We are fortunate in the South West to have several waters which allow float tubing and Siblyback is one of them.
There are some rules which must be followed:
- You must be a member of the British Float Tube Association (BFTA). This only costs £10 per year and is well worth the investment. Details can be found HERE.
- At Siblyback you must go with another float tuber (or a boat that is willing to ‘buddy’ with you)
- You must pre-book a float tube session on the SWLT website. Cost £5
- You Must wear a CE approved lifejacket (not buoyancy aid)
- Your float tube and equipment must be dry and free from debris to prevent potential transfer of invasive species.
The full rules are found HERE and must be read and complied with. Please ensure you do so as we are incredibly lucky South West Lakes Trust are keen to encourage safe float tubing at several their waters. There is also no charge for launching a float tube, but you must have a valid fishing permit with your BFTA number written on the permit. I would also add that it is a good idea to wear a bright hat. You do not need to be dressed up like a modern-day jogger but Sailing boats and windsurfers use Siblyback and they need to see you easily.
The lake is ideal in many ways, it is a good size at 140 acres so is big enough to get away from the banks when bank anglers are present, but not so big that you could get stranded on a far away bank. There is a good perimeter path to be able to walk back should you not feel up to paddling back. Most modern float tubes have D rings or similar on the underside so straps can be attached to enable you to carry the tube on your back like a rucksack. The nature of the gently sloping banks makes for easy launching of the tube. Just be aware that there are some hidden rocks in places so always walk back slowly to launch the tube. For the benefit of anyone who has not used a float tube before, the technique is to put your fins on at the water’s edge and put the tube into the water with the seat facing the shore. Keep hold of the tube with one hand whilst slowly and carefully walking backwards until the water reaches your knees. You can then carefully sit on the seat, if your tube has a crotch strap now is the time to connect it and the stripping apron. Push the tube back with your feet until you are in a suitable depth for kicking with your fins. It is a simple process but there are two things that could go wrong here: 1) you could let go of the tube and with a wind blowing from bank to water may witness your tube floating away out of reach. You will then maybe have to wait an hour for it to reach the other side, or 2) not walk back carefully and trip backwards on a rock. The result is likely to be an ever-increasing rate of back steps whilst your centre of gravity overtakes until you land on your back in the water. But as said previously, Siblyback is a particularly good place to launch a float tube.
Once out on the water you will be at peace fishing from the comfort of an armchair! There is no need to cast far and you can drift right into the fishy areas without disturbing the fish.
Where to fish
All the usual bank areas are obvious spots provided there is no-one bank fishing, and its good practice to maintain a distance of at least 50 yards from any bank angler. The marginal slopes are always productive.
A lot depends on wind direction as you can drift the tube much as you would fish from a boat, fishing in front of you as you drift downwind. The tube has advantages over the boat from a tactical point in that you can easily make minor adjustments to your drift. For example, if the wind is blowing slightly onto a shore, you can drift until you reach a point that you feel is too close to the shore, then with a few kicks take the tube straight out into deeper water to continue the drift downwind. You will therefore cover the shore in a series of zigzags. Another advantage over a boat is that there is no clunking about to disturb the fish.
Three reliable areas for float tubing are:
Great Marsh area. This fishes very well Early to mid-season. This large area is bordered by the North Shore and the submerged (early season) island, and is about 8 feet deep in the middle, gently sloping towards the banks and island. This is particularly good on a sunny day early season when the warm water heats up more than the deeper water in other areas. It has the advantage in that it can only be fished from the bank in a couple of places and is not good wading water due to the soft bottom and large potholes. You will therefore probably have the whole bay to yourself. This area becomes unproductive as the levels drop mid-season to the point where it becomes dry land.
South of the island. As the marsh becomes unproductive, this area comes into its own. The Island is slowly revealed with dropping water levels and the area between the southern banks of the island and the West shore can be very good particularly in any wind between westerly and easterly. With the manoeuvrability of the tube its easy to hold a position thirty yards from the shore, casting towards the productive water.
Stocky bay. An ever-reliable area whether from bank, boat, or float tube. Just be aware that in a Northerly breeze, whilst its an easy drift down to Stocky bay, you will have to kick the fins hard to get back to the car park!
Fishing kit
9-10ft 5 or 6 weight outfit is ideal with floating lines being the most useful. Its not easy changing lines on a float tube. One method is to put your point fly on your hook keeper and reel the spare line onto your reel. You need to fish with a leader of a length that results in your fly line /leader junction being just outside the reel when the above procedure is completed. Clip your forceps to your leader 6 inches from your fly line. Cut your leader at the fly line (the forceps prevent the leader falling back through the rod rings). Change fly line spool, or reel and re-tie the leader to the fly line, remove forceps, Takes 2 minutes max.
Pan net, ideally wooden and floating, but either way attached on a bungee. The rest is just the usual kit, but do not carry too much, maybe one fly box, one spare line, some spare tippet. By taking a minimum you are less likely to be rummaging around and less likely to drop overboard. A waistcoat is a good idea but most importantly your lifejacket must be worn as the outermost layer, over any coat or waistcoat otherwise it will not inflate correctly.
Techniques
All the usual techniques work but keep your casts short. The tubes are quiet and unobtrusive, the fish do not seem to mind your presence too much as you are in the water with them. You can drift towards the fish, or slowly manoeuvre your way to them.
If you hook your float tube particularly on the underside you must cut off your leader and leave the flies. Deal with it on dry land. You could cause a bladder to rupture if you pull it or destabilise the tube if you try reaching for the hook.
Buying a float tube
If you do not already own one, then these days there are several readily available to choose from. They fall broadly into two types, those with removable bladders and those with built in air chambers.
The built-in chambers tend to be a bit more expensive. The removable bladder types tend to be lighter as well and can come in kit form, including fins and pumps.
A good example of a popular tube with removable bladders is the Snowbee Classic kit. Comprises 4 air bladders with a tough 600D Nylon shell. With our club discount (on production of current membership card) the kit would cost in the region of £215. For further info look HERE
British Float Tube Association
You must be a member of the BFTA to launch a float tube at Siblyback, or any other of the South West Lakes Trust waters allowing float tubing i.e., Stithians, Kennick, Burrator, Roadford and Fernworthy
All the info about the association can be found on their facebook page. The club has a wealth of knowledge and advice and is excellent value for a yearly subscription of £10.
A major benefit to South West float tubers, or would-be float tubers is that they organise a series of get-togethers at all the South West Lakes trust trout waters. At Siblyback there are usually a couple of dates each year. If you have difficulty finding someone to ‘buddy’ with then these are guaranteed days you will be able to get out and fish from a float tube. They usually have a couple of days when you can turn up and have a go on a tube to see if it is for you.
If you want any further info or would like to have a go at float tubing, particularly at Siblyback then please get in touch by leaving a comment below. The more interest, the easier it will be for us all to get o