Float Tube In The River,,

[solus_vero]

I have been float tubing the rivers and ponds around this area ever since I figured out how to tie 2 ropes across the center of a tire tube. Yes, there have been a few curious snakes and the thought of putting a foot into a turtles mouth is allways in the back of my mind, but, the pay off of being able to fish where you can't wade and go where most boats can't, is a great pay off.

In all the new float tubes I've bought the instructions say (yes I read the instructions,, most of the time)"Do not use in a current".

Ok, I understand there is a reason why they put "Not to be used orally" on Preparation H but, It's hard for me to see why they put "do not use in a current" on a float tube. Common sense says you stay away from snags and logs in fast water just like you would in a small boat.

Am I the only Hillbilly crazy enough to float tube the rivers around here or are there others that are as crazy,,, eerr,, I mean,, as dedicated as me ?

(come to think of it I haven't ever seen others in float tubes when I'm on the river ,, aa ooooo,,I'm having a self conscientious moment ,,, FLY CHECK !)

[drew03cmc]

I would assume the warning is due to the lack of maneuverability of a tube. You cannot make crack adjustments to your float. Most of your movement, sans current, is backwards, and in rapids, you are SOL.

In a larger inflatable, you would be fine, but a float tube...not the right one for moving water.

[FishinCricket]

Solus uses the paddlefin deals, so he moves forward by walking.. Makes it much easier than the swim fins (which force you to travel backwards)..

I do have my reservations about using o on a larger river, but te small waters around here should be fine..

[Wheatenheimer]

Remember when river outfitter's used to offer innertubes for those that were too cheap to rent a canoe? Do they still do that? What's the difference between an innertube on the river and a float tube?

[solus_vero]

I would assume the warning is due to the lack of maneuverability of a tube. You cannot make crack adjustments to your float. Most of your movement, sans current, is backwards, and in rapids, you are SOL.

In a larger inflatable, you would be fine, but a float tube...not the right one for moving water.

Well, if you take into consideration that with a float tube a person can walk through shallow water (up to 3-4 foot deep)rather than forced to float though them, then one can say it is more controllable than even a boat. In my mind if you float through fast moving shallow water, then your just asking for the end of a log shoved up your,,,, tube. I agree that you can not make snap adjustments in fast water but 90% of the time fast water is shallow enough to wade. That is another reason I like the paddle pushers (The fins set off to the side of the foot) instead of swim fins. It makes it ALLOT easier to wade and fish forward rather than backwards. I actually find myself more comfortable in the rapids rather than slow eddies. Besides, that's usually where I catch more fish.

I guess it takes a little more common sense to float tube moving water,,, as you all know, common sense isn't so common any more.

Solus uses the paddlefin deals, so he moves forward by walking.. Makes it much easier than the swim fins (which force you to travel backwards)..

I do have my reservations about using o on a larger river, but te small waters around here should be fine..

I Too don't like the bigger water. In rivers like the mid to lower Gasconade (32HWY down)The water in the riffles can get deep and dangerous. But in the smaller rivers like the Niagua and Osage fork the riffles are very wade-able. If you try to take a canoe or jon boat on smaller rivers you'll be dragging the boat anyways.

Remember when river outfitter's used to offer innertubes for those that were too cheap to rent a canoe? Do they still do that? What's the difference between an innertube on the river and a float tube?

I've never used a outfitter so I'm not sure what kind of tube they offer. In my mind I see them renting regular inner tubes for tourists who like to float just for the float rather than fish. If you've ever tried to fish out of an inner tube that doesn't have a seat then you know what I mean when I say it is kind of a silly way to fish.

Actually there are different types of tubes with seats that keep you higher out of the water.

I personally like the round tubes that set a person low in the water because it makes it easier to walk/wade and if you use suspenders connected to the tube, the tube isn't around your feet when you walk on land. I have a second tube that is "V" shaped and you set a little higher but you can still wade without much problem. I just bought a tube that has 2 tubes set up like a pontoon. You set allot higher out of the water. I haven't had a chance to try it out in the river but it seems like it would be better for still water. It also has a place on it where you can put a flag so boaters can see you. I'm sorry but I'd rather not be in a tube where there are speed boats like LOZ. Flag or not. My luck the wind would blow my fat butt out into the middle. Instant speed bump.

I guess this come back to my original question,, does anyone else on this forum use float tubes in the rivers in mid mo?

[jdmidwest]

Fast moving waters like the Current and 11pt. there would be the danger of snagging a fin or foot in a snag and getting dragged under. More so in a Tailwater. In a slow stream with deep water and little current, you should do fine.

[Fish Ogre]

I frequently use my float tube on my local river to float a 2 mile stretch. There are a couple of spots where the current is swift that could be considered class II, where I just raise my feet and go with the flow so to speak. The only thing you have to worry about is busting your butt on a submerged rock. I love using my float tube but I find that the float tube is too slow to cover very many miles of water. Those long, slow, deep stretches take too long to kick through. Going against the current is extremely difficult. During normal consitions, it takes me 4 hours to cover those 2 miles.