Preparing For Your Trip
Taking your time to prep for your trip can help increase productivity out on the water. I can't count the number of times I have seen friends and clients not take a moment to make sure they have everything they will need for a day of fishing. At the end of the day, I’m here to make sure you have an awesome day of fishing– taking a moment at the ramp or the night before to run down your checklist and make sure you have everything is always acceptable.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your next trip.
First and foremost, practice your cast! I often see clients that have clearly spent no time in between the few trips they take a year practicing their cast! If you are new to fly fishing, practicing your cast is one of the most important things you can do to get the most out of your day. A few minutes a day will go a long way to improving both your casting accuracy and distance.
Another big thing I see with clients is not prepping with the right clothing for the day. I get asked a lot what to wear for a day on the water. My response is always weather appropriate clothing. It may sounds stupid, but the conditions change day to day. If it’s early spring or fall, layering is the way to go for transitioning from cooler mornings to warmer afternoons. If it’s summer, showing up in jeans and a cotton t-shirt will leave you sweating all day! Dress for success. If you're too cold or too hot you will not fish well. I always recommend layering, bringing an additional layer (either to keep you warm or protect you from the sun), and wearing clothing that will keep you dry in the winter.
Another big thing I see is people with no hat or sunglasses! These are easily two of the most important things I have with me every time I fish . With the sun beating down on you, a good hat can keep you cool and shading those eyes will help you see things better. Sunglasses are a must in my opinion. If you can’t see into the water and see the structure I’m pointing ,out you have less of a chance presenting that fly correctly. As well, sunglasses will help with your overall fatigue from the day by protecting your eyes from glare on the water. Even if you can’t afford or justify spending the money on a new pair of Smith or Costas a cheap pair of sunglasses will give you a better fishing experience.
The last tip is to always check your gear. Inspecting and cleaning lines will make your day on the water much easier than fishing with a cracked and dirty line that just won't cast. Also, make sure you’re bringing the right gear for the fishing ahead. If you have questions, just ask. For example, fishing a bass river with your cold water trout line will leave you dealing with limp lines all day and struggling to cast. Monofilament breaks down with UV light. Inspecting your gear ahead of time, whether its changing your line on your spinning rod or replacing old tippet so you don't lose a fish will go a long way.
As always, I’m happy to help– if you have questions, just ask. Don’t forget– trips are open year round. Book now for your favorite time of year, or a trip for a mid-season break.