That's why I want to buy a pram. Old age is killing me...
Gotta do the roll and zip. I prefer the u boat style for this reason. The odc420 is highly executable for this move.
That's why I want to buy a pram. Old age is killing me...
Eventually, old age gets us all. ;-) I do LOVE my pram just because I don't have to kick ashore to pee.That's why I want to buy a pram. Old age is killing me...
Waist high waders. Problem solved. Now, if you're still in the dark ages of float tubing and are using a donut (or U style where you're sitting down in the water) that's going to be your first issue for many reasons spoken of ad nauseum on this & other forums.The real danger of a tube is the danger of pissing one's pants if you have not mastered the art of the mid lake urination technique.
I was fishing in a 12 ft tinnie off Vancouver Island when a submarine surfaced 1/4 mile or so away. That certainly caused some pucker action.I've been trying to convince someone to try lake fishing with me. We would be using float tubes and wearing PFDs. However, they are paranoid about safety. I'm convinced that floating around in a tube is far safer than wading on a river, yet they have no issue with that. They seem to think it is possible for submerged trees to suddenly float to the surface and kill you, among other things.
Is there any truth to this paranoia? What safety issues does one need to be aware of?
Years ago I saw one of these drills out in Hood Canal off Dosewallips State Park. Very spectacular!In Hawaii you have to watch for emergency ascent drills from nuclear submarines…
It sank a boat many years ago off Waikiki…tragicYears ago I saw one of these drills out in Hood Canal off Dosewallips State Park. Very spectacular!
PFD and a waist belt. No, waders full of water after an incident will NOT send you to the bottom of the lake (though heavy boots and no PFD might)....but waders full of water will increase hypothermia risk, and make clambering out of the lake on shore incredibly difficult.30 years ago I flipped a doughnut tub at the shore while trying to get out to pee. Ended up cold and warm at the same time while turtling at the beach Never really felt unsafe out in the lake though. 2nd heavy wind (25+) and cramps can be a real issue trying to get somewhere.
I would also like to emphasize the use of a PFD while on the water. One time in a lake near Vantage many years ago, I slipped out of my pontoon boat with 5mil boot foot Hodgeman's on and went right to the bottom. Had I been in water deeper than 5' it could have been over for me! not sure I could swim in that setup. Scary stuff!!!
Every. Damn. Time.One thing I haven’t seen mentioned yet (but I’m a notorious skimmer) is the danger of a slow leak in a float tube.
All seems fine and dandy, you’re floating along fishing for half an hour or so, and suddenly you’re way out in the middle of the lake and starting to question whether you’ve lost some draft. You spend another half hour half fishing and half wondering whether you’re losing air, and then you hit the “oh shit I’ve definitely been losing air” point.
You start kicking back toward the launch - the rest of the lakefront is private property. If you’re in an older float tube with your butt in the water, you might notice the water level creeping toward the top of your waders. You feel a bit ridiculous, but the situation is still more funny than scary.
Then you realize that the more draft you lose, the harder it is to kick your way along. Progress slows, but you do manage to reach a point where you’re only a few hundred yards from the launch. The private property shoreline is closer, so you’re still a little complacent. You don’t want to embarrass yourself! Can totally make it back to the launch. But you’re having to really work on your posture to avoid a progressive downflooding situation in your waders.
AND THEN BAM A GIANT PREHISTORIC LOG ROCKETS UP FROM THE DEPTHS STRAIGHT UP INTO YOUR SPHINCTER AND YOURE DEAD!
Rattlesnakes can swim much faster than a float tuber can kick, probably faster than a pontoon boat rower can row - maybe not as fast as @Pez Vela with twin electrics on his pontoon......Probably shouldn't bring up the possibility of swimming rattlesnakes if fishing EWA scabland lakes. They just want to snuggle on your float tube.
man, I love that photo!Rattlesnakes can swim much faster than a float tuber can kick, probably faster than a pontoon boat rower can row - maybe not as fast as @Pez Vela with twin electrics on his pontoon......
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I was glad I was in my tin boat and not my float tube when this guy came swimming across the lake.