As an Infantryman I am always looking for new ways to better position myself in the fight. As I always mention at write-up closings, “I’ll see you on the High Ground,” describes where you want to be; the high ground. This is because the high ground places you in the best spot for the fight. On the water as an angler (get this, I’m calling myself an angler now—crazy right?) I have found my new high ground. Pictured above is my new U-Boat 2000 from the Creek Company, via TexasRiverBum.com, that I affectionately call my rubber ducky <insert Ernie singing “Rubber Ducky, you’re the one”>. I’ve named it so in honor of the old school Army DUKW, aka “The Duck” pictured below. For grunts on the water.
All this being said Ladies and Gentlemen I am xrifleUSA and I will now debrief you on my series of supraquatic pisci engagements employing a rubber duck.
My first encounter with a U-Boat was on the waters of the Blanco River. Dave and I were humping a ‘yak all up and down the river while his daughter Jaz just bounced around gleefully as possible. We were heavy and she was light. After the day’s trip and two sore shoulders later I knew there was an advantage to toting a float tube on two pack straps verses what we were doing. I wanted one. Now say it with me: “mobile”. Not mobile like “mo-bull”, but like a grunt: mo-bile. Mobile, Lethal, Versatile.
My next training evolution in fly fishing was when I met Dave on Lake Bastrop. This time it was my turn in the tube. Simply put, I like it. My only caveat is this… be prepared to flutter kick your butt off. Now to be honest the exercise was good for me and oddly the workout was fun. The little cove I was in became my domain. I knew maneuvering around I was moving in silent with stealth unlike wading. I also knew there wasn’t an area I couldn’t reach. I caught a few sunfish before the impending mix of thunderstorm and encroaching darkness settled in. Short lived but a blast. I was getting one.
When my U-Boat 2000 Super Combo came in I was ecstatic! It came with a pump and my own set of fins! I never owned fins before so I was hyped. So what? My only single concern was did I know what I was doing? I had since left my Texas waters and was now in Missouri for work. The true test would be when I got in the water. I had found a nice section of river on the Big Piney I thought would make a good test run and the first Saturday morning I was in.
So I don’t go on and on I’ll be brief with the Pro’s and Con’s using a standard After Action Review (AAR) format.
Mission: (What was supposed to happen) Float/Fish the Big Piney River employing the U-Boat 2000 commonly known as ‘my rubber ducky’.
What actually happened: The float trip was a blast and oddly I only covered about a miles worth of river. Dave is always telling me I need to fish faster because I get stuck/tunnel vision on pools keeping me there longer than the fish are. I did cover a lot more water than I would have or been able to had I been wading.
Sustains (What went well):
- Any section of river I wanted to get to I had access to. No pool too deep kept me away.
- There is something intrinsically fun floating down the river in a tube. This tube is fitted to keep, carry, or attach everything I need to fly fish.
- Some like it, some don’t, but I really appreciate the striping apron. My line did not float off somewhere to get tangled and when I got fish to hand I had a nice platform for photo ops. A quick snap shot and then push off and the fishy was back in the water.
- I need this kind of workout more often. The challenge was fun and the longer/harder I worked to get around, I knew the longer and harder I knew I could go next time. Seriously, if you don’t get outside enough and get into healthy activities—start now. This way is great. If you get tired you can always just relax and float. There is something holistic to it.
- Easy enough to get in and out. When I wanted to wade I did. A simple parachute chord leash keeps the float attached to me in arms reach without having to chase it down the river. And the fins snap on and off easy enough.
Improves (Things that went not so well):
- Flippers are not intended for long distance walking. Certain sections of the Big Piney had very long shallow (3-5 inches) sections of riffles. Walking forward in fins is not easy and high stepping is involved unless you walk backwards. Backwards works best short distance. Be prepared to lose balance if going on long walks on shallow river beds. The small current will twist your feet right out from under you. The fins come off easy enough, I was just too fricken lazy to take them on and off every set of riffles I hit. This river has a lot. Just take them off.
- The tube is not a wading stick and can give a false sense of stability. Remember the riffles? Well because I was shaky-legged from the current I was foolish enough to put more weight than I needed to—one hand on the tube, the other holding my rod for counter balance. One stagger-step-slip and my weight went on the tube… the tube flipped over… I went in the water neck deep. And like a good grunt my rod remained above the water all the while and unbroken. Use it like it is intended.
- I know what you’re thinking, why not ride the riffles? This part really kind of belongs in the sustain section. The tube is pretty stout and went over a few rocks well. But I’m not trying to pop it. Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. The labeling on the box clearly states: Warning- use is still water only. The slow currents are fine enough but when riffles take you speeding away you could be in trouble. Be it your noggin hitting a rock or your tube, you could be in for a bad day so use caution. Me I get out now (having learned) and walk… with flippers… backwards. I am trying to change my lazy ways.
In all I love my new float tube and I’m a believer. I have since even used it in the cold layered up in chest waders and boots. The fins can clip over those too. I am like a mad man on the water and all smiles to boot.
Pending your questions and comments this concludes my brief. Go get a tube and I will see you on the high ground!
-AirborneAngler