Sunday, December 4, 2011

Forming Good Habits


Remove all fly-fishing manufactures decals from your vehicle. You’re asking for trouble. Some thieves are not as dumb as you think and know exactly what to go after.

Carry that 4-piece rod in its rod tube when bushwhacking and your chance of losing or breaking a piece is greatly diminished.

Have a set of dry clothes. You won’t be sorry.

Use a waterproof camera, not your expensive DSLR. You can bring both but only use the waterproof one near water. Today’s newer point & shoots take excellent photos

Don’t forget to pack your waders, boots rods, reels etc. It’s disheartening to drive xxx miles and when you get to your destination they are NOT in the car.

Break down your outfit and put it INSIDE the car BEFORE changing out of your boots and waders or driving away to go home. You will be glad you did and so will we.

DO NOT put your rod & reel outfit on top of the car or lean it up against the nearest tree. You are asking for trouble. You will forget where you put it. When you realize it’s not where it should be and you return to the place where you put, it will be gone!

Pack out what you pack in

I'm diabetic and always carry something sweet just in case. Always carry a bottle of water and a snack on you. You never know when you might just want to keep finding out what’s around the next bend. The water and snack will make the hike back to car much easier.

Respect someone else's ideas. We are all different people. Your way is not the only way.

Use a wading staff and a wading belt. Either one or both may save your life.

Always wear a Personal Floating Device (PFD) or some kind of inflatable device when on the water. OK, so you think you'll look silly, or you are a big macho man who doesn't need one, but it beats lying in a casket the rest of your life! Your family will be glad you did.

Put your cigar/cigarette butts in a zip lock baggie in your vest pocket instead of throwing them in the water. Same thing for your mono/leaders etc.

Carry a small garbage bag and do a little stream clean up. It won’t hurt you to pick up some discarded waste. Some of it just may be your own.

Have respect for other people. Yes, they may be fishing your sacred spot but so what! Sometimes fishing a new spot reaps great rewards.

Practice good etiquette. If you don't like someone doing something to you, then don't do something to them.

If you are landing them one after another and someone asks you what fly you're using, offer 1-2 flies to them so they can have the same experience. Will it really kill you if you were nice to someone?

Help out a struggling newcomer to the sport of fly fishing. I'm sure somebody helped you out in your endeavor into fly fishing.

If you wear a neck lanyard, make sure it has a breakaway feature. Choking is not fun.

Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. What you have in it is up to you.

Take a kid fishing.

Keep the adult beverages for the end of the day when its relaxation time.

A good knife just might get you out of a bad situation (I don't mean with people). Also don’t forget a small pair of scissors.

If there is a lot walking to be done before you reach the water, pack your waders and where your hiking boots for the hike. Better to put the wear on the soles of your hiking boots then your waders’ soles. Your hiking boots will give you maximum comfort and support also.

Avoid wild roses bushes and other thorn bushes. It might seem like the long way around and easier to just wiggle through the bushes, but the long way is better than damaging your waders, especial on fishing trips or in the winter.

Clean your fly line. It truly does make a difference.

Place all your mono and fluorocarbon tags and other waste piece in a pocket to dispose of properly. Even the smallest tag.

Have stream etiquette, everyone is out to have the best time, and experiences they can, not just you.

Always look around you and observe your surroundings before you cast.

Add a whistle or micro air horn to your vest or pack pocket for signaling emergencies

Carry some bear spray if you're going to be in bear country

Carry some bug spray with you

Check yourself for ticks especially when you're in wooded areas

Leave those bird feathers on the ground. They're most likely illegal anyways

Mash down hook barbs. You'll be glad you did to prevent an emergency room visit to have it removed from wherever it stuck on you

Beware of the poisons - Ivy, Oak and Sumac

3 comments:

Johnny Utah said...

Great post Norm. Heres a couple that I do and they payoff.

Always carry a bottle of water and a snack on you. You never know when you might just want to keep finding out whats around the next bend. The water and snack will make the hike back to car much easier.

If there is a lot walking to be done before you reach the water, pack your waders and where your hiking boots for the hike. Better to put the wear on the soles of your hiking boots then your waders soles. Your hiking boots will give you maximum comfort and support also.

Avoid wild roses bushes and other thorn bushes. It might seem like the long way around and easier to just wiggle through the bushes but the long way is better than damaging your waders, especial on fishing trips or in the winter.

Clean your fly line. It truly does make a difference.

Place all your mono and fluorocarbon tags and other waste piece in a pocket to dispose of properly. Even the smallest tag.

Have stream etiquette, everyone is out to have the best time, and experiences they can, not just you.

Always look around you and observe your surroundings before you cast.

Always carry a knife on you. Im sure you times when you said "I need a knife" Also dont forget a small pair of scissors.

Mark Kautz said...

Between what you listed and what Johnny listed, pretty much covers everything. All these things are practiced by the Shoreman. The only other thing I do is put my camera and scale in a zip loc bag while I'm float tubing.

Mark

Phillip said...

Excellent advice from both of you.