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Comment by Earl W Story on April 27, 2014 at 2:07pm

 I've got a whole lot better idea what next time out will need. I'll have all the necessary safety equipment including my phone. I was simply miffed at the first comment that I would be giving Float Tubers a bad name by drowning. Nevermind my lost life or the impact on my family...."Oh Nooooo don't forget your life jacket Mr. Dumba$$, You'll give us allllll a bad name if'n you get killed." That ranks right up there with the CPR Nazi's that scream whenever I clean a mess of fish.

OK, breath......Let it gooooooo........ I'm fine now. 

Comment by JBplusThuy on April 27, 2014 at 1:25pm

Having a phone with you is good idea, I take mine too, securely enclosed in a ziplock bag, and it doesn't normally leave the pocket of my waders. It's not in a  floating case and I can totally imagine dropping it in the lake.

+1 to the life jacket advice. I normally (OK, always lol) tube alone, and I never go out without a vest, no matter how hot it is, and no matter how small the BOW is. I know how to swim (was quite good in my youth; grew up with a backyard pool) and I've never fallen out of my tube or even come close, but I have no illusions about my ability to swim while wearing waders, clothes, and a packed fishing vest, even if I went into the water uninjured. Thus, zealous wearing of my life vest in all conditions.

That wind, wow! I've only once been out in wind like that, and it wasn't on purpose.  The wind came up while I was a 1/2 mile or more from the parking lot and on the other side of the lake (fortunately, it's less than 100 yards wide there) and I had to push along the bottom near shore because I could make no headway into the wind. I started across 100 yards upwind of the parking lot and finished my crossing about 50 yards downwind of it. Fortunately, I was in the lee of the point after that and it was relatively easy to get to the launch ramp and get out. It was dark by then (took me so long to make it back against the wind), and I was really glad there were no boats left on the lake.

For getting into the tube, since I'm not all that flexible, my technique is to take it out into thigh-deep water, pull it up behind me, plop onto the seat, and just glide away.  Similar technique for getting out. Stand up in water that's at least knee deep and it's a piece of cake.

Welcome to the tubing world!

Comment by Earl W Story on April 27, 2014 at 1:10pm

Ah boys, God graced me with a second chance at life around 23 years ago. Drugs and alcohol should have killed me but didn't. Since the Master cleaned me up and turned me loose I've enjoyed life every day to the fullest! And yup, at 300 lb. I ain't a little feller but I'm 'graceful' I climb trees to hunt, Noodle catfish, work 60+ hr. weeks, try my wife's patience and try to always give God the glory.

You can eat Drum if you want to I suppose. Folks around here smoke them or use them for trap bait in the winter.

  

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on April 27, 2014 at 11:07am

Do you eat the drum? They can be smoked....

I'm with Tony, your candor and good nature are legend. Let's be honest; you're not a small man. But you are working it for all it's worth. You obviously don't shirk a challenge!
I'm both impressed and in respect of you.
Especially since I will be duplicating your efforts soon enough.
Would you be able to detail exactly the make and model of your fins?

Comment by Tony Livingston on April 27, 2014 at 10:07am

Earl, BBG needs an award program for best video. If we ever get one, I nominate your videos. ALL of your videos. Well done sir, well done!!!!

Comment by Earl W Story on April 27, 2014 at 9:59am

 I have never seen anyone else around here in a tube. I didn't take me iphone out with me yesterday. I will now that I'm not worried about going under. The Drum was around 6 lb. Very common on jigs here. 

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on April 27, 2014 at 9:19am

No wonder you got wind.
And you in a tube, can't be many others.
Get any pics of the drum?

And how's the soreness today?

Comment by Earl W Story on April 27, 2014 at 8:35am

 Right smack dab in the middle. Kansas city KS. I was at Hillsdale lake yesterday.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on April 27, 2014 at 8:20am

Drum? Where are you? Somewhere in the country's middle?

Comment by Earl W Story on April 27, 2014 at 8:18am

 Once I got out out on the lake for a while it was fine. Those Creek Company fins kept me holding my own in 15-30 mph winds. Once I got out in the trees I caught a bunch of Crappie and a huge 'ol Drum.

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