Fly Fishing for Murray Cod from a Float Tube
The headwaters of the Murray-Darling river system provides the perfect opportunity to target Murray Cod on fly. Here the dentritic patterns of streams that drain the Western Dividing Range are not much more than mere trickles. But even for the avid angler, gaining access to fish these Cod rich waters creates a challenge. Isolated river access points due to private property and thick bank side vegetation restrict access options. Canoes and kayaks open up possibilities, but for the fly fisher it is hard to go past the float tube.
Float Tube Pros
Presenting a fly to a Murray Cod holding in structure is a precise skill. The angler needs to be positioned just right to place the fly within inches from the fishes ambush zone. With a float tube the angler can hold himself in the current using his fins and make multiple casts at the snags. Comparatively, a canoe or kayak is much more susceptible to wind and current than a float tube, which has the angler constantly on the move. In a moving kayak, casting to ‘windows of opportunity’ is fleeting at best.
A fly fisher can also readily position a float tube in the middle of the stream, allowing plenty of space for his back cast. The wayward nature of the kayak or canoe would see the paddler struggle to maintain this position. One cannot paddle and cast at the same time. But by positioning a float tube by ‘finning’ with the legs, the arms are free to focus on the cast.
A small Murray Cod taken from a float tube
Another big advantage with a float tube is the ability to pull the fish from the snags. Imagine sitting in a canoe and hooking up to a large Cod, only to be pulled by the fish (canoe and all) back into its cover. After hooking up, in a float tube you simply hit reverse and start finning away, effectively dragging the Cod out into the open.
Another restriction with a canoe or kayak is the launch and retrieve. These boats are heavy and can require significant lifting ability to transport them from the car to the river. Most problematic is the retrieval of the canoe/kayak at the end of the river journey. Two vehicles or some kind of shuttle needs to be pre empted to have a car meet at the finish point. This is where the float tube has one huge benefit. A float tube can be carried down to the river in a back pack. It can then be inflated for use and at the finish point can be deflated for the walk back to the car. This opens up opportunity to access previously inaccessible waterways that have hopefully seen very little fishing pressure.
Float Tube Cons
Of course, canoes/kayaks do have their benefits. They can carry more gear, more passengers and travel faster than a float tube. They also handle and manoeuvre much more efficiently. A float tube may hold position better than a canoe/kayak but they handle rather like a stranded whale! Also you cannot travel forwards in a float tube so the only option is to face away from your chosen destination and travel backwards. This can be a bit disconcerting when navigating through trees and small rapids. Not being able to see clearly where you are going could be especially dangerous in rivers that contain a lot of snakes such as the high country in Victoria and NSW.
At the end of the day the float tube is a tool like any other piece of equipment or tackle. It opens up more opportunities to catch fish. And I for one am definitely up for that.
Float Tube Designs
Originally donut shaped in design, modern float tubes (also known as kick boats) have progressed in shape with pontoons encompassing more ‘V’ and ‘U’ shaped designs. A well-built float tube will include features such as an inflatable bladder inside a durable canvas outer, elevated adjustable seating and tackle storage. Most float tubes also come with a stripping apron and anchor points for attaching shoulder straps. These come in handy for backpacking the inflated tube from pool to pool.
An entry level float tube will get you on the water for as little as $200 (plus fins). The Caddis Sports Nevada Float Tube is perfect for those wanting to test the water (pardon the pun). It has all the necessary features:
- Stable U-shape designed tube is easy to navigate and provides a very comfortable ride with a suggested 225lb weight capacity.
- Rip-stop style nylon upper and a heavier cordura bottom and ends for durability.
- Wide nylon coated all mesh working & stripping apron
- Padded stabilizer bar adds to the stability of the float tube.
- Four main equipment pockets and two auxiliary pockets
At the upper end of the market is the Caddis Sports Premier Plus Float Tube. The design incorporates all the standard features with the addition of being made from heavier duty material, more comfortable seating and having a larger carrying capacity compared to the Nevada Float Tube.
- Heavy duty rip stop material on top
- Heavy duty tarpaulin bottom and front ends
- Adjustable 4″ foam seat and 2″ foam backrest
- Two large main equipment pockets, and two auxiliary pockets
- Maximum weight capacity 325 lbs
Float Tube Propulsion
A good set of fins is essential for manoeuvring and propelling the float tube. Specially designed Float Tube Fins will not only make it easier to navigate the tube on the water, but also allow you to easily put on and take off the fins. This is important in Cod country where you need to portage from pool to pool by walking around or through shallow rapids. A good set of Diving Boots with a hard sole will allow you to walk through sharp rocky terrain and have the added benefit of keeping your feet warm.
Tackle
Big Murray Cod often like big flies and the ability to cast large streamers and poppers is a must. A 10wt fly rod will allow you to cast large flies with up to 6/0 hooks. Of equal importance is the length of the rod. A shorter rod of around 8ft or less has several important benefits. In a float tube you are sitting at water level which can increase the distance between the rod tip and the net. This actually makes netting a Cod much harder.
In the final stages of the fight, when using a standard 9ft rod I have found the Cod will sit just beyond netting distance. This can not only be very frustrating but also greatly increases the likely hood of ‘high sticking’ and breaking the rod. A rod 8ft or less in length will bring the fish closer to the net and make landing the big one much easier. It’s hard to go past the Sage Bass 2 for this type of fishing. The versatile performance of this rod will have you casting large flies all day with ease and will land even the largest of Cod.
A large arbor fly reel is always beneficial as it will allow you to dispense and retrieve line fast and efficiently. The Sage Spectrum Fly Reel has a large arbor and will compliment your Sage rod perfectly. It has a sealed carbon drag that is good for use both in freshwater and salt. Murray Cod are not known for their long blistering runs, so having the best drag in the world is not a priority. However, this reel will also come in handy should you venture into the salt in search of large GT’s, Queenfish and the like.
As with all things always buy the best quality that you can afford. This is especially true with line. Although cheaper line will get you by, quality line will make things easier for you, literally with every cast. Ideally buy a floating and a sinking line. But if you only get one line get Rio Tropical Outbound Short. The 10wt is a floating/intermediate sink tip line that is ideal for streamers but will also work with very buoyant surface flies. It has a blue body and a clear tip which is less visible to the fish.
There are a few good local fly tiers that create patterns specifically for Murray Cod. Ammo Flies, BWC Flies and Kaos Cod Flys will tie customized or existing patterns on order.
Guided Fishing
A good way to help you decide if float tube fishing is for you is to ‘try before you buy’. Northern Rivers Sportfishing offers float tube, kayak and land based fishing for Murray Cod in the New England area of NSW.
Conclusion
Fly fishing from a float tube is an excellent way to target Murray Cod in skinny waters. The nature of the float tube allows the angler to easily maintain the ideal position to meticulously work over a snag. The float tube is also easily transportable, which gives the angler greater access to remote and unpressured waters. Modern float tubes are a great addition to any serious angler who loves targeting freshwater fish.
