Are You Ready? 

With the busy lives most of us lead these days, it’s very easy to overlook some of the things you’ll want and need to have taken care of before you head off on that first fishing trip of the year. Here are some reminders:

1) Get your fishing license. This is best done well ahead of time to avoid unpleasant surprises, such as the store where you planned to purchase your license being closed or temporarily out of licenses. In Pennsylvania, there have been substantial changes in the last couple of seasons in license fee structure and regulations. Be sure you get a copy of the Summary of Fishing Laws when you buy your license, and study up on how these changes will affect your fishing. You can also get current information from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s website, http://www.fish.state.pa.us.

2) Check over your rod, reel, and fly line. Make sure that your rod is clean, that there are no missing or bent guides, and that the ferrule(s) are in good working order, not sticking or loose. If repairs are needed, the earlier you arrange to have them done the shorter the turn-around time at the rod shop will be.

Make sure that your reel is clean inside and out and properly lubricated. 
Check the amount of backing on your reel. You should have enough to fill but not overfill the reel once your fly line is in place. A good rule of thumb is that there should be a little daylight showing through the first set of ventillation holes on the reel spool. 

Your fly line should be clean and smooth, free of dirt or cracks. If it is dirty, wash it with mild soap and water and rinse thoroughly. If there are cracks, replace the line. If you use a line dressing, be sure it’s the right one for your line. Do not use standard line dressings on the newer high-tech lines such as the Orvis Wonderline or Scientific Anglers AST lines. This type of product will strip off the special coatings applied to these lines and ruin them. Use mild soap and water only, or a product specifically designed for this type of line.

3) Check your supply of leaders and tippets. Be sure that you have a good 
assortment of the lengths and sizes of leaders you will need, and that they are in good condition. If you are in the habit of putting used leaders back in their packages, it’s especially important to take them out and check them over carefully. Check your tippet material to make sure it’s not out of date and that it hasn’t been weakened by heat or other environmental factors. 

4) Check your fly boxes. Remove any damaged flies, including those with rusted hooks. Sharpen hooks that are dull and discard those beyond redemption. Flies with crushed or bent hackles can often be restored by holding them with hemostats or tweezers in the live steam from a boiling tea kettle. Restock your favorite patterns if supplies are depleted.

5) Check your tools, gadgets, and supplies. Be sure they are all there and 
in good working order. Here’s a suggested list: snips, hemostats or other hook removal device, barb crushing pliers, hook sharpener, any knot tying aids you use, fly floatant, fly drier, strike indicators, split shot, braided end loops or other line-to-leader connectors. 

Enjoy your fishing season!

 --Mary S. Kuss--
Spring 2006 Issue