While the snow is flying outside, it is a good time for winterizing tackle inside. To prolong the life of your tackle it is important to take care of it properly. Here are some basic steps you can use which will prolong the life of your tackle and improve its performance.
- Rods– Scrub the cork grip, reel seat and whole rod with an old tooth brush with dish detergent. Rinse it very good with water and dry it with a towel. Set it aside to thoroughly dry for several days before putting it in the cloth sac and back in the rod tube. If your rod has a cloth sack wash it in the washing machine and dry it in a hot dryer to kill any mildew that grew during the summer.
- Reels– Strip the line and backing off the reel. Remove the spool from the reel. Use a Q-tip dipped in a cleaning fluid to remove the grit, dirt and old oil from the inside of the reel and the back of the spool. Wipe all of it down thoroughly with a towel. Wipe the spool firmly with a towel where the backing and line were. Next apply a light coat of oil to the inside of the reel and the back of the spool unless the reel manufacture’s instructions specify not to. Do not allow any oil to get inside the spool where the line and backing go. Replace the new backing and use an Albright Knot to attach the line to the backing.
- Fly Line- Wash the whole line with Ivory cake soap and a paper towel. Rinse the line thoroughly with a wet paper towel. Dry the line thoroughly with a dry paper towel. Place 6 drops of SA Line Dressing on a dry, clean paper towel and dress the line. Next with another paper towel, proceed to rub the whole line down. The small amount of dressing that gets into the microscopic pores of the line does what you want. Excessive dressing left on the line will collect dirt and defeat you.
Wader Care & Repair
Now let’s go over the care for your waders. Follow manufactures directions. I wash my Gore-Tex waders in the tub using cold water with Ivory powder or Revivex Wash and line dry them. Rubber hip boots require no special care except washing the dirt off with water. Be sure all of your waders, hippers and shoes are completely dry both inside and outside before putting them away for the winter. Then hang them in a cool dry location so air can flow around them. Do not hang them in the sun. I once did this with a pair of rubber waders and by spring the sun caused cracks all over them. If you have any leaks or pinholes, this would be the time to fix them. That way they have plenty of time to dry. SEE OUR WADER REPAIR PRODUCTS