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GET READY, GET SET...GO FISHING!
By: Greg
Brush
The imagination is a wonderful gift, if really
considered. It allows us to pass the time and
actually enjoy periods of inactivity. Likewise, it
can even be used as a motivational tool to inspire
us. If you were to close your eyes for a brief
moment and visualize your next fishing adventure in
vivid detail, equipment preparation might not be
such a tough pill to swallow. In fact, if you are a
"glass half full" type of person like me, digging
your boat out of a slowly receding snow bank and
pulling your favorite fishing rod from the dusty
corner of your garage means that there is light at
the end of the tunnel. Old man winter is finally
losing his icy grip and the long awaited fishing
season is not far off!
Boat preparation is at the top of my list each
spring. Granted, this is not the most exciting of
activities and may actually fall into the
classification of chores, but the successful
Alaskan fisherman is the safe Alaskan fisherman.
Our local waters are unforgiving at their best, and
nothing will ruin a memorable trip quicker then a
boating mishap. Up North, thorough boat preparation
is simply a 'must do.'
Spend a moment to take a quick walk-around of
your boat, inspecting the hull for damage such as
cracked welds or loose rivets. Motors should be
tuned and serviced to start the season off. Lower
unit lube and motor oil should be fresh. A new
water separator filter will ensure your motor
receives clean fuel only. When was the last time
you checked the water pump on your 'old reliable'
outboard? The glacial silt in Alaskan rivers can
wear the impeller blades on a water pump up to five
times faster than normal. Put a full charge on your
battery and run your bilge pump momentarily. Of
course those embarrassing boating moments never
happen to you or I, but an extra boat plug and
spare prop is probably still a good idea. Be sure
all safety related items are on board and in good
order. Check the charge on your fire extinguisher
as well as the dates on your flares. Are your
throwable device and life jackets easily
accessible? The peace of mind derived from being
prepared will make your fishing trips that much
more enjoyable.
Having the most thoroughly prepared boat around
will do you no good if your trailer is falling
apart and you can't get to the water! Check the
tires for weather cracks or dry rot. Lube the
bearings. Test the winch rope as well as the tie
down straps. A visual inspection of the wiring is a
good idea, and checking all trailer light functions
with a partner is simply a must-do before pulling
out of the driveway.
To an avid fishermen, a quality rod and reel is
a very personal instrument; a tool with a
specialized purpose. Like any tool, your favorite
combo likely gets worked hard at a moments notice
and then suddenly set aside with little or no time
allocated for maintenance. Over time, this process
of use and neglect will surely take its toll, and
NOW is the time for a quick once over. First, check
the blank for graphite damage that may compromise
its strength once 'Mr. Big' is hooked. Graphite is
an incredibly strong material until it's damaged. A
surprisingly small nick has the potential to break
a rod under load. Inspect all eyelets for loose or
split ceramics. Look for cracked ferrules. If any
damage is discovered in your favorite tool, there
is still time before the season to either send the
rod back to the manufacturer or drop it off at a
local rod shop for repair. If the rod checks out, a
quick wash with warm, soapy water will get most
rods looking new again. However, if your are like
many Alaskan salmon fishermen, your rod was likely
retired last fall with a fair share of salmon roe
juice, which promptly dried to a hard coat of
nearly impenetrable grime. For me, Simple Green and
a little 'elbow grease' seems to work as good as
anything at removing this unsightly goop. A quick
coat of Pledge furniture polish will protect and
beautify the finish for the upcoming season.
Likewise, reels will likely need to be serviced.
Ask yourself a few important questions: Does the
bail on your favorite spinning reel snap closed
with authority? Does your level wind reel engage
and disengage every time you 'click and turn'? Did
you take the time to rinse the saltwater from your
reel after your last Halibut trip? Were your drags
backed off last fall or did you leave them set all
winter, thus compressing the washers and
guaranteeing a sticky and jerky drag this spring?
Taking apart modern reels, lubing gears and
replacing drag washers is relatively easy and
ensures a smooth performance for the remainder of
the year.
Next comes spooling your reels. Always, I repeat
ALWAYS, put new monofilament on your reels to start
the season. Remember, your line is all that
connects you to your dream fish, and fresh line is
cheap insurance. Don't cut corners here, as there
are many quality lines available today at very
reasonable prices. A premium line is soft and
supple, ensuring smooth casts and minimal tangles.
It is abrasion resistant and available in numerous
tests and colors, from high visibility greens to
subtle blues, allowing you to match your line to
the species and conditions that you fish most
frequently.
Preparing terminal tackle means your job is
nearly complete. Make sure you have an adequate
supply of snaps, swivels and beads. Do you have
your favorite plugs, spinners or jigs? Is your fly
vest void of that special wooly bugger that proved
so deadly last summer? Tying leaders is a great
late winter/early spring project. Sitting before
the TV in the evening preparing bait rigs or plug
leaders excites me more once I realize that each
and every leader has the potential to help me land
a career fish. Spend a little extra on a quality,
laser sharpened hook like Gamakatsu, thus
increasing your strike to hookup ratio.
Don't forget your net! Check it for torn mesh or
a split hoop. The yoke assembly is an especially
vulnerable area, and should be inspected often to
ensure your favorite net is indeed reliable. Many a
tale of 'the big one that got away' can be
attributed to worn and weathered nets. Bear in
mind, the first salmon of the season are the big
Kings, notorious for their sheer strength and
powerful thrashing moves once netted.
Fishing in Alaska is a game of details, and
covering ones backside with a little preventative
maintenance and preparation is an investment in
fishing success. Those anglers who seem to always
score are usually the ones who covered every small
detail. Sure, the unprepared fishermen may get
lucky from time to time, but wouldn't you feel
better and enjoy yourself more knowing that you are
totally prepared for whatever 'the fish gods' deal
you? Never forget, "what can go wrong-will go
wrong", and Murphy is undoubtedly a fisherman who
has a special gift for visiting the unprepared!
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