A New Float Tube and a Barren Lake Largie

FISH CAT 4 float tube on the Barren Lake boat launch ramp

As fishing reclaims large portions of my life and thoughts I'm slowly accumulating various water craft; last year a fishing kayak and a few weeks ago a float tube. I'd owned one before but passed it on to my nephew when I stopped using it. Yesterday was the official baptism despite a low front and temperatures in the mid-teens.

14" Large-mouth Bass

Fishing was slow, as expected but I did manage a surprise catch. On my third cast, a fish took my rabbit streamer near the surface and after a brief tussle I had it on the apron of the float tube. A nice, healthy looking large-mouth bass posed for a picture before being released. Back in the 80s when I often fished this lake, all it held were walleyes, pike and perch although I do remember losing a fish right at the boat that I swore was a musky. Now the majority of fish caught seem to be small-mouth bass and crappies along with the the occasional large-mouth bass, it seems. I also managed a few small small-mouths and perch on this trip. Oh yeah, loved the float tube! They've sure come a long way since my old, round Buck's Bag. I'd like it even more if I could turn with any kind of authority but hopefully that will come with time.