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Awesome.....you will love the vessel....enjoy! Jeff

Thank you for your very kind words.....the videos take a lot of my time and there are moments when I want to hang it up and then I get a post like this one....thanks again... Jeff

Not sure that is a good thing....? Ha

Thanks for this info....I am only about an hour away and would love to get my two rods back in working order! Jeff

Andrew, thanks for the comment and suggestion for a float tube. I have fished from the ODC 420 for about 20 years and still have 3 viable tubes that may just last me for a long time....but I know that there are others out there looking to get into the sport and the caddis might just be a good option. Jeff

Glad it helped....I had many other similar questions over the past few years and it is a bit confusing... jeff

I have had to make this distinction about.....100 times; so to start, a float tube is what I use on still water and with kick fins....a float boat (as in this video) is what I use to navigate down the rivers or flowing water here in Wisconsin. So, you ask about float tubing and my answer is for still water, lakes, etc.....I would go with The Creek Company and their ODC 420 (I think they are only producing this model in the lightweight model now). Very affordable, in fact if you watch their website you can pick it up for as low as $100 bucks once in a while....but usually it is around 200. The kick fins provided with this tube suck....buy their pair of larger kick fins because you will want to move as much water as possible.... Jeff

@@jcarmichaelable Thank you! That changes my question slightly: Do you have a recommendation for an affordable entry-level float boat?

Thank you so much for the view and the kind words....yes, not teaching is sooooo goooood! I am however working 40 hrs each week for the Wisconsin Dept of Ag, but honestly, I love the job and it gives me lots of time to hit the water..... Jeff

@@jcarmichaelable your welcome, I’m glad your enjoying life in Wisconsin. It definitely beats here in Indiana .

There are some good fish and lots of incredible water on both rivers. Let me say this....if fishing the Nam I would stay between Hayward and Trego....best smallmouth fishing for sure. As for the SC, lots of good water and some big fish out there....however, the water level on the SC has dropped a lot the past week and is running fairly low at this point. Jeff

@@jcarmichaelable Thanks!

My wife drops me off at top of run and my truck is at the take out point...therefore I can take as long as I wish to fish and when I get to the take out my ride is there and ready to go.....I do 4-5 miles each time and there is no way to row against the current Jeff

John, No on the anchor....never have used one. If I need to stay stationary I will usually jump out of my tube and fish from within the seat and foot peg. I also will often have my kick fins along and if I need to stay in one spot and it is deeper water...I use my kick fins to pause the boat.... Jeff

you can buy those about anywhere online....I have made these but they are only a few dollars for a three pack......

@@jcarmichaelable thanks appreciate it.

Jason, You are so welcome.....love the new shop for sure...some place to go and stow away... Jeff

Those are kind words....just loving and living the good life up here in northern Wisconsin...hope you are well! jeff

All is very good for us here in the wilds of Wisconsin....thanks for the view and stay safe out there.... jeff

John, Yes, nice spot to grow old and make a few more memories.... jeff

Andrew, I love the new space....nice to have everything in one spot and most of it on the wall and looking at you..... Jeff

John, Good to hear from you and yes, you are right.....God is our best ally in this very tough time we are living in..... Jeff

Stevn, The Driftless is a very special place and will always be one of my favorite places to catch trout....something about catching nice trout while standing in a stream right beside a herd of cows! I am only about 90 minutes north of the Wisconsin Driftless and in fact, we have a few brook trout streams here locally... Jeff

clearly better to be lucky than good! Very funny moment for me for sure. Once while fly fishing in Missouri for brown trout....I was walking and allowing my fly to drag behind me, not paying attention and a 20inch brown gobbled up my streamer and ripped off across the stream. Funny but often I learn from these mistakes and am painted a picture of what the fish are actually looking for in a retrieve..... Jeff

There is a reason for what you have described....as you wade, you kick up debris and lots of food and the trout follow along feeding off of this table fare.... Jeff

@@jcarmichaelable that and I just don’t think the other side of the stream is where the fish always are, it’s human nature to cast to the other side of the shore when the fish could be right at a persons feet. Also that stream is absolutely packed with trout, you can cast about anywhere and hook one.

Coach....just don't ask about half of the volleyball officials in the midwest or you will get a completely different opinion!

Jason, Hope all is well in your world....have seen that you have had so much rough weather for the past few weeks....stay safe! Jeff

thanks....I was so hoping to get the camera and find little grouse running around everywhere....but knew when there was not egg shells that the brood had been lost! Jeff

Sad but for sure a part of nature....not sure what or how the PETA people would feel about this but nature can for sure be cruel.....good to hear from you. Jeff

Glad to have you on board....and yes, I love a 3 wt and use it as a primary rod on many different types of fish.... jeff

I am not totally sure as I have now been fishing from the voyager float tubes for over 20 years and a couple of my boats have been around since the beginning.....I would say the fish cat is better quality....but not sure worth the extra cost.

@@jcarmichaelable thank you for answering my question! 👍

4 wt rod with 3X tippet and I was using a creme colored trout candy.

Jason, Good to hear from you...I have talked to other men who don't feel like losing their dad was such a loss and it seems kind of sad to me....I am guessing that they just didn't have that relationship that my father and I had...or like you and your father had. What I do know is that my dad and I did about all we could together and thus there aren't any regrets looking back. In my head and heart, I think this lack of a good strong father is the single issue with most of the young kids today....maybe I am just old fashioned? Anyway.....thanks for the input... Jeff

We live in Burnett County....enjoy and hope you do well.... Jeff

Actually I almost never go to the reel....after a few fish I have figured out how to fight a fish w/o going to the reel. The few times I have gone to the reel were for big musky or when fighting a fish in very heavy current. I have this theory that most folks end up losing fish trying to get the line onto the reel....maybe I am wrong....but it never crosses my mind.... jeff

Hey....glad you are checking in on the old man! see you soon.... Dad

Never use an anchor...always moving and if I choose to 'hover' in place I can use my kick fins to do so..... jeff

I agree, with fins you don’t need an anchor. And it’s great exercise. I’m looking forward to getting out, now that school is out “ for the summer!” Front porch talk is a great addition. Also love the Bible passage and what it means to you.

Jason, Good to hear from you....thanks for the kind words, we are happy with the cabin....especially after a few years of hard work. Looks like the weather down your way has been pretty rough.....the Huskers and Hawks got hit really hard last night! Stay safe and enjoy your fishing season.... jeff

Thanks....glad someone else likes the lead in jam....I absolutely love bluegrass and feel like it is such a pure historical genre....Jeff