Sorry for the long post, but this thread is of particular interest to me based on about 20 years of personal experience in wilderness hiking and fishing. One important disclaimer so all readers know: I am the founder and owner of Wilderness Lite…the ultralight float tubes, which I started in 2013 when needing new float tubes to replace our worn-out Wood River float tubes purchased in 2002. So, I definitely hold a bias to float tubes vs pack rafts, but thought some guidance on backcountry fishing gear based on two decades of experience might be of interest to those reading this post and considering gear options. Some links are included as sources of additional information, but much of the gear is available from several sources so best to shop for the best deal.
I go to the wilderness to fish. The hike is a chore after two knee surgeries. If there were not beautiful, remote, pristine lakes filled with trout at the end of the hike, I wouldn’t be hiking. Those who hike to fish with me go for the same reason, and we spend hours on the water every day in the wilderness. Destinations are selected so we can establish a base camp at a location where a few lakes are an hour or so (each way) day hike from camp. Base camp may move during our 7-10 day trip, but usually only once. We typically cover 10 to as many as 25 miles one way from trail head to base camp, so our gear must be as light as possible while being optimal for the ultimate goal, fishing. To keep both hands available for rod, reel, and fish at all times, and to maneuver effectively, efficiently, and safely in the wind on alpine lakes, we only use float tubes, and we have always carried them into the wilderness on our backs. We have seen others use pack rafts. Invariably they are not on the water the long hours we are day after day, and they seemingly struggle to fight the wind and to stay dry. This is especially the case on some of the larger lakes we have fished. At least for our purposes, an ultralight float tube is the only practical alternative. The gear we’ve carried has changed over 20 years based on what is available, what is highly functional, and what is the lightest possible that also is packable. Small pack volume can be as important as weight because the gear competes with food and clothing, etc inside our backpack. Unfortunately, some great fishing gear options have been discontinued. Here is what we have packed in to fish wilderness areas in recent years, and will use again for 2 trips during 2018.
One word of caution. The weight of some float tubes are advertised with qualifiers such as “hull weight 3.5 pounds” or listed as “7 pounds” when the TOTAL weight is actually much greater. Before making a purchase, suggest asking the TOTAL weight of the float tube to the nearest ounce, or even 0.1 oz., as well as the pack volume—just how small does it pack in a stuff sack, measured in liters or cu in.?
LIFE JACKET
We always wear a life jacket. Have not needed one, yet, but it is a necessity in cold mountain water despite the added weight to carry into the wilderness. One alternative we like is the Cabelas lightweight foam life preserver with 3 nylon straps and side opening plastic buckles that weighs just 15.0 ozs. It is a bit bulky, but can be rolled around the outside of a tent in its stuff sack and strapped under the bottom of your pack. This life jacket is adjustable and comfortable. It can double as a sleeping pad or seat cushion in camp, and is very reasonably priced.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...ntId=2064043&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=42- 110108056-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=90250535&rid=20
An extraordinarily light but more expensive option is the Switlik airline style FAA approved life preserver.
http://www.switlik.com/aviation/airlines/singlecell
It weighs 13.9 oz equipped with a CO2 cartridge for inflation and a locator light. Both can be removed and the life preserver inflated using the oral inflation tube, which reduces weight to just 7.2 ozs.
FINS
Fins are essential for float tubing. They keep you exactly where you want to be on the water for optimal fishing with hands free for casting, mending line, and landing fish. We recommend the Creek Company lightweight fins. They are more than adequate propulsion, reasonably priced, and by far the lightest available at 19.1 oz. We have over a decade of favorable experience with these flippers. Unfortunately they are made in China, so recently the quality has varied a bit.
The Creek Company :: Fins :: #355 - Lightweight Fins
WADERS
Waders are highly recommended for the cool trout waters of mountain lakes if that is your destination with your ultralight float tube. When wearing waders in cool lakes, a breathable wader is essential to avoid excessive condensation inside the waders, and of course, backpacking necessitates the lighter weight stocking foot waders rather than boot foot waders which are far too heavy to carry any distance. The lightest breathable stocking foot waders we have identified are the Sonic Pro Ultra Packable waders from Redington. Including waist belt and suspenders, these waders weigh just 30.6 ozs, and proved reliable for the past three seasons when we used them for the first time in alpine lakes. They are currently being discontinued, but are available as "closeouts" in some sizes online at a reduced price. With gravel guards cut-off (gravel guards are not needed in a float tube) they are 28.4 ozs.
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Lightweight alternatives that are heavier than the Ultra Packables by a few ozs but can save a few dollars are the Redington Crosswater breathable waders.
https://www.amazon.com/Redington-Cr...5&sr=1-2&keywords=redington+waders&th=1&psc=1
FOOTWEAR
We recommend water shoes worn over stocking foot waders to protect your waders and your feet. We have tried neoprene gravel guards as the only protection over waders, but we prefer a bit harder sole as a cushion on lake side rocks. Water shoes also are great to wear around camp and provide a comfortable break from boots after the hike into the wilderness. The Speedo Surfwalker Pro 3.0 is one option for wader shoes that weigh just 7 oz each, 14.4 oz per pair. Remember to purchase a size large enough to fit over your stocking foot waders.
http://www.zappos.com/p/speedo-surfwalker-pro-3-0-speedo-black/product/8643815/color/601818
As an even lighter option at just over 12 oz per pair is the O'Neill boots below. These run small, so order a size larger than normal, even 2 sizes if wearing thick socks while float tubing.
https://www.zappos.com/p/oneill-superfreak-tropical-rt-boot-black/product/8349314/color/3
ULTRALIGHT FLOAT TUBE
Truly ultralight and packable float tubes are rare. Several of the group who hike with me still use Wood River float tubes purchased new in 2002 or purchased since that time as “used” float tubes. These weigh between 4 and 6 pounds total weight, and are still a packable float tube. For new ultralight float tubes today, the Wilderness Lite Backpacker Pro float tube is the only option we’ve discovered at under 4 pounds that is suitable for multi-day hikes. It weighs 3 pounds 5.8 ozs total (mesh stuff sack adds 1.5oz), so is less than half the weight of any other float tube available, and the 9 liter pack volume in a stuff sack enables it to be carried inside your backpack while leaving room for other gear, food, etc. It is comfortable and functional on the water for hours of fishing day after day.
GEAR WEIGHT SUMMARY (lightest options)
Float tube 53.8 ozs (3 lbs, 5.8 ozs)
Life Preserver 7.2 ozs
Flippers 19.1 ozs
Waders 28.4 ozs
Water shoes 12.6 ozs
Inflation pump 3.6 ozs
TOTAL 124.7 ozs (7 lbs 12.8 ozs)
ENJOY YOUR BACKCOUNTRY FISHING HOWEVER YOU DO IT, STAY SAFE, & SEND PHOTOS!