As old man winter releases his death-grip on much of the nation, all of us who love the outdoors get excited about not having to dream anymore about wetting a line for that trophy trout, or to try a cast or two at our favorite fishing holes. We can't wait to get out our war chest of gear and feel the tug of a healthy fish to ring in our sporting season New Year.
However, like all of our seasonal equipment such as the lawn mower and other tools, we stow our fishing gear away in some dark abyss and await the warming rays of spring sunshine or a call from a fishing friend to give us the necessary incentive to bring it out.
When we finally gather the rod from that closet, the reel from that bag, the line from that tackle box, and, oh yes--the waders from that garage, we find that it all isn't in original working condition.
In an effort to save you some time and help you avoid being the brunt of the jokes on your next fishing outing, I offer you some advice on equipment preservation that you can accomplish before the season starts in earnest.
Rods
Most rods today are graphite, which, although it appear to be indestructible, especially when you test its limits on the latest technique you saw on TV to free your lure or fly from a tree or log, is actually hollow and brittle. It needs relatively little maintenance, but you should take your rods out of the case to check for corrosion on guides and hardware. Wipe the rods down with soapy water to restore much of the rod and hardware to its original luster if mildew, mold, or other residue has accumulated.
Be sure to wipe wet areas dry after cleaning; graphite should never be put away wet. Doing so may loosen or dull the finish of your rod.
Reels
Reels, being mechanical, need special attention. Much like a car, I wouldn't recommend taking the reel apart unless absolutely needed, or unless you are factory-certified repair person or a master of mechanical engineering and theory! Before you do anything drastic, first crank the handle and insure that it turns freely. If it does, I would only suggest lubricating the exterior moving parts with a spray lubricant. Be sure not to get any spray or oil on the line itself as it will deteriorate the line over time.
I've had occasions where some disassembly was required. Grit, sand, dirt, and even thread from storing the reel in a fishing vest accumulated on the inside of the reel and made it retrieve roughly. When this occurs, I simply take off the bail or spool and brush out the inner workings with an old toothbrush. If I see areas that appear rusted, I use very fine steel wool to smooth the pitted area and I apply a generous amount of spray lubricant, or reel grease for gears or other metal-to-metal surfaces.
Check your drag adjustment as well. This often needs lubrication. If you adjust your drag and rely on it the amount I do, you'll want to insure it works properly. I recommend cleaning the face and frame of the reel with a damp cloth as well. In most cases, this is all that is needed to restore the reel's luster to its original condition.
Lines
Spring is also the time to replace your line. Monofilament should be replaced each year and this isn't just to keep the line manufacturers in business. Monofilament is highly susceptible to breakdown. UV rays, oils, and other factors deteriorate the line over time and it can become quite brittle.
If you are unsure of old your line, pull the line in opposite directions with pressure. If it is old, odds are it will break with relative ease. Take some time now and change it. You will save yourself some anguish when that "hawg" is on and he puts your line to the test.
Monofilament has memory, this is what makes the line maintain the coil you see when it comes of the reel. Take a cloth rag or piece of leather and run the line through the cloth or leather, applying light pressure. This should straighten the line.
I recommend cleaning the line as well. You'd be surprised at the build-up that has developed over the course of a season. Running the line through a damp cloth should do the job--and remove enough gook to convince you to clean your line on a regular basis.
Clean fly lines as well and apply a lubricant to assist the free movement through guides. Line lubricant will not only help clean the line, it may be all that is needed to improve your casting.
Fly line is porous. Dirt will clog the pores of the coating making the line less buoyant. This could hurt the presentation of your next dry fly. Cleaning will help the line float higher, making better fly presentations. I also stretch my fly line with leather gloves on. I take about a two foot section and pull in opposite directions to eliminate coils which can cause tangles at the most inopportune times. Take some time to clean and straighten your leader as well.
Lures and Flies
After you pry the tackle or fly box open with a crow bar, and attempt to figure out who you loaned your favorite lure or fly to, inspect your lures and flies for rust. Eyes, hooks, and metal hardware when left in a damp box will rust. Replace rusted hooks.
It also doesn't hurt to sharpen hooks before each season. Use a fine file or hook sharpener to accomplish this. Be certain to file towards yourself as you hold your fly or lure to produce a sharper hook point. Remove rust with a file or a fine grade of steel wool.
On a personal note: unless you are a tournament angler or a first-timer for the species you are fishing for, I recommend pinching the barbs down on all hooks, especially trebles. This facilitates much quicker release and reduces stress to the fish.
I've seen plenty of hooked fish in my day and the majority that go belly-up after release were caught on treble hooks. On other occasions smaller fish were hooked in the lip while the trailer treble hook was imbedded into the fish's head or lodged in its eye. By cutting one of the hooks of a treble with wire cutters, you greatly increase the chance of releasing a fish with the least amount of damage caused by non-essential hooks.
Pre-planning always pays big dividends. You will be glad you took a little extra time this year to organize, clean, and prepare your equipment, letting you get out the door before those other anglers--who have all ready awoken your wife, neighbor, and dog--are still looking for their gear.
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