rancid waders
Well-known member
Fish whistle really draws them in, so it stays handy
What are your favorite unusual fishing accessories?
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salmo
Well-known member
At my age I should probably carry rosary beads and holy water.
dudemanspecial
Well-known member
My wife, who knows nothing about fly fishing other than me handing her a rod to cast, bought me these for christmas one year.I can't live without it now.
dudemanspecial
Well-known member
Ive been looking to buy one for a few years. To my knowledge nobody makes them anymore and I never see them come up on ebay.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
There was the Mike-Rite and the Fish Pond, both with multiple slots which can be found through patience on eBay or Etsy.
However, I have been using an Orvis "Gage-It" since the day they went on sale. They have a single tapered slot which makes measuring tippet a breeze.
Keep an eye out, they do pop up now & then:
falcon
Well-known member
I have that gage-it tool. I have to look if it is Orvis. It's fairly accurate once you get the touch.
Esoxbum
Active member
I need this
dryflyguy
Well-known member
That Orvis Gage - It looks like it would be very easy to use
I am currently using an older Orvis gauge that I bought long ago
You have to thread the line between 2 spring loaded bars and squeeze it
Definitely not user friendly
I did buy the fish pond gauge, and used it for years
It’s easier to read but unfortunately, I lost it somewhere.
Was surprised to find that there are none currently being made
I am currently using an older Orvis gauge that I bought long ago
You have to thread the line between 2 spring loaded bars and squeeze it
Definitely not user friendly
I did buy the fish pond gauge, and used it for years
It’s easier to read but unfortunately, I lost it somewhere.
Was surprised to find that there are none currently being made
Bamboozle
Well-known member
Yea, I really prefer the single slot to the multiple slot versions. It MAY be less accurate, but I don't have to make a guess as to the diameter and push the tippet into a few different slots to figure things out.
A while ago, someone made a much smaller single slot gauge, but it was made of metal, unpainted or anodized. I don't remember the manufacturer. I was intrigued but if I remember correctly, it didn't cover the same range of sizes as the Gage-It.
FWIW - I most often use(d) my Gage-It when I'd first string up my rod to figure out what size tippet I was using last.
I eliminated that need by coming up with a method for both securing the end of my line at the end at the end of the day when I wind up the line on my reel AND knowing what size tippet I was last using...
Colored ponytail bands:
I use the Roy G. Biv mnemonic device to remember the 7 colors of white light and mentally associate a tippet diameter to each color with red being the fattest size I carry & use and violet being the smallest.
So when I am trout fishing Red is 3X, Orange is 4X, Yellow is 5X, Green is 6X, Blue is 7X, etc,
When I am warmwater fishing Red is .013", Orange is .012", Yellow is .011", etc.
If a certain color isn't available in a particular ponytail band "set," just substitute the next color in Roy G. Biv so if there is no Orange band, use Yellow for 5X, Green for 5X, etc.
I keep the colored bands I need based on the tippet sizes I carry in the neoprene pouch where I store my reel. When I am done fishing, I wind up all but the last 10" of tippet, then I wrap that around the base of the reel foot and secure that with the appropriate colored ponytail band.
So If I last was fishing with 3X, I slip a red ponytail band over the reel foot to secure the tippet and the next time I use that reel...
I know my tippet is 3X or .013" if I was bass fishing.
Doing this also keeps the end of your tippet from getting wrapped UNDER you line which isn't a good thing. You WILL get some kinks in your leader when you unwrap it from the base of the reel foot, but they are easily straightened out with a leader straightener or between your fingers.
I also use colored ponytail bands using the same Roy G. Biv mnemonic around tippet spools so I can identify the size easily.
Using the colored ponytail bands has really reduced the number of times I need a leader gauge. Maybe THAT'S why nobody makes leader gauges anymore??
A while ago, someone made a much smaller single slot gauge, but it was made of metal, unpainted or anodized. I don't remember the manufacturer. I was intrigued but if I remember correctly, it didn't cover the same range of sizes as the Gage-It.
FWIW - I most often use(d) my Gage-It when I'd first string up my rod to figure out what size tippet I was using last.
