Spring is near, time for some cleaning

Well spring has arrived this week as the weather would seem to indicate. While the Vernal Equinox says March 20 is the official beginning of spring on our calendars, we all know that we can still expect some wintry weather this time of year.

That said, it seems like we are well on our way to begin thinking about the coming general trout season. It is also a great time to make sure to check that gear that has been stored away for awhile to make sure that it is all set to go.

Rods and reels can pick up some dirt or grit while fishing, so a good cleaning is really important. During the winter I fish Pyramid Lake in Nevada and there you must clean your gear every week because of the highly alkaline nature of the lake. While not as bad as saltwater from the ocean, it can still wreak havoc on your equipment.

Here's a good case in point. I forgot to clean my gear for a period of a couple of weeks once after fishing Pyramid. When I went to clean the reel, I noticed a small amount of rust beginning to form on the post holding my spool in place. Imagine if I had stored it away for the season without a thorough cleaning.

Usually, a good warm water scrub with a mild dishwashing soap and a soft sponge will do a good job cleaning the reel. You must open it up and clean inside as well as outside. Be sure to pay attention to how the parts came off so you get them back on the same way. If you have a little rust on any of the parts some fine steel wool will clean it up nicely. A good cold water rinse and/or soaking will complete the job.

Dry off the reel with the towel and let it air dry overnight. I then lube up the necessary components and put the reel back together. This insures that your reels will always operate dependably when you are fishing for that lunker.

For the rods the same soapy water bath and rinse will work just fine. Pay attention to the cork, reels seat, and the guides when cleaning the rod. These seem to be the points that get the dirtiest.

At least once a year or so, depending on how much cleaning the rod has had, I use some furniture polish to restore the luster to the finish. It gives it a thin coat of wax. I am sure that there is another product that you can use, but this seems to work fine for me. It just gives you a little extra protection.

Lines also get dirty and just need replacing at time. If you use monofilament lines or leaders, you must realize that these can degrade due to heat and light exposure. As a result, it is a good idea to get fresh line annually to avoid any problems. I have used the same line for several years, but I make sure to store them in a cool area in a drawer or closet.

Fly lines need to be cleaned periodically to maintain their ability to float or shoot through the guides efficiently. Soapy water works well followed by a line dressing. You can also just use a combination cleaner/dressing kit that is sold at all fly shops.

Care in cleaning your gear will have you ready for the coming season. It does not take very long to do and it can pay dividends when the season begins and you hook into that fish of a lifetime.

Bruce Ajari is a Truckee resident and regular fishing columnist for the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza and other area newspapers.