Despite all the media coverage recently about the death of "Crocodile Hunter"Steve Irwin, the real danger fishing the Australian shore - or any shore - is not from saltwater crocodiles, sharks and stingrays, but from the waves. Ozzie rock anglers know this, but every year several are washed off the rocks and disappear. The fishing magazines regularly warn readers to never turn your back on the ocean, and it's good advice. The problem is, of course, that we need to get right up to it to be able to fish, and even if we don't scramble out onto risky, exposed shelves and points, there's still a good chance of a wave knocking you down or you slip and really hurt yourself. Ocean rocks are almost always treacherous with algae and weed, so good boots are an essential piece of kit.

For my trip out to Western Australia, Peter Morse recommended I pick up a pair of studded Mirage Rockhopper All Terrain Boots. I trust Morsie's judgement on stuff like this, so I got a pair sent from the Karratha Dive Centre a mail order shop on the Ningaloo Reef, way up the Western Australia coast. They cost AU$59.95. Right out of the box, the Rockhoppers looked like good stuff for the money. Clearly intended for tough diving conditions, they are very strongly constructed from heavy, rubber coated neoprene, with a stout synthetic side zipper for easy on and off with bare feet, and reinforced points at the toe and other places where you'd expect them to get worn.

The big deal with these boots is the sole. Its got a tread consisting of rows of rubber cleats with imbedded spikes. The spikes aren't shy ones either, they stick right out proud of the rubber and obviously mean business, so these aren't boots to wear around the house or especially your pal's nice fibreglass boat. I used them on the beach and rocks and they do exactly what they are supposed to do - anchor you to those slippery surfaces. In fact, they stick like shit to a blanket. I found I could withstand waves that normally would have sent me skidding, and on those WA rocks, that means I'd have lost some skin at the very least. Your feet stay put, which gives you the confidence to concentrate on keeping your fly line out of the mussel beds.

You have to be careful that your newfound confidence doesn't lapse into carelessness, though, there's always a nasty wave just waiting out there for you to look away for a second. Never turn your back on the ocean.

Bob Wyatt
Oct '06