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We’re talking about how to shorten your time at the tailgate or the trunk. Just get your waders on, your boots laced, and get to the river. It should be as simple as that, but it’s not uncommon for anglers to waste a half hour or more just getting ready to go fishing.
Most anglers hate this wasted time. In fact, all of this preparation just to go fishing puts a lot of anglers off in the first place. And the colder it is, or the longer you plan to be out there fishing, or the more tactics you plan to use the more all of this pre-trip prep is required.
We want a system for minimizing the time between cutting the car engine to walking away from the vehicle with our fly rod in hand.
Basically, we all just want to go fishing. And the other stuff holds us back.
The full Troutbitten crew is here with me tonight. I’ve fished a lot with every one of them, and I know first-hand that they get out of the starting blocks pretty fast.
Resources
READ: Troutbitten | All The Things
READ: Troutbitten | Tip – Don’t Rig Up at the Truck
VIDEO: Troutbitten | Splitting The Rod
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Fish hard, friends.
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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com
I’m glad you all mentioned Leave No Trace when addressing the first question. That is a fundamental part of woodsmanship in my opinion.
Right on.
When I click on ‘pre-trip efficiencies’ I’m sent to ‘ten years of Troutbitten.’ Need a little correction.
THANKS for finding that error. Sorry about that, Tom. It’s fixed now.
Cheers.
Dom
A nice clean way to end the season and year. Looking forward to Season 14.
I agree with Trevor that “efficiency for efficiency’s sake” isn’t what you were after. YOUR goal (what you’re optimizing for) is time on the water. But there are others that are optimizing time out (away from life’s obligations), so just being out and getting ready at their tailgate is already part of the experience. You guys kind of mentioned that, but it was nice to have Trevor clarify.
I resonate with Bill’s idea of having multiple copies of his license printed. I don’t always take the same gear or vehicle to go fishing, so I have about 5 copies dispersed between my waders, gear bags, and vehicles. I also laminate them so I don’t have to reprint them when I inevitably fall in. Bill’s a wading pro though, so he probably doesn’t need to laminate anything.
Dom, you mention that “routine keeps [your] mind calm”. You’ve got your memorized checklist and can easily verify that you have everything you need. I find that having a “home” for every piece of equipment (or every tool in my garage) is what keeps my mind calm. I don’t have to worry about misplacing anything as long as I keep bringing it back to its home. Since I only get out on the water a handful of times a year, knowing that my gear is where it’s supposed to be (which is never in the trunk of my car) is helpful.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on fly box organization. I haven’t fly fished enough to have a perfect scheme, but I like the idea of having a fly box for a location (instead of a fly box per fly type). That fly box might have several fly types, but it’s my go-to when I’m headed to a specific spot where I know – or at least I think I know – what I want to fish. It definitely reduces my ability to pivot on the water, but it also simplifies my packing.
Quick correction on the last paragraph- you mention you’ve got the full crew on this episode … you saying Matt isn’t part of the crew?! 🙂
Grobe was there in spirit. Ha. I wrote that before we recorded and didn’t correct it when Matt couldn’t make it. Cheers.
Dom
You all certainly pick interesting topics that no one else covers. I often feel like I’m wasting time before I get on the water and have tried to be more prepared. This show gave me some additional guidance. The discussion about leaving the land and water as we find it made a great point. Thanks.
Cheers.
Hi Dom,
While this is still fresh in my mind, a question about ‘first-there’ (at the spot ethics) as it relates to being efficient in gearing-up for the day….. As I am retired I have the luxury of being able to sort out my gear for the next day after I finish helping with the dishes. (Cough!) My gear is typically always loaded in my SUV well ahead of time, ready for launch at a moments notice. The only variable I have is decided on the water. Nymphs, dries, or streamers and which of two rods I will use for the water I fish, a 6wgt or 4wgt depending on time of year. I’m already fully suited-up save for the last layer of outer warmth needed for the day as I roll into my parking spot.
Now my question, ethically speaking now. Since I am able to grab my rod of choice, don my vest or sling pack in a few very brief minutes when I arrive at a really choice spot where a few other anglers are still suiting-up, sipping coffee, eating, and discussing what rigs they will be considering, do I need to wait for them to finish before I hit the water behind them, or simply wish them a pleasant day and good luck and control the better water? Or, should I politely state, “I’m heading upstream, enjoy your breakfast and good luck today?” What would you guys do?
Honestly, I’m probably the type to say next to nothing, give a happy head nod and go about my business. If they are diddling at the car, that’s on them. And as we mentioned in the podcast and you mentioned in your question, coffee, relaxation, camaraderie at the tailgate may be part of their plans. I’ll follow through with my own.