It’s “that” time …
- Thread starter JG63
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There are some things I’m good at and some things I’m bad at. I try though. I clean/organize my boxes, take apart and regrease my reels, (respool my spinning reels 🫣), cure any fixable issues with my rods that have cropped up or source new ones, take stock of what I need for next year, etc.
My fly line, my waders, and my boots get nothing. They’re 100% consumables. Doesn’t make me right, and more than likely makes me wrong. Bigger Brookies to release I guess. I do tend to my snake gaiters admittedly. Going on 15 years old and still original with some resewing of the snap/buckle connections. Wife did them in under 10 mins/pair. Still my favorite piece of gear I’ve acquired. Have a new pair on reserve if ever needed. Caught them on a sale.
My fly line, my waders, and my boots get nothing. They’re 100% consumables. Doesn’t make me right, and more than likely makes me wrong. Bigger Brookies to release I guess. I do tend to my snake gaiters admittedly. Going on 15 years old and still original with some resewing of the snap/buckle connections. Wife did them in under 10 mins/pair. Still my favorite piece of gear I’ve acquired. Have a new pair on reserve if ever needed. Caught them on a sale.
I don't clean my fly lines. I've never cleaned my reels. I'm a monster.
About the reel, though, I've had this L.L. Bean Double L as my main 4 weight reel forever. That thing never dies.
About the reel, though, I've had this L.L. Bean Double L as my main 4 weight reel forever. That thing never dies.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
Laugh if you want but, I clean my lines after every outing and I have some in rotation that are over 20 years old so I ain't stopping...
BTW - I also only use Ivory soap & water to clean them...
BTW - I also only use Ivory soap & water to clean them...
dudemanspecial
Well-known member
I stopped by my local LL Bean store a couple weeks ago for the first time in probably 5 years. They used to have a cool, well stocked fly fishing section complete with a fish tank and everything. Now the tank was gone, the fly bin barren, there were about 7 rods, a small display with a crappy selection of accessories and NOT 1 REEL. None, zip, nada.
That sucks, but I guess they know what sells and what doesn't in their stores. I have two Bean reels, and both have been flawless.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
There is a L.L. Bean store not far from me that used to have a really nice fly "shop" with bamboo & glass rods that was even staffed at one time by the late Ed Maurer known as "Heritage Angler" on PAFF.
It hasn't been worth visiting in more than 5 years and quite frankly, not even the outsourced Bean gear has my interest any longer.
It hasn't been worth visiting in more than 5 years and quite frankly, not even the outsourced Bean gear has my interest any longer.
bigslackwater
Active member
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I thought this was going to be an "Is the trout stocking schedule up yet for 2026?" post.
While I don't fish for stockies really, I was already looking to find that information the other day, though. My brother-in-law is a budding fly fisherman, so I thought about making a trip down in the late winter/early spring to Chester Co and fishing a DHALO area with him. They don't have it posted yet.
Nymph-wristed
Well-known member
Thanks for making me feel normal, Josh!
JG63
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Guessing that makes me abnormal(?) I’ll take it 🤪
JG63
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My thinly veiled solution is to buy more fly lines (in advance, keep them in rotation, and make the same comment (as in how long they last with proper maintenance) - it works well when I do the math: 43+/- lines in rotation while only fishing about 5 times a year = a lot of lines cleaned and stored in a cool dark place ready for possible use … no wonder they last so long for me 😬 the ones in the shoebox are practically NOS from the late 80’s early 90’s - back then I WAS on the water 150+ days a year - now, not so much, but I still enjoy buying, organizing, and maintaining equipment - making it ready to use - even though I don’t use it much anymore - I guess I am abnormal 🤪
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Nymph-wristed
Well-known member
No, I think I am the one who should take some time to clean and sort more often! I still have striped bass stuff just "drying" in my garage since Thanksgiving 🙃
Nymph-wristed
Well-known member
Based on the packaging font, I would have thought you dug those out of a dollar bin at a sportsman's show 😆 I see they are still sold at fine retailers nationwide.
Do they work, Larry?
I'm here for you.
6xAdams(Jones)
Well-known member
Have you ever had any field test encounters?
gfenlikestolosepasswords
Well-known member
I presume that means George Maciag no longer does their fly tying classes, either, then?
I don't recall Ed working there. Stopping by often, but not working. I thought Shane was doing casting lesso ns but maybe I have that backwards.
6xAdams(Jones)
Well-known member
I'll clean my lines after the season if I haven't during the season. I treat lines as the most important part of the rig and will replace at the first sign of age/damage/wear anyway.
I cleaned a pair of waders for the first time this past fall, thinking the patch/repair will adhere better.
I don't buy pricey reels, so when they fail, I replace with the least expensive one I can find.
I treat my hand-assembled rods pretty well, so not much periodic upkeep is needed.
My collapsible wading stick is always allowed to dry completely and is stored in the extended position, so the bungee doesn't wear prematurely.
As for the vest, about a dozen flies have been stuck to the drying patch or have rusted in the drying box for the past 5 years or so.
I cleaned a pair of waders for the first time this past fall, thinking the patch/repair will adhere better.
I don't buy pricey reels, so when they fail, I replace with the least expensive one I can find.
I treat my hand-assembled rods pretty well, so not much periodic upkeep is needed.
My collapsible wading stick is always allowed to dry completely and is stored in the extended position, so the bungee doesn't wear prematurely.
As for the vest, about a dozen flies have been stuck to the drying patch or have rusted in the drying box for the past 5 years or so.
