Chris Munchow of Stacy, Minn., left, checks a valve as Gunnar Miesen of Golden Valley, Minn., pumps while float-tube fishing. For safety and comfort, float tubes must be kept fully inflated at all times. In this case, Munchow knocked open a valve while grabbing a cooler behind him and began to lose air in a portion of his tube.
(Pioneer Press Dave Orrick)
Outdoors editor Dave Orrick measures a hefty largemouth bass caught while float-tube fishing. Fishing from a float tube, or belly boat, offers precise boat control and an unprecedented level of intimacy with the water.
(Pioneer Press Dave Orrick)
Gunnar Miesen of Golden Valley, Minn., admires a largemouth bass held up by outdoors editor Dave Orrick while float-tube fishing on a lake in western Wisconsiin.
Chris Munchow of Stacy, Minn., works a jig while float-tube fishing on a lake in western Wisconsin, Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Especially in calm water, fishing from a float-tube, or belly boat, can be as relaxing as sitting on a lounge chair in a bathtub.
(Pioneer Press Dave Orrick)
Loaded with gear, a pair of float tubes await anglers on the shore of a lake in western Wisconsin. Large float tubes like these can handle extra gear, such as a dry bag, pump, depth finder and cooler. At left are the flippers that float tubers strap to their feet to maneuver.
(Pioneer Press Dave Orrick)
Chris Munchow of Stacy, Minn., left, checks a valve as Gunnar Miesen of Golden Valley, Minn., pumps while float-tube fishing. For safety and comfort, float tubes must be kept fully inflated at all times. In this case, Munchow knocked open a valve while grabbing a cooler behind him and began to lose air in a portion of his tube.
(Pioneer Press Dave Orrick)
Chris Munchow of Stacy, Minn., left, checks a valve as Gunnar Miesen of Golden Valley, Minn., pumps while float-tube fishing. For safety and comfort, float tubes must be kept fully inflated at all times. In this case, Munchow knocked open a valve while grabbing a cooler behind him and began to lose air in a portion of his tube.
(Pioneer Press Dave Orrick)
Chris Munchow of Stacy, Minn., left, checks a valve as Gunnar Miesen of Golden Valley, Minn., pumps while float-tube fishing. For safety and comfort, float tubes must be kept fully inflated at all times. In this case, Munchow knocked open a valve while grabbing a cooler behind him and began to lose air in a portion of his tube.
(Pioneer Press Dave Orrick)
See photo in original gallery.