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When
the lakes are frozen ---- Do a dry set up !
Hi there, The lakes are frozen and you're stuck indoors with nothing to do - but you've come to the right place for some ideas. Do a dry set up ! No - I am not joking, honest. Go to where all your tackle is kept and go through setting-up your gear, as if you're at the waterside. Get
the landing net out first and look for holes - because if there are
some, or even just one hole that shouldn't be there, it could dislodge
a scale or two and could cause pain or even worse. The wound could become
infected and in an extreme cases, could lead to a death, which none
of us want. So replace it, most tackle dealers can order a landing net
on its own, you don`t have to order the whole thing. |
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Check your alarms for wear and tear and change the battery. By doing it now you know it will be ready for when the lakes are fishable again. Clean the bank sticks and/or your rod pod. Oil any parts that could rust. Have a look at the unhooking mat and check for splits in the stitching, if you do find a tear - get your lady's needle and thread and get stitching! Next
the rods - check for anything that might have weakend the rod through
the year's use - if you spot anything - get it repaired or GET A NEW
ONE ! |
Dave Williams with
a P.B. 34lb 12oz Mirror, caught caught |
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If
you are going to change your line do it now, if you aren`t sure about
changing your line just pull 30 metres off your reel and and reel it
in slowly between your thumb and finger - if you can feel any abnormalities
then chage your line, the last thing you want to do is lose your first
fish of the new year. Lightly oil any parts of your reel that can be
done without the reel exploding (don't undue something you shouldn't,
leave that to those who know what they are doing), if you think something
is wrong or not working as it should get it fixed now. Most local tackle
dealers know of someone who can do this sort of thing, but do remember
they will add their cut, so if you can find someone who can do this
it will save you money, same with rod repairers.
That's
the nets, pods, rods, reels, unhooking mat and line done - next is your
sleeping quarters, whether it's a bivey or umbrella, they do wear and
get torn, so get it out and have a look... also look at your tent pegs,
some will have seen better days, so get rid of them safely and get some
new ones. Ground sheets, or carpets in some cases, need a wipe over with the bowl of warm soapy water, (the water will need changing over by now!) Also have a look at the guy ropes for fraying or the shorter ones you have cut down for one reason or another, and either replace or repair. As you put the rod holder to the back of the shelter have a look for holes, tears and general misuse, as at times being careful with tackle is sometimes over looked, when it's chucking it down and you wanna go home. The bedchair might need some oil/grease on any joints and the legs might need a clean with the clean soapy water that you have just changed! The material should be OK but if you notice any worn-out parts - that's down to your own comfort not the fishes welfare. The tackle box will need a sort out and clean. Count how much weight of leads you have scattered around unnecessarily, if you want to lug all that around then great, but as I'm getting older I'm finding my bag getting heavier, so I take double the amount of leads as baited rods and take a few extra and leave them in my car. Hook links, hooks, swivels etc., need to be checked for rust or any glitches. any that are damaged need to be discarded. Just give everything a quick look over and see its o.k. The rucker or carryall just needs a quick look over, no need to wash it, because in some cases washing it will make it less water resistant, nothing wrong with giving it a quick wipe over. Camera/video. We rely on these items so much and yet how much care do we give them, in most cases, not much I fear. Spare film and battery are usefull as well. Bait/pellets
etc., that's up to you. But I've gone onto a fresh frozen bait and I've
have had a great year. I buy my pellets now - as tackle shops aren't
as busy, so you can get some good deals. Why not look at pet food shops
for seed mixes, they can be half the cost. But try to avoid bird food
suppliers, my experience is they tend to be a bit pricey. If buying
in bulk, have a bin or something to store them in, because rodents love
to live near easy food and make sure you sweep up afterwards because
a tiny grain left behind every time will soon mount up to a mega feast
for our rodi friends[not]. Last but not least, have a look at your permits etc. When do they run out? Have you got the funds to renew them when they do run out? Plan ahead a bit and it won`t be such a struggle to pay for them when the time is near. I'm just human, so I will have forgotten a few things. If you have any ideas let us know - so it can be added to this list. It has just started to snow here in Nottingham, I know where I'm going now - with a bowl of warm water - so till next time... ta ta. Cheers
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