Top Tips: A new Year and a New Season

With the new trout season just around the corner, and most reservoirs opening on 1 March, now is the perfect time to check over your tackle and fishing kit before heading for the water. There is nothing worse than setting out for that first session of the season only to discover that your waders are leaking.

I like to lay out all my gear and make sure it is thoroughly clean before checking everything carefully for signs of wear or damage. I inspect my waders with a torch in a dark room to spot even the smallest pinholes, making repairs where needed. I do the same with my wading jacket and boots. Any faults here can quickly turn a promising day on the bank into a cold, wet and thoroughly miserable experience.

From there, I move on to rods, reels and lines, once again ensuring that everything is clean and carefully checked for any signs of damage. My reels are cleaned, oiled and greased, and I make sure the clutch and drag are operating smoothly.

I strip the lines from the spool to check that the backing is securely attached to the main fly line and still in sound condition. Then I run every inch of the line through my hands, looking for wear, cracks and any change in feel. If the lines are still in good order, I simply clean them in warm water before treating them with Cortland fly line cleaner, leaving them ready for the season ahead. If a line is showing signs of damage, then it is time to replace it. After all, getting your fly to the fish in all conditions depends largely on choosing the right line to match your rod.

My advice is to do your homework when setting up a suitable line for your rod and style of fishing. It is an investment of time that will pay dividends throughout the season. For bank fishing, I tend to rely on floating, intermediate and sink-tip lines. My personal preference is the Cortland range, which is broad enough to cover virtually every requirement.

Then it is time to turn to the smaller items, which are no less important. I begin each season with fresh tapered leaders and tippet, and I never compromise on tippet material, especially for wet-fly and pulling-fly fishing. I use Cortland Ultra Premium Fluorocarbon, which I find exceptional for its fine diameter, knot strength and all-round reliability.

Then comes another essential item: the flies. I go through my fly boxes, checking hooks for sharpness and defects. Slightly dulled hooks can sometimes be sharpened, but more often than not I replace them with new ones. At that point, it is simply a case of visiting the local tackle shop or spending a few enjoyable hours at the vice.

Finally, I check my polarised sunglasses and inspect the landing net for damage. Once that is done, I know I am ready to go.

Everything is packed and waiting in the corner for opening day, and the excitement is already building. Even now, well past 60, I still feel that same anticipation I knew as a child in the days before Christmas whenever a new season approaches.

So here is to a wonderful 2026 season for you all—get ready, be prepared and enjoy every moment.

Tight lines.