I've had several float tubes starting with a Caddis that used a car tire inner tube. I quickly found out that the 'O'-shaped ones can be tricky (if not downright dangerous) to get in and out of, so I bought a Caddis 'H'-shaped one with separate bladders for each side and the back/seat that connected them. It was easier to get into and out of but difficult to align the three separate pieces and had two small pockets.
My current tube is a Trout Unlimited Bighorn that I found at Gart Sports a couple years ago on sale for $89. It's a 'U'-shaped boat with a rigid bar/stripping apron in front. It's larger than most other tubes so I ride higher in the water. It's got lots of pockets for gear, lunch, water bottle and rain gear, and 'D' rings on the side that I've attached Velcro strips to hold an extra rod. I've rigged clip-on shoulder straps to carry it inflated for short distances. For longer distances, it rolls up into a cylinder about the size of a small sleeping bag which I then strap onto the bottom of my backpack. You can find it at Cabelas for $130. REI used to carry them for less but I see there are no float tubes on their site today. A couple fishing buddies use Caddis Navigator U-style tubes and have had no problems. A couple other buddies have the Creek Company U-boat. One has used his hard for 4 or 5 years without complaint while the other had his air bladder split on a seam the second time he took it out. He'd backpacked into a mountain lake and didn't bring a patch kit which kinda ruined his day. He patched it later but it kept leaking. Creek replaced the bladder after he finally contacted them and he's had no further problems. The Creek U-boat is smaller and lighter than either the Bighorn or the Navigator, but the absence of a front stabilizer bar makes them a bit more wobbly in the water, especially when kicking hard. Smaller guys might not mind, but my larger friend feels a bit insecure in his. He's planning to replace it this spring but I don't know what he's decided to get instead. TU also makes a smaller U-shaped boat called the Gunnison and a pontoon-style one called the Kennebec. You can see all three in the flyfishing section of Cabelas online (http://www.cabelas.com). Kent Lufkin >I'm still waiting for the Triangle Taper line to come in so I can try it >out. Thanks to everybody for the advice. > >I started tying Chironomids to get ready for spring bobber fishing. Put on >Merle, Willie, Doug, and Pasty on the stereo and started tying midges in the >family room. My daughter moved to the office to download MP3 files and my >wife moved to the living room to read scriptures. Hm, anyway fly tying and >the song Is Anybody Going to San Antone just seem to fit. > >Tied up a bunch of Brassie's, Chan's and Swannundaze Chironomid patterns. >After fishing that little green fly and big black fly for 15 years it sure >does add variety to a fly box. Hope I don't revert to the mode of changing >flies instead of fishing. > >With the warmer weather took my float tube to the shoe shop to get repaired. >The shoe guy said it was the end of the line for that Insul-Dri Tube. So >now besides a new floating line it seems I also need a float tube. Last one >went twenty-two years of pretty regular fishing two or three times a week >particularly back in the 80's. Like to find one with the same quality >construction. I believe Insul-Dri is no longer making float tubes. > >Any recommendations from those that have had tubes last ten years or >better?? I'm also fairly short at 5'7" and would appreciate comments from >the shorter guys on comfort. U -Tubes are fine...not interested in those >pontoon boats. Thanks, again. > >Vladimir
