Thread: Float Tubing Oklahoma

Like Cricket George I fished out of a fishmaster tube in the late sixties and early seventies. They were the best of the best. But, I cut my teeth out of one that was just like the Fishmaster in 1957 - 59 fishing Black Fork creek and the Poteau river above (actually below - it runs North) Wister lake. It was manufactured in Ft Smith, Ark by the Tucker Duck and Rubber company. I believe that was the pattern Bob used in Fishmaster. I used to really enjoy visiting with him at the tackle show. He always had a big cooler full of big crappie he caught at Thunderbird. I no longer have a Fishmaster as I had not used it in awhile and gave it up in a drawing at one of our first okie CDC meetings at Eufaula years ago. Can't remember who won it but it seems like it might have been Reaper. I do have one of the ODP tubes in the attic but haven't been in it in some time. Fun way to fish! And good memories!

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I mentioned tubing in another thread, and that reminded me of an article I read years ago in Outdoor Life. It was about Bob Brown and some of his friends who caught lots of bass and crappie ... in Oklahoma ... fishing out of a float tube. It was the first I had ever heard of such a thing.

Tubing is really big out west, but it has a lot of history in OK, too. I thought you guys might enjoy this:


When the phone rings at ODP Tubes in Oklahoma City, the question often asked is “if we are the direct descendants of the Fishmaster tubes,” says Kirk Smith of Edmond, co-owner of the business that makes float tubes designed for fishing.

“As soon as I say, 'Yes,' they say, 'Here is my credit card number.'”

Fishmaster float tubes were once a big deal in Oklahoma and the region. They were manufactured in Oklahoma City on north Portland Avenue near the Oklahoma State University Extension Center and owned by the late Bob Brown, a legendary angler in his day who was a fixture at the Oklahoma City Tackle Show.

“He got float tubing going,” Oklahoma City tube fisherman George Edwards said of Brown. “I cut my teeth on a Fishmaster in 1969, and I still use a Fishmaster.”


Keeping a legacy afloat

interesting read

I own 3 fishmaster tubes still and fish out of one each summer. My daughter owns one of the three and my son has one also of the three. LOVE THEM. Alot of bass, bluegill and crappie are harvested each season with my tube. I have my original tube bought 1969 and it still is in service. Never used it on trout but hope to some day. In college the farm ponds around Stillwater were fair game and contributed to my freezer. The tube seems to be fading away due to kayaks and other small watercraft. Its a shame as they can get you into places the kayak cant and the fish do not seem to be spooks by your presence.

George Edwards

I got a Fishmaster soon after I moved here from Montana in '82. Used it for many years. One day, my truck's clutch cable broke (before cell phones). I hitched a ride to my son's place and we were back in about 20 minutes. Someone broke into my truck (on the exit ramp at I44 and 39th) and stole my tube, kickers, rods, tackle box and everything that wasn't locked down, except my five gallon bucket of my dough bait. They opened the bucket, apparently took one smell, and left it in the back of the truck. I couldn't find another Fishmaster, but my sister is good friends with the owner of Creek Company, and he gave me a freebie tube. That tube has had me out on Hefner at least hundreds of times, including many days when I had to break a path through the ice to get to open water. It has also served well to get me out onto many mountain lakes, dry fly fishing for cutthroats and brookies. The last few years, I have used Wrangler's spoons to catch the trout. If my Creek tube ever gives out, I will definitely give you a call. Most of the guys in Montana have gone to the pontoon-style with oars, or the Fat Cats and flippers rather than kickers.

I enjoy float tubing a lot easier than kayaking hauling wise but this weather its dangerous

Ha Ha Ha Fishing "out of tube"<*)}}}><