Early Season Stillwater Fishing - Part 1
With winter finally loosening its grip on the Pacific Northwest, many of us are starting to venture out onto our favorite trout lakes. Unlike last year at this time, we'll be contending with some really cold water temperatures. There are few things to keep in mind while getting ready for your first outing of the season.
Make a gear list before you go
It's been a long winter and the last thing you want to do is forget something like your net, or even worse float tube fins on your first trip. Trust me, I've done it more than once!
How are your fly lines looking?
Do they need to be cleaned or replaced? Check for cracked coatings and other damage caused by fishing, or not fishing enough. Make sure fly line maintenance is first on your mind.
Check your float tube or pontoon boat for leaks
It's better to do this at home than find out that you have a leak when you're fishing. Inflate your vessel completely and let it sit overnight inside a heated area to prevent temperature fluctuations from affecting the air pressure. If you do have a leak, you can locate it by exposing the air bladder and wiping it with a sponge with soapy water.
Just look for any bubbles that form, mark the leak with a marker, completely dry the area, then patch using McNett's Aquaseal Wader Repair Kit.
Check the forecast, because no fish is worth dying over
That's why I always look at the National Weather Service forecast prior to heading out. If it's going to be too windy (over 15 mph) you might as well tie flies or get some of that much-needed yardwork done.
Dress for the weather, and more importantly the water temps
If you'll be fishing out of a float tube or pontoon boat, you'll want to make sure your legs and feet are properly insulated. Even though fancy Gore-Tex waders keep you dry, they do little to protect you from cold water temps.
I usually start with a wicking baselayer like Patagonia Lightweight Capilene, followed by a pair of Simms Coldweather Pants. Heavyweight mountaineering socks will keep your feet toasty all day long and don't absorb sweat like cotton socks. The more comfortable you are, the more you'll enjoy the entire experience.
Bring your air pump with you to the Lake
I always inflate my float tube so it's taut, then put it in the water for a few minutes while I'm rigging my rods and putting on my fins. The cold water will decrease the pressure in the air bladder, so you'll want to pump it up again before setting sail. You might find yourself doing this a few times on really cold days!
Next week I'll be discussing tactics and tackle that'll hopefully help put more stillwater fish in your net. Stay tuned!
Want to read more? Check out Early Season Stillwater Fishing - Part 2 here.