Hike in lakes with float tube strategies

Jahhn

Jahhn

Smolt
Hi all,

I was recently gifted a float tube and want to make use of it. I would like to hike in to some lakes to use it... How do you all deal with that? Hiking pack and inflate there? Inflate at car? I feel like hiking in with it inflated would be kind of a pain.

Thanks in advance!
John
 
Lash it to a pack frame while inflated, unless you’re hiking a long way in, then deflated until you reach your destination.

Dave Westburg wrote an excellent article here…

pnwflyfishing.com

A Beginners Guide to Alpine Lake Fishing in Washington State

There are more than 1,500 lakes in Washington State above 2,500 feet in elevation. Many of these high lakes are stocked or have natural trout populations. Here's what you need to know to take advantage of this opportunity. The fish WDFW doesn't...
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I haven't lashed my Fat Cat to a pack frame (I should) but I pack it up to 1.5 miles one way using Outcast straps, fully inflated. It works well for me. Several of my fishing friends do lash their float tubes to pack frames and hike in with their waders stuffed in the pack. Their way saves wear and tear on waders and they're able to stay cooler than me when I'm hiking in waders in warm weather. A plus if the water is still COLD.

Do not use lengths of rope for backpack straps. ;-)
 
I forgot my frame yesterday but I did deflate, bungee and wrap all my gear inside it. Then used the factory straps on my cheap Cumberland. Works okay in a pinch, frame much more comfy. 6mi round trip with 1500ft elevation so not bad.

I need to put together a report, huge fish! Here is a tease.

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I have been hiking in to a lake for several years now carrying a Super Fat Cat on my back fully inflated. The walk is only about 5/8 of a mile but at 86 it feels like a mile and a half! The SFC has D rings for straps and the straps are sold by the manufacturer, they work. One big caveat though is use a waist strap also. Without the waist strap the boat will sway to one side with every step. You won't notice it at first but after a while it will begin to wear on you as your body instinctively tries to compensate for the weight shift with every step. Eventually your body will say: "Get a friggin' waist strap!"
 
doesn't get any lighter than the Wilderness Lite tubes
wildernesslitefloattubes.com

Wilderness Lite...the ULTRALIGHT Float Tubes

Wilderness Lite offers the lightest, most compact, highest quality, ultralight float tubes you can buy. They are made in the USA and made for wilderness lakes. The Backpacker Pro weighs just 3lbs 6oz and packs into a 15"long x 7" diameter stuff sack with its inflation pump. It goes ANYWHERE you...
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Jahnn those external frame packs are fantastic for what you want to do. An external frame allows easier binding down of various odd sized pieces.
My external frame fits the inflated tube, waders, wade boots, fins, water, food clothes, rod cases etc.

Have fun.

Bob
 
I have a Cumberland, nice and compact. Bought some shoulder straps, we hike about a mile or so with full inflation and that works out well.
 
when Pete Ross was still building Woods River float tubes (such good V boats), he came out with a model called the Breezerider, designed for packing in, essentially a stripped down Gliderider, pretty much what the Wildnerness Lite boats are based on except WL uses lighter denier...and btw, since WL bladders fit Woods River tubes, those WR's sitting unused in garages with aged bladders are a score if you can find them
 
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