I guess I can live with spiked rubber soles if I have to when I'm fishing from the bank, even though they're nowhere near as comfortable to walk in than plain felt soles are, but it seems to me that this will create a lot of problems for boat fisherman. I don't want to have cleats in my drift boat, and getting into and out of the boat with rubber soles without cleats can be a serious hazard in many places.

Personally, intead of banning felt I would prefer legislation that all boots be disinfected after every use. It would be much cheaper than dealing with a broken neck and back.