Spring is just around the corner
As I sit here writing this column, it is 23 degrees and the wind drops the temperature down to 17.
Did I mention that it is snowing? Winter is here with a vengeance. I, for one, embrace it. As a working fly-fishing guide, I have to be outside no matter what the conditions.
I have the outdoors gear that allows me to handle weather like this. My wife, Lori, has the gear but does not embrace the cold with the same exuberance that I do, unless there is enough snow for her to go sledding.
There are others who do not share my enthusiasm for inclement weather. While I find it a great time to go fishing, because there are fewer anglers out there (nothing thins the herd like an inch or two of snow), others think it is a good time to watch television or curl up by the fire with a good book.
While I agree that those are worthy pastimes, we need to remember that spring is just around the corner and we need to spend some time getting ready for it.
The obvious first thought for fly-fishers is to tie some flies. I must admit that there are some thin spots in my boxes and I need to tie some of my more frequently used patterns, brightly colored San Juan worms, Dan's turkey tail emergers, copperhead woolly buggers and others.
In addition, I need to tie some flies that I will need for the first big hatch of the year, the Rhyancophylia caddis. My favorite fly for this hatch is the green butt. After you have filled up all of your fly boxes, you should consider participating in a fly swap.
A fly swap is where several fly tiers (most often a dozen) get together and swap flies. Every tier ties a dozen flies and sends them to the swap master along with the recipe for the fly and fishing instructions.
The swap master sends each participant one of every pattern (12 in total) along with the recipes and fishing instructions. Of course, the swap could include any number of tiers but each tier would be required to tie one fly for each participant.
The fly swaps frequently have a theme like dry flies, flies specifically for the White River or caddis fly patterns. Fly swaps are great because you get to meet other fly tiers, and you are introduced to new patterns. You also get an opportunity to show off your own special patterns. I am currently participating in one, and I can't wait to get my flies.
f you would like to participate in one, contact our local fly-fishing club, the North Arkansas Fly Fishers at http://www.north arkansas flyfisher.org.
This swap is open to members. If you are not already a member (Lori and I are), you need to join. It is a great organization. They put on the Sowbug Roundup, a superb local fly-tying show, and teach fly tying and fly-fishing classes. The swap master is Mike Tipton, club president. The theme is dry flies.
Another worthy cold-weather project is to clean out your fly fishing vest. I do this several times a year, so that I can stay organized. I empty my vest and place the contents in a large Ziploc, so that nothing is misplaced.
As I remove each item, I carefully inspect it. I toss empty cigar wrappers, trail bar wrappers, empty dog biscuit Ziplocs, worn out leaders and other trash into the garbage receptacle.
I look at the date on my tippet and leader packages and eliminate any that are expired. Tippet is just like milk; it will degrade over time. I only use Orvis tippet and leaders because they have a use-by date.
If you have undated tippet that is over a year old, discard and replace it. Tippet becomes weaker over time and could break. This could cost you fish. I also check my other consumable fishing supplies. These are things like strike indicators, dry-fly floatant and dry-fly crystals.
I replace them as needed. I throw my vest in the washing machine and then let it air dry. As I put all of my gear back in, I check each item and carefully put in the same pocket. That way I will know where it is, when I need it on stream.
I also pay some attention to my reels. The first thing I do is inspect the fly line. Is it worn or starting to show small cracks in the plastic finish? If so, discard the line. I just replaced two of the lines on my loaner rods.
They get quite a bit of abuse and normally only last a year or so. Sometimes the damage is limited to the first couple of inches of the line and you can get by with just removing 2 or 3 inches of line and installing a new braided loop. If the line is good shape, I clean it.
I strip the line into a sink of water with some mild dishwashing soap in it. I agitate the line and rinse it in clean water a couple of times. I then dry it with a soft clean cloth. This will help the line float high and cast better.
I then turn my attention to the reel itself. I carefully clean it using WD40 as a cleaning solvent. I spray the frame and carefully wipe it off. I make sure to remove any sand or grit that has made its way into the reel. I carefully grease the reel spindle with a good quality waterproof grease.
I put a drop of heavy oil on the reel handle and then carefully wipe down the reel with a soft clean cloth. I install a fresh leader and I am ready to go.
This gives you something to do during the cold days of winter and guarantees that you will be ready to go when warm weather returnsRead More ...
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