By Bruce Ajari ·
Bob Jajko of Truckee is pictured with a Smallmouth bass; note the stripping basket ·
Simple maintenance of one’s fishing gear is important for optimum performance. One of the most neglected areas that I see is cleaning gear after using it. I had been fishing for Smallmouth bass recently in some of our local lakes from shore using a floating line.
When casting from shore, the line will often lay on the ground when the angler strips line in to fish and then recast. As a result, the line picks up a considerable amount of grit and grime. Line should be cleaned after each such usage. When a floating line gets dirty, you will notice that the line tends to sink, particularly at the tip section. A good cleaning will certainly help restore the floatation to one’s line.
You can buy products that clean the line such as Rio’s Agent X or Orvis’s Zip Juice, or use some dishwashing detergent and a sponge and clean the line by lightly scrubbing it. A good rinsing and letting the line dry thoroughly before spooling it back onto the reel will give you a clean line.
One other thing that I do to insure that the line rides high, is to coat the line with a product that I have been using since my first steelhead trip in the 70s. The product is sometimes hard to find, but most fly shops in steelhead country still carry it. It is called Russ Peak silicone line treatment distributed by Umpqua Feather Merchants.
If the tip section of your fly line is not floating well, an angler can be late on hook sets and miss a fish. Cleaning the line prevents this from happening.
A stripping basket often helps when fishing from shore. It keeps your line cleaner by not allowing it to drop onto the ground. When the line is on the ground, it can get snagged on things such as rocks killing your cast.
One other thing that is important, is to keep your hooks sharp on your fly. This is often overlooked by even experienced anglers and can mean the difference between hooking and landing a fish and losing it prematurely.
While fishing on one of my favorite reservoirs in the 80s, we had an incredible evening of fishing. The fish were truly on the bite, and we were hooking many fish. There was a time where I hooked five fish in a row and all five came unbuttoned.
Upon checking the hook, it felt just a little dull. A quick sharpening with a flat file and we were ready to fish. The next nine fish that were hooked, were all landed.
To sharpen the hooks, I typically sharpen the point by putting a triangle taper on the point. First, sharpen the bottom of the hook and then each side by starting at the point and pushing the file toward the bend of the hook.
This is a simple thing to do and increases your chances for success. Give it a try if you find yourself losing fish. My friends have often found that his or her hook points may have broken off, as well. This will certainly mean missed fish.
These two tips will allow you to have much more success in your fishing. Give it a try and see if it does not help you out.
FISHING REPORT
(See Sightseeing for water levels.)
Boca | Inflow is at 41 cfs. Fishing has been fair. Most anglers have been using powerbait or nightcrawlers. Throwing lures from shore can be productive. Fly anglers are doing fair near the inlet with nymph and streamers.
Donner | Fishing has been fair. Shore fishing has been fair. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait. Fly-fishermen are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | Fishing has been good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use inflated nightcrawlers.
Little Truckee River | Winter season regulations in effect with artificial ures with barbless hooks and a zero fish limit (strictly catch and- release). The flow is at 41 cfs. Keep an eye on water temperatures here at these low flows. Fishing is tougher at these levels. A dry dropper rig works well in these conditions.
Martis Lake | Zero kill, catch and release only with barbless hooks. The water is probably too warm to fish right now. Small cutthroats and a few large browns are available here. Smallmouth bass also are in this impoundment.
Prosser | Fishing has been fair. Most anglers are using powerbait or nightcrawlers. Fish are being caught in deeper water. Smallmouth bass fishing has slowed down.
Stampede | Stampede fishing has been fair. Shore fishermen have found action fair. Most are using nightcrawlers or Powerbait. Fly-fishermen are using a combination of nymphs and streamers with fair success. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair to good.
Truckee River | The upper section from Tahoe City to River Ranch flow is 76 cfs and through Truckee at 88 cfs. Keep an eye on the water temperatures. There is a voluntary closure on fishing the river by local industry fly-fishers and regular anglers. The water is too warm, folks; afternoon temperatures are exceeding the mid-70s.
Other Waters | Davis and Frenchman have been fishing fair. Warm water is driving the fish deep. Blood midge and Callibaetis mayflies are the hatches most prevalent right now. Imitate these and you have a chance.
Bruce is a long-time area fly-fisherman and past president of Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers.
