timbow wrote:
I just got back from a week long trip to Montana, which included fishing the 2 slickest rivers I know, the upper Madison and the Gallitan in the canyon. Prior to the trip I threw out my old Patagonia studded felt boots and was determined to commit to the rubber sole boots. I had a pair of Patagonia rock grip boots in the closet with the aluminum bars. My first day in the canyon was miserable, fell several times and was scared to wade much deeper than calf high due to the horrible traction on slippery boulders. I was so regretting my decision to toss the felt studs. Headed over to the Slide a few days later after fishing some easier to wade rivers and my troubles got even worse on the Madison. Desperate, I started discussing my troubles with John and Kelly at the Slide Inn and they both praised the Patagonia foot tractor boots. These are 2 guys that I trust not to blow smoke up my arse just to make a sale, so I purchased a pair based on the recommendation. All I have to say after fishing with them for 3 days is WOW, These boots are so good they are dangerous! They grip slimy boulders so good that I often found myself getting into situations that I had no business being in because I was so confident in the grip these boots provide. I never thought I would say this, but these boots are better than studded felt on slimy rocks. They are pricey, but with the new danner/Patagonia boot coming out shop owners are probably willing to cut you a good deal on a pair to get them out of the shop.