Fishing Forum

Good tackle organization is one of the keys for better fishing. Since most of us have times when our free time might not be spent fishing, organizing our tackle can also be an entertaining endeavor.

Since I fish a number of different methods and types of fish, getting adequately packed for the trip presents a challenge on the night before every planned outing . Getting to my destination only to discover I’ve left some key item at home has never been a pleasant experience.

For me the diligent keeping of lists has solved most of the problems. I fly fish lakes for trout in a float tube. I fly fish streams for trout on foot. I boat fish for kokanee. I bank fish for steelhead with gear. I fly fish steelhead with flies. Each method takes a unique mix of tackle, rods, clothing, and vehicles. Since some of this tackle is shared back and forth, the likelihood is high that I’ll forget something if I don’t have some kind of system. The care and keeping of lists is my method.

All of us have access to a PC or we wouldn’t be reading this. A computer and a word processor are all that is really necessary to keep good lists and these are not really critical. A notebook and a pencil would also work for the low tech fisherman.

For me a little program called ListPro does a great job of keeping all my lists together and organized. Since I use a desktop computer in my office, a laptop on the road, and a handheld computer daily in my occupation, keeping my lists handy on each of these machines is a plus. ListPro not only makes list building and updating easy, it also automatically keeps the lists on all of these machines synchronized so I know I’m always working from the latest edition of an appropriate list.

I build my lists according to method. I have lists for:

Lake fly fishing from a tube.
Stream fly fishing from the bank.
Kokanee fishing from a boat.
Steelhead fly fishing from the bank.
Steelhead gear fishing from the bank.

These five updated lists have saved my bacon many times.

If you don’t keep organized tackle lists, consider doing so. It will make you a better prepared fisherman. It will also fill up some of your winter days when your favorite waterways are frozen solid or the weather is so bad even a duck would fly south. And if you live in the South, well, make a list anyway.

Here is a place where you can find more info about the list program if you're interested. I don't get any reward for sharing this link. It just works for me.

[url "http://www.iliumsoft.com/site/lp/listpro.htm"]http://www.iliumsoft.com/site/lp/listpro.htm[/url]

Here is a screen shot of the program on a handheld computer:


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The "Deluxe" version is the one that allows keeping lists on both handheld computer and desktop.

zonker
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[cool][#0000ff]Good stuff, but I strongly suspect that you are suffering from "fishing pox"...a deficiency of fishing. You need to get on the water more and get away from the computer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are those who will argue that making lists is too "anal". That is until their next trip when they forget something important...like fishing rods.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have always been of the organizational persuasion too. I combine lists for different types of fishing with sections on my shelves for lure boxes and other items I will need when restocking for different pursuits. The older I get, the more "reminding" I need in order to avoid "oops" problems.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The other day I made a big list of things I needed from the store, and went to the store, only to find that I did not have my list. I drove back home, looked all over for the list and when I looked in a mirror, saw the list peeking over the edge of my shirt pocket. Kinda like the absent minded professor that left his watch at home and then looked at his bare wrist to see if he had time to go home to get it.[/#0000ff]
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Yer somewhat right about the "pox." 'Course I do some of my best work when I'm so deprived.

The beauty of keeping the lists on your computer is that once you've made them, not much more is necessary. Preparation for a trip becomes easy. Its one of those cases where spending time saves time. To those who don't see the need for such things, all I can says is, "That's what makes the world go round." I'll sell them my extra pair of wading boots when they're 200 miles from home and barefoot for only $300. That's a bargain under certain circumstances. I know from personal experience.

Don't know what to say to a guy who forgets his list.[cool] I'm getting to be of the "older" persuasion, too. Is there any hope?[]

z~
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[cool][#0000ff]Hope so.[/#0000ff]
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Hey Zonker,

Lists ? You must be an accountant or something like that. If that software were free, I might think about it for some other applications in my life, however, as far as making a list for fishing or an outdoorsy type of outing, it would be like looking at instructions to tie my shoes.

Maybe about 30-40 years ago that might have been usefull to me. But, since then and after many, many thousands of outings, I have set up a system that works quite well for me - that's what experience does. Usually, I get out more times in one year than most "avid" anglers/outdoorspeople do in 5-10 years - most years I average well over 100(Being single and completely dedicated is required to expend the amount of time and energy to do so).

Of course, that does not mean that some things won't go un-remembered(I have forgetten my share of items that, for some folks, would be a show stopper). But those items are usually either non-essential, back-ups, or duplicated in my system - because earlier on in my experience, I forgot something and had to learn to make do without. Or, they get left behind while loading a vehicle in the dark or while attempting to "outsmart" my hounds as I leave them behind at the house - I'm afraid a list would do nothing to negate either of those scenarios. For me, the "list concept" and resulting preparation, for the most part, occured many years ago. So, now all I have to remember is for almost any given outing are these 5 things:

1-wallet/liscenses
2-vest bag
3-rod/reels/net bag
4-tackle bag
5-lunch/misc bag

That's a short enough list that it doesn't need to be written down or on a computer - does it ?

