Just in case the Members are still wondering how they are going to cope during the winter months, here are some jobs they can do during the ‘closed season’.

  • Fishing equipment needs checking
    • Rods require cleaning and rings checked and replaced as necessary
    • Lines require cleaning, checking for cuts and abrasions (hard luck, you have just missed Christmas for presents!) and may need replacing
    • Nets, waders, and life jackets (gas canisters) etc. may require some maintenance
    • Fishing vests etc. may require washing!
    • Bags may require emptying, straps require mending etc.
  • It should go without saying, that if you tie your own flies, then there is little excuse for not
    • replenishing your stock
    • replacing the patterns lost last season
    • tying some of the new ‘must-have’ patterns
    • tying some for friends
    • trying a new technique
  • Read a new fishing book, or revisit an old one
    • Read through last year’s fishing diary and determine what worked and what didn’t
    • Read a fly tying book
  • Write an article / letter to your favourite fishing/fly-tying magazine (e.g. Flydresser)
    • Write a letter to your local MP and complain about the ‘sewage issue’
  • FDG Awards Bronze, Sliver & Gold plus FDG Competition
    • The details of the annual competition were published in last year’s Flydresser; our quarterly magazine
    • There are various levels from starters to more experienced
  • If you are reading this and you are not a FDG Member, then you should be and so follow the links above and join!
  • It also seems logical to the author, that if you go fishing, then you must be used to being outside in sometimes unfriendly weather, so to ensure that you do not forget how to cope, take a walk on a regular basis, either around the neighbourhood, or if possible, your local fishery
    • Take a walk with a friend, discuss fishing or why they were not invited to fish with you last season and resolve to correct it next season
  • In short, there is no real excuse why anglers should become ‘bored’ in the winter months-there is just too much to do (without even mentioning the garden yet!)

Good Luck and let the Committee know how you get on!