Float tubes

[Mr T]

I just received a new Sportsman's Guide catalog and the U-shaped float tube we talked about before Christmas is still in there at $69.95. This is a tremndous bargain for a top quality tube (equivalent in quality to my Caddis). It has no brand labels and the price is about half of an equivalent tube at regular market prices.

Sportsman's Guide has a website at www.sportsmansguide.com, I think. If that doesn't work you can find it through most seach engines.

Mr. T

[Loren]

Hey Mr. T

I want to order this float tube, but can't find it on the Sportsman Guide's online catalog. I have emailed them, but am impatient. Can you give me catalog info to order?

Quesiton, will this tube supprot 230 lbs of fisheman (equipment extra)?

Loren

[BT]

Just got two new sportsman's guide catalogues and neither had any float tubes in them, I also get the specials e-mailed to me and haven't seen any float tubes in them. After the great deal Mr T got I really got the hots for one but haven't been able to connect.

[Mr T]

Loren -- It's a large U-shaped tube. I ordered one Saturday for myself and another for a friend. They were still in stock. A tube that large shouldn't have any trouble with 230 pounds. Even my small circular Caddis will support me and i weigh 190. this one is much larger. I'll check for the specific product number tonight when I get home. However, the telephone # is:

1 800 888-3006

Bet you can call and get the sales person to look it up for you. It was in a catalogue that arrived about two weeks ago. The last one specialized in AMMO. It was the one before that.

In any case, tonight I'll try to get catalogue #, page # and item #. But, I'd call the 800 # without all that information because supplies can't last forever. I've now bought three.

Mr. T

[Loren]

BT and Mr. T

I called the Sportsman Guide and they did look it up. Supports 300 lbs (ought to last me a year or two). Price is as you said. Thanks guys. BT, give 'em a call.

Loren

[Mr T]

Loren -- Glad you didn't wait on me. I looked for the catalogue last night and couldn't find it. Things like that have a way of disappearing when my wife thinks it will induce me to spend money. She frowned when she overheard me placing the order complaining that I already had a tube. I said, "but this one is better and safer." I offered to let her have my old one but she just walked off. The catalogue disappeared soon after.

I think you're really gonna be impressed with the bargain you got. Let me know if you agree.

Mr. T

[Mr T1]

Loren -- The two new tubes I order arrived today. If you don't already have them, you'll need to get some fins and some shoulder straps. I used cheap polyurethane fins that you find at at K-mart or Wal-Mart and the straps are available at outdoor shops and large sporting goods stores like Jumbo Sports or the Sports Authority.

Let me know what you think when your arrives.

Mr. T

[Loren]

Professor T

Do you use the fins on the river?

I guess the straps are for wading shallow water.

Loren

[Mr T]

Loren -- Yeah, fins are about the only way you can control a tube...specially if you're wearing waders and wading boots. I don't use mine all that much and you might get some better advice from those who use theirs regularly.

Straps are to support the tube when you're entering and leaving the water as well as when you float into shallow water. They're also good for carrying the inflated tube like a backpack when you've got a distance to go before beginning your float.

I'd suggest you try it out in a quiet lake before you head for a river with much current. It doesn't take too long to get the hang of it. You'll be lot more confident and safer, if you do.

Also. don't forget to wear a lifejacket. The law requires it most places but I'd wear one if even it didn't. There have also been some suggestions that you carry a big knife just in case you capsize and can't get back up. You can either pop the tube or cut the straps to get out. Seems like a good idea to me.

Mr. T

[Drifter]

Loren,

I've never used fins with the float tube so I can't comment on them. But....

Before springing for the fins, try a plastic dustpan tied to a 3 foot section of cord, tied to a d-ring on your tube. I was introduced to this idea while "floating" cl****3 rapids on the Hiwassee. The dust pan will propel you toward shore or to the nearest rock when your toes don't quite seem to touch bottom.

Drifter

[Loren]

Thanks folk,

Got the float tube today. Looks like a good value and enjoyed putting it together. Look fwd to using it. I've ordered an Orvis Battenkill Caddis Green Dustpan. For $47.50, it looked like a reel deel.

Loren

[Mr T]

Drifter -- What an innovative idea. I assume you use it like a paddle?

Loren -- If you decide to use fins, expensive one's are not necessary. Cabela's has a pair of super-duper high speed fins for about $50.00. What I get are cheap plastic ones that you slide your toe in and they have a strap arround the heel. I add a string attached to the strap buckle and tied around may ankle just in case the fin slips off.

