Moving Water

[smallmouth89]

I have yet to have my tube in moving water. All my tubing has been on stillwater lakes and ponds. Do any of you regularly use your tubes in rivers of moderate current. I'm not talking about that Dave Scadden stuff. I'm just curious about the experiences of anyone who responsibly uses a tube in moderate current.
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[tubeN2]

For safetys sake, it is never recommended to use a float tube through swift river situations. It is difficult to control and very dangerous.

I have seen parts of the Snake River in Idaho that reek havoc on the whitewater rafters and other areas of the Snake that are calm as can be but with lots of undertoe.

The round innertube could be substituted for moderately flowing rivers. It would be necessary to carry a long paddle or long stick with you so that you can gently push off from the edges as you approach.

Nobody in their right mind would ever attempt strong flowing rivers in the modern day float tube.

Even Pontoons have a minimum length requirement in most states. That is primarily for safety's sake.[cool]
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[Riversedge]

I've never used my tube in anything but moving water. While I wouldn't shoot any ugly class III or higher rapids, I have gone through I, II, and III(rated, not actual, in my opinion). If you can wade it or swim it, you can tube it(but you should be very familiar with the water). I know that most years, people(drunk rec tubers mostly, but occasionally kayakers and waders) die in the area I tube. If you use common sense, and portage around the really rough spots, all should be well. I think that the recommendation to not use a tube in moving water is a liability issue more than a safety issue. BTW, no craft type restrictions on my waters, other than a PFD must be worn from Nov-April

[tubeN2]

Each person knows what their craft is capable of in reguards to their personal level of tubing. If you are able to tackle fast water, I'm glad for you.[]

I'm just trying to help a beginning tuber out.

If a beginner asks" Can I take the rapids on the Colorado River with this? The answer is NO!

On the other hand, if I was personally teaching the fellow tuber, I could possibly work him/her up to a level of proficiency so that mild flowing rivers could be an everyday type of tubing adventure.

Being familiar with the water is good sound advice. A good PFD is always recommended. Knowing your own personnal limitations is a must. Using your craft for what it was intended for could save a life. Possibly your own.[cool]
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[AdictedBassTard]

I have have tubed twice in my life (that will change this year - yeehaaw) so I can't comment on which water is is "tubable". Even small accidents can be life altering, or cost it.
An example was when i was in high school.
A good friend of mine used to go Crayfish diving with a group of us off Vetchies reef almost every weekend for years. At Vetchies you could stand up at low tide and your shoulders would be above water and because of the fall of the shorline and the solid concrete jetty only fifty yards away, there was hardly a current to speak of.
One Sunday he was out with one other guy at low tide hunting crays. Tony was wearing cricket gloves (for those who don't know what cricket is, it's a boring English passtime) at the time. He shoved his hand into a hole to grab a retreating cray as he had done on countless ocassions before. This time however, his glove snagged deep in the hole and he was unable to pull free. His friend watched him drown right there, helpless.
One time is all it takes for the conditions of a potentially risky situation to have just the right eqations come together to result in disaster.
That's why we have the Darwin awards today ... too many people think "It won't happen to me ..."
I know one thing : listen to your instincts and those warning bells ... never your ego or the vague promise of something at possible peril.
Poor judgement and lack of common sense is an indulgence for children, not adults.

