Desert Sportsman

My first few steps into a stream last week were met with a great deal of excitement and anticipation! I couldn’t wait to get my new Simms Rivershed boots in the water considering I’ve spent the last 25 years wading and slipping in felt sole boots. The hike into this stretch of creek completely blew me away. I’ve naturally become accustom to sliding and skiing my way into most canyons with the precarious combination of felt soles and pine needles. The new Vibram StreamTread soles, however, seem to bite the ground and offer the same stability you expect out of a great hunting boot.

The slight film of algae that appears on the rocks this time of year always causes me to exercise extreme caution. When I stepped into the water and began wading, I had an immediate feeling of security and solid stance despite the otherwise slick as ice nature of the bottom. The more I waded upstream the more I was in shock over the stability I had and my confidence began to grow. I found myself not paying as much attention to the stream bottom and was able to look for fish as I waded.

Another pleasant advantage I enjoyed was the weight difference these light weight boots offered. I can’t even begin to tell you how relieved I was not slogging the dead weight of the water soaked felt soles around the stream banks and eventually, up and out of the canyon. To say the least, these boots changed the way I wade and greatly decreased my fatigue level at the end of the day. I fished the new boots for two solid days and put several miles on my feet without feeling the usual day after aches and pains I’ve experienced in the past.

Do yourself, your feet, and your wading confidence a favor … Stop by Desert Sportsman and grab a pair of Simms Vibram StreamTread boots!