Welcome Zach Hansen –
He won the Reader Review of the Goat Head Sole Spikes – Combo Pack back in Feb and here is what he had to say about the spikes!
http://www.solespikes.com/
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Sole Spikes = Awesome Sauce
I had just bought the little 2wt rod that I had always wanted. I typically like to fish smaller streams, especially in the high country near tree line, but I decided to break in my 2wt at a lower level small stream in Morrison Colorado. Bear Creek is a fantastic little creek that can yield a ton of  trout during the Spring, Summer and Fall – mostly Browns with a few Bows sprinkled in.
I was fishing a spot where the year before, I had encountered a Mountain Lion in the trees nearby. He was pissed, and I almost pissed…Needless to say, fishing in this location now yields a few looks over my shoulder. It was on one of these looks over the shoulder that disaster struck. Bear Creek is slippery! Moss covered rocks hide beneath the water and WAMMO, I fell in with a splash and put a nice ding in my brand new rod, and perhaps worst of all, my ego.
That’s when a contest by the great Fly Fishilicious came to my rescue. I won the chance to do a reader review of these little metal screws that go by the name Sole Spikes. They even come with a handy tool to screw them in. Or, for us lazy types, you can use a drill with said attachment.
I’ve fished that location a few times since and haven’t fallen again. These things provide better than great traction on the slickest of surfaces (no kidding, Bear Creek is SLICK). I bought my wading boots with a rubber sole late last year with the idea that I didn’t much like the felt soles because I, like most fly fishermen in Colorado, hike around A LOT. Flet soles wear as quickly as spooked trout hide. I wanted a boot that waded and hiked well. With that being said, I was a bit nervous about screwing metal bits into my new boots…but I haven’t looked back since I installed them. The spikes work GREAT on navigating boulders and loose gravel, steep slopes and slick mountain gross in search of rising fish!
For now, I’m off to Bear Creek as writing about it has triggered a need to fish, weird I know. Sole Spikes are among the greatest tools I have added to my fishing arsenal. I’ll be heading to my spot now knowing I won’t fall in, but in case that Mountain Lion come back…well, the spikes are a great kicking tool as well – bound to make that Lion think twice about taking my hole!  On a side note, it’s also fun to walk about the parking lot or town with these on. I’m a huge baseball fan, but traded my bat for a fly rod YEARS ago. As I trek around, the sound of these spikes reminds me of walking around the dugout with my metal cleats on, with one large difference…Sole Spikes aren’t nearly as slick on concrete, they grip too! It certainly brings back great memories. Go Sole Spikes!
Thanks again to Fly Fishilicious and Goat Head Sole Spikes for the great opportunity.
– Zach Hansen
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