Float Tubes/ Belly Boats

[Golf1echo]

I appreciate the inputs. Perhaps I'll get a chance to try one but the idea of dangling your legs into the water and, as said, the approach seem counter productive in colder waters. A 7 lb- 9lb weight sounds good but with waders, and fins a packraft might be a better alternative for high country and remote lakes.

I have to agree about the kayaks, I instantly was hooked upon using one. The thing is I got started on Greenland style touring kayaks, they can carry weight, move fast and get through some rough waves * but they aren't the stable platform of a kayak designed for fishing or diving. They have continued to get more sophisticated I see.
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/kayaks/atak/atak-140

Reading the posts I realized as much as I have enjoyed canoes, I have never owned one...perhaps this canoe might be the answer? http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/r...discovery_119/ at 49lbs it still fits into a pack canoe class making any portages simpler. The 32" width suggests it would have better speed even though the length is 11'-9". I like the idea of sitting up a little higher to fish too.
* Below are the Greenland style Kayaks mentioned: Wilderness System, Sealutions...good for movement but much less area to work out of.
Thank you.

[craigepo]

old town makes a good canoe. A bunch of the smaller canoe companies have went out of business, as the canoe material (royal-x), became really hard to get.

You probably know this already, but in faster water, avoid a keel. Slower water a keel is great to help the wind from blowing you all over the place.

Another good thing about a canoe is you can be a real sturdy seatback, which helps the back immensely during a long day.

That 49-lb canoe would be pretty easy to load and unload yourself.

[Golf1echo]

Originally Posted by craigepo

old town makes a good canoe. A bunch of the smaller canoe companies have went out of business, as the canoe material (royal-x), became really hard to get.

You probably know this already, but in faster water, avoid a keel. Slower water a keel is great to help the wind from blowing you all over the place.

Another good thing about a canoe is you can be a real sturdy seatback, which helps the back immensely during a long day.

That 49-lb canoe would be pretty easy to load and unload yourself.

Interesting tracking this down, found a used Royalex canoe to try tomorrow... 33lbs. I have little experience with canoes, I see your points. In a kayak a skeg is something that came in handy along the coast once for the reasons you mentioned, American kayaks tend more toward rudders from what I have seen.
For those out in the South East, I have always enjoyed this event: https://www.ccprc.com/1542/East-Coas...tdoor-Festival

Originally Posted by Brush Okie

I used to have a sit on top kayak I fished out of. My buddy even went shark fishing in his.

The waters below take things to a different level, do you get out on the coast there?

[Golf1echo]

Took the chance to trial the canoe despite the weather. For an area I always just drove by never giving it a thought, the old stomping grounds of the Ute and Arapaho is almost other worldly...

I thought it was a nice little platform, it has a good balance between a small keel and flatter bottom yet when you brace it can almost spin.No fish but that is definitely on me..Scratch that with a 16" Rainbow Trout . appreciate the suggestion, thank you.

Images of two of the lakes, and fish with watershed in back ground.