Simply Organized

[Fishhound]

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.
[signature]