Every year when sun comes out for a few days in a row, the feeling to get the summer gear set up starts to take over. Shifting from fishing the windows of warmth and sunlight to earlier mornings and less layers soaking up that few extra hours of light. March always has me itching for the heat of the summer sun and the ease of wet wading in shorts and flip flops. Montana likes to play these little tricks on us for at least the next couple of months, but summer will be here before we know it.
SUMMER SEASON FISHING GEAR CHECKLIST:
1. ORGANIZE YOUR FLY BOXES AND FISH BAG.
Now is the perfect time to empty the loose pucks full of random flies that didn’t quite make it to their correct spot in the fly box. This is also the perfect time to clean everything up and take an inventory of what you have and what you may need to stock up on. We’re stocking up on Chubby’s, Ants, Hoppers, Purple Haze, Jigs, and Worms.
2. CLEAN AND CHECK YOUR FLY LINES.
Take a big bowl of warm water with a little dish soap and use a cloth to wipe the dirt and grime from your fly lines also inspect them for nicks in the plastic coating. If its time to retire your old ones, consider donating the lines to a company that repurposes them like Fly Vines. Head to your local fly shop to buy new ones and they usually will string in on the reel for you. You can also order online, keep an eye out for spring specials.
3. EXAMINE RAINGEAR AND WADERS.
Think back to the last time you were out when it was raining. How did your gear perform in the elements? Were your socks dry as a bone or is it time for an upgrade? One way to check if your waders are leaking is to flip them inside and fill with water, there shouldn’t be any seeping through. If its time for some new gear, check out the new brand Skwala Fishing for durable raincoats and waders.
4. PUT ROD/S TOGETHER AND SET UP.
It’s all good if ski season kept you off the river and your fly rod in its case all winter, but now is the time to get it out. We will be setting up for nymphing and streamer fishing for the next couple of weeks (we have a few rods to rig up in this house lol). For spring fishing, we recommend a 9 or 10-foot 5 weight for casting heavier flies with weights in the slow deep holes.
5. RENEW FISHING LICENSE.
In Montana, your 2021 license expires on the last day of February. You will need to purchase your new license on or after March 1, 2022, for the upcoming year, this includes a conservation license and a fishing license for a 2-day, 10-day, or for the season. You can have a paper copy or go to ols.fwp.mt.gov to purchase online and save a copy to your phone. Have your drivers license handy and your ALS number, you can register for an ALS number if you don’t yet have one.
6. INSPECT BOAT AND TRAILER.
Boat ownership has its highs and lows. The highs are easy to imagine, and the lows are trailer wiring. It never fails, one of the lights on the trailer is always screwed up. The first thing to check is make sure you have a wire to ground, beyond that, use the internet for troubleshooting. This is also the best time to audit your bearings, grease and repack them. Pull on the tires of your trailer, it’s time to get your bearings done if there is any play.
Remember the hardest part is always getting everything ready and getting out there but you will not regret fishing too many days this year. If you prefer not to deal with any of this stuff then give us a call and we will get you out on the water. Follow this link to book online book now.
We believe it when Simms says: You get one life, fish it well.
