I plan on doing a fair amount of winter tubing this year, and am interested in what everybody uses to keep dry on their upper body. I use Cabelas 3mm Neoprenes for the lower 2/3's. I am currently considering 2 options. First is a wading jacket from Orvis, complete with neoprene cuffs. My concern with this is the zipper in the front(but it does have a "storm flap" plus hood). Choice #2 is a dry top pullover like WW kayakers use. I don't know how I feel about the neoprene collar half-choking me. Thoughts?
Oh yeah, I will belt either one a few inches below the top of the waders, to form as watertight a seal as I can. I will also be doing this in a river that has class I/II rapids that I will have to go around(I don't like the thought of purposely shooting a rapid in the dead of winter in a float tube)
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[cool][#0000ff]Hey edgy, you sound like a real thrillseeker. Float tubes down the river in cold weather? Don't know where you live, but most states are putting a lot of restrictions on what you can take down running water. I know here in Utah you need a pontoon at least 9 feet long, rated for the water you will be floating.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]How you gear up for the upper part of your body is pretty much a matter of preference. Unless there is a good chance of rain or snow, I just wear fleece and a windbreaker. I take along a raincoat or parka for wet conditions. If you can find a jacket that is warm, waterproof and comfortable, then that is the way to go.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I don't think I would recommend anything neoprene or restrictive on top. You need freedom of movement and you need to breathe. Again, I would just layer up according to the weather forecast and go for it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I also doubt that you will ever need a belt on your waders, unless you plan to practice your kayak rolls in your tube. Extremely unlikely that you would ever ship enough water to cause a problem. But, better safe than sorry, if it is a concern.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let us know what you settle on and how it works for you.[/#0000ff]
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There is no restriction on the type of craft for my river, but a pfd must be worn between November 15 and the following May 15. I have one with me all the time. The area I fish has a lot of commercial tubing companies, but it's all innertube types.
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Hey 'sedge,
A class 2 rapid in a tube ??? With waders and fins ??? In the winter and with fishing gear that you like and want to keep ??? And you are worried about a jacket ??? At the very least, please don't say you have a belly boat.
What river are you talking about and in what part of the country is it in ?
Sorry if this sounds kind of sarcastic, but I have quite a bit of white water experience and you've painted a pretty amusing(or grim as the case may be) scenario - at least from the river running experience I have(The Green, Colorado, Snake, Salmon and Grand Canyon - to name a few).
Might I suggest you invest in a wet suit instead - or even a dry suit - also get a helmet.
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As I stated above, I really am trying to avoid going through the "rapids(really just oversized riffles, but they are labeled rapids on maps)". I won't be fishing from the tube, more than likely just using it to get "to and fro". I have 20+ years on the section of river I will be fishing, but acknowledge that not everybody should be doing what I intend to. I am thinking about how to stay as dry as possible, entering and exiting the tube to climb up on the rocks to fish. The river I am talking about is the Potomac.
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Sorry about the mis-interpretation of your lingo out yonder - here in these parts(in the west, among others as well) if you go around rapids, it is much different than to get out of the water entirely and "portage" as you've just explained.
That being the case, it sounds like the Orvis option would suffice. As the wading jackets they offer are like those of many other companies and will keep you dry enough from just the occasional splash or dripping from your wet hands and or fishing rods. Unless you envision yourself doing some 'eskimo roll" type manuvuers in your tube, the Kayaking pull-over type that you mentioned would be of little or no extra advantage - but, conversely, you might find it a little more constricting and of less comfort while fishing and or while doing a portage around the afore mentioned riffles. Also, the Orvis wading jacket could be of use during other times of the year as it is also a more or less breathable type of material. I think you would find the comfort and inherent advantages of the kayaking attire would be more suited(if not exclusively so) to a very wet environment.
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Update:
I ended up getting the kayaking dry top. I have used it a couple of times and can say it was a worthwhile investment. I have been in water up to my neck, and no leaks so far. I have a wading belt cinched tight, and am using neoprene wrist braces at the wrist because the cuffs on the jacket are some kind of lycra. I got the pullover 1 size too big, so I can layer up with fleece underneath. I don’t think I will need too many layers though, since the pullover blocks the wind. Now all I need is some neoprene gloves and I will be watertight.
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks for the update. Sounds like you are good to go. Now go catch some fish and post a report.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck and be safe.[/#0000ff]
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It sounds like you made a good choice ! I don't think the other option would have kept you nearly as dry in that situation - actually, you would have probably gotten drenched if you had listened to me. I am glad got what would work best in your situation. Now all you have to do is get some photos of your exploits and share them with us. I for one would like to see some pics of the area/waters you are fishing and of course the fish too.
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