I eliminated that need by coming up with a method for both securing the end of my line at the end at the end of the day when I wind up the line on my reel AND knowing what size tippet I was last using...
Colored ponytail bands:
I use the Roy G. Biv mnemonic device to remember the 7 colors of white light and mentally associate a tippet diameter to each color with red being the fattest size I carry & use and violet being the smallest.
So when I am trout fishing Red is 3X, Orange is 4X, Yellow is 5X, Green is 6X, Blue is 7X, etc,
When I am warmwater fishing Red is .013", Orange is .012", Yellow is .011", etc.
If a certain color isn't available in a particular ponytail band "set," just substitute the next color in Roy G. Biv so if there is no Orange band, use Yellow for 5X, Green for 5X, etc.
I keep the colored bands I need based on the tippet sizes I carry in the neoprene pouch where I store my reel. When I am done fishing, I wind up all but the last 10" of tippet, then I wrap that around the base of the reel foot and secure that with the appropriate colored ponytail band.
So If I last was fishing with 3X, I slip a red ponytail band over the reel foot to secure the tippet and the next time I use that reel...
I know my tippet is 3X or .013" if I was bass fishing.
Doing this also keeps the end of your tippet from getting wrapped UNDER you line which isn't a good thing. You WILL get some kinks in your leader when you unwrap it from the base of the reel foot, but they are easily straightened out with a leader straightener or between your fingers.
I also use colored ponytail bands using the same Roy G. Biv mnemonic around tippet spools so I can identify the size easily.
Using the colored ponytail bands has really reduced the number of times I need a leader gauge. Maybe THAT'S why nobody makes leader gauges anymore??
csoult
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2011
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6xAdams(Jones)
Well-known member
Floss-pick. Lots of uses besides getting rid of the spinach between my teeth.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
If the "big ole stack of napkins" are in the glove box and you are a mile away on the stream...
You'll still probably end up using your socks. 😉
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I've considered this, and if you've ever seen someone in a panic rip off their waders while speed-waddling back to the parking lot, than we may have crossed paths.
I may have to invest in these... remembering to toss a couple into each of my packs may lead to an ugly scene though.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
I've been swiping the free wipes from restaurants & take out places for years, but(t) only as step 3 of the overall process...
1. Look over you shoulder for other anglers, hikers, etc,
2. Afterwards, use my ever present neatly folded bunch of paper towels in a Ziploc bag. Wet SOME in the creek in advance for the heavy in-between work, but(t) reserve a few dry if possible.
3. Wet wipe touch-up
4. Wash hands with "crick water" and soap leaves and dry hands with reserved paper towels.
5. Look over your shoulder again, say "Ahhhhhhh!" and return to fishing. 💩
1. Look over you shoulder for other anglers, hikers, etc,
2. Afterwards, use my ever present neatly folded bunch of paper towels in a Ziploc bag. Wet SOME in the creek in advance for the heavy in-between work, but(t) reserve a few dry if possible.
3. Wet wipe touch-up
4. Wash hands with "crick water" and soap leaves and dry hands with reserved paper towels.
5. Look over your shoulder again, say "Ahhhhhhh!" and return to fishing. 💩
Bamboozle
Well-known member
FWIW - I've been carrying unscented Wet Wipes for years in my tackle box and other gear bags for cleaning up after fishing in general.
If you fish bait or have handled fish, the wipes work GREAT for removing "worm dirt" or fish slime from your hands and even from tools like hemostats, disgorgers or scissors when the day is done.
Interestingly enough, the "Dude Wipes" are cheaper than the unscented Wet Ones on a few sites so I may have to switch brands.
If you fish bait or have handled fish, the wipes work GREAT for removing "worm dirt" or fish slime from your hands and even from tools like hemostats, disgorgers or scissors when the day is done.
Interestingly enough, the "Dude Wipes" are cheaper than the unscented Wet Ones on a few sites so I may have to switch brands.
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Bamboozle
Well-known member
I have 32 cigar holders in my mouth that have served me well for some time now...
Although if they made a Cigar Arm Band with a longer goose neck, you could pee while you fish...