I like fins 'cause I can manuever and cast with both hands free. Never thought about a dust pan though I have seen people using short paddles. I also bought a folding anchor and one of those brush clips so I can hold a position when I'm in current.

As time goes along, I suspect that I'll have enough equipment on board that I'll be prepared for any situation...cooler, bair box, flares, marine radio, signal mirrors, lifeboat, lawn chair, umbrella,etc. I may not catch any fish but I'll be safe and comfortable.

Mr. T

[briggs]

guys,
I am not sure if I want to by a float tube, is there anywhere I can rent one to try it out to see if I like it?

[FlygURL]

Guys:

When we bought our float tubes last year, I talked to a few old timers at the shops. The recommended round tubes on moving water for stability. Also, they recommended NOT using fins on moving water. On the Hooch, we bought a cheap pair of walmart ping pong paddles. The store in the tubes pockets nicely and are corded on the tube.

I love my float tube http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

FlygURL

[Drifter]

With all this interest in float tubes, I'm surprised with the lack of pontoon type rafts on the Hooch.

I'm speaking of the inflatables with aluminum frames, containing a seat, oars, cooler storage, etc. There is a brand known as a Bi-yak which is essentially two Kayaks connected by the aforementioned frame. I believe Hobie makes one also. These type craft are quite common on some of the Idaho and Montana rivers.

Drifter

[Mr T]

This is what I love about this board. Never would have thought of Ping Pong paddles either.

Nor would I have thought that using fins in fast moving water. FlygURL, did they explain why? I recognize that in shallow, fast water you face the possibility of getting a fin tip caught among the rocks but I hadn't anticipated using a tube in water that shallow other than to p****through a riffle to the pool below. Nor does the possibility of bouncing my butt off the rocks sound terribly exciting.

So, I guess I would stand up and walk to deeper water...Uhhh...I think I just answered my own question. Pretty tough to walk forward in fins on flat ground much less in a rock garden. Thanks for the input.

Loren...just picked up a couple of pairs of pretty decent fins at Wal-Mart for $7.97. In appearance they resembled the $50 ones at Cabela's. They do work great in deep slow water and lakes.

T

[Mr T]

Drifter -- I bought my tube after my first and only trip to the Hiwassee. Saw a lot of tubers working deeper water below the Powerhouse Shoals. Also saw a couple of people in inflatable kayaks stationary in the Shoals.

It was a camping/scouting trip and I did't want to spend bucks on a fishing license until I had some idea of what I was doing so I didn't fish. The only cl****three stuff I saw was below the dam.

I floated in my own inflatable kayak from Reliance to the state park campground and only encounted Cl****I and marginal Cl****II water. Don't think I'm too excited about hitting Cl****III water in a tube.

I'm eager to get back up there and that may be the destination for my annual family camping/fishing trip this summer. Saw gillions of mayflies when I was there before, some of them humongus. Never saw any that large before.

Tentative plans now call for two or three days on the Hiawassee then a couple of days near Cherokee to fish the indian reservation and a wrapup on the Tallulah before heading back south.

I noticed on the map that there's a river flowing out of Lake Thorpe below Thorpe Dam north of Cashiers, but on my map, it's not named. Do you know anything about it? Appreciate any info you can provide. E-mail if you like.

Thanks

T

[Drifter]

T,

The stairsteps can be pretty scary in a tube when both turbines are roaring. Also about a half mile below Big Bend, river left is a nasty hydraulic that approaches Cl****3 during high water. I fished this run but was very careful as to my approach, and portaged to continue in the float tube.

There is a noteworthy Isonychia hatch in mid-July which usually brings the larger trout to the surface. The float tube is the best way to go, other than a driftboat...IMHO. Your right about the water below Reliance. It is pretty tame, and it also sees the least amount of fishing pressure!

The stream coming out of Thorpe River is the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River. My topo map shows an underground tunnel coming out of the dam and leading to a powerhouse about 3 miles downstream. It looks like a setup similar to the Hiwassee River where the water is not fishable until you get below the powerhouse. The map indicates the river is trout water, but I don't have a clue as to its classification, ie wild, DH, or C&R.

Jimmy Harris may be able to enlighten you. There appears to be a canoe launch at Tuckasegee at the intersection of NC 107 and NC 281.

Drifter