Thursday, September 09, 2010

It has been said that most anadromous species of fish, such as salmon and steelhead, have scent capabilities that are 5,000 times that of humans; with that in mind, it’s essential to take extreme measures to ensure that abhorrent odors stay off all fishing gear because fish have better than super-human abilities to smell and identify good scents from bad odors
Veteran anglers can be spotted by the towels they tuck into their wading belts and vests. Each time, before they handle their leaders, they take the time to wipe their hands off to make sure no odors, other than fishing scents, make it to hooks and offerings. When there is a lot of pressure from fishermen, fish go off the bite and the number one thing they respond to are the many scents presented to them. A great trick for getting strikes is to change the prevalent scent to something not ordinarily used. In the northwest the two favorite scents, whether using baits or artificial odors, are shrimp and salmon milt. Rivers pounded by anglers will literally have slick trails on the surface of the water with these two favorites. To change things up use Squid scent. It’s a thin liquid and has to be applied much more often than conventional liquid baits, but it works fast when the pressure is on. Also, whenever strikes begin for you other anglers will immediately want to know what you’re using to get fish on the hook, so it’s a good idea to slightly disguise the scent container by changing it to a different bottle from that of the factory to one is clear and a different shape. Right away fishermen will not know what you’re using and most of the time they won’t take the time to ask. This is not an endorsement to be rude. Whenever I’m using this tidbit trick I’m at least courteous enough to share information with those willing to ask. The thing is, if you don’t take the time to hide the “secret sauce” whenever combat fishing conditions present themselves, then fishing pressure starts all over again. Many odor hardships can be prevented by taking steps to properly stow gear.
Whenever storing gear, take the time to consider where it all will be. Sometimes storage can last for months at a time, especially if you fish both fresh and saltwater environments. Many wives will agree that the best place to store any fishing gear is in the garage, which can be one of the worst places to store gear without protecting rods, lines, and reels; these are the things that most often come within contact of smoke, oil, grease, and sweat. Prior to storage take the time to wash everything in warm soapy water and then pat dry all of them. Reels and Rods require special packaging and I wrap them up lightly with “clean” garage towels. “If you use any other kind of towel the wife is going to let you know about it…loudly.” To counter the wafting that could make it through porous towels double wrap gear in plastic bags. Even fishing rods can be wrapped in large garbage bags and then taped down. When all the gear has been prepared look to the rafters of the garage and use the trusses to store rods. To put smaller items up there, like tackle boxes and waders, just place down a sheet of paneling. Keeping gear out and away from everything else ensures that accidents that could happen don’t.
By most standards these measures can look extreme but they’re really not. When out on the water and getting fish after fish other anglers will be looking to you for advice. Telling them what you know about scent capabilities of salmon and steelhead will reinforce that you know what you’re talking about. After all, if you’re getting many fish from this little tidbit of precautionary measures, it’s not really essential to let them in on your scent hiding trick, wading towels, and gear storing methods…that is…unless you want to.