Starting the Season 

Fly fishing can easily be a year-around activity, but most of us hang up our tackle for the winter. We all have busy lives, and it’s oh so easy for our equipment to be out of sight and out of mind after the last trip of the year. What an unpleasant surprise to arrive at our first outing of the new season only to discover that vital equipment is missing or not in good working order. So here’s a checklist that you might find helpful. Take the time to go over your fishing stuff now and later you’ll be glad you did!

	Fishing license(s) for all the states you plan to fish, along with all pertinent stamps and permits. Buy on-line to save time.
	Check your rod and reel outfit. Be sure everything is clean and in good working order. Replace your fly line if it’s cracked.
	Check your leaders and tippets. Make sure you have an assortment of the lengths and weights of leaders you’ll need. Make sure they are in good condition and not out-of-date. Same thing for tippet spools.
	Check your flies. Take inventory and re-stock as needed. Organize. Discard flies with badly rusted hooks. Touch up bent or dulled hook points where practical. Steam crushed flies to restore their shape. Use your clamps to hold each fly in the live steam of a teakettle for a few seconds. Dry before storing in your fly box.
	Check your waders and wading shoes. Make sure you have your wader belt. .
	Check the laces on your wading shoes and replace if needed. Do a trial run at a local stream to be sure your waders aren’t leaking. Find this out before you go on a big fishing trip
	Check your vest. Make sure you have a complete inventory of necessary items. Along with your fly boxes you might want to include: Clamps De-barbing pliers Hook sharpener Leader straightener Leaders & tippet spools Small flashlight Camera Snips Split shot or other weight Strike indicators Floatant(s) Sinkant License holder Fly Dryer Tippet spools Stream thermometer Insect repellent Kleenex pocket pack
	Check your utility bag. To leave in the car while fishing. It should contain everything you might need but won’t carry in your vest. It should include a complete change of clothes including shoes in case you fall in or get rained on, along with comfort items like a towel, body powder, Chap Stick, hand warmers, a small first aid kit, eyeglass repair kit, etc. This can be a real trip saver.

--Mary S. Kuss--