, I'll just explain that with each step, caking snow makes the sole thicker and rounder till eventually, the angler can't move.  Korkers' hiking sole is perfect for snow or steep wet grass, for that matter, another felt sole killer.  (yes, those are grizzlies on our favorite creek!)

The Korkers sole slips into a recess in the toe of the boot, so rinse or bonk the small amount of accumulated sand or tiny gravel out of the recess after sole removal.  The new sole will be an easy, but snug fit. By clod-hopping wade boot standards, the Korkers are light. Their ankle support is outstanding - the best I've experienced.  They lace up easily and the laces show some propensity to remain tied - unique among wade boots.

My boots came with hiking soles, felts and felt-studded soles.  This is a great combination of options, covering the usual long hike into and out of best fishing water and two wading angles.  If you wade round, slippery river rocks, you'll love the felt-studded soles, but when they're not welcome in the driftboat, install the felts.

Last fall we visited with Joe Howell at the Blue Heron Fly Shop before hitting the fabled "holy waters" of the N. Umpqua. Joe reminded us of the importance of studs in this most notorious-wading stream, and when Cezanne mentioned that she better think about new boots.   I recommended the Korkers without hesitation. Joe was able to fit her, and she has happily waded them since. 

While there, I picked up a pair of the optional studded rubber soles, with seriously protruding carbide spikes, for $29.95. You'd think that anything with log-roller gripping power might cause a bit of tripping and stumbling, but I haven't had much problem with that. They are fabulous on any kind of river bottom and just fine for hikes up to five miles or so. They're even OK for driving, but don't wear them into the bar, restaurant or fly shop. I'm such a fan of the studded rubber soles, that I'm seriously considering installing rubber mats in the Clackacraft.

One thing though: If you thoroughly dry your Outfitters out in direct sunlight between wearings they shrink!  Don't expect to be able to get your booties into them when suiting up for the river - or heading out on a 5 mile hike into a lake.  They must temporarily lose at least an entire size.  Now, I throw them in a bucket of water for a while before leaving for the river/hike.  Soaked, they're a good fit for the fishing day.  Friends with other boot brands have also experience this "shrinkage".

Otherwise, Cezanne and I recommend the Korkers Outfitter.  Studded boots add a worthwhile level of security and safety in swift water and Korkers offers a very practical approach to wearing studs without trashing bar floors or friend's wooden drift boat.  Bob 8/2/05