Hi All

[spidey]

Just wanted to introduce myself. I've been lurking for a few months just trying to get through the winter and stay sane without being able to fish. As a side effect, I've been afflicted with the float tubing bug. I've been impressed with everyone's knowledge on the board (although the salt fisherman--TubeN2?--who lets the tide take him out and bring him home for dinner scares me--if he asks for my lunch money best believe I'm giving it to him) and have been making minor adjustments to my thinking and tackle ever since I happened upon this gold mine of info and cool folks.

Reading the posts during the hell of winter has kept me from donning my waders, filling up the bathtub, so I can get my feet wet, and tossing a line in the toilet. Sure would be tough to explain myself to family and friends. I'd be in a padded cell right now and would not have been out yesterday at Basspro buying my Togiak. Yep. I think I'm hooked already. Was tempted to buy the H3 at Cabela's. Made me salivate like a hungry wolf eyeing a tender, tasty baby lamb chained to a fence post. Mmmm. Anyway, thought I would start small and upgrade if the Togiak didn't satiate my need to commune with the fishes. Better than swimming with the fishes, eh?

All that said, looking forward to posting some pic's from my not-far-off maiden voyage. Oh, I'm not adept at anything mechanical or building/modifying my own rigs. Just as well give a cat a shot at solving a Rubik's cube. That was my father's thing. It skipped this generation, namely me. But, looking at the pic's and reading the instructions you kind people have posted, I hope to be able to jerry-rig a picture worthy self-modified craft. If not, heck, I'll buy some stuff and review the products. Happy fishing to those lucky enough to not have icebound lakes and reservoirs.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hi right back atcha. Welcome aboard. Glad you decided to register and stay a spell.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The Togiak is probably a good choice to "get your feet wet". As you propose, being able to upgrade later is a better option than plunking down a buncha bucks for something you are not yet advanced enough to fully appreciate. And, if you decide you don't like it (not likely), you will not have the family fortune tied up in a tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also glad to hear that you thought better of succumbing to the temptation of tubing in the bathroom. We tubers get enough strange looks and family ostracism without adding to their head shaking and talking behind our backs. It is much harder to get away for some tubing when you are inside padded walls, wearing a straightjacket.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let us know if you need some help in getting set up. We look forward to your first reports.[/#0000ff]
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[buckdawg]

Howdy! I totally got the bug too after poking around this site. Congrats on the tube. I'm jealous. I think I'm going to go the pontoon route at first...most of my fishing will be on reservoirs but I plan on adding a tube to the flotilla at some point this year.

I don't really have the imagination or creativity to come up with the rigs these guys use so it's a big help to have some sort of pattern to follow. I was at Lowe's yesterday checking out the PVC aisle...I'm in big trouble!! []
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[Majja]

Welcome to the board. And dont worry if I can build the PVC contaption any one can. Yea tubin almost becomes an obsession, I am actually TD has not donned his waders, and taken the chainsaway out the local lake to cut a hole big enough to just sit there and float.

hehe

Oh it i was just thinking of doing that.

Majja
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]How do you know that I haven't done that...and was just to embarassed to post pictures?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]PS...fishing was lousy.[/#0000ff]
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[tlspyder13]

Hey welcome to the board. Great name by the way. Reading the boards can become addictive. I picked up fly fishing again. Bought a float tube. Today I'm driving my wife crazy counting down the days to use my tube while planing a ice fishing trip to the third new lake of the year. BFT is great. Looking forword to your reports.
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[Majja]

Cause you would probably have fish jumpin in your tube and you would not be able to keep that one a secrete? TD rocks he is the master of all things tubing.

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Majja
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[spidey]

Thanks for such a warm welcome you guys. [] I feel at home already.
My first challenge is going to be mounting my fishfinder. I'll let you guys know how that turns out. Probably beg for some help along the way too.
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[tubeN2]

Welcome Spidey. We are glad to have you here and hope you will continue to enjoy it.

Extreme tubing is not for everyone but I just happen to be blonde and don't know the difference![crazy] ha ha.

Actually I have been tubing pretty close to 30 years now and wouldn't put my self in any kind of danger.

I have worked in swift water rescue with the FD and take all necessary precautions to ensure that I get back home (some day) from a tubing trip.

If and when you ever get the chance to Tube in the Saltwater, you will always have to play it by the tide. Otherwise you can get tired in a hurry trying to paddle against the wrong tide. That's what makes it fun.

Some people like to start off in bays or harbors. This is perfectly alright because you have more room before the tide changes.

I too am getting ready to acquire another tube. That way I don't have to haul this one all over the state just to satisfy my needs.

Good luck on your maiden voyage and please play it safe. We would like to see your reports as they happen.[cool]
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[spidey]

I admire anyone with skill and guts to do any extreme sport, tubeN2. I'll sit safely at my computer desk and enjoy your pics and stories. []
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[tubeN2]

No problem bro. I'll just keep them coming.[cool]
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