-ABT-
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Allow me to chime in on this one. As has already been suggested, the use of float tubes in flowing water is regulated out in most states these days. Justifiably. Even experienced tubers, with good equipment and good physical strength can find themselves in situations from which they can't get out safely.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Many states still do not have size or rating restrictions on watercraft for "running" rivers. Some of those really do not have big brawling rivers, so they are less concerned.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It does not take waterfalls, rough rapids or big subsurface rocks to put you at risk in a float tube (or pontoon). Actually, you can get in more trouble by getting washed into shallow runs and gravel bars, where you cannot stand up without being washed butt over teakettle. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You can also run into "sweepers"...downed trees or branches extending out over the water. If you get jammed against something, you either go down under the water or wait patiently until the rescue party arrives.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you have not scouted out the entire run you plan to make, you can also encounter wire fences over the water and other obstacles to your downward path. Low bridges are another potential hazard. Many of these things come up all of a sudden and you cannot get out of the water to avoid them in time.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]All that being said, I have to plead guilty to having dunked my donut in quite a few flowing waters. I floated a large part of the Sacramento River, in California, but only the parts that were deep and slow, during times of the year when the current was not as strong. I have also floated down parts of the Colorado River, but mostly into side channels and backwaters without much current.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have also tubed both the Eel and Smith Rivers, in Northern Califonia, for salmon and steelhead. But, again, it was usually during the early fall, in the tidewater areas, before fall storms got the rivers to running full tilt.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In Utah, I also tube the mouth of the Jordan River, where it exits Utah Lake. The current there is strong, but with good fins and strong legs I can either maintain position in the current, or move myself into more protected eddies and cast out into the current. That is a good way to fish flowing water from a tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Many flowing water tubers and tooners use their craft simply as a means of getting downstream, away from more heavily fished areas. Once they come to good holes or runs, they beach their craft and get out to fish...or move into slow water so they can cast into the flow.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Tubes and toons are probably safer than canoes or other small boats on many streams. Unless you allow yourself to get washed into dangerous waters, you ain't gonna roll over or get bashed up. Just be sure to know every yard of the water before you launch, wear your PFD and don't take unnecessary risks.[/#0000ff]
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[Riversedge]

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[#0000ff]Many flowing water tubers and tooners use their craft simply as a means of getting downstream, away from more heavily fished areas. Once they come to good holes or runs, they beach their craft and get out to fish...or move into slow water so they can cast into the flow.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Tubes and toons are probably safer than canoes or other small boats on many streams. Unless you allow yourself to get washed into dangerous waters, you ain't gonna roll over or get bashed up. Just be sure to know every yard of the water before you launch, wear your PFD and don't take unnecessary risks.[/#0000ff] [/reply]
TD, that was the reason I bought my tube in the first place, to get downstream to some good wading areas. My Bighorn is a great "caddy" to carry my gear. I keep it attached to me with a clip-on strap. The areas I fish are considered "rock gardens" by the 'yakkers that I know. I have taken my tube through spots that I have never, in 20 years, seen a canoe go through and stay upright. But I wouldn't recommend it to people who don't take the time to learn all they can about the water they fish. As always, SAFETY FIRST!!
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[flygoddess]

Maybe I missed it, but what kind of tube are using? And may I say, you are my new hero.
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[Riversedge]

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Maybe I missed it, but what kind of tube are using? And may I say, you are my new hero. [/reply]
If this is directed at me, I am using a TU Bighorn. I think that the ODC420 or Togiak or FatCat may be better suited for these areas(I've slammed my butt into more than 1 rock), but I am not sure, because they seem to have a higher center of gravity, thus more likely to flip in a standing wave, IMO. A hero I ain't. [blush] I've just been on my waters for 20+ years.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]The higher riding craft, with the rigid foam seats are probably more protective of your "nether regions", in case of close encounters of the rock kind. However, there is not enough of an altitude difference to constitute a danger to rolling over. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Of course, if someone REALLY wants to go swimming, they can probably work it out.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

Riversedge, my question was to you, thank you.
I would try my Cardiac (11 1/2' long 5' wide and 12" diameter tubes) on this stuff - seeing the boats in front of you. But, I know that am not worthy of that....yet.
This summer to qualifie for Orvis endoursed guide at Three Rivers I have to row a drift boat thru III and beach two people, so, I am working on that. Got to build up my weenie arms.
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[Riversedge]

I just googled the Cardiac. That is a sweet looking rig. But rowing is tough on my tendonitis, and I can't see dragging a pontoon up the towpath that runs along the river. The picture labeled "whitehorse" is the toughest spot in this area of the Potomac(listed as a class III), and I usually portage around it. The "Needles", on the other hand is a long mixed class II that is not too bad in my tube. Lots of slower water mixed in with class II and III on a 5 or 6 mile stretch. Good luck on the qualification.
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[flygoddess]

Thanks, The Cardiac is alot of boat, but I can float in 3" of water with my feet up. As far as packing check out [url "http://www.pbase.com/albot/venture_outdoors_echo_float_tube"]http://www.pbase.com/albot/venture_outdoors_echo_float_tube[/url]
They are 4' long with a 12" diameter. Also the Dave Scadden 6' long float tube.
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[smallmouth89]

