11-01-2006, 08:35 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I am two-plenty myself, so I am tuned in to the need for plenty of floatation and plenty of space for big boys. Just like buying clothes, different tubes are designed differently and ratings vary.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you read any of the advice I have handed out on the float tubing board over the past few years, one recurring theme is "try before you buy". That holds true for tubes, waders, fins, etc. You can try on waders and fins at Sportsmans, Cabelas or wherever you shop for them. But...it is hard to get the real feel of a tube without taking it on the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The good news is that a lot of us BFTers were once in the newbie bin too and we all know and appreciate how handy it is to have others to guide you. Even more importantly, a lot of us have the different models you might be thinking about and most of us are cool about meeting up on the water and letting someone try the ride before they plunk down the hard dollars.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have both a Super Fat Cat and a regular Fat Cat. I also now have the Fish Cat 4 and will soon have the ODC 420. For you and anyone else who wants to make some real comparisons, I will be happy to do a meetup. Of course, if we wait too long this year, we will also have to bring a chain saw to cut a large enough hole in the ice to float our ride.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We do have little mini seminars from time to time on jig making, fly tying, rod building and other things. We should probably add an occasional tubing get together to show off our creativity and share ideas. A lot of the fancy stuff is very easy...once you have done it. But, it can be frustrating and intimidating if you haven't been there before.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of my favorite sayings is "How do you describe the taste of salt...to someone who has never tasted salt...without using the word salty?" [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you read any of the advice I have handed out on the float tubing board over the past few years, one recurring theme is "try before you buy". That holds true for tubes, waders, fins, etc. You can try on waders and fins at Sportsmans, Cabelas or wherever you shop for them. But...it is hard to get the real feel of a tube without taking it on the water.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The good news is that a lot of us BFTers were once in the newbie bin too and we all know and appreciate how handy it is to have others to guide you. Even more importantly, a lot of us have the different models you might be thinking about and most of us are cool about meeting up on the water and letting someone try the ride before they plunk down the hard dollars.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have both a Super Fat Cat and a regular Fat Cat. I also now have the Fish Cat 4 and will soon have the ODC 420. For you and anyone else who wants to make some real comparisons, I will be happy to do a meetup. Of course, if we wait too long this year, we will also have to bring a chain saw to cut a large enough hole in the ice to float our ride.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We do have little mini seminars from time to time on jig making, fly tying, rod building and other things. We should probably add an occasional tubing get together to show off our creativity and share ideas. A lot of the fancy stuff is very easy...once you have done it. But, it can be frustrating and intimidating if you haven't been there before.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of my favorite sayings is "How do you describe the taste of salt...to someone who has never tasted salt...without using the word salty?" [/#0000ff]
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