05-26-2008, 11:32 AM
[cool][#0000ff]You already know that tubes are not DESIGNED for flowing water. And, they are PROHIBITED on many waters by state laws. However, they ARE suitable for fishing on streams.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That does not mean that you can safely and efficiently float every part of every creek and river. It does mean that there are stretches of many flows that can be fished from a tube without too much danger. I have tubed a lot of flowing water without ever getting into serious trouble. As Dirty Harry says "A man should know his limitations".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are three main factors to consider in tubing flowing water...DEPTH, SPEED & HAZARDS. If you stay in water deep enough to avoid hitting rocks or getting "grounded", you can fish long stretches of river without too much concern for the other elements. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The speed of the current is a factor only from the standpoint that it can move you faster than you want to go, if you are fishing along the way. You can use your fins to kick into eddies and slower flows...or even to get out on the shore and fish while wading. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Hazards can be anything from fences across the water to tree branches (sweepers) to sunken trees and rocks that will grab you and sink you...or damage you and/or your craft. Sitting with more of your body in the water...in a donut...will expose you to more of that stuff.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Possibly one of the worst potential hazards are shallow gravel bars with significant current running over them. You can find yourself stuck on one of these with no way to break the hold of the current. And, if you try to stand, the current can topple you and roll you down the river. Not good. Stay away from the shallows if there is current.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The best places to get in and out are in eddies or backwaters, out of the current. And, whenever fishing or fighting fish, you can also maneuver into slower waters to save energy in kicking.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you are determined to float a creek or river, there are some precautions. First, float it first in a stable boat or pontoon, to learn the potential hazards and to target the areas you want to stop and fish. NEVER float a flow with which you are not already very familiar. And, if there are too many potential hazards, find another place to float.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Second, always have at least one other person with you...preferably in a boat or pontoon...JUST IN CASE. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Third, if making a long downstream float, be sure to leave a vehicle where you plan to get out...or arrange for pickup at a designated time and place.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]All that being said, much of the fishing I have done in moving water has been in only one place on larger rivers. If it is both safe and legal, you can fish the calm "spillway" areas below some dams. Often they only have one or two gates open, with large calm areas in front of the others. But, be sure you know the schedule so that you do not get caught when they unexpectedly open other gates.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are also oxbows and backwaters on some rivers that are just like fishing lakes. You may have to access them from upstream, by launching into the river and floating down to them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have fished short stretches of large creeks and rivers where the depth and flow were such that I could launch and maintain position within the area I wished to fish...and then maneuver my way back to my original launch site...or to one conveniently close. In other words, fishing a flow does not mean making a white water trip down a raging river.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As far as choice of craft, it is a matter of physics. The more of you there is in the water, the more you will be affected by the current. The higher you sit on the water, the more efficient your kicking strokes will be in moving you against the current or propelling you to where you want to go. In other words, a high riding craft with a pointed "bow" is more efficient than a round tube with half your body in the water.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Be smart and be safe.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That does not mean that you can safely and efficiently float every part of every creek and river. It does mean that there are stretches of many flows that can be fished from a tube without too much danger. I have tubed a lot of flowing water without ever getting into serious trouble. As Dirty Harry says "A man should know his limitations".[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are three main factors to consider in tubing flowing water...DEPTH, SPEED & HAZARDS. If you stay in water deep enough to avoid hitting rocks or getting "grounded", you can fish long stretches of river without too much concern for the other elements. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The speed of the current is a factor only from the standpoint that it can move you faster than you want to go, if you are fishing along the way. You can use your fins to kick into eddies and slower flows...or even to get out on the shore and fish while wading. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Hazards can be anything from fences across the water to tree branches (sweepers) to sunken trees and rocks that will grab you and sink you...or damage you and/or your craft. Sitting with more of your body in the water...in a donut...will expose you to more of that stuff.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Possibly one of the worst potential hazards are shallow gravel bars with significant current running over them. You can find yourself stuck on one of these with no way to break the hold of the current. And, if you try to stand, the current can topple you and roll you down the river. Not good. Stay away from the shallows if there is current.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The best places to get in and out are in eddies or backwaters, out of the current. And, whenever fishing or fighting fish, you can also maneuver into slower waters to save energy in kicking.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you are determined to float a creek or river, there are some precautions. First, float it first in a stable boat or pontoon, to learn the potential hazards and to target the areas you want to stop and fish. NEVER float a flow with which you are not already very familiar. And, if there are too many potential hazards, find another place to float.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Second, always have at least one other person with you...preferably in a boat or pontoon...JUST IN CASE. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Third, if making a long downstream float, be sure to leave a vehicle where you plan to get out...or arrange for pickup at a designated time and place.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]All that being said, much of the fishing I have done in moving water has been in only one place on larger rivers. If it is both safe and legal, you can fish the calm "spillway" areas below some dams. Often they only have one or two gates open, with large calm areas in front of the others. But, be sure you know the schedule so that you do not get caught when they unexpectedly open other gates.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are also oxbows and backwaters on some rivers that are just like fishing lakes. You may have to access them from upstream, by launching into the river and floating down to them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have fished short stretches of large creeks and rivers where the depth and flow were such that I could launch and maintain position within the area I wished to fish...and then maneuver my way back to my original launch site...or to one conveniently close. In other words, fishing a flow does not mean making a white water trip down a raging river.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As far as choice of craft, it is a matter of physics. The more of you there is in the water, the more you will be affected by the current. The higher you sit on the water, the more efficient your kicking strokes will be in moving you against the current or propelling you to where you want to go. In other words, a high riding craft with a pointed "bow" is more efficient than a round tube with half your body in the water.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Be smart and be safe.[/#0000ff]
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