Fly Fishing Queenstown be ready for the 2011/12 season!

Fly Fishing Queenstown has one month to go before the 2011-2012 new season opens. Ye haa!

Like fishing anywhere to be successful fly fishing Queenstown it pays to get your gear ready prior to the start of the season.

I find it is a good idea to check through all your fly fishing equipment in the month or two before the fishing season starts.

There’s nothing worse than turning up for your first day’s fly fishing to find that something is missing, the floating line is sinking, the flies are mixed up or the wrong size, the reel has jammed up and x number of other things that make you look and feel like a complete muppet!

I am sure these and many more problems have happened to us all at some time or another so let’s see what we can do to make to our fly fishing Queenstown and other waters go smoothly throughout the coming year.

RODS

• Check guides and be sure there’s no damage.

• Check reel seat.

• Clean your rod.

• Get rod repairs done

REELS

• Clean the cage and remove any grit or dirt

• Check the mechanisms and oil only as advised by the manufacturer

• Check springs and pawls

LINES

• Wind the lines and backing off the reel onto a line winder.

• Once you have the line and the backing, you can re-wind, checking the backing for rot or damage as you go.

• Now check the connection to the line. If in doubt re-do the connection.

• Before you start to wind the line onto the reel clean the line; a soft cloth, soap and water is all you need. Use ordinary soap! Do not use detergents like washing up liquid as these tend to damage the line. Run the line through the soft, soapy cloth to the end and rinse through the cloth in clean water by winding it back again.

• Treat your floating line with silicone to improve its performance.

• Check the braided leader loop for wear (if you use one) and check that the line has not cracked where it joins it. If in doubt, replace the loop.

• Check your shooting head lines for wear where it joins the running line.

LEADERS

• Replace all the leaders with new ones. I like to use tapered leaders and add tippets to suit the length I want to fish.

• Check out your leader wallet and re- stock with new leaders.

FLY BOXES

• Tidy flies

• Remove used and rusty flies

• Tie up flies or buy in replacements

FISHING BAG

• Empty out and check tools, priest, temperature gauge, scales, de-barb pliers and any other bits and pieces you take with you.

FISHING VEST

• Empty all pockets and remove dross

• Check:  zingers, nippers, scissors and knot tying tools if you have them

• Replace flies in fly boxes

• Check sunglasses for damage and clean

LANDING NET

• Check for holes and repair or replace

• Check the net release if you use one

WADERS & BOOTS

• Check for waders for leaks and repair or replace as necessary

• Clean waders

• Check boot soles and heels are not loose – replace if necessary

• Clean boots

WET WEATHER GEAR

• Make sure it is waterproof and check for holes or tears – repair or replace if necessary.

WADING STAFF

• Check the lanyard attachment and the rubber shoe at the base.

FISHING LICENSE

• Fly Fishing Queenstown and any fresh water in New Zealand requires a fishing license. These can be purchased online.  F&G NZ have made it easier than ever before (apparently) to do this see this excerpt from a recent email from them:

“We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to beat the rush and renew your Fishing licence online through the Fish & Game online ordering system. We are confident you will find this a simple and convenient way to purchase your 2011/2012 Fishing licence.

Step 1– Follow the link below

Step 2– Accept the terms and conditions when you arrive at the online ordering site.

Step 3– Enter your 2010/2011 licence number and your date of birth into ‘Previous Customer Details’. This will bring up your details for renewing your licence. Licences purchased online will be supplied as an attractive, durable plastic card. Plastic licences will be mailed within 5 working days of being ordered. Best of luck for the Fishing season ahead – you can order your licence now at: https://fishandgame.eyede.com/public/get_page.php”

This should give you something to do over the next month before the Queenstown fly fishing season opens and you are fly fishing Queenstown waters for trout that have not seen an angler for 5 months or so!

Check out the Fly Fishing Queenstown Expeditions I offer and get in touch if you want to customize anything to make your fishing vacation even more memorable

Make sure to book your2011-12  fly fishing Queenstown expedition with me now.