Tubing options

[Joe_Dizzy]

So this year I’ve hit up Scofield, Salem pond and Big East in Payson trying to get back in the grove after several years off and moving to a new state. Thinking of hitting up Little Dell this week, any tips or helpful info before I go? How’s the launching access? If you don’t use a floating line and indicator what flies might work? Also thinking of a quick (for me) trip to Maple lake, any thoughts on fishing there. This fall looking at Strawberry and another few trips to Scofield are there any other lakes that are a favorite to tube at?

Little Dell Reservoir sits less than 6,000 feet ASL, so my guess would be that the surface temps are well in excess of 70* F right now which is in the lethal zone for trout. Would be tough sledding with a fly rod as the cuts are probably forced to seek the cool depths, munching on zooplankton.
 
Options for launching a tube there are parking up top for free and hoofing it down to the water, or paying $5.00 and parking close to the lake. There is a small boat launch at the lower end (near the dam). I usually fish the upper end (between parking lot and inlet), but only to around mid-June as the water warms. I’ll start going back to the Dell when water temps in the shallows bring the fish up from the abyss… usually mid/late September. Oct-Nov up there is terrific fishing scuds and leeches. Chironomids will have their days as well Sep-Oct.
 
Lost Creek Reservoir near Croydon is an excellent lake for float tubing with nice mixed bag opportunity, no-wake regulations, limited shoreline access, and real trophy fish potential. Unfortunately, it sits right around 6,000 feet as well so would be a similar situation as Little Dell.