Fishing Forum

[cool][#0000ff]I'll be the first to admit that I do not always clean up my float tubing gear as well as I should between trips. But, when I go two or three days in a row, there just does not seem to be the time...or motivation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Recently the invasive quagga mussels have been found in many new waters and it appears that they are likely to infest many more. Boaters have been getting most of the blame, and there have been many boats checked at the lakes that have been found to be contaminated. Who knows how many more get through without being checked?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Since these nasty little critters can be introduced into a new water via eggs or larvae...not just through adult mussels...it is logical that float tubes and pontoons could be vehicles for spreading them as much as boats. Maybe even more since we often carry away some mud and other icky stuff on our fins, boots, waders and the bottoms of our tubes and toons. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am implementing a new personal policy for doing a thorough cleanup on my tube and other gear any time I am going to a different lake than I did on my previous trip. I may not do a COMPLETE cleanup in between two trips to Jordanelle, but if I hit Utah Lake one day and Starvation two days later, my tube will get a cleaning before it goes into Starvation. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the attached pics, I show that I am cleaning everything that came into contact with the water on my previous trip...tube, waders, fins, booties, landing net and fish basket. My understanding is that a thorough cleaning with a heavy duty cleaner degreaser should do the job. I do not have a steam cleaner. But, I may visit a coin-op car wash around the corner from time to time. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Too much fuss? Maybe. But, I would hate to think that I was the cause of an infestation on one of my favorite fishing holes. We all have to do our part and keep our eyes open for other potential contaminators. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This is really becoming a hot issue in Utah these days with several new waters recently testing positive for quagga mussel presence. I know that California has really put restrictions on some waters and other states are getting more "active" about it too.[/#0000ff]
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Good post TD. This subject has been on my mind as well. I see you used formula 409. Is this product safe for our flotation covers and bladders? Do you know of any other products we could effectively use? Also, the guidelines include doing "high pressure" washes. Can our tubes and toons withstand these high pressures?
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[cool][#0000ff]I used to be in the industrial chemical business. 409 is a dilute solution of butyl cellosolve. It is a good cleaner but safe to use on most surfaces...especially synthetics like nylon and PVC. It rinses clean and does not degrade the material. Most cleaning products that are safe for household fabrics and upholstery will remove the soil, grime and other deposites without harming the material.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]No problem with the pressure washing. I used to have to clean my tube often with the pressure washer when I fished in the brackish water canals in southern Louisiana. Between salt water and STINKY black mud, I needed a pressure wash to be able to stand myself the next time I went tubing. No problem.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Still not sure how much of a potential problem a tube or toon might be, in terms of square inches of water carrying surface...and concealing nooks and crannies...compared to boats. But, if it helps to give them a good flush then so be it. I always download my "bilgewater" somewhere besides in the lake so not likely to create an infestation that way. And if I develop quagga mussels in my innards...well, that's a whole 'nother problem. Actually, I kinda like steamed mussels...with a bit of garlic and butter.[/#0000ff]
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WOW, I have been doing this since ......i don't know, since I started tubing.

I always have washed my gear off as soon as I get home. Hose and soapy water!!! Lately (like the past 7 years) 409 has been brought into it.

As I said on another post, I prefer the SMOOTH PVC coating on my toon/tube as it is easier to clean and harder for species to adhere to.

I guess mine also goes as far as always washing my boots, waders, nets, from guiding.

I also quit wearing FELT soles long time ago, HOWEVER, my hippers I do use for tubing do have felt. They get set in a bleach/water mixture after every trip.

It really is no big hassle, at least not to me, but as I said, I have been doing it since day one.

With the exception of multi camp days, but they are all at the same lake, so no worries.

ONE OTHER THING that can be used and is pretty cheap. You can get it at all a dollar....HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. Gentle to material and doesn't BLEACH.
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[cool][#0000ff]Proud of ya sis.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You are a fine example to us all.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Is it a gender thing? I have tended to lean toward the messy side. But hopefully I have mended my filthy ways.[/#0000ff]
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TD...

I am not the expert here but I have read several posts on this site on this subject and from what I can gather/understand its not the smooter material that is the problem so much as the area of the stitching on the tube or toon.. apparently many "experts" say that since these little wee beasties are "microscopic" in size the seams area of a tube/toon is one of the least checked areas and a prime area for them to attached and grow..

