Have been sick and stuck at home for almost three weeks and was told I was going fishing or else last night by my wife. Another sleepless night and nobody could go last minute but went anyways.
Hit Strawberry about seven and had the lake to myself. Nice and peaceful until eight when a small boat launched and decided the only chanel in the lake was beside me. O well caught three of my five fish for the morning as they went by.
Wind came up about ten and had to get off the water as I'm still not feeling to well and didn't want to use that much energy. Following Tubedude's previous advice I layered well. Stayed close to the car as I knew the wind would be coming and I couldn't get back if I went too far out. Only thing I can't seem to get right is how to keep my feet warm. Guess I need another trip out to work on keeping the toes warm before the ice covers everything up for the year. Air temp was 29 when I launched and 54 by the time I got back to the car.
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[cool][#0000ff]Glad you were able to get on the water. Good therapy for a bad case of "fishing pox" (fishing deprivation).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This is probably a good time and place to talk about keeping the tootsies warm in cold water. Frigid digits can really put the whammy on a fun fishing trip.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the "olden days", I did not have much choice in waders, fins, booties, etc. I bought what I could find, is sizes as large as they made and tried to make do. In the late 70's and early 80's in Utah, there were no neoprene waders. Tubers had to use lightweight rubber waders or the Red Ball super lightweights...or their boot foot chest waders. If you wanted to use fins, it was lightweights. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am a big boy. I was not as "big" then as now, but even Xlg was not quite big enough in many cases. I bought Xlg Red Ball lightweight waders...and sometimes split the seams when overlayered during cold water fishing trips. Let me tell you that a blast of icy water on your "nether regions" will end a trip in a hurry. Also, even their idea of Xlg would not comfortably allow more than two pairs of socks. And, unlike today's lightweight waders, the foot area was not neoprene. So, it was really poorly insulated against super cold water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I did wear neoprene booties. But, again, the largest I could find would not accomodate my big foot, plus more than one or two layers of socks. And then I was already starting the foot constriction. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Finally, there was not much selection in tubing fins back then. The best fins I found for tubing were the IDI Frogfoot. However, they made them in small, medium and large...no Xlg. My wader covered foot barely fit in them during warm water tubing. When I stuffed my "layered" feet in the hard rubber pockets, during cold water fishing, I could only hope that my feet went numb before the cold became unbearable. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My cold water fishing in those days was "enjoyed" in half hour bursts. I endured my fun as long as I could and then kicked in to shore, tore off the fins and did the "tubers' stomp dance" until I could feel my toes again.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Today we have it made...if we shop right. Neoprene waders are a real blessing for the tubing wierdos that just have to be the last ones on the water before it turns hard...or the first ones when the ice starts breaking up. And, for we of the "large persuasion", there are sizes available up to ManyX Lg, and special cuts for long/tall/stout, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are also lots of great cold weather socks and apparel available for tubers. Most of it was designed for the ski and snowboard industries, but we don't care. Modern technology has made it truly possible to stay warm with less bulk, even if it is sometimes pricey.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are also more options in tubing footwear...boots and booties...to be worn over lightweight or neoprene waders. These not only protect the soft foot portions of the waders but add extra insulation too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Finally, once you have acquired what you need to keep warm, there are lots of fin designs that will accomodate all of the bulk you have packed around your feet. Do NOT try to use the same fins you use for warm water tubing...unless they are adjustable to permit a larger foot. It is false economy and it will usually result in constriction...shutting off blood flow to the feet. That is the major cause of cold feet...even more than insufficient layering.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Don't fall for the battery operated sock warmers. They will not last long enough for a full day on the water. However, some guys do use the little package hand warmer things...even though they have to replace them a time or two on a long day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yesterday I tubed in 38 degree water and did not even feel a bit chilled...anywhere. I was trying a new pair of socks I got at the Army/Navy place on REdwooe Road, near where I live. They are military boot socks...50% wool, plus synthetic and cotton. I wore them next to my feet, for wicking moisture. Then, I added two layers of wool blend heavy cushion socks over those. Inside my 3.5mm neoprenes and my neoprene booties...stuffed inside the soft pockets of my Xlg Mares Plana fins, I was comfy all day...except for some liquid intake that demanded a trip to shore.[/#0000ff]
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