[James]

I've seen some snapping turtles, one up close, attached to my friends lure. It was pretty big, and in an area I wade alot. I hate to admit it, but there are times I'm a little uneasy in my tube. I sometimes cringe when feeling something bump my leg (branches). The worst story I've heard though, and I'm serious. I was told by a friend, but I'm sure he was serious. A guy caught a musky, and when it got in close, it tore his leg up (maybe trying to chew the line?). Anyway, you can all laugh at me now, but really I have 2 tubes. One I'm in the water about up to my pits, and unless I'm in Aurora or some high mountain lake, I'm never that comftorable. My other one, I sit pretty high out of the water, but I'm worried about tipping over (setting the hook and all  :-[). I seriously am going to try to tip that sucker over once the water warms up. Just to see how possable it is, and how easy it is to get out if it happens. Go ahead and laugh. I grew up in Michigan, and have been chased by water moccasins. Once camping in Allegan, MI. A girl we were swimming w/ got bit by a snapper near shore. Some guy had to cut it's head off to get it to let go. I'm going on here defending my uncomfortableness. I do have a suggestion. You can get nice kayaks set up for fishing for $250-$500. By the time you add up waders, fins, and wadding boots, it can actually be cheaper. Also, theres places that only allow wakless boats or that don't allow float tubes unless they're more than one chamber. I hope I haven't scared you more. once you're fishing you kind of forget about other stuff, well, until you see something.    

 

[James]

Sorry. You can tell her that my wife really likes the float tubes (and she's not that crazy about fishing). It really is a nice way to spend the day together. It's like you're alone at the lake/pond. For shore-fishers, it's a great way to cover more ground. I'd try out the folding boat b4 buying. the 1st problem I would see, is the wind. Either at the lake or trying to rip it off the top of your car.

 

[James]

I must be lucky. I'm outdoors all the time and have only seen 3 rattlers in CO. One at Crickle Creek. one (huge!) dead in the road in Lyons, and one at Marshal Mesa (in boulder). The one in Boulder, my dog found, and when I went at it w/ a stick. It went right in the water. I thought the elevation would be to high for snakes (?), but I've seen Bull snakes while hiking the old Hidden Valley Ski area.  5th Wheel, I'm sorry about you're friend.    Man, if I saw a ball of snakes rolling across a lake. I'd swear it was a sign of the apocalypse!