Planning for a New Year

The start of the new year comes with resolutions and hopes for the months to come. January can be a slow month for an angler. Many anglers are kept inside by cold and wet days. Although fishing can still be good, comfort plays a large part in many anglers’ decisions to head to the water. If you are going to stay inside, there are a few things that can be done to prepare for the year's adventures.

Buy a new rod – For the new fly fisherman, a rod is a must. Having your own rod gives you the chance to practice and build the muscle memory that is needed to truly get proficient at casting. Once casting becomes second nature, you can truly enjoy your time on the water, rather than staying frustrated with a cast you only practice while on the water.

Orvis has come out with two great rods for the entry level angler. The Clear Water II is a great price point for the entry level angler. A few years ago, the Clearwater was not a rod I would have recommended, but the innovations and improvements in materials have greatly enhanced the performance of the rod.

The Orvis Access rod is another newer rod in the company’s collection and one that we have added to the instruction rods in the arsenal here at the Grey Drake. The Access is an investment that an angler will not quickly grow out of, making it a great rod for either the beginner or the experienced angler.

Maintain your fly line – For those who already have equipment, the early months of the year are a great time to maintain and prepare the gear you have for the experiences to come. Fly lines are a good place to start. Often overlooked, the fly line is a key component to your casting, and a well maintained line can last you quite a long time.

I like to strip the line off of the reel and wipe it down to remove the grime left over from a year’s fishing. I then apply a good coat of line conditioner or Orvis’s Zip Juice to keep the line floating and to prevent dry rotting. It really is amazing how much easier and farther a well maintained fly line will cast.

Wax your ferrules – Waxing the ferrules of the rod is another often overlooked part of caring for a rod. A very thin coat of hard wax will help to keep the pieces of the rod together while fishing and also helps to seat the pieces when assembling them before a day on the water.

Organize your gear – I am terrible at keeping an organized system of all of my gear. My fly boxes often are a wreck and become a conglomerate of flies that have been tied, used and thrown back into the box over a day, weeks or months of fishing. However, usually two or three times a year, I will sit down and take the time to pull everything out and reorganize it with the often failed resolution of keeping it organized the rest of the year.

Tie some flies – I love filling the Winter months with time behind a fly tying vice. I enjoy learning new patterns and tying old favorites with hopes and anticipations of the fish to be caught in the new year. If you do not already know how to tie, the Winter months are great times to learn. There is a New Year’s resolution for you.

Enjoy the new year, and may it bring many fond memories on and off the water.

Small fish and big memories…
– Alex Quick, Fly Fishing Manager