Del Canty Lunker Hunter

[SHigSpeed]

Well, after having it for a year or so, I finally got my Lunker Hunter wet. I did a couple of hike in trips into the Sierra and really have found a great appreciation for this awesome little tube! I LOVE my Fish Cat IV Dx but the extra 10-12lbs I'd be carrying is not worth it.

Here's the Canty next to my (tired) friend's 'Cat. Notice I shoved my 'Cat's inflatable backrest in the babysling seat.



And a couple of me sitting high and dry!




The inflator bag works brilliantly once you get the hang of it. Granted I'm not quite as high as in the 'Cat, but my butt is right at water level. Also not as stable as I'm able to rock the rig back and forth and my knees are somewhat pressed up against the bottom of the tube (the original intent of the seat had the legs angled down) but it's comfy for hours no problem. I can see it being a bit cramped for a bigger guy though.

I need to find more excuses to hit the high country now!

BTW, know of anyone who would want to sell one? I have a friend who may want one...

_SHig
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[peter805]

Those are some great pictures. Which lake is that
if I can ask ?

Peter
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[flygoddess]

Nice to see you back SHig (besides the Washington Forum)

Nice waters for sure. Heay if you are comfy, you got it made.

I swore the day I sold my Caddis Donut, I was never going that way again no mater how far the hike...LOL

I am guessing you have to have a general idea of which flies to use to keep the supplies to a minimum.
Usually not to hard on the high mountain lakes, they pretty much will take the popular favorites.
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[pontoonman]

Thanks for the beautiful pics, I love Sierra waters.

So how much does the Del doughnut weigh? There are some all fabric "V" tubes that come in around 6# or so. If you have the Dx, you probably know about better comfort, speed, in/out excess, and can be rigged to keep your butt completely out of water. OTOH if the Del is under 3# and less bulky, including the babysling inflatable backrest I can see the trade off being worth it.

Hope this helps.

Pon


[quote SHigSpeed]Well, after having it for a year or so, I finally got my Lunker Hunter wet. I did a couple of hike in trips into the Sierra and really have found a great appreciation for this awesome little tube! I LOVE my Fish Cat IV Dx but the extra 10-12lbs I'd be carrying is not worth it.

Here's the Canty next to my (tired) friend's 'Cat. Notice I shoved my 'Cat's inflatable backrest in the babysling seat.

[.IMG][url "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4874641098_d8e21082a8_z_d.jpg[/IMG]"]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/...1082a8_z_d.jpg[/IMG][/url]

And a couple of me sitting high and dry!

[.IMG][url "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4892954966_6394b66bb9_d.jpg[/IMG]"]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/...94b66bb9_d.jpg[/IMG][/url]
[.IMG][url "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4892355073_2afcb95d54_d.jpg[/IMG]"]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/...fcb95d54_d.jpg[/IMG][/url]

The inflator bag works brilliantly once you get the hang of it. Granted I'm not quite as high as in the 'Cat, but my butt is right at water level. Also not as stable as I'm able to rock the rig back and forth and my knees are somewhat pressed up against the bottom of the tube (the original intent of the seat had the legs angled down) but it's comfy for hours no problem. I can see it being a bit cramped for a bigger guy though.

I need to find more excuses to hit the high country now!

BTW, know of anyone who would want to sell one? I have a friend who may want one...

_SHig[/quote]
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[SHigSpeed]

Weight: I'd say the tube weighs about 2 lbs. The inflator bag is about a pound. Ridiculous! Well worth the performance advantage for hiking of the bigger, heavier tubes.

_SHig
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[SHigSpeed]

BTW, the CREEK ODC Light is 8 lbs and the Trinity is 6? Any other light V boats?

_SHig
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[TubeDude]

[quote SHigSpeed]BTW, the CREEK ODC Light is 8 lbs and the Trinity is 6? Any other light V boats?

_SHig[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]This looks pretty light.[/#0000ff]

[inline "KIDS BOAT.jpg"]

[#0000ff]Good to see ya back on the board.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I remember back in the late '70s and '80s when Del Canty was travelling around putting on slide shows and selling his stuff at gatherings. He was insane...getting out on big lakes like the Gorge, Pyramid Lake etc. But, he got some big trout on flyrods.[/#0000ff]
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[SHigSpeed]

[quote TubeDude][quote SHigSpeed]BTW, the CREEK ODC Light is 8 lbs and the Trinity is 6? Any other light V boats?

_SHig[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]This looks pretty light.[/#0000ff]



[#0000ff]Good to see ya back on the board.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I remember back in the late '70s and '80s when Del Canty was travelling around putting on slide shows and selling his stuff at gatherings. He was insane...getting out on big lakes like the Gorge, Pyramid Lake etc. But, he got some big trout on flyrods.[/#0000ff][/quote]

<lol> I love the honker horn on that one! Seriously though, I've considered the vinyl pool toy as an option. Not sure if it's any less safe sometimes. I've fished Pyramid in the blow (off a ladder), ain't no WAY I'd float that in a tube!

_SHig
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[pontoonman]

Haven't seen any, but if the Dlx bladders come close to fitting the ODC420, you can buy the lightweight ODC shell for about $100 to make a lightweight packing "V". http://creekcompany.com/product.php?prod...251&page=1

Pon

[quote SHigSpeed]BTW, the CREEK ODC Light is 8 lbs and the Trinity is 6? Any other light V boats?

_SHig[/quote]
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[SHigSpeed]

[quote pontoonman]Haven't seen any, but if the Dlx bladders come close to fitting the ODC420, you can buy the lightweight ODC shell for about $100 to make a lightweight packing "V". [url "http://creekcompany.com/product.php?productid=16173&cat=251&page=1"]http://creekcompany.com/...p;cat=251&page=1[/url]

Pon

[quote SHigSpeed]BTW, the CREEK ODC Light is 8 lbs and the Trinity is 6? Any other light V boats?

_SHig[/quote][/quote]

You know, the fill ports on the Outcast are on the exterior skin, whereas the ODC is in the pocket, but it wouldn't be too tough to cut out valve holes and sew in reinforcements!! That's a damn fine idea!!

Only PITA is swapping the bladders around, but what price awesomeness right? Or just outright buy the ODC lite for $179...

Still, Original U-Boat can be gotten used for like $40 and weighs 6-7 lbs.

Still twice as heavy as the Canty.

Hmm...

_SHig
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[pontoonman]

For those with $$$$ there's another way to get there without having to worry about weight or a hike?

http://www.paraski.com/showroom/floats/index.htm

Pon


[quote TubeDude][quote SHigSpeed]BTW, the CREEK ODC Light is 8 lbs and the Trinity is 6? Any other light V boats?

_SHig[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]This looks pretty light.[/#0000ff]



[#0000ff]Good to see ya back on the board.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I remember back in the late '70s and '80s when Del Canty was travelling around putting on slide shows and selling his stuff at gatherings. He was insane...getting out on big lakes like the Gorge, Pyramid Lake etc. But, he got some big trout on flyrods.[/#0000ff][/quote]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Might be a bit problematic on the backcast.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

That is beautiful water. How far of a hike is it?
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[SHigSpeed]

Just a couple of miles, but it's at 8500 ft.

_SHig
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[flygoddess]

Gotcha. We are a little more use to the higher elevation, but we are in it...LOL.

We fished a lake this Monday about the same elevation, but I hiked my Escape down to it then back up to the car.
Not too bad with it resting on your shoulders. Really doesn't feel like 30+lbs with all the gear. (fly boxes, vest, flippers, rods/reels, net)
But, those OARS sure came in handy when the wind kicked up and the clouds turned black.
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