Miramichi Fishing Report for Thursday, October 23, 2014

This week’s rain may play havoc with the few remaining days on the few rivers still open.  If we receive what is forecast, they could become high and dirty, so be cautious if heading out.
With angling basically over for another season (with the following exceptions: The Bartibog, Tabusintac and Burnt Church Rivers remain open until October 29), one way to stay close to the water during the winter is to join a fly-tying and/or salmon conservation group.  When you hit the water next spring, you’ll feel more a part of the whole process.  Either is a good way to further interest in the species we love.

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Perhaps join the Atlantic Salmon Federation located in St. Andrews, NB.  They have four good salmon journals a year.

With fishing over, most anglers simply chuck their equipment out in the garage or in the basement where it remains forgotten until next season.

The wise angler will take a few minutes to examine his equipment and properly prepare it for winter storage.  This will ensure a better start next year because the gear will be in top shape and ready for another season.

First take a look at your waders.  They should be thoroughly checked for leaks, dried and stored in a cool dry place.  A good hint I picked up from Everett Mosher is to take them is to go into a totally dark room.  Take a flashlight and insert it into the waders and look for any light coming through.  Then patch the lighted area.

Stephen Pond of Doaktown suggests avoiding storage in the furnace room as the high heat could cause them to crack and produce an unpleasant surprise next spring. Pond even suggested putting some newspaper in the boot part.  If they are moist, mould will set in.  If the waders are the type without a boot, make sure they are rolled and not folded, as the creases will crack.

George Routledge of George’s Fly Shop in Renous suggests hanging them up side down, or if they are hung by the braces, make sure they barely touch the floor with no wrinkles in them.

Next comes the rod.  It definitely should be taken apart if still together or it may never come apart.  Dry it and wipe it down removing all dirt and dampness.  Make sure the cork handle is dry and then store out of the way it in a place with moderate temperature until next spring.  This will ensure it does not get other stuff piled on it so that it can get broken.  A bit of parawax on the male end will make it fit better next year.  This is even a good practice several times throughout the season.

Be sure to check all the guides to see if they need repair or that there is no fraying of the binding.  If a touch up is needed, now is the time to get it done rather than next spring the night before you plan to go out the next morning only to find it still in need of repair.  If the rod has to be sent back to a company or taken to a local fly shop, do it now rather then be without it a month or so next spring when you need it.

Next check the fly-line.  It should be reeled off including the backing, stretched, cleaned and let dry.  Once, dry, it can be coiled loosely and stored for next season.

To clean it, Routledge suggested plain water, and Pond added using silicone to grease-clean it.  Cortland puts out small pads which sell for about six for a dollar.  These can do several lines.  This helps against cracking.

Pond suggested removing the backing and throwing it away if it is over three years old.  This might save losing a nice bright grilse or salmon (not to mention the line itself) next June.

Routledge suggested taking the reel completely apart, letting it dry and cleaning all dirt from it.  Then it should be given a covering of light oil that is heat resistant.  He suggested 2 in 1, Singer sewing machine oil or a light gun-oil.  He cautioned against using WD-40 as it is a penetrating substance.

Now look at the fly box.  Take out all flies so that both the flies and box can dry thoroughly.  This will stop them from rusting and ruining them as well as the metal boxes.  Make sure the box is clean.

Then organize the flies as you put them back with the spring streamers in one area, the larger flies for June and early July in another, the summer flies and smaller hooks for late July and August together and then the fall patterns together.  Starting off will be a lot simpler.

Pond then suggested that some even put the open box in a Tupperware container with a couple of mothballs to make sure nothing eats the hair and feathers.  Make sure everything is completely dry before sealing.

Don’t forget the flies, which are still on the vest or in the hat, or where ever you keep them while on the river.

The vest itself should also be dry, pockets emptied of all debris and minuscule lunches, bottle tops, old fly dope containers and any other garbage which remains.  It may even be washed or dry-cleaned to remove the ring-around-the collar from fly dope or what ever.

Then replace all the equipment and make sure the covers are on tightly on such bottles as gink or xink, dry fly sprays, fly dope, or scent etc.  These can destroy a perfectly good vest.

Routledge suggested throwing away any leader that is no. 6 or 8 as it may rot causing you to lose a bright grilse next June.  That is not worth the cost of a new roll.  He said no. 10 and up could be kept providing it is not too old.

Even the landing net should be dry and stored.  Don’t forget to put the polarized sun glasses and glasses holders back with the vest where you can find them next season.

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If all of these simple things are done, it will put you in fine shape when the fever hits again next spring.

If a canoe, boat, trailer or motor needs tuning up or repairs, get them done now.

Maybe enrol in a fly-tying course, or learn to tie with a buddy.  Catching a fish on a fly that you have tied doubles the pleasures, and a lot of stories, maybe even a few lies, can be shared at the tying bench.  Visit your local tackle shops for equipment and suggestions.

Next week: The angler’s Clip and Save Christmas shopping list.

Email:

Doug;   It has been a terrible Season this year, but I finally hooked and landed this 18 lb. Hook Bill on the last day of the Season in Boiestown.  My son hooked and lost a grilse on the same fly (A Black Bug-Shady Lady) a short while after.  I hope next year is better!  Regards,  Ray Bailey in Fredericton.

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Until next week,

Doug