Big Fish Small Flies

Otter · Senior Member

Big Fish Small Flies

The Sultan of Sod · Member

Otter-

Were you float tubing down in the lake below the island?

Nice pic it came out awesome!

SOS

Otter · Senior Member

No, I have been floating the wide area of the creek above access #1. Today I landed five fish in a couple of hours. The biggest was well off the 18" ruler on my float tube. I would guess it was about 22 to 23". The fish was actually dragging me around the "lake". Great fun!!!

KHB · Veteran Member

I just bought my float tube last year and I have put it in the water just once. I'm a bit intimidated by Lake Solano and the current. Where is the best place to "put in"? Any float tube advice yall could give me would be a great help. I have pretty good flippers, I just did not get out far enough in the water to really try things out, I was a bit freaked out.

Scaredy cat

Otter · Senior Member

Yes, you should be very careful on Putah with a float tube. Make sure you don't use one of those round ones. Outcast makes the most popular U shaped tubes. The fish cat 4 is about $150. The super fat cat is about $350. Make sure you buy good fins. The force fins are about $150. Think like a fish, they will be in the slower water by faster water. Stay in the slow water so you don't get swept downstream or into overhanging bushes. As far as Lake Solano I have only floated there once. Toby from fly fishing unlimited said he would float from around the split to an area by the lower dam. You will need two vehicles. Supposedly the big browns are on the road side of the lake downstream of the boat rental area. Wherever you go you should scout out the creek first. Look for a place you can put in and take out. Walk the areas in between. The best place I have found used to be the wide area just below the lake berryessa dam, but the rains from this winter have made it much harder to access this area since there is now a "canyon" in the way. From previous reports I think if you hire Bono he has access through the campground. Kayaks and pontoon boats are much safer, but much harder to transport.

shon42073 · Senior Member

i been thinking about floating salono lake as well but waiting until the flows slow down, less current. i was thinking maybe if i drag an anchor the current may be alot easier to work with. the one peice of eqiutment that is a must is a short oar ! I highly recomend a tube from outcast, i have an outcast fatcat and i love it, use it in berryessa for bass all the time, and it has enough foam in the seat to keep you afloat if something bad was to happen.

JT · Senior Member

If you try an anchor, make sure it is heavy. I tried a 5 lb anchor once and it wasn't heavy enough. I just stuck to the eddies. It was the only way to beat the current.

ConcordBob · Veteran Member

Curiosity...why was it mentioned that a Round Float Tube shouldn't be used ? I know there might be current issues and maybe control issues in moving water but it was clear as to why the round tube was highlighted. And yes I have a round float tube....