A recurrent theme running through the posts of anyone who responded seems to be familiarity with the water. That indicates to me that I should float first in my kayak or canoe before attempting anything in my Fat Cat. The "sweepers" mentioned by Tube Dude are definitely a point of concern if you are in unfamiliar territory. I must admit I am so comfortable with my tube in stillwater that I get tempted at times to consider a short float downriver in my tube in an effort to find quality water that sees little angling pressure.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Yup. Look before you leap (float) is good advice. Even though I have been accused of being a few lures shy of a full tackle box, I have never headed downstream on any flow that I had not reconnoitered first.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If your intended float will carry you through stretches of water a long ways from road access, about your only looksee option is to first float it in a riverworthy craft, and make notes. Most of the floats I have made were on waters that had bike paths, roads or trails along the banks. I either drive and walk, ride a bike or hike the length of the intended float. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the process of checking float potential on the American River, in Sacramento, I made a hand-drawn map. It included deeper runs, shallows, drops, narrows, bends and all that stuff. I later cleaned it up, had an artist do a better job on it and printed it for sale. Sold some advertising on it and made some money too. I got good use out of it as did many other rafters, canoers, kayakers and other float fans.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In checking out several different float sections of the larger Sacramento River, I was surprised at all of the potential hazards along the shoreline, even though the river was deep and wide. It showed me that if I wanted to fish along the sometimes more productive shore areas that I would have to pay attention to details and not allow myself to get snarled in overhanging trees or brush. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Pre travelling your float trip is also good for spotting potential take out spots, for wading, lunch stops or "nature calls". These things will be part of a full day afloat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, until you are entirely sure how much distance you will cover in a day, you should choose a takeout spot within easy reach, allowing for some stops on the best fishing holes. If you have arranged for someone to pick you up downstream, they tend to panic if you are more than several hours late.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It's all good.[/#0000ff]
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[AdictedBassTard]

I was thinking about the "nature calls" issue having read your post TD. Since I do not want ANY interuptions whilst out on the water, i have discussed with my wife, the plan of me having a colostomy bag and catheter installed. My wife agrees on the condition that we fish comfortably apart from each other. []

-ABT-
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I would give your wife credit for being smarter than you, but her choice of mates casts doubts upon her decision making abilities.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As a newbie tuber, there are many things you have to experience to appreciate. We are just like kids. You can tell them the stove is hot, but they still have to test it to prove you right. Same thing with the "prerequisite" learning experiences of tubing. All I can do is relay what I have learned, and hope it helps. Usually I end up explaining that I was really serious and that my suggestions were based upon real experience, not just trying to unduly worry the newbie who charged blindly ahead anyway.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Seriously, "calls of nature" are a reality of tubing. When you are physically active, and your lower extremities are immersed in cold water, the normal processes of elimination are accelerated and intensified. For the life of me I have never been able to figure out how a single cup of coffee can so quickly turn into a gallon of "bilge water".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I would recommend against the catheter idea. If you are that concerned about liquid "downloading", you may want to consider this little float tubing accessory, as listed on The Float Tube Store:[/#0000ff] [center]GladderBladder[/center] [left][size 3]The Gladder Bladder is the ultimate personal potty. Worn under the waders, it's use eliminates the need to go to shore for relief. You now have more productive fishing time with much greater comfort.

The Gladder Bladder also helps each one of us protect the lakes we love from unnecessary pollution. [/size][/left] [ul] [li] [left] No more lost fishing time. [/left] [li] [left] Eliminate water pollution. [/left] [li] [left] Greatly increase personal comfort. [/left][/li][/ul] [indent] [indent] [left]$29.95 [/left][/indent][/indent]
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[flygoddess]

That was just way too much info![]
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[AdictedBassTard]

Lol ... not enough info. How does the dang thing stay on ... particularly in cold water ... erhm ... if you take my meaning?

-ABT-
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[zonker]

At one of my favorite trout stillwaters I kept seeing diapers in the trash cans when I opened the lids to toss my trash. Yet I had never seen any moms with babies in the area. Then it hit me. Those were DEPENDS.

zonker
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