When do you stop tubing for the Winter?

Dear Board,

I realize that many of you live in SOCAL where the weather is always sunny and beautiful.  I live in the NE region of the country and our weather is not always nice.

I'd appreciate answers from float tubers in other less than ideal locations for the time when they decide to put their tubes up for the Winter.  Right now the lake temperatures are in the lower 60's and the fish are starting to bite but I only have the weekend to fish and I'd like to make the most of what is left in the year.

I have a couple of decent tubes, a Waterskeeter Day Tripper and a Creek Company 8' Voyager pontoon style boat.  I have waders and plenty of warm synthetic garments.

I guess what I am really asking is if there is a water temperature threshold where you finally say it's too cold to chance it?  I will be float tubing alone and may well be the only watercraft on the lakes that I fish.  I'm 56 years old and in good health and physical condition but I'm not what I once was and would appreciate some guidance.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

I am in So Cal and ya our weather is great but I have been in waters out here were I was unable to feel my feet after only a few hours in the water. Ok maybe not as bad as some part of the U.S. but that is my limit when I can no long feel my toe's.

The lakes in Montana start freezing in November lol so I don't think you wanna float those lakes

In So Cal I dont. I would tube all year at the lower elevation lakes. I would wear a pair of warmers underneath my waders. They have stirrups on them so they don't rise up. I bought them at BPS years ago.
It was good for 2-4 hours before you get to cold.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I popped my Orvis waterskeeter the other week, don't suppose you know of any bladders that will fit?

Mscustomflies wrote:I popped my Orvis waterskeeter the other week, don't suppose you know of any bladders that will fit?

Well if you haven't called Orvis yet give it a try. Otherwise try these places and see if something looks like it could work
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I hope this helps.

I live in the western Carolina mountains. I've got the gear to wade comfortably all day in Alaska glacial runoff, so I can comfortably float all winter in the lakes of North Carolina. However, I generally opt for wading the mountain creeks with a 2 wt. fly rod instead, nymphing for trout.

I have tubed in the Sierras many times, pushing aside ice to get to open water.

I stop fishing when the water can't be fished. Temperature is never the factor. In winter, the water is always warmer than the air.

In spring - for opening day - same thing. People think I'm strange, but I'd rather be in a tube, sitting in 40 degree water, than in an open skiff in 10 degree air. Much warmer in the tube most opening days than in a boat.

-K

I would say when you cannot feel your toes anymore 
With that being said you do need to becareful and know the signs of hypothermia.  But if you can manage the cold dam have fun bro.

I go all year round, if it gets real cold I use electric heated insoles. And I am having a custom seat made with seat warmer

707_bASSHOLE wrote:I go all year round, if it gets real cold I use electric heated insoles. And I am having a custom seat made with seat warmer

That sounds like will get the job done in the winter for sure.

Mo2vation wrote:I have tubed in the Sierras many times, pushing aside ice to get to open water.

I stop fishing when the water can't be fished.  Temperature is never the factor.  In winter, the water is always warmer than the air.

In spring - for opening day - same thing. People think I'm strange, but I'd rather be in a tube, sitting in 40 degree water, than in an open skiff in 10 degree air.   Much warmer in the tube most opening days than in a boat.

-K

Mo2vation - I hear ya.  Fished a couple of times in Mammoth last year when it was chilly in the morning and evening, no shoving ice aside, but your hands feel warmer in the water than out. Only breathable waders and light baselayer - anything heavier then the middle of the day gets too warm.

Up in the Tahoe area, Neoprene, Capilene and snowboard socks are your friends.  Didn't tube much in the cold weather but standing on a ladder on Pyramid without a cloud in the sky can get miserable - water definitely warmer than air.  On the Truckee, I can remember mornings when nymphing, where at the end of a drift, I'd have to submerged half my rod into the water cuz that was the quickest way to get my frozen line unstuck from the guides.  But, I could still fish cuz I didn't feel that cold after layering up.