Still water fun

Have you ever driven past a body of water and started daydreaming about setting the hook on a monster fish?  Possibly you have explored a trail or two that takes you to some backwoods Adirondack pond and thought to yourself, “Wonder if there are any fish in there?”   Or, if you're like, me you are constantly looking over maps looking for the next great adventure off the beaten path.  Well over the last eight months I have spent hours in the woods hiking to ponds all over region 6, posting signs for the DEC, and every time I get to one I envision myself stripping a muddler minnow in hopes of landing one of New York’s most iconic fish, the brook trout. 

But every time I look at the banks of these ponds I find the shore lines surrounded with lush green growth and trees.  Not exactly the ideal situation for casting.  So I decided to go to the internet and look for a solution on how to fish these ponds.  It didn’t take long for the answer to hit me.  A float tube.  What a perfect way to easily get on the water and enjoy some fishing with minimal financial investment.   So on the night of Christmas Eve 2024 I laid in bed hoping and praying that I was a good enough boy that Santa might bring me one.  That Christmas morning I woke up and found one good sized box with my name on it.  When I opened that box my life had changed as I knew it.  

Just a few weeks ago I finally opened that box and decided to dissect its contents.  In it I found everything I would need to hit the water anywhere I could find access.  The kit came with the float tube, fins, air pump, shoulder straps and oar.  Oh, and let's not forget the very poorly written instructions on how to assemble it.  After only a few curse words I had it put together and filled with air.  I couldn’t wait to get it on the water.  My maiden voyage would be four miles back in the woods on a pristine brook trout pond.  This was a bit extreme for my first time out but it was well worth it.  My buddy had a backpack frame I could borrow so I deflated the tube and strapped everything I would need to it and we started our hike into the backcountry. 

Once we made it to the pond we unpacked and started blowing up our tubes.  The hand pump that came with it made blowing it up a breeze. 

In about 15 minutes we were shoving off.  I was a little concerned about how I would be positioned in the water but I was pleasantly surprised with how well I sat comfortably on top of the water and it was far more stable than I had expected.  Once I got the hang of kicking my fins and moving backwards from the way I was facing to move I was ready to start casting.  As most of you are aware I am a die hard fly angler so I had to figure out how to manage my line without getting tangled up in it all the time.  Across my lap there is a built in mesh mat that I can collect my line on as well as work on hook removal.  The seated position makes for easy casting and retrieval.  When I hooked my first fish I was amazed with how easy it was to fight the fish, reel it in and release it.  As the hours passed I had caught several fish and my confidence in this little boat soared. 

Once we were done fishing, we deflated the tubes, packed everything up and hiked our way out.  On the way home my brain raced with the endless opportunities this float tube has given me.  Over the past three weeks I have taken the float tube out at least once a week.  I have a few places that are super easy to access so I blow it up the night before and just throw it in the back of my truck.   I can be on the water within 5 minutes.  This cost effective option has been a game changer in my search for new waters to fish.  If you are interested in purchasing a float tube here are a few things to consider.

1.  Price:  A quick search for “fishing float tubes” on amazon will give you plenty of options. On Amazon alone the range from $60-$400 dollars.  Mine is currently going for $169.00.  If you really get into this you can spend thousands of dollars on them.  

1.  Options: There are tons of options out there.  You can buy the whole kit like I did or you can buy all the pieces separately.  They come in many shapes and designs.  They also come in larger sizes for any of you larger framed individuals.  Mine is rated for 350 lbs.

1. Accessories:  Just do a google search or check out any of the Facebook groups and you will find an endless supply of accessories for these things.  You can go to the extreme adding fish finders and rod holders.  For me I keep it fairly simple. I bring a net and plenty of fishing supplies.  Mine has plenty of easy access storage for lures, pliers, and a bottle of water. 

Things you will want to bring:  

1. First thing I would encourage everyone to bring is a life jacket.  Today they are designed to be very comfortable and you can buy them designed specifically for fishing.  No matter what kind you have, make sure you bring it with you and wear it.

1. Obviously you will want to bring your float tube, but if you blow it up at home, make sure you bring an air pump with you.  You never know when you might want to add a little more air.  Also make sure you have all the parts that come with it.  The mesh mat is detachable so make sure it is with you before you go.

1. Fishing supplies.  I always have my rod, reel, and net with me.  Most of these tubes come with lots of storage space.  You should be able to store all your lures and extra items you like to have with you.
   

1. Water.  I always bring an extra bottle of water with me.  It can get hot out there and there is no reason to become dehydrated when there is plenty of room on board.

1. Waders.  I typically always wear my waders,  but this is not a requirement.  If the water is warm enough you could easily wear a pair of swimming trunks. 

1. Shoes.  My fins are designed to wear my wading boots with them as they strap around them.  If you choose to use regular swimming fins you may want to invest in a pair of neoprene socks, this could make your day on the water much more comfortable.  

A few things to consider:

1. If  you have never walked in a pair of fins before, please know that it is far easier to walk backwards in them.  I always make sure all my stuff is ready to go and next to the water before I strap them on.  

1. You will be going backwards while moving in the water.  This may take some getting used to.  As you kick your feet the boat will move in the opposite direction you are looking.  So you will want to turn around often to make sure you are heading in the direction you want to.
   

1. These things are very stable but remember you are on a glorified inner tube.  This isn’t standing on the bow of a boat.  You will feel any disturbance on the water like the wind, or any current there might be.

1. You are the propeller.  Make sure you stay within your limits.  If you are comfortable kicking your feet for hours, go for it.  Just make sure you have enough gas in the tank to get back to the launch.  Most of the ponds I have been to you don’t need to travel very far to get into the fish.  

1. Keep yourself organized.  There is plenty of storage on these things for one angler.  Make sure to utilize it and stow things while not in use.  You don’t want to drop any equipment in the water or end your day too early with a hook through an air chamber.

1. Line management.  Keep a close eye on where your line is at all times.  You do not want to get your legs or fins tangled up.  This could really make a mess in a hurry.  
   

1. While storing your float tube let some of the air out of it.  With the temperature swings we have in the North Country it is best to leave it half inflated.  You don’t want to fill it up when it’s 60 degrees outside then the next day it could be 80 degrees.  This could cause it to expand and cause damage to the air bladders.  

As the summer heats up I’m always looking for new waters to explore. 

I feel that these float tubes are great for ponds, lakes, and small rivers.  Lake Champlain or the St. Lawrence River may be a bit extreme for them but there are plenty of other bodies of water to explore. 

If you are looking for a wallet friendly way to get on the water and explore I highly suggest you check these things out.  It just may add a whole new way for you to have a Northern NY Adventure.

Aaron Hardy

Northern NY Adventures

“Make Life an Adventure”