float tube fishing and teardropping.

[Pete S]

Hey Slow, why not look at water bikes?

[Aaron Coffee]

Slow do you fly fish or bait cast? I used to use a hook on a piece of string on a stick, with cheat grass for bait, catch a couple rainbows and mom would cook them up for breakfast. Ymmm! I was 5 and we had a creek running through our backyard. I have taken my canoe (aluminum Gruman, 16 foot I think) camping hauling it on my pickup, but it is a pain in the behind to load and unload and it blocks my vision somewhat, and then there is watching it slide back and forth a little bit going down the road, just waiting for something to let loose.

[Gary and Cheri]

Couple of years back I was about a mile or so below fishing bridge when I caught this yellowstone cut troat. I have always wished I had a float tube when I was out there. I sure know where you are coming from Slow.

Something like this setup from Cabelas would be perfect.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/ ... t104335380

But I have been unable to make up my mind if alittle extra weight in the form of a pontoon float would not be a better bet.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/ ... t104508180

You must have chest high waders for a float tube but the pontoon float is like a boat and what you would wear in a boat can be worn on a pontoon. Even breathable waders become sweaty and I like to be comfortable. Fly fishing also involves alot of movement. There are pluses and minus to both systems. Your going to spend twice the amount for a pontoon but you are going to be more comfortable for not much more weight or packed size. Pontoon is faster and more maneuverable then a float. Guess you get what you can afford.

Gary

[pmowers]

@Gary- that is one gorgeous cutthroat.

I have a Remington float tube rig that I have used on farm ponds and backwaters. In the summer, I just wear a pair of nylon camp shorts and a pack shirt. It really helps you get to where the fish are. If I tried either the float tube or a pontoon boat where I usually trout fish (Cumberland River in KY), I would need a 20 lb anchor, just to stay in one spot. That said, I do use it on some of the feeder streams and back channels to get where the fish are. If you are going to pack into an area, then the float is the way to go, the frame for the pontoons seems too bulky.

I can't believe how much the tubes are now, I think I paid less than $60 for mine at Wally's.

[Miriam C.]

I have thought a great deal about a pontoon but really wonder if the wind will get it. Won't use a float tube cause snakes swim... a kayak was our best option but really takes up too much room.

[Gary and Cheri]

Slow,

I have seen some pontoon flaots that break down into a backpack with shoulder harness and all. Alot of the pontoons are whitewater capable, but oviously in order to do that you get a heavier fabric and thus a heavier boat. I suspect a float tube in in my future long before a pontoon.

I make my own carbon fiber rods and tye some of my own flies. Caught the cut throat on a 8 weight 9 foot pole with a floater and a nymph dropper. He took the nymph.

Love fishing in Wyoming and wish I could make your summer outing, maybe next year when this becomes an annual thing. My family used to own land up in Montana on the Rock Creek 40 miles south of Missoula. Lots of good memories out there.

Gary

[StPatron]

Slow,

I used to fish out of a belly boat and enjoyed its many advantages. Being able to put in just about anywhere and the convenience of its small size are real pluses. And, the thrill of hooking a fish that will pull you around is something not quickly forgotten!

It's not for the faint of heart, however. Wondering if a snake is going to come closer or if a beaver is going to see you as a threat... or, bumping your leg on a limb or log where you least expected one will keep you on full alert. Pulling up your stringer to find an angry turtle attached to your catch is also pretty common, at least 'round here. Always a trade-off.

I've never tried using diving flippers but know a lot of guys who do. I have a set of flippers that have a heel cup, you strap them on over your tennis shoe, a flipper is hinge-mounted on the outside. Kick your leg forward and it swings back, kick back and it extends and you gain momentum. I've been very pleased with them.

During warm weather, I'd wear an old pair of cut-offs and canvas tennis shoes. During colder weather/water or where water moccasins were thick... a pair of thin, rubber chest-high waders with shoulder straps.

You'll want to have either a zippered pocket on the tube cover or a small tackle box with straps, a strap-on rod holder is real handy also. I know a lotta guys who've sent rods to Davy Jones locker while float tube fishing. Beer may have been a factor, though.

I have a mini-pontoon also and use it more now. Much more comfortable and safer, I think. It doesn't take up a whole lotta room. It has the inner air bladders with an outside covering and I have to adjust the air pressure now and then. It's far from being the best rower and a moderate breeze will push you towards the shore in a hurry. I could mount a 12 volt trolling motor/battery on it but haven't tried that yet.

[Kathy53]

How about one of these?
You can make them longer or shorter by adding or removing a section.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Agcz-K0LMs

[Jerry & Molly]

I've been a float tube fisherman for about 15 yrs. I've had several boats but I've ended up selling them and going back to my tube. It's kinda fun when you're getting off the lake and there's people in their $40,000 tacklebox complaining that nothing is biting. Then you pull up your stringer or basket and you've limited out . Anyway if you want to find out more info on tubin try bigfishtackle.com.

[ParTaxer]

I've got a pontoon with a small trolling motor. Its a blast and controls well in the wind. I used a refrigerator shelf on the back deck to hold a power pack for the trolling motor. I also attached retractable wheels so that I can just roll the boat down to the water. My only problem now is the air bladder has been bitten by mice and I need to patch it.

Mike

[Mukilteo]

Extreme setup.

[droid_ca]

A friend and I were talking about this last night and this is what we are going to try we want to get a really good PFD for dogs so that he can swim around the lake and then hook up a 20 foot line so he can swim where ever he would like to and if he gets tired he can just stop without the fear of sinking . not to sure how it will all work out but it should be fun and good exercise for both of us I just need to get a wet suit not a dry suit cause with a dog steering who knows where we are going to end up

[LDK]

I had one like this once and I wish I had it back. It would be perfect for the single teardropper. It would easily fit in a truck bed or could be mounted on top of a teardrop.

[Verna]

I had one like this once and I wish I had it back. It would be perfect for the single teardropper. It would easily fit in a truck bed of could be mounted on top of a teardrop.

Oh, I wish I had that one, too!!!

For years I had a 4'x9' Bass Tracker Bantum 3X and it weighed 125 lbs. I couldn't handle it by myself, so I used a utility trailer that I put a winch on so I could pull the boat up on the trailer. The weight is why I fish from a kayak now--so much lighter and easier!!!

[LDK]

I've had several plastic pontoon boats over the years but thats the one I wish I still had. It's only 6 or 7 foot long and I could easily handle it myself. I may look around for another one and just use an oar instead of a battery and trolling motor.