Another Float Tube Adventure

Another Float Tube Adventure
21 July, 2019

The float tube beckons. 

I was on site by about 6:30 - the day would offer temps in the 90's, bright, bluebird skies and moderate winds. Such conditions are beloved by anglers,... and despised by fish. 

I didn't expect big results.

The launch point for this adventure is a small private boat ramp, 13 minutes from my house. Yes, I timed the trip....I like to know.

I call this spot, "The Little Ramp."

 
A moderate sized pontoon boat is about he biggest thing one should launch here, at The Little Ramp.
Nevertheless, someone always tries to launch boats that are much too large, against all good sense.This normally results in some boat-ramp comedy, but, alas, today there was none of that.
A few small pontoons and a couple of jet skis were it.

Oh, well... maybe next time.

I've fished this spot from the adjacent dock, so I didn't know precisely what I'd find. But I had a few hints.
Back in the winter, when the water was drawn down, there were very few bottom features to recommend this cove.
All I saw was a shallow channel running the length of the thing.
Normally, I look for more options in the way of structure. But  lacking that, I expected to be banging wood, weeds, and docks this day. And that's exactly what I did.

Scroll for the pictures ⬍

The Little Ramp

The Fee

The Faithful Vessel

The Dock

The shoreline seen in the distance would be my hunting grounds

The Fishy Neck

This little neck of water is next to the dock and looks very fishy, don't you think?

Well, it wasn't....looks can be deceiving

The View Astern

The fins are Mares, "Avanti Quattro's," considered a good quality scuba fin by those who know such things. They have an open heel, a solid strap latch, and I like them for their long power stroke; they are smooth, and almost effortless.

They were suggested by a well-seasoned float tuber, and I would recommend them to anyone.

The Tiddler Fish

All I could manage in the way of fish were little bluegill,what I call "tiddlers."
There were plenty of them, so that's okay, but no rod-benders... also okay.
But, as a rule, shore weeds and docks don't usually offer more than these, unless good structure features exist nearby. 

With a mostly barren, featureless bottom across the entire cove, and the channel a long way off from most of the shore, well... I couldn't really expect more, now, could I?

Eagles Nest

These nests are scattered all around the lake, simple poles with a nesting platform at the top. 

Sometimes they're occupied by nesting eagles, but later in the season, like now, they're without tenants.
This one had a bush growing out of it.

The Essentials

This is a rolling luggage bag where I keep the things needed for float tubing:

Fins
Scuba Boots - not mere booties; these have rubberized soles

Nylon dress socks - these help the booties slide on and off

Air Pump - a double action hand pump AND 12 vdc model for the truck.

Shore shoes - for walking around out of the water

Sun buffs and bandanna's - protect that skin, friends 

Sunglasses - protect those eyes, friends
Sunscreen - protect more of that skin, friends
Fingerless Gloves - protect the skin on your hands, friends

These are the basics, only. I might wear a different hat depending on my mood, or I'll bring different tackle. 

But this stuff always goes along, and its easy to grab and go.

DIY No-Sink Sunglasses

I also took this trip as the means to unveil my unique, self-modified sunglasses. The goal was to keep them from going to the bottom, should they somehow get into the water. 

It was a total success!

- First, I added a neck lanyard for security.

- To the temple bars, I fitted sun shields.
These are made from thin packing foam and DayGlo duct tape. Sunglasses should incorporate side shields; you protect your eyes in front with a filtering, shaded lens. 

But, glare and intense light can enter from the sides, too.

- Finally, a Styrofoam block is fit to the rear of the lanyard. Some people use a cork float for this, but I was intent on making my own.

Together, all these things are unobtrusive and you never even know they are there. 

But best of all, they keep my sunglasses from ever going to the bottom. As you can see from the foto, they float high and cannot be made to sink - and I tried!

Make yourself a pair.

Thanks for reading and Tight Lines,

David

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