Outcast Fat Cat Fishing Float Tube

Review of the Outcast Fat Cat Float Tube

Near where I live in eastern Idaho there are many wonderful lakes and ponds that hold huge trout. Although I am more of a river-rat, every time I drive by one of these still-water fisheries that is reputed to hold big fish, I can't help but daydream about getting out there - especially since it is rare to ever see another angler fishing these spots.

Years ago, I did try my hand at fishing still-water fly fishing, but my experiences were less-than-productive. At first, I tried to wade these waters, but I found it almost impossible to get into the right position to be able to cast to the fish I knew were there. Most anglers can relate to the fact that all the rising trout seemed to be about ten feet further out than I could reach and after several outings where I spent more time picking my fly out of the cattails behind me than I did actually fishing, I decided to give up on these pursuits. There were a few occasions when I was able to borrow a friend's float tube, but I found that the old-style, round tubes would not position me high enough above the surface, so I ended up wet and cold after just a few hours.

Last Christmas my wife graciously bought me the Outcast Float Tube. I tried to act excited, but all that I could think about was that cold and damp feeling I felt the last time I tried to fish out of a similar vessel. When spring eventually rolled around, I got the itch to catch a fish, but it was one of those high-water years where it seemed to take forever for the local rivers to recede to safe wading levels.

My wife reminded me of the brand new float tube sitting in the garage, so I reluctantly pulled it out and prepared for a day on a local lake. When I got it on the water, the first thing I noticed was that I was positioned far higher above the surface than I was in the round float tube. The v-shape of the Outcast FatCat made it easy to stay dry and this craft was simple to maneuver with just the fins on my feet. Damaging this boat due to snags was never an issue because of the virtually indestructible 600-denier PVC bottom.

I must say that I am now a fan of fly fishing lakes. My fishing season has been extended as it is easy to find productive still-water when the local rivers are too high or too low. If you are biased like I was regarding float tube fishing, give one of the new-style, v-shaped boats a try. Although my wife is not happy with my added time out of the house in the spring and fall, you would not believe the monster trout that I've caught just because of the Fat Cat LCS Float Tube.

Also check out this review of the G. Loomis Nativerun GLX Fly Rod. Read this Daiwa Black Gold Rod and Reel Review as well.