MacFly [cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]Right you are.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That is why it is a good idea to powerwash your tube to do the best job...especially if you have been fishing in a water known to harbor the little beasts.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The smooth PVC undersurface of better craft are not as likely to be infected...if clean. But, the nylon fabric covers and seams can pick them up.[/#0000ff]
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[#484848]This is from the DWR. Mainly for boats, but I'm sure it would apply to tubes on 'toons.[/#484848] Notice #3
HOW TO DECONTAMINATE YOUR BOAT
Decontamination is the only way to stop the spread of these horrible mussels. It does not harm your boat. It can actually prevent damage on your boat by removing mussels that would clog pumps and hoses. There are two ways to decontaminate your boat after pulling it out of the water:
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[left]Clean mud, plants, animals or other debris from your boat and equipment.[/left]
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[left]Drain the ballast tanks, bilge, livewells and motor.[/left]
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[left]Dry (7 days summer, 18 days spring/fall and 30 days in the winter) or freeze (3 days).[/left]

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So, nice warm summer....(SOME DAY) who is going to wait at least 7 days?

Some do go every day, and some everyday and different spots.
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That's just the time it takes to kill the little ba$tard$ if you just dry the boat.
7 days in summer will kill them
18+days spring or fall
30 days in winter (or a 3 day freeze'll do it )
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Gotcha...so chemicals speed the wait up or the KILL...right?
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the chemical wash.. like industrial 409 kills the little guys.. powerwash or scrub.. rinse.. let dry.. go fishing.. :-)..

MacFly
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Even though this is an older post, I thought it was a good post to bring back to life.
Anyone use KCL solution as a dip or cleaner? It looks like it is very effective, cheap, and shouldn't harm materials. It is even mentioned for use on diving materials, which is about the same thing for waders and tubes. Here is the info on it from Utah's DWR:


An effective mussel-killing solution — for each ballast tank — is two gallons of a 200 parts per million
(ppm) solution of potassium chloride (KCL). Despite the fact that it will kill mussels, this solution is
harmless to humans and to the environment. It also has extremely low corrosion characteristics and has
been used in the oil well drilling industry for decades due to these characteristics A chloride
concentration of 250 ppm is allowable for drinking water and the solution is below that level.
Potassium chloride salt crystals are used in water softener systems; people drink and bath in such
water. Conservative estimates of potassium and chloride concentration in Lake Powell with usage as
indicated above, indicate concentrations of 1 part per trillion. That is far below possible environmental
harm. In fact, KCL solution was used in Virginia to completely kill all zebra mussels in a quarry. “In
dramatic contrast, other aquatic wildlife including turtles, fishes, aquatic insects, and snails continue to
thrive in the quarry.”
Potassium chloride (KCL) solutions in concentrations of 200 ppm can be made by thoroughly mixing
one teaspoon of dry KCL salt crystals in two gallons of water. KCL salt crystals are available at stores
such as Home Depot and water softener suppliers. Morton Salt Company offers KCL in 40-pound
bags. Do NOT use any other kind of salt or solution. Potassium chloride premixed solutions are
available from suppliers to the oil well drilling industry; a Salt Lake City dealer has indicated
willingness to do so. KCL is mined in Moab and is also available in the Uintah Basin. The solution can
be provided in larger quantities, such as drums, that may be suitable for marinas and others providing
boat maintenance services.
Dive shops might consider providing dip tanks filled with safe mussel-killing solutions. See the
description above, “Internal ballast tank systems in water ski boats.” Individual divers might also
use such solutions instead of hot water.
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[cool][#0000ff]Good info. Thanks for posting.[/#0000ff]
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I guess it was too good to be true[frown]
Scuffy Fly on the Idaho forum said this:

salts such as potassium chloride do no kill new zealand mudsnails which is one of the major invasive specials that fly fisherman in Utah should also be concerned with eliminating. I know the Green River is infested but I don't know what else is. I believe that Whirling desease spores are unaffected by salts also.

Using the hot water at 140 degrees for the longer than the recommended times which vary from 1 minute for none porous surfaces to more than 30 minutes for dense porous materials like felt and webbing. It has been determined that NZMS have been killed with 130 degree water for 5 minutes of exposure.

People who fish mutiple locations in a day or succeeding days need to consider using different sets of equipment or using chemical solutions to facilitate effective means of killing invasives.

dB
disinfect your wading equipment. wash boat. disinfect livewells / sumps, wash ur dog
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There is WAY too many people that just dont care at all.
Sooner or later this $hit is going to be everywhere.[frown]
We can try to stop it but it takes only one idiot and its
all over.
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I think more emphasis should be placed on "What do we do now" or "How do we get rid of it" as it is not just people, but , wind, birds, animals.....oh and idiots[]
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dont forget how a lot of this started.. freighters from overseas.. pet importers.. etc.. saw a quick item on the news on how two different species of pythons have all but taken over the everglades (one Asian species can lay up to 100 eggs every three months).. the news item also brought up the invasion of the mud snails etc and how they are so invasive and damaging to the waters they have been brought in to...

MacFly [cool]
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