Another season has come and gone.
As a fishing guide, there are many great days, however, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that one of those days is the day that I put the boat to bed for the winter. Part of what makes that day so great is that I start to again anticipate the relaunch of my boat for another season.
Equipment care is integral to the safety and comfort of my clients during the season.
For example, it’s not just the boat that gets put away. All the stuff that lives on board from May to November is removed from the boat. Anchor rodes are rinsed in the rain and dried in the sunshine. Fenders get the same treatment. Coolers are washed out, gear is sorted, batteries removed, and the fishing gear gets attended to.
Here are the steps that I take to prepare my fishing gear for next season:
- Cut off flies and lures
- Reel in remaining line, back off drags, and remove reels from rods
- Wipe down all rods with lemon Pledge making them smooth and pleasant to the touch as well as to repel next season’s spray
- Fly lines are stripped off the reel and washed in warm soapy water
- After fly lines are completely dry, reel them back on the reels and put in dust-free storage
- Again, remember to back off the drags, especially on fly reels with cork drags
Washing the fly lines ensures that the saltwater is removed. It also removes any other contaminants that my have come in contact with the fly line. One of the biggest culprits for destroying fly line is sun block.
Sunblock is the enemy of fishing equipment
Sunblock should be applied at home before you get on the boat. Most sunblock will survive a 4 hour trip without needing to be reapplied. (Sunblock is the enemy of fly lines, boat cushions, and can be slippery when it makes its way to the deck.)
I find that a fly line will last me two, maybe even three seasons before it starts to crack and lose its suppleness. Of course, I like to give my clients all of the advantage I can so I make sure my fly lines remain slick and slide easily through the guides.
All of this is a recipe for long lasting equipment. Fly lines, reels, and rods are expensive. Much of my equipment has survived the test of time. Of course, things break, they go bad, but all in all, a little extra time at the end of the season will ensure that your equipment will be ready for next season.
Until then… enjoy the holiday season!