Also, over the years, I have developed enough skills to overcome the lack of any item, and an attitude such that inspite of any forgetfullness, I will find a way to enjoy myself regardless of the deficit of equipment.

That said, in the spirit of the photo journal approach you are fond of, Here are some photos of my system - not all things are pictured(I couldn't get a lot of the items in the photos). But, the beauty is that it only took a couple of minutes to get the stuff out for the pictures - as everything is always in a state of immediate readiness.

This is the gear I bring to fly fish from my float tube or pontoon boat - it's minimal and it's kind of cheap stuff that I would not be as disappointed to see go overboard(which, experience has shown me, can alway be a definate possiblility given the nature of the watercraft and the waters I have fished on them, as well as my own potential fumble fingered clumsiness) - every thing is attachable to the craft.




This is the hardware set up of the tube or toon - again it's minimal because of space on the craft and every thing is cheap and more easily replaceable should something go for an unplanned swim(with the exception of the lip grippers). Notice the leashes.




This is the full blown fly fishing set-up(for wading, bank or shore fishing). Two bags - one with rods and reels, one with tackle. Everything for every species in fresh water and every situation likely to be enounter by me and all facets of flyfishing are in that bag - from fly tying and leader building to aquatic life form collection and indentification to a good selection of rods, reels, lines, flies and equipment repair. When I go fly fishing, those bags will be in the vehicle.




This is my hardware tackle set-up for my boat and for bank/shore fishing(rods and reels are already in the boat or bank rods/reels are in cases next to the tackle box). The boxes to the right are interchangable and go in the top shelf in a moments notice and indiviually contain hardware to cover all the species or the specific waters in this area. The boxes in the two bottom shelves contain a selection of generic and or terminal hardware applicable to all species and waters almost anywhere. The spinner bait boxes are also interchangeable or can be both brought.




The vest - it has everything I need to hike and fish almost anywhere for anything - and it now fits nicely in it's own bag(I just got the bag this year at a thrift store), it always goes fishing with me - sometimes it just sits in my vehicle. It is also where I keep my fishing liscenses(Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada) when they're not in my wallet and that's the main item on my check list before I head anywhere - and I check it thrice !




Not pictured - I keep a fly rod and reel, small flybox, spinning rod and reel, small tackle box and waders in both of my vehicles as standard equipment in case I stumble upon an impromtu or unplanned fishing opportunity. Also, not pictured is my "developing" ice fishing set-up - it all fits in a small bucket.
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Hi Fishhound,

Nice writeup! I love the pictures.[cool]

Nope. I'm not an accountant. Nor a geeky bean counter. Actually it is my lack of such skills that forces me to keep lists. I just don't like the experience of having to "improvise" when I've left some obviously needed piece of equipment at home. I will confess that I work a lot with computers so it is a "natural" to utilize them for the things I do. The list program was purchased for my regular work.

Funny you mentioned your hounds. That must be a common issue. I used to have a big chocolate Lab who seemed to sleep with one eye open and one ear cocked upward. I never was able to leave without his hangdog, droopy-eyed look at me if I was going someplace where I couldn't take him. He could tell by what I was wearing what my plans were for the day. If I was wearing slacks and street shoes, he wouldn't even get up. If I was wearing Levi's or he saw a hat or fishing rod, he was up and jumping around. I could sneak off and leave my wife before I could get away from him. I miss him.

Looking at your pictures, methinks you are a bit more of a minimalist than I am when it comes to lakes. I tend to take along more tackle than I really need for that type of fishing. I would do well to pare it down as you have done. One (large) fly box would surely meet my stillwater trout needs. But instead I take five or six, mostly because these also serve my river fishing needs where there is a lot more "match the hatch" fishing. I just move 'em back and forth from vest to tube. I should put together a stillwater box because most of the flies I carry are only used in streams and rivers. Probably my river flyfishing get up would compare with yours.

I used to have a little ritual I went through as I walked out the door for the last time after loading the truck (done to a catchy rhythm with my wife chuckling in the background.) I would mentally "dress" myself: (Pat on the head) hat, (down the body) waders, belt, boots, vest, then (right hand) rods, (left hand) wading staff, (pat on the rear) wallet, license, and extra truck keys. Looked kind of like a Pepto Bismol commercial if you've seen it. It worked well when I pursued mainly trout in streams and rivers. Never was quite able to get the rhythm down for tubing or boating. My deliverance was the list.

Your boat/tackle box kit looks about like mine. The interchangeable boxes are great for a quick, last minute shift of plans. Part of my problem is that my boat must be tarped and left outside as I presently have no room in the garage for it. Thus I must unload my gear after each outing and load it back again whenever I go. This brings GPS, fishfinders, batteries, anchor and ropes, detachable downriggers, etc. etc. into the things that must be remembered. Again, for me that takes a list.

Your system looks neat and very effective. I guess the bottom line is that, whatever we use, it has to work.

Thanks for your lengthy and adequate response to my post. I learn a little from each fisherman I meet. I've learned from you.

zonker


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