Patagonia, Argentina – Ban on Felt Wading Boots ?(!)

Well, apparently yes. But this isn’t the first time Guarda Pesca has tried and this second attempt announced rather quietly one month before the season starts on Nov 1 will prove to be ineffective as well, at least for this 2024-2025 season.

But the main reason this is not a major concern is the timing. Once month before the season starts gives no time for outfitters to buy felt soled boots from abroad, nor enough time for this news to trickle down to those who will soon be arriving in Patagonia, Argentina. Additionally, Argentina’s Guarda Pesca in Patagonia has barely enough money to put fuel in their trucks to patrol rivers checking licenses, let alone hire more than a couple field officers for a province. (Guides and anglers celebrate if they even see Guarda Pesca on the river.)  If the government gets their act together (cough), then maybe we’ll see officers checking anglers in airport customs. If a felt carrying angler gets that unlucky, the guide picking them up is going to solve that quickly -this is Argentina after all.

Didymo has been in many river systems in Patagonia for several years already and we’ve not heard of new invasive threats. Nonetheless, if you have rubber soles, you might as well bring them.  If not, bring your felt.  By next season, we’ll have a better idea if the ban on felt soled boots is something to adhere to.

If you have a concern about your destination, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

jcampa@flyfishingpatagonia.com   434.249.1783