As reported in this blog last week, Trout Unlimited made an announcement asking the fishing industry to stop making felt-bottom waders to help control the spread of aquatic nuisance species and fish disease.

Simms announced Wednesday at the FlyFishing Retailer Expo in Denver that it would no longer use felt effective with the 2010 line of boots. TU had asked for the industry to be felt-free by 2011, so kudos to Simms for making it happen earlier.

“We know felt is not the only material that has spread invasive species and disease,” Simms president K.C. Walsh Walsh said in a news release. “But felt is surely part of the problem. At Simms, we’ve decided to be part of the solution.”

Simms also announced at the show that they will be using Vibrom-soled boots with "Clean Stream" technology, built from material that make it harder for micoorganisms to attach to wading gear.

— Brett