Check out the tips
from IFS on where to fish at the end of this email.
PLEASE NOTE: Essential Flyfisher has everything you need and are happy to help. Come in or call us. 9-4pm and Saturday 9-1pm.
We are happy to check your gear, spool your new line up and get you organised.
A simple check list to
ensure you are ready.
Fly rods
Pull it from its sock and carefully inspect each section, making sure to give the wraps and the guides special attention. Do you see any exposed thread? Any rust starting to show through on the stripping guide or the snake guides? Is the tip-top firmly attached and free of rust? Check the wraps on the female ferrules. Any splitting or cracking? Is the graphite or glass still intact?
Next, check the reel seat. Is it
tight? If it's loose, it’s only a matter of time before it slides off the butt section. How about the threads? Free of dust or sand?
Take a microfiber cloth or a chamois and carefully wipe the rod clean using a solution of warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Wipe each section down carefully, and don’t put the rod back in its tube or sock until it’s completely dry. In fact NEVER put the rod away wet or even damp. It will wreck the cork handle.
Fly
reels
These are bit trickier. Good reels are sturdy and dependable, but they’ll only stay that way if you take care of them. Most fly reels only need a simple inspection before they are ready for another season of service. Some require a bit more effort, and that means taking them apart. If your favorite fly reel has a bearing assembly, remove the spool from the reel. You’ll be able to see discoloration or any dirt or grime in the center of the spool. In some instances a screwdriver
may be needed. Take your phone and photograph the reel as you pull it apart. Be careful that you don’t lose any seals or screws when you do this. Spray some Lanox or similar into the bowels of the bearing assembly. Dry off excess lube and reassemble your reel. Once you have it all put back together, turn the handle and work the lube throughout the assembly.
Better still bring it into Essential Flyfisher and we will do it for you. This simple maintenance once a year and your reels will last
for years.
Fly lines
I’ve become a fly-line cleaning fanatic lately — sometimes more than once a day when I am fishing. You should give the line a really good clean at the beginning of each season, both with warm, soapy water, but also with an industry-crafted line-cleaning solution.
Most line makers recommend their own cleaning kits (some lines are even sold with them). All the propriety brands are good and designed for commercial
lines. Lines aren’t cheap, and they’ll last several seasons if you take care of them. Cleaning lines also lets you find little nicks and cuts that sometimes don’t get noticed until you’re casting and you hear the imperfection as it catches on the guides.
Make the time to clean and inspect your fly line – especially for cracks in the end, nicks, cuts and failing loops.
If you need a new line, but are a little unsure PLEASE talk to us. There are so many
different tapers, styles and price point it is scary. We can usually work out what will suit you and have over 30 lines to try if you want to bring your rod in. We sell 100s and 100s of line every year, so ask us for advice.
Leader and tippet
Do you have enough – and how old is it? We’ve all reached for our tippet spools only to find that we’re down to a metre or two – or because it is behind a band there is none at all. Tippet
deteriorates with age, so it is wise to replace. 3X or 8lb/4kg will probably be okay, but the lighter line make be weak.
Unless you put a new leader on at the end of last season, I’d recommend replacing all of leaders at the start of a new fishing year. There’s no sense rebuilding a leader that spent months wrapped around a fly reel developing a long-term memory and very likely growing a bit brittle. Just be smart and start fresh.
Vests,
slings, packs
The soft goods we use to carry our gear also deteriorate. Check zippers and snaps, and pay special attention to the Velcro connectors, as they will wear out first. They can be easily replaced, but it’s best to replace them before you lose your fly box full of flies.
Make sure any D-rings or O-rings are in good shape, and that the plastic or steel hasn’t fatigued to the point of breaking. Check all your pockets to make sure they haven’t frayed or developed holes. Just
give the item a thorough once-over. It’ll eliminate any surprises on your first day on the water.
Waders
If your waders leak, you probably know it. But sometimes those leaks are so small that you literally can’t find them. It’s a simple fix, really. Fill a little spray bottle full of isopropol alcohol and turn your waders inside out. Spray the area where you think your waders are leaking. If there’s a hole, it will darken under the spray
of alcohol. Mark it with a Sharpie, and when it’s dry, apply a dollop of Aquaseal on the marked spot. Push it into the fabric. Let it dry, and you’re good.
The inside of my waders looks like measels, but they don’t leak. I am tough on them and push through a lot of blackberries and gorse to get to the right spot.
Wading boots and laces
A simple look at your boots will tell you everything you need to know about them. Make sure the
sole isn’t separating, and if you wade with felt-soled boots, make sure your felt isn’t wearing thin. If you’re missing studs on the soles get some new ones. Marine grade Sikaflex 291 is my go-to boot repair sealant. I give it a week to set.
Check your boot laces. Most proprietry laces are two layers and once the outer layer is gone the laces are rubbish. Have a look at our Dyneema - World's Strongest laces. They will NEVER BREAK and
will outlast your boots. Mine are 8 years old.
Check them out here.
Have a quick look here and see if you are ready to go.
Flies
Wets - Woolly Buggers
Nymphs
Dries
Fly boxes
Wet flies, Boat boxes
Sinkant
Xink, Loon etc
Floatant
Shimazaki Dry Shake is great.
Gink, Loon, Silicon Mucilin etc.
Line floatant and Sinkant
Leaders
Early season: 3X - usually around 8lb
Mid - later season 4X, 5X, 6X
Tippet -
Mono
Fluorocarbon
Tippet rings - don't be without these
Strike Indicators
Nippers, cutters, Forceps - or folding scissors
Hat, wide-brimmed
Polarized sunglasses - Tonic and Smiths
Flylines - Hundreds to choose from, Call us, call in or check them out here.
Floating
WF,
DT
Sinking
Sink: Inter, 3, 5, 7
Sink tip
Gloves
Cold weather - Thermadry possum. The WORLD's best gloves.
Sun gloves - protect yourself
Waders
Wader repair
outfit
Wading boots
Wading staff
Rain jacket
Bandana
Possum beanie
Fishing
vest, hip-chest pack
Net - Check the mesh
