Clean Angler

Felt sole boots pose an additional risk to our waterways because they are known to trap and transport invasive species, such as algae and other aquatic plants. However, whether you have felt or rubber boots, there are a couple of simple steps to take when cleaning. As you get out of the water, take a good look at your boots and waders and remove any visible mud, animals, or plant materials you see. Then rinse the gear in the water that you are getting out of. A small hand brush or a 5-gallon bucket are helpful tools that can remove debris. The final step is to thoroughly dry your gear in the sun until dry to touch. In short, always remember to Clean, Drain, Dry your gear!

Absolutely! Rubber soled boots minimize what can attach to boots but we all know that our boots can still hold mud. More importantly, the bottom of a boot is only one place where invasive species can attach. The boot uppers, laces and waders themselves can all transport invasive species. No matter what the material used, it is important to Clean, Drain, Dry our equipment.

If you leave the take-out without cleaning your gear then you must make sure you clean in a “safe” place as soon as you can. You should still inspect your equipment and remove any noticeable debris before leaving the site. A safe place to clean your gear would be on a lawn with the use of a garden hose. It is important to make sure that dirty water will not leave the lawn to enter surface water. Another good location for cleaning larger items is the car wash. Avoid cleaning at any place where the waste water could run overland to a sewer or other water transport system.

Most waste water from a car wash enters a municipal waste system where invasive species will be destroyed by the water purification process. However, be mindful of the layout of the car wash – does the dirty water enter a drain or does it simply hit the sidewalk/road or flow to open water. If this is the case, this type of car wash may not be an ideal location to clean your boat.

The recommended combination of Clean, Drain, Dry are very effective at minimizing the spread of invasive species. If you are unable to dry your gear, ensure that you have very carefully inspected and cleaned your gear. If you consistently cannot dry your gear consider keeping more than one set of boots that you can dry thoroughly between alternating uses.

Freezing your boots, waders or other water soaked equipment is a good way to kill many invasive species, but don’t forget to Clean, Drain, Dry your gear, too.

In recent years, Formula 409 has been proven to kill New Zealand Mudsnails. However, we strongly discourage the use of chemicals such as Bleach or Formula 409 to clean your equipment. Following the simple Clean, Drain, Dry steps, your gear will be cleaned better than when using chemicals.

A small hand brush can be used to scrub boots and other equipment to remove debris. A bucket can also come in handy for rinsing equipment. Companies are beginning to offer products that help make cleaning easier.

When you go back to the same water every time, cleaning your gear is not critical. But, it is a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning your equipment after each use. Your cleaning actions serve as a reminder to others that you think the health of your local waters are important. If you are a fishing guide, cleaning your equipment serves as a good role model to your incoming clients. Encouraging your clients to clean their gear will help keep your home waters healthy! If you have anyone fishing with you who has come from another area be sure to wash their boots in a safe place before you go to the water. This will help to protect your home waters from invaders.

If you are fishing a stretch of water that you know has a particular invasive species in it, this should be even more reason for you to clean your gear. Your actions of Clean, Drain, Dry will help minimize the spread and concentration of an invasive species to a new location either within that body of water or beyond.

If you think that your gear or boat might have an invasive species attached to it, you can report it. An aquatic invasive species reporting system sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey is available to report aquatic invasive species sightings online or call 1-877-STOP-ANS, to speak to a live person at any time, day or night.