I am a lurker who decided to through my hat into the ring. First ever post anywhere.
I have fished Weston since the early 60,s. The reason for the restrictions was because people were hauling their car top boats over the fences and breaking them down. The float tubes were new technology then so they defined a float tube very specifically to exclude everything else. Do you realize the definition excludes U tubes also! I have had discussions with the law about this and they agree with me that they should be included but the law states..... Well I wrote to the department explaining the change in technology and the increased safety of u tubes for us old clumsy types who don,t favor getting upside down with our feet tangled in a sling with our head underwater. I pointed out that whether I was suspended below the surface of the water or siting in a seat at the surface of the water, either way my but was wet so what is the big deal. I got the usual thank you for your input. BUT... read your new regulations, especially the definition of a float tube. U tubes are now legal.
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Welcome to BFT. Thanks for the info on Weston. I have always been interested in why Weston had special regs. Now if they just allowed pontoons I would be happy.
Windriver
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I don't even know where that lake is. Ron
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It's down by Preston.
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[quote McGinty]I am a lurker who decided to through my hat into the ring. First ever post anywhere.
I have fished Weston since the early 60,s. The reason for the restrictions was because people were hauling their car top boats over the fences and breaking them down. The float tubes were new technology then so they defined a float tube very specifically to exclude everything else. Do you realize the definition excludes U tubes also! I have had discussions with the law about this and they agree with me that they should be included but the law states..... Well I wrote to the department explaining the change in technology and the increased safety of u tubes for us old clumsy types who don,t favor getting upside down with our feet tangled in a sling with our head underwater. I pointed out that whether I was suspended below the surface of the water or siting in a seat at the surface of the water, either way my but was wet so what is the big deal. I got the usual thank you for your input. BUT... read your new regulations, especially the definition of a float tube. U tubes are now legal.[/quote]
I found this online, and it's from 2005.
Scroll down to #9
http://law.justia.com/codes/idaho/2005/6...00003.html
Doesn't say what shape it has to be.
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Idaho's definition of a tube:
Float Tube: A floating device which suspends a single occupant, from the seat down, in the water, and is not propelled by oars, paddles or motor.
Sooo, I could leave my oars in the truck or at home and still use my 9' Renegade[
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flygoddess, If your Renegade is deflated enough that your seat is submerged, then you are correct. This also applies to Silver Creek as well. I am sure there are other places that have the same regulations...
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Seeing how, the seat is that inflated center, it wouldn't be hard to have it touch the water.
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[quote Mojo1]flygoddess, If your Renegade is deflated enough that your seat is submerged, then you are correct. This also applies to Silver Creek as well. I am sure there are other places that have the same regulations...[/quote]
So what is the difference between a float tube that has a submerged seat, and a float tube that has a seat that sits out of the water?
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[quote mojorizing][quote Mojo1]flygoddess, If your Renegade is deflated enough that your seat is submerged, then you are correct. This also applies to Silver Creek as well. I am sure there are other places that have the same regulations...[/quote]
So what is the difference between a float tube that has a submerged seat, and a float tube that has a seat that sits out of the water?[/quote]
According to the state of Idaho, one is legal in float tube only waters and the other isn't. I don't think the law is smart, or well written, but it is enforced. If you run into the wrong F&G guy while piloting your kick boat or U-Tube, it will be a bad deal for you.
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Well, going off WHY on this particular body of water. Most pontoons weigh 50 lbs and up. I can see fences being broke or torn down trying to get them to the water.
These NFO's are a whole new ball game. They are basically no different than a OC 420, SFC, Fat Cat. Just bigger. IF there is any of these tubes on the water, then the Escape, Renegade, even the Rampage would also be legal no matter who is on watch. Might require a trip to court, but it would be worth it.
With my Renegade weighing in at 28lbs, I can carry it over fences without damaging any fences[
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Now I'm going to play the devil's advocate.
Just who determines if a craft is a float tube?
If the manufacturer of a watercraft, whether it's a donut, u-tube, v-tube or another configuration sells it, advertises it, describes it as a float tube, would anyone think a DWR official can trump that, or that it would even hold up in a court if a citation was issued?
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[quote mojorizing]Now I'm going to play the devil's advocate.
Just who determines if a craft is a float tube?
If the manufacturer of a watercraft, whether it's a donut, u-tube, v-tube or another configuration sells it, advertises it, describes it as a float tube, would anyone think a DWR official can trump that, or that it would even hold up in a court if a citation was issued?[/quote]
Mojorising, I would say the state of Idaho has a pretty clear definition. From page 44 in the Idaho Fishing Rules book...
"Float Tube: A floating device which suspends a single
occupant, from the seat down, in the water, and is not propelled by oars, paddles or motor."
It unambiguously states "from the seat down in the water". I would guess, since this is the current definition upheld by law, it would hold up in court. I am no lawyer however, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once...
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from that definition I am not sure my FC4 would meet those requirements. If I wanted to fish there I would take my FC4 and use it. The CO would have to use his judgment and either let it go or give a ticket. My guess it would be just fine but if I got a ticket I would fight it. Ron
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Actually, it has a BIG gray area
first off:
Float Tube: A floating device which suspends a single
occupant
Definition 1: to hang so as to be free on all sides except at the point of support
Definition 2 : to keep from falling or sinking by some invisible support
then:
from the seat down, in the water, this part is really confusing, but going with definition #2.
It does not read seated ON the water or even in the water, but suspended, but then it reads seat down in the water, which isn't suspended, but on or in.
One of those, "make it up as they go" laws.[
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Mojorising, I would say the state of Idaho has a pretty clear definition. From page 44 in the Idaho Fishing Rules book...
[#4040ff]
Let's break it down and read it like it's meant to be read.[/#4040ff]
"Float Tube: A floating device which suspends a single
occupant, from the seat down,
[#4040ff]
A floating device which suspends MOJORIZING from THE SEAT DOWN in the water- (leaving legs in the water[/#4040ff]
) and is not propelled by oars, paddles or motor."
It unambiguously states "from the seat down in the water" [#4040ff]
Once again referring to the seat of the tube[/#4040ff]-[#4040ff]you're sitting in a tube. Your legs are in the water.
It's very simple, but I guess I can see where some could get 
about the wording.[/#4040ff]
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It's not FROM THE SEAT BEING IN THE WATER[/#4040ff]
I would guess, since this is the current definition upheld by law, it would hold up in court. I am no lawyer however, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once...[/quote]
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Or maybe I'm the one.[/#4040ff]
Really, it doesn't matter to me, but I know 3 people that have been cited for using U-Tube style (2) and pontoon style (1) inflatables on Silver Creek. All of them fought the citation, all lost. I think it is definitley clear enough. Good luck if you decide to go ahead and test the law...
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