TIPS & TRICKS: Spring Training

Winter doldrums?

I like to call this frigid portion of year spring training.

Winter is the time to tinker with tackle, tie flies, clean reels, repair rods and prepare for the 2007 fishing season.

Whether you're into small-stream trout angling or big-water bassin', nothing makes a wintry evening go by quicker than churning out a few dozen Elk Hair Caddis, or cleaning out that ol' tackle box of yours.

Preparing your fishing gear for the spring now will surely save you some headaches in the future. Migraines like opening your tackle box streamside for the first time only to find your salmon eggs have turned into red BBs, your petrified PowerBait mine as well be PaperWeight, and your plastic worms have melted into a glittery gob of goo.

Here's a checklist that can help you get through the so-called winter doldrums and get you primed for a productive spring:

Repair rods

Take a good look at your fishing rods, which will be the backbone of your fishing experience this spring.

Start at the tip, which sees most of the abuse throughout the year, and slowly check the remainder of the rod for anything out of the ordinary such as a chip, a dent, or even a (gulp) crack.

After going over the rod itself, check the guides for hairline cracks or inconsistencies that can damage fishing line. One way to find cracks in guides is to run a cotton swab or q-tip inside the guides. If the swab or tip sticks, a crack could be in the works.

You can repair rods yourself with any of the numerous repair kits on the market, or take it in to a shop to get the work done by experts. But do it now in the offseason, or you could go weeks without it during the season.

For do-it-yourself anglers, Rodsmith makes repair kits for everything from damaged guides and tiptops to replacement handle kits, complete with handle, reel seats, grips, butt caps and winding checks.

Ready reels

If the rod is the backbone, the reel is the heart of your fishing outfit. Give your reels the respect they deserve this winter. In fact, go over your reels two or three times if need be.

First, it's important to clean out any sand or dirt with an old rag or t-shirt. This will keep your reels free spinning and ensure accurate casting year-round. Just be sure to use plenty of care when taking reels apart and take note of which parts go where.

After wiping down the interior parts, be sure to add a drop of oil to the ball bearings to keep the unit running smoothly. Avoid applying excess oil (Abu Garcia Reel Oil is a good choice) as it can drip onto the spool and affect casting. You might want to strip your line off all together when working on a reel.

Abu Garcia also makes a Silicote Reel Lube that helps protect reels against wear and corrosion in-season. Quantum Hot Sauce lube is another favorite among bass anglers.

Last, but not least, change out your line to prevent future heartbreak. Don't risk losing trophy fish by using old, worn-out, or weathered line.

Some professional anglers go as far as replace their lines prior to every tournament.

Casual anglers should spool up two to three times a season, while more frequent anglers should consider replacing line on their main and spare reels every couple fishing trips (especially when fishing toothy fish or in heavy cover).

When you stow your reel between trips, it's a good idea to loosen the drag to alleviate stress on the line and the drag washers.

Prep tackle

The cold months are also an ideal time to maintain your tackle.

Flies and hard plastic lures should be cleaned with soap and water to prevent corrosion or mildew.

Have a favorite lure that just doesn't retrieve the way it used to?

If the bait still doesn't run true after a cleaning, use a pair of pliers to straighten out the line tie. Misaligned wires on spinnerbaits or buzzbaits might also need straightening if heavily used.

Old hooks should be checked for rust, or better yet, ditched in favor of stainless steel hooks when possible.

Now it's on to the tackle box. If organization hasn't been your thing during past seasons, make it a resolution this year.

Instead of just separating the basics -- weights from hooks and hard baits from plastics -- organize your lures by type (spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and crankbaits) and even color. Knowing where that go-to lure is on the fly will mean fewer missed opportunities when lunkers come swimming by.

If fly-fishing's your thing, get cracking on those new flies. You can never have enough PMDs in that trusty fishing cap of yours. It also wouldn't hurt to tighty up those fly boxes and improve on that hodgepodge of a fly filing system you have in place.

Check threads

Yes, even your wardrobe could use a look over -- and no, we're not asking for a complete makeover here.

Take your waders to the tub and check for leaks now rather than when you're hopping into that snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada.

Keep an eye out for dry rot, cracks, tears or worn areas around the seams, feet and knees. If waders leak, and they're still under warranty, it's time to send them in for repairs.

If you don't have time, or if the warranty has expired, wader repair kits are cheap and easy to use. Sun Set Super Patch even cures with UV light, while Aqua Seal works without patches or seam tape.

After your waders are ready, take a good look at your wading boots. Check laces for cuts or frays and make sure the soles are ready to make that next trek across the river. If it's time for replacement felt, Simms makes a thick, high-density replacement that's durable and easy to apply on most styles of boots.

Now that your wading outfit is set, wash that dirty old fishing vest of yours and check out clearance racks at your local sporting goods store for new fishing shirts and pants.

Forget style points and stick to earth tones such as tans and olives to avoid spooking fish while you're browsing the banks. Plenty of pockets are also a plus when shopping for outdoor attire.
Prepare for disaster

Once you've given your gear the TLC it deserves, prepare for the worst-case scenario this spring.

On top of a first aid kit, every angler should pack rod and wader repair kits for their fishing trips.

When putting together a rod repair kit, be sure to include such necessities as tape, rubber bands, spare tiptops, guides, split rings, candle/wax stubs along with waterproof matches or a lighter, pliers, safety pints (which can double as a temporary line guide), and heat-set cement or Superglue.

It's also a good idea to have a backup rod and reel on hand along with 500 yards of extra line. Better yet, treat yourself to a new rod or reel and use your old setup as a backup this season.

Winter is a great time to consider purchasing a new combo as many retailers discount last year's models for the new year.

With a backup setup in place, and all of your other gear in check, you should be prepared to make 2007 a year to remember on the water.

Remember, if you take care of your fishing gear, your fishing gear will